Sermons
| 8th Oct | Trinity 17 | Laying on of hands |
Hebrews 6:1-2 |
| 15th Oct | Trinity 18 | Harvest |
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| 22nd Oct | Trinity 19 | Resurrection of the dead | Hebrews 6:1-2 |
| 29th Oct | Trinity 20 | Bible Sunday | |
| 5th Nov | Trinity 21 | Eternal Judgement | Hebrews 6:1-2 |
| 11th Nov | Trinity 22 | Remembrance Sunday |
Past Sermons :
The laying on of hands
Numbers 27:18-23
Luke 6:6-19
Life Group guidelines
“Christian Basics: Elementary Teachings”
The Laying on of Hands
(READINGS: Hebrews 6:1, 2; Numbers 27:18-23; Luke 6:6-19)
● What images initially come to mind when you think of the “laying on of hands”?
And where do you think these images come from?
● Have you ever been prayed for with the “laying on of hands” and if so why did
that happen and did anything happen to you as a result?
● Some of the reasons why hands were laid on people and they were prayed for
included: to confer a blessing, to set someone apart for particular service, to
heal, to release the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Which of these do you most
desire, want, hope for, need… for yourself in your Christian life at the moment?
● Some of the reasons why hands were laid on people and they were prayed for
included: to confer a blessing, to set someone apart for particular service, to
heal, to release the Holy Spirit and His gifts. In which of these ways would you
most like God to use you in and why?
● If you have found it difficult to decide on the last question – perhaps you have
said that you couldn’t do any or even that you don’t want to… what might this
say about your development as a Christian if you are neglecting that which is
most elementary? How may you move on to then do what is considered
elementary?
● How could you imagine as an individual or a Life Group including prayer with
the laying on of hands more in everyday life? And how could you,
as a Life Group support each other in doing that?
● How might this be expressed in Life Group meetings?
● How can a Christian best be prepared for this particular ministry?
The WORD – A FACILITATED GROUP BIBLE STUDY
This is not a regular-style Bible Study presented by the leader. It is an opportunity for all to participate and share thoughts on the particular passage. The leader (facilitator) guides the discussion so that everyone experiences God (hears from Him) and knows what experience they will take away with them. The emphasis is on practical application of the Bible to people’s lives personally, and to the group as a whole. The leader must become skilled in involving every member in discussion without embarrassing them, while staying on course to fulfil the teaching goal and ensuring that every person leaves with a positive experience that they can work out practically.
Baptism
Genesis 17:1-14
Matthew 3:13-17
Life Group guidelines
Something to get you started...
“Baptism”
(READINGS: Genesis 17:1-14, Matt 3:13-17)
● Baptism was placed as a clear sign of the new covenant by Jesus. What did he say in Matthew 28 that makes this clear.
● Jesus brought in a New Covenant while Abraham’s covenant with God is now called the Old covenant. Looking at Genesis 17 what do you understand as being the old covenant?
● Looking at circumcision as a covenant sign for the Jews and baptism as a covenant sign for the Christian church does the application of the sign always guarantee the outcome. Look at the lives of Jacob and Esau as an old Testament example. What does this mean for us in terms of baptism.
- The catechism sets out a definition of Baptism as an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. Can you see that there are two elements involved.
- the outward physical (Splashing water, saying I baptise……)
- the inward spiritual (Repentance and faith)
Can you think about what is in each element? (see brackets)
These do not need to happen at the same time, but they do need to happen. In adult baptism the inward will normally come first, in infant baptism the outward will be first. But it is highly unlikely that both will happen at the moment of baptism.
- thinking about the visible church ( those gathered on a Sunday) and the invisible church (those who God sees that really have repented and are walking by faith and growing in the fruit of the Spirit), can you see a difference?
- The world just sees the visible church but God sees both. How does God see you? Take a moment to prayerfully ask God and remember his response will be the first thought that comes to your mind.
(AAA: Remembering the three A’s of doing the Word, APPLICATION, APPLICATION, APPLICATION)
The Foundation of Faith
Life Group Leaders Guidelines
"Christian Basics: Elementary Teachings"
The Foundation of Faith (Readings: Hebrews 6:1, 2; Hebrews 11: 1-16; Romans 10:14-17)
* In what way does faith play a part in your life?
* In the film " Miracle on 34th Street" there is a scene where Santa Claus says what he understands faith to be. "Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to." Is this helpful when discussing how a Christian is to live by faith? What is its strength and/ or weakness?
* Who is God to you, that is, what do you understand Him to be like? Do you understand HIm to be good all the time - or do you tend to be someone who doubts the goodness of God when times get tough or challenging? How might we apply faith to the understanding that God is always good?
* "The heights of our life of faith will be determined by the depth of our acceptance and trust in the goodness of God." Is this statement true, if so how or if not why not?
* God desires to be in a relationship with us - and as is the case with relationships He wants to communicate with us. How does God communicate with us and what kinds of things does He communicate? How may we increase our potential to receive communication from God?
* If God communicates with us, gives us a promise, message, information, or direction how might we respond in faith to this?
* How are you doing in living a life of faith? What kinds of things can become a hindrance to living this life - that is, what might God be inviting us to sacrifice in order to live more purposefully this life of faith with Him?
* How much emphasis should be put upon the written word of God in living a life of faith?
(AAA: Remember the three A's of doing the Word, APPLICATION - APPLICATION - APPLICATION)
