Podcast for COL 3

The most recent one! Click on the title!

-Kenneth

Podcast for COL 2

Hey guys! This is the long overdue podcast for the Centrality of Faith part 2. Enjoy! Once again, if you cannot see the flash player in this blogpost, you can either click on theis post's title (ie 'Podcast for COL2') or you can upgrade your internet browser's plugin to the lastest version of flash player and/or shockwave player.

-Kenneth

Cell group for 28th November 2008

Hi ppl! I'm sure you guys had loads of fun the previous cell group. This coming Friday, we'll be having it at Roxane's place! She and Yvonne will be cooking up savories and sweets that'll satisfy our palates! Bring 1 pound everybody! The address has already been posted via email but here's a nifty map that'll point you in the right direction.


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Regarding the podcasts for the Centrality of Faith (parts 2 and 3), you'll have to wait for a while cuz I'm having some difficulties uploading them on Mel's site. Anyway, if any of you are tech and web savvy, Please PLEASE come forward and help me! I really need your help and what good is it if you have two chocolate bars and your brother in need is starving and all you say is "I'll pray for you"? Get my drift? If you have the skills, use them! Anway, I hope to see you guys there. Please let me know if you can't make it and we'll take your prayer requests!

Cheers,
Ken

The Centrality of Faith (Part 3)

Hi all, this is the last in our series of "The Centrality of Faith". We end off with finding out what surrendering is all about and how this is core in our faith in God. You've learned where faith comes from (part 1), how faith is expressed (part 2) and now what faith requires: surrender.

The Centrality of Faith (Part 3): Surrender and Sowing

21^st November 2008

Matthew 14:23-33

Introduction

Tell the group the scariest thing you had to do. What was it and how did you accomplish it?

Have you been asked by God to do something you weren’t so keen on? What was it and how did you do it?

What is the meaning of surrender?

Orientation

Who is involved in this story?

Where did it take place?

When did it take place?

Scripture notes

V26: Why were the disciples startled?

V27: What did Jesus say to calm them down?

What is so significant about what Jesus said?

V28: What does this show about Peter’s character?

V30: What happened??? Why was Peter sinking?

V31: What did Jesus do? What does he say?

What does this show us of Jesus’ character?

V32: What’s significant here?

Read Galatians 6:1-10. What does the sowing and reaping here refer to? How does this seemingly irrelevant passage have any connection with the previous passage?

Reflection

Do I have a hard time surrendering everything to Jesus?

What are the things which hinder me from trusting God?

‘God helps those who help themselves.’ IS this true? IF yes/no, why?

What have I been investing my time, energy and money into recently? Is it worth in terms of eternity?

Application

Trust and love the Lord with all thy heart, mind and soul (Matthew 22:37, Proverbs 3:5)

Invest your time, energy and money in Him, and everything else will be taken care of. (Matthew 6:33)

The Centrality of Faith (Part 2)

Hey guys, this is the long overdue update for the COL series.

The Centrality of Faith (Part 2): Perspectives

13^th November 2008

Genesis 22

Introduction

Describe a time you were really challenged physically, mentally or emotionally. How did you cope with it and what did you do?

Share with the group about the promises that God has kept for you and those which are yet to be fulfilled.

Orientation

Who is involved in this story?

God, Abraham, Isaac, two men and poor ram

Where did it take place?

In the land of Moriah on one of the mountain tops. Moriah simply means ‘chosen by God’.

When did it take place?

Right after Abimelech made a peace treaty with Abraham at Beersheba.

Scripture notes

Verse 1: ‘After these things...’ What does this phrase signify? (revision question)

It signifies a new chapter in the order of things meaning that it should grasp our attention!

Verse 2: State what God did to test Abraham.

He asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. Notice how God refers to Abraham as the son whom he loved.

What is the difference between testing, trials and tribulations?

Testing is from God, Trials are from the devil and sin, tribulations are the result of a fallen world. Testing was relevant in Old testament but Jesus was fully tested for our sakes. New Testament references always state testing as coming from trials. James 1:2-3, 12 and 1 Pet 1:7, 4:12 Dokimion: trying, trustworthy, Peirasmos: experience of evil and temptation, Thlipsis: pressure and persecution from outside.

Why would this request from God sound unreasonable? Gen 21:12

God had already promised that Abraham’s seed would be reckoned through Isaac. Why then should God want to kill Isaac?

Verse 6: What is the significance of Abraham placing the wood on Isaac’s back?

Symbol of the cross

Verse 7: ‘Where is the lamb?’ What does this question signify?

Isaac was oblivious to the fact he was the sacrifice. He was innocent as a lamb.

Verse 9: Isaac was bound and laid on the altar. What does this typify?

Jesus was also bound to the cross and laid on it.

Verse 12: What is so special about the way God speaks here?

God has seen Abraham’s faith and acknowledges that Abraham did not withhold his son, his one and only son from him. God was extremely pleased. Compare with the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:10) and the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:28)

Why was Abraham so ready to obey God? Read Hebrews 11:17-19

He believed that God would still keep his promise and raise Isaac from the dead. Faith that counts is when there’s something at stake.

Verse 13: Baaaa! Why a ram? What’s so special about the ram?

It is a substitute, an offering used in the old testament for atonement and redemption (Lev 5:16). It also typifies Jesus as it was caught, helpless and had a ‘crown of thorns’ from the thicket it was caught in. Lambs on the other hand were used as the redemption for the firstborn of a household (Exodus 34:20)

Verse 14: Jehovah Jireh, what does this mean? (revision question)

God is my provision NOT God will provide. As Isaac went up the hill, the provision of the ram was made. SO it is to with Jesus. Jesus went up the hill and the provision for salvation was made as the punishment of all our sins was meted on him.

Verses 16-18: What is God saying in these verses? Did Abraham see the promises fulfilled? (Read Hebrews 11:1, 39-40.)

God refers to Isaac as Abraham’s one and only son, why? In God’s eyes, Isaac was the only legitimate son of Abraham. (Gal 4:22) God is speaking of his covenant and the renewal of his faith with him. Abraham obviously did not see the promises fulfilled but he believed in God anyway.

Verse 20-23: What’s so special about these verses?

IT tells us who Isaac was going to marry.

What was the whole purpose of this testing? Compare Romans 5:1-2, 2 Cor 5:14-21.

It is the demonstration of Abraham’s faith and the shadow and testament of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. It gives us insight that the sacrifice was made for peace and redemption and a renewing of the covenant between God and man.

Read the ‘poem’ in Isaiah 53

This Week's Cell Group 13th Nov 2008

That's right, cell group is gonna be held this Thursday 13th November 2008. We will be having it at Michelle's place so be there at 6.30pm for a glorious dinner prepared by our very own inhouse cooks: Sarah, Shaun and Roxane. Remember to bring your 1 pound donation and hungry stomachs! Anyway, we shall be continuing our Centrality of Faith (COF) series so remember to bring your bibles. Also, the position of gamesmaster is still open so if any of you want to take it, that would be great! If you love playing games, organising them and seeing people have fun, this post is for you! Also, you can always add it in your CV since we are an official group in church. Anyway, below is the map to our next location. 'A' represents Hillhead underground and 'B' represents Michelle's place.



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See you all there!

- Kenneth

Third Podcast

This is the podcast for last week's cell group titled "The Centrality of Faith Part 1". I need to start finding less grandiose titles for my cell group studies...

-Kenneth