Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/27/18)

>> Jim and Laurie will be on vacation May 28 through June 6.
>> Men's breakfast in June will be on June 10th, the second Sunday.

Scripture for Sunday
Philip. 4:4-13 (ESV) 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;  [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

[8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

[10] I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.  [11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  [12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  [13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Questions for Reflection
1.    How do you tend to respond when things don’t go your way?
2.    What does it take to live at peace with difficult family members or colleagues?
3.    How did Paul tell the Philippian Christians to treat others? (4:5)
4.    What did Paul say about anxiety? (4:6-7)
5.    What were the Philippians to do instead of worrying? (4:6-7)
6.    If you were more thankful, joyful, and gentle, how might your family and friends be affected?
7.    What does it take for you to think worthy thoughts?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/20/18)

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost please wear red.

Scripture for Sunday
Acts 2:1-13

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  [2] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. [3] And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. [5] Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. [6] And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.v[7] And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? [9] Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, [11] both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." [12] And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" [13] But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."

Questions for Reflection

1. When the Holy Spirit filled the believers, what did they do? (2:4)
2. Who was staying in Jerusalem? (2:5)
3. How did the God-fearing Jews visiting Jerusalem react when they heard Christians speaking their languages? (2:6-11)
4. What languages were the Jews from Galilee speaking? (2:9-11)
5. What was the topic of conversation among the crowds? (2:11)
6. Besides being amazed, how did the crowd react to the unusual happening they witnessed? (2:12-13)
7. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
8. How does God use us to witness to others?
9. When has God enabled you to do something that you didn’t think you could do?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/13/18)

• Men's Breakfast Saturday morning May 12th 8 AM. Coffee will be on at 6:30 so come early to visit and bring a friend.
• You are invited! Peaches Savage's students will have a piano recital tonight at our church at 6 PM. Quite a few of our young people will be participating.

Scripture for Sunday ~ Happy Mother's Day 
Philip. 2:1-13 (ESV) 

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, [8] he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  [12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Questions for Reflection

1.    When was the last time you had a squabble with a family member?
2.    What four qualities mark unity with Christ? (2:1)
3.    How can Christians show their unity in Christ in practical ways? (2:2)
4.    What did Paul say about self-centeredness? (2:3-4)
5.    How is Christ the best example of humility and unselfishness for us? (2:6-8)
6.    How do petty quarrels hold you back in your Christian walk?
7.    How can Christ help you keep peace with others?
8.    What kind of disposition does Christ want us to have?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/6/18)

No Men's Breakfast Saturday- We will have it Saturday May 12.

Scripture for Sunday
Philip. 1:1-18 (ESV)  

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: [2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

[3] I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,  [4] always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,  [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  [6] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  [7] It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.  [8] For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.  [9] And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,  [10] so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 

[12] I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,  [13] so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.  [14] And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 

[15] Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.  [16] The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.  [17] The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.  [18] What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,  

Questions for Reflection
1.    What’s your usual way of saying hello to your friends?
2.    In your family, how important are greetings in affirming each other?
3.    How did Paul greet the Philippians? (1:2)
4.    When Paul thought about the Philippians, what did he do? (1:3)
5.    How were the Philippians in partnership with Paul? (1:4-5)
6.    What was Paul confident about? (1:6)
7.    Why is it a good practice to begin a letter with a Christian blessing?
8.    What godly encouragement can you offer other Christians?
9.    Paul complimented the church at Philippi; what positive things can you say about your congregation?
10. How is Paul’s prayer for the Philippians a good prayer for you to copy?