Say What? - The Meeting Place Church

Say What? So What Are You Going To Do?

May 26, 2024 • Garry Firth • Matthew 7:24–27, John 16:33

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. What is the most memorable speech you have ever heard? What made it so memorable? 2. Open your Bible or Bible app to Matthew chapters 5-7 and read some of the paragraph headings. What are some things that Jesus taught that apply to your life now? How do these closing verses connect to the previous teachings in chapters 5-7? 3. What does it mean to "build your house on the rock" in your own life? What are some ways that you can apply this principle in practical, everyday terms? 4. Read Matthew 7:24-28. What stood out for you and why? 5. Jesus says we are wise if we put into practice the things he taught. Why do we often choose not to?

Say What? Won't Get Fooled Again

May 19, 2024 • Russ Smith • Galatians 5:22–23, James 2:14–17, John 10:9, Matthew 7:13–23

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. That old saying goes: Fool me once - shame on you. Fool me twice - shame on me. (or according to George W. Bush: can’t get fooled again) Are you fooling yourself about anything in your life these days? What is it? 2. Check out again the spiritual fruit mentioned in the message that’s found in Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT): But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 3. In the message, Russ said: “Legitimate spiritual fruit comes from following Jesus. So if you’re a Jesus-follower and there’s no sign of fruit in your life, you might want to ask God why that is. Otherwise, you might just be fooling yourself.” So if you’re a Jesus-follower: Got any fruit? How’s your fruit? 4. Matthew 7:21-23 has some troubling words from Jesus: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” What do you think about that? 5. There’s that scene from the movie Prince Caspian where Caspian says he doesn’t think he’s ready to be a king and then Aslan responds “It’s for that very reason, I know you are.” How do you think that’s similar to our relationship with Jesus?

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.

Say What? One Ultimate Priority

April 21, 2024 • Russ Smith • Matthew 6:19–24, 1 Timothy 6:17–19

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. Have you ever had an investment turn out poorly? What happened? 2. Jesus talked about storing up treasures in heaven. What do you think about that? 3. Russ said, “Where you spend your time ends up being what you treasure, and what you treasure is likely where you’ll spend your time.” What do you think about this statement? 4. If you had to answer honestly, what would you say is your one ultimate priority in your life? 5. What are some ways you could give away some of your time? How about your talent? Your treasure? 6. Russ told a story of how a guy named Bill invested in him, and how Russ invested in a guy named Jon, and how Jon ended up being a pastor to Bill. Who is someone that invested in you? What did they do, and how did that impact you?

Say What? Poor, Poor Me

April 14, 2024 • Garry Firth • Matthew 6:16–18

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. Have you ever had to fast for a blood test or some other reason? How long did you have to fast and what was your experience? What did you miss the most? (caffeine, carbs, candy, etc.) 2. In this message we heard how people fasted when they desired to see God move in a powerful way or work in a particular way at a particular time. Have you ever practiced fasting or observed others fasting? If so, what was your experience? 3. “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting.” (Matthew 6:16) Jesus advises his followers not to appear somber while fasting but to maintain a joyful appearance. What do you think is the significance of this advice? 4. “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:17-18) In these verses Jesus mentions how when we fast in the right way, and with the right motive God will reward us. What is the reward? Is it God doing what you asked him to do or is it something else? 5. Garry shared his experience of a time when he fasted. Have you ever fasted? If so, what was your experience and what benefits or insights did you experience through your time of fasting? If not, why haven’t you fasted? 6. What else stood out to you from today’s message? Take some time this week to think and pray about fasting and whether it’s something you feel called to do. Maybe it’s to pray for a friend, the city, our country, TMP or something in your own life. Maybe start with skipping one meal. Or maybe skip lunch for the week. How you choose to do it is up to you. Of course, if your health doesn’t allow you to miss a meal, choose something else to abstain from for a time (TV, social media, etc.)

Say What? Here's How to Pray

April 7, 2024 • Sylvia Thomson • Matthew 6:9–15

Here are some questions to help you process this message: 1. Would you say you are an extrovert or introvert? (One word only!) 2. Let’s talk about prayer: Everyone has their own unique way of praying–none is better than the other and it’s important to respect each other's preferences. How do you pray? In your head? On paper? Out loud but privately while you drive or walk? Formally, eyes closed and hands folded on your lap? 3. What do you call God when you pray? Father, Jesus, Lord, God…or something else? 4. Who taught you how to pray? 5. How has your prayer life changed over time? 6. How have you experienced answers to prayer? Share any challenges you may have about prayer with your group. 7. Spend a few minutes praying for each other. It doesn’t have to be out loud–it can be awkward silence, too. :) 8. Read John 17:20-26, where Jesus prays for believers. Discuss what it means to be one with Jesus - what does unity look like in the church today? 9. Read Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul’s prayer for the early church. 10. Take time to pray for the church

Say What? Go To Your Room

March 24, 2024 • Garry Firth • Matthew 6:5–8

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8) 1. If you were sent to your room as a kid, what led to you being sent there? 2. “And when you pray…” Jesus is assuming that those listening & following him (back then and today) are praying. When do you find you tend to pray? Regularly? Mostly as a last resort? 3. How does the idea of rewards influence your motivation for prayer? How can we ensure that our motivations for prayer are aligned with seeking God's will, rather than seeking personal rewards? 4. Garry described how the conversations he and his wife had during the chaos of the day were different from the conversations they had when they were alone with no distractions or interruptions. Discuss the idea of prayer as a personal and intimate conversation with God. How does the truth that you are able to talk with God (the creator of everything, including you!) anytime, anywhere, without an appointment impact you? 5. How does hearing someone pray using big fancy words and phrases make you feel? “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” Garry told how those words of Jesus took the pressure off because he came to the realisation that he didn’t have to use big words or fancy phrases when he talked with God. He could just be himself. How do those words of Jesus impact you? 6. How does knowing that God already knows what you need before you ask him, change your understanding of prayer? We heard in the message that the important part of prayer isn’t the requests, it's the relationship. Do you agree or disagree, and why? 7. What else stood out for you in this message? Take time this week to reflect on these words from Jesus and look at what changes or adjustments you might make in your own prayer practices to make them better.

Say What? Give a Hoot - Don't Toot

March 17, 2024 • Russ Smith • Matthew 6:1–4

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: What Jesus said in Matthew 6:1-4 is the background for this: "Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do - blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." 1. Russ told a story about Secret Santa leaving gifts for his friend. Has someone ever secretly given things to you? What happened? 2. Have you ever felt like maybe you were actually giving (your time, talent, treasure) so that you could be admired by other people? 3. Without revealing how you give (because then it wouldn’t be so secret), what are some ways we can give without making a show of it? 4. Russ mentioned this in the message–we give our time & talent & treasure because: It demonstrates that God has first place in my life. It reminds me that everything I have was given to me by God. It expresses my gratitude to God for all he’s given to me. What do you think about that? 5. If you’re not currently giving (your time, talent, treasure) at TMP, what would need to happen to change that? 6. There’s so much happening at TMP with our vision and mission because people are giving. We can thank God for that!

Say What? Love Who?

March 10, 2024 • Garry Firth • Matthew 5:38–48, Romans 12:17–18, Romans 5:8

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. What is your favourite movie genre? (action, romance, fantasy) Why? What is it you like about them? 2. We heard how we have a natural tendency to escalate violence. Why do you think that is? How do you tend to respond when you experience some kind of injustice (falsely accused, betrayed etc) or you see injustice happening in the world (war, corrupt governments taking advantage of people etc)? 3. “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person…” (Matthew 5:38-39) What thoughts come to mind when you hear/read Jesus’ teaching? What did Jesus mean exactly? Are we to be doormats and never fight back or stand up for what is right? As followers of Jesus, what would standing up for ourselves or others look like? 4. “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” (Matthew 5:39-41) What principle do you think Jesus is trying to teach in these verses? How would these different scenarios show up in real life now? 5. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:43-44) St. Augustine said: “Many have learned how to offer the other cheek, but do not know how to love him by whom they are struck.” Who is someone that you find hard to love? What would you have to do in order to begin praying for them? 6. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Do you find those words encouraging or crushing? Why? Of course, we by ourselves will never be perfect. We are only made perfect by what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection. As a follower of Jesus, when God looks at you he sees Jesus - the perfect sacrifice. This week set aside some time to reflect on how (in contrast to Liam Neeson who said, “I will look for you, I will find you and I will kill you”), Jesus said, “I will look for you, I will find you and I will die for you.”

Say What? Eyes Wide Open

March 3, 2024 • Garry Firth • John 3:17, Matthew 5:31–37

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. When it comes to getting into the water, are you a ‘walker’ or a ‘jumper’? 2. Divorce is something that has impacted most if not all of us. How old were you when you first remember someone getting divorced? How did it impact you? 3. “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce. But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Matthew 5:31-32 NIV) How have you understood those words of Jesus? In what way did your understanding of them change? 4. What else stood out to you from this message? 5. What is some helpful, practical advice that you could pass on to a young couple who are planning on getting married or have recently been married that you’ve learned in your marriage or from someone else who is married? Take time this week to pray for your own marriage (if applicable) and the marriages of those people you know especially those who have just been married.

Say What? Lingering Desire

February 25, 2024 • Garry Firth • Matthew 5:27–30, Genesis 3:6

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. How did you deal with anger this past week? Did you Stay, Pray or Go Away - not necessarily in that order? 2. What was it that first attracted you to your significant other (if applicable) or to your ‘first love’ in grade school? 3. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28) Jesus raised the bar and widened the circle. He raised it by redefining adultery and widened the circle to include everyone. What do you think about that? Why do you think he did that? 4. What are some examples of hyperbole that we use today? (My feet are killing me. I’ve told you 20,000 times. etc.) If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5:29-30) Jesus is using hyperbole - an exaggerated statement or claim NOT to be taken literally but used to emphasize an important point. What point was Jesus trying to emphasize in these verses? 5. The temptation to lust (have a very strong sexual desire for someone we shouldn’t) is all around us. (TV shows, movies, advertising, books, magazines, web sites, etc.) We heard that one way to keep from lusting is to bounce our eyes - to look but then to look away quickly. What are some other ways or other things we can do to help us from lusting and ultimately committing adultery in our hearts? 6. What else stood out to you in this message? Take some time this week to ask yourself what you might need to “cut away” to help you avoid the temptation of lust.

Say What? Ok I'm Angry - What Do I Do With It?

February 18, 2024 • Russ Smith • Matthew 5:21–26, Psalm 109:8–13

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. We all get angry sometimes. What’s your anger level like these days? 2. Jesus raised the bar and said that even being angry with someone is like murdering them. What do you think about that? 3. We keep bringing these messages back to this Big Point: We are not made right with God by anything we do, but by what Jesus has done for us. Where are you at with that statement? Stay. Pray. Go Away. (and not necessarily in that order) 4. Can you think of a time when you were angry and you decided to STAY? (example: Instead of unleashing a bunch of angry words, you told yourself “Stay!” and kept yourself from talking) 5. When in your life did you PRAY when you were angry? (example: You said “Lord Jesus help me now!” in an angry moment, or you went to God later and shared your anger with him) 6. What do you think about the idea of taking our anger to God in prayer because he can take it (while the people in our lives might not be able to, and perhaps they shouldn’t have to)? 7. Has there been a time when you decided to GO AWAY when you were angry? (examples: You walked away from a situation because you were angry, or you realized you needed to go fix a problem you had with someone.) 8. Is there anyone in your life that you need to go fix things with (example: apologize for something you said)? What’s stopping you from doing that?

Say What? Losing My Religion

February 11, 2024 • Garry Firth • Matthew 5:17–20, Matthew 23:1–5, Matthew 23:27–28, Matthew 11:28–30

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. How would you define the word religion? What thoughts or images come up for you when you hear the words religion or religious? Are they positive or negative? Why? 2. In the message we heard this definition of religion: “Religion is a tiresome system of manmade dos and don’ts, woulds and shoulds impotent to change human lives but tragically capable of devastating them.” Do you agree or disagree? What has your experience of ‘religion’ been? 3. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20) What feelings come up for you when you read or hear that? Do you feel like you have no chance of being on God’s good side because you don’t see yourself as being good enough or do you feel something else? 4. Read Philippians 3:5-9. In what ways does his story encourage you? In what ways do you see yourself in Paul’s story? 5. What else stood out for you from this message? 6. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG) That’s Jesus’ invitation to you. What would it look like for you to take him up on it?