A Bible Reading Plan Whether you re in a growth group or not, we d love you to do the growth group home prep. This term it s simply reading the bible for yourself. You might have a techy approach with an app on your phone or an email reminder that comes to your computer. Or you might be old-school and use a paper bible with a written list of what you can read next. But with any method you might use, let s fill ourselves with the knowledge of what Jesus has done for us. If you have your own bible reading plan that does a good job of taking you verse by verse through the bible, keep with it. But if not, we encourage you to give this a go. Over the length of this growth group series, the bible reading plan will take in Colossians, Titus and Galatians, all great letters to read alongside our Seven Deadly Sins series. As you go along, tick them off and talk about how your going with it in your group. Mon 4 Aug Col 2:16-19 Thur 7 Aug Col 3:5-11 Tues 5 Aug Col 2:20-23 Fri 8 Aug Col 3:12-14 Wed 6 Aug Col 3:1-4 Sat-Sun Col 3:15-17 A suggested approach for reading the bible is: 1. Pray to God for understanding. 2. Read the passage a couple of times. 3. Reflect on what the passage says. 4. Pray to God in relation to the things you learnt. The truths of this passage might compel you to praise God or confess your sin, give thanks, pray for others, or ask for particular growth in your life.
MISSION WEEK, 15-21 September. Last week we started to talk about the opportunity the growth groups have to run an event during mission week with the QTC students. Each group can develop the ideas and come up with an event where friends would feel comfortable and they get to hear personal stories about the Christian faith. We want this to be an exercise in hospitality (Romans 12:13, 1 Peter 4:9) where when it s done well, it s generous and refreshing. It does not make guests feel like the outsiders but instead they are embraced to be part of the group. This event will involve time, planning and prayer. Perhaps as a group you didn t get through all the questions for discussion. Here they are again: What are your thoughts, feelings and anxieties about this? To make this idea a reality, what type of event would work best to warmly welcome your friends. Take some time to brainstorm. The thing about giving your story, is that it s always your story. We want to give you tips and ideas to help you in your preparation, but you re already the expert! Is there anyone in the group who would like to be one of the speakers? What different roles can people take in the group to host the event? What can we be praying for now?
MISSION WEEK ACTION STEPS As a group, we need to decide on the details for the event we would like to host during the week of 15-21 September. Your Event: When it Will Happen : What is your To Do List to Make this Event a Reality? Who Can Take on Roles to Help Make this Event a Reality?
Anger & Patience Why might we be tempted to think that ANGER is OK? Read Genesis 4:1-16. 1. What does this episode show us about the spread of sin, since the events of Genesis 3? 2. What do we learn about the consequences of anger in terms of our relationship with God and with each other? Read Matthew 5:21-22, Colossians 3:8 and James 4:1-2 3. Why do you think the Bible makes such strong statements about ANGER? Read Luke 23:14-25, 39-43 and 1 Peter 2:21-24 4. How does Jesus death show us a complete reversal of Cain s sin? 5. How does Jesus death show us God s forgiveness for our anger?
6. How should Jesus words and actions on the cross shape us to be willing to forgive others? 7. How do we know when we are right to be angry and when we are beginning to sin? 8. In what ways do you struggle with anger? (does it flare up more at home, or at work or in the church community? Is it obvious to others or is it a quiet version of anger that simmers away under the surface). What will it mean for you to turn from anger in your life? 9. In seeking to be a community of patience how will our church be different to the society around us?
The Heart of Change It s the gospel itself that gives us new affections. It s only when we deeply realise that Jesus is enough, that the things that tempt us will lose their power. So each week we re giving you Titus 2:11-14 to read and also one other gospel passage. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14 A word for ANGER and PATIENCE: Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8
What will you do differently this week as you die to the old life of ANGER and rise to the new life of PATIENCE? Pray together about the encouragements and challenges raised by this week s study on Anger and Patience. In your Prayer time, remember to focus on what you ve been given in Christ. It s only through the knowledge of the gospel, that real change is possible. Note down prayer points below for other members of your Growth Group and their friends. Growth Group Members Unbelieving Friends Respectable Sins Jerry Bridges For further reading and understanding of anger and patience. Read Ahead: Sloth & Zeal: 1 Corinthians 15:58
Church Life @ EHPC Parenting Teenagers Course. We ve now done 2 weeks of this 5 week course. We have 34 people participating which is an excellent result! And it s been great to have a number of people helping behind the scenes with setting up for each Friday night and serving the food. It s a beautiful thing when the church family comes together! New Sunday Service Trial Night. Come along on Sunday night 10 August and get a taste of the vibe of the new Sunday evening service. Dazzled By Grace. This is a day conference for women on Saturday 16 August. It will be a great day at the Brisbane and Exhibition Centre. You can register on the Events page of www.qtc.edu.au. And let Sharon McGovern know so that car-pooling can start to be worked out.