Author Archive
Oct
8
How has God grown you in your faith over the last 5 years? This week spend time sharing testimonies, blessings, and praises from last week, year, and years.
Oct
1
What does it mean to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ? Explain.
What are practical ways you have seen God’s grace and favor in your life? Share.
What are the current barriers you face daily that prevent you from growing in your faith?
What can be done to help you overcome these barriers, if any? Share.
Do you have any confessed or unconfessed sin in your life that you would be willing to share with your group so they can pray for you?
Sep
25
Hello Emmaus Church. Tomorrow (09/26/12) Jews all over the world will observe Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Attonement . The Day of Atonement is the most sacred day of the Jewish year and involves fasting, prayers and a liturgy related to the ministry of the High Priest as commanded in the Book of Leviticus for the atonement of God’s people. Furthermore, the Day of Attonement is central to properly understanding the Chrstian faith. Levitcus 16 describes this event in detail, as it is one of the most significant chapters in all of the Old Testament. In Leviticus 16 the High Priest is given elaborate and extensive instructions on how to carry out the sacrifice needed to atone for the sins of the people. This was the only day of the entire year that the High Priest was able to enter into the Holy of Holies in order to make atonement for the sins of God’s people.
In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews tells us that “we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.” (Hebrews 8:1, 2 ESV) Yom Kippur is the central event in understanding the need for a sacrifice, and why Christ was the only one worthy to fully atone for the sins of the people. For “he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,”(Colossians 1:22 ESV)
In remembering and observing this pivotal day in the formation of Christianity, I encourage you to do the following.
1. Read the following article about the Day of Atonement. The Author does a great job explaining the importance of Yom Kippur and its significance to Christianity. http://www.unionchurch.com/archive/101401.html
2. Read Leviticus 16 and understand it in context.
3. Read the book of Hebrews and make note of Christ as our high priest.
4. Reflect on the majestic, amazing, and underserving gift we received through God’s perfect sacrifice, Christ.
5. Pray for Israel that they would see that Christ is the true messiah and only the high priest worthy of atoning for the sins of the world!
May you be blessed as we remember and reflect on the most central event of all history; God’s redemption of His own. Blessings.
-Russell
Sep
25
1. What evidence is there for Peter’s use of faith as referring to a personal faith and not a corporate faith in 2 Peter 1:1?
2. Where is your faith? Is it strong? Are you struggling in any areas? Share with your group.
3. What does the term righteousness mean in 2 Peter 1:1?
4. How has your knowledge or understanding of the doctrine of election changed or grown over the last year?
5. How can better understanding the original languages of scripture help you in evangelizing to non-believers?
Sep
18
1. How has understanding the background of 2 Peter helped you in better understanding the book?
2. How does Peter go about preparing the church to stand firm against the attacks that are on the way? Give examples.
3. What is Peter’s method for bolstering the church so that the truth of the gospel of Christ might stand the test of time?
4. Why should this portion of 2 Peter cause us to be Humbled and stand in Awe of God? Share.
5. Are you being humble in your Christian walk?
Sep
10
1. What part of 2 Peter stuck out to you the most during Joe’s reading of the entire book? Why? Share.
2. Why do you think Peter began his book with the greeting he did?
3. Where are you at with your battle with pride? Are you doing well or can you use prayer in some areas? Share with your group.
4. What does it really mean to be a bond servant of Christ? Share.
5. How has God blessed you this week? (at church, work, school, home) Share.
Aug
27
This week Joe introduced the foundation documents and led the church in its first Elder appointment. There is no primary text this week.
1. What is the biblical definition of an elder?
2. What did/do you think about Emmaus’ Eldership process and presentation?
3. Look over Emmaus’ foundation documents and discuss with your group. Thoughts? Pros or Cons? Concerns? Elaborations? Suggestions?
4. Spend some time in prayer for the leadership of our church and the future of Emmaus.
5. Share challenges and praises with one another.
Aug
20
This week Joe continued his sermon on the Great Commission. Matthew 28:16-20 will still serve as the primary text.
1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding the listed passage?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these/this passage(s) of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Compare the listed passage with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
4. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out (if any)? What? Why? Share.
5. Read through at least 2 commentaries on the listed passage and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)
6. Do you believe that you are being proactive in proclaiming the gospel? Why or why not? How? Explain.
7. What can you do differently in your daily life to better proclaim the gospel? Share. Encourage.
8. Have you been baptized? Reminisce about your experience. If you have not been baptized, are you considering it? Share.
9. How do we as Christians go about teaching others “all that Christ has commanded?” What does “all that Christ commanded entail?” Share. Explain.
"Him we proclaim,
warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
(Colossians 1:28, ESV)
