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… to outfit a ship.

Prepare character for the journey of life.

… to prepare for battle.

Become a part of God’s epic story.

… to mend a broken bone.

Power to hurt and power to heal.

Discussion Questions

Hanging by a Thread, Week #5 – Your Family

May 13, 2012

Read 2 Timothy 1:3-6

1. What physical traits have you inherited from your father’s side of the family? Your mother’s?
2. Which family members or friends inspired you to faith (like Lois and Eunice for Timothy)?
3. What do verses 3 and 4 tell you about Paul and Timothy’s relationship?
4. What did Paul mean when he told Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God” that was within him?

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17

1. How does the media portray “the family”? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?
2. How does verse 13 play into this?As you look at your faith, has more been caught or taught?
3. What do you think the phrase “wise for salvation” means in verse 15?
4. As you look at raising children, influencing grandchildren, or equipping children in church, what rings a bell with you the most – outfitting a ship, preparing for battle, or mending a broken bone?
5. What was your biggest take away from the weekend message?
6. What choices can you make this week that will begin to change your family story, not just for this generation, but for generations to come?
7. Where are you and your family most in need of hope and healing?

1.  Listen Actively

2. Strive for Understanding

3.  Solve one issue at a time

4.  Love deeply

Small Group Questions:

Passage:  Matthew 15:21-28

1. Describe a conflict you experienced that began as a result of a great misunderstanding. How was it resolved?
2. In this passage it appears that Jesus and a woman were in conflict.  What were some of the reasons?
3. Earlier in this chapter (15:1-20) Jesus is teaching about what makes a person clean or unclean.  How might this encounter with this Gentile woman have been an extension of that teaching? (Some scholars even see evidence that Jesus and this woman were having a humorous or playful banter at the disciples expense)
4. What clues do we see that this woman was a very good listener?
5. Read Proverbs 1:5, 18:13, and James 1: 19.  What are some ways these truths about listening would benefit those in conflict with each other?
6. What does it mean to “strive for understanding” (especially in conflict), and how does it strengthen our relationships?
7. What do you think Jesus was helping the woman to understand, before he granted her request?  How does this relate to all of us who comes to Christ?
8. Read John 13:34.  In what ways does devoting oneself to “loving others as Jesus loves us”, give us a great advantage in both resolving and growing through conflict?

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(You can listen to or download the podcast at the bottom of this post)

1 Timothy 6:10

10 percent — to God

10 percent — pay myself/family

80 percent — to live on

Luke 19:1-10

Small Group Questions:

What is the greatest or worst advice about money you ever received?

Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Is there a difference between enjoying money and being a lover of money?

If you had a weak spot that threatens your budget, what would it be?

Read Luke 19:1-10

When was last time you climbed a tree?

Why did Jesus dine with Zacchaeus and why does this bother others?

How does Zacchaeus compare with the rich young ruler (Luke18:18-23) in his approach and response to Jesus?

What motivated Zacchaeus to make restitution to those he cheated?

Along with your sins being forgiven, what is it that dramatically changed in your life when you first met Christ?

What are some “second conversions” that have happened to you on your walk with Christ through the years?

What is God calling you to do in your spiritual life right now?

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A fun weekend, May 18-20, at the beach for 6-8th grade students.  Worship, beach games, Olympic size swimming pool, and much more. Find out more on Vancouver Student Life.

Do you like to sing? Maybe you’ve always wanted to sing with others, but have been afraid you’re not good enough? Or maybe you’re new and have just been looking for a way to get involved in the Worship Arts Ministry at Vancouver Church. Wherever you may be, we would love to have you join as we start something new. We are starting a worship choir!

The purpose of this choir is to function as a large worship team that leads our congregation in worship. The difference is not huge. All church choirs have the goal of leading the congregation in worship. However, traditionally choirs have led in a performance oriented way. The worship Choir will not be doing performance numbers regularly, though from time to time we might include one. Rather, the worship choir will be focused on leading the congregation worship.

While we will be working from music, reading music is not a requirement. We will work on the parts in the rehearsal, and there will also be parts recordings available online through Planning Center. We will also have time for prayer and worship. I believe it’s important for us to worship if we’re going to lead in worship. We as worship leaders need to model the different forms of worship we see in scripture.

We will meet in the High School choir room, which is downstairs in the east wing of the CLC, and we will meet for an hour, from 6:00 – 7:00pm.

So, I really hope you will join us this Thursday evening!

MYTH #1

THE PAST IS THE PAST

MYTH #2  

MARRIED PEOPLE HAVE MARRIAGE PROBLEMS

 MYTH #3

IF I MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON, WE’LL LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”   Eph. 5:21(NIV)

“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…Husbands ought to love their wives like their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and he cares for it just as Christ does for the church.”   Eph. 5:25, 28

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”   1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord…(A husband) must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Eph. 5:22, 33

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”

1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)