[Sunday] Bells On Christmas - Kingdom Way

- Listen to the bells being rung, God’s promise of peace, hope, and salvation breaking into the world, even in the midst of suffering.

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Bells on Christmas

1. Have you ever experienced a moment in your life when you felt like you could hear "bells" breaking through a time of pain or despair? How did that moment impact you?

2. Read Matthew 2:13-23  (See also Exodus 1:1-13). What similarities do you see in Matthew to what God’s people went through in Exodus?  How is God always at work saving His people in both accounts?

3. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day during the Civil War, a time of personal and national struggle. How can we find hope in difficult circumstances, even when it feels like there is no peace?

4. The sermon compared the despair at the cross with the hope of Jesus’ resurrection.  How does knowing that Jesus was raised give you hope when facing struggles or brokenness in your life?

Notes for the Sermon

Information on Charles Longfellow

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Guiding Light - Kingdom Way

- The Magi following the light of a star mirrors how God has always worked, giving a light to follow through the wilderness, away from the darkness that holds us down.

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Guiding Light

1. What do you have on top of your Christmas tree?  A star?  An angel?  Something else?  Why is that important to your household?

2. What do you think the star represented for the Magi in the story? How does it compare to the angels' role in other parts of the Christmas story?

3. Read Matthew 2:1-13. People often get too focused on the power of earthly rulers like Herod. What are some examples of times when we might be tempted to focus more on worldly power than on God's true power?

4. The sermon talks about how the Magi were “unlikely” people to be part of the story. How does this remind us of God’s ability to use anyone, no matter their background, for His purposes? Can you think of examples from your own life where God brought an unexpected person into His family?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Named Expectation - Kingdom Way

- Christmas expectations are often Joshed. Yet the name Emmanuel breaks all expectations as Jesus comes to be with us.

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Named Expectation

1. Can you think of a time when you had high expectations for something, only to be disappointed? How did you feel? How did you cope with the disappointment?

2. Read Matthew 1:18-25.  Joseph faced a situation that completely shattered his expectations. Can you think of a time when your expectations were not met, but looking back, you saw how God worked through that situation?

3. Jesus was an ordinary name in the days Matthew wrote his Gospel.  Emmanuel was not an ordinary name.  How does the idea of the ordinary connected to the extraordinary of God coming to be with us (Jesus & Emmanuel), change our understanding of how God works?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Royal Introduction - Kingdom Way

- Introducing Him who completes all of creation with everything humanity has to offer.

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way -  Royal Introduction

1. Share the greatest ancestor that you have in your family.  What is so significant about them?

2. Read Matthew 1:1-17.  Discuss the inclusion of Rahab, Tamar, and Ruth. How does their presence challenge our understanding of holiness and God's plan?

3. The sermon emphasized the significance of the number seven in the Bible. How does this biblical symbolism deepen our understanding of Jesus' role as the culmination of God's plan?

4.  The sermon emphasized that God's kingdom is not limited to the perfect. How does this understanding challenge our own expectations of ourselves and others?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] All Things - Keep It Simple

- It's right there, all around us is the party of God's abundance. The question for us all is: Will we enjoy ourselves in God’s generosity, or will we rely on our own strength?

Questions for the Week: KEEP IT SIMPLE: - All Things

1. In what specific areas of your life are you currently relying on your own strength instead of trusting in God's? How can you shift your perspective to embrace God's sufficiency?

2. Read Philippians 4:10-20.  How can we practically apply Paul's example of contentment in all circumstances to our daily lives, especially when facing challenges or hardships?

3. How can we share the message of God's abundance with others, particularly those who may be struggling or feeling overwhelmed? What specific actions can we take to encourage and support them?

4. The sermon challenges us to "keep it simple." How can you simplify your life to focus more on God's abundance and less on your own worries and anxieties?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] One Another- Keep It Simple

- This is the Kingdom plan: Love one another. This is how they will know you are Christians, that you love one another.

Questions for the Week: KEEP IT SIMPLE: - One Another

1. Describe a time you’ve seen the body of Christ love one another in a beneficial way.

2. Read John 13:31-38.   What is Jesus’ commandment?  In context around this, how do the disciples fail to love another?

3. In what ways might selfishness hinder our ability to love others fully? How can we recognize and address this tendency in ourselves?

4. How can we actively demonstrate love for one another, especially during challenging times or when we disagree with each other?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Stewardship - Keep It Simple

Stewardship can be something that we overcomplicate. Keep it Simple; Jesus has saved you.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Reformation - Keep It Simple

Let’s rediscover the beauty of God's uncomplicated gift of salvation and how it frees us to joyfully participate in His work.

Questions for the Week: KEEP IT SIMPLE:  Reformation

1. In what ways do we tend to overcomplicate our relationship with God, and how can we simplify it in light of the message of salvation by grace?

2. Read John 10:22-30  How does the Jews’ request of Jesus overcomplicate things?  How does Jesus’ response simplify what He is about to do?

3. What are some practical ways we can live out the understanding that salvation is a gift, not something we earn? How does this affect our daily lives and interactions with others?

4. How can we effectively share the message of salvation by grace with others, especially those who may be struggling with legalistic or works-based beliefs?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Ambition - Serving Challenge

- Nobel ambition is shown through humility and a genuine desire to serve others, rather than the pursuit of personal recognition or power.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:  See This weeks Together Group Study

Sunday October 20th is Day 34 in the Book!

New Together Groups Materals
Releases at 11Am on Sunday

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Ability- Serving Challenge

- God has invested in you, blessing you with unique abilities. He trusts you with these gifts. Let's use them to honor Him.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:  See This weeks Together Group Study

Sunday October 13th is Day 27 in the Book!

It will Ask for an Email address. if you are not comfortable using your own, use lab@gracelutheranpsl.com

New Together Groups Materals
Releases at 11Am on Sunday

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Action - Serving Challenge

- When Jesus saw those who were like sheep without a shepherd. He had compassion on them -- but not just compassion; He also took action.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:  See This weeks Together Group Study

Sunday October 6th is Day 20 in the Book!

New Together Groups Materals
Releases at 11Am on Sunday

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Availability- Serving Challenge

In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude as Christ Jesus, who was God but did not strive to hold onto that divine reality to give himself notoriety. Rather, He stopped and made himself available to serve.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:  See This weeks Together Group Study

Sunday September 29th is Day 13 in the Book!

New Together Groups Materals
Releases at 11Am on Sunday

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Attitude - Serving Challenge

Our attitudes have a profound effect on our lives and relationships. A bad attitude of accusation can destroy life, but when we align our attitude with Christ, we experience the joy and peace that comes from serving with a pure heart.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:  See This weeks Together Group Study

Sunday September 22nd is Day 6 in the Book!

New Together Groups Materals
Releases at 11Am on Sunday

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Greatest - Serving Challenge

Serving others is not about self-promotion or personal gain, but about elevating those around you. In God’s kingdom that's how you become the greatest.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:  See This weeks Together Group Study

Releases at 11Am on Sunday

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Under Pressure - Hold Fast: 2nd Timothy

When under pressure, there is hope and resilience in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ which causes us to look at the world differently.

Questions for the Week: Hold Fast:  Paul's 2nd Letter of Timothy - Under Pressure 

1. How have you experienced pressure or suffering in your own life? In what ways has your faith helped you to endure these challenges?

2. Read 2 Timothy 4.    How does Paul speak of pressure and hope?  What does he cling to for this hope?

3. How does the love of God, as revealed in the cross of Jesus Christ, change everything? What does it mean to love others as Christ loves us?

4. When looking at all of 2 Timothy, what is the biggest piece of encouragement you can take with you?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Let My People Go - Hold Fast: 2nd Timothy

All of Scripture is God-breathed; in its inspired voice, we hear the good news, useful teaching, correction, instruction, and training for a life well lived in freedom.

Questions for the Week: Hold Fast:  Paul's 2nd Letter of Timothy - Let My People Go

1. How does the idea that the Scriptures are "breathed out by God" impact your understanding of their authority and relevance in your life?

2. Read 2 Timothy Ch 3.  What scary things does Paul highlight?  Where does he point to find hope?

3. How can we discern between true and false teachers, and what steps can we take to protect ourselves and others from their influence?

4. In what ways have you experienced God's freedom in your own life? Share specific examples and how these experiences have shaped your faith.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Lightning Rod - Hold Fast: 2nd Timothy

Amidst so much irreverent babble and ignorant controversies, it's easy to become entrenched in our "lightning rod" beliefs. What if, instead, we stood in the good news of Jesus?

Questions for the Week: Hold Fast:  Paul's 2nd Letter of Timothy - Lightning Rod

1. What do you think a "lightning rod" issue is in your family or community? How does it create division? Can you think of an example?

2. Read 2 Timothy 2:14-26.  How can we better focus on Jesus and His love for us, rather than getting caught up in disagreements? What practical steps can we take to do this?

3. The sermon emphasized that God's foundation is firm. How does the knowledge of “being His” bring you comfort and peace?

More Info From the Sermon

The Second Testament by Scott McKnight

A Tranlation of the New Testament.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] The Athlete - Hold Fast: 2nd Timothy

Paul, with a whiff of sarcasm, pronounces we all know an athlete never cheats in their game, which makes us ask ourselves, “Have we tried to shortcut the faith?

Questions for the Week: Hold Fast:  Paul's 2nd Letter of Timothy - The Athlete

1. Think of a time someone cheated at a sport or game.  What effect did that have on the final results?

2. Read 2 Timothy 2:1-13.  What do you find most challenging about Paul’s message to endure suffering and hold fast to the Gospel of Jesus?

3. Can you share a time when you felt like you were taking a "shortcut" in your faith or in life? What did you learn from that experience?

4. With the hope of the resurrection, how can we support one another when we are facing difficulties and challenges?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Not Ashamed - Hold Fast: 2nd Timothy

- When we have wanted to avoid them at all costs to stay away from evil, Jesus prays, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”

Questions for the Week: Hold Fast: Paul's 2nd Letter of Timothy - Not Ashamed

1. Can you share a time when you felt weak but God joined you in your weakness? How can we better embrace our vulnerabilities and trust in God's strength?

2. Read 2 Timothy 1.  Why does Paul call out Phygelus and Hermogenes?  When are we tempted to push aside others in pursuit of power?

3. Are there areas in your life where you feel ashamed? How can we apply the message of the cross to overcome these feelings?

Luke Throwing away His Lightsaber in The Last Jedi

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Them - Missio Dei

- When we have wanted to avoid them at all costs to stay away from evil, Jesus prays, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”

Questions for the Week: Missio Dei: The Great Sending Part 3 -Them

1. What motivates a church to circle the wagons and escape from the culture around it?  On the other hand, what pushes a church into its mission field?

2. Read John 17:1-26.  Jesus prayed that His disciples would be sent into the world. What does this mean to you? How can we actively participate in God's mission in our daily lives?

3. We are all sinners. How does understanding this truth impact your relationships with others? How does it change the way you view yourself and those around you?

The Great Sending: God's Heart for the World Beating Through You

By Sohns, Will

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What Had happened at Grace this week.