What Sort of Man: Feed My Sheep

Sermon Preparation Guide for John 21:15-19

Use however much of this guide is helpful to you in engaging with the passage to be preached on this coming Sunday [October 11]. Our goal is that you get to meet directly with God and hear from Him before hearing from anyone else about what God wants to tell you through His word. 

Getting to know you:

What's the most abundant breakfast you can remember eating? 

Getting to know the bible:

Read John 21.15-19. What strikes you? What questions does it make you wonder about? 

Pull back. Read the passage but this time begin at verse 1 (aka John 21:1-19). What strikes you this time? What questions does it make you wonder about? 

What do you learn about the sort of man Jesus is?

Pull back even further. Read John 13:34-38. Now re-read John 21:15-19. What do you learn about the heart of Christ? How does He desire us to respond to who He is? 

Applying myself to this message: 

How would you answer Jesus' question to Peter? How would Christ respond to your answer? 

Consider an area in your life where God is asking for your obedience or service. What resources are you using to accomplish this work? 

Where does the food come from that they eat for breakfast in this story?  When God calls us to do a great work of obedience, where does the strength/supply/power come from to get the job done? 

How might this passage shape how you understand your partnership with Christ as you follow Him in obedience? 

What Sort of Man: Pt. 2 Tempted

We're starting off our second decade as a church by spending some time getting to know Jesus even better. Use these study guides on your own to prepare for sermons and to discuss in our Community Under Development, which meets Wednesday nights at 7pm at the church office.

Getting to Know you:

What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done because you were hungry? 

Getting to know the bible:

1) What state do you think you'd be in after going without food for 1 day? How about 40 days? What state do you expect Jesus to be in after going without food for 40 days?

2) Read Luke 4:1-5

What strikes you? 

3) Read Deuteronomy 8. 

Deuteronomy 8 heeds the Israelites to remember and obey. What are the Israelites told to remember? What do youobserve about the type of obedience the Lord expects from them? 

4) what is similar between these two passages? 

5) how do Luke 4 and Deuteronomy 8 help you answer, "what sort of man is this Jesus?" 

Applying myself to this message:

6) What do you feel like you are entitled to that you currently have or think you should have? (Rights, privileges, possessions, etc. be specific). Take another minute, get honest and thoughtful. Try to answer the question again. Based on how Jesus behaves in Luke 4:1-5, how would you describe his sense of entitlement ?  What do you learn about him and yourself in this comparison? How might you thank or praise Christ for who He is?

7) Luke 4:4 quotes Deuteronomy 8, "Man shall not live on bread alone.'" What do you live on? On what do you rely to getby from day to day? How is that different from what God was trying to teach the Israelites in the dessert? How is that different from how Jesus faced the temptation of Satan in his state of hunger and vulnerability? 

Consider picking one "bread" (one thing you rely on to get by from day to day) and try resisting using it for one day, maybe one week, and as you struggle with that temptation, meditate on Christ as a man who knows that struggle withyou, and as the God that supplies your source of life (Deuteronomy 8:3 - maybe even read/recite/memorize this verse in place of consuming your "bread"). 

For further Reading:
Hebrews 5.7-9

Hebrews 4.14-16

Ephesians 4:17-27

Getting to Know You: What is your favorite commercial?

Getting to Know the Bible:

1)    Read Ephesians 4:17-27.

a.     What strikes you?

b.     What encourages you?

c.     What challenges you?

2)    How have you learned and been taught Christ that is in contrast to the blindness described in verses 17-19?

3)    Read Ephesians 4:14-15.

a.     How are verses 17-24 and expansion on the same point as verses 14-15 of chapter 4?

Applying Myself to This Message:

What is one way in which you need to “put off the old” right now, and be renewed, putting on the “new man”?

Sermon Prep: Ephesians 4:25-32

Getting to Know You: What is one bad habit you’ve managed to break? What motivated you to do so?  

Getting to Know the Bible:

1)    In verses 25-27, what do you learn about

a.     speaking truth to one another

b.     b) anger?

2)    This is not just a simple do and don’t list. It gives a helpful picture of WHY behaviors are to be removed ~ and replaced. What are those pictures?

a.     What does that tell you about God’s instructions? Purposes?  

3)    Consider the call to forgiveness here. [vs. 32] What do you learn about forgiveness? Try re-reading the whole chapter with forgiveness in mind. Who might you need to forgive? How does this scripture empower you to do so?

Applying Myself to This Message:

What would happen if we headed these instructions?

How would you be more complete?

How would the Body of Christ function better?

Ephesians 4:7-16 Sermon Prep

Getting to Know You:

1)    Consider your childhood, what was a trick, lie, false story someone was able to get you to believe?

2)    Describe a time and place when you felt like you truly belonged.

Getting to Know the Bible:

Read Ephesians 4:7-16

1)    Does anything feel contradictory or confusing on your first reading? Spend an extra few minutes [or come back to it at least once on another day] praying about that and thinking through what doesn’t seem simple to understand.

2)    Read verse 8. This is a reference back to Psalm 68:18. Take a look at that verse. What is different about how it is quoted here in Ephesians? What do you make of the difference?

3)    What does Christian maturity look like? When and how can it be reached? Who needs to be involved for it to be achieved? [extra credit: per the phrase in vs. 13 “until we all attain . . .” for more on this read Hebrews 11. How does it make you feel to consider that the people mentioned there are waiting to experience glory until you can join them?!?]

4)    Read verses 14 and 15. How doe these two verses present contrasting pictures? Whose well-being is prioritized by the forces moving the children [cunning men in verse 14] versus the maturing Christians [Christian brothers and sisters in vs. 15]?

5)    Read verse 16. Describe what it looks like or means for the Body of Christ to undergo bodily growth. How does this happen? What are/will things be like when this does happen?

6)    What do you learn about God from this passage?

7)    Still can’t get enough? I know! This is so good!! ;) Read the book of Colossians. Highlight where you see inspiration that might have been used to write this passage in Ephesians. How does this enhance your insight on the message of the passage?

How Do I Apply Myself to This Message?

Verse 11 describes some of the gifts God has given the Body of Christ, namely, ministers to serve it and equip us to be built up in maturity. How have you been built up by Christian ministers/brothers/sisters? Are you living in a way that makes good use of those gifts?

Read 1 Corinthians 13. How are you doing you part in building our group up in love? Do you use your gifts to do so? If you don’t feel you are doing that, how might you?

Read verse 15. Work on memorizing this verse. As you commit the words to memory, meditate on the meaning and instruction. Consider how you can internalize this command and live it out.  

Ephesians 4:1-10 Sermon Prep

Getting to Know You: What is something about yourself that you like best that makes you unique?

Getting to Know the Bible:

Read Ephesians 4:1-10

1)    What does it look like to “to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (hint: vs. 2-3)?

Gifts: Unity BUT Diversity                                                               Read Ephesians 4:1-7

2)    What does it look like to be “completely humble and gentle?” When have you seen it? (vs. 2)

3)    What unifies us as Christians? (vs. 4-6) What diversifies us as Christians? (vs. 7) Why would God introduce diversity into something He wants to be unified? How is this an exhibition of grace towards us?

4)    What do our gifts from Christ have to do with Christ filling all things? (vs. 10)

Gifts where there used to be Law                                           Read Ephesians 4:8-10

“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the letter (of the Law) kills, but the (Holy) Spirit gives life.”

~2 Corinthians 3:6

5)    In these verses, Paul alludes to Moses “coming down” with the 10 commandments (see Exodus 20; Psalm 68:18). What’s different about receiving the 10 commandments and receiving the gifts of Christ through the Holy Spirit?

How do I Apply Myself to This Message?

How well are you currently doing at leading “a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called”? What is one thing you could start doing differently this week to be doing better?

In specific observance of your day today, how do you see an example and experience the gift of Christ’s grace that He has given to each of us?

Ephesians Series Resumed

May 31: Potluck Sunday

Read all of Ephesians Chapter 4

1)    Read the chapter again and identify which three words ring out to you as important when you read this chapter? [try readying through and circling key words as you go]

2)    Read the chapter again [this might be on a separate day from the above] and identify at least one verse that you could underline in this chapter that brings you encouragement or hope?

a.     Consider trying to memorize this verse over the course of this next month’s sermon series. Write it out and post it somewhere you will see it often – a mirror, car dashboard, on the back of your phone.

3)    Read the chapter again and identify at least one verse that you would highlight as raising a challenge or question for you?

a.     How would you state that question? [ex: What does he mean when he says . . . ? Why is it so hard for me to apply . . . ? How can it be this way and that way at the same time? How to I reconcile myself to the fact that the Bible says . . . ?] Hold onto that question, find the bold courage to wrestle with it. Listen closely to the upcoming sermon series to see if your question is addressed from the pulpit. [consider even contacting Zoë Reyes [zoefaithreyes@gmail.com] or Dan Wells to share your question] Pay close attention to your quiet times of prayer and study over the sermon prep and community group discussion to see if God offers you insight to either answer or help your revise your question. At the end of the series, see where you stand, how you feel about the question you’ve articulated. If you’re in a community group, consider making a point of circling back around to these questions with each other at the end of the series.  

Game Changer: Setbacks

Getting to Know You: Consider and describe a time when you were pursuing a goal [advancing your career, trying to provide for yourself/family, developing a creation] and experienced a setback of some kind.

Getting to Know the Bible:

1)    Read Acts 16:16-40

a.     What strikes you?

b.     How was the woman with the spirit of divination serving to advance her masters? How was this woman serving to advance Paul? Why would Paul make the counter-intuitive choice to free her of the spirit within her?

c.     In addition to freeing this woman of the spirit within her, what other setbacks did Paul embrace? How was the Kingdom of God advanced by Paul’s setbacks?

2)    Read 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

a.     What strikes you?

b.     How is embracing Christ a setback to Christians? How is Christ’s resurrection a Game Changer in terms of pursuing our own goals? Considering setbacks?  

How Do I Apply Myself to This Message?

Many of us see setbacks as a hindrance but Paul sees them as opportunities.  How can we learn to see our setbacks with eyes of faith?

Game Changer: Good Things

Revision on Acts 14.8-20: Good Things

The more Dan prepared to preach on this passage, the more he was drawn to the theme of good things, rather than success.

1)    Identify some of the “good things” that people experience or receive referenced in this passage [hint: verse 10, 15, 17]. Who gives each of these good things? Who gets credit for these good things?

Gratitude is a good things, but this passage and Dan’s sermon taught us that being grateful for good things can be problematic when a) we look at good things as ultimate things or b) we treasure/worship the good thing above the giver of the good thing. We need to shift our mind and hearts from good things to the giver of good things.

2)    Read James 1:17. Rewrite this verse in your own words. Try practicing embracing this truth. Make a list of three “good things” in your life, be as specific as possible. For each of these things, is your heart tied more to the good thing, or to the Giver of the goodness of the thing, God? Spend some time using specific examples to thank God for being the giver of all good gifts.

Game Changer: Success [Sermon Prep for May 17]

Getting to Know You:

Recount a time when something you accomplished gained some glory or notoriety. What kind of attention did you get? How did it feel? How hard had you worked for that praise?

Getting to Know the Bible:

Read Acts 14:8-20

1) What strikes you?

2) Sketch a brief simple outline of the public sentiment on Paul and Barnabas [how do the crowds feel about them from one moment to the next?]

3) What did the lame man do to earn his healing?

4) What were the crowds of Lystra aim to do for Paul and Barnabas? Why do you think they were so eager and insistent with their behavior? How does this contrast what you learn from question 3?

5) How would you feel if you received the treatment Paul and Barnabas did? How do the crowds' reactions make Paul and Barnabas feel? Why?

How do I apply myself to this message?

Do we recognize that not all positive response to our work are positive response s to God? 

How do we keep ourselves out of the way when things go well?

Game Changer: For Our Children [Sermon Prep for Mother's Day]

Getting to Know You: What is one treasured skill, quote, or memory your mother provided for you? If not your own mother, perhaps one from a mother-figure in your life. 

Getting to Know the Bible: 

Read Acts 16:1-5. Who all was involved in bolstering and empowering Timothy into effective ministry? 

Read 2 Timothy 1:3-8. How has the faith of Christians who have gone before you in your life been a gift to you?

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17. From the perspective of a child, recall an elder [a parent, a teacher, someone who has gone before you in the faith] from whom you've learned anything about God and the Bible. How has their teaching worked towards the purpose described in this passage?

How Do I Apply Myself to this Message:

Re-Read Acts 16:1-5. How have you [or might you have] had opportunities to serve in the various adult roles the played a part in empowering Timothy, for other youth in your life ?

Re-Read 2 Timothy 1:3-8. How have you or could you make your faith your own, not simply something you receive from the person/people who lead you to it? 

Re-Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17. From the perspective of an adult within our Christian community, what does this passage say to you about the value of your spiritual investment and instruction of the children in our midst? 

Game Changer: Loyalties [Sermon Prep for May 3]

Week 5: Loyalties

Getting to Know You:

Imagine if your personality were a male name. Which would fit you best?
1)    Melvin
2)    Gunther
3)    Earl
4)    Rico
5)    Chad
6)    Jacques

Getting to Know the Bible:

In defense of his faith, Stephen challenges the Jewish leaders’ view of the temple.  His argument betrays a profound understanding of God but it costs him his life. 

Read Acts 6:8-8:3

1) Stephen gives a nice succinct summary of the history of the People of God. Does anything strike you or stand out to you in reading this overview?

2) In verse 14, the elders and the teachers of the law specifically challenge Stephen’s respect for Moses. What do Stephen and Moses share in common?  What does Stephen’s defense do to enlighten us to the relevant truths about Moses in Stephen’s estimation and context?

3) How does the theme of idolatry [giving praise, devotion, loyalty to someone other than God] come up throughout this whole passage, through Stephen’s historical summary as well as his rebuke of the elders and teachers of the law?

Applying Yourself to this Message:

1)    What old loyalties are we clinging to that may be challenging our devotion to Christ? 

2)    What do you fear it will cost you to challenge those loyalties?

Game Changer: Strength [Sermon Prep for April 26]

Getting to Know You

Recount a time when you pleasantly surprised yourself with your own strength, capacity, or ability.

Getting to Know the Bible

Read Acts 3:1-26

1)    What is the gate called where the lame man is sitting? When he asks Peter and John for alms, what is the first thing Peter says in response? What do you think the man sees when he looks at Peter and John?

2)    Observe the lame man’s behavior and actions after he is healed [through verse 11]. What strikes you?

3)    Reread vs. 11-26.

a.     Look carefully at verse 17. How does Peter address his audience? How does this feel to you in the context of the rest of what he is saying in these verses? Especially note the stark contrasts illustrated in verse 15 that convey the gravity of Peter’s message.

4)    By whose faith was the man healed?

Applying Yourself to this message

Read vs 19-20 what part of this offer appeals to you?

Peter draws a crowd with a miraculous work but makes it clear that the powerful work is not of his own doing.  Where do we draw our strength? 

What kind of work would we be able to do if we were drawing on the power of Jesus?

Game Changer: Vision [Sermon Prep for April 19]

Getting to Know You

What’s one of the most longstanding and monotonous routines in your life?  

Getting to Know the Bible

Read Acts 1:1-11

1)    Where are they now? With where is Jesus concerned?

2)    Last Sunday, Dan focused on the angel’s question, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” [check out the sermon online if you missed it!] In the same way, how would you unpack the angels’ question in this passage, “Why do you stand looking into heaven?” (verse 11) What might the angels be getting at with this question? How does it move the apostles’ behavior?

Applying Yourself to this message

What borders have we erected to constrict God’s work? 

How far does God want to expand our understanding of his work and power?

Sermon Prep: Easter

[please note: due to Dan's illness last Sunday, he will be preaching this sermon April 12 instead. More time to prepare!]

Easter: Dan Wells, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"  

Getting to Know You: How do you like to celebrate Easter? How might you continue to celebrate Easter, the memorial of the most miraculous and significant event in all of history, beyond the one day itself?

Getting to Know the Bible:

1)    Read Luke 24:1-12

After reading through this whole passage once, come back to revisit the sentence, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” How does this question confront their thinking and misconceptions? How can you apply yourself to this story? 

2)    Read Romans 8:35-39

How do we think of Christ as “among the dead” now? Ineffectual, something trapped in the past, something that no longer has the life force to move and work and have an impact in the world? How does this passage stand in stark contrast to a picture of people who “seeking the living among the dead”?

3)    Read Matthew 28:16-17

Post resurrection, Jesus commissions the disciples. How have their hearts been transformed since His crucifixion? What more work needs to be done? How are they still “seeking the living among the dead,” at this point? How has your heart been transformed by His crucifixion? How has your life been transformed by His resurrection? What more work do you need to do?

Applying yourself to the message:

Where can/should you now seek after Christ? Where do you find Him? 

Your Kingdom Come: 2 Service Opportunities

1) Habitat for Humanity: Saturday, 28 March
 

The United Methodist Church will be doing a service day with Habitat this coming Saturday and there is room for 5 or 6 more volunteers to merge with their team. It is a great way to get introduced to what HFH Seven Rivers ME is working on. For the first 6 folks to email me [zoefaithreyes@gmail.com] I can put you in touch with their team leader to sign you up. (Note: youth under 15 are not permitted on the construction site).

Here're the details:

When: Saturday, 28 March, 8:15am – 3:30 pm (or as long as you are able to stay)

Where: The build site is on Sills Rd (Rt. 123) near Hope Lane. (heading towards Cook’s Corner from Maine St take a right on Sills Rd/Rt 123. Look for the build site 0.7 miles on the left.

What to bring: work clothing and shoes, your own food and water, your own tool belt—if you have one.

What will we do? The exterior of the house is nearly completed, we will be working on the interior (i.e. drywall, painting, and light carpentry). It is normal to separate groups into teams that work on different chores based on skills.

Email me [zoefaithreyes@gmail.com] I can put you in touch with their team leader to sign you up!

2) Double Mileage: Rides for Students 

I want to give a huge shout out to the awesome folks of North Harbor who have been volunteering to provide rides for a local Congolese family seeking to gain English speaking skills at Merrymeeting Adult Ed. With Dan and Lisa leading the way in willingness, a host of other partners [4 people every week] have stepped up to cover even just a one way ride here and there when they can so this family can get to class twice/week - and with each person's small contribution, our congregation has been covering their transportation successfully all semester. Y'all rock! 

Excited and inspired by your friends? Want to join in their generous effort? You can email Paul Elisha [husband to our beloved Elsbeth] to be added to the team's email list where they coordinate sign ups each week. Paul: paul.elisha@maine.edu .

This family, three adult children and their mother, are taking ESL classes at Merrymeeting Adult Education (one block from the Orion) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9AM - 12 noon and need rides to and from class.   They live at the former Base housing complex in Cook's Corner Brunswick.  We currently have three individuals providing rides but we really need several more drivers to help cover the schedule.  Drivers must have enough seats in their vehicle for four adults and be available to pick the family up at 8:40AM at Cook's Corner and / or bring them home after class at noon.  This family is a real blessing to be with and are very grateful for any assistance provided. 

Can't offer rides but still want to help? Maybe you have an available vehicle, could chip in on gas money, or have another creative idea? email zoe: zoefaithreyes@gmail.com.

What could you give up to serve God's Kingdom?

Sermon Prep March 22, 2015: I Give Up . . . My Plans

Sermon Prep Guides this season will be simplified. I will simply ask you to meditate during the week on a given passage of scripture and spend time in prayer with God. Consider giving the passage a read at least once in the week, perhaps once each day, and spending the time you would usually spend studying sitting quietly, listening, watching, waiting for God’s leading, word, presence, and consolation in your life. We encourage community gropus to consider giving something up during this season – either choose something in common to give up, or simply support one another in pursuing this discipline. Just remember, Lent, and all spiritual disciplines, need to be about God and your relationship with Him – not your need for a slimmer waist [through giving up chocolate for selfish reasons, for example].

 If you would like to learn more about Lent or work with additional resources, you might find this website and its accompanying videos/apps/links/resources helpful:http://www.thelentexperience.com/

As you repent, my prayer for our church is that you would relinquish your sin so that you can receive God’s grace.

Passage for meditation:  2 Corinthians 5; Jeremiah 29.4-14

I Give Up . . . My Plans ( Adam and Kim Forney )

For Further Group Discussion if needed:

Through His Incarnation [God becoming Man], Jesus Christ gave up EVERYTHING out of the desire to be with us, to eliminate the barrier of sin that stands between us [us and God, us and each other]. Pick any of the four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John], and read for awhile, as if you were digging into a memoir or biography. Begin a list of all the things you see that Jesus gave up in coming to Earth, add to it as more realizations come to you. 

In the season of lent, and through this sermon series, we have an opportunity to consider, what should/could/would I give up for the sake of drawing closer to Christ, God, my spouse, my family, my neighbor, all that God might be glorified?

Discuss with your groups what you are working on giving up, or what you know you need to give up.

If you were one of the people who was getting up on stage during this series, what would you share about having given up? Have you needed to give up your pride [like John Andrade], People Pleasing [like Ruth Perry], your Perspective [like John Schanck], your plans [like the Forneys]? If you missed any of these Sundays, and your answer to any part of that question was yes, consider going back and listening to the online audio on our website. 

How does all this thought on giving things up make you look forward to Easter in a different way? How does it change your expectation, anticipation, longing for the celebration of the risen Lord? 

Start discussing with your group how you might celebrate Christ rising from the dead as a conclusion to this series. Perhaps you might throw a party, have a time of celebratory music/dancing, share a festive meal. As the season of "giving up" comes to a close, what will you take hold of anew that will bring renewed life to your relationship with Jesus and His people? 

Sermon Prep. March 15: I give up . . . My perspective

Sermon Prep Guides this season will be simplified. I will simply ask you to meditate during the week on a given passage of scripture and spend time in prayer with God. Consider giving the passage a read at least once in the week, perhaps once each day, and spending the time you would usually spend studying sitting quietly, listening, watching, waiting for God’s leading, word, presence, and consolation in your life. We encourage community gropus to consider giving something up during this season – either choose something in common to give up, or simply support one another in pursuing this discipline. Just remember, Lent, and all spiritual disciplines, need to be about God and your relationship with Him – not your need for a slimmer waist [through giving up chocolate for selfish reasons, for example].

 If you would like to learn more about Lent or work with additional resources, you might find this website and its accompanying videos/apps/links/resources helpful:http://www.thelentexperience.com/

As you repent, my prayer for our church is that you would relinquish your sin so that you can receive God’s grace.

Passage for meditation: Psalm 127.3-5

I Give Up . . . My Perspective (John Schanck)

Sermon Prep March 8: I give up . . . People Pleasing

Sermon Prep Guides this season will be simplified. I will simply ask you to meditate during the week on a given passage of scripture and spend time in prayer with God. Consider giving the passage a read at least once in the week, perhaps once each day, and spending the time you would usually spend studying sitting quietly, listening, watching, waiting for God’s leading, word, presence, and consolation in your life. We encourage community gropus to consider giving something up during this season – either choose something in common to give up, or simply support one another in pursuing this discipline. Just remember, Lent, and all spiritual disciplines, need to be about God and your relationship with Him – not your need for a slimmer waist [through giving up chocolate for selfish reasons, for example].

 If you would like to learn more about Lent or work with additional resources, you might find this website and its accompanying videos/apps/links/resources helpful:http://www.thelentexperience.com/

As you repent, my prayer for our church is that you would relinquish your sin so that you can receive God’s grace.

Passage for meditation: John 10.7-10

I Give Up People Pleasing (Ruth Perry)

Service Opportunity

North Harbor Community has a great opportunity to serve a local family from the Congo by providing them with rides to their English classes.   This family, three adult children and their mother, are taking ESL classes at Merrymeeting Adult Education (one block from the Orion) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9AM - 12 noon and need rides to and from class.   They live at the former Base housing complex in Cook's Corner Brunswick.  We currently have three individuals providing rides but we really need several more drivers to help cover the schedule.  Drivers must have enough seats in their vehicle for four adults and be available to pick the family up at 8:40AM at Cook's Corner and / or bring them home after class atnoon.  This family is a real blessing to be with and are very grateful for any assistance provided.  If you are interested in learning more please email or call Pastor Dan [dan@northharbor.org] ASAP as we need drivers immediately.