IMO (In My Opinion)
IMO (In My Opinion): You Don't Have What It Takes
March 26, 2023 • Garry Firth • Luke 18:9–14, Matthew 5:21–22, Matthew 5:27–28, Matthew 5:43–44, Philippians 3:9
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. How old were you when you got your first job? What was it? 2. What thoughts or emotions come up for you when you hear the word ‘religion’? Are they positive or negative? 3. What stood out for you the most from today’s message or the series? 4. Read Luke 18:9-14. Righteousness and are big theological words that generally aren’t part of our everyday language yet they are important to our understanding of our need for Jesus and having a relationship with him. What do those words mean to you? 5. Read Luke 18:13-14. The Taxman prayed the simplest yet most life changing, eternity altering prayers we can pray - God, have mercy on me, a sinner. It’s an honest, raw and real prayer that acknowledges our standing before God. It’s a prayer that brings true freedom because it frees us from trying to earn God’s love or forgiveness as he extends his mercy and grace to us. Print or write it out and put it in a place where you can see it everyday as a reminder of God’s goodness and who we are in his sight. If you haven’t prayed that prayer we would encourage you to and if you do, let us know - mailto:admin@themeetingplace.org - because we’d love to help you as you continue on your journey with Jesus.
IMO (In My Opinion): You Should Be Happy
March 19, 2023 • Russ Smith • Matthew 5:1, Luke 6:17, Matthew 5:1–10
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. Russ mentioned that (in his opinion), Gina’s Mexican Cafe has the best Mexican food in Nanaimo. Who do you think has great Mexican food around here? 2. That opening song “Happy” by Pharrell said “Clap along if you know what happiness is to you”. So what is happiness to you? 3. What stood out to you from the Beatitudes and the sermon on the mount? 4. Maybe part of being “poor in spirit” is found in the statements “God can only pour out his blessings on those who are not too full of themselves” and “There has to be an emptying in our lives before there can be a filling.”. What do you think about that? 5. The challenge from this message is to consider those words of Jesus in the Beatitudes, read them again this week, and ask God what he’s trying to tell you through them. You’ll find them in Matthew 5:1-10.
IMO (In My Opinion): You'll Never Change
March 12, 2023 • Garry Firth • Acts 9:1–9, Acts 9:18–26, Ephesians 2:1–5, 1 Timothy 1:16, Acts 22:3
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. What are some changes that you have made in your life? (city, career, hairstyle etc) 2. Do you like change or dislike change? 3. Read Acts 7:57-8:3, 9:1-2, and Galatians 1:13-14. What stuck out to you in the descriptions of Saul’s “former life?” Would you believe someone like that could truly change? 4. What stood out to you the most in this week’s message? 5. In your opinion, do you think you can really change? How are you tempted to clean yourself up or try harder before coming to God?
IMO (In My Opinion): You Should Give Up
March 5, 2023 • Garry Firth • John 8:41, 1 Samuel 17
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. How often do you use social media? Which platforms do you use? 2. We were presented with the idea that opinions move from being a judgement not necessarily based on fact to becoming the truth. Do you agree? Why/Why Not? 3. Read 1 Samuel 17:28 and 33. In what ways can you relate to what people had to say about David? Describe a time when someone shared a less than encouraging opinion about you with you. How did you respond to it? 4. Read 1 Samuel 17:34-37 These verses speak to David’s relationship with God. He is confident that God will be with him and give him victory. Describe a time when God has shown up in a situation. 5. What was your biggest take away from this week’s message?