Tuesday, February 9, 2016

READING PLAN FOR LENT


FEBRUARY2016
10.  Mark 1:9-15
11.  Matthew 24:36-44
12.  Matthew 25:1-13
13.  Colossians 4:2-6
14.  Mark 1:9-15
15.  Psalm 51:1-12
16.  2 Peter 3:8-9
17.  Ezekiel 18:21-23
18.  2 Corinthians 7:9-11
19.  Luke 18:9-14
20.  Proverbs 28:13
21.  Psalm 51:1-12
22.  Colossians 3:1-14
23.  Matthew 6:14-15
24.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8
25.  Ephesians 4:29-32
26.  Matthew 18:21-35
27.  Acts 7:54-60
28.  Colossians 3:1-14
29.  Mark 8:34-38

MARCH2016
  1.  Matthew 16:21-27
  2.  Romans 8:12-17
  3.  Colossians 3:5-11
  4.  Luke 14:25-35
  5.  John 12:23-26
  6.  Mark 8:34-38
  7.  Ephesians 2:4-10
  8.  John 4:1-14
  9.  John 4:15-26
10.  Romans 3:23-26
11.  2 Timothy 1:9-10
12.  Titus 3:1-8
13.  Ephesians 2:4-10
14.  Matthew 21:1-11
15.  Psalm 118:25-26
16.  Matthew 11:1-6
17.  John 12:12-16
18.  Psalm 129
19.  Psalm 117
20.  Matthew 21:1-11
21.  John 19:1-7
22.  John 19:8-16
23.  John 19:17-22
24.  John 19:23-27
25.  John 19:28-37
26.  John 19:38-42
27.  Matthew 28:1-10

grace and peace, 
Marc

Monday, February 8, 2016

SS: Colossians 1:1-14



Next week Erin will finish Colossians 1:1-14. Here are some questions we will be looking at next week. Start thinking about them now. 

READ: Colossians 1:1-14 (click here)

Any ideas why Paul used the words “wisdom” and “understanding” in verse 9? 

According to verse 10, what is our expected response once we know God’s will and possess spiritual wisdom and understanding?

In verse 11, Paul suggests we need something to be able to live this life….what is it?  When was the last time you pleaded for God to give you strength?

Read the story of Simon Magus in Acts 8:9-24.  With that story in mind, what do you think could happen if we prayed for power before we had the complete word of truth?  Do you think there is an order to Paul’s mention of Christian qualities in this opening chapter?

Is it more difficult for you to endure people with patience or to endure situations with patience?  What quality mentioned in verse 1:4 could be defeated if we do not learn to endure people with patience?

C.F.D. Moule said, “If joy is not rooted in the soil of suffering, it is shallow.”  Thoughts or experiences about this?

Verse 13 reads that God has rescued us from what?  Contrast this with the power mentioned in verse 11.

We hear the word “kingdom” a lot in the New Testament.  How would you define a kingdom?  Use that definition to help you try to put into words, “the Kingdom of his Beloved Son.”

Parting Thoughts:
If a leader in the church wrote a letter to you, describing ways for you to grow in spiritual maturity, how would you respond? Would you be challenged? Bitter? Indifferent?

When you feel led to challenge/encourage a brother or sister in Christ, how do you begin your approach? Do you begin like Paul?

How can you grow in the knowledge of God and His will this week?  Do any spiritual disciplines come to mind?  Do you need a brother or sister to talk about it with halfway through the week to remain steadfast in the task?

grace and peace, 
Spurgeon GBC