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SWORD AND THE TROWEL | Vision for the City | Nehemiah 2:17-20
BIG IDEA: TO ACT WITH LOVE IN TOUGH TIMES WE NEED GOD-FEARING FAITH We obtain a God-fearing faith through clarity, confidence and commitment.
Read Nehemiah 2:17-20. Read the passage and consider the following questions. CLARITY | Read v17
Just as Nehemiah gives a CLEAR CALL TO ACTION - "Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem,..." What is one step of faith you can take this week to follow God’s leading? How is God calling you to take a step of faith? (potentially one of the 5 things listed below) Five Things we can do as a church right now during COVID-19 1. WORSHIP - Everyone can be involved in gathering together on the weekend for Worship -AND- Inviting co-workers, friends and family to join! 2. COMMUNITY - Everyone can be involved in a Community Group that isn't Sunday mornings. 3. SERVE - Everyone can serve in some capacity. We have to be creative for those who cannot leave their homes. Perhaps quarantined people can write letters, make sure neighbors have supplies, Facetime singles in the church, etc. 4. GIVE - Everyone can give (in some capacity). -- Or RECEIVE assistance. 5. DISCIPLESHIP - Everyone can own Personal and/or Family Discipleship CONFIDENCE | Read v18
Practical Step: Nehemiah’s testimony inspired confidence and brought God’s people to put their faith in Him. Let us participate in #JesusChangedMyLife project for Easter. Practice and Shoot 60-second Testimony Videos for Easter’s. Click HERE for a step-by-step guide that walks you through how to do the whole process (from writing your testimony to capturing your video on your phone). COMMITMENT | Read v19-20
PRAY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY GROUP. PRAY OVER THE NEHEMIAH PRAYER GUIDE.
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SWORD AND THE TROWEL | Presence in the City | Nehemiah 2:1-16
BIG IDEA: TOUGH TIMES AWAKEN US FROM OUR SPIRITUAL SLUMBER TO LOVE GOD AND LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS The gospel of Jesus allows us to be present in tough times by actively loving God, doing our own soul work and being willing to help others. Read Nehemiah 2:1-16. Read the passage and consider the following questions. TOUGH TIMES AWAKEN US TO THE REALITY OF GOD
TOUGH TIMES AWAKEN US TO ASSESS SELF
PRAY OVER YOUR OIKOS DOCUMENT. AUTHENTIC CHURCH | The Gospel Binds | 1 Thessalonians 5:19-28
BIG IDEA: THE GOSPEL OF JESUS ALLOWS AN AUTHENTIC CHURCH TO NOT JUST SURVIVE BUT THRIVE Paul explains the two means necessary for us to thrive. First, we thrive together in Christ by being spirit-filled, obedient to Scripture and godly discernment. Second, we thrive in together Christ because the Gospel binds us to God who is peace, faithful and gracious to us. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28. Read the passage and consider the following questions. THE GOSPEL BINDS US TOGETHER
Spirit-Filled life
Obedient to Scripture
The 9 Marks Book entitled “What is a Healthy Church Member?” gives some practical suggestions. Of the following which is one you can practice this week? And how can you do so?
Godly Discernment
THE GOSPEL BINDS US TO GOD Steve Lawson challenges us: “Who you believe God to be—what He is like—is the single most important factor in your life.”
PRAY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY GROUP. PRAY OVER YOUR OIKOS DOCUMENT. AUTHENTIC CHURCH | Relationships that Transform | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18. Read the passage and consider the following questions. CONSIDER YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LEADERS. Re-read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 to discuss the following questions.
Getting Practical
CONSIDER YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER. Re-read 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 to discuss the following questions.
Getting Practical
CONSIDER YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD. Re-read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to discuss the following questions.
Getting Practical
PRAY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY GROUP. PRAY OVER YOUR OIKOS DOCUMENT. AUTHENTIC CHURCH | Hurting with Hope | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
SERMON RECAP: Some of us have recently felt the tearing pain of separation by death. Some of us have recently buried family members and friends. Some of us have received difficult news about our own health. Others of us are walking alongside those dealing with the grief of loss. We’re all touched by death in one way or another and we’re all going to face our own death one day. In light of this, we need God’s word. We need God’s people. And we need crystal clarity concerning our hope. This passage is critical because it clarifies the distinctly Christian hope that’s found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s in the gospel and only in the gospel that we have the resources we need to hurt with hope. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Read the passage and consider the following questions. Use the text to back up your answers. 1. What is your experience with death and grieving? Re-read 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and then discuss the following questions. 2. Who is Paul describing when he mentions “those who are asleep?”
Re-read 1 Thessalonians 4:14. Sunday’s teaching said that Jesus’ death and resurrection are the foundation of the believer’s hope. 3. Why is Jesus’ death foundational to the believer’s hope?
4. Why is Jesus’ resurrection foundational to the believer’s hope? Re-read 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. Sunday’s teaching said that Jesus’ return is the consummation of the believer’s Hope. 5. What will happen to those who’ve died in the faith when Christ returns?
6. What will happen to those believers still alive at Christ’s return? Re-read 1 Thessalonians 4:18. 7. What is the straight-forward application for us in this passage?
8. Are you grieving right now? Or, are you walking alongside someone who’s grieving?
9. In John 16:20-23 Jesus explains that his followers will grieve unto life so that our hearts will rejoice and we will have everlasting joy. “We grieve unto life by bringing our hurt and pain, sadness, anger, and loneliness to the Lord. We seek Him in Prayer and the Promises in His Word. As we cry out to God he enables us to hold the hope of His promises in one hand and hurt in the other AND by God's grace we will grieve unto life!” How can we at River Market Community Church help each other grieve unto life? PRAY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY GROUP. PRAY OVER YOUR OIKOS DOCUMENT. AUTHENTIC CHURCH | The Gospel and Holiness | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 SERMON RECAP: We live in a sexually charged culture—sex is everywhere. We respond by either making too much of sex or too little of it. Sex is not just physical; it’s a deeply spiritual act; it’s the mingling of souls. God’s will for our sexuality is crystal clear in this passage: that every follower of Jesus would be sanctified (or set apart) in their sexual purity. Followers of Jesus are to abstain from sexual immorality and learn to control their bodies in holiness and honor. Sex is a good gift when enjoyed in the context of marriage between one man and one woman. BIG IDEA: God changes our lust into love so we can please God and love others. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. Read the passage and consider the following questions. Use the text to back up your answers. 1. How does the gospel help us understand the purpose of sex? 2. Define sanctification, holiness, and sexual immorality. 3. How does sexual immorality harm you? How does it harm others? 4. What are some practical ways we abstain from sexual immorality?
6. What’s the role of the believing community in learning to control our bodies in holiness and honor? “The love of God and the love of the world, are two affections, not merely in a state of rivalship, but in a state of enmity—and that so irreconcilable, that they cannot dwell together in the same bosom. We have already affirmed how impossible it were for the heart, by any innate elasticity of its own, to cast the world away from it; and thus reduce itself to a wilderness. The heart is not so constituted; and the only way to dispossess it of an old affection, is by the expulsive power of a new one.” --The Expulsive Power of a New Affection, Thomas Chalmers PRAY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY GROUP. PRAY OVER YOUR OIKOS DOCUMENT. FURTHER READING On gendered beings:
On gender roles:
On marriage:
On singleness:
AUTHENTIC CHURCH: A Discipler’s Prayer
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13. Read the passage and consider the following questions. 1. An authentic church is faithful even when persecution arises. Paul is very concerned about the young believers that comprise the Thessalonian church. He learns through Timothy's report that they have doubled down on their faith; "their grip on the cross has squeezed tighter." Can you think of a time when God has allowed persecution or suffering to increase your faith and dependence on him? Is there someone in your life who is in much need of encouragement? How can you take a step to point them to hope in Jesus? 2. An authentic church comforts brothers and sisters in the faith. If Paul lived in today's society, he wouldn't run to pornography, alcohol, busyness, or Netflix to escape his problems. Instead, he was comforted by the faith he saw in believers like the Thessalonians. Where do you run to find comfort? There are many things in this world that cause us to feel sadness which often turns into self-pity. Our greatest need at this time is to be comforted by the Lord. What three scripture passages can you run to when finding yourself needing comfort? Name a way you can comfort your brothers and sisters in the faith. 3. An authentic church is prayerful. Paul has repeatedly mentioned his desire to see the Thessalonians in person. However, he submits this desire of his to the Lord. How do you deal with unmet desires of yours? Is there something you hope for, but have stopped praying for? PRAY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY GROUP. PRAY OVER YOUR OIKOS DOCUMENT. AUTHENTIC CHURCH: Keeping the Gospel Central
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5. Discuss some or all of the following questions.
PRAY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY GROUP. PRAY OVER YOUR OIKOS DOCUMENT. AUTHENTIC CHURCH
A Discipler’s Aim Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 Discuss some or all of the following questions.
Paul, Silas, & Timothy began their relationship with the Thessalonians through evangelism. They were compelled by the gospel to share the gospel—and their lives—with the Thessalonians. Finish your time together by asking God to grow you as evangelists and disciple-makers. Prayer is an essential discipline—not only to grow in our relationship with the Lord, but also to develop the habit of deliberately thinking about others’ interests. PRAY OVER YOUR OIKOS DOCUMENT AUTHENTIC CHURCH
A Discipler’s Heart Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8. Discuss some or all of the following questions.
READ THE FOLLOWING EXCERPT: “Disciplemaking ensures that the gospel is embedded deeply in the lives of mature believers who serve as links to the future. Discipling then is a relationship where we intentionally walk alongside a growing disciple or disciples in order to encourage, correct, and challenge them in love to grow toward maturity in Christ. There are three ingredients necessary to produce maturity in Christ.” #1 RELATIONAL VULNERABILITY: This means honest, self-disclosing and confessional relationships that give the Holy Spirit permission to remake us. #2 THE CENTRALITY OF GOD’S WORD: The centrality of truth is emphasized when people open their lives to one another around the truth of God’s Word and the Lord begins to rebuild their lives from the inside out. #3 MUTUAL ACCOUNTABILITY: This is authority given to others to hold us accountable to mutually agreed upon standards—“iron sharpening iron.” - Greg Ogden, Discipleship Essentials ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRAY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY GROUP Paul, Silas, & Timothy began their relationship with the Thessalonians through evangelism. They were compelled by the gospel to share the gospel—and their lives —with the Thessalonians. Finish your time together by asking God to grow you as evangelists and disciple- makers. Prayer is an essential discipline—not only to grow in our relationship with the Lord, but also to develop the habit of deliberately thinking about others’ interests. PRAY OVER YOUR OIKOS DOCUMENT |
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River Market Community Church
Gathering: 140 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64106 Mailing: P.O. Box 411662, Kansas City, MO 64141 rmcchurchkc@gmail.com | Facebook | (816) 533-5907 |