Thoughts for Observation, Interpretation, and Application on Sermon given 01/01/12

This week all of the questions are application questions, as several passages of scripture were used in the sermon. Be sure to refer to your notes from the sermon in answering these questions with your group. Joe addressed three areas: past, present, and future; the application questions will address each of these.

Application:

1. The sermon’s first point was on thanksgiving. God has done a lot in the life of Emmaus these past 7 months. In the midst of life it is easy to forget how many blessings God has given us as a community and individuals. Take some time and give thanks for all that God has done for Emmaus. Take some time and share with one another the things in which you are truly thankful for in your own life. (Psalm 9:1-2)

2.The sermon addressed our identity as a “new calvinism church”. As you know, the only reason Emmaus takes on such an identity is that Emmaus is fully convinced that scriptures teach the doctrine of election and ECF desires to be true and faithful to the scriptures. Share with your group your thoughts on being a church that stands for the accuracy, holiness, and authority of the scriptures, even in the midst of opposition. Also, discuss your thoughts on the new calvinism video that was shown during the sermon. (Phil 1:12-14; Romans 8:28)

3. The new sermon series is titled “On Mission Together; Understanding Our Mission In Light Of The Mission Of God”. What are your thoughts on this new series we are embarking on as a church? How can you as an individual use your gifts to become more effective with the Mission Of God? Spend some time in prayer in your group for the future of Emmaus Christian Fellowship. Pray that God will use Emmaus to bring about his glory and our joy.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt Philippians 1:12-14 Psalm 9:1-2 Romans 8:28
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Hello Gospel Community Group Leaders and welcome. What an exciting time for Emmaus Christian Fellowship. Below is a basic guide for the structure of our first meeting. Each week I will update the blog with a new guide and information for that particular week. Feel free to use this guide as much as you feel comfortable. However, please do not disregard it completely, as I would like all of the groups to be on the same page. So please make it a point to check the blog at least once a week.

Sample outline for 1st  meeting

1. Prior to meeting with your group, make sure to review the handouts given at the GCG training. This will help you remember the priorities of the group. Review Cloud and Townsend’s Part 4 if you have not already done so. Reflect on the picture model that I handed out and ask the Lord to guide you and give you wisdom as we begin these groups. A recap of the top 7 group priorities are

-Think Life Change

-Cultivate Relationships

-Promote Group Involvement

-Identify Replacements

-Provide Guidance and Care

-Monitor Environment for Love, Acceptance, and Honesty.

-Don’t Neglect Your Personal Spiritual Life

2. Before you start your group, be sure to spend some time in deep and thoughtful prayer. Pray for your group members, the direction of the group, Gods changing power within the group, etc.

3. Begin the group with an introduction of yourself and all the others in the group.

4. Spend the first portion of the group explaining what we tend to accomplish throughout the duration of these groups. Feel free to refer to any of the handouts from the training.

5. Next, spend some time explaining what is expected of each group member by referring to Cloud and Townsend part 5. Allow this to be a time of open discussion as we want everyone to understand their role in the group. A suggestion would be to use each of Cloud and Townsend’s topics one by one; introduce the topic, explain the topic, and get feedback on how the group feels about each topic. Cloud and Townsend list 13 topics beginning on pg. 193

6. Finally, spend some time in open fellowship. Just hang out for a while and get to know one another. Remember, our focus is not on strict curriculum or firm structure, it is about molding oneanother into the image of Christ by oneanothering and truthing in love. Relationships are central.

7. End in prayer.

*Contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am praying for you all and am so excited to see how God is going to change lives in our Gospel Community Groups. To God be the Glory. Grace and Peace to you all.

-Russell

Posted in News Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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