Book Study – HOPE Singapore

We all long for meaningful relationships within the church. But what does that truly look like in Christ? Join us for a 4-part book study series on Philemon, where we learn what true fellowship in the Gospel means.

Title: Caring for One Another
Text: Philemon 22-25

True fellowship in the Gospel entails caring for one another by practising hospitality and rendering support to one another.

General Questions:

What is hospitality to you? Do you have any personal experiences as a giver or receiver of great hospitality? How did those experiences make you feel or impact you?
Other than showing hospitality, we care for one another by supporting one another in the mission that God has entrusted to us. Why do you think Paul always make special mention of people who partnered with him in his letters? What do you think fulfilling God’s missions will be like if we do it on our own?

Perspective Questions:

Early Christians showed hospitality by opening their homes and giving traveling missionaries food, shelter and even funds for the next leg of their journey. What does “unreasonable hospitality” look like to you in your context, such as LG, family and workplace? What is the motivation behind Christian hospitality?
True fellowship in the gospel is not just about sharing lives and memories with one another but also sharing in God’s mission. Do you think this element of fellowship is evident in your Christian fellowship groups? What do you think will happen if this aspect is neglected?

Application Questions:

What do you think a hospitable LG looks like? What roles can you play to raise the level of hospitality in your LG?
Who are the people you can support to fulfil the Great Commission? How do you think you can use your time, talent and treasures to support them, and in particular our pastors and leaders?

The letter to Philemon is short but has something important to say about how our relationship with Jesus changes the way we relate with one another. Our faith is personal but not private and our love has to be active, not passive.

Series: True Fellowship In The Gospel
Title: New Relationships in Christ
Text: Philemon 1-6

General Questions:

Read through the whole book of Philemon together. Recall and discuss the relationship between Philemon, Paul and Onesimus. Why do you think this personal letter was eventually included in the Bible?
While we have the liberty to choose our friends, we do not have equal freedom in choosing whom God places in our church community. We are called to love all our brothers and sisters in Christ. Why do you think this is the case? What is God’s intent in getting us to be part of a spiritual family now that we are in Christ?

Perspective Questions:

The title of this sermon is “It’s Not Just You – It’s Us”. In today’s individualistic society, it is easy to fall into the trap believing that all you need is yourself. What does it mean that our faith is personal but not private? What are some benefits of living out our faith in community?
In the sermon, the preacher pointed out that the phrase “every good thing for the sake of Christ” seems to refer to suffering for Christ. There are times where we miss the suffering/needs of those in your community. What causes us to miss out on the needs of our brothers and sisters, especially when they go through difficult time? What can we do as a community to help stand with each other in suffering?

Application Questions:

We love because God first loved us. What is one practical step you can take this week to refresh another brother or sister in Christ? Share how you can continue this practice of loving others actively and make it part of your lifestyle.
It is easy to take our lifegroup for granted especially when we have been enjoying the presence of our community for awhile. Share one thing you are grateful for your lifegroup and thank them for it.

Series: True Spirituality in Christ: A Book Study on Malachi
Title: Awaiting God’s Promises
Text: Malachi 3:13-4:6

At times, our efforts to be faithful to God and serve Him may not reap the results we desire to see. Sometimes, we even wonder if it is worth it especially when those who do not follow God seem to lead better lives. What perspectives can we hold on to in order to remain faithful as we await God’s promises?

General Questions

At times, our unmet expectations cause us to feel discouraged and wonder if it is worth it to be faithful to God. Share about a time where you had such an experience and what helped you through it.

Perspective Questions

We can sometimes erroneously conclude that God is unjust when we try to make sense of God’s apparent failure to perform according to our expectations. What are some ways we can avoid reaching such ‘wrong’ conclusions about who God is when we experience a mismatch between reality and our expectations?
What are some helpful perspectives to hold on to when we do not seem to reapthe results of our faithfulness to God inthe here and now?

Application Questions

What is one practical step you can take to remember your hope in God’s promises as you journey with Him?
Our Christian journey is a marathon, not a sprint. What are some ways we can help ourselves to last the marathon as we await God’s promises?

Series: True Spirituality in Christ: A Book Study on Malachi
Title: Giving God His Due
Text: Malachi 3:6-12

True spirituality requires whole-hearted obedience, especially in the area of tithes and offering. How can we truly give God what He is due?

General Questions

What are some heart attitudes that may hinder us from tithing or being generous with our resources?
Was there a particular season when you experienced God’s provision and faithfulness? Share this with your lifegroup.

Perspective questions

Why should believers continue to tithe regularly even though we are not under the old covenant?
What are the benefits of living a generous life?

Application questions

What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you in the area of tithing and giving in this season of your life?
What is one way you can become more generous with your finances and other resources?

Title: Embracing His Refining
Series: True Spirituality In Christ
Text: Malachi 2:17-3:5

How should we respond when God is seemingly inconsistent with His character that’s revealed in the Scripture and when we are supposed to live by faith and not by sight? True spirituality is reflected by trusting God in His refining work and His timing even when it does not appear reasonable in our human mind to do so.

General Questions:

The fourth dispute God has against the Israelites is their complaint towards God’s seemingly inaction towards evil and injustice. What are some of the What are some instances of injustice and/or suffering we have encountered in our lives?

Perspective Questions:

How do we usually respond to the times of refining around us? How can knowing that God is refining us and that evil would ultimately be judged shape our perspectives and responses to these circumstances?

Application Questions:

How can we respond to God when we are experiencing God’s refining and discipline? How can we help each other to see this discipline as a treasure from God rather than something undesirable in our lives?
As a LG, how can we support one another in responding to God when our members (ourselves included) are undergoing suffering or experiencing injustice in their lives?

Series: True Spirituality in Christ: A Book Study on Malachi
Title: Bearing His Tough Love
Text: Malachi 2:1-9

God disciplines us out of love yet when we experience God’s rebuke, we feel not love but rejection from Him. How can we accept God’s discipline without giving into despair so that we remain in His plan?

General Questions:

Recount a time where you were disciplined or punished (in school, at home, or at work). What made this incident different from abuse or bullying?
What is the role of the priests in the Old Testament? What does that mean for us as believers of Jesus today?

Perspective Questions:

In the sermon, Larry mentions that our identity as a royal priesthood calls us to have:
a. A reverential fear of God (Upwardly)
b. A life of integrity in speech and action (Inwardly)
c. Godly influence over people around us (Outwardly)
Which of these areas do you think is healthiest in your life? What are some attitudes or habits that help you in this particular area? Conversely, which do you struggle with the most? What are some obstacles you face that hinder you from growing in this area?
God allows us to reap what we sow to reveal what we are sowing. What are some ways that can help us discern God’s discipline when we sow on the wrong things?

Application Questions:

Experiencing God’s discipline can be painful and cause us significant distress. What are some biblical truths and perspectives we can hold on when we go through God’s discipline so that we do not give into despair?
It is difficult to point out to others the sin that they are carrying in their lives. Why should we as a community of God still choose to do so biblically in a loving manner?

Series: True Spirituality in Christ (Book Study on Malachi)
Title: Bringing Our Best to Him
Text: Malachi 1:6-14

It is human nature to do our maximum for those we love. Parents strive to give their children the best life they could afford; workers who love their jobs put in long hours of hard work without complaint. Yet Christians often struggle to bring their best to God. Why is this a problem? Why do we urgently need to examine our heart behind our hesitance to give our utmost to Him?

General Questions:

Name the most honourable person you have encountered. What traits or actions of the person make him or her honourable? How was the person being honoured by you or others?

Perspective Questions:

God is looking for the honour owed to Him. How does the perspective of God as our Father and Master help us to treat Him with honour? Which do we need to be reminded of today?
In Malachi 1:6-11, the people showed contempt to God by offering defiled sacrifices. What are some ways believers today also offer less than our best to God? How does this reflect the value we place on what Christ had done for us on the cross?
Ps Daniel also shared that our best comes i) at a cost (see 2 Samuel 2:24) and ii) from the heart (see Mark 12:41-44). What are some obstacles you face that hinder you from giving your best to God?

Application Questions:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal one or two areas that you have dishonoured God in. Repent and seek God’s forgiveness. Share with your LG to seek prayer and support.
Write down one or two areas that you would start to honour God by bringing your best to Him.