Celebrating 15 Years of Ministry

"It takes three miracles to start a church." 

Where Columbia Grove came from. Where we're going. A celebration of God's grace over 15 years of ministry.

Timothy - Jesus is Worth It (2 Timothy 2)

Discipleship is the lifelong art of sacrificing what you want now for what you want most.

Icebreaker:
What is the strangest thing you have ever heard about that's happened at a funeral?

Where is it Written?
Read 2 Timothy 2:1-7
What are the three metaphors given for a faith that endures suffering?
What insight does each metaphor add to how we can endure suffering?

Read 2 Timothy 2:8-13
How does Paul summarize the gospel in verse 8?
How is God's Word never chained?
How do you experience the power of God's Word in your life?

Read 2 Timothy 2:14-26
What is the difference between quarreling about words, and correctly handling the word of truth?
How are Christians to be like instruments, set apart for God? (vs. 20-21)
What attributes are part of a life of being set apart? (vs. 22-26)

How Goes Your Walk?
What do you hope the people closest to you remember you for?
How are you trying to pass your faith on to the generations that follow?
How do you hope your faith endures?

Timothy - Feed the Fire (2 Timothy 1)

Never forget what you've been given.

Icebreaker:
When you were in elementary school, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

Where is it Written?
Read 2 Timothy 1:1-14
Who were the people that helped Timothy come to faith?
How can long seasons of service cause our passion to wane?
How does God's Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline counteract fear and shame?
Why is Paul not ashamed of the gospel? How does Paul summarize the gospel here?
How might you summarize why Jesus is good news for everyone (the gospel)?

Read 2 Timothy 1:15-18
How might Paul's imprisonment have been a source of shame to others?
What does this passage reveal about Paul's physical and emotional situation?

How Goes Your Walk?
How have you suffered for the gospel?
What unique gifts has God given you to serve God and His people?
What gifts of the Spirit need to be rekindled in you?

Timothy - A Family That Serves (1 Timothy 5)

Jesus makes us like family. We're called to help one another. But let's take care that our efforts to help don't cause more harm than good.

Icebreaker:
What was your family life like growing up?
If you grew up in church, what was your experience of the church being like a family?

Where is it Written?
Read 1 Timothy 5:1-16
What guidance is given about family living?
How is a local congregation to be like a family?
How is a local congregation different from a biological family?
What problems might creep into both church life and biological family life if this guidance is not followed?
How have you seen efforts to help cause more harm than good?

Read 1 Timothy 5:17-22
What might we learn about compensating our pastors?
Why should any accusation be supported by two or three witnesses?
Why does the discipline of pastors have a public aspect to it?
Why is so important that pastors avoid favoritism - and that all pastors are held to the same standards?
Why should we be careful about calling someone into ministry? (vs. 22)

Read 1 Timothy 6:1-2, Galatians 3:28 and Philemon 1:15-18
Up to one-third of the population were slaves at the time. How does the Gospel dismantle the institution of slavery? Why do you think Paul doesn’t demand the abolition of slavery?

How Goes Your Walk?
How does your relationship with Jesus change your relationship with the people around you?
What is your next relationship step of following Jesus?