Say What? Shake & Shine

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Say What? Shake & Shine

February 4, 2024 • Garry Firth • Matthew 5:13–16

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Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life:

1. What’s your favourite Disney movie – animated or real? (Snow White, Little Mermaid, Moana, Toy Story, etc.)

2. Who are you? How would you answer that question?

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13)

What thoughts come to mind when you hear that? Are you flattered? Insulted? Confused?

3. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” (Matthew 5:13)

What comes up for you when you hear that? What are some ways that we (the church) have lost our saltiness?

4. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5 14-16)

What stands out to you in these verses? What do you think Jesus is referring to when people hide the light?

5. As salt (identity) we are to preserve culture and society (purpose) and as light (identity) we are to illuminate the darkness in the world (purpose). Brainstorm some ways you can do that as a group or an individual. Who is someone you could be salt & light to? Pray for that person and the opportunity to be salt and light.

Say What? Ask, Seek, Knock

May 12, 2024 • Peter Bird • Matthew 7:7–11, Luke 18:42

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. What are your first thoughts about prayer? Read Matthew 7:7-11. 2. What are your first impressions of Jesus' words in these verses? 3. How do you make sense of unanswered prayer? How has it or does it affect your trust in God? 4. What has your experience been with prayer? Do you find it easy or difficult? Why? 5. What do you think it means that “prayer is not a task of expediency, but a practice of intimacy”? How does this idea change the way you pray?

Say What? Here Comes the Judge

May 5, 2024 • Garry Firth • Luke 18:10–12, Matthew 7:1–6

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. Would you consider yourself a judgmental person? 2. Share a time when you judged someone prematurely. What did you learn from that experience? 3. Read Luke 18:9-14. How do you relate to the two men in this story? We heard how we all judge people, oftentimes without even being aware of it. Are you tempted to say, “At least I’m not like that Pharisee?” 4. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2) How would you summarise the meaning of "Do not judge, or you too will be judged"? What might be some misconceptions about this verse, and how would you address them? 5. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5) What is the plank or log in your own eye that gets in the way of loving others the way Jesus asks us to? How can we overcome the tendency to judge others while neglecting our own faults? 6. “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6) How do you interpret the symbolism of dogs and pigs in this verse? How might this verse inform our approach to sharing our faith or discussing spiritual matters with others? What steps will you take to help you be a better judge?

Say What? Don't Worry 'Bout It

April 28, 2024 • Garry Firth • Matthew 6:25–33

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. We heard how worrying begins with having a ‘bad feeling that something might or could happen.’ What are some things you tend to worry about? 2. Jesus said that by worrying no one can add a single hour to their life. If that’s true, why do you think we tend to worry? 2. We heard about God’s providence and how he will provide us with what we really need (which may or may not be what we think we need.) When we don’t get what we think we need, we can become discouraged and confused. But then after time passes and we look back, we can see how God provided for us by not giving us what we thought we needed. Share a time from your life like this. 3. What are some reasons you believe in the existence of God? How has believing in God helped you make sense of suffering in your life and the sometimes seemingly randomness of life? 4. Matthew begins and ends his story of Jesus by showing how Jesus is always with us. In what ways can that help you deal with worry? 5. Jesus said, “But seek first his (God’s) kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) Garry described how he still struggles with worry every now and then and how he’s working on shortening the time between him dealing with worry on his own and going to God for help. How quickly do you tend to go to God when you are worried about something? What would help you shorten that time? 6. So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:31-34) Share with your connection group or a friend whatever current worry you have and pray about it together.