Keith Waters – Page 45 – New Connexions Church

Study Questions for Hosea 7&8

Keith Waters Bible Studies 20th June 2016bible, discipline, judgement, law, morals, new connexions, truth, unfaithfulness 0 Comment

Some questions set by Gordon to accompany his sermon: Reaping a whirlwind!

The people of Israel were compared to a half baked pancake, fit for nothing. 3 reasons are listed in vs 8-10. Failure to remain separated, failure to remain vigilant and failure to seek God. Discuss how this compares to us a individuals, as God’s people and as a nation;
One of the saddest comments in this passage is that the people were unaware of their desperate state. Discuss how easy it can be for Satan to slowly undermine the foundations of the church, and so severely weaken it’s witness;
Half-heartedness and compromise can have devastating effects. In chapter 8 vs 7-10, Hosea pictures this as “sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind”. Discuss what wrong seeds might be sown in our relationship with God, family, work colleagues or in our use of time and money?
It would appear from Hosea, that although Israel talked of acknowledging God, they were not prepared to make the changes necessary to rebuild their relationship with Him. If you feel it is appropriate, discuss areas where God’s people today are reluctant to be obedient to his word as it might entail changes they are not prepared to make.

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A study on Hosea 4-6

Keith Waters Bible Studies 14th June 2016bible, communication, discipline, Holy Spirit, justice, law, lies, new connexions, prayer, prostitution, unfaithfulness 0 Comment

You’ll be helped in this study by taking time to pick up on the accompanying sermon Learn what this means!

We took an overview of three chapters this week and reading the whole of the text before divining in to study might be a challenge. Instead after seeking the Lord in prayer, take the approach we took in the service and read through a section then ponder on and discuss:
1. what was going on;
2. what was the Lord saying to the original hearers and why;
3. where is the application for us today.
Read Matthew 9: 9-13 discuss verse 13 – why is it important for us to do what Jesus commands there?

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Sierra Leone Mission Prayer Points for JUNE / JULY 2016

Keith Waters Prayer 2nd June 2016communication, faithfulness, hope, new connexions, persecution, prayer, Sierra Leone 0 Comment

‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we

ask anything according to His will, He hears us.’

1 John 5 v 14

Sunday: Pray for the advance of the gospel in Sierra Leone. Pray that the members of the C. of H. Churches might be light and salt in their communities. May their witness be evident to those who are as yet unsaved.

Monday: Pray for the newly appointed leaders. Pray that God will give them wisdom and discernment in their new roles. Pray especially for Rev. Theophilus Nicol and Rev. Alex Dixon.

Tuesday: Pray that the C. of H. churches in the U.K. will realise the responsibility that we have to pray and give to our brothers and sisters in S.L.

Wednesday : Pray for Ebenezer church at Manallo Village. Pray for the pastor Magnus Bendu and the lay pastor and headmaster of the school, Daniel Ndomawah. Praise God that the church is growing and pray for the teachers and children who attend the school.

Thursday: Many children who have lived at Bethesda have been reunited with family members. These children have turned to Christ during their time at Bethesda. Pray they will stand firm in their faith.

Friday: Pray for the street children who are moving into Bethesda. Pray for wisdom in their selection and a settled initial period.

Saturday: Pray for Rev. Daniel Koroma our agent in S.L. Continue to pray for him and his daughter in their loss last summer of wife and mum.

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Love beyond

Keith Waters Bible Studies 24th May 2016bible, discipline, faithfulness, hope, judgement, love, mercy, new connexions, prostitution, redemption, truth, unfaithfulness 0 Comment

You might want to take a look at our Introduction to the Minor Prophets and check out the sermon that accompanies this study: Hosea and the local tart.

Reading Hosea 1-2

What do we know about Hosea (family, time of ministry, who was ministering at the same time, where was he etc.)?
How do you think Hosea’s relationship with God was before his marriage, and when he was called to prophesy in the way he was what kind of thoughts and reactions might he have had?
What does the way we live our lives show others about our relationship with God?
Chapter 1: verse 7 – discuss the different attitudes of Israel and Judah (at least at that time)
Chapter 1: verses 10 and 11 – what have we seen so far of this happening in our era?
Chapter 2: verses 6 to 16 – God will often use our sin to bring us to the lowest point and back to him – why should Christians be wary of trying to ‘protect’ people in these situations?

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