It's A Wonderful Life... or Questions for discussion and reflection from 1 Corinthians 15

[Q] Think back over 2009, is there anything you regret? (For example, a purchase you wish you had not made? a relationship you wish you had given more attention? or a ministry effort you wish you had begun?)

[Q] Read Psalm 103.

--What instruction does David give in verse 2?
-- What are the “benefits” David describes in this Psalm?
-- What should be the result of our remembering these benefits? (Verses 2- 22).

[Q] Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. What are the things that the Apostle Paul says are of “first importance” for the Christ-follower? Why are these truths crucial to the Christian life?

[Q] Read 1 Corinthians 15:9-10. How did the Apostle Paul describe the effect of grace in his life? Where would your be like apart from God’s grace?

[Q] Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. How does remembering the effects of the gospel in your life encourage you?

147

147! That is the number of families who were served at last week's Jesus Pantry. A BIG thanks to Zion for supplying many dozens of bags of groceries and the volunteers who make the pantry happen every month. Merry Christmas!

2010 Personal Spiritual Growth Goals

How am I being changed by God?

I make the Sunday Worship Celebration a priority for me and my family.
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I spend time everyday systematically reading the bible.
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I journal my prayers and observations from my bible reading.
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I regularly meditate and memorize Scripture.
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My family has regular devotional times together.
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I give regularly, sacrificially and joyfully to God’s work at Zion.
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By God’s grace, in 2010 I will:

+ I will make the Sunday Worship Celebration a priority for me and my family.
+ I want to spend time every day reading the bible.
+ I want to fire up my prayer life.
+ I will begin regular family devotions.
+ I want to begin giving regulary to God’s kingdom through the ministry of Zion or as God provides, I will increase my giving ____________/month.

Who am I connected with in community?

I am connected with a LifeGroup.
Yes š No š
I regularly look for opportunities to practice the one-anothers with fellow Christ-followers.
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I have at least one strong Christian friend with whom I can confess my sins.I have at least one strong Christian friend with whom I can confess my sins.
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There are fellow Christ-followers in my life who have permission to ask me tough questions.
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By God’s grace, in 2010 I will:

+ I want to get connected with a LifeGroup.
+ I will begin to look for opportunities to practice the one-anothers.
+ I will ask __________________________ if he/she is willing to hold me accountalbe and give him/her permission to ask me tough questions.

Where am I committed to making a difference?

I serve with the following ministry team(s): _____________________________.
I am missionally involved with my community.
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I pray regularly for Zion’s missionaries.
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By God’s grace, in 2010 I will:

+ I explore serving with the ________________________ (Campus Care, Hospitality, Chilren’s, etc.) ministry team.
+ I will contact one of the pastors to discover what ministry
team best fits my gifts and abilities.
+ I want to pray about and explore being a part of this summer’s mission’s trip.

The Polar Express… or Reflections and Bible Study on faith and doubt from Mark 9:14-29

The movie The Polar Express based on Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s book tells the story of a young boy’s questions whether Santa Claus is real. After discovering evidence that disproves Santa’s existence he is picked up on the Polar Express, a magical train that takes select children to the North Pole.

[Q] How does the boy’s questions about Santa Clause in The Polar Express compare to questions people ask about God?

[Q] In the movie, the boy’s attitude changes and he comes to believe in Santa Clause. On what is this boy’s newfound belief based?

Read Mark 9:14-29.

[Q] When Jesus arrives on the scene in verse 14 a dispute is underway. What is the attitude of the people who were gathered toward Jesus?

[Q] What can be learned about the man who interrupted the disciples from verses 17-18?

[Q] In verse 19 Jesus is deeply disappointed by the lack of belief displayed by the people around him. The crowd was introduced by Mark as “overwhelmed with wonder” at Jesus, why is it then that Jesus refers to them as “faithless”?

[Q] How does Jesus respond to this father’s request?

[Q] How do the father’s words in verse 22 reveal hope?

[Q] Can you identify with the father’s plea in verse 24?

[Q] The father in this story goes through a process: disappointment (9:12)— resigned, skeptical request (9:22)—followed by a confession and plea for help (9:24). Consider your own spiritual journey, did you experience a similar process?

[Q] What about this father’s encounter with Jesus grows your belief in him? On what is this belief based?

Under Investigation... kicks off 1.5-6.2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaKudq2eZQI

I’ve got heroes… actually quite a few of them. Some are men and women who have built into my life personally and others I only know about through books. Most are older and much wiser than I am, but a few younger with a great deal of zeal. There are some who feel it is wrong to have a hero other than Jesus. I believe that is true only if you have unrealistic expectations of your heroes.

The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian believers that the even sins and failures of those who have gone before us are preserved in Scripture as “examples… and warnings for us” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Our heroes then, with the exception of Jesus, ought to provide both examples to follow and sins to avoid.

We kick off a thirteen week Equip class in January focused on the men and women whose life stories are preserved for us in Scripture. We want to learn from their examples of faith, endurance and character as well as from their failures and sins. The class will gather Tuesday evenings at ZPV and Wednesday evenings at ZCC. More information can be found at www.zionlife.com.

A Christmas Carol... Or Bible Study and Reflections on Generosity

[Q] What do you do when you enter a store or mall during the Christmas season and see a Salvation Army Volunteer with the red bucket ringing a bell?
a. Joyfully in the “spirit of Christmas” empty your pockets of all your loose change.
b. Look for a different entrance.
c. Wait until there is a group of people entering, then try and sneak in unnoticed.
d. Enter while trying to avoid eye contact.

[Q] The discipline of generosity is a mark of Christian maturity. What do the following scriptures teach about generosity in support of God’s work by God’s people?

Philippians 4:16—

Mark 12:41-44—

Luke 21:1-4—

Galatians 6:6—

1 Timothy 5:17-18—

Read 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:14.
[Q] How did these Christ-followers give and what was their attitude? How could they be experiencing everything Paul describes?
[Q] In what sense did these Christ-followers grasp “God’s will”?
[Q]According to 2 Corinthians 9:1,6-7; what sort of work is giving? What does that mean?
[Q] What ought to be the motivation for our giving? (verse 9) In what ways does this make on rich?
[Q] What does Paul say God does for the giver? Verse 9-11

A Christmas Story... or Reflections and Bible Study on Contentment from Philippians 4:10-13

A Christmas Story… or Reflections and Bible Study on Contentment from Philippians 4:10-13.

What is at the top of your “Santa List” this Christmas?

Read Philippians 4:10-13.

The apostle Paul’s delight in the Philippians was based more on their spiritual growth as they moved from self-centered to others-centered than it was that they expressed concern for him (4:11,17). Notice that the contentment Paul describes is not contingent on either “plenty” or “want” (4:12).

1. Why was the generosity of the Philippians a cause for rejoicing by Paul?
2. Why do you think contentment is so elusive?
3. What are some practical ways in which we can learn to be consumed by contentment? (Proverbs 30:7-8)
4. What insights do the follow scriptures provide to your understanding of biblical contentment?

• Psalm 17:15—
• Proverbs 19:23—
• Isaiah 55:1-2—
• John 4:7-15—
• Hebrews 13:5—
• 1 Timothy 6:6-8—

5. Philippians 4:13 is a favorite verse for many Christ-followers. How does the context of contentment influence your application of this verse?