No Longer Content
Starting January 16, 2022
No More Hiding
April 10, 2022 • Jim Moynihan
"No More Hiding" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/no-more-hiding Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. Why do you think shame is felt so universally? 2. I am not enough. I am bad. There’s something wrong with me… what other kind of statements reflect the shame we all carry because of sin? 3. How does the Gospel invite us to come “out of hiding”? 4. What kind of people do we need to be for others to feel safe to come “out of hiding” with us? 5. How may a church, our church, be a place that properly forgives and restores those caught in sin?
To Eat or Not to Eat?
April 3, 2022 • Jim Moynihan
"To Eat or Not to Eat?" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/to-eat-or-not-to-eat Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. What are examples of current “disputable matters” (Romans 14:1)? 2. What principles from 1 Corinthians and Romans stood out as most important to you in your journey right now? 3. What “boxes” are you tempted to think are the right ones? In what ways do you struggle to not judge those who are not inside your box? 4. What would living in a centered set kind of way look like for this same conviction? 5. How does living in a centered set kind of way promote true “iron sharpening iron” conversations? Suggested Resource: On Matters of Conscience, How Do You Decide? Article by David W. Jones
Challenged but not Changed
March 27, 2022 • Jim Moynihan
"Challenged but not Changed" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/challenged-but-not-changed Personal Growth/Group Discussion Questions In what areas do you feel the Holy Spirit has been challenging/convicting you but up to now there has not been a definite turning away from that sin? In practical terms, what would it look like for you to repent? That is, to have a full change of mind, that leads to a change of heart, that leads to a definite change of direction in your life? Who can you ask to walk alongside you in this?
No More Excuses
March 20, 2022
"No More Excuses" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/no-more-excuses Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion We are not praying for revival. What ARE we praying for instead? In what ways are you tempted to soften, excuse away, or even redefine what full obedience to Jesus looks like? In what ways do you see yourself responding like Saul when confronted? How does the story of Achan carry lessons for us today? What are your "messy sins" (those obvious to all)? What are your "ugly" sin (those sins of the heart that are not so obvious)?
That's Not Who We Are
March 13, 2022 • Jim Moynihan
"That's Not Who We Are" Digital Bulletin-- Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion What is the difference between Toxic Shame and Healthy Shame? Why do we need to embrace Healthy Shame? Review the list of specific sins that were presented. Which ones do you feel you need to repent of personally? In what other areas may the Lord be calling you to repent? In what areas do you feel you/we need to repent on behalf of the church?
It's Time to Wake Up
March 6, 2022 • Jim Moynihan • 2 Corinthians 8
"It's Time to Wake Up" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/its-time-to-wake-up Personal Growth/Group Discussion Questions In what specific areas of your life do you feel Jesus wants you to "wake up"? What will you do in response to today's message?
Concerned or Appalled?
February 27, 2022 • Jim Moynihan • Ezra 9
"Concerned or Appalled?" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/concerned-or-appalled Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion The below questions may include personal and corporate sins. 1. What areas of sin have you truthfully become comfortable with? 2. What areas of sin are you concerned about, but not yet appalled? 3. Ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit of grace and supplication to move your heart(s) toward a proper repentance of sin (Zechariah 12:10). Spend time listening to the Lord, asking Him to reveal by His Spirit those areas of that He wants His Church to be appalled at.
My House Lies in Ruins
February 20, 2022 • Jim Moynihan
"My House Lies in Ruins" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/my-house-lies-in-ruins Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion When I examine my current daily/weekly rhythms, in what ways am I too busy to be working hard in the building up of this church and furthering God’s Kingdom? What activities reflect that I am in fact NOT seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33)? What trials/difficulties have caused you to stop working hard for the Kingdom? What do you feel God may be saying to you, or to others, in this season? If sharing with others, be careful that you do not preach your “soapbox” issues. This is often self-righteousness cloaked in pious statements. Share humbly. Allow others to discern with you if your statements are from the Lord.
What Do You Want Me to Do for You?
February 13, 2022 • Jim Moynihan • Mark 10:35–52
"What Do You Want Me to Do for You?" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/what-do-you-want-me-to-do-for-you Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. In what ways are we at times easily offended by our brothers and sisters in Christ? Why do you think? 2. What stands out most about the exchange Bartimaeus had with Jesus? 3. Consider memorizing the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) and praying through regularly. 4. Share with your group (or at least person this week) what you would like ask Jesus to do for you.
Break it Up!
February 6, 2022 • Jim Moynihan • Psalm 139:23–24, Titus 2:11–14, Hosea 10:12
"Break it Up!" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/break-it-up Questions for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion •Why you do think hesed (unconditional-covenant love between God and one another) leads to JOY? •Why do you think hesed and joy are two essential nutrients in the soil of our hearts for spiritual growth and transformation? •Why is essential to break up the unplowed ground and remove the thorns/weeds in our life through God revealing and our repenting? •Use the handout to continue to ask the Lord to reveal those areas of your life than need to be broken up, turned over, the weeds rake out, etc. Take adequate time to confess (to admit to God, yourself, and if need be, others) and then repent (turn away from) of these “weeds”. •Share with at least one other person this week what you sense God is breaking up in your life and whatever weeds He may have revealed.
From Bitterness to Abundance
January 30, 2022 • Jim Moynihan • Exodus 15:22–27
"From Bitterness to Abundance" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/from-bitterness-to-abundance Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. Why is a root of bitterness so dangerous? See Hebrews 12:14-16. 2. Ask the Lord to reveal any “wells of bitterness” in your heart. Write them down. 3. Name the emotion attached to these wells. Is it anger? Pain? Envy? Judgmental spirit? Pride? Etc. Ask the Lord to show you what life in the Spirit would mean for you even if the situations causing the pain/anger do not change. 4. Go through that list and ask the Lord to give you the ability to lament and repent these wells of bitterness (we will be talking about this more in the upcoming weeks, but start praying now). 5. Review the list of Proud People and Humble People prayerfully once more.
The Heart God Revives
January 23, 2022 • Jim Moynihan
"The Heart God Revives" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/the-heart-god-revives Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. Biblically speaking, what is the heart that God revives? Draw from the principles shared in this message and other principles from God’s Word. 2. Pray through the proposed definition of “brokenness”. What area stands out to you as the one you may need to focus on especially right now? 3. Mediate on Psalm 24. Ask the Lord “God, are my hands clean? Is my heart pure?” 4. Pray through the Proud People/Humble People worksheet.
No Longer Content
January 16, 2022 • Jim Moynihan
"No Longer Content" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/no-longer-content Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion Leonard Ravenhill once said, “As long as we are content to live without revival, we will.” What are some biblical principles behind seeking the Lord for revival? Review “The Cycle of Revival”. How have you seen this to be true in your own life personally? What are examples in the Bible or in church history that you may know of? Review Hosea 10:12. What do you think it means to “break up the fallow ground” and to “sow seeds of righteousness”? Ask the Lord this week to stir up a hunger for the Holy Spirit to renew/revive your heart personally and that of our church and community.