The word “advent” is from the Latin word “adventus” meaning “appearing”. The Christmas season is a celebration of Jesus’ first appearing or coming. Christ-followers also look forward to Jesus’ Second Advent when He will return to set up His kingdom. Isaiah 9:1-9, written more than 600 years before the birth of Jesus looks forward to both the First and Second Advent.
Read Isaiah 7:1-6. To whom and for what occasion did Isaiah give this message? (See 2 Kings 16:1-20 & 2 Chronicles 28:1-4 for additional insight into King Ahaz)
How did King Ahaz respond to Isaiah’s message?
Read Isaiah 9:2 and John 1:4-5; 3:19-21. Compare and contrast “light” and “darkness” in these two Scripture passages.
In what ways could it be said that King Ahaz “loved the darkness”?
What decision did King Ahaz have to make?
In what ways are you faced with the same decision?
In Paul's greeting to the Thessalonian Christians he writes, "We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 1:2, ESV). What is written of these first century Christians is also true of Zion's Life Group leaders.
Almost daily I hear of stories of "works of faith" and "steadfastness of hope in Christ" being put into practice. The best part of Celebration Sunday for me was seeing hundreds of families come forward to present offerings of toys, shoes, coats and food (check out more at Pastor Trent's blog: www.trentkirk land.com). Sunday was special because we got to share in this experience together corporately as a church family. What happened Sunday is repeated all the time on a smaller scale in our life group communities.
Following the last message of 40 Days one of our Life Group leaders wrote to his group, "I hope you enjoyed last week's sermon from Trent, "Who is my neighbor"? I feel that as a Life Group we do very well at living this sermon! I can think of four or five occasions recently that members of our Group have selflessly served to help a 'neighbor'. I feel blessed to be a part of this Group." I echo his words and thank God him and the rest of our Life Group ministry team. Thank you for your ministry and for allowing Sherrill and I to be a part of it with you.
Ready or not tomorrow is Thanksgiving, then the start of the Christmas season. You got love how Ozzie tells Harriet that a week before Christmas is too early to be so "busy for Christmas"! This past week (a week before Thanksgiving) emails have been bouncing around our life group about when we should meet and what we should do for our group gatherings in December. While all of the ideas are good... Christmas party, Christmas Caroling, Visiting at Clearview Nursing Home... there is no getting past the busyness of Christmas.
If you are feeling this way about your group, you are not alone. Following is a post from smallgroups.com:
Darryl's group has been meeting for almost two years now, and things are going pretty well. Darryl at least is happy with the overall atmosphere of the group meetings and his own spiritual progress, and he gets the impression that the group members share his feelings.
During the most recent group meeting, people began discussing their plans for the upcoming holiday season. It turns out that several people in the group will be travelling during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plus, two couples in the group will have to miss a meeting between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
In the middle of that discussion, one of the group members suggested that the group take an extended break over the holidays—from the week of Thanksgiving to the first week of January after Christmas. This seemed to pick up some steam from the other group members, many of whom mentioned that "the holidays are so busy."
Darryl was uncomfortable with the idea, however. It seemed like a long time to be apart, and it seemed to mark the small group as something unimportant—or at least something that is not a priority. He asked the group to think about it for a week and then make a final decision at the next meeting.
What do you think? Is Darryl overreacting, or does he have a valid concern? And what should Darryl do? What are your plans for group gatherings between Thanksgiving and Christmas?
The mission of Fathers in the Field is to rekindle the spirit of boys who have been abandoned by their fathers; mentoring them one-on-one in life skills through outdoor activities and by sharing a Christian understanding of our heavenly Father's love and sacrifice for His children.
This is accomplished by pairing a "fatherless" boy aged 7 to 17 with a mentor who will serve as a role model helping to guide him into manhood and future fatherhood. Each year of the program will be celebrated by an outdoor adventure applying skills and knowledge shared, prepared and built together.
Dan Luton and Rob Greathouse are looking to start a Fathers in the Field ministry at Zion. If you know of a boy who would benefit from Fathers in the Field give Dan a call at 814.226.5004. Availability is limited. Check out Dan's testimony below and FitF's website at .
Last week and this our focus is the “second half” of the Great Command, “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:39). Notice, Jesus was not asked “What are the top two commands?” He was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” Essentially, what Jesus in saying is that we show our love for God by loving others, specifically, our neighbors. This begs the question, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).
Many Jews in Jesus’ day understood “neighbor” to mean “fellow Israelite.” Jesus explodes that understanding by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. The result of this parable is that Jesus leaves it to the questioner to answer his own question, “Who is my neighbor?”
Scot McKnight writes, “Neighborly love begins in the home… Surely one of the most touching scenes in the life of Jesus is when, on the cross, he issues the request to John to take responsibility for his mother… Jesus clearly affirms here the duty of loving one’s family. Sadly, far too many Christians love others with abandon while their own families are starving for their love… Our home is also in our neighborhood.” (Jesus Creed, page 55).
What do the following Scripture reveal about the extent of “loving our neighbor”?
Koinonia Christian Fellowship, a student ministry on Clarion University's campus that impacts students for Christ is hosting an All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast. This event will help students raise money for the Jubilee Conference in February. The breakfast is tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 13th. 9am to 1pm at the 1st Presbyterian Church on Wood Street, Clarion. See you there!
Scot McKnight writes in The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others, “Christian spiritual formation (what happens in the heart) is the process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others.” The Great Command (Matthew 22:37-38) is two sides of the same coin. We can’t love God without loving others.
“And” is a small but powerful word. Consider the implications of the following Bible truths without “and.” What would be the result?
1 John 4:8 and Psalm 99:5—God is __________ and __________.
John 1:1 and Philippians 2:7-8—Jesus is __________ and __________.
John 17:17-18—Christians are not __________ and are called to live __________ the world.
James 2:18— Genuine saving faith is made evident by __________ and __________.
When explaining the Great Command in Luke 10, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Read Luke 10:30-37.
The expert in the law had the correct answer (see Luke 10:27) to Jesus’ question. How was it possible that he knew the truth but did not act on it? (See James 1:22-23)
What excuses do you imagine this expert in the law giving for his actions? What about the priest and Levite?
Why do you think Jesus chose a Samaritan as the hero of this story?
What does the parable of the Good Samaritan teach us about love?
What command does Jesus give in Luke 10:37?
What is God calling you to do in obedience to this command?
Again this year Zion is partnering with Samaritan's Purse to send shoeboxes of toys to needy children through Operation Christmas Child (video). OCC is an ideal opportunity for the families in your life groups to serve together. I suggest you host an "Operation Christmas Child Party" for your next gathering. As well as experiencing a great time of fellowship, you will also be putting our 40 Days study into action.
Check out ideas for a OCC party at www.samaritanspurse.org. Packing instructions and labels are available this Sunday at Guest Services. Shoeboxes will be collected on Sunday, November 14th.
Life Groups, GREAT job making PSK: Trunk R Treat a big win last night! The creativity was amazing. It was good to see families serving together. I believe those who attended from the community experienced community got a good taste of Zion, but more importantly... the fun, laughter and community shared by followers of Jesus...
