Topic: Church
2020 has been an incredibly rough time for the world, but let’s look back and reflect on the choices we made. As we Zoom into the learnings of the past, we can enter 2021 with joy and gratitude.
Title: Zooming Through 2020
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What choices does God want us to make today, in 2021 and beyond?
1. God wants us to rejoice always (v. 16)
Why is it that Christians always have a reason to rejoice? Think about a past or current challenging circumstance, how easy or difficult was it to choose to rejoice? How can we encourage one another to choose to recognize God’s goodness in our lives even when we may not be experiencing feelings of happiness?
2. God wants us to pray continually (v. 17)
Prayer changes things and prayer changes us. Ultimately, prayer draws us closer to God. Personally, do you view prayer more as relational or transactional? Why? What can encourage you to keep on praying even in situations when you do not seem to see any changes at all?
3. God wants us to give thanks in all circumstances (v 18a)
Giving thanks in all circumstances is not the same as giving thanks for all circumstances. Do we find it harder to give thanks in prosperity or in adversity? Why? As a community, how can we encourage each other to give thanks in all circumstances in 2021?
Title: Zooming Through 2020
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What choices does God want us to make today, in 2021 and beyond?
1. God wants us to rejoice always (v. 16)
Why is it that Christians always have a reason to rejoice? Think about a past or current challenging circumstance, how easy or difficult was it to choose to rejoice? How can we encourage one another to choose to recognise God’s goodness in our lives even when we may not be experiencing feelings of happiness?
2. God wants us to pray continually (v. 17)
Prayer changes things and prayer changes us. Ultimately, prayer draws us closer to God. Personally, do you view prayer more as relational or transactional? Why? What can encourage you to keep on praying even in situations when you do not seem to see any changes at all?
3. God wants us to give thanks in all circumstances (v 18a)
Giving thanks in all circumstances is not the same as giving thanks for all circumstances. Do we find it harder to give thanks in prosperity or in adversity? Why? As a community, how can we encourage each other to give thanks in all circumstances in 2021?
Title: The Wonderful News
Series: The Wonder Of Christmas
Text: Isaiah 61:1-2
Is the good news wonderful to you? Or perhaps it makes you wonder what’s the big deal at all. Join us to hear why this news radically changes our lives.
1) The Good News of Freedom (V1)
• What makes it difficult for people to recognise their spiritual poverty?
• Where or how do we recognise the spiritual poverty in our own lives? What are some signs of our spiritual poverty that we may have ignored or failed to recognise?
• The Bible reveals the gospel – good news for our spirituality poverty. What makes it challenging for us to take the Bible as good news and not simply good advice? If we hold to the Bible as good news for us, what is one area of obedience it challenges you in today?
2) The Good News of Reconciliation (V2)
• What is the year of the Lord’s favour? How do you think it relates to us as Christians today?
• When we accept Jesus’ gift of freedom, we also reconcile our relationship with God and have His presence. What are some things that stop us from believing we have God by our side? What could you do to cultivate a more intimate relationship with God?
In Acts 8, as the believers of the early church were scattered, they faithfully preached the gospel wherever they went. Because of that, the good news spread quickly throughout the region. Learn how we are to also live out the Great Commission in wherever God has placed us, starting with our campus and school.
Title: Pivot Upon The Promises Of God
Series: Focus 2021
Text: Various Text
Wary of promises and half-expecting them to be broken anyway?
Not so with God’s promises because He is not only a promise-giver but also a promise-keeper. Lean on God’s promises, place your trust in Him, and discover how you can live life with renewed confidence.
1) Acquaint Myself with God’s Promises
Knowing God’s Word is the key to being acquainted with God’s promises. What are some habits you can weave into your daily life to help you to remember and meditate on His Word? What is one promise that God has made that you hope to study and reflect upon?
2) Adjust my life according to God’s Promises
Our experience of God’s promises begins with the right understanding of what the promises mean and choosing to have faith and obey Him. In Matthew 6:33, what do you think “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness” means? Our heavenly Father knows our needs (Matthew 6:32), we can be assured of His providence as we align our priorities. Are there areas in your life that God is prompting you to re-prioritise?
3) Actualise God’s Promises
Would you consider yourself as someone with a “child-like” faith in God? Why? Putting our faith in God and His promises does not mean we avoid challenges or disappointments in everyday life. At times, we may even experience doubt. How do you overcome these moments, or how would you encourage someone in such situations to hold on to God’s promise of salvation and continue to trust in Him?
Title: You Only Live Once
Series: Undecided
Text: Mark 10:17-22
You only live once – so how should you live your life right? How do we guard against the subtleness of spiritual complacency that can deviate us from the goodness of the Lord? Let this message encourage us to let go of our safety nets to pursue God and delight in the treasures of heaven.
1) I wish that God will validate my lifestyle (v17-20)
What is your picture of a ‘good’ Christian life?
How do you think you fare according to this picture?
God’s will in your life may differ from the picture in your mind and the lifestyle that you desire.
What are the areas of God’s will revealed in Scripture that you are learning to understand and contending to obey?
2) I am reluctant to let go of my safety nets (v21-22)
Do you think God’s will demands too much from your life? How so?
Because we ‘only live once’, we may create safety nets for the life that we desire. Wealth was a safety net for the rich young man.
What are some safety nets we have created that makes us undecided in following God?
Because we ‘only live once’, we can live for God. What are some godly aspirations in your life as you live for Him?
