During our Nativity, Mick Woodhead shared a short message about choosing Good News at Christmas as this Good News brings peace and joy to our lives.

Mick Woodhead talks about how Christmas is time for Good, for Gifts and for God.

There aren’t any Cell Questions this week. They’re taking a break for the rest of 2018.

Mike Breen, the former senior leader of STC, speaks from Psalm 23 about driving out fear in our lives.

There aren’t any Cell Questions this week. They’re taking a break for the rest of 2018.

Starting our December theme of ‘We Love Christmas!’, Mick Woodhead shares three truths about the Virgin Mary conceiving.

Theme: We Love Christmas! Christmas Beginnings

Bible base: Luke 1:26-38 (Message Translation)

Cell questions:

* The theme on Sunday evening was ‘Christmas Beginnings’, a title which says different things to different people.  What does it say to you?  Share together.

* During the sermon three main characters were mentioned in the Bible passage – can you remember them?  Read the very familiar Bible passage above – what stands out to you?

* There were 3 truths and 3 promises outlined in the sermon.  Again, can you recall them?  What do they mean to you?  Share together.  What do you think they may mean to someone who is not a Christian?

Application:

The Christmas season is about to begin (it’s still Advent!). Pray together as a community, that you would come close to Jesus during these next weeks.

Starting our December theme of ‘We Love Christmas!’, Alan Ward unpacks the birth of Jesus foretold.

Theme: We Love Christmas! Christmas Angel

Bible base: Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

Cell questions:

On Sunday Alan looked at the story of Mary and Angel Gabriel. He asked three questions:

Are you, like Mary, getting on with ordinary life with little thought of God’s promises?

Are you, like Israel, longing for external change when God wants to work on your heart?

Are you, like Israel, experiencing internal resistance to what God wants to do in your life (routine, personal wants and preferences, financial security and fear)?

Discuss these questions and take time to lay hands on one another and pray for the Holy Spirit to bring change to one another’s hearts and experience of God.

On Cluster Sunday, Mick speaks about the story of Lydia’s conversion and how we can respond to it.

Theme: Open House!

Bible base: Acts 16: 13-15 (Message Translation)

Cell questions:

* Think of some of the best occasions when someone has ‘opened their home’ to you/others – what made it memorable? Share together.

* Read the Bible passage above – what strikes you about it? Read it from a different translation from what you normally use if you can. These are two significant and powerful verses in the growth of the early church – why? Share.

Application: 

Think of the homes you meet in as a cell/cluster – give thanks for them and ask Jesus to bless and prosper these homes!

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Mick’s talk contains a short video from John Mark Comer’s talk here.

In our Month of Purpose, Bryony Wells explores what it means to invest in God and people.

Theme: Time to Invest

Bible base: Acts 16: 1-5 (Message Translation)

Cell questions:

1. When is a time you have been invested in?

2. Who have you invested in in the past?

3. How do you feel about inviting people into your story? What’s hard about it?

Application

Pray for opportunity to invest in other this week.

In our Month of Purpose, Tom Finnemore unpacks what it means to invest in God and people.

Theme: Time to Invest

Bible base: Acts 16: 1-5 (Message Translation)

Cell questions:

* Who has invested in you?  How did they invest?

* What does it mean to invest in others – why do you think this is important?  Why might this be so important for discipleship?

* What can learn from Paul’s relationship to Timothy?  What are the key lessons that we can implement?

* Have you signed up to the STC Grow Project?  If not, please do today here.

Pray with one another.

At the 7pm Gathering on Vision and Commitment Sunday, Mick speaks about how we are the Message of Jesus in the world today.

Theme: Join Us and Grow

Bible base: 1 Thessalonians: 1:1-10 (Message Translation)

Cell questions:

* Our vision for 2019 is ‘Join Us and Grow’ – as you hear this, what are your first impressions?  For example, ‘Grow what?’, etc.  Share together.

* Give three good reasons why it is important for us to grow personally in our faith in Jesus, and three good reasons why it is important for the church community to grow.

* Read the Bible passage above.  What stands out to you?  The key phrase here is ‘You are the message’ – what do you think that means for us individually and as a church?  How do you think we are doing in both areas?  On a scale of 1-10… challenging – ouch!

Application:

Try and find time over the next week or so to do three things.  Firstly listen (or listen again) to the Vision Sunday sermon.  Secondly, discuss the questions above as a community.  Thirdly, PRAY and see what God is perhaps calling you to do PRACTICALLY.

At the 10.30am Gathering on Vision and Commitment Sunday, Mick speaks about how we are the Message of Jesus in the world today.

Theme: Join Us and Grow

Bible base: 1 Thessalonians: 1:1-10 (Message Translation)

Cell questions:

* Our vision for 2019 is ‘Join Us and Grow’ – as you hear this, what are your first impressions?  For example, ‘Grow what?’, etc.  Share together.

* Give three good reasons why it is important for us to grow personally in our faith in Jesus, and three good reasons why it is important for the church community to grow.

* Read the Bible passage above.  What stands out to you?  The key phrase here is ‘You are the message’ – what do you think that means for us individually and as a church?  How do you think we are doing in both areas?  On a scale of 1-10… challenging – ouch!

Application:

Try and find time over the next week or so to do three things.  Firstly listen (or listen again) to the Vision Sunday sermon.  Secondly, discuss the questions above as a community.  Thirdly, PRAY and see what God is perhaps calling you to do PRACTICALLY.