[Sunday] The Party - Titus Chapter 3

On one side you have an unhinged society, and on the other you have the strict law of compliance. But when it seems we are offered only those two realities, Paul reminds us that we are already at the party.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:  The Party

1. What do Christians often quarrel with those outside of the faith about?  What do christians quarrel with those inside of the faith about?  Why do you think they do that?

2. Read Titus 3.   What advice does Paul give to us?  Why can christians be free to live gentle lives and avoid such quarrels?

3. Titus is clear that we are to stand firm in the freedom of the death and resurrection of Jesus.  That Jesus alone has saved us.   How does this impact your walk with God and your neighbors around you?

New Song this Sunday

The audio only is the actual song we will use. The video will help with Melody.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] The Way - Titus Chapter 2

The church should be an agent of transformation - not through culture wars or assimilation, but through wise participation in culture, devotion to Jesus, and the common good. All of this helps us show the beauty of the message about our saving God.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:  The Way

1. Describe a time when you saw a Christian living poorly in society.  What was his reputation?  What effect did this have on his witness?

2. Read Titus 2:1-15.   How does Paul encourage us to live? What effect does this way of life have on our witness (see verses 5, 8, 10)?

3. How has Jesus freed us to live this way (see verses 11-15)?

4. Describe a time when you saw a Chrstian living as a good citizen in society.  What was his reputation?  What effect did this have on his witness?

““Is there anything better than a wife who is chaste, domestic, a good housekeeper, a rearer of children; one to gladden you in health, to tend you in sickness, to be your partner in good fortune, to console you in misfortune; to restrain you in the mad passion of youth and to temper the unseasonable harshness of old age?””

— Caeser Augustus

New Song this Sunday

Watch to get acquainted.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Zeus’ Cretans - Titus Chapter 1

Titus was called to the island of Zeus’ birth, Crete. Those who lived on the island took great pride, even acting like their unhinged god. This wild behavior caused those in Greece frustration. The question is, how do you bring hope to a place that is filled with dishonor?

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   Zeus’ Cretans

1. Titus does ministry in Crete, the epicenter of the worship of the Greek gods.  What advice would you give someone doing ministry in that type of culture?

2. How is that culture similar to today?   

3. Read Titus 1:1-16.  What advice does Paul give to Titus ministering in Crete?

4. After reading Titus, how can you follow the way Paul is beginning to lay out and bring peace in a chaotic world?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Frist Apostle - Missio Dei

Mary came to the tomb feeling last and wanting to cry. Peter knew his faith, who was in and who was out. Yet when they both felt last, God sent them to be the first.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   First Apostle 

1. When are some times you were beat down by society and made to feel “last?”

2. Read Matthew 28:1-10.  When Jesus died, how do you think Mary Magdalene would have felt?  How do you think she felt as she runs to tell the disciples about the resurrection?

3. How does the resurrection of Jesus change the plot of life for Mary Magdalene? How does the resurrection of Jesus change the plot of life for Peter (Read Acts 10: 34-48)?   

4. How does the resurrection of Jesus change the plot of your life?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Wilderness Voice - Missio Dei

The voice of one calling, like comfort to us all. That voice of comfort does not come from high pyramids or silver stones or fancy horses but from the wilderness.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   Wilderness Voice

1. When you think of the voice calling from the wilderness and John the Baptist as that voice, what do you think of when you hear wilderness?

2. Read Mark 1:1-13. John the Baptist is that Voice from the wilderness, and Jesus goes into the wilderness after being baptized. What do you think the wilderness means at the beginning of the Gospel of Mark?

3. Read Isaiah 40:1-8. Why do you think this passage begins with “Comfort, comfort” before talking about the wilderness? 

4. What are those  places of struggle that God can give you a voice of good news for your neighbors?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] First You're Last - Missio Dei

It’s always amazing to see us, workers of God’s kingdom, trying to maintain a pecking order of righteousness in the midst of such great generosity of our God. 

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   First You’re Last

1. When do you feel the pressure to be first or the best?  When has that backfired on you?

2. Read Matthew 20:1-16.  What is the danger of thinking this parable is about compensation for work completed?

3. What is the danger of thinking you deserve something special if you’re a diligent worker?

4. What does it look like for you to rejoice in the “denarius” that God gives to you this week?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Kingdom Carol - Missio Dei

Jesus is sitting with Scrooge-like religious leaders when one talks about how great the feast in God’s kingdom will be. But will those scrupulous Scrooges even be there, or will God bring everyone else to the party from all the roads and the countryside?

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   Kingdom Carol

1. Describe a time you felt excluded from a party or an invitation to something great.  How did you feel?

2. Discuss the difference between an invitation of grace and a lightning bolt of judgment.  How do you see those differences in Luke 14:1-24?

3. When are some times you might use excuses to miss out on Jesus’ grace?  How does Jesus always come back to you and invite you to his party?

A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens

Buy on Amazon

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Plans - Missio Dei

Jesus sends his disciples to bring the mission of God to the Children of Israel. But how Jesus sends them out is so much different than our planned expectations.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   Plans

1. Read Mark 6:1-13.   Jesus experiences opposition and then sends his disciples out in His mission.  What does that mission look like for the disciples?  What are they to bring?  What are they to do in opposition?  What is the goal of their ministry?

2. How important is it for us to recognize that the mission of God is not our mission? What false leanings do we succumb to if we believe the mission belongs to us? 

3. Do you think the great commission is called great because it is so wonderful? Or because it is so huge? Talk about both.   Why is the act of us being sent so wonderful?  Why is the mission so huge?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Born & Light - Missio Dei

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. But how is this light dawned by being born again?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Field of Fishermen - Missio Dei

Jesus walks into Galilee, and rather than expecting his followers to come to his level, Jesus calls his disciples right where they are.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] David A Christmas Story - Rise & Fall

Sermon

The story of David follows those patterns of the kingdom of God. From Hannah’s pattern of humbleness to Eli’s pattern of pride leading to a fall. But David's fall at the end of Samuel cries out into the future giving us eyes to see the pattern again in the true and better David. 

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Bible Study for Sunday
2 Samuel Chapters 21-24

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Grief - Rise & Fall

Absalom looks at his father David and only sees pain. In his attempt to take the throne, he ends up getting caught up in his own pride. 

Bible Study for Sunday
2 Samuel Chapters 13-20

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Bathsheba- Rise & Fall

David looks over his kingdom, holding his head high enough to not look on the problems and needs of those in his kingdom beyond himself. In a series of moves with Bathsheba, David neglects others and causes hurt and pain for his own family for years. But in that same series of moves we see the power of forgiveness in the cross and resurrection.

Questions This Week

1. For this week read 2 Samuel chapters 8 and 12.

   1.  What has the most annoying person in the world done to you?  What makes them so annoying?

   2. Read 2 Samuel 11.  What does David use his power to do?   How does one sin lead to other sins?

   3. Read 2 Samuel 12:1-14.  Why does Nathan tell the story about sheep to David?  What does David realize?  

   4. When have you been “that man?”   When you realize that you are “that guy,” what should you do?

   5. How does looking to the cross of Jesus give you hope when you are “that guy?”

Bible Study for Sunday
2 Samuel Chapters 8-12

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] House - Rise & Fall

David feels bad as he looks around his really nice house made of cedar; the Lord needs a house like this. Peter sees Jesus bright and shiny on the mountain and immediately wants to build a house for Jesus. But Jesus, with the Lord’s house behind him, says, “Tear it down, and I will rebuild it in 3 days.” We realize it has never been about the house we want to build.

Questions This Week

1. Read 2 Samuel chapters 6 and 7.

   1. What is the greatest church building you’ve ever seen? What made it so great?

   2. What are ways we are tempted to think we are building things for God that actually honor ourselves?

   3. Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17. Why does David want to build a house for the Lord? 

   4. How does God describe being with his people? As David thinks he’s going to build a house for God, what does God promise to do (see verses 12-16)?

   5. God isn’t confined to a building and promises to go with you wherever you go. Describe a time when this has given you peace.

Bible Study for Sunday
Chapters 29-31- 2 Samuel 1-6

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Future - Rise & Fall

Saul is uneasy, he feels his future sitting on him with the weight of the world. If he could only talk to Samuel again. Even though the powers of the world keep telling David to take charge of his future, he simply trusts living in each day the Lord gives him.

Questions This Week

1. For this week, read 1 Samuel 28 - 2 Samuel 5

   1. Share about a time you’ve worried about the future.  What was it like?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 28.  What is Saul worried about? What does he try to do to fix the problems that cause him to worry? What is the result?

   3. Read 2 Samuel 1. How does David respond to Saul’s death?  Why do you think he responds that way?   

   4. How can you share the peace of Jesus with someone who might be in the midst of a worry?

Bible Study for Sunday
Chapters 29-31- 2 Samuel 1-6

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Projection - Rise & Fall

It seems as if much of the first book of Samuel is taken up with Saul trying to kill David and David escaping; and when David catches Saul in the most vulnerable position, his men urge him to kill Saul. It would be nothing more than self-defense. Wouldn’t Saul kill David if Saul caught him with his pants down? Isn’t Saul turning over every stone in the wilderness looking for David so he can kill him? Saul and David are both projecting: one a murderous rage and the other, the kingdom of God.

Questions This Week

1. Read 1 Samuel Chapters 20-26.

   1. Think of someone who has done wrong to you.   How does revenge towards this person negatively affect you?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 24:1-22.  Describe what happens when Saul goes into the cave where David is.  Why did David only cut the corner of Saul’s robe?

   3. How does Jesus do a similar thing as David for you?

   4. How does forgiveness free us from the need for revenge?  What benefit does forgiving others have in your life?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters 20-26

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] David & Goliath - Rise & Fall

Goliath stands taunting them to send someone to fight, but none of God’s people, nor their weapons, are strong enough. Salvation is riding on this one battle. Samuel stands in front of Jesse’s sons, looking for a new king, but as he stares at all these strong sons, the  smallest is missing, left in the field to shepherd.  To this the Lord says, I do not look at outward appearance; I look at the heart, for that smallest son is God’s kingdom answer of salvation.

Questions This Week

1. For this week read 1 Samuel Chapters 16 -20.

   1.  Before reading this week, share what you know about the story of David and Goliath?  What would you say the point of the story was?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13.  When choosing the next king, what does God look at?   How is it tempting to look at things other than the heart?

   3. Read 1 Samuel 17.   Compare and contrast David and Goliath.  Compare and contrast Saul and David. 

   4. How is Jesus a true and better David as the Good Shepherd?   What has Jesus done for you as your Good Shepherd?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters 16-20

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Fickle King - Rise & Fall

Saul is king, but his temperament and leadership move him around like a plastic bag on a windy day. He is at the whims of people’s emotions rather than trusting in the God who took them out of Egypt. This king is just fickle, even if he is of a kingdom that is not.

Questions This Week

1. For this week, read 1 Samuel chapters 12-15.

   1. Describe a time you’ve seen someone use God’s name for selfish gain.  When have you been tempted in the same way?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 15:1-23. What excuse does Saul come up with for not following the command of the Lord?  How are we tempted to make similar excuses? What is the result?

   3. Read 1 Samuel 12: 19-25. What promise does God have for you?  How does Jesus fulfill this promise?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters 12-15

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] We Want a King - Rise & Fall

The cry, “We want a king” comes when all seems lost. When enemies are at the gates, when leaders seem corrupt and inept, they cried for a king like all the other nations. But even though they reject God with this cry, He still sees them and never leaves their side.

Questions This Week

1. Recommended Reading 1 Sameul Chapters 8 thru 11 

   1. Describe a time you felt “unseen.” What did you do to try and be seen?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 8. Why does God give his people a king?

   3. Read 1 Samuel 9-10. What do you find most surprising about the story of Saul chosen to be king?   

   4. Jesus comes and “sees” people. How does being “seen” and noticed by God who cares about you bring you peace?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters7-12

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Pattern of Eli - Rise & Fall

Eli is the head priest for the nation of Israel, but his reflection in the world, his sons, show an awful pattern. This is a pattern that extends beyond his family to fundamental issues with all of humanity, which caused the downfall of so many in the Bible and even still today. When pride and using God to your own advantage cause you to lose everything, we probably won't find salvation in anything we do.

Questions This Week

1. Recommended Reading 1 Samuel 2:11-Chapter 7

   1. Where have you used God’s name to advance your own agenda?

   2. Read 1 Samuel 4:1-11.  What do the son’s of Eli hope to accomplish by using the ark of God?  What happens?  What do you learn from this?

   3. Read 1 Samuel 5:1-12.  What happens in the temple of Dagon?  What does this teach us about the Israelite’s God?

   4. Read 1 Samuel 7:5-14.   What happens when the Israelites return to God?   What lesson do you learn?

Bible Study for Sundays Chapters3-6

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What Had happened at Grace this week.