Church on the Hill, McMinnville Church on the Hill

The apostles and the early church of Acts were on fire! They were adding to their number daily, people were being healed, and lives were being changed! We are wanting 2024 to be the year of miracles. We prayed for it during 21 days of prayer. Why do we not see miraculous signs and healings today as what was experienced in Acts? I submit that there is a dichotomous relationship between Faith and Fear. When we allow Fear to creep into our minds, we hamstring our Faith. When we hamstring our Faith, we hamstring the divine work that God wants to do in us and through us. When we believe and hold firm to the promises of God our Faith is increased and our Fear is suppressed and God can use us to accomplish the impossible!

Group Life Questions:

1. What does Liturgy mean? Discuss what makes up your current church liturgy?

2. God calls us to be Holy because He is Holy. What does Holiness look like to you? What does it mean to be Holy?Is perfect holiness attainable?

3. Can you think of Biblical examples of people not doing what God wanted them to because they were afraid?

4. Can you think of Biblical examples of Faith overcoming Fear and Divine work takes place?

5. Are you brave enough to confess a fear that has held you back? If so, what is it.

6. How can we encourage one another to walk in Faith and Trust and help one another not give into fear?

Am I trying to follow Christ or am I training in the practice of following? Our efforts to try things can be unsuccessful and that can lead to burnout, disappointment, and giving up when it comes to following Christ. If we look at following Christ from the lens of training in his practices and the continued routine making us stronger each day, then we will see our growth over time. Today, we dive deeper into training to live for Christ vs. trying to live for Christ and we also explore the church in Acts 4 and how their training got them through the first line of persecution.  


Group Life Questions:

1. What stuck out to you the most from today's message?

2. Would you say that most of your journey with Christ has been you trying to follow or training to follow? What is the difference to you?

3. In Acts 4, what do Peter and John face early in this chapter and how were they able to get through this tough time? 

4. Read 1 Corinthians 4:16. What is your initial reaction to Paul's words here and is it easier for us to understand what he meant with a little context?

5. Are you living the kind of life that you would want to see multiplied in others? 

6. End your time by praying these verses from Acts 4.  
Pray - Acts 4:31 
Grow - Acts 4:32
Serve - Acts 4:32
Multiply - Acts 4:33

No matter where you are in life, it is never too late, early, or you are never too important to practice the way of Christ! Diving into Acts 3, we will take a look at the practices of the early apostles, more specially Peter and John, as they practiced prayer, service, and multiplication as they shared the good news! We will look at how the practices they were participating in formed them and shaped their attitude toward others. Join us as we continue to Practice the Way of Christ!


Group Life Questions:

1. What is something you became good at over time because you practiced so much?

2. Look at Matthew 7:24-27. What does Jesus mean by 'put these things into practice?" What things? Break up into small groups and find how we can practice Jesus' teaching toward some of the topics he covered in Matthew 5-7.  

3. What stuck out to you from the message concerning Peter & John and their practices despite the huge move of God in Acts 2? Their focus on prayer, growth, serving, and sharing their faith?

4. How would you say you are doing in the areas of: prayer, service, witness, Scripture, generosity, community, solitude, sabbath, & fasting?

5. End your time in prayer for one another and for the community of McMinnville.  

This week we continue with part 2 of our 8-week series, “Practicing the Way of Christ”. Today we dive into Acts chapter 2, and walk with the disciples through the day of Pentecost. This is the day that changes everything. The Holy Spirit is poured out, the first Gospel message is given, and the Church begins!

GROUP LIFE QUESTIONS:

1. What about today's message stuck out most to you and why?

2. How do you speak to God when you pray? Is it like David?

3. How have you continued the work of the disciples in Acts 2?

4. How do you cultivate your relationship with the Holy Spirit?

5. What is an example in your life of when the Holy Spirit has guided you?

6. In what ways has the Word cut to your heart?

Easter Series: True North

We are to be on guard with our hearts so as to not be deceived by the evil one! For Jesus, embracing the light was the key to the schemes of the darkness being revealed. The call today is for us not to be swept away in the devil's lies but to stand strong in freedom in the light of Christ. Jesus is the light of the world and in him there is no darkness!

GROUP LIFE QUESTIONS:

1. What's one idea from the message that really stood out to you? Why did that grab your attention?

2. What does God's light mean to you and how is it illuminated in your life?

3. How has Jesus revealed himself as the light in your life? What about the Word of God? How has it brought light to your life and heart?

4. Discuss Acts 26:17-17 & John 8:1-12. What might Christ be revealing to you?

5. Read Revelation 21:23. What does it say about God's presence and how does that line-up with Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6?

6. End your time together in prayer for one another and discuss one way that you can be a light to someone this week.