Controlled by the Spirit you can fulfill your God-given role submissively.
Text: Matthew 21:1-11
Theme: God is unfolding His plan whether we see it or not. The focus of this plan is Jesus.
Four Unfailing Promises
- God's love for me will never change
- God's purpose for me is Christ-likeness
- God's grace for me is all sufficient
- God's word for me is the final right answer
Text: Ephesians 5
Theme: God's Calling …in building his church through Jesus Christ for his own glory.
- Read Ephesians 5:8 and then study light in the following texts: Prov 4:18; Isaiah 60:1; Matt 5:13-16; John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 1:5-7
- Look through the Ephesian letter to see the number of uses of the idea of “fullness”: 1:23; 3:19; 4:10; 4:13
- How does 1 Peter 1:13-16 echo Ephesians 4-5?
- Read Titus 3:8 as further commentary on Eph 5:11-16.
Series: Side By Side
Text: Ephesians 4
Theme: God’s Design …in building his church through Jesus Christ for his own glory.
- Let your eyes fall on multiple uses of the word “all” and the word “one” in verses 1-6. Can you see how this shapes a foundation for unity?
- Read Psalm 133. You will encounter “unity” in v.1, and what is found at the very end of the Psalm? How are these two ideas connected?
- Think of one person to show special kindness to today.
Series: Side By Side
We are needy…so ask for help.
Text: Ephesians 2:11-3:21
Theme: God's reconciliation ...in building his church through Jesus Christ for his own glory.
- Consider the Old Testament revelation of God’s plan to save his people out of all the nations. We see the hope of reconciliation in: Genesis 12:3, 22:18, 26:4, 28:14; Psalm 67 & 72; Isaiah 11:10, 49:6, 60:1-3; Hosea 1:10; Amos 9:11-12
- Add to that Ephesians 2:11-22 and Colossians 1:18-23.
Series: Side By Side
Based on the book by Edward Welch.
This week:
- Hard circumstances meet busy hearts
- Sin weighs a lot
Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
Theme: God's grace...in his plan to build his church through Jesus Christ for his own glory.
- Make this week a study of good works. Nail down the place of good works before salvation from Ephesians 2:8-9.
- Now look over a number of verses that show you the place of good works once you have believed in Jesus for salvation. James 2:17-26 is a summary of true faith lived out with good works. See also: Colossians 1:10; 2 Timothy 3:17; Titus 2:14 and 3:1, 8.
Series: Side By Side
Part 2: Live is hard; Our hearts are busy.
Text: Ephesians 1
Theme: God's Sovereignty
- We sang Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery together on Sunday. Look it up online; listen to it; learn it; use it to worship. God’s made known the mystery to you!
- Take a survey trip through the book of Ephesians following the word “mystery.” Paul uses it in the letter seven different times (1:9, 3:3, 3:4, 3:6, 3:9, 5:32, 6:19); from these, build a working definition of “mystery.”
Series: Side By Side
Text: Leviticus 16
Theme: Seeing Christ in the “goat that departs”
- Perhaps the clearest correlation of the atoning work of the scapegoat is found between Leviticus 16:21 and Isaiah 53:4-6. What sounds familiar in these two passages? What similar action occurs?
- Also, you should find a common between Leviticus 16:21-28 and Hebrews 13:11-13.
- Think your way through Hebrews 9:6-14
Hear from Brian Schmitz during the Sunday School hour.
Hear from guest speaker Ron Webber.
Sunday School with guest speaker and bible translator Ron Webber.
Theme:
Text:
- Read Hebrews 6:10-12. What hope is there in your serving? What benefit? What warning? What command?
- Study Matthew 20:20-28. What do you learn about serving others from Jesus’ teaching and example?
- Consider 1 Corinthians 16:18. Are you a person who refreshes others? How so? Who do you know who is a refreshing person? Reach out and thank them.
Hear Jesus' words to be of good cheer.
Theme: A mindset for doing what you've heard
Text: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
- Look over the 5 commands in our text of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. Which one seems to point at you the most? Why do you feel that way?
- Consider a few verses dealing with being alert: Mark 14:38; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Peter 2:1 with 2 Timothy 4:3-5. What are you alert for in these verses?