The Harbour

Today we rejoin Paul as he enters Athens and see how he connects with people whose beliefs are very different from his to create positive and sometimes fruitful interactions.

Our readings for today are Acts 17:16-34 and 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

1.We often hear the phrase culture wars to describe the growing conflict over beliefs, values, politics, and social issues in our society. Where do you see this playing out today, and how do you think it affects the way Christians relate to people who disagree with them?

2.When Paul arrived in Athens, he was deeply troubled by the city's many idols. Yet he didn't withdraw or simply condemn the people. What do you notice about the way he approached the people of Athens?

3.Paul began his message by acknowledging their religious curiosity and referring to their altar to an unknown god. Why do you think he chose to begin there? What can we learn from his approach to people with different beliefs?

4.In 1 Corinthians 9:19–23, Paul says he became “all things to all people.” What do you think he meant by this? Where is the line between adapting our approach and compromising our faith?

5.In the midst of today's culture wars, Christians can sometimes be known more for what they are against than for what they are for. How can we stand firmly for our convictions while still demonstrating the love, humility, and grace of Jesus?

6.The sermon suggested that understanding someone is not the same as agreeing with them. How might listening with curiosity, rather than responding with criticism, change the way we engage people with different beliefs or opinions?

7.Think about your own relationships—with family, neighbours, coworkers, or people in the community. Is there one person or situation where God might be inviting you to build a bridge, listen more carefully, or represent Jesus differently this week?

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Today Pastor Dave shares how God can open doors, close doors and redirects us along the way.  And even though the journey has difficulties along the way, it doesn't mean you aren't on the right path.

Todays scripture reading is Acts 16:6-40.

1.  When plans change: Think of a time when something didn't work out the way you expected. How did you respond, and did you eventually discover a new opportunity or direction?

2. When God closes a door: Paul tried to travel to two different regions, but the Holy Spirit redirected him. How do we discern whether a closed door is God's redirection, an ordinary setback, or a reason to reconsider our plans?

3. Unexpected encounters: Paul arrived in Macedonia and met Lydia, whose heart was open to the gospel. Have you ever had an unexpected conversation or encounter that turned out to be meaningful? What might help us become more attentive to the people around us?

4. Different ways to serve: Lydia responded to the gospel by opening her home. What does her story teach us about the different ways people can contribute to God's work? How might your own gifts or circumstances become an opportunity to serve?

5. Faithfulness in difficult times: Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, yet they prayed and sang hymns. What does their response teach us about faith during difficult seasons? How can we support someone who is struggling without minimizing their pain?

6. Seeing people differently: When the earthquake opened the prison doors, Paul stayed and helped prevent the jailer from harming himself. What does this reveal about Paul's priorities? How might we become more attentive to the needs of others, even when we are dealing with our own difficulties?

7. Taking the next faithful step: The sermon reminded us that we don't need to see the whole road to follow Jesus. Is there an area of your life where you need to hold your plans more loosely, pay attention to someone, or take a next step in faith?

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This week David Petri takes us through how music can connect us to God even in the darkest of times.   Our scripture reading is Job 20:30

During the middle of the message "Dark Enough to see the Stars" by Mary Gauthier was played.   

David also recommends listening to "Revival in Belfast" by Robin Mark

Sermon Theme: Darkness, Music, and the Work of God

David’sermon reminded us that music can take us to different places, awaken memories, and touch our hearts in ways that ordinary words sometimes cannot. Is there a song that has had a special meaning in your life or helped you through a difficult season? What made it meaningful?

 In Job 30:20, Job says, “I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer.” Have you ever experienced a season when God seemed silent, even though you were praying? How did you respond, and what might Job's honesty teach us about faith during difficult times?

Finding Jesus in the darkness: The sermon suggested that darkness can sometimes lead us to call out the name of Jesus in a deeper way. Why do you think we sometimes become more aware of our need for God during difficult seasons than during easier ones?

The cracks that let meaning in: Sometimes a song's words resonate with us because they speak to our own struggles, fears, or hopes. Can you think of a time when a song, a Scripture passage, or someone's words changed your perspective or gave you courage?

We cannot always remove the darkness around us or control the circumstances we face. What are some practical ways we can bring light, hope, and the presence of Jesus into our own lives and the lives of others?

“I Will Never Be the Same”: The final song reminded us that an encounter with God can change us. Looking back on your faith journey, has there been an experience that changed how you see God, yourself, or others? What might it look like to live differently because of that encounter?

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Join us today while Pastor Dave explores opportunities to come together when we as Christians disagree about what following Jesus means.

Readings for today can be found here and here.

Home Church Discussion Questions
Scripture: Acts 15:1–35; Galatians 2:11–14

1.Getting Started: Think of a time when you disagreed with someone about something important. What helped you work through the disagreement, or what made it more difficult?

2.In Acts 15, the early church disagreed over whether Gentile believers had to follow Jewish customs to fully belong to God’s family. Why do you think this was such an important issue?

3.Beneath the disagreement was a question of belonging: Who gets to belong, and what is required of them? Where might churches today unintentionally create barriers to belonging?

4.The early church did not avoid the conflict; they gathered, listened, debated, and sought God’s direction. What can we learn from their example about handling disagreements without allowing them to become divisions?

5.Peter declared in Acts 15:11 that we are saved through the grace of Jesus. How does remembering that we all depend on God’s grace change the way we view people who disagree with us? How can we distinguish what is essential to the gospel from what is simply our tradition or preference?

6.In Galatians 2:11–14, Paul confronted Peter because his behaviour excluded Gentile believers. “Truth without love can become a weapon. Love without truth can become avoidance.” What does this statement mean, and how can we speak truthfully without becoming hurtful?

7.Christian unity does not mean agreeing on everything. Is there a disagreement or strained relationship in your life where you could respond more like Jesus? What practical step could you take to listen better, show grace, or seek understanding?
Closing thought: The question isn’t, “How can I get everyone to agree with me?” It’s, “How can I disagree in a way that still looks like Jesus?”

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Matthew 6:22-23 (MSG)

“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!"

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Today, Dave looks at Paul's letter to the Galatians.  While they had put their faith in Jesus, they were going back to the old laws and adding to the requirements for salvation.  Paul  was adamant that it's Jesus and not Jesus + something else we need.

You can find today's reading here.

Home Church Questions

1. Paul was concerned that the Galatians were adding requirements to the gospel.
What are some ways Christians today can unintentionally turn grace into something we have to earn?

2. “We don’t do good things to get God’s love. We do good things because we’ve received God’s love.”
How does that change the way you think about obedience, serving, or following Jesus?

3. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
What are some things Christians can feel they need to prove—to God, to others, or even to themselves? How might grace free us from that?

4. Grace does not mean ignoring harm or pretending that everything is okay.
How can we extend grace while still telling the truth, maintaining healthy boundaries, and recognizing the need for repentance and change?

5. Paul’s own past did not disqualify him from being used by God.
Is there a part of your past that you sometimes struggle to believe God can redeem? What might it look like to allow grace to speak into that part of your story?

6. Grace is something we receive, but it is also something we extend.
Where might God be inviting you this week to offer someone grace—perhaps through patience, forgiveness, encouragement, welcome, or simply giving someone another chance?

Closing Question
If you had to summarize what God is saying to you through this message in one sentence, what would you say?

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Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

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This morning, Pastor Dave continues our series on Acts.  We discuss what it means to be a people who are turned around, not to stand still, but to be sent forward to be hands and feet in the world.

A song for your listening pleasure 

Please find the slide deck for this week's teaching here.

This week's reading here.

1.Paul and Barnabas were sent out of a community that had worshipped, prayed, fasted, and listened together. What does this tell us about how we might discern God’s calling in our own lives?

2.Paul didn’t send himself—the church recognized and affirmed his calling. Who are the people who have helped you recognize gifts or possibilities in your life that you might not have seen yourself?

3.Paul and Barnabas didn't know everything that was ahead of them. How do you respond when you know what the next step is but don't know where the road will ultimately lead?

4.The gospel crossed significant boundaries in Paul's ministry. What boundaries—social, cultural, generational, economic, or otherwise—can churches unintentionally create? How might the gospel challenge those boundaries?

5.Paul experienced rejection, conflict, and even violence, yet continued his mission. How do we distinguish between a difficult road that calls for perseverance and a situation where we should step back or change direction?

6.Could he be sending me?” Where might God be asking you to pay attention right now—to a person, a need, a relationship, or an opportunity? What might your next faithful step look like?

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]

Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT)

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
    He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
for through him God created everything
    in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
    and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
    Everything was created through him and for him.
He existed before anything else,
    and he holds all creation together.

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This morning, Dave Blow picks with our series on Acts.  We find Saul having an unexpected run in with Jesus and a transformation he could not have imagined in his wildest dreams.

Please find the slide deck for this week's teaching here.

Home Church Questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week's teaching?

2. Read Acts 9 (preferably in multiple translations). What stands out to you from this passage?

3. Pray with and for one another, our church community, and our world.

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]