CG Study Guide, WORDS, MAY 1, 2022
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY GUIDE
For the week of May 1, 2022
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
⇨ CHURCH-WIDE SURVEY We want to hear from you! To get to know our congregation better, we’ve formulated this survey that will help us tailor our services and programming to what you need from your church leaders. You can fill out the survey by clicking the button below. ⇨ Boundaries You are invited to a two week class on how to build boundaries and avoid destructive relationships, based on Dr. Henry Cloud’s work on boundaries. The class will be facilitated by STF member, Amber Johansen who has spoken extensively on this subject. The class is open to everyone 16 years old and over, and registration is required. You can register for this class by clicking on the link below. Community Groups have come to an end for the semester! Your group may have a social or continue to meet but the lessons will look different as they will turn to reflection more than questions to discuss. We hope that you will enjoy the summer and sign back up in the Fall! FALL SEMESTER dates:
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MY STORY
1. Over these past eleven weeks of this Community Group semester, a lot has happened in our world and each of our lives. Can you think of any specific ways you’ve experienced God’s presence, promises or provision?
2. How has being in Community studying God’s word helped you grow closer to the Lord this semester?
QUICK REVIEW
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged or confused you?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. Solomon reflected on his life and said, “Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to head a warning.” (Ecclesiastes 4:13). This past week’s sermon was simple yet powerful. Words matter. How does Solomon’s life’s lesson apply to you?
2. Proverbs 27:6, 17 New International Version (NIV)
6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
Seeking wise counsel and getting input from others is an important way to avoid blind spots. How have you seen this ebb and flow in your life?
3. As you read Psalm 40 below, circle, highlight or underline anything that catches your attention about God’s work in our lives. What strikes you about what David says about his words?
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.5 Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. 7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. 8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. 12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. 13 Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me.
14 May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”
17 But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.
How does knowing these move and/or motivate you to action and not just knowledge?
REMEMBRANCE
As followers we can choose to live in how we see ourselves or how God sees us. Yet, all too often we forget we have this choice and the incredible forgiveness, grace and value we have because of what Jesus has done for us. Jesus knows we forget! That’s why He told His disciples to take Communion and “do this in remembrance of me!” Communion is the very symbol and reminder of our need for God and all that He has done for us— forgiveness, a costly sacrifice, a new life and a new relationship with our almighty God!
To prepare for your time in taking Communion in your Community Group together, read the following verses and jot down what stands out to you about how much God loves us and what Jesus has done for you.
Luke 15:8-10 New International Version (NIV)
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
John 10:10-11 New International Version (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Hebrews 4:14-16 New International Version (NIV)
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
1 John 1:8-10 New International Version (NIV)
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 New International Version (NIV)
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
PRAYER REQUESTS