A Day At The Beach: Are You Outta Your Mind?

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A Day At The Beach: Are You Outta Your Mind?

August 18, 2024 • Garry Firth • Luke 4:18–20, Luke 8:26–39

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1. When is your favourite time to go to the beach? When it's sunny, warm and calm or when it’s windy and stormy?

2. Read Luke 8:26-27. What are your initial thoughts about what happened on the beach that day?

3. Read Luke 8:29. In what ways do people today experience forms of bondage or oppression, either physically, mentally or spiritually? How can the truth of Jesus' power and authority bring hope and deliverance? Have you experienced a situation where you felt bound by something beyond your control? How does this verse encourage you to seek Jesus' deliverance and freedom?

4. Read Luke 8:32-33. What does giving the demons permission to go into the pigs reveal about Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm?

5. Read Luke 8:37. How do you tend to respond when God's actions disrupt your life? How can you cultivate a heart that welcomes Jesus' presence and transformative power, even when it might lead to difficult or uncomfortable changes in your life?

6. Read Luke 8:38-39. How can you follow the example of the man by sharing what God has done in your life with those around you? What might hold you back from doing so, and how could you overcome these obstacles?

A Day At The Beach: Breaky On The Beach

August 25, 2024 • Garry Firth • John 21:1–19, Acts 2:22–41, John 13:33–38, Mark 14:66–72, Mark 16:4–7

1. Garry shared his ‘beach fail’ as he ended up water skiing right through another family’s picnic. Share a time when you ‘failed’ at something. 2. Read John 13:33-38. In what ways was Peter being impulsive in this conversation? Why do you think Jesus responded to Peter with a question, "Will you really lay down your life for me?" What is the significance of this rhetorical question? 3. Read Mark 14:66-72. How can you relate to Peter’s fear of being associated with Jesus? Garry described how there were times in his life when he downplayed his relationship with Jesus. Have there been times when you have denied or downplayed your faith or beliefs under pressure? What was the pressure? 4. Read John 21:1-9, 15-19. How do these verses speak to the themes of restoration and renewed purpose, particularly in the context of Peter’s previous denial of Jesus? In what ways do these verses encourage you? 5. Read John 14:15-17. Peter was able to experience real, lasting change because of the Holy Spirit living in him. How does Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit impact you? 6. Read Acts 2:22-24,36-41. How does Peter’s bold proclamation in this passage reflect his transformation (change) from the cowardly Peter who denied Jesus before His crucifixion to being such a bold preacher? How was this change possible?

A Day At The Beach: "Stand Up"

August 11, 2024 • Garry Firth • John 5:1–14

1. Do you prefer swimming in a pool or in the ocean? 2. Read John 5:5-6. Share a time when you were asked a seemingly ‘stupid question’. Why did Jesus ask the man if he wanted to get well? Despite the man’s obvious condition, Jesus still asked if he wanted to be healed. What might this suggest about the importance of desire and willingness in the process of healing or change? 3. The man had been an invalid for thirty-eight years, which is a long time to be in such a state. What do you think the man’s condition symbolizes? (a spiritual or emotional state as well as a physical one?) How might this relate to situations in our own lives? 4. Read John 5:8. Why did Jesus command the man to pick up his mat and walk? Jesus’ command could be seen as a call to get out of a state of spiritual paralysis or stagnation. How might this verse inspire us to "stand up" from situations where we feel stuck or helpless? 5. Read John 5:14. What might Jesus be referring to when He warns the man about the consequences of sin? How could sin lead to a condition worse than physical disability? Following Jesus is active, not passive. What is your next step on your journey of following Jesus?

A Day At The Beach: "Come, Follow Me"

August 4, 2024 • Garry Firth • Matthew 4:18–22, Luke 5:1–11

1. What is your favourite activity to do at the beach? What’s the best beach you’ve ever been to and what made it so great? 2. “A day at the beach” is a saying or phrase that people often use to describe a day that was good, easy and fun but also to describe a day that was anything but good, easy or fun. Which way do you tend to use that phrase? 3. Read Luke 5:1-7. In what areas of your life is Jesus calling you to “put out into deep water” and trust him more fully? 4. How do you respond when Jesus asks you to do something that seems illogical or contrary to your experience? 5. Read Luke 5:8-11. How do you tend to respond to Jesus’ call in your own life? Are there areas where you feel unworthy or afraid? 6. What does it mean to "leave everything" and follow Jesus in today's context? Take some time to read through the book of Luke.