Study Questions:

1. How would you know if your inner being was being strengthened by the Spirit? How do you know if Christ is “dwelling’ in your heart? Would those closest to you confirm this?

2. What does it mean to be rooted and grounded in love?

3. When do you best comprehend God’s love? What would help you better comprehend this?

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Titus 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:3; John 3:8-15; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 4:16; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 13

Study Questions:

1. What does Paul mean in verse 6 that they are partakers of the promise in Christ? How does the gospel come into play?

2. How is the church displaying the manifold wisdom of God?

3. The first word in verse 13 “So…” implies that Paul has just given the reason why he is asking them not to lose heart. Finish this sentence: You should not lose heart while walking in darkness, uncertainty, suffering, mystery, etc. because….

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

2 Timothy 4:6; Galatians 6:16; Isaiah 11:6-9

Study Questions:

1. Who are those who are “far off”? Why are they considered far off? Who are those who are “near”? Why are they considered near? What was the message of peace? How does this situation in verse 17 relate to us in our generation, culture, and nation?

2. In what ways do we see the Holy Spirit working to ensure that we are built together?

3. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Matthew 10:34; 15:21-28; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ezekiel 36:27; 2 Timothy 1:14; Romans 8:9; 1 John 4:1-3; Habakkuk 2:13-14

Study Questions:

1. Why does Paul have to spend so much time in his epistles reminding these churches that their salvation wasn’t their doing? Ex: In Eph. 2:8-13, Paul reminds them that they don’t get to take credit for their faith, works, or being “brought near.”

2. Take a few minutes to read Galatians 3. What are some things can we gather about God’s purpose for the law? (v19-24)

3. What are some of the “ordinances” Paul is referring to in verse 15? (Hint: Colossians 2:8-23) In what ways were they “abolished” or “nailed to the cross” in Christ?

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Romans 1:24; 1:28; 6:6; 7:18; 9:16; 3:11-2; 8:4; Hosea 1:9-2:1; 2:23; Matthew 5:17; Colossians 2:13-14; Galatians 3

Study Questions:

1. What are the implications of being “dead in our trespasses and sins”?

2. Paul has given us the picture of what our fallen state (being outside of Christ) really looks like. Certainly we were all once in this state of deadness. How are we as the church supposed to respond to such a truth with regards to our relationship to the world around us? How might this truth, regarding our own children who don’t know Christ, effect the way we parent?

3. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

John 8:44; 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Romans 6:16-18, 20; Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Romans 8:7-9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Psalm 5:5-6; 11:5; John 3:36; Romans 3:9-18; 1 Corinthians 1:18; John 6:63; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 3:3-7

Study Questions:

1. What is Paul’s aim when he speaks of “knowledge” of God?

2. Read and meditate on Romans 8:28-39. What hope is linked to the “calling” of God?

3. If we have the power that raised Jesus working in us, what implications does that have on us moving forward? As the church, how do we picture Christ’s rule and reign to the rest of the world?

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

John 17:3; Genesis 28:16-17; Exodus 33:12-21; Job 23:10; Psalm 42:1-2; Hebrews 8:11; Acts 3:17-19; 4:12; 10:43; 17:30; 3:39, 47; 13:48; John 3:16; Romans 8:28-30; Romans 8:16

Study Questions:

1. Read and meditate on 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10. What does Paul mean that they “became imitators” of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy? What would that look like for ARCC?

2. What were the idols that these people turned from in order to serve God? How do we know what the idols are in our own life? What does it look like to turn from them?

3. What does it mean that their “faith in God” had gone forth everywhere? How did/does God accomplish this?

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Romans 11:7; Galatians 1:11-17; Acts 7:54-8:3; 9:1-19; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 13:48; Acts 13:38-39; Galatians 1:6-10; 5:11; John 6:35-40; Matthew 13; 1 John 2:19; Galatians 5:19-24; Hebrews 13:17; Philippians 2:12-13; Jonah 2:9; John 6:35-40; Galatians 5:19-24; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6; Hebrews 13:17; Philippians 2:12-13

Study Questions:

1. Where were you when you first hoped/believed in Christ? What was your conversion like? Looking back, can you see what God was up to in bringing you to Himself?

2. To what would you point to, in your life, as the source of your confidence in your salvation?

3. Read and meditate on Galatians 5:18-25. What sticks out the most to you in this text? What are your thoughts as you read over the fruits of the Spirit? In what areas, with regard to this fruit, do you see the Spirit working in your life?

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Deuteronomy 32:8-9; Genesis 45:7-8; Job 1:21; 2:10; 13:15; Romans 11:7; Galatians 1:11-17; Acts 7:54-8:3; 9:1-19; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 13:48; Acts 13:38-39; Galatians 1:6-10; 5:11; John 6:35-40; Matthew 13; 1 John 2:19; Galatians 5:19-24; Hebrews 13:17; Philippians 2:12-13

Study Questions:

1. What is this “mystery” that God is now seemingly revealing?

2. What does it mean that in Christ all things will be united?

3. Read and meditate on Romans 8:18-25. What is the over-arching theme of this text? What does it mean when it says that all creation is groaning?…that we groan inwardly? What does it look like for us to wait patiently?

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21; Philippians 2:7; Acts 3:15; Luke 23:34; Hebrews 9:22; Psalm 103:12; Micah 7:18-19; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:33; Romans 4:8; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 2:15-16; Revelation 5; Colossians 1:16-17; Romans 8:18-25; Psalm 14:1; Isaiah 46:8-11

Study Questions:

1. What does scripture say we were actually redeemed from? For what did Christ have to pay a ransom?

2. Read and meditate on Revelation 5. Focus specifically on verses 9-10. What is scripture saying about the purpose and effectiveness of the blood of Christ? What implications might this text have for us in terms of global missions?

3. In light of what Christ had to go through in order to secure the forgiveness of our trespasses against Him, what must we say in regards to our ability to forgive those who have trespassed against us?

4. What does it mean that in Christ all things will be united?

Additional Scripture References:

Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21; Philippians 2:7; Acts 3:15; Luke 23:34; Hebrews 9:22; Psalm 103:12; Micah 7:18-19; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:33; Romans 4:8; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 2:15-16; Revelation 5; Colossians 1:16-17; Romans 8:18-25; Psalm 14:1; Isaiah 46:8-11