Impact will be meeting this Thursday, December 3rd, to study Romans 5. Please read the chapter and review the questions below.
Impact meets Thursdays from 7-9 PM at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Impact is a ministry of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. We are a community where single and married people in their 30's can connect with each other, explore the Christian faith, and grow on a deep level around the issues we face at this stage of our lives.
Study Questions
While We Were Sinners, Romans Chapter 5:1-11:
1. What do you think "therefore" is there for?
2. How do verses 1-2 refute the popular image of a judgmental God, just waiting for us to slip up so He can slap us down? Do you have peace with God?
3. How do you feel verses 6-8 reveal how much God values us?
4. What attitudes do you still hold that prevent you from accepting how important you are to God and how much He loves you? Spend some time praying about this one!
Adam 1 and Adam 2, Romans Chapter 5:12-21:
1. What do you feel "therefore" is there for?
2. Paul says sin entered the world through one man (Adam), how does this compare to other understandings of the Garden of Eden story you've heard?
3. Using Romans 5, can you answer the following questions: a.) Why do people die? b.) Why is there so much suffering in the world?
4. Do you really believe that you will die? If a person really believes that people will die without Christ, what kind of actions should be visible in his or her life.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Impact Thursday November 19th
This week we will be studying chapter 4 of Romans. This chapter discusses Abraham's faith and gets us thinking about faith versus works. For the deepest understanding of Romans 4, Read Genesis 15-17, Genesis 21-22, Romans 4 and James 2. I am looking forward to this Thursday to study with you!
Impact meets Thursdays from 7-9 PM at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Impact is a ministry of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. We are a community where single and married people in their 30's can connect with each other, explore the Christian faith, and grow on a deep level around the issues we face at this stage of our lives.
Official Questions:
The Important Stuff
1) If you have any questions on Romans 3:31-4:25 or any
comments/observations you think is important, share or discuss about it.
2) If Romans 3:31-4:25 sparks something that is significant to you in terms
of how God's word applies to you, share it.
The Other Stuff
3) What would it look like to earn God's blessing and eternal life instead
of condemnation in our culture today?
4) Do you struggle with this at times? During the times you struggle with
this, is there anything that helps you get out of that mode of thinking?
During times where you are not struggling with this, what is your mode of
thinking?
5) Do you struggle in believing God's promises for you? Especially when life
deals you a difficult circumstances from what you were hoping or expecting
in life, what keeps your hope alive?
Questions by Felix C.
Questions to ponder while reading Romans 4
Note that the following questions are not the official Impact study questions for Thursday.
0. Who was Abraham [0]
1. Compare Romans 4 and James 2 [1]
2. Why is Circumcision so important to the church in Rome in Paul's day? [2]
3. What do you learn about faith from Romans 4:18-21? [2]
4. What does it matter to you--practically or emotionally--whether a right relationship with God is a gift to be received or a prize to be earned? [2]
[0] Engineers are allowed to start at 0.
[1] Question found here at http://www.biblequestions.org/
[2] Serendipity Bible for Groups, Third Edition(c) 1998 Serendipity House, Zondervan Publishing House Grand Rapids, MI
Impact meets Thursdays from 7-9 PM at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Impact is a ministry of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. We are a community where single and married people in their 30's can connect with each other, explore the Christian faith, and grow on a deep level around the issues we face at this stage of our lives.
Official Questions:
The Important Stuff
1) If you have any questions on Romans 3:31-4:25 or any
comments/observations you think is important, share or discuss about it.
2) If Romans 3:31-4:25 sparks something that is significant to you in terms
of how God's word applies to you, share it.
The Other Stuff
3) What would it look like to earn God's blessing and eternal life instead
of condemnation in our culture today?
4) Do you struggle with this at times? During the times you struggle with
this, is there anything that helps you get out of that mode of thinking?
During times where you are not struggling with this, what is your mode of
thinking?
5) Do you struggle in believing God's promises for you? Especially when life
deals you a difficult circumstances from what you were hoping or expecting
in life, what keeps your hope alive?
Questions by Felix C.
Questions to ponder while reading Romans 4
Note that the following questions are not the official Impact study questions for Thursday.
0. Who was Abraham [0]
1. Compare Romans 4 and James 2 [1]
2. Why is Circumcision so important to the church in Rome in Paul's day? [2]
3. What do you learn about faith from Romans 4:18-21? [2]
4. What does it matter to you--practically or emotionally--whether a right relationship with God is a gift to be received or a prize to be earned? [2]
[0] Engineers are allowed to start at 0.
[1] Question found here at http://www.biblequestions.org/
[2] Serendipity Bible for Groups, Third Edition(c) 1998 Serendipity House, Zondervan Publishing House Grand Rapids, MI
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Impact Thursday November 12th
This week we will be studying chapter 3 of Romans. Please read the chapter and review the study questions below. We are memorizing Romans 1:16-17 as a group. If you would like to recite the verse up front, you may receive a prize!
Also! We are making boxes for Operation Christmas Child:
click here for more information!
Romans 3
Discussion Questions
v. 1-8
1. Why were the Jews entrusted with the words of God?
v. 9-20
2. What evidence can you think of to support Paul's claim that no one is righteous?
v. 21-31
3. What does it mean for God to be just? How did God demonstrate his justice through his son Jesus Christ?
4. How is it possible that God is both just and gracious at the same time?
5. How do we uphold the law by faith? What does faithfulness look like in your own life?
Also! We are making boxes for Operation Christmas Child:
click here for more information!
Romans 3
Discussion Questions
v. 1-8
1. Why were the Jews entrusted with the words of God?
v. 9-20
2. What evidence can you think of to support Paul's claim that no one is righteous?
v. 21-31
3. What does it mean for God to be just? How did God demonstrate his justice through his son Jesus Christ?
4. How is it possible that God is both just and gracious at the same time?
5. How do we uphold the law by faith? What does faithfulness look like in your own life?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Operation Christmas Child - Homework
Greetings Impacters! This week we are participating in Operation Christmas Child. We’ll take time this Thursday to pack the boxes together and pray for the children who will be receiving our boxes. If you would like to participate, come to Impact with your items to pack and $7.00 for shipping. Here are a few helpful tips:
1. Some small groups are making one box and have already designated each person to buy something.
2. Other small groups are doing one box per person.
In either case, here are some suggestions for your box:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/
Other tips:
1. Find or buy a shoe box to send.
2. Not everyone has to bring wrapping paper, but there should be a few.
3. Wrap the lid separate to the box.
4. Have one item that is of some quality, like a little Lego set (Bionicles) or a doll.
6. Have some items that give one something to do, like crayons for drawing or origami paper.
7. Other fun stuff from a place like Diddams.
Ideas from Samaritan’s Purse website:
GIFT IDEAS
TOYS
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
HYGIENE ITEMS
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
OTHER
Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)
A PERSONAL NOTE
In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)
DO NOT INCLUDE:
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans
1. Some small groups are making one box and have already designated each person to buy something.
2. Other small groups are doing one box per person.
In either case, here are some suggestions for your box:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/
Other tips:
1. Find or buy a shoe box to send.
2. Not everyone has to bring wrapping paper, but there should be a few.
3. Wrap the lid separate to the box.
4. Have one item that is of some quality, like a little Lego set (Bionicles) or a doll.
6. Have some items that give one something to do, like crayons for drawing or origami paper.
7. Other fun stuff from a place like Diddams.
Ideas from Samaritan’s Purse website:
GIFT IDEAS
TOYS
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
HYGIENE ITEMS
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
OTHER
Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)
A PERSONAL NOTE
In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)
DO NOT INCLUDE:
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Impact Thursday November 5th
Impact will meet this Thursday to continue our study in Romans with Romans 2. I am pleased to announce Joanie Tankersley as our guest speaker this Thursday. Joanie is pastor of community life at MPPC. Please read the chapter and bring your Bibles. There may be a prize for the first three people who can recite Romans 1:16,17.
Our speaker, Joanie Tankersley, has suggested the New Living Translation as
useful for understanding this week's text. It can be found at:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/romans/2.html
Discussion Questions:
God's Impartial Judgment, Romans Chapter 2:1-16:
1. Who do you think Paul is writing to?
2. Since Paul didn't use chapter divisions when he wrote the letter, review 1:29-32 and discuss what he is referring to when he says "therefore" in 2:1. What is the "therefore" there for?
3. What are the issues around judgment that Paul is concerned about?
4. How would you compare Paul's declaration in 1:16-17 with his comments in 2: 7-11?
The Jewish Law and True Circumcision, Romans Chapter 2:17-29:
5. What is Paul arguing with his invisible opponent about in regard to the Jewish understanding about the Jews' status before God and how they think it should influence God's judgment?
6. What is Paul driving at in his challenging questions in v.21-23?
7. Paul quotes, about Israel, "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." How have you seen the name of Jesus blasphemed today among non-believers because of Christians? In your own life?
8. How do verses 28-29 apply to Christians, today...to you?
Our speaker, Joanie Tankersley, has suggested the New Living Translation as
useful for understanding this week's text. It can be found at:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/romans/2.html
Discussion Questions:
God's Impartial Judgment, Romans Chapter 2:1-16:
1. Who do you think Paul is writing to?
2. Since Paul didn't use chapter divisions when he wrote the letter, review 1:29-32 and discuss what he is referring to when he says "therefore" in 2:1. What is the "therefore" there for?
3. What are the issues around judgment that Paul is concerned about?
4. How would you compare Paul's declaration in 1:16-17 with his comments in 2: 7-11?
The Jewish Law and True Circumcision, Romans Chapter 2:17-29:
5. What is Paul arguing with his invisible opponent about in regard to the Jewish understanding about the Jews' status before God and how they think it should influence God's judgment?
6. What is Paul driving at in his challenging questions in v.21-23?
7. Paul quotes, about Israel, "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." How have you seen the name of Jesus blasphemed today among non-believers because of Christians? In your own life?
8. How do verses 28-29 apply to Christians, today...to you?
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