Topic: Church

Why is gathering as a church community essential for spiritual growth? In this sermon, we explore the biblical foundation of gathering, based on Ephesians 4:11-13, and how it strengthens our faith through deeper knowledge of Christ and shared experiences.

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: 

  1. 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?
  2. 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: 

  1. 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? 
  2. 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: 

  1. 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:

  1. Look at the ABCD Grow journey (https://grow.hopesingapore.org.sg/grow). Which stage are you at currently?
  2. 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:

  1. 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?
  2. 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:

  1. 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?
  2. 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: Therefore, Go
Title: The Good News for All People
Text: Acts 11:19-21

The Antioch Church had humble beginnings but eventually became a key missionary base to the surrounding regions. What can we learn from the Early Church from the beginnings of the Antioch

General Questions:

  1. What caused the news about Christ to take hold among many who heard it? What does this passage show us about the early church’s understanding of God’s role in evangelism? How does this influence our understanding of evangelism today?

Perspective Questions:

  1. Having certain preconceived notions or even stereotypes of people from different cultures can contribute to our hesitance in bringing the gospel to them. How does know that God is a global God help in addressing our reservations?
  2. The early church demonstrated that it was possible to live for Christ and His purpose in all circumstances. What are some personal circumstances (e.g. poor health, stretched finances) we are currently facing that can hinder us from living for Christ (including preaching the gospel to others)? What is God encouraging us to surrender to Him today? What would living for Christ amid these circumstances look like?

Application Questions:

  1. The hands and the heart are connected. What is one practical step you can take to develop our heart for missions? What is one step the LG can consider embarking on together?
  2. Think about the different relationships and interactions we have in our lives. Which of these are cross-cultural? How can we build bridges with these people that God has placed in our paths?

Series: Focus 2024 – Disciplines for an Abiding Life
Title: Seeking God through Prayer and Fasting
Text: Joel 2:12-13, Ezra 8:21-23

In the Bible, the people of God fasted and prayed to indicate or express the inner conditions of their hearts. Today, we are not required to fast and pray. But we can still benefit from this spiritual discipline when we practise it from the heart. What is the value of sincere fasting and praying?

General Questions:

  1. Share about a previous experience with fasting. Why did you choose to fast? How did it go? How did you experience God through the period of prayer and fasting?

Perspective Questions:

  1. In our struggles with different sins, what might lead us to depend on our willpower and wisdom, instead of taking the fight spiritually? How does the way we deal with sin reflect our relationship with and understanding about God?
  2. What hinders you from fasting (apart from medical conditions)? What do these hindrances reveal about our understanding of the purpose and impact of fasting? How has the sermon addressed these hindrances, if any?
  3. Think of different ways in which you might fast. How does fasting set us in the posture to allow God to change our hearts?

Application Questions:

  1. What are some steps we can take to help us practice fasting (examples given below)? How can the LG support one another in fasting?

Series: Focus 2024 – Abide
Title: Spirit-Filled Gathering
Text: Ephesian 5:18-20

Gathering for fellowship is one of the key spiritual habits that enables us to abide in Christ. So how should a Spirit-filled community look like? What does a Spirit-filled gathering look like?

General Questions:

1) Personally, what are the reasons that you commit yourself to regular gatherings, such as life group (LG) meetings and church services? What are your personal values and convictions concerning gathering as a spiritual family? How have you been blessed and benefitted from these gatherings?

2) What do you think are the differences between Christian fellowship gatherings and other social groups? Are there similarities? Do you think LG should be different from other social groups? Why?

Perspective Questions:

1) Do you think your LG meetings are Spirit-filled? What are the areas that you think your LG has gone well? Which areas
(mutual edification, gratitude filled, being other-centred) do you think your LG can grow in?

2) The LG is made up of imperfect people who are growing in their faith. What should our attitude be when the LG is going through challenging circumstances (e.g. conflicts within the group, lack of commitment from members)? How do you think by coming with the right attitudes of wanting to edify one another, with gratitude and with a desire to prioritise needs of other above ours, help and give us a new perspective when there are challenges in the LG? Personally, what differences do you think you can make if you come to LG gathering with these attitudes?

Application Questions:

1) The verses in Hebrews 10:24-25 were intended to encourage believers in Hebrews who were going through persecution to persevere in gathering so that they may encourage one another. What can we learn from Hebrews 10:24-25 when we face challenges in coming to LG or when we see other LG members struggling to gather?

Hebrews 10:24-25 “24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good
deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

2) What are the practical things that you can apply as a LG to build the LG to be a spirit-filled gathering? Which of the following practical pointers do you think your LG can do more in your gatherings?

Practical points:

· Build culture of affirmation in our gatherings.
· Activate prophetic ministry in our gatherings.
· Allocate time for people to share testimonies.

Series: Focus 2024 – Abide
Title: When Sin Came In
Text: Acts 5:1-8

The church is an imperfect community that is set apart for God. Yet our call to be holy is often threatened by the presence of sin within the community. How should we as a church respond to sin so that collectively, we remain holy before God?

General Questions:

  1. Describe fear as an emotion. How can this be reconciled with the idea of the fear of God?

Perspective Questions:

  1. Read Acts 1 – 4 (or 2:42-47 and 4:32-37). What are some characteristics of the early church? How is what Ananias and Sapphira did potentially damaging to the spiritual health and credibility of the community?
  2. “My sin affects you even if you are not aware of it.” Do you think this is true? Why? How does the personal sin of someone in the community affect the community at large? Give some examples.
  3. How can we reconcile removing sin from the community and welcoming sinners into it?  How should our expectations of believers and non-believers differ?

Application Questions:

  1. Often, we can only help one another to be holy when we know what one another is struggling with. What hinders you from being open with your struggles to the faith community? How can you help one another to be vulnerable?
  2. Sin should be dealt with swiftly before it spreads to affect others in the community. How can we approach the sins of others without compromising on either grace or holiness?

Title: When God comes in
Passage: Exodus 19:10-25

There is a right kind of fear that we should have, which is essential to fulfilling God’s call to holiness. The God who came down to dwell among us is awesomely and perfectly holy. Therefore, approaching God is a very serious matter that must take place on God’s terms.

General Questions:

  1. What has been your views on holiness? From the sermon, what does it mean to be holy for God?
  2. God is a personal God, but He is also a holy God. How have Jesus bridged these two aspects of God?
  3. What is the relationship between abiding in Christ and having the right kind of fear for God?

Perspective Questions:

  1. Consider the concept of holiness and reverence shared in this sermon. How do they challenge your perspective on living as a Christ follower in the world today?
  2. How would approaching God’s presence with reverence in your daily lives impact your relationship with God?

Application Questions:

  1. What are the practical ways in which we can maintain a distinct Christian identity while actively engaging with those around us? How can this impact our witness to non-believers?
  2. What are the specific actions or changes you can make this coming week to be careful and serious in areas such as worship, devotions, tithing etc? How can your lifegroup journey with you and keep you accountable in these areas?