Topic: Christian Living
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.
Series: True Spirituality in Christ (Book Study on Malachi)
Title: Trusting in God’s Love
Text: Malachi 1:1-5
Difficult times in life may cause us to doubt God’s love for us. Eventually, we can become increasingly apathetic or ungrateful towards God. What are some perspectives that can help us navigate difficult times and difficult emotions so we can remain faithful to God?
General Questions:
- Take time to reflect on what the Lord has done for you that enabled you to experience His love. What happened and how did your appreciation for God’s love change from that experience?
Perspective Questions:
- Ps. Timothy shared 3 reasons why Israel questioned God’s love for them:
1. Disappointment from unmet expectations
2. Economic difficulties
3. Jealousy of neighbours
Which of these do you find more relatable in your recent struggles? How does the perspective of God’s love help us in such circumstances? - How can we be honest with God about our trials, doubts and fears, and also exercise trust in Him?
Application Questions:
- What are some habits you can start to become better at remembering Gpd’s love and being grateful to Him?
What are some habits you can stop (e.g. complaining, comparing) that takes the focus away from God and encourages a tendency to fear, doubt or get discouraged? - Is there a recent incident in your life that is causing you to question or doubt God’s love? Share with your lifegroup and ask them to pray along with you to trust God’s love.
We need a firm foundation for our spiritual life to live out our identity as God’s people. Join us for a 7-part book study series on the book of Malachi, where we will learn what true spirituality in Christ means.
Series: Abide
Title: Abiding As God’s Special People
Text: 1 Peter 2:9-12
Our church’s focus for this year is Abide. What does it mean to abide as God’s special people?
General Questions
- When getting to know new people, what are some important aspects of yourself you wish they would know about you? Why are these aspects important for others to truly know you?
- As God’s special people, we have the privilege of belonging to God. Beyond that, we also have the responsibility of living out holy lives. Sometimes we over-emphasize one at the expense of the other (privilege vs responsibility). Which do you tend to lean towards and which do you tend to neglect?
Perspective questions
- What is the relationship between knowing our identity as God’s special people and living holy lives?
- Why is the habit of repentance so important for believers in living as God’s people? How does abiding in Christ enable us to live a lifestyle of repentance?
Application questions
- What are some rules that you can implement or maintain in your lives so that you can have a strong ‘trellis’ or support structure for your spiritual growth?
- What are some internal victories that you are working towards, or would like to work towards? Entrust these areas to God in prayer as a lifegroup.
Series: ABCD
Title: The Next Step to Disciple
Text: 1 Timothy 3:1, 2 Timothy 2:2, 1 Peter 5:4
God calls all of us to make disciples. We make disciples as it is a noble task and it extends God’s influence. Divine rewards also await those of us who disciple others to follow Jesus.
General Questions:
- Why do you think discipleship is important? What may happen if believers stay on the sideline as just church goers? On the other hand, if the church focuses on building disciples of Christ who will disciple others, what difference do you think the Church will make in the world?
- The bible describes the role of a spiritual mentor as noble – an honourable and admirable task. Share about a personal experience where you were blessed by a spiritual mentor who guided you in your spiritual growth journey. If you are already in Step D, share how you have been blessed and have grown in your journey as a disciple maker.
Perspective Questions:
- God strengthens and equips those who desire to serve Him. The character and attitude of a disciple maker are more important than one’s competency. What do you think are the attitudes or character traits that God looks for in a disciple maker?
- God promises divine rewards for those who rise up to disciple His people. However, we may still go through challenging times in our disciple-making journey. What perspectives can we hold on to in order to persevere in our journey of making disciples?
Application Questions:
- Which stage of the ABCD discipleship journey are you at? If you are in Step C, how do you think you can step up to Step D to play a part in discipling and mentoring other people to follow Christ? What are the ways that you can disciple others in your life group, church ministry, family and marketplace?
If you are already in Step D, is there a renewed understanding and vision of your role as a disciple maker? How do you think you can expand your sphere of influence – to disciple more and disciple better to further extend God’s influence?
Series: The Next Step
Title: To Belong
Text: Romans 12:3-5
In every season, we all need to grow and mature in our faith. In belonging to a local church, we are to view ourselves with humility and view others with necessity.
General Questions:
- Look at the ABCD Grow journey (https://grow.hopesingapore.org.sg/grow). Which stage are you at currently?
- Think back on a time where your church community supported you during a difficult time or helped you to grow in your faith. Share how this incident shaped your view on the importance of belonging to the local church.
Perspective Questions:
- What are some common dangers when a believer measures himself against worldly standards? How would Paul’s instruction to measure ourselves against the Gospel (v3) strengthen our relationship with God?
- Although our faith is personal, Paul makes it clear that we need one another in the body of Christ (v4-5). What are some myths about interdependent living that some believers may have regarding belonging to a church?
Application Questions:
- How willing and open are you to share your life with others in your LG? How involved are you in the lives of others in the LG? What is one small step you can take to do so?
- A united church is not a homogenous/uniform entity. We need diverse skills to meet many needs. What is one individual gift you can contribute to the LG or church?
In every season, we all need to grow and mature in our faith.
Series: Love my Block/Community
Title: Shine His Light
Text: Matthew 5:14-16
We are called to be the salt and light of the Earth. How do we shine God’s light wherever we are placed?
General Questions
- Share about a time when you were a pre-believer or a new-believer and you were attracted to the Christian faith because of the behaviour of another believer.
Perspective questions
- What are some distinct qualities and traits that Christians ought to have that non-believers, who may be brought up well or from other faiths, do not?
- How does the Gospel enable believers to live out qualities and traits that non-believers may not be able to display?
Application questions
- How can believers ensure that we are continually growing in character and being renewed and transformed in our minds?
- What are some ways we can shine God’s light in our schools and workplaces? How can we do the same as a lifegroup through block pastoring?
We are called to be the salt and light of the Earth. How do we shine God’s light wherever we are placed?
