Jesus, Loaves and Fishes

John-Jesus, Loaves and Fishes_Andrew Thompson

The Gospel of John Challenge:
1. Read (or listen to) John for about 15 minutes a day. 
2. See what you notice about Jesus.
3. Talk with others about it.

Group Sample Connection Group Questions. 
1. What did you notice about Jesus in John this week?
2. What delighted you?
3. What surprised you?
4. What offended you?
5. What challenged you?
6. What conversations did you and God have this week?

Jesus Knows Me This I Love

Jesus Knows Me This I Love_Andrew Thompson

John 1:43-50 NIV

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”  44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.  45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”  46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.“Come and see,” said Philip.  47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”  48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”  49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”  50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”

Christian Parenting & The Internet - Aaron Floyd

Christian Parenting & The Internet_Aaron Floyd

Discussion Group - Thursday, January 16 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. 

The “Where is it written” and “How goes your walk” questions below will be discussed in small groups. A Connection Group on Christian Parenting with Aaron Floyd begins Thursday, January 23 at 6:30.

Where is it written?

Read Colossians 3:20-21 and Ephesians 6:1-4

What are children told to do for their parents?

What are parents told to do for their children?

How do the two ideas work together?

Read Ephesians 5:21

Who are Christians called to submit to? 

What does it mean to submit?

Why are Christians called to submit?

How might this idea apply to Christian parenting?

Read Matthew 22-37-40

How is being vulnerable part of being loving?

How goes your walk?

What challenges do you think our children face today that they did not face 20-30 years ago?

What is the best parenting advice you have ever heard?

How are you looking to pass your faith on to the next generation?

What challenges do you find in being vulnerable?

How does knowing Jesus help you be a better parent?

Thinking Biblically About Marijuana

How biblical principles help us make better decisions about marijuana.

Where is it written?
How do passages like 1 Timothy 4:4-5 influence how we view the world?
Can something that is good still be abused? What are other examples of good things that be abused?
What does Luke 10:34 and 1 Timothy 5:23 tell us about medicine?
What does Romans 13:1-7 tell us about obeying the laws of the land?
What does Ephesians 5:18 and 1 Peter 5:8 teach us about intoxication? Why is intoxication bad?
What does Galatians 6:1-2 teach us about mutual accountability? Why is accountability especially important when it comes to potentially addictive substances or behaviors?

How goes your walk?
What values about marijuana were you raised with?
How does your faith influence your feelings and actions about marijuana?
How can you know if a substance is being abused?
What do you think about the medical use of marijuana?
What advice would you give someone who is considering using marijuana?

Important Questions to Ask About Potentially Addictive Activities:
Why am I drawn to this? (Am I running away from something?)
Am I turning to this instead of God? (Is it an idol?)
Am I accountable? (Who have I given the authority to stop me?)