Bible Study Mark 8:22-38

Keith Waters Bible Studies 3rd June 20183rd June 2018#newconnexions, bible, communication, discipline, faith, Jesus, lies, Messiah, new connexions, power, repentance, Satan, scripture, sin, truth, unfaithfulness 0 Comment

This study is based on the above passage and you may find it helpful to listen to the accompanying sermon: Three Steps…

Take a few minutes to recap on what has been going on since Mark 7:1.
Discuss the healing of the blind man: what was unusual, what was similar to other healings, as well as the man being healed what was going on here?
What do you know about Caesarea Philippi and the journey?
Why do you think the disciples got the right answer about who Jesus is, and what was wrong about their ideas as to what that would mean for Him (and them)?
Discuss Peter’s response to Jesus talking about the cross – what might we learn?
There are three steps to following Jesus – discuss the difficulties we face in following them and how we can encourage, challenge and help each other along in our following Him together.

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Follow The Leader – Week of Prayer Day 3; 2018

Keith Waters Prayer 15th May 201815th May 2018#newconnexions, disobedience, faithfulness, Israel, Jesus, new connexions, obedience, repentance, sheep, shepherd, sorry, trust, unfaithfulness 0 Comment

“But he led his own people like a flock of sheep, guiding them safely through the wilderness.”

Psalm 78:52

Have you ever noticed, that the people of Israel often remembered what they should have forgotten and forgot what they should have remembered…

Here the psalmist is reminding Israel that they are chosen by God, that they were rescued by God in the most incredible way, that God set his own mark upon His flock, by the blood of the Lamb sprinkled on their door-posts; and He led them through their enemies streets, across enemy territory, through the sea which separated before them, and on into a new land, again protecting them though they grumbled. But, as we know through scripture, the people rebelled against God…. Time after time they wanted to be their own shepherd and time after time the enemy attacked until they cried out again to the one and only Good Shepherd.

We might read through the Old Testament and think why ever didn’t they learn to trust God; we might do that, but then we might also compare the ancient Israelites to ourselves…

Christian people are God’s chosen ones too, not replacing Israel, but grafted into that great vine of Israel, and as people living after Christ, with the whole revelation of God in His bible and the blessing of Him dwelling in us as His temples filled by His Spirit, we might do well to remember as the Psalmist reminds us that we too were rescued by God in the most incredible way. God set his own mark upon His flock, by the blood of the Lamb, and He leads us through enemy territory, and will lead us into that New Heaven and New Earth, again protecting us all the way.

So Christian, today, might you find yourself grumbling, wanting to know the way, but unwilling to follow the one who loves to lead you? Might we find the enemy territory we’re wandering through just a bit hard going? Might we seek for ourselves a cross to carry that is easier and more convenient, might we look for our own paths to follow father than take the narrow path with Him?

Today why not use this verse to remind you what an amazing shepherd we have, and seek His leading, His will for your life and the life of your church. Then be radical, be really radical! Obey Him, continue to listen and stay close to your Lord step by step.

Children’s Prayer Activity

Day 3

Sometimes we can get things wrong, can’t we? Maybe we make bad choices instead of good choices?

If you have something to say sorry to Jesus for today, why not have a quiet time just like Snoopy and ask Jesus to help us say sorry and make better choices next time?

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A Study on Mark 6:14-32

Keith Waters Bible Studies 29th April 2018#newconnexions, conscience, discipline, faith, faithfulness, forgiveness, Grace, healing, Holy Spirit, hope, mercy, new connexions, Satan, sin, truth, unfaithfulness 0 Comment

This study is based on the sermon The Death of A Conscience.

Mark 6: 14-16 Discuss who the people were thinking Jesus was; what was the reason for each and why were they wrong?
Mark 6:17-29 Talk through this glimpse of Herod’s life – at each twist and turn discuss the positives and negatives and look at how we might learn from this account.
What is a conscience?
How might our consciences become dull, damaged, and dead?
Which ways can we keep our consciences in ‘tip-top’ condition?

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You were put in this Church for a purpose – are you fulfilling it?

Keith Waters Bible Studies 7th January 2018bible, communication, discipline, eschatology, faith, faithfulness, family, Grace, new connexions, prayer, repentance, scripture, second chance, truth, unfaithfulness 0 Comment

A Study based on our verses for the year (Hebrews 10:23-25) and this Sermon: Your Church Needs You!

Take the passage and use it as a ‘sounding board’ to answer the following:
1. What is Christian hope and how does it differ from the way hope is often used?
2. The passage doesn’t talk about us doing what we want or getting what we want but focuses on other brothers and sisters in our church, why is that and what difference should that make to the way we relate to each other as a church?
3. Sometimes we get restless as individuals and decide that we want something else, maybe a different style or more going on, a bigger church or a smaller church. Why is acting on what we want almost certainly the wrong thing? (if there are any brave characters in the group they might share about past occasions when they have left churches for personal preference rather than because they were called for a purpose);
4. How can we motivate, encourage, and provoke (in a positive way) one another? And how might we demotivate, discourage and provoke (in a negative way) one another?
5. Should we expect Christ’s return soon?

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