Bible study: 1 Cor 1:1--15

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL IN A MESSED-UP WORLD: THE MESSAGE OF 1 CORINTHIANS

2. The message of the cross

Pray.

Starter: (In 2s or 3s) What opinions do people listen to when deciding how to live? What makes people listen to them?

Read 1 Cor 1:10-25.

What has caused the church in Corinth to be divided?

When does respect for a Christian Leader become unhealthy?

What can we learn from Paul’s solutions to these divisions?

How can the cross seem foolish to people?

How does this passage effect our evangelism and how we feel about it?

Does this passage encourage or challenge us or both?

(prompt to think individually and as a community if necessary)  

Pray.

Bible Study

This week we're meeting at Keith and Jenny's house for Bible study.

Own programme!

This week we're at my house for 'Own programme'. We might watch The Great British Bake Off final, a film or just chat. Hope to see you then.

Mark

Homegroup 'weekend away' 2014

Bible Study: We are worshippers (True Identity)

True identity: Understanding our life and mission as a church.

We are worshippers.

Starter
(In pairs or threes) How do you describe our church to other people? Why would/wouldn’t you describe us as ‘a worshipping community’?

Read Romans 12:1-2.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Questions
What things must be true for these verses to make sense?

Why is important that mercy precedes sacrifice in the passage?

‘Sacrifice’ is a stark word; how can worship be costly for us?

What motivators are there for us to offer our bodies gladly when the sacrifice is great?

If a non-Christian friend asks you about this evening, what things would you like to be able to share?

Own Programme: Evening Walk

This week we will meet at Keith and Jenny's to enjoy a stroll round Knighton Park and then a drink back at their house.

Bible Study: Hosea 5:8-6:6

Hosea 5:8-6:6. God wants a repentant relationships with us not just rule keeping.

Key: italics=sub questions.
(Ephraim=Israel).

Why does sorry seem to be the hardest word?

Hosea 5:8-15 God is our judge

1. How else have Gods people and their leaders acted unfaithfully? (what have they done, who have they put their faith in)

2. What more do we learn about God’s coming judgment? (What does it look like?)

3. What does God want his people to do when they see the effect of sin? (v15).

Hosea 6:1-10. True repentance = True relationship with God.

4. What does Israel decide to do? What is good about what they say?

5. What does God know about their love for him? Can you spot what is missing from Israel’s return. What kind of thing does God still see his people doing (7-10).

6. What does God desire people to display? How does this help us understand the kind of religion he is pleased by?

7. How can we as church members be like Israel was in Hosea’s day? Do you ever ask God for his blessings, and tell him you want him as your God, without being truly sorry for your sins or really being willing to change? How does God’s desire for a real religious attitude of heartfelt mercy rather than hypocritical one of outward performance encourage and challenge you?

Application

During his life on earth Jesus quoted Hosea’s words, which is really helpful to us and really important to understand.

Matthew 9:9-13

8. Why don’t the Pharisees like what Jesus is doing?

9. Why do the Pharisees need to learn the lesson of Hosea 6 v 6? How does Matthew show us a right response to Jesus?

10. What can we learn from Hosea 6 and Matthew 9:9-13 about truly turning back to God?

11. Why, as a follower of Jesus, will we show mercy to others?

12. How can we encourage true, heartfelt repentance among our Christian friends? (what might get in the way, what things might we sometimes say that actually obstruct this repentance?)

Personal taking home questions

When and why do you find it difficult to say sorry to God?

When and why do you find it hard to show mercy to others?

Prayer points: confessing sins will prompt us to say sorry. And it will remind us that we have received mercy and so need to show it to others.