Grace Community

Isaac Moran

God still speaks today - through His perfectly sufficient written Word. What God says satisfies our intellectual hunger, and what He says shows the Beauty of His love for His people. Truth and Beauty come together in one place: God in His Word.

  1. Isaiah 33:1-12

    21 июн.

    Isaiah 33:1-12

    Outline God is sovereign over every powerful enemy.​ (1)  The believer waits patiently, trusting God’s strength and power to save.​ (2-3)  When God exalts himself to judge some are saved others are condemned.​ (5-9)  The fullness of God’s judgement will come.​ (10-12)  When Jesus was lifted up, He took God’s judgement for us to give us salvation. Home Group questions:   Verse 1 speaks of God’s sovereignty over powerful enemies. This truth is used by some to teach that God will overcome our financial, emotional, and physical ‘enemies’. Why is it important that we are careful not to make that the focus of the text? What are the enemies of people, even believers, that we really must ask God to deliver us from, and how does this text help us in our daily struggles? (Consider Ephesians 6:10–18 and 1 Corinthians 10:12–14.)Verses 2–3 contain Isaiah’s prayer. How is it a good model for us to adopt, especially in times of uncertainty and suffering? (Note: verse 4 describes the blessing that comes to God’s people after He has acted.)Verses 5–6 end with, "The fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure." (Taking Zion to mean the dwelling place of God, which in the present age is the church of true believers) How is the fear of the Lord the treasure of His people, especially in times of uncertainty? How does the fear of the Lord bring stability, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge?Verses 7–12 speak about the fate of those who trust in salvation by their own means. How should knowing their outcome make us feel and act toward those who do not fear the Lord? How does our passage help us understand why God allows believers and unbelievers to experience the same earthly struggles?According to Isaiah 33:1–12, God’s solution to the uncertainty and struggles of life is His exaltation. Discuss how His exaltation can be both good and bad for people. How should that affect your life today?     Send us Fan Mail

    43 мин.
  2. 24 мая

    Acts 2:42-47 Pentecost Sunday

    Outline: The Spirit filled church is a church of devoted people. The Spirit filled church is devoted to correct teaching. The Spirit filled church is devoted to caring for the congregation. The Spirit filled church is devoted to communion with God and man. The Spirit filled church is devoted to the commission.  Jesus is the centre of the Spirit filled church’s devotion. Home group questions Acts 2 really emphasises the community aspect of church. Where do you think the current Western evangelical church may be lacking compared to how we understand the beginnings of the church? Why do you think that is the case? How should we reconcile the fact that the believers “devoted themselves” and yet it is the Spirit’s filling that motivates us? (Consider Philippians 1:6; 2:13–14; 2 Timothy 1:5–7; Romans 12:1–2.) What would you say is the difference between devotion and attendance? Why do you think the apostles’ teaching is listed first? (Consider Ephesians 2:19–20.) Practically speaking, how can a church drift away from being centred on God’s Word and onto other things? How would you sum up what the church’s preaching and teaching should be focused on? (Consider Colossians 1:9–14.) How can this kind of teaching remain relevant for every generation? Verses 44–45 show believers holding possessions lightly and meeting needs within the church family. Without becoming “Christian socialism,” what would it look like for our church to take Acts 2-style responsibility for one another’s needs? What are some modern practices in the church that may negatively affect the deepening of community? How could we practically encourage community across genders, ages, and socio-economic differences? How could a strong community encourage members to be missional and effective in evangelism? Verse 46 encourages both the large gathering and smaller gatherings of believers. Why is it important that believers are involved in both? Knowing that the church devoted themselves to prayer and praise, how could we encourage more of this in our own lives and in the life of the church? How does devotion to Jesus in each individual Christian foster a church like the one in Acts 2?   Send us Fan Mail

    40 мин.
  3. 17 мая

    Ascension Day Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:6-11

    Outline: Jesus blesses His followers by His ascension.  The ascension reveals Jesus’ ultimate glorification.  Jesus' ascension empowers His people for a global task under His reign. Jesus expects His people to get on with the work of witnessing until he comes again.  The blessing from Jesus is the power of His Spirit and the privilege of proclaiming His name. Home Group Questions: Read Luke 24:50–53 and Acts 1:6–11 How would you respond to someone who says, “Why do you believe in the Ascension? There is no proof.” The Ascension often receives little attention, but why is it so crucial to understand and believe in it? How should the understanding that Jesus possesses all authority shape our evangelism? How should the doctrine of Jesus ruling and reigning affect our daily lives in practical ways? How might a greater understanding of the ascended Christ affect the way you respond to opposition, criticism, or injustice? Why is it important that believers do not know the times and seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority? Why do you think we are often more interested in knowing the future than in the task right in front of us? What does Jesus call His followers to focus on instead, and how should this shape the church’s ministry? Jesus, in His glorified human body and displaying the scars of His sacrifice, is seated at the Father’s right hand, interceding on our behalf as our High Priest. Which part of that reality speaks to you most in times of suffering, fear, guilt, or doubt? How should the knowledge that Jesus has commanded His followers to be witnesses and that He is coming again shape the way we think about our priorities and responsibilities? Send us Fan Mail

    38 мин.

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God still speaks today - through His perfectly sufficient written Word. What God says satisfies our intellectual hunger, and what He says shows the Beauty of His love for His people. Truth and Beauty come together in one place: God in His Word.

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