Topic: jesus
Series: Paradox
Title: Gaining by Losing
Text: Matthew 16:24-27
Jesus’ challenge to His disciples to follow Him is as radical as it is paradoxical (Mt 16:24-27). When we are willing to lose our lives for Jesus’ sake, that’s when we gain true life.
General Questions:
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In the preceding verses, Jesus rebukes Peter (v23, “Get behind me, Satan!”) when he told Jesus that Jesus should not have to suffer. Jesus told Peter that he did not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns (v23). How does this context help us to understand the sermon passage (v24-26)?
Perspective Questions:
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Some of us might feel uncomfortable upon listening to this sermon. What do you think causes that discomfort? What are some of the doubts and reservations you might have towards gaining by losing? Why? What does this reveal about our expectations and ideals of the Christian life?
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Not only did Jesus tell His disciples that He was going to suffer, be rejected and die, He told them that they would have to be prepared to go through a similar fate. While we may not face threats to our lives here in Singapore, there are still costs to following Jesus. What are some costs that we experience today? How do they affect us and why are they hard to bear? How can we be more prepared face up to them?
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The person who rejects God’s will and instead pursues his own will for his life ultimately loses every earthly good he is trying to protect. What earthly goods do you think you would seek to protect? How would this understanding change and shape the way you make decisions today?
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How does the promise of eternal rewards spur us to keep taking up our cross to follow Jesus?
Application Questions:
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What are some costly decisions (e.g. choosing the hard things, stepping into the void, being inconvenienced) you know you need to make to follow Jesus today? How can our LG support us in following through with these choices?
Series: The Church
Doing good to others is often easier said than done. What motivates believers to do good tirelessly? How does it affect the way we relate to the family of believers?
1) In the preceding verses, Paul states that “…a man reaps what he sows” (v7) and that “…whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (v8). Given this backdrop, what could Paul have meant when he says that believers will reap a harvest at the proper time if they do not give up (v9)?
2) Why does Paul emphasise that Christians should do good to fellow believers in particular (v10)?
3) Given the context of Galatians, what could Paul have meant when he said to “do good”?
Perspective Questions:
1) In what ways have you become weary in doing good? Why? How does knowing that we will eventually reap a harvest help you in your weariness? What if this harvest does not occur during our lifetime?
2) The Bible says we will reap a harvest at the proper time if we do not give up. However, when God’s idea of “the proper time” does not fit our timetable, we might become frustrated and discouraged. How does such a response reflect our understanding and expectation of the way God works?
3) As believers, we are to regard each other as a spiritual family. Why is it sometimes difficult to treat each other as such? What are some perspectives and attitudes that need to be changed in order for us to regard other believers as family?
4) Compare and contrast our spiritual family with our biological family. In what ways are they similar? In what ways are they different? How does the way we view and interact with our biological family influence how we relate to our spiritual family?
5) The reality is that the church may struggle, at times, to live up to God’s expectation of His people. Why might this be so? Despite the challenges, why do you think the church is still worth our commitment? Discuss.
Application Questions:
1) What opportunities has God provided in our lives for us to do good to our fellow believers? What is one step we can take today to do so?
2) What is one thing your LG could do together to grow as a spiritual family? Discuss.
With all that is happening in the world today, the year 2020 may not seem to be filled with victories. However, God’s light shines the brightest when the times are darkest. Through the cross, in Christ, we have won. What is God doing in your life today? What are His promises for you?
With all that is happening in the world today, the year 2020 may not seem to be filled with victories. However, God’s light shines the brightest when the times are darkest. Through the cross, in Christ, we have won. What is God doing in your life today? What are His promises for you?
Despite knowing God, Israel broke their covenant with Him and lived in their own ways. Yet God, in His mercy, sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty of their sin.
As we celebrate and pursue victory in Christ, examine and rediscover the person of Jesus and the role He plays in God’s redemption plan.
Brian is an up-and-rising e-gamer. He seems to have it all figured out until an unexpected event from his past catches up with him and makes him wonder, is love at all worth it? Love is almost never a safe choice. But are we still game for love?
‘Game for Love’, our Christmas showcase, takes a peek into the life of Brian, a rising e-gamer who has to make a decision between love or his goals. Enjoy this drama with music, dance, and VR video experience!
Title: The Wonder of Christmas
Text: Luke 2:8-20
Series: Surprised by Christmas
Most people associate Christmas with the spirit of giving or think of it as a time to gather with loved ones, but is there a deeper reason for the wondrous season? Why do we celebrate Christmas?
Beyond the lights, gifts, and food, Christmas is about the most remarkable moment in the history of mankind – God entering our world in the form of a helpless, crying infant.
The birth of Jesus was surrounded by suspense, interruptions, and amazement. When Jesus came into this world, lives around Him were transformed dramatically. This December, come and discover Christmas anew with us.
