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Mark 11:1-11 “The True Messiah”

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This week it is Palm Sunday, when we remember Jesus entry into Jerusalem. Then as now, people tend to believe in the Jesus that they expect. This is often greatly influenced by the values of the culture around them. But Jesus comes as the true messiah who was promised by God and the messiah we actually need.

Questions for reflection:

  • What ways do you think our western culture tends to believe about who Jesus is?
  • How has your view of Jesus been shaped by your past? Has your view of him been refined or changed over time?
  • Why is it important to understand Jesus on his own terms?
  • How can we seek to be like Jesus instead of making Jesus like us?
  • How can we avoid reading the bible in an overly biased way, seeing what we expect to see, rather than what is there?

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Mark 10:35-45 “Self-centred or Sacrificial Service?”

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This week we are getting back into the Gospel according to Mark. Mark’s gospel was written to justify and explain why Jesus has the right to call everyone to repentance, faith, and discipleship. In the first 8 chapters, Jesus established his authority through his ministry that is mostly in Galilee. Chapters 8-10 describe Jesus on the way to Jerusalem and the cross. This morning we are looking at Jesus teaching about servant leadership.

Questions for Discussion:

  1. How can we tell if we are self-centred in our service?
  2. What did the disciples misunderstand about who Jesus was? What do many people today misunderstand about who Jesus was?
  3. In what ways do you think we can be tempted to follow the world with regards to leadership in the church?
  4. How does Jesus example change the way we should think about greatness?
  5. Is there a problem with doing good things for the wrong reasons? Why?

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1 Samuel 23 “Encouragement”

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In conjunction with looking at discipleship. Recently, I have been meditating on Jonathan’s encouragement for David. So before going into normal time of working through a book I wanted to take just this week to look in 1 Samuel 23. There is so much in David and Jonathan’s friendship that is worth our attention.

Questions for Reflection:

  1. Think of a time when you have been significantly encouraged. What things made the encouragement so helpful?
  2. What could you do to cultivate deeper gospel friendships?
  3. What things can hinder encouragement?
  4. How does Christ’s coming encourage us?
  5. Who could you encourage this week?

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Colossians 1:12-14 “Gospel Rule” (Roger Wilson)

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This week Roger takes us through Colossians 1: 12 – 14, and three reasons why we are to give thanks to the Father.

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Colossians 1:12-14 (ESV)

12 giving thanks[a] to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:9-14 “Gospel Growth” (Roger Wilson)

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When we pray for each other – what do you pray for? This week we continue looking at Colossians 1 to help answer this question. Roger explains.

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Colossians 1:9-14 (ESV)

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks[a] to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:3-8 “Gospel Impact” (Roger Wilson)

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What do we think first of our Christian brothers and sisters? These thoughts set the direction for our prayers. This week we continue in Colossians 1 and we see in verses 3 – 8 that Paul’s main thought was thankfulness.

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Colossians 1:3-8 (ESV)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.[a] He is a faithful minister of Christ on your[b] behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.