1. Do you have a favorite Psalm? Which one? Why is it your favorite? Share.

2. How are you daily bringing glory to God? How is God being glorified through your life? Remember: it is not boasting if you give all the glory to God.

3. Are there any idols of the heart that have been above the glorification of God in your life? If yes, what needs to change to put Gods glory first again?

4. Are you currently trusting in the Lord for all things? Are you content in your current situations (work, home, health, family)? Great trust displays great faith.

5. Name at least 3 things in your life right now that you can praise God for. (Yes, I know, we should praise God for all things. But you know what I mean.) Share.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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1. What is your main motivation for life? Don’t just give a simple and conditioned response. Really think about it and try to put it in one sentence.

2. Do you have any idols that have over taken the reign of Christ in your life? Anything we are not willing to hand fully over to God is a potential idol.

3. Are you being faithful in standing for and sharing Christ outside of church (home, work, school, etc.)? Share.

4. How has pride been a hinderance in your Christian Faith during the last few weeks. Think about some specific examples and share with your group.

5. Paul’s toils and persecution for the Christian faith is an example to us all. How are you living for Christ and furthering His kingdom in all you do? What is your ministry?

Posted in Study Guides Russell Schmidt
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1. What is a biblical method for determining how much one should tithe? Discuss but do not debate. Support with scripture.

2. Tithing is a personal act of worship. One not need share how much they tithe. However, is your heart right in the area of giving or tithing? Or are you struggling with Gods commands in this area and his provision of your life?

3. What valuable concepts has God taught you about finances over the last few years? Share with your group some of the main, important, and practical lessons you have learned.

4. How have you been blessed by some of the ministries of Emmaus over the last year? Share with you group.

5. Parents: how can you effectively teach your children to manage their money in a godly way? Share.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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If you are paying attention, you’ve probably noticed a theme in the catechism questions that we have been memorizing over the past few weeks. All of the questions are centered upon the means of grace.

Q: What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?

A: The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are His ordinances, especially the Word, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper and Prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

Q: What makes the word effective for salvation?

A: The spirit of God causes the reading and especially the preaching of the word to convince and convert sinners and to build them up in holiness and comfort through faith to salvation.

Q: How is the word to be read and heard in order to become effective for salvation?

A: For the word to become effective for salvation, we must pay careful attention to it, prepare ourselves, and pray for understanding. We must also receive it with faith and love, treasure it in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.

Q: How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation?

A: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them or in him that administers them, but only by the blessing of Christ and the working of His Spirit in them that by faith receive them.

 

Posted in Study Guides Spiritual Growth
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1. How are you doing with your struggle with pride? Be open and honest.

2. How are you doing with your struggle with envy? Are you being “content in all circumstances”? Be open and honest.

3. Have you ever had to rebuke another believer? What was the outcome? Share.

4. Are there people in your life in which confrontation is needed? Are you being held back by fear? What are you (would you) be afraid of? Why?

5. How can your group pray for you this week? Share.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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1. How can you tell if you are living by the flesh or by the Spirit? What evidences will confirm which is prevalent in your life? Share.

2. What would you say to a professing Christian who was openly living in particular sin, yet claimed that he was saved by the grace of God? Share.

3. Are you currently depending on the Spirit? Or have you reverted back to depending on your flesh? Share.

4. Why is it always so tempting to return to the ways of the law under Moses, rather than resting and living under the grace of the new covenant? Explain and share.

5. Don’t forget to pray for your group throughout the next week.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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Brothers and Sisters,

I recently came across this episode from the “Office Hours” podcast of Westminster Seminary California, which I though did an excellent job at communicating the role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification.

It’s 28 minutes long, and I guarantee that you will enjoy listing to Dr. Hywel R. Jones (you’ll see what I mean).

Blessings,

Joe

Office Hours Website

Office Hours Podcast

Posted in Good Thoughts from Others Sanctification Joe Anady
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1. What does it practically mean to “walk in the spirit”? How are you currently doing in walking in the spirit on a daily basis? Explain and share.

2. How would you respond if a new believer asked you “What is sanctification”? Answer in 1 sentence.

3. How has the Holy Spirit been renewing you over the last several months? In other words, what deep spiritual lessons has God been teaching you over the last several months. Explain and share with your group.

4. Have you been bold is sharing your faith or have you been more timid when evangelizing? Why? Share.

5. How would you respond if a new believer asked you “What is Regeneration”? Answer in 1 sentence.

See Sermon notes at emmauscf.org/sermons for more information.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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