Ephesians 1: 11-14

If your group didn't get a chance to discuss the topics that were raised in last week's teaching session- make sure you address it. Paul referenced "predestination" in this section, as well.

Review vs 11

-Do you believe that God has control over everything AND that these things work out in conformity to His Will?

-Do the day-to-day tasks of your life: washing the dishes, taking the kids to the park...play any significance in His will? What does this say about His involvement in your life?

-If we were "chosen" and "predestined," how should our lives look?

Review vs 12 and 13

-Why did God reveal the mystery of His will to common man? How do most people respond to this Truth?

Paul wrote that there there is a promised gift to all the children of God: The seal of the Holy Spirit

-What is this seal? Is it something that can been seen? Does it have some influence in our lives?

Do you get the seal immediately after believing the word of Truth? Does it protect you in some way?

Review vs 14

-What is the "inheritance" that Paul was referring to? What value does it have? Are we supposed to live our lives in the pursuit of it?

-Paul mentioned that this inheritance would be guaranteed "until the redemption of those who are in God's possession." When will this be?

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt

Ephesians 1: 11-14

Ephesians 1:3-10

Sorry for the delay folks- with the open house and all, its been crazy around here!

Spiritual blessings in Christ

Review vs 3

-Discuss what spiritual blessings we have in Christ.

Verses 4 and 5 address a hot-button topic in some churches. Let's take some time with these passages.

Vs 4

-What does it mean when Paul says that Jesus chose us?

-How do we know that we are chosen?

-Why did he choose us? Was it necessary that it had to be done before the creation of the world? What are the ramifications of this?

-How do we know if those around us are not chosen? Does it matter?

Vs 5

-What does "predestined" mean?

-Is it loving that some are "predestined" and some may not be?

-Why would God will that some are "predestined" and others are not?

Vs 6-8

-Review the gifts of God's grace that we see in these verses- for instance, what is the difference

between redemption and forgiveness of sin.

-What wisdom and understanding is Paul referring to? Is this something that is quantifiable?

Vs 9 and 10

-Paul mentioned that the mystery of God's will would be revealed according to His good pleasure and when times have reached their fulfillment. Why? Why is it important that we should be let in on God's will?

-What will it look like when all things in heaven and earth under Christ?

Bonus Question: Imagine that someone in your group has been praying for his or her sister for sometime. After listening to the teaching of the weekend and after reviewing these verses, your friend asks you if his or her sister is "predestined?" What if they say, "How does my praying or talking to her about Christ matter if she isn't "predestined?"

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Ephesians 1: 3-10

Ephesians 1: 1-2

As we are only covering 2 verses on the weekend of the opening celebration, my questions will be basic back ground questions:

Review Ephesians 1: 1-2

1. Who was Paul?

-What is an apostle?

2. Who was the audience of the letter?

-Where was Ephesus?

-Who were the "saints," the "faithful?"

-Why would Paul write these people?

3. What is the significance of offering God's Grace and Peace to the audience of this letter?

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt and Jeff Dodge

Ephesians 1: 1-2

Opening Celebration!

3 years.

That's the amount of time between the "Your Move" Kick-off in the big tent- remember that?- and the weekend of Oct 25th.

After 3 years, we are going to have the opening celebration for the new auditorium and D6 Family area that God has blessed us with!

Join us for 2 amazing services on the weekend of October 25th- 9 and 11 am. As it is likely that nearly 2000 people will be in attendance- come early...

God is going to be praised in a mighty way that weekend!

JV

Mathew 28: 16-20

The Great Commission

The King has risen. The eleven disciples went to Galilee, specifically to the mountain where Jesus told them to go.

Review vs 16 and 17

- These disciples have witnessed many amazing events during the ministry of Jesus on this earth. However, it appears that some continued to doubt when they saw Jesus. Why?

Review vs 18

-Discuss the claim made by Jesus in this verse. What did He mean? What is the significance of this verse? When was this authority given to Him?

Let's take a few minutes and break down the Great Commission.

Review vs 19

-At the time that Jesus gave this commission to the disciples, what did the mission field look like?

-Would this command be difficult? What level of persecution were they facing?

-What level of instruction did Jesus give HIS disciples in terms of making new disciples?

-Why did Jesus command the disciples to baptize these new disciples?

In verse 19, Jesus also alluded to the doctrine of Trinity.

-When Jesus presented that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are each equal and fully God, how would the disciples have responded?

-Was this something that they would have deduced on their own during His time with them? Cite references.

Review the first half of vs 20

-How difficult is it to teach some one to obey everything that Jesus commands them? As a disciple, would this have seemed a daunting task?

-If the disciples were to instruct others about Jesus and the entirety of His truth, what would it say about their own faith level? For instance, could they profess Christ as Savior and Lord, while rejecting some of His teachings?

Review the last half of vs 20

-Why did Jesus add this last sentence?

-After hearing these commands from Jesus, why would this last point bring comfort to the disciples?

Bonus Questions:

1. Why should we assume that this commission applies to us as Christ followers and not only to the eleven disciples?

2. What does our mission field look like? Does it have to be oversees?

3. Is the Great Commission harder to follow in 2009 than it was when it was first presented by Jesus?

4. Does the last half of vs 20 bring you comfort when it comes to stepping out in faith and spreading the Good News? If so, why are we not more aggressive about the pursuit of those around us that continue to live in darkness?

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt

Matthew 28: 16-20

Thanks!

Good Afternoon, Leaders!

Hope all is well.

I just wanted to extend a warm thanks to all of you for your kind comments regarding the birth our son, Luca! I enjoy partnering with each and every one of you.

Also, thanks for giving me some time to help Jamie over the last week. The newest blog entry will be posted for this weekend's message today.

Take care,

Jacob Varghese