The Harbour

This week, Dave wraps up the first part of our series on the early church as recorded in the book of Acts (we will return for the second part in the fall). Next week, we will be having a BBQ and pool party at the home of one of our church families. There will also be an opportunity to be baptized there. As a result, there will not be a sermon podcast episode next week. If you are interested in joining us, please reach out. Also, as a programming note, as home churches have gone on a break for the summer, the Home Church Questions portion of the show notes will be abbreviated for the next couple of months.

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 8:26-39, 10:1-48 (preferably in multiple translations). What stands out to you from these passages?

3. What are some ways that I have set up barriers between myself and those around me?

4. How is God inviting me to break down those barrier?

5. 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]

Ecclesiastes 7:10-14 (NIV)

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
    For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing
    and benefits those who see the sun.
Wisdom is a shelter
    as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
    Wisdom preserves those who have it.

Consider what God has done:

Who can straighten
    what he has made crooked?
When times are good, be happy;
    but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one
    as well as the other.

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

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

Today, Dave Blow continues our look at the birth of the church in the book of Acts. What does it mean to be courageous and how can the Holy Spirit help us to have real courage in the world?

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

Prior to the teaching and just before dismissing the children to KidsPoint, Dave showed this clip from The Wizard of Oz.

Home Church Questions:

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

2. Read Acts 3:1-4:31 (preferably in multiple translations). What part of the story or sermon stood out to you most? Was there a verse, idea, or challenge that particularly encouraged or stretched you?

3. Peter and John stopped and truly saw the man at the temple gate. Who are the people in your everyday life that are easy to overlook? What might it look like to pay closer attention to them this week?

4. Peter said, “What I do have I give you.” What gifts, abilities, experiences, or resources has God given you that could be used to serve and encourage others?

5. The sermon suggested that courage is not the absence of fear but moving forward despite fear. Can you think of a time when God helped you act courageously, even when you felt uncertain or afraid?

6. The early church responded to opposition with prayer, asking for boldness rather than safety. Why do you think they prayed this way? What might it look like for us to pray for boldness in our own lives and community?

7. The sermon connected courage and spiritual warfare with everyday choices such as forgiveness, compassion, hope, and truthfulness.

8. Which of these areas feels most challenging for you right now, and how might the Holy Spirit help you grow in that area?

9. 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]

Romans 1:18-23 (ESV)

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

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

This morning was our monthly Community Sunday where we have communion together as well as have time for coffee, snacks, and fellowship after musical worship. This month, Dave offered a brief reflection on compassion as the heart of Jesus and the way of the kingdom.

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

Please find the link to the compassion survey here.

Home Church Questions:

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

2. Read Matthew 9:36 (preferably in multiple translations). What stands out to you from this passage?

3. How does Jesus's example of compassion challenge the way we think about discipleship?

4. In the Anabaptist tradition, faith is understood as something that is lived out, not merely believed. What are some practical ways compassion demonstrates our faith in everyday life?

5. What might compassionate community look like in our church today?

6. Who are the people in our community that Jesus might be calling us to notice and serve?

7. Compassion is often described as a witness to the gospel. Have you ever seen an act of compassion open a door for someone to experience God's love? What happened?

8. 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]

Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV)

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

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

This week, Dave Blow continues in our series about the early church with a message about what it looks like to life in community. The early church lived in a radical sort of community. What should ours look like?

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 2:42-47 (preferably in multiple translations). What stands out to you most about the picture of the early church in this passage? What do you find inspiring, surprising, or challenging about the way these believers lived together?

3. The early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. Which of these practices comes most naturally to you? Which one would you like to grow in?

4. Dave suggested that authentic community requires honesty rather than perfection. Why can vulnerability be difficult in church settings? What helps people feel safe enough to be genuine?

5. Shared meals played an important role in the life of the early church. Can you think of a time when hospitality, a meal, or a simple conversation helped you feel welcomed, encouraged, or connected?

6. The early Christians were known for their generosity and concern for one another. What does generosity look like beyond money? How can we be more attentive to the needs of people around us?

7. If someone observed our church community today, what signs of Christ-like love would they see? Where might God be inviting us to grow?

8. 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]

Psalms 25:1-5 (NIV)

In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.

I trust in you;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Saviour,
    and my hope is in you all day long.

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

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

This morning, Dave Blow continues our series on the beginning of the church as recorded in the book of Acts. What does it mean for the Spirit to be with us?

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. What part of the Pentecost story stands out to you most this week, and why?

3. Read Acts 2:1-21 (preferably in multiple translations). What stands out to you from this passage?

4. The disciples were told to wait before acting. Why do you think waiting on God can be difficult for us?

5. The sermon described Christianity as more than beliefs or traditions, but as life with the presence of God. What does that idea mean to you personally?

6. Peter changed dramatically after receiving the Holy Spirit. Have you ever experienced a season where God gave you unexpected courage or strength?

7. Pentecost broke down language and cultural barriers. What barriers still divide people today, including within churches?

8. Dave stated that Christians understand the Holy Spirit in different ways. How can we hold different perspectives while still maintaining unity in Christ?

9. Which aspect of the Spirit’s work do you most need in your life right now:
comfort, guidance, courage, peace, wisdom, or transformation?

10. Dave’s message connected spiritual warfare with everyday choices like forgiveness, hope, and compassion. How does that understanding differ from common ideas about spiritual warfare?

11. Where do you see the Holy Spirit at work in our community or church right now?

12. What would it look like this week to become more open and attentive to the movement of the Holy Spirit in your everyday life?

13. 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]

Ephesians 3:7-12 (NIV)

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Be in touch. Send us a text here.

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