Sunday 7th December, 2008

If you missed the talk from this Sunday, you can listen to it by clicking here. (31 minutes)
Or you can right-click and choose "Save as..." or "Download..." to save the mp3 file to your computer.

AWAY IN A MANGER!

• Read through the proposal we have submitted for the Whipton building. What questions does it raise? What excites you? What makes you nervous? If you want to know more get in touch with Dave.

• Read Leviticus 19:10, Leviticus 23:22 and Deuteronomy 15:11. These are wonderfully practical commands. How might we, as a church, or you, as an individual, apply these ideas? Are we/you already doing it?

• Read Matthew 26:6-13. The disciples’ reaction seems understandable and realistic – after all a year’s wages is a lot of money! But can you also understand Jesus’ response? How would you explain his reply to someone who wasn’t a Christian? How do we align our priorities with Jesus’ and what warning signs should we look out for?

• Isaiah 58:6-12 talks about meaningful ritual and activities before God. Read the passage a couple of times, slowly and aloud. Reflect on it and ask God to help you assess your own spiritual activity against what he wants. What are you doing well? What needs to change?

• Read Luke 14:12-14. Is this just an illustration or an actual suggestion? Could you imagine doing this? What would it look like?

• Read Luke 6:20-24 for the comparison between the poor and the rich (in verses 20 and 24). You could also read Jesus’ story in Luke 16:19-31. How do you feel about rewards received and rewards waiting for you in heaven? How easy is it for you to trade something you have and can see for something you don’t have and can’t see? Are you getting better at this? Think about how you were one-year, five-years and ten-years ago. What were your hopes and aspirations then? What are they now?

_