Grace South Bay

Why is it hard to remember that Jesus is rescuer first? (Over good example or good teacher)
When was one time that you know God rescued you?
How does your relationship with God compare to a relationship with a good friend or family member? 
How has God been changing you in the last 14 months - during COVID?
How would you like to see God renew you? 

The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. 3 And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, 4 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, 5 tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, 6 oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7 onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. 9 Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

1: What characteristics or qualities make home, “home” for you?
2: Does that feeling of home feel close or far off?
3: How do you try to make or secure those feelings of home when life is chaotic?
4: In what ways might you try to put build before blood? (i.e. focusing on what you need to do instead of what's been done for you)
5: Ambition, attitude, achievement - how could you contribute one of these to the building of our home away from home?

1. In what ways can you say God has been kind to you?

2. When do you find yourself most ready and willing to confess sin?

3. What is the purpose of obedience to God?

4. How distinct from the nations should God's people be?

5. Of the three specific areas mentioned (marriage/romance, sabbath rest, supporting worship) where and how would you like to grow in obedience and distinctiveness?

6. Have you ever given up on a commitment because you saw yourself ultimately failing at it?  How does Jesus give us confidence to keep committing to walking with God?  

7. Do you see yourself as made for eternal fellowship and joy in God?  If you struggle to, how could that impact your life?  How can you grow to see the truth better?

1.    When you read or hear scripture, what is the default interpretive grid you usually apply to it?  E.g. What is the example I am supposed to follow?  What am I supposed to learn/do?  How have I failed or achieved?  What is the correct theological teaching?  Etc.
 
2.     Do you agree that the bible is most of all a rescue story?  If not, what is it?
 
3.     Do you recognize your need to hear the bible read and explained?  What are you tempted to filter out of God’s word?
 
4.    Can you see where you fit in in the biblical narrative?  
 
5.     Is rejoicing a typical reaction for you when engaging scripture?  If not, what could change that?
 
6.    What’s your honest response when you hear you are God’s joy?  
 
7.     Do you want rescuing?  From what?

14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.
1.    When you hear the phrase “fear of the Lord,” what do you think?  What comes to mind?
2.    How do you think assumptions about human origins impacts our treatment of people?
3.    What do you fear more than God?
4.    What positions of power do you hold, where is your sphere of influence?  How are you using that power?
5.    What reasons do we have for how and why we use the resources given to us?  For our generosity with them or lack thereof.  Do they line up with fear of the Lord?  
6.     Do you see Jesus as someone who stoops to serve you?  Do you believe you will get more of Jesus when you stoop to serve others?

Q&A from the April 25 sermon, "Rebuild and Repair" with Matt Cabot and Steven Chitty

1. Is it difficult to see yourself or the church as a temple of the living God?  Have you ever thought of yourself as a place where God is known and enjoyed and available to others?

2. Do you feel shame or see ruins when you look at the church or yourself as a Jerusalem?

3. What are the doubts, fears, costs that might hinder you from fighting for God to be manifested in your church and life?

4. How can Grace South Bay be more of a place where God is known and encountered?  What can you do about it?

5. Where in your life is more Jerusalem (God being experienced and known) and where is there more Babylon (the opposite)?

6. What do you need God's grace and others' prayers for specifically for you to fight for God to be known through you and the church?

7. Do you believe you are worth it?

Q&A from the April 18 sermon, "Where is Home?" with Matt Cabot and Steven Chitty

Q&A from the April 11 sermon, "Where is Home?" with Matt Cabot and Steven Chitty

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. 5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.8 Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.12 Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, as far as the Dung Gate.28 Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house.32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.

1. Where have you seen God repair/rebuild in the midst of brokenness (e.g. yours, others')?
2. How do you normally evade failure and brokenness in your life?
3. How did you respond to the opening question? What list DO you think God would write your name on?
4. Do you believe you are on the 'loved' list? the 'valuable' list? the 'children' list? How does that make you feel?
5. What well known areas of restoration are you most often drawn too? What areas of your heart are you most reluctant to let God rebuild?