Friday, December 1 is WORLD AIDS DAY

Join the HIV Hope and Help small group at the World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil at Freedom Plaza at 5:45pm on Friday, December 1.

Following the vigil, the film “Yesterday” will be showing at 7:30 p.m. at Ebenezers Coffeehouse. The film depicts the physical and emotional struggle of a South African family with HIV—a powerful and unforgettable story of overcoming adversity.

Please feel free to attend either or both events and invite others to join us. Contact Lanre for more details or with questions.

Guide Questions: Romans 15 & 16

Here are the questions for Romans 15-16:


1. Paul praises several people in Romans 16: 1-15 for things they have done. What deeds and qualities does he command? Nine out of the twenty seven people Paul names are women. What does this imply about Paul's relationships with women?

2. In what ways is Romans 15:4 relevant to our lives? In Romans 15:4&13, Paul speaks about hope not love or faith. How is hope necessary for the accepting, self denying behavior Paul urges.

3. What is your greatest ambition? How does it compare to Paul's (Romans 15:20)?

4. How can you do for some missionary what Paul wanted the Roman Christians to do for him? (Romans 15:24, 30-32) Why is this kind of help important?


That's a wrap for our study of Romans! What has impacted you the most from this study? What are you taking away from this semester?

Happy After-Turkey Day! =)

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Thanks for everyone who came last week! I had a great time catching up with all of you! (not to mention, enjoyed the delicious tiramisu! Thanks, Daphne! =))

This week we will be discussing Romans 13 and 14. (There are no discussion questions for Romans 14. Feel free to bring your questions!)

Also, here is the agenda for the rest of the semester:

November 28th: Romans 13 & 14
December 5th: Romans 15 & 16
December 12th: Christmas Party

Looking forward to see you tomorrow!

Guide questions: Romans 13

Sorry for the delay with these. Here are some questions to ponder for Chapter 13:

1. Why should Christians submit to governing authorities? Should a Christian take part in revolution against an established regime? What about non-violent civil disobedience?

2. In Romans 13:7, Paul tells us to give everyone what we owe him. To whom do you owe taxes and revenue? Respect? Honor? Other debts? How does Luke 20:20-26 shed light on Romans 13:7?

3. Towards laws and public officials, our standard conduct is "give everyone what you owe him"-- this is justice. However, when we deal with individuals in business and private, we have an ever higher standard; we owe a debt that can never be fully paid (Romans 13:8-14). What sorts of actions communicate love to you? How can you do these things for others?

4. What does it mean that "love is the fulfillment of the law" Romans 13:10; compare Matthew 22:34-40?

5. Because of our approaching salvation, Paul tells us to do several things. Explain each of the phrases in your own words:
"wake up from your slumber" (Romans 13:11, see 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8),
"put aside the deeds of darkness" (Romans 13:12),
"put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12, see Ephesians 6:10-18),
"clothe yourself in the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14).

Don't forget Catacombs/baptism this Sunday at Ebz: 6pm!

Blog on!

Angel Tree update

So, we've got our kids!!! A little 2 year old boy and a 14 year old girl. Between the two of them, we are going to be spending about $80 total. That breaks down to about $10 each.... so start budgeting toward that... More details to be given at group.

I also wanted to share this really cool story that was on Zonegathering today, from a fellow NCC leader. Check out Omar's story about Angel Tree!

Thinking forward

Sorry to bombard blogsphere with all these details, but this is important. The deadline to submit material to the small group pass book for next semester is fast approaching. We started talking about this in group on Tuesday, but lots of people were not present so I wanted to open it up.

We are trying to think of topics/areas that we would like to explore in group next semester. Feel free to use this space to make new suggestions or to comment. We'll talk more about this on Tuesday also.

Here are some of the ideas we've hit on so far:

- Study Pastor Mark's book "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day". We would explore what it means to seize opportunities and see problems as God-ordained situations for our growth and development

- Love Experiments: Working from the principles of the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman, explore Biblical and practical applications of loving and serving God, ourselves and our communities (there are several editions of the love languages book for singles, married people, kids, etc. but the 5 principles are the same and we would study and work with those)

- Journey of Desire: Reading through this powerful book about understanding our desires, we would find Biblical support and practical ways to live life out of the passion and purpose for which God has called us.

- Another inductive bible study: old or new testament, Nehemiah, perhaps, Isaiah?

- Captivated: Based on Captivating by John and Staci Eldredge, explore themes specifically for women and our lives.

Let's hear your thoughts and comments; are there topics you want to discuss that aren't listed here? People of the bible you want to explore? Questions you want to dive into? Sound off!!

Guide questions Romans 12

Those of you who were in this group last semester will remember that this chapter is what prompted our journey into Romans this semester. It holds a special place for me because of that and I am really looking forward to discussing this again (and anew) with everyone.

Also, this week's reading of Romans chapter 12 marks our entry into the last section of Romans. In the first 11 chapters, Paul has set out what to believe by highlighting our sinfulness, and how to receive forgiveness through faith. In the last 4 chapters, he talks about how to behave by giving guidelines for living as redeemed people in a fallen world.

Here are some questions and applications to think through for next week.

1. Name one aspect of the 'pattern of this world' that is currently tempting you to conform to it. Is there any specific way you can apply Romans 12:1-2 with regard to the temptation you named? Make a list of ways you still conform to the world, and ask the Holy Spirit to transform your mind with regard to these. Find Scriptures to meditate on to help you.

2. What kinds of needs are the gifts Paul named in 12:6-8 designed to meet? How could you participate in meeting one or more of those needs? Write down a function in our church or the larger Body of Christ that you either are fulfilling now or are able to fulfill. If necessary, ask God to show you at least one function for which He has gifted you.

3. Based on Romans 12:9, if our love must be 'sincere', should we not do loving acts unless we feel affectionate towards someone? In what ways is Christian love more than just emotion? (See 1 John 3:17-18) Ask God to show you if your love is insincere in any way. Mediate on Romans 12:9-21 and look for opportunities to act in sincere love this week.

4. How can we be sure that our kindness to our enemies stems from sincere love and not a desire to make them feel guilty? (Romans 12:19-20)

Blog on!

More lions

Okay. We've got two choices, two lions. This one is 12 inches (I am hopeless with dimensions, so help me out if you think it is too small or too big...) and it is $11.95.

The Narnia one, below, is 20 inches and $23.99.

If you all can vote on here, I'll get it ordered so hopefully we can get this taken care of.

Guide Questions for Romans 11

Ladies, here are the questions for Romans 11:

1. How is Romans 11:29 an encouragement to you? How can you respond to this encouragement?

2. How does Paul describe God in Romans 11:33-36? Note as many observations as you can. How can you let these truth about God affect your decisions and concerns?
Look for at least 1 concrete way to act on these facts.

3. Do you ever have the attitude Paul rebukes in 11:18, 20,25? Talk to God about this. Meditate on 11: 18-22. How can you act on 11:22?

Blog on!