Parable of the Sower –

Matthew 13:1-23 NIV

 

This is one of the key parables as it provide an insight , more than any other of the parables as to the nature of Parables and how they should be interpreted. After Jesus tells the parable, he himself explains it to those around him… as you read we read this parable a number of items came to light. Namely, who is doing the sowing and who is the receiving ground/soil.

Are we are Christians one or the other, or indeed both? How can we avoid being chocked by the weeds and thorns Jesus mentions in v23? And what are the practical ways that we can become the good soil?

 

New Study Series starting

Posts to the house group’s blog page have been a little sparce but this session ( starting the 2nd wed in Sept) will see us start a new series on the Parables of Jesus – the best stories ever told…. but do we see what they have to say ….

Study 8: Eating With Christ

All for the Glory of God – 1 Corinthians 10

“should Christians go to R/X- rated movies? should they go to Movies at all? what about drinking alcohol, beer /wine etc?

How can we resolve this seemingly endless debate on these subject that have raged for years.

One to think about : what if you were having an biography written about you , what would you leave in, an what would you leave out? What choices would you make and why – what drove your choice. then think about what is Chronicled in the Bible and think this “ why was the detail that there is there and what is not there because some one left it out?

What questionable practises have you wrestled with personally?

 

In this study we will look at how the Corinthian Christians of the time were divided over the subject – so Paul comments …….

Of the time, there were those with a liberal minded approach to being a follower, others were over scrupulous over their consciences.

read the 1st 13 verses of 1Corinthians 10 –

list out the experiences that all the Israelites had in common? And why was God not happy with them?

Why does Paul remind us of these events?

Do you consider that when we forget the Lords goodness and grumbled, that you were indeed testing the Lord’s patients

How does Paul counter the argument that the temptations are just too great

How are you being tempted, in what way is God provided an escape from the bind.

• Why are some life styles just not compatible with celebrating communion ( the Lord’s supper" look at 1Cor 10: 14-22
• how do you approach communion?

What practises in your life do you consider permissible but not necessarily beneficial or constructive?

Think about how your life can influenced by what you have read & heard here today.

Study 7: Living for Christ

The right to relinquish Rights 1 Corinthians 8 & 9

A note on the fridge said “ it’s better to be righteous than right!”

So think about this = > how do you react when you know that you are in the right in yet someone continues to openly oppose you?… think about it……….

So do most of the struggles for  rights (legitimate or those less so) revolve around obtaining freedom to change what you consider the status quo. The apostle Paul does not appear to see it that way. For Paul the freedoms an rights are less important than having the opportunity to live for Christ. In this study we looked at the race of life we all run and running for God and not for ourselves. This study is based on 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. [listen to it]

Q1: The Christians in Corinth wondered whether they should eat the meet of animals that  have been offered in temples to pagan gods… Paul enlightens them on what Mature Christians know (see verses 4-6,8)

Think about the warning that Paul gives however about this knowledge (vv1-3)

Q2: What’s more important that exercising the freedom in this context according to Paul?

Q3: Think about your weaker brothers & sisters in Christ  – what do you need to give up ( ie what knowledge or freedom that you have) so as not to destroy that person?

 

Q4 Conversely, what in the knowledge and freedom that a mature Christian has challenge the younger /immature Christian to grow?

 

look at the  verses 4-5, 11-12, 14,18 in chapter 9 – and see what rights Paul gave up!

Q – what practical choices have you made that might be hindering the spread of the gospel in this town?

Read through chapter 9 v 19-27 and ask yourself how and why did Paul give the freedom that he had to live whatever lifestyle he wanted

 

How are we like athletes in training?

 

a brief history of Corinth can be found here

Study 6 – Devoted to Christ

Marrying when time is short…  or not….

Think to your self , ” what topic wouldyou think is the hardest or toughest to tackle in preaching?” when a college chaplain asked this he got the response ” sexuality” . Issues surroudning this are tough ones to tackle but they are central to our humanity.

in this Study we looked to learn more about what God says to us as practising Christians about sexuality, marrage, divorce, singleness in the christian life.

we used Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Corithians 7) to hepl us understand the principles that we should be mindful of in all this.

Personal quient time: What question would you like to ask of Paul if you had the chance on this subject.

Main study: Context:
In corinth there was so much sexual immortality that the people of the time had a word for it – “to corinthianize”.  In our previous study we looked how Paul dealt with those who tried to justify the permisive life style. Paul now reponds to direct questions that he has been asked by the early Corinthian church. Working through this passage will help us understand better ( and did so on the hous group night) , basing our view and practice of intimate human relationships on the scripture rather than the raw passion, sentimentality or human philosophy. See how 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 is beautifully practical.

couple of taster questions to ask yourself:

1. Celibacy is good according to Paul, so why do you think it is impractical for most people? (vv2,7,9)
2. Avoiding sexual immorality – what advice does Paul give to married and unmarried?

3. consider the difference emphasis placed on the attitude of the partner- and wy is that an important mind set? (vv3-5)

in vv10-16 Paul addresses the married… how does this support what Jesus said (Mark 10:2-12)
He then goes on to talk about the christian and non-Christian married – and the sutuations that can arrise as a result. He helps us look at both the pros and the cons of the “mixed Christian and non-Christian marrages”. With ofcourse the subject of divorce appearing in the discussion…. (health debate on this subject for all).

What was clear to us all was that it was through the support of fellow Christians that when difficult times come to relationships Christian support is extreamly important.

On the subject of considering getting married Paul is quite forthwrite in his writtings: 1 Cor 7 : 25-40

Paul has a very high view of marrage, so why does he call singleness as being better? and a happier way ( v40) 

In all this, taking the who passage into consideration, which applies to your situation , your life,  the lives of your friends and those you are close to right now?

Ask God to help you be faithful an devoted in your relationships, your job, and the other ares of your life. Pray for your own marriage (present or future) that it would reflect the principles of this passage. Pray for those who partner is not a Christian, that they would come to know Christ personally.

Study 4 – Servants of Christ – 14th Nov 08 – At the end of the parade

At the end of the parade…. 1 Corinthians 4

This weeks study will be at the usual time 8pm:

Summary of the house group Study

There are many figures in history that have done extraordinary things for the sake of the their Faith. St. Francis of Assissi exhibited this when he walked through Muslim battle lines during crisade times in order to preach to the Sultan of that time. An exibition of redical servanthood for Christ. The “wise” of this current age may not agree…. but do we…..?

GROUP DISCUSSION:

At the turn of the century, Time magazine placed Einstein on the front cover as the person of the century…. and Gandhi on the back in a advertisement. What does that say about our world’s values? How do we are christians need to be different?…..

How do Paul and and is coworkers want to be regarded? …(certainly not hero worship!!)……

 

So why does God request faithfulness from his servants – why is this so important?

 

Thinking of Paul’s view – how could an arrogant Leader use this to pursue their own personal agenda and not God’s true one?

What are the dangers of being separated from being indenpendant of other believes counsel?

Paul feared that the Corinthian’s were moving beyond what was layed out in the scriptures… how does this relate to taking “pride in the one man against another”….

In addition, the Crithians appear to have taken a short cut in their own mids to the Glory that Paul spoke of… How ?

Think of this,if you were one of the Cortinhians of this time , how would Paul’s words affect you and your attitudes?

Finally, look at v16-17: how would you immitating Paul’s way of life require changes in your own thinking and actions?

Study 3 – Founded on Christ – Working together with God 15th Nov 08

1 Corinthian 3:5-23

Group work: looking at leadership qualities that we outlined in previous workshops- the outcome of the group review was

• 1st-  Prayerful
• =2nd – Perceptive and passionate
• 3rd –  Pastoral
• 4th – Persuasive

Time spent talking over the results and discussing what this meant.

So personal time : What would you most like to be remembered for?

To the meat of the study -

The Corinthians were worldly and quarrelsome because the miss-understood both the message and the messengers of the cross. As you will recall – in chapters 1 &2 Paul focused on the message – (see previous postings) – now the focus is on the messengers, this reminds us ( and the Corinthians) of our true identity in Christ and how this should shape ALL our christian ministry. The Aim of this study is to lead to a proper understanding & perspective on the place of our ministry in the overall work of God.

some of the questions discussed:

In what ways is God’s church like that of a planted field? and why is is foolish to exhault those who work in the field.

Can you think of situations where the following of the man came before the message that was being preached or the ministry work?

Why should we be careful of what one builds?

Paul accused the Corinthians of being worldly yet “God’s spirit lives in you” – how is this dichotomy possible?

Why should this put an end to boasting about men (v21) ?

Pray that in your ministry you will build with enduring materials on the foundation of Christ. Pray also for those who serve you as leaders.

LASTLY : Which Sphere in your life needs most maturing at this time?

Study 2: Mind of Christ – True wisdom from the Spirit

1Corinthians 2:1 -3:10

Group Discussion : Imaging you encounter a confusing Bible passage or study topic. What would be the group reponse to this.

Personal reflection: Has being a Christian changed the way that you think?

1. Many of the Greeks of the time spoke well and were good orators, with good reasoning and agrument skills – how does this contrast with the apporach that Paul took when preaching in Corinth?

2. have christians today adopted the ways of the world in their approach & methods of evamgelism?

3. How is God’s wisdom different to that of this age?

4. God’s wisdom is often spoken of as hidden – so how can we experience it , know it or expressed it?

…..

8. Even thought Corinthians were filled with the Spiriti Paul did not consider them spiritual – why?

9 which catagory best describes you : a person with out the Spirit; an infant in Christ who is still worldly; or a spiritual Christian?

Study 1: Called in Christ – Thankful together or falling apart

1Corinthians 1 – opened wih Prayer

Have you ever found a Christian group that doesn’t have any problems? If so, don’t join it — you’ll ruin everything !!!

Group discussion: A one line definition of leadership. for example : One simple but powerful defninition of a leadere is someone who others follow.

Personal reflection: Can you recall a Clique in school that you were part of or excluded from. Think about how this experience felt and what you did about it.

read 1 Corithians 1:1-9

Q1. In his letter to Corith, he affirms the readers of his letter. What does he say about beng thankful for them?

Q2. What charateristics of the house group are tou grateful for and  how does expressing gratitude to God contribute toward unity in a Christian group?

Q3: 1Cor 1:10-17 Why do you think that Cliques were forming around Pual, Appolos & Cehas?

Q4: how did Paul avoid becoming a personlity cult?

Q5: Do you see any hero worship happening in the church today?

Q6: Corinthians 14-17 often there was boasting of worldly wisdom – how was this destroyed by the message of the cross

We’re Back !!

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  photo of book cover

Well the summer is well and truly over and schools all back to the normal routine & so the Sunset house group is back to it’s routine too.

This month we  met on the 24th September , 8th Oct and will again on the 15th Oct – we are studying the book of 1 Corinthians and what Paul has to say to us through the letters he wrote to them. Some really good stuff in this and so there will be more on this in the blog, with some specifics on what questions we discussed.

So stay tuned