Nov 4, 2018
The Plain Truth About God
By: Rob Ladonne
Series: 2 Corinthians
Questions for Growth Groups
God’s word says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. Imagine yourself talking to someone who does not believe in God. How could you use examples from “what has been made” to talk with them about God’s power and divine nature? Based on this, how might you explain to someone why there is really no excuse for not knowing that God exists?
In Romans 1:22 we read, 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Why do you think many people turn to worshiping created things, rather than The Creator? Is it easier to worship created things, than God?
In Ephesians chapter 2 we read: 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. How could what Paul shared about Christians in verses three and four help us witness to people?
Peter testified before the crowd in Jerusalem that Jesus was, “handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” How would you explain to someone why God’s plan was to hand over His Son to those who would crucify Him?
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- Nov 4, 2018The Plain Truth About God
Nov 4, 2018The Plain Truth About GodBy: Rob LadonneSeries: 2 CorinthiansQuestions for Growth GroupsGod’s word says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. Imagine yourself talking to someone who does not believe in God. How could you use examples from “what has been made” to talk with them about God’s power and divine nature? Based on this, how might you explain to someone why there is really no excuse for not knowing that God exists?In Romans 1:22 we read, 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Why do you think many people turn to worshiping created things, rather than The Creator? Is it easier to worship created things, than God?In Ephesians chapter 2 we read: 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. How could what Paul shared about Christians in verses three and four help us witness to people?Peter testified before the crowd in Jerusalem that Jesus was, “handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” How would you explain to someone why God’s plan was to hand over His Son to those who would crucify Him?
- Oct 28, 2018“Shalom: God’s Purpose for Human Life” Psalm 72
Oct 28, 2018“Shalom: God’s Purpose for Human Life” Psalm 72By: (All)Series: 2 Corinthians1. When God created Adam and Eve, he made them stewards of His Creation on earth. See Genesis 1:26-31; 2:1-25. How do you think we are doing with that stewardship? What are the implications of being stewards of Creation? How do individual choices impact all of us? Also, what does it mean for us to be created in God’s own image, and how should that inform or influence our choices?2. Psalm 72 is a Messianic Psalm, meaning that it looks forward to the coming of Jesus for its ultimate fulfillment. In his first message at his home town synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus told them that the poor would have the “good news” preached to them (Luke 4:16-19). At its core, what is the Gospel, the good news of God’s Kingdom?3 Psalm 72 speaks of God’s desire for and Messiah’s mission for justice. What is justice, and why is it a priority with God? Why are the poor often treated unjustly? What is the role of believers in bringing justice to those around them? In what ways can believers seek to help the poor and provide justice where they are? To and for other nations?4. Given that we live in a fallen world, ultimate justice and the remaking of Creation must await the return of Jesus. But in the mean time, what should believers be doing about these issues? How might Romans 13 help in answering these questions? How do we live as citizens of two kingdoms, the nation in which we live AND the Kingdom of God?
- Oct 21, 2018Empowering Our Messengers: Caring For Those We Send Philippians 4:10-20
Oct 21, 2018Empowering Our Messengers: Caring For Those We Send Philippians 4:10-20By: (All)Series: 2 Corinthians
- Oct 14, 2018Do This In Remembrance of Me
Oct 14, 2018Do This In Remembrance of MeBy: (All)Series: 2 CorinthiansDo This In Remembrance of Me Why the bread? Why the wine? Because they celebrate Incarnation and Covenant. All four gospels tell of Jesus eating “The Last Supper” with His disciples the night He was betrayed, the eve of His going to the Cross. It was during a Passover meal, which celebrated God saving Israel from the oppression of Egypt, that Jesus took the elements of bread and wine and “repurposed” them, or redefined them as something greater than Passover. For Passover commemorated, through a sacrificial lamb and a simple meal, a temporal salvation. The Lord’s Supper commemorates the Sacrifice (Jesus Himself, the Lamb), pictured in the bread and wine. John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Hebrews 10:12; 1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Oct 7, 2018“There will be a test. . . ” 2 Corinthians 12:14–13:14
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Sep 30, 20182 Corinthians 12:1-13 “The ‘Bottom Line’ of the Gospel”By: (All)Series: 2 CorinthiansThe Challenge: Am I willing to receive God’s power in weakness? Memory Verse: Psalm 116:12, 13 What elements in Paul’s vision increased the opportunity for pride? How did the physical disability preserve humility in him? How can this “thorn in the flesh” be both God’s doing and a “messenger of Satan”? How might the Cross help us understand this? Why is weakness the only real path for God’s power and grace? How does Paul use the idea of foolishness to communicate the idea? In what ways do our own weaknesses exalt God’s strength?
- Sep 23, 20182 Corinthians 11:16-33 “I’m a fool for Christ! Whose fool are you?”
Sep 23, 20182 Corinthians 11:16-33 “I’m a fool for Christ! Whose fool are you?”By: (All)Series: 2 CorinthiansHow does a spirit-empowered choice to suffer for others differ from co-dependency and desperation for the approval of others? Suffering for others takes many forms, but what is its essence? That is, what does it look like? How does it work? Have examples? Suffering for others does not earn our acceptance with God, so what IS the motivation? Joy? Can we relate to Hebrews 12:1-3?
- Sep 16, 20182 Corinthians 11:1-15 “Do you not realize what is at stake?”
Sep 16, 20182 Corinthians 11:1-15 “Do you not realize what is at stake?”By: (All)Series: 2 CorinthiansThe Background: Mistaking the gospel risks your soul’s salvation. If there were “many paths to God,” it would be foolish to be too concerned about an error in someone’s theology. And why do missions at all? What would count then would be sincerity, or so the story goes. But Paul has been emphasizing, throughout the book, the uniqueness of the gospel and the “weakness” in the Cross. The sacrifice of Jesus is the only way to be made right with God, and so to follow “another Jesus” or to believe “another gospel” is to despise grace and turn instead to a man-made, self-righteous religion. Rejecting Jesus is idolatry. Gal. 1:6-10; 1 Jn. 5:10-12
- Sep 9, 20182 Corinthians 10:1-18 “The Lion in the Lamb”
Sep 9, 20182 Corinthians 10:1-18 “The Lion in the Lamb”By: (All)Series: 2 CorinthiansThe Background: True authority is neither pushy nor proud. Paul’s quiet manner reflected his humility, and his desire to establish believers and churches in the power of God, not persuasion or personality. While he certainly was versed in rhetoric, and was an able speaker and writer, he purposefully avoided using the flamboyant techniques of his day to sway people. But the written word is different from the spoken word, and its truth had made a difference to the Corinthians. This point was exaggerated and used by his critics and false teachers (2:17; 3:1; 4:1-3; 6:11-18) as an indicator of inconsistency. That was far from the case, as he explains!
- Sep 2, 20182 Corinthians 8:16–9:15 Give With Grace-Sharing Churches