CG Study Guide for the week of April 18, 2021 PDF version
Community Group Study Guide
For the week of April 18, 2021
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Compassion Journey
This free event connects visitors to some of the realities faced by children growing up in extreme poverty. Step into a new culture, see life from a different perspective and participate in thought-provoking conversations with the rest of your group during this audio-guided journey through a series of interactive exhibits. REGISTER NOW
Night of Gathering
Sunday evening, April 25, join us for a time of worship, a message from guest speaker Cecilia Anyango Nyamwandha of Compassion International, and more. Come and enjoy the fellowship, along with refreshments! Register at stfchurch.com/events to reserve a spot for yourself and a friend!
MY STORY
1. What is one thing you are hopeful for this summer?
2. What part of the teaching did you find challenging to your thinking or living?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. John Piper said, “ Christian hope is a confidence that something will come to pass because God has promised it will come to pass.” What is something that you are hoping in your Christian faith come to pass?
2. Read the following passages. What reasons for hope do you find in the passages that encourages you the most?
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?” Romans 8:24 (NIV)
“here is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;” Ephesians 4:4-5 (NIV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” 2 Corinthians 3:12 (NIV)
“If you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” Colossians 1:23 (NIV)
“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV)
“We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” Hebrews 6:11 (NIV)
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,” 1 Timothy 1:1 (NIV)
TAKING IT HOME
1. Consider all the things you have/earned/titles/. What things did you put your hope in that you now realize was earthly and not eternal?
2. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “I believe that God can and will bring good out of evil, even out of the greatest evil. For that purpose, he needs (or desires) people who make the best use of everything.” As you look forward, what is something that you can have prayer for to “make the best use of everything”?
PRAYER REQUESTS