Impact meets this Thursday--we will break from our normal study of Romans to hear three groups of speakers share about how the Lord is working in their lives: Shu and Paul, Felix, and Dick Desautel. Come and join us to hear their stories!
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.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Impact Thursday January 21st
Impact will study the second half of Romans 8:18-39 this week on Thursday, January 21st. 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.
Discussion Questions
1.) Why is creation subjected to frustration? How does verse 21 (“bondage to decay”) help you understand this? What does it mean in your life personally when creation is frustrated?
2.) What does it mean to have the first fruits of the Spirit?
3.) In verse 23, there is a strong emphasis in the original language on “we ourselves.” The verb “wait eagerly” is repeated from verse 19; the verb “groan” is repeated from verse 22. What was “groaning” and “waiting eagerly” in the earlier verses? How is our groaning and waiting similar? How is it different? Describe ways in which you've experienced the Spirit interceding for you with groans words cannot express?
4.) Do bad things happen to those who love God? Why and how is God working for good? What are some ways you've experienced God taking something bad and working it for the good?
5.) What is the “No” in verse 37 referring to?
6.) Do you think Christians are supposed to experience victory on earth? Have you experienced victory in your life? What are some examples of victory in your life?
Questions by Grant Kim
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.
Discussion Questions
1.) Why is creation subjected to frustration? How does verse 21 (“bondage to decay”) help you understand this? What does it mean in your life personally when creation is frustrated?
2.) What does it mean to have the first fruits of the Spirit?
3.) In verse 23, there is a strong emphasis in the original language on “we ourselves.” The verb “wait eagerly” is repeated from verse 19; the verb “groan” is repeated from verse 22. What was “groaning” and “waiting eagerly” in the earlier verses? How is our groaning and waiting similar? How is it different? Describe ways in which you've experienced the Spirit interceding for you with groans words cannot express?
4.) Do bad things happen to those who love God? Why and how is God working for good? What are some ways you've experienced God taking something bad and working it for the good?
5.) What is the “No” in verse 37 referring to?
6.) Do you think Christians are supposed to experience victory on earth? Have you experienced victory in your life? What are some examples of victory in your life?
Questions by Grant Kim
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Impact Thrusday January 14th
This week Impact will be studying the first half of Romans. Please read Romans 8:1-17 and review the questions below. Also, I'd like to encourage you to continue doing daily pages (SOAP pages). If you're feeling like you haven't been hearing from the Lord lately but you are earnestly seeking to know His will and His path, reading the scriptures daily and reflecting upon what you've read and upon your own life while centered upon the Lord in some way is one almost sure way to hear from the Lord. SOAP pages may not be the best plan for submerging into this time of centering, but for me SOAP pages are certainly better than my other plan, which was no plan at all.
One thing that may help is to do your SOAP pages in a nice notebook, but if you prefer the handouts or would like a copy of the format to transfer to your notebook, click here.
One more word about SOAP pages: I am continually asking God for guidance but I've been feeling spiritually dry, aimless and out of touch with Him. I wasn't reading the scriptures daily and certainly not centering myself daily upon the Lord. I have felt convicted for not reading the scriptures daily but after starting on a 1.5 chapter a day plan, I have felt some of my deepest thirsts quenched because I am more likely to turn to Him for help rather than my own ways: His living water is freely available and tremendously satisfying.
Jeremiah 2:13
"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
Click here for Reading Plans or you may email me for the reading plan I'm using, which is a two year plan mixing Old and New Testament scriptures: christian@cjmillerengineering.com
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.
Note that Romans 8 is the longest chapter and we will be breaking it into 2 pieces. The second half will occur next week.
Discussion Questions
Who Are The Sons Of God, Romans Chapter 8:1-17:
1.) The word guilt has two meanings. It can mean the feeling or emotion of guilt. It can also mean an objective legal status. Describe what it feels to be guilty. Define the word, guilty, in objective legal terms. Do the same for the word condemn: Describe what it feels to be condemned. Define the word, condemned, in objective legal terms. Do the same for the word forgive. Do the same for the word free.
2.) Does this mean that, even if Christians sin, we will not be condemned? Why/why not?
3.) What do you feel Paul means in verse 5 by having our "minds set?"
4.) Do you feel it is our mind set or our action that is the deciding factor? Explain.
5.) It is possible for somebody to be not guilty in the legal sense, but still feel guilty. Why do you think this happens? Is the feeling of guilt ever a good thing?
6.) In your own words, how does Paul's testimony of himself and analysis of the Christian experience help us in our walk today? Are there areas in which you feel guilty or condemned?
Questions by Grant Kim
One thing that may help is to do your SOAP pages in a nice notebook, but if you prefer the handouts or would like a copy of the format to transfer to your notebook, click here.
One more word about SOAP pages: I am continually asking God for guidance but I've been feeling spiritually dry, aimless and out of touch with Him. I wasn't reading the scriptures daily and certainly not centering myself daily upon the Lord. I have felt convicted for not reading the scriptures daily but after starting on a 1.5 chapter a day plan, I have felt some of my deepest thirsts quenched because I am more likely to turn to Him for help rather than my own ways: His living water is freely available and tremendously satisfying.
Jeremiah 2:13
"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
Click here for Reading Plans or you may email me for the reading plan I'm using, which is a two year plan mixing Old and New Testament scriptures: christian@cjmillerengineering.com
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.
Note that Romans 8 is the longest chapter and we will be breaking it into 2 pieces. The second half will occur next week.
Discussion Questions
Who Are The Sons Of God, Romans Chapter 8:1-17:
1.) The word guilt has two meanings. It can mean the feeling or emotion of guilt. It can also mean an objective legal status. Describe what it feels to be guilty. Define the word, guilty, in objective legal terms. Do the same for the word condemn: Describe what it feels to be condemned. Define the word, condemned, in objective legal terms. Do the same for the word forgive. Do the same for the word free.
2.) Does this mean that, even if Christians sin, we will not be condemned? Why/why not?
3.) What do you feel Paul means in verse 5 by having our "minds set?"
4.) Do you feel it is our mind set or our action that is the deciding factor? Explain.
5.) It is possible for somebody to be not guilty in the legal sense, but still feel guilty. Why do you think this happens? Is the feeling of guilt ever a good thing?
6.) In your own words, how does Paul's testimony of himself and analysis of the Christian experience help us in our walk today? Are there areas in which you feel guilty or condemned?
Questions by Grant Kim
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Impact Resumes Thursday January 7th!
I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year! Impact will start again this Thursday and we will be studying Romans Chapter 7. Please read the chapter and review the questions below.
The Law Of Sin And Death, Romans Chapter 7:1-13:
1. What do you feel Paul meant when he said the Law is only over us while we live?
2. How is it that we "died to the Law?"
3. What does Paul mean by "sinful nature?"
4. Give some examples of how a law can arouse sinful passions.
5. Do you feel Paul is saying we are no longer bound by the Law? Why/why not?
6. How does this section of Scripture compare with what you've been told about Christians obeying the Law (10 commandments, etc)?
7. Do you feel Paul is saying the Law brought about sin? Why/why not?
8. In your own words, say what you feel Paul believes is the purpose of the law.
Who Will Rescue Me, Romans Chapter 7:14-25:
1. Compare vs 14-15 with I John 1:8 and Acts 15:5-19.
a. What do you feel Paul, John, James and Peter believed concerning Christians and sin?
b. How is this different from what you've been told about Christian behavior?
c. What do you feel Paul, John, James and Peter believed concerning salvation?
2. Was Paul admitting he couldn't avoid sinning? Why/why not?
3. How does this compare with what you've heard about the Apostles?
4. Name as many Biblical leaders as you can that the Bible says did not sin.
5. If your list has more than one name on it, please share with us your Scripture reference.
6. How is it that sin can still live in someone who belongs to Jesus?
7. Explain the difference between the inner being and the members of the body?
8. Describe some situations in which your inner being and your body are at war.
9. In your own words, state who it is that saves us from this body of death and explain how He has done it.
The Law Of Sin And Death, Romans Chapter 7:1-13:
1. What do you feel Paul meant when he said the Law is only over us while we live?
2. How is it that we "died to the Law?"
3. What does Paul mean by "sinful nature?"
4. Give some examples of how a law can arouse sinful passions.
5. Do you feel Paul is saying we are no longer bound by the Law? Why/why not?
6. How does this section of Scripture compare with what you've been told about Christians obeying the Law (10 commandments, etc)?
7. Do you feel Paul is saying the Law brought about sin? Why/why not?
8. In your own words, say what you feel Paul believes is the purpose of the law.
Who Will Rescue Me, Romans Chapter 7:14-25:
1. Compare vs 14-15 with I John 1:8 and Acts 15:5-19.
a. What do you feel Paul, John, James and Peter believed concerning Christians and sin?
b. How is this different from what you've been told about Christian behavior?
c. What do you feel Paul, John, James and Peter believed concerning salvation?
2. Was Paul admitting he couldn't avoid sinning? Why/why not?
3. How does this compare with what you've heard about the Apostles?
4. Name as many Biblical leaders as you can that the Bible says did not sin.
5. If your list has more than one name on it, please share with us your Scripture reference.
6. How is it that sin can still live in someone who belongs to Jesus?
7. Explain the difference between the inner being and the members of the body?
8. Describe some situations in which your inner being and your body are at war.
9. In your own words, state who it is that saves us from this body of death and explain how He has done it.
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