Psalm 37 | The Life and Songs of David
Psalm 37 | The Life and Songs of David
Pray
Church of the Week
St. James Catholic Church & Fr. Fabian Nwokorie
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: Local Ministries: Harvest Christian School
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Psalm 37 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Where have you been tempted to fret or envy?
How can you trust God and delight in Him?
What’s one situation in your life that you need to leave in God’s control and wait on Him?
Application
Choose one practice that will help you to delight in the Lord this week and practice it daily.
Psalm 57 | Mercy and the Reality of God’s Grace
Psalm 57 | Mercy and the Reality of God’s Grace
Pray
Church of the Week
Salvation Army & Major Lara Wycoff
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: Troy and Jackie Tisthammer with InterVarsity Campus Ministry
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Psalm 34 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What songs take you back to a moment in your life?
Have you "found your own story" in the book of Psalms before?
What would it look like for you to find and pray a daily prayer phrase asking for God's mercy, confessing your dependence on Christ?
Suggested Phrases:
Psalm 57:1 "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge;"
Psalm 51:1 "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;"
The Jesus Prayer "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy on Me"
Which do you more relate to: the need for a steadfast heart or for an awake heart?
Consider your daily life, do you believe that your day-to-day actions can fill the earth with the glory of the Lord?
Application
Ask the Lord for help to fill the earth with His glory with your day to day actions this week.
1 Samuel 25 | God's Gift of Conscience
1 Samuel 25 | God's Gift of Conscience
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Valley Baptist Church & Pastor Alan Cross
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Samuel 25 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Take some time to appreciate Abigail in our text and thank God for the Godly women in our lives.
How difficult is it to be open to input even when you are convinced you are right?
According to Sunday's message how can you care for your conscience?
Read the scriptures together and discuss which principle of training your conscience is most difficult.
Train your conscience for truth
Romans 12:12
Psalm 119:11
Hebrews 5:14
Don't violate your conscience
Romans 14:23
1 Timothy 4:2
1 Timothy 1:18-19
Respond when your conscience speaks
Acts 24:6
Psalm 32:4-5
Application
What difficult decision do you need to make today that your future self will be grateful for?
1 Samuel 24 | The Battle in the Cave
1 Samuel 24 | The Battle in the Cave
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Church of Christ & Pastor George Robertson
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Samuel 24 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What is the most powerful act of forgiveness you have personally witnessed?
Where do you need to be careful of simply interpreting God’s will as the thing that you already want?
Where is God calling you to wage battle with yourself and practice self-control and self-denial over self-indulgence?
Read Proverbs 15:1 and James 3:17-18 and think about your conversations from the last few weeks. Have you been the sort of person who encounters a fire and:
Watches while doing nothing
Pours gasoline on it.
Pours water on it.
How do we become the sort of people who refuse to "fight fire with fire?"
Application
Ask these three questions in a situation where you are tempted to take revenge:
1) What is this doing to me / Who am I becoming?
2) Who am I listening to?
3) Whose hands does this belong in?
Find the latest discussion guide online at www.calvarypetaluma.org/discussionguide
1 Samuel 23 | God's Guidance
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Christian Church & Pastor Ryan Oelschlager
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: Redwood Gospel Mission
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Samuel 23 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Do you ever wish you had guidance like the stories from the Old Testament?
How did David get specific guidance?
How do you get guidance for decisions today?
Discuss the principles of God’s guidance mentioned in Sunday’s teaching. Which ones are present in your life? Which ones do you need to grow ing?
His Word
His Spirit
Developing Discernment
Mature Believers
What are some practices your group can adopt this week to follow David and have hearts dependent upon God?
Application
What is one action you will practice this week to train your heart to depend on God?
Psalm 34 | Finding a Refuge in God
Psalm 34 | Finding a Refuge in God
Pray
Church of the Week
Penngrove Community Church & Pastor Conor Anderson
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: Harvest Christian School
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Samuel 23 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What songs take you back to a moment in your life?
Take some time to share what you are thankful for today. What part of God’s goodness most encourages you?
Who do you know that you can invite into the goodness of the Lord? Reach out this week and invite them to church or a study.
How does life look different when I am in awe of God?
What causes you to be in awe of God? How does this bring us to God as a refuge?
If you have peace in the Lord, how does that free you up to seek peace in the world?
Application
Bring whatever you are going through to the Lord and taste and see that the Lord is good. Lay those things at the feet of Jesus and practice receiving the peace of God.
1 Samuel 23 | Dead Reckoning
1 Samuel 23 | Dead Reckoning
Pray
Church of the Week
Village Baptist Church & Pastor Shola Akognon
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: Troy and Jackie Tisthammer with InterVarsity Campus Ministry
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Samuel 23 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Share a time when you thought you "knew" something and were wrong, what problems did that cause?
Which comes easier to you, asking God to bless what you have already decided or asking Him for guidance on what you should do?
Do you see yourself following the error of Saul in 1 Samuel 23:7 using "God language" to confirm the decision he had already made without God's input?
Share a time where God was gracious even though you made wrong assumptions. What is the danger of repeating those same assumptions as if that is the right way of following God?
Read Psalm 57 and Psalm 142 and discuss how David responds to this painful experience.
Application
Commit to using Jesus as your fixed location and navigate based on Him this week. Where do you need to surrender your will to God’s?
1 Samuel 22 | The King in the Cave
1 Samuel 22 | The King in the Cave
Pray
Church of the Week
Hillside Church & Pastor Doug Manson
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Samuel 22 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What is a time where you "made up a story in your head" about a situation that was totally off?
Looking at the response of Saul and the response of David, read 1 Samuel 22:5. What difference does it make having the Word of God?
Have you had a painful experience that led you to turn to God?
Read Psalm 57 and Psalm 142 and discuss how David responds to this painful experience.
How should the way Jesus read scripture help guide us in our reading?
Literal (Historical)
Typological (Allegorical)
Moral (Practical guidance for how to live life)
Eschatological (Revealing God’s final purposes)
Pastor Zach shared how we all come to Christ like David's men, in debt, distressed and desperately in need. Where do you need to humble yourself and follow Jesus like it says in Hebrews
Hebrews 13:13
Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.
Application
What guidance do you need to take from God's Word this week? Share and pray for strength to respond in faith.
1 Samuel 21:1-22:4 | God's Grace in Desperate Places
1 Samuel 21:1-22:4 | God's Grace in Desperate Places
Pray
Church of the Week
Hillside Church & Pastor Doug Manson
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Samuel 21:1-22:4 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Have you experienced God's provision even in a season of disobedience?
Where have you experienced God's presence in the midst of a trial?
Does praising while feeling overcome by trials feel difficult? How can you turn those times into praise?
Read Psalm 34 and 56 together and discuss David's practice of praising God.
David's Great-Grandmother was Ruth from Moab, how does this demonstrate God's providence from before David was even born?
Its easy to focus on the present moment, how does this story help us trust God's plan for more than just our momentary trials and to have a focus that reaches to generations?
Application
What current attitude or practice in your life will have the greatest impact on future generations? Ask God to help you see beyond this moment and to have an eternal perspective. Share with your group how God is calling you to respond this week.
Find the latest discussion guide online at www.calvarypetaluma.org/discussionguide
Mark 8:22-26 | Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Mark 8:22-26 | Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Pray
Church of the Week
City Parish & Pastor Daniel Huskey
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: Harvest Christian School
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Mark 8:22-26 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Have you ever had a moment where you thought you finally understood something about God, only to realize later that you didn't see it as clearly as you thought, like Peter, who confessed Jesus as the Messiah and then rebuked him just a few verses later?
Jesus heals the blind man in two stages instead of instantly. Which is harder for you to believe: that God is still working on your progression, or that his instant "yes" isn't always coming?
Where do you feel Jesus is inviting you to see more clearly right now?
In your understanding of who Jesus is?
In a relationship or situation you're struggling to see clearly?
In your own heart and motives?
The sermon points out that Jesus often expressed frustration with his disciples, not because they weren't perfect, but because they weren't progressing. Does it feel uncomfortable to think Jesus might be frustrated with your own lack of growth? Why or why not?
The blind man couldn't heal himself. He needed someone to bring him to Jesus, and he needed Jesus to touch him. Is there someone in your life right now who needs to be "brought to Jesus"? What would it look like for you to take a step of courage on their behalf this week?
Application
Set aside time this week — even just 15 minutes a day — to trade one form of media (social media, TV, etc.) for Scripture and prayer, asking God to open your eyes to see Jesus more clearly.
Psalm 11 | A Refuge In Prayer
Psalm 11 | A Refuge In Prayer
Pray
Church of the Week
Calvary Chapel Petaluma & Pastor Zach Vestnys
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: Troy and Jackie Tisthammer with InterVarsity Campus Ministry
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Psalm 11 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
How has prayer been a tool for you to take refuge in the Lord
Which principle of prayer from the Psalms was most challenging for you and which felt most familiar?
Pray Honestly
Pray Personally
Pray Biblically
Spend some time as a group praying through Psalm 11 together. Read one verse out loud at a time and allow the group to pray for anything the Lord brings to mind.
Application
Practice praying through one Psalm each day this week.
Find more resources at https://www.calvarypetaluma.org/praying-the-bible
Psalm 59 | Sing A Little Louder
Pray
Church of the Week
Adobe Christian Church & Pastor Sean O’Kelly
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Psalm 59 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
How would others describe your singing? How do you think it sounds to God?
Why do we sing songs in the Church?
Share some experiences where singing in faith gave you strength.
Read 1 Samuel 19:11-12 for the background of Psalm 59 and discuss how singing to God can lift our eyes above the trials and the tragedies of life?
How does singing uniquely bring us into God's presence?
Where do you most need to practice singing as a holy act of defiance in the midst of your battle?
Application
This next week, especially at church, practice entering into whole hearted singing to God without worrying about what those around you might think.
1 Samuel 17 | The Champion We Need
1 Samuel 17 | The Champion We Need
Pray
Church of the Week
St. John’s Anglican Church & Pastor Josh Miller
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Samuel 17 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
After listening to Sunday's Sermon, how would you answer the question, What is the point of one of the most famous Bible stories of David and Goliath?
How does verse 37 help us understand that God delivered Israel and it was not simply David's courage?
How can we follow David's example of looking at God's past faithfulness to inspire future steps of faith?
What area in your life are you most tempted to be self-centered? (Depending on your own strength to accomplish things)
What area in your life do you most need to be God-centered this week? (Depending on God's faithfulness to accomplish things?)
Application
Ask God for courage this week to be God-centered in your responses. Ask to be more aware of your deep need and more dependent on Him. Share with one other person where you are asking for God's strength this week.
Luke 3:21-22 | The Prayer Life of Jesus
Luke 3:21-22 | The Prayer Life of Jesus
Pray
Church of the Week
St. James and Father Fabian Nwokorie
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: Redwood Gospel Mission
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Luke 3:21-22 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Choose 4-8 Passages from the teaching and read them and invite the group to pray together according to the passage. Make sure to take time to talk to God in prayer and listen to God in prayer:
Luke 3:21-22: When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and (1) while He prayed, the (2) heaven was opened. And (3) the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a (4) voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Luke 11:1: Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
Morning (Mark 1:35)
Evening (Matthew 14:23)
Often (Luke 5:16)
Big Decisions (Luke 6:12)
Salvation (Luke 9:18)
Warfare (Matthew 26:36)
Suffering (Luke 23:34)
Luke 11:9-10: So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Luke 11:11-13: If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
Acts 1:14: These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1:8: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 4:31: And when they prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.
Acts 8:14-17: Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Application
What is God saying to you? Share with the group and talk about how you can respond to God's word for you this week.
1 Samuel 16:14-23 | The Eyes of Faith
1 Samuel 16:14-23 | The Eyes of Faith
Pray
Church of the Week
Salvation Army & Major Lara Wycoff
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: Harvest Christian School
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Samuel 16:14-23 out loud together and Psalm 37:5-7
Invite one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Where have you seen a God use a hard season in the past for your future good?
Are you currently in a hard season?
How is God cultivating the heart of a servant during this season?
Where is God calling you to grow in a current season of waiting?
Application
Commit to faithfulness in a specific way in this season and pay attention to how God changes you.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 | The King No One Saw Coming
1 Samuel 16:1-13 | The King No One Saw Coming
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Valley Baptist Church & Pastor Alan Cross
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: Troy and Jackie Tisthammer with InterVarsity Campus Ministry
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13 out loud together and Psalm 23:1-6
Invite one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What is the difference between descriptive and prescriptive truth and how does knowing that difference help us understand Old Testament narratives?
Remember the big story of the Bible is about God saving the world. How do you think the story of David point us towards this bigger story?
If we know God sees us and sees the future, what confidence does that give us in our day to day lives?
What area of your life do you most prefer to walk in the familiar instead of taking faith filled steps toward a change that God is calling you to?
Application
Pastor Zach shared 5 ways to apply this week’s message from 1 Samuel. Pick one way that is most important for you to respond and share it with your group.
Don’t overlook where God is working. Where is God doing a great work through simple acts of faithfulness?
Don’t disqualify yourself for God’s service just because others have overlooked you.
Trust God in your grieving and answer God’s question for your life, “How long will you grieve?”
Prioritize the presence of God over protecting your image.
Proclaim Jesus as King.
3 John | Vital Signs
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Church of Christ & Pastor George Robertson
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 3rd John out loud together
Invite one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Since knowing the truth is not the same as walking in the truth, what is one practical step you need to take to walk in the right direction?
How are you tempted to sprint in a direction? What would it look like to instead take a slow steady pace that lasts a lifetime?
How is Love overflowing in practical hospitality in your life?
What would it look like for every member of the church to be a fellow worker for the truth? Where is God prompting you to be a start serving?
What is the most important way for us to avoid pride and selfish ambition?
Who are you imitating? What influence should you be most affected by and how will you do it?
Who are the godly men and women in your life that are worth imitating? What most stands out about them to you?
Application
Pick a godly person whose life you can imitate this week.
Galatians 1:13-16 | There’s More to the Story
Galatians 1:13-16 | There’s More to the Story
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Christian Church & Pastor Ryan Oelschlager
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Galatians 1:13-17 out loud together
Invite one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Who is "reading your story?" How would the people watching you live your life describe what they observe?
In your life what do you need to repent of (turn away from)?
Are you tempted to look at salvation as something that needs to earned or have you received it as a gift.
What has changed in your perspective as a result of walking with Jesus?
How would you answer the questions, for what purpose has God saved you?
What is the best way this week you can let your light shine so that when people look at your life they glorify God?
Application
Share the light of Christ with someone in the next 24 hours.
Share the light of Christ with someone daily this week.
2 John 1-13 | Firm in Truth Faithful in Love
Pray
Church of the Week
Penngrove Community Church & Pastor Conor Anderson
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries InterVarsity Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 2 John 1-13 out loud together
Invite one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Have you experienced the truth without love? What about love without truth?
How does an out of balance truth and love create problems?
What kind of un-important priorities have you seen people unite around?
What would you say the main message of 2 John is?
How does gathering together in the Church community unite us together with Christ and unite us with fellow believers?
How would you describe the truth of the Gospel? How does the Gospel abide in us? How is the Gospel eternal?
Application
Where do you need to prioritize gathering with the Christian community in Petaluma to continue in the truth and in love together?
Romans 6:1-4 | Experiencing Baptism
Romans 6:1-4 | Experiencing Baptism
Pray
Church of the Week
Village Baptist Church & Pastor Shola Akognon
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Romans 6:1-4 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
If you have been baptized describe your experience?
Why was Jesus Baptized if He had no sin?
How would you explain the purpose of baptism based on the Sunday Sermon?
Read the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch from Acts 8 :26-40, how does this exchange show there are no other conditions to get baptized other than salvation?
What stood out to you most of the symbolism of baptism?
If you have not been baptized, what prevents you from getting baptized?
Application
If you haven't been baptized make a plan to respond in faith to Jesus' command to get baptized. Talk to a Pastor or fill out the form online: https://www.calvarypetaluma.org/baptism-1