Next Impact, Thursday September 29th

Impact will start our study of John this week! We'll have open table seating this Thusday - bring your Bibles and be prepared to embark on a great study of John!

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, but many churches are represented by our community here at Impact! You are welcome to come and check us out, this is a great Thursday to see what we're all about!

Impact Breaks for the Summer!

Hello Impacters!

Impact is taking a break for the summer! Be sure to check the events blog for summer events and send me an email if you're interested in other ways you can get information about events!

Christian@cjmillerengineering.com

Please be aware that I only check email on Wednesdays!

Have a great summer!
Christian

Impact Thursday June 16th

Ephesians 6
 
1.  Why do you think Paul says, “Fathers do not exasperate or anger your children”?  How do parents anger their children in ways that are not good for them?
 
2.  "In 6:12, Paul seems to make a distinction between 'principalities, authorities, and rulers'.  Is this distinction important?  Is it a rhetorical device used to encompass all people and organizations in authority?  Is there another option?  How does this change your understanding of the passage, if at all?"
 
3.  Knowing some of the Bible’s other names for the devil can help us figure out his schemes.  Have you encountered any of the ones mentioned in the following passages?   
            Matt 12:24                                                            Rev. 12:9
            Matt  13:19                                                            1 Thess. 3:5
            John 8: 44                                                            1 Peter 5:8
 
4.  What is the difference between “the day of evil” Paul mentions in 6:13 and when he says, “the days are evil” in Chapter 5:16?
 
5.  Why don’t we as Christians pay more attention to spiritual matters?  (Spiritual warfare specifically?)
 
6.  How does a believer “put on” the armor of God?
 
7.  What does it mean to pray in the Spirit?  How can we pray in the Spirit on all occasions?  How’s this spiritual discipline going for you?

Impact Thursday May 12th

This Thursday we will get into Ephesians Chapter 1, Joanie Tankersely will be our teacher, she is the Pastor of Adult Spiritual Formation at MPPC. As always please be sure you spend time in the Word and be prepared to participate in the discussion. Please review the questions below. Have a great week and see you Thursday.

--Alisa



We’ll meet in our normal place, 700 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park CA at 7:00 PM.



Discussion Questions

Ephesians Chapter 1



1. Identify the particular spiritual blessings Paul enumerates for those who are “in Christ” in chapter 1. Share with each other 1-2 of these blessings that has particular meaning for you in your life right now and why this is so.



2. Read vs. 4-5 alongside vs. 11-12 and compare with Paul’s comments in Romans 8:28-30. These are the 4 occurrences in the New Testament that contain the word “predestined”. Discuss your understanding of this concept. How does this concept of being “predestined” impact your life?



3. Paul prays an impassioned prayer for believers beginning in v. 15. With the knowledge that God wants to speak personally to each of us whenever we come to his Word, what aspects of Paul’s prayer might represent something you need from God and share how that part of Paul’s prayer applies to your life currently.



4. Vs. 19-23 indicate a shift in Paul’s focus. To what does Paul now turn his attention and of what importance is that focus to us?



Questions by Joannie T.

Impact April 28th

This week we will have worship and Shannon Peckary will discuss his East Palo Alto ministry. We’ll meet in our normal place, 700 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park CA at 7:00 PM.


Next week we’ll start a new series in the book of Ephesians: we'll be studying the background of Ephesians and then study Ephesians chapter by chapter. If you'd like to get started, the background reading is Acts chapter 19 which describes the Apostle Paul's visit to Ephesus.

Impact Thursday March 24th

This week Impact will continue a series taught by Jeff Finger titled: "What is God Trying to tell Us?"; this week's topic will be "Life Together". Jeff Finger is currently on staff with MPPC.

 Jeff Finger graduated with a Masters of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and has fifteen years of teaching experience in churches as well as recently led the Saturday Morning Men's Bible Study at MPPC where he also taught this series.
"What is God Trying to Tell Us?" steps back to explore the big picture of the Gospel message looking at six major themes as listed below. This study is great if you are seeking to know the overarching themes of Scripture as well as wanting to go deeper in your understanding of God's message to us through His Word. All are welcome to come and join us for this multimedia, interactive and dynamic study that will encourage and challenge you.

We will meet in our normal place this Thursday at 7:00 PM in the 700 Santa Cruz Ave. Building Menlo Park.

Remaining Series Schedule:


March 24 - Life Together
March 31 - The Crucible of Love
April 7 - The People We Become
April 14 - Our Pursuit of Others


Study Questions - Not Available - Check Back Soon!

Impact Thursday March 17th

This week Impact will continue a series taught by Jeff Finger titled: What is God Trying to tell Us?; this week's topic will be Our Choice to Follow. Jeff Finger is currently on staff with MPPC. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and has fifteen years of teaching experience in churches as well as recently led the Saturday Morning Men's Bible Study at MPPC where he also taught this series.

What is God Trying to Tell Us? steps back to explore the big picture of the Gospel message looking at six major themes as listed below. This study is great if you are seeking to know the overarching themes of Scripture as well as wanting to go deeper in your understanding of God's message to us through His Word. All are welcome to come and join us for this multimedia, interactive and dynamic study that will encourage and challenge you.

We will meet in our normal place this Thursday at 7:00 PM in the 700 Santa Cruz Ave. Building Menlo Park.

Session 2: Our Choice to Follow

Question Cluster 1:
• Describe some ways in which you may have “hedged your bet” or put off decision in the past when it comes to your relationship with God.

Question Cluster 2:
• What are some of the ways you hear colleagues and friends characterize the “choice” for “Christianity?”
• What are your obstacles to following Jesus?
• In what ways have you grown in your own understanding of what you have “chosen” in following Jesus?

Question Cluster 3:
• Can you recall and describe the way in which you initially chose to be in relationship with Jesus?
• What were some of the challenges to that first step?
• How did the choice begin to take effect practically? How does it have practical effect now?
• What are some ways that you have yet to choose to follow Jesus in your life? What areas of life still present a challenge to you when it comes to trusting Jesus?

Scripture References
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 • Joshua 24:15
Mark 1:16-20 • Luke 3:10-14
John 6:66-67 • Revelation 3:20


Questions by Jeff Finger

Impact Thursday March 10th

This week Jeff Finger will kick off a six week series titled What is God Trying to Tell Us?. This series is meant to go deep and to be challenging for everyone, and you are highly encouraged to come and bring your friends as well. This series is designed to be helpful for those who are seeking as well, so please feel free to invite anyone you know who is curious about God. I am really looking forward to going through this series with you!

Study questions below--

Blessings,
Christian


6 Week Series Schedule:

March 10 - April 14: "What is God Trying to Tell Us?", taught by Jeff Finger

March 10 - God's Pursuit of Us
March 17 - Our Choice to Follow
March 24 - Life Together
March 31 - The Crucible of Love
April 7 - The People We Become
April 14 - Our Pursuit of Others

Session 1: God’s Pursuit of Us

Question Cluster 1:

• In what ways have you sensed God creating a space for you to…be?
• Where have you seen God provide for you so that you could flourish?
• If it’s your desire to follow God, how might you reflect Him by creating space for those around you?

Question Cluster 2:

• What are some of the ways you’ve essentially run from God?
• Describe ways you have sensed that God has invited you…to relate to Him directly?
• Describe ways you have sensed that God has invited you…to consider following him in His ways?

Question Cluster 3:

• What are the ways you’ve seen God remain in your life despite your instinct to remain distant from Him?
• What was the oddest, most unlikely context where you’ve sensed God reaching to you?

Scripture References

Genesis 3:8-9, 24; 12:1 Exodus 2:1-10
Judges 1:1ff 1 Samuel 8:1-8
2 Samuel 12:1 Exodus 13:21; 3; 31:18
Daniel 5:1-6 Numbers 22:22ff.
1 Kings 18:20, 19:9-13 Psalm 139:7-12
Hebrews 1:1-3

Questions by Jeff Finger

Questions from Psalm 126

Here were the questions from Psalm 126 that we studied a few weeks ago:
Psalm 126 -- A song of ascents.

1. Many scholars agree that Psalm 126 describes the Israelites when they were set free from Babylonian captivity and allowed to return to Jerusalem. From the first three verses, what kinds of things did they feel and experience?

2. Share a good time remembered from your own life when you knew God was at work.
3. How did Peter’s experience in Acts 12:3-11 parallel the exiles in Psalm 126:1-3? Have you ever experienced something almost too good to be true? Describe a situation when God did something that you could hardly believe and knew you didn’t deserve.

4. Reading through the rest of the Psalm, share something you’re hoping God will yet accomplish in your life.

5. Looking at verses 5 and 6, what does God promise and what are the conditions for each promise?

6. Read Luke 8:11-15. What is the seed? Why don’t those in verse 12 produce a crop? Verse 13? Verse 14? Why do those in verse 15 produce one?
7. How does Galatians 6:9 convey the element of time in the process of the harvest? How could you apply this verse to situations you’re facing right now?

Questions by Virginia R.

Impact Thursday March 3rd

This week we'll be studying Psalm 90 and Mark Kahn will lead our discussion time. Please read Psalm 90 and review the questions below. I look forward to studying with you!
 
We will meet in our normal place this Thursday at 7:00 PM in the 700 Santa Cruz Ave. Building Menlo Park.
Impact is a ministry of MPPC under Adult Spiritual Formation for those in their 30's and 40's, both single and married, to connect and build authentic and transformative Christ-centered relationships, explore the Christian faith, and live out our faith in action. For more information regarding other ministries and service opportunities at MPPC go to www.mppc.org"

Psalm 90

1. What does Psalm 90 teach us about God?
v1.
v2.
v3.
v4.
v5.
v8.
v11.
v13.
v15.
v16.

2. What do we learn about the human condition from Psalm 90?
v1.
v3.
v5.
v7.
v9.
v10.
v12.
v14.
v17.

3. Psalm 90 divides into six sections. How would you title each section?

vv1-2:

vv3-6:

vv7-10:

vv11-12:

4. What verse or thought in Psalm 90 stands out most to you and why?

Impact Thursday January 27th

This week Adam Hampson will lead our discussion with Psalm 51. Please read Psalm 51 and review the questions below!

Impact is a ministry of MPPC under Adult Spiritual Formation for those in their 30's and 40's, both single and married, to connect and build authentic and transformative Christ-centered relationships, explore the Christian faith, and live out our faith in action. For more information regarding other ministries and service opportunities at MPPC go to www.mppc.org"

Please email Christl Kirchner at christlclear@gmail.com if you want to be placed in a weekly small group. If you are unable to attend regularly (80 % or more) we welcome you at open tables which are available every Thursday night.http://www.mppcimpact.blogspot.com/


PSALM 51 Preparation:

In addition to reading Psalm 51 during the week, it would be a good idea to read 2 Samuel 11:1 – 12:25 on your own. The Samuel passage will give you the background to why David wrote the psalm.
Background:

When reading Psalm 51 it is important to understand the context in which it was written. In 2nd Samuel 11 and 12 we learn how David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged to have her husband killed in battle. David was unrepentant of this sin and it festered for at least 9 months. The Lord sent Nathan to confront David about this. Nathan confronted David about this sin and told him what the consequences of his actions would be; the child who was born out of his adultery was going to die. David acknowledged his sin and pleaded with God for mercy. This is the context in which the psalm was written.
Questions:

1. How would you sum up Psalm 51 in a single sentence? What words would you use to describe the emotion of the psalm?

2. David uses words like clean and wash frequently in the psalm. Why do you think David is emphasizing cleanliness? What other patterns do you see?

3. There is a progression in Psalm 51 as David acknowledges his sin and seeks God’s forgiveness. Look at the Psalm as a whole. How would you describe the different parts?

4. In verse 4 David says “Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight….” How do you reconcile this statement with what David did, i.e. murder and adultery? In your own life, can you think of a time where a sin you committed affected another person. Did you see that sin as against God or just the other person?

5. Repentance implies both confession of and a turning from sin. In verses 7-9 we see David asking for God’s cleansing for what he has done. In verses 10-12, David makes several requests of God for the future. What are these requests? Why are these requests important for David and for us?

6. Read Luke 18:9-14 and verses 16-17 in the psalm. After reading these passages what do you think true repentance means? What does it means to have a broken spirit and contrite heart? Have you experienced a broken and contrite heart in regards to your sin before? If you are comfortable please share a time. If not, do you have any thoughts on how to develop a broken heart toward sin in our lives?

7. Does God just want us to feel bad? Why are the qualities we discussed in the previous question important?

8. Psalm 51 is all from David’s perspective; this is David’s prayer to God as he seeks God’s forgiveness. For comparison, and a look at the Father’s perspective, let’s read a portion of the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:17-24).

8a. What words would you use to describe the Father?

8b. Compare the repentance of the prodigal son with David’s repentance in Psalm 51.

Impact Thursday January 20th

Impact will be starting a new study in Psalms this week with Psalm 19. Mimi McDowell will lead our discussion this week: Mimi is a former BSF teaching leader and elder at MPPC. Please read Psalm 19 and review the questions below. We will meet in our normal place this Thursday at 7:00 PM in the 700 Santa Cruz Ave. Building Menlo Park.




Questions for Psalm 19

1. In what ways has creation spoken to you of the existence of God? What have you learned about Him from being out in His creation?

2. What is your response to David's words describing the law and the precepts of the Lord as "more precious than gold" & "sweeter than honey?" Have you ever thought of His commands in this way? Explain.
3. What do you think God's motives are in giving us His commands?
4. Share a time when God warned you from the Scriptures to turn away from taking a relationally destructive path, AND/OR a time when you kept God's will and what was the outcome for each of these?

5. We all have hidden faults, for the Bible says that "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jer. 17:9. How willing have you been to allow God's Spirit to show you a hidden fault? If it's comfortable, share with the others in your group a previously hidden fault that you now recognize. How has God met you in the process of discovery and release?

Impact Thursday December 2nd

Greetings! This Thursday Impact will continue with Ruth 3! Here are the questions:

RUTH 3 Questions


1. While Ruth was winnowing in the fields during the two harvests (barley, wheat,
from mid April to early June), what do you think Naomi was doing?


2. What might have been Naomi’s agenda behind her comment of verse one?


3. How do you think that Ruth felt when her mother-in-law asked her to take the
actions of vv 2-5?


4. Do you think that there was anyone else at the threshing floor besides Boaz? Why
or why not?


5. How did Boaz know that “all my people in my town know that you are a woman
of noble character?” v11


6. Do the events of vv 7-14 affect your assessment of Ruth’s character?


7. Kinfolk in the Ancient Near East were expected to perform various civic and
judicial duties (don’t forget there were no police, banks, or government). Check
out the verses for these three important roles in early Israelite society:
(1) The avenger of blood. In the case of murder, kin had the family responsibility to
avenge a wrongful death. Num 35:16-28
(2) The redemption of land. (Jer 32:7) Farming was the basic means of survival and
prosperity, and thus land was essential. Land passed down from one generation
to the next, staying within the family. Because of poverty (e.g. in times of famine
or warfare), a family might have to sell its land. Kinfolk had the right to buy back
the land so that it remained within the extended family, and the original family
had the right to buy it back from those kin when times improved. Theoretically
every 50th year, the Year of Jubilee (7x7,+1) the land would revert back to its
original family ownership.
(3) Marriage to a sister-in-law. Deut 25: 5-10. If a married man died childless, his
brother had the obligation to marry his widow in order to perpetuate the family
name. To refuse this responsibility was shameful.


8. How many different story lines do you observe in the book of Ruth?


9. What other observations do you have and what of personal worth do you learn
from this chapter?

Impact Thursday October 21st

Hello Impacters! We will continue this Thursday at 7:00 PM in the 700 Santa Cruz Ave. Building Menlo Park. We will continue our study in James with James 4. The questions are below:

These are the questions for James 4. There may be some small changes but for the most part these are it.

James 4

1. What causes us to fight and quarrel (4:1-2)

2. When we ask God for things, what is one reason we may not get what we want? (4:3)

3. Describe a time in your life when you have done and experienced something James describes in 4:1-3

4. From your experience and knowledge of Scripture, what are some of the symptoms of friendship with the world?

5. Why is friendship with the world equivalent to hatred toward God? (4:4) (Optional: See Luke 16:13; Rms 8:5-8)

6. God provides grace to us to overcome our envy, craving for pleasure, and quarreling. Why does He give us this grace only if we are humble? (4:6)

7. How can you actively submit to God in your circumstances today or tomorrow? In what ways do you need to resist the devil today? (4:7)

8. Have you ever wondered why you didn't feel God near to you? What does it look like to draw near to Him? Describe an instance when you knew He was near. (4:8)

9. To slander or judge a fellow believer is to criticize and judge God's law. Why? (4:11-12)

10. What is a person saying about God and self when he makes plans w/o consulting God? (4:13-15)

11. Is it wrong to make plans for the future? If so, why? If not, what kinds of planning are wrong and what kinds are right? (See Luke 12:16 - 20)

Impact Thursday September 30th

This Thursday we will be starting our study of James with James 1. I am pleased to announce that our long time friend Laura Long will be leading the discussion this Thursday. Please read the chapter and bring your Bible's.

We'll meet at 7:00 PM: 700 Santa Cruz, Menlo Park (around the back of 700 Ace Hardware).



Blessings,
Christian

Schedule:
•September 30th - Begin Bible Study - James 1

•October 7th - James 2

•October 14th - James 3

Impact Starts September 9th!

Impact will be starting Thursday, September 9th! We'll meet in our normal place at 7:00 PM: 700 Santa Cruz, Menlo Park (around the back of 700 Ace Hardware).

September 9th we'll have a potluck and continue sign-ups for new small groups. We'll also have worship and sharing from a few of our brothers and sisters who would like to share about how the Lord has been working with and through their lives.

You may sign up for a small group right now by sending Christl Kirchner an email:
christlclear@gmail.com
Potluck Schedule (no worries if you are not able to bring an item, come and have dinner with us!)
Potluck Last Name:

A - F Drinks
G - M main or side dish
N - Q fruit or dessert
R - Z Veggies or Salad

--------------------------------------------------
I recently had a chance to go to Nicaragua for a short mission trip. I was struck by the amazing community of brothers and sisters we have there in Chinandega and the Bonetes, and was reminded that we too have an incredibly good community of brothers and sisters. One of the many ways I've been blessed by you is your participation at events. Thank you for that.

Christian

Check out new events here:
http://www.impactevents.blogspot.com/