Antioch Raleigh

God is slow to anger. In Hebrew the phrase literally means “long of nose,” so Yahweh doesn’t flare up quickly the way we do, but when His anger does come, it is good: it comes from His love for His people and His commitment to justice. We see that patience most clearly at the cross, where Jesus took the judgment we deserved, and we’re invited to receive that grace and to reflect God’s patience as we invite others into His rest.

As we continue our series, Ben shares three lessons for the people of God found in the book of Nehemiah.

Key Passages: Nehemiah 1:1-4; Nehemiah 2; Isaiah 52:1-10; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 4:11; Matthew 4:19

Join us on Sundays at Antioch Raleigh, a non-denominational, Spirit-filled church in the heart of Raleigh, NC. Learn more at antiochraleigh.com

Jessie Harris, an elder of Antioch Raleigh, shares an exhortation to pause and truly listen to what God is saying. We can be a generous people even in our own lack because we serve a grid and faithful God.

God's mercy and grace is freely available to us, but it isn't meant to end with us. As we behold His glory and receive his goodness, we become partners with Him in the earth. He's looking for a people who are so in love with Him that they carry His heart into their families, schools, teams and friendships.

Discussion Questions

1. Who do you relate the most with in the story of the prodigal son? Why?

2. Suppose that there was a third son in the story who shared his father's heart. What would he be like?

3. How would you describe your relationship with the Father?

4. Where in your life do you have influence?/What has God entrusted to you? (e.g. family, school, sports, friendships, etc.)

5. What would it look like to share God's heart for that space?

Activation

In small groups, ask God to give you His heart for these spaces. Intercede for these spaces. Ask for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done.

Keith Fortier, a member of Antioch Raleigh, shares an exhortation to help us get...unstuck in our Rooted in Raleigh generosity!

As we continue our series in Nehemiah, we talk through three key takeaways on how to contend for a burden from the Lord.

Key Passages: Nehemiah 1:1-4; Nehemiah 2

Join us on Sundays at Antioch Raleigh, a non-denominational, Spirit-filled church in the heart of Raleigh, NC. Learn more at antiochraleigh.com

The first thing Yahweh says about Himself is that He is merciful (compassionate) and gracious. He reveals Himself as a God who feels deep, tender compassion for us, like a mother with her newborn, and who acts to rescue us in our time of need. This is who He is, and this is how He meets us in when we turn to Him.

Discussion Questions

What are Bible stories that emphasize Yahweh’s mercy and grace? What do they tell us about Him?

Why is confession important?

Activation

Practice confession in groups of 3-4:

1. Ask the Lord, "Is there unconfessed sin in my life that's keeping me from enjoying your mercy and grace"?

2. Share honestly.

3. After someone shares, declare the mercy of God over them. Respond with "you are forgiven".

4. Pray over them.

5. Keep what's shared confidential.

Last week we kicked off our new series in Nehemiah by talking about receiving a heavenly burden from the Lord. This week, we talk about how to sustain that burden from the Lord.

Key Passages: Nehemiah 1:1-4; Hebrews 12:1; 1 John 5:14-15

Join us on Sundays at Antioch Raleigh, a non-denominational, Spirit-filled church in the heart of Raleigh, NC. Learn more at antiochraleigh.com

God is a relational being. And He's given us His name: Yahweh ("He is.") to reveal Himself to us. He's the God who never changes. He is always merciful, gracious, faithful, and just. He offers us an open invitation to know Him by name, and to be known by Him.

Discussion Questions

What do you believe that God is like?

When have you felt afraid to come near to Him? Why?

When have you heard God speak to you? What was that like?

Activation

Pray an honest prayer to God and wait for a response.

Share the response with others, allowing them to speak in.

This week, we kicked off our new sermon series on Nehemiah! Ben gave us a glimpse into Nehemiah’s story and invited us to shift our perspective: rather than asking how God fits into our lives, what if we began to see how our lives fit into the larger story God is writing? Are you walking with the burden of seeing the kingdom of heaven come to earth?

Key Passages: Nehemiah 1:1-4; Acts 13:36; Genesis 12; Exodus 19; Isaiah 49:6; Psalm 132:13-14; Isaiah 2; Isaiah 60:1-3; Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Peter

Join us on Sundays at Antioch Raleigh, a non-denominational, Spirit-filled church in the heart of Raleigh, NC. Learn more at antiochraleigh.com