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!

Angel Tree

Angel Tree is a ministry that buys Christmas presents for children of whom at least one parent is in prison. We get to deliver the gifts and spend some time talking about the Gospel with the family/kids. We discussed participating in Angel Tree as a group on Tuesday, so here are more details to help us make a decision.

What we talked about last week was to sponsor more than one child. What do you think? (There are approximately 10 of us in group right now...) Feel free to comment on what you think we should do. We have to sign up soon.

The cost of Angel Tree Christmas is minimal, approximately $40 per child
reached. Each child is to receive a minimum of two gifts. When we send you the
children's names we will include a suggestion for one fun gift and an article of
clothing that the prisoner picked out using our gift guide. Each gift must be
new and valued at $15-20. We will provide you with a copy of the Angel Tree
Christmas Gift Guide, so you can get an idea of the types of gifts prisoners
will request (dolls, stuffed animals, sports equipment, etc.).

Guide questions: Romans 9&10

Good discussion on Tuesday night, ladies! Here the questions for the next two chapters. Looking forward to next week.

1. Do you feel about anyone the way that Paul feels about the Jews in Romans 9:1-3, if so, what can you do? What does Paul do? How could you acquire and show an attitude toward others' salvation like the attitude Paul describes in Romans 9:1-3?

2. Why is it important to keep God's will and man's responsibility in balance? This week, ask God to reveal how you can participate in bringing His will to pass.

3. Are you ever tempted to regard God as unfair or arbitrary in His dealings with people? Meditate on his sovereignty and mercy in Romans 9:6-29 and Ephesians 1:1-14. How does this chapter in Romans affect your view of God?

4. How is Christ brought up and down in Romans 10:6-7? What does it mean to do this? Why is it unnecessary?

5. Are envy and anger evangelist techniques? (Romans 10:19)?

Stay well! Blog well! :)

Pastor Mark's book, quoted this, I thought I would share. BTW-- the book is AWESOME!

How shall I pray?
Are tears prayers, Lord?
Are screams prayers?
or groans
or sigh,
or curses?

Can trembling hands be lifted to you,
or clenched fists
or the cold sweat that trickles down my back
or the cramps that knot my stomach?

Will you accept my prayers, Lord,
my real prayers,
rooted in the muck and mud and rock of my life,
and not just the pretty, cut-flower, gracefully arranged
bouquet of words?
Will you accept me, Lord?
as I really am,
messed up mixture of glory and grime?


- Guerillas of Grace by Ted Loder

Guide question: Romans 8

Ladies, thank you for being so real and open on Tuesday (and for letting me be, too)..

Here are the guide questions for next week!

1. In Romans 8:5-8, Paul contrasts the way of life "according to the spirit" with the way of life "according to the flesh". List as many contrasts as you can find.

2. What difference should our hope of ultimate resurrection, both physical and spiritual (Romans 8:11) make to our lives now? Why do you think God saved us "in this hope" rather than giving us our full inheritance of resurrection glory immediately? (Romans 8:24-25) Consider what waiting in hope accomplishes in us.

3. Give a brief definition in your own words of what it means that God foreknew you, predestined you, called you, justified you, has glorified and is glorifying you. (Romans 8:29-30) See John 10:14-15, 1 Cor 8:3, Galatians 4:9, 2 Timothy 2:19 and 1 Peter 1:20. Meditate and pray about what God has predestined you to be. Ask Him to give you a fervent desire for this to happen and a peaceful faith that He can accomplish it. Ask Him to show you how you can cooperate with this purpose.

4. Are you aware of the Spirit doing in you what Romans 8:26-27 describes? How is this promise a comfort to you?

Blog on!

Testing...

The last two weeks, we've talked about testing and spent some time thinking about how and why God seems to test us. We talked about how we are supposed to allow our painful times to bring perseverance in the midst of suffering and discussed how hard those concepts are. Our two character studies were Abraham (call to sacrifice Isaac) and then Adam (temptation to eat from the forbidden tree).

So, I've been thinking about being tested quite a lot lately. I hit on something in John Ortberg's The Life You've Always Wanted which has helped me be convinced of what we discussed in group.

Ortberg writes:

"A test is a difficult experience through which a person's true values, commitments, and beliefs are revealed. Test became a very important word in the Old Testament, and the way it is used there reveals something about how endurance develops.
1. It is used only in reference to people of God, never to heathen nations
2. It is applied only to people of faith, never to the ungodly.

Testing is reserved for those in a convenant relationship with God. Even though it is painful, testing in an act of love. Suffering serves to test our faith...

He continues...

"Surely we will experience suffering of one sort or another. Yet the question remains: How will we run the race? Will we finish well? Will we keep the faith? We do not accomplish this from sheer strength of will. The reason we can trust God is that he understands what it is to walk in darkness. One message of the Cross is that God chooses not to stand apart from our suffering. He is not unmoved by the pain of the creatures he loves. He embraces that pain and suffers with us."

I don't know about you, but this encourages me! I guess I don't know who this is going out to besides myself right now, but stay strong! God is near!

Thoughts

I was really encouraged and challenged by our discussion on Tuesday night. It's so interesting to hear the different perspectives each person has on Paul's writing. I found my brain hurting throughout the discussion! There's just so much to take in! Romans alone touches on so many different topics and areas of our lives as Christians. There's this never ending ability to learn more... we will never know all the answers and most of us agreed we don't want to.

I'm so thankful that we serve a God who is the alpha & omega, all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and yes, thankfully, all patient.

Even if we (I) never figure out Romans completely, I think God is smiling on our efforts and enjoying our discussions this semester. =)

Guide Questions for Romans 6:15 - 7:27

1. What evidence can you offer to support or refute Paul's claim in Romans 6:21 that sin has no benefits which outweigh its costs? (see Ecclesiastes 5:10, 15-17; 11:9-12:8)

2. Have you experienced Romans 7:7-11 since becoming a Christian? The Message translation:

... 'The law code had a perfectly legitimate function. Without its clear guidelines for right and wrong, moral behavior would be mostly guesswork. Apart from the succinct, surgical command, "You shall not covet," I could have dressed covetousness up to look like a virtue and ruined my life with it. Don't you remember how it was? I do, perfectly well. The law code started out as an excellent piece of work. What happened, though, was that sin found a way to pervert the command into a temptation, making a piece of "forbidden fruit" out of it. The law code, instead of being used to guide me, was used to seduce me'..

How do we guard against this?

3. What hope does Paul have of deliverance from his struggle against sins in this life? (Romans 7: 24-25) Thank God for providing the way of escape in your struggle against sin.

Looking forward to hearing from you all on the blog and in group. Stay blessed!

Encouraging words from Dad

Hey everybody!

Dad just sent me an email with wonderful encouragement about Romans. I wanted to pass it on to all of you.

"Your work in Romans will shape your perceptions of 'what being grounded in the Word' means to you, every day. Every pavement day."

Here's to hard work seeking after Him! May it filter into our lives - every mundane and every spectacular day.

Guide Questions: Romans 5 - 6:1-14

Really good discussion on Tuesday! We missed a bunch of you that were not there! Hope to see everyone next week! Here are the discussion questions for next Tuesday:

1. Does suffering always produce endurance? Why or why not? How does faith enable a person to let her suffering produce endurance and hope rather than bitterness and despair? How is this fact relevant to you?

2. What hinders you from letting hope fill you with joy in midst of your circumstances? or what keeps you from taking full advantage of your access to God? Pray about this

3 How does Romans 5:1-11 show the Trinity working in harmony? What does each Person do?

4. How can you actively reject the reign of sin in your life this week? How can you offer the parts of your body to righteousness?

5. What two things did Adam introduce into the world and pass on to his descendants? (Romans 5:12) Contrast Adam's trespass and God's gift (Jesus) (Romans 5: 15-19)

Questions about Question #3

Here is what A Commentary on Romans by Charles Hodge says about Romans, Chapter 4:

"The third argument (that Paul makes in this chapter) is designed to show that circumcision is not a necessary condition of justification, from the fact that Abraham was justified before he was circumsied, and therefore is the head and father of all believers, whether circumcised or not (vs. 9-12)."

I know that circumcision was an outward symbol, but wasn't that symbol deemed unnecissary because God's grace was there for everyone? Isn't that what the argument is saying?

If that's so, why do we need outward seals of a Christian's righteousness by faith? Why do we need an outward ratification and guarantee?

I understand that "having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13), but that seems as though it is something that comes upon you when you believe, rather than an act that is done as a ratification and guarantee.

Am I misunderstanding? Anyone have any thoughts? What do you think?

Discussion questions for Romans 4

Here are the questions for next Tuesday. Feel free to post any response or questions to these questions.

No one may boast of his favor with God, for both Jews and Gentiles are declared righteous not because of obedience to God's law but because of faith in Jesus' death. (Romans 3:27). This was a hard idea for Jews to grasp. What about Abraham, the father of the nation, whom the Jews considered the most obedient man there ever was? Surely he had reason to boast of God's approval! Paul knew if he could prove that Abraham had no reason to boast, then the matter was settled for any Jew.


1. How was Abraham able to resist temptation to doubt God's promise? (4:20) What lesson does it offer us?

2. Does Roman 4:17 motivate you to trust God to do anything specific in your life? If so, what are you trusting Him to do?

3. Circumcision was a sign (pointer) and seal (outward ratification and guarantee) of the righteousness Abraham had by faith (Romans 4:11) What are the signs and seals of Christians' righteousness by faith? (See John 13:35, Acts 2:41, 8:12, 10:47, Ephesians 1: 13-14, 4:30, I Peter 3: 21)

4. How do you plan to apply Abraham's example in your life?