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Wise or Foolish? A Study

A study based on Proverbs 17:24

If you missed the sermon you cam pick it up here: Is that terribly wise?

How would you describe wisdom? Can anyone have wisdom or is it a gift for some?
What characterises a fool?
Can the group recall any other times wisdom and foolishness are mentioned in the Bible? Discuss what God is saying through each example.
How can we get wisdom?
Discussion on things like this can be a bit disconnected from real life. in the sermon we looked at a number of ways that we could and should apply this passage to our lives. Discuss those further as a group, and consider how we might encourage and challenge each other in this.

A study on Isaiah 60:1-6 based on the sermon Rise and Shine

When you think of Advent, what do you think…? Discuss this as a group.
Compare Isaiah 5:20 with Isaiah 60:2. How does that help us understand what kind of darkness is meant here?
[This is a question that will take some time] The New Testament is scattered with talk of light and dark, turn some up (Hint: Matthew, John, Ephesians, 1 John, Revelation) and see how they relate to our reading, and talk through how they should impact the Christian life.
How can Christ’s light shine through us, to enable others to see the truth, and what, in our lives, might be a hindrance to that?

The main issue in Sierra Leone at the moment involves the contents of the 40 foot container which arrived at Bethesda two weeks ago.

Please pray:

That God will stir the hearts of folk in the Connexion to help with the massive distribution of goods.
That Magnus, Daniel and others involved in the organisation will be given wisdom in the distribution of the shoe bags and other items.
That transport might be available to deliver the goods to outlying villages.
That those involved in this work will be strengthened and stay healthy throughout. That God will keep them safe on the roads.
That the children receiving the shoe bags will also receive the love of Jesus.
That the street children will accept the sleeping bags knowing that God loves them.
That Christmas will be a blessed time for all our friends in the Connexional Churches.
That Christmas will be celebrated by the children at Bethesda as a time of happiness.

A study based on Acts 12:1-11

If you missed the sermon you can pick it up here: Powerful Prayers & Powerful Answers

Read the passage and as you work your way through it, stop at after each new character is introduced and discuss what the group know about them;
Peter slept, talk through how you might feel in a comparative situation and also why was Peter able to sleep? What can we learn form this and how can we apply it to our lives today?
Discus verse 8 and consider how the miraculous is almost always missed with the practical when Go intervenes in our lives;
Going back to verse 5, we read that the people prayed earnestly, what might that kind of prayer be like?
Discuss as a group how you can practically help each other to be encouraged and helped to develop in your personal prayer lives and also be more engaged in the church’s collective prayer life.