You Have Spinach In Your Teeth 30/05/2010

If you missed this talk, you can catch it again by subscribing to our podcast in iTunes. Click here to go to our iTunes page and click subscribe.For instructions about how to get our podcast click here.Alternatively you can listen to the "You Have Spinach In Your Teeth" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 10mins).

- - - - - - - - -

On months with 5 Sundays, we have a break from any series and do church a little differently. Today Dave asks how teachable are we? Are we receptive to hearing from God, even when the message, or the messenger, might offend our pride? Some of our weaknesses, insecurities and issues just don't show up in the mirror, so we need to be open to hearing constructive criticism so we can move towards becoming the person God created us to be.
_

Jesus In Your Shoes - Content in Your Shoes 23/05/2010

If you missed this talk, you can catch it again by subscribing to our podcast in iTunes. Click here to go to our iTunes page and click subscribe.For instructions about how to get our podcast click here.Alternatively you can listen to the "JESUS IN YOUR SHOES - Content in Your Shoes" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 34 mins).

- - - - - - - - -

What, Where, Who… Or Why?
Read what Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2. Think about the pattern of this world. How do you conform to it? How don’t you? If you are perfectly honest, in what areas of your life do you conform to the world’s pattern, but know you shouldn’t?
What could you do to change this? How is it linked to Paul’s definition of worship? What does it mean to renew your mind?

Your Good Deeds
What opportunities do you have to do good? Do you miss opportunities because you’re too busy? How can you be more free and ready to do good deeds?

Your Location
Do you feel strategically placed? What makes you feel this way? Would your feelings change if your happiness did?
This week try to act as if you fully believed God has placed you where you are for a reason.

Glorify Your Father in Heaven
Do people join the dots from you to God? Look at where people have done this and where they haven’t. Is there a pattern?
Think about how you might help people notice God in your actions. Does it always require you to say something? Or is it about doing good things that are so extreme people can’t help but ask? It’s probably a bit of both, so think about how you navigate between these.
Do you find it easy or hard to tell people about your relationship with God? This week, as an experiment, try stepping out of your comfort zone and do more of the opposite of what you find easy – either tell people how much God helps you to do good, or try keeping quiet. What happens? Is there anything from this experiment you would like to work into your everyday life?
_

JIYS - God's Live Savers 16/05/2010

If you missed this talk, you can catch it again by subscribing to our podcast in iTunes. Click here to go to our iTunes page and click subscribe.For instructions about how to get our podcast click here.Alternatively you can listen to the "JIYS - God's Live Savers" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 30 mins).

- - - - - - - - -

Bible Study
Read Matthew 9:9-13. Try to imagine the story in the modern day. Who are the people who would shock you if Jesus were hanging out with them? Do you know anyone like this?

Read Matthew 5:13-16 and think about what this means and how it might look in your life.

Saving Lives
If you were God, how would you get the message of the Good News across to people? Why do you think God uses people and the church? What does this tell us about what God is like? What does it tell us about what he thinks of us?

Think about the people you see during the week that might not know about Jesus? Who do you spend the most time with? Are there certain people you feel a special ‘heart’ for? If not, pray for God to put someone on your heart.

Do you feel like you can have a positive effect on the people around you – at home, at work, in your neighbourhood and with your friend? In what ways do you think you might bring a good influence?

How can you be more intentional in spending time with people? What gets in the way and keeps you too busy? Is this a good reflection of your priorities?

What events, parties, special services and so on could the church or your homegroup organise that would be easy to invite people along to? Let Dave know!
_

JIYS - In the Company Of Friends 09/05/2010

If you missed this talk, you can catch it again by subscribing to our podcast in iTunes. Click here to go to our iTunes page and click subscribe.For instructions about how to get our podcast click here.Alternatively you can listen to the "JIYS - In The Company Of Friends" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 29 mins).

- - - - - - - - -

Bible Study
The friendship of David and Jonathon is a great example. You can read the story of their friendship in the Bible in 1 Samuel 17:57-18:4, 1 Samuel 19:1-7, 1 Samuel 20:1-21, 1 Samuel 23:15-18, 1 Samuel 31:2, 2 Samuel 1:25-26 and 2 Samuel 9:1-7.

Your Friendships
Who do you spend most of your time with? How much of this time do you interact with them (as opposed to just being in the same building or room as them)?

Think about some of these people. What type of person are they? What influence do they have on you? Is it a positive or negative one?

Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve felt a sort of tide pulling you towards being better or worse than you are? What influences you? How can you use this to be the best you – either by watching for warning signs that you might be less than yourself, or by being intentional about being helped to move towards the better you?

Think about people who have a positive influence on you. Who do they encourage you to be? How can you make the most of your the time spent together?

Who has permission to speak into your life – even when it’s uncomfortable to hear? Is this an unspoken arrangement or have you actively given permission? (If you haven’t, perhaps you should.)

What sort of friend are you? Who are you helping to become the best person they could be? How much of yourself do you give into your friends – in terms of time, effort, prayer and so on?
_

Jesus In Your Shoes - Securely Loved 02/05/2010

If you missed this talk, you can catch it again by subscribing to our podcast in iTunes. Click here to go to our iTunes page and click subscribe.For instructions about how to get our podcast click here.Alternatively you can listen to the "Jesus In Your Shoes - Securely Loved" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Catherine Matlock, 37 mins).

- - - - - - - - -

Can you identify in your life any current insecurities and coping or control mechanisms? Reflect on whether these mechanisms have worked to give you identity and help you feel securely loved?

Do you think that God loving you is a belief or a real experience? What has happened in your own Christian journey to lead to this conclusion?

Try reading John 17 and Ephesians 3:14-21. They are both prayers asking God to make his love real in our lives. Try meditating on those verses that stand out to you. If you have time, read the Gospel of John and study what Jesus says about his relationship with his Father.

Read Mark 1:11 and insert your name into the verse “You are my Son/Daughter (name), the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” How does this feel? Do you believe that you are loveable and God is pleased with you? Does anything get in the way of you truly experiencing the love of God as his Son/Daughter?

Either alone or with someone you trust, try praying and asking God to help you let go of your control/self protection and help you experience the love of a Father to his beloved child then let go and let your life and knowing his secure love be God’s project!
_