2009 Vision Update- March 7 and 8th

Hopefully, your group has been able to go over Cornerstone's 2009 Vision Report....

 In the book of Galatians, God tells us to carry our own load and carry each other's burdens. This next weekend, Pastors Troy and Jeff will go over this report during the services of March 7th and 8th. Discover how we should apply this teaching during our current economic situation.

Galatians 6: 2-5

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone things he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. 

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If you haven't led your group through the report, please contact Jacob Varghese or your region's Shepherding Elder.

Thank you.

Matthew 15: 1-20

Clean and Unclean

Looking to find fault in Jesus and His disciples, some Pharisees and teachers of the law criticized the disciples for not washing their hands before eating.

1. Review Jesus' response to the criticism in vs 3-10
-What would compel the teachers of the law to modify the word of God?

-What are some traditions that are part of the current church that are not found in the Bible? Why are these in place?

2. Review vs 7-9

-What are ways in which we honor Christ with our lips- but, this devotion is not seen in our hearts?

-As we look at our lives or the lives of others, do we get swayed by external appearances?

-Is your relationship with God more of an "external appearance" relationship or is it a relationship where He has your heart also?

Jesus explained in v 10 and again in vs 16-20 that it isn't what goes into one's mouth that makes him unclean, it is what comes out that makes him unclean.

1. What are some of your thoughts regarding these verses?

-Pornography and drug use are examples of things that come into a person that make them unclean. So, does this contradict what Jesus said in this verse?

2. Who are some of the people that society notes as "clean" versus "unclean?" How did these social rules develop?

3. What are some of the unclean things that have come from your heart?

-Generally, are you more concerned with what others think of you or are you more concerned with what Christ thinks of your heart?

-What would Christ say about your relationship with Him?

Teacher: Paul Sabino

Matthew 15: 1-20

Matthew 13:53- 14:36

A Prophet without honor

 After Jesus finished His parables He went to His home town of Nazareth. The people were amazed and took offense that He displayed such great wisdom and could perform miracles.

1. Imagine Jesus grew up in your home town. 

-How would the citizens of the community receive Him?

-Would they be able to look past His earthly connections?

2. In verse 57, Jesus said, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."

-Why?

CHAPTER 14

John the Baptist beheaded

Apparently, a government official named Herod was in an adulterous affair with his brother's wife, Herodias. In line with his character, John the Baptist attempted to hold Herod accountable for this sin. Herod's response was to throw John in prison.

1. Is it easy for you to hold someone accountable to a sin issue in their life?

-If it is difficult, what are some of your reservations?

-Is it easier if it is someone closer to you? A friend or relative, perhaps?

2. If you knew your consequence would be as severe as being thrown into prison, would you still bring the sin up?

Later, on Herod's birthday, Herodias' daughter danced for Herod. Motivated by lust, he promised the daughter whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist. Herod then had John the Baptist beheaded.

1. What kind of character has Herod displayed through out this narrative?

-Was beheading John in line with this character?

2. Were you surprised that this was how John the Baptist's life ended?

-When he was in prison and/or facing execution, discuss what you feel was going through John's mind and heart. Do you think he regretted saying what he said to Herod? 

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

A large crowd started to gather- to be near Jesus. As it got later into the evening, Jesus' disciples asked Him to send the crowd away so they could go to another area and buy food for themselves. 

Review Jesus' response in verse 16

-If you were a disciple of Jesus and saw 5000 people standing around you, what would be going through your mind when He gave you the task of feeding them all?

-Would your faith have given you clarity at that moment that this would be a minor miracle in comparison to some of the things that you had already witnessed? Or, would you have seen this as a monumental task that could not be accomplished?

It was brought to Jesus' attention that there were 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish in the crowd. With these, Jesus gave thanks to His Father and fed all of the people in attendance AND had 12 basketfuls left over.

-If you were in the crowd and witnessed these events, what would be going on in your mind and heart?

-Would this miracle have drawn you closer to Jesus or would you have just marveled at the phenomenon from the side?

Additional question:

-If Jesus ultimately fed the crowd Himself, why did He first present the task to the disciples?

Jesus Walks on Water

After a short time alone, Jesus returned to His disciples that were in a boat off the coast. The King then walked on water to meet His disciples.

1. Describe how you would have responded if you witnessed this.

-Would you have shared the response of the disciples and been terrified?

-would Jesus' statement in verse 27 have confused you more or would it have brought you comfort?

2. Review verses 27-29

-What compelled Peter to get out of the boat and try to reach Jesus? 

-It appears that for a short time, Peter walked on the water also. What do you think would have been some of his thoughts while doing this?

That said, he became aware of the wind and became afraid. When he began to sink, he cried out to God.

-Does this sound familiar? Have there been times in your life where you wanted to move forward in faith and you became aware of the pressures of this world? 

-Did you sink or did you keep walking?

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt

Matthew 13:53- 14:36

Matthew 13: 24-52

Note from Jeff Dodge:

As we talked about at our last meeting, we are encouraging our church family to spend the season of Lent in prayerful anticipation of celebrating the resurrection of Christ. I think it could be a remarkable and life changing journey for us.

This weekend I will be talking to the Cornerstone family about this and I will encourage them to make it a discussion in their Connection Group. I want you to take a look at the blog that we have created as a guide. It includes a lot of helpful information on what Lent is, how we are seeking to celebrate it, and also some helpful ideas for how to make it personal. Here is the address for the blot: 

http://agladsurrender.blogspot.com/

Encourage the people in your group to use Lent as a time to pray and fast in a way that perhaps will be brand new to them. Help them talk about ways that will make it meaningful. Encourage one another and do this together- a great way to spur one another toward Christ. 

And, finally, I want to encourage you and the people in your group to add comments to some of the daily blogs- so that others can share your joy and so that we can learn from one another.

Thanks for shepherding God's People!

Jeff

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Teaching: February 14th/15th

The Parable of the Weeds

Review vs 24-31 and 36-43

1. Jesus explained that He is the one that sowed the good seed and the field is the world.

-That said, who are the people that are sleeping in vs 25?

-Should they have been on the lookout for the enemy?

2. Jesus explained that the weeds are the sons of the evil one.

-What would one of these sons look like?

-Why would the enemy sow weeds among the wheat?

3. Do you agree with the farmer's decision to wait until the harvest to deal with the weeds?

4. Why would Jesus say that the "Kingdom of Heaven" is comparable to this parable?

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Review vs 31- 33

How is the Kingdom of Heaven comparable to a small seed that becomes bigger over time?

-Why didn't the Kingdom of Heaven start big and continue to get bigger?

The Parable of the Yeast

Review vs 33

1. What is the dough of this parable? How about the flour?

2. Is the Kingdom of Heaven "working all through the dough" right now?

 

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

Review vs 44-47

1. How or why is the Kingdom of Heaven hidden in the first place?

2. Why would someone that finds it, hide it again?

3. Is the reaction of everyone that finds this treasure the same? 

-Why would some "sell everything they have" for it and others wouldn't?

4. What was your reaction when you discovered the "pearl of great value?"

-Did you feel it was worth selling everything of importance to you to hold onto it?

The Parable of the Net

Review vs 47-52

1. Who are the fishermen in this parable? 

-What are "bad fish?"

2. Why would the angels wait until the end of the age to separate the wicked from the righteous? Why not do it now?

Additional question:

 Jesus began all of these parables with the phrase, "the Kingdom of Heaven is like..." Why did Jesus portray the Kingdom of Heaven in so many ways?

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Matthew 13: 24-52