Topic: contribute

In every season, we all need to grow and mature in our faith.

Title: Step Out & Step Up
Series: A Brick In His House
Text: Haggai 1:1-11

Every now and then, we need to honestly reflect on our priorities. Have other responsibilities or endeavours crowd out the commitment to build God’s church?  

Perspective Questions:

  1. Late Bible scholar Gordon Fee once said, “God is not just saving individuals and preparing them for heaven; rather, He is creating a people among whom He can live and who in their life together will reproduce God’s life and character.” What do you think of his quote? How does it reinforce or challenge your view of God’s purpose for His church? How would your view affect your priorities?  

  2. The people in Haggai’s day chose to build their own homes instead of rebuilding God’s temple. What do you think cause them to make such a choice? What are some of their fears or concerns that you can identify with? What does God’s word have to say about them?

  3. Most of us recognise the value of working hard. But being hardworking does not mean we have the right priorities. We can be working hard, but we are not producing fruit that honours God. What kind of hard work would God want to see from us? What are His promises to those who strive to honour Him?  

Application Questions:

  1. What are some needs you see around you that God may want you to meet? What are some practical steps you can take to address these needs?

  2. If you are feeling disillusioned or disheartened because of challenges you meet in serving, how can you bring to God all that is on your heart? How can you allow God’s word to heal or renew you?

Title: Step Out & Step In
Series: A Brick In His House
Text: Ephesians 6:10-20

Christ calls us out from our former lives to a relationship with Him and become part of His Church. Let’s explore the importance of belonging to a local church that we may be reminded of the privileges and responsibilities of belonging to a local church.

General Questions:

  1. Do you belong to a local church and a life group? Why do you think it is important to be part of the local church?

Perspective Questions:

  1. The church community is not perfect, and we may rub each other the wrong way. What are the challenges or hurts that you experienced in God’s community? What are the lessons that you learnt or areas that you have grown as a result? 

  2. The church community does not wait for war to be ready – it is ready during peace time, it never lets its guard down. How do you think a church community can become complacent and unprepared? What does it take for a church community to be prepared?

  3. The Bible warns us that we will face spiritual battles that could shake our faith and draw us away from God if we are not prepared. What are some spiritual battles that we may face? What is the danger in thinking that we can face such battles on our own? What is the advantage of facing spiritual battles with the community of God?

Application Questions:

  1. How does knowing that we are supposed to watch one another’s back in spiritual warfare change the way we relate with our church community?

  2. A life group is not just another social group, but one where Christ is at the centre of our relationship and the word of God is the foundation of our relationship. Besides learning the Word together, how do you think your life group be a Word-centred community?

Many structures of wood, brick and steel are built and established by hands of Man. Yet none of them, from shophouse to skyscraper, compares to the Church, the spiritual house of God.
Discover what makes up His house and how we are called to be part of it!

Series: A Brick In His House
Title: From Darkness Into Light
Text: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Christ-followers are called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light. The church, which is the body of Christ, are set apart by God and for God. What does it mean for the Church to be set apart?

General Questions:

  1. What are the privileges and blessings that you have personally received from Christ since coming to know Him? Share your personal experiences. 

Perspective Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you think of holiness? The Church is holy when we are set apart for God’s purposes. What then are God’s purposes? What part do you think you play in fulfilling these purposes as part of the body of Christ?

  2. Gratefulness for the mercy that we have received from God should be the motivation for us to obey and declare God’s goodness. Why do you think it is important to have the right motivation in obeying or serving God? What will happen if we obey or serve with the wrong motivation? Are there times when you did not have the motivation to serve? Why? 

Application Questions:

  1. How do you think you can participate in God’s purpose for the world through the church? Are there areas that you are prompted to start serving in (e.g. in Church ministries)? 

  2. What are the ways that you think your LG can work together to proclaim Jesus to the pre-believers?

Many structures of wood, brick and steel are built and established by the hands of man. Yet none of them, from shophouse to skyscraper, compares to the Church, the spiritual house of God.

Discover what makes up His House and how we are called to be part of it!

Title: House of Bricks
Text: 1 Cor 3:10-17

Christ followers are builders commissioned to build God’s house. What are the right ways or proper attitudes to build the church? How can we build God’s house with care, so that we can “ace our appraisal” with God on the day of judgment?

1) Build the house upon Christ (1 Cor 3:10-11)
What are some reasons people may be building the church on the wrong foundation? If we are not careful, we may build the church based on our own preferences or passions, or on the latest trends. How can we safeguard ourselves from building the church based on these wrong reasons? How can we ensure that we are truly building the church upon the foundation of Christ?
2) Build the house with excellence (1 Cor 3:12-15)
Who is one believer you think builds the church with excellence? Why do you say so? What is one thing you can learn from this believer? What are some ‘inferior materials’ that some may use to build the church? Excellence is not about having the perfect end product but the right attitudes. What are the right attitudes we should have as we contribute to God’s work? How can the LG encourage one another to build the house with excellence?
3) Build the house with reverence (1 Cor 3:16-17)

Do we see building the house as a privilege or do we see it as a chore? What are some reasons believers may find it difficult to hold the church in honour as they serve? Perhaps one reason is because one has been disappointed by the church before. How do you think a believer should respond in this case? How can we continue to build the house with reverence?

Christ followers are builders commissioned to build God’s house. What are the right ways or proper attitudes to build the church? How can we build God’s house with care, so that we can “ace our appraisal” with God on the day of judgment?

The Church, the Body of Christ, is made up of believers from all walks of life. While each person plays a part in building the Church, each one is unique in contribution. How can we make sense of our diverse gifts as we gather as one Body?