Let's grow together: November 2005

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Purpose Driven Life Day 29-31

Home Group Meeting – 11/09/2005

Opening
Introduction and partner picking for newcomers

Brief Review of last week
Last week we covered the 2nd half of the 4th week – You were You Were Created to Become Like Christ, days 25-28:
Transformed by Trouble – all things God works for the good of those who love him.
Growing through and defeating Temptation – Do not fight them, avoid them.
It Takes Time – Something to look forward in your life.

5th week (1): You were shaped for serving God
Day 29 – Accepting Your Assignment
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24-15
Q1. What is your understanding about “Serving God”?
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples build by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything.” Act 17:24-25
“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” Luke 16:13

Day 30 – Shaped for Serving God
Day 31 – Understanding Your Shape
Q1. What are SHAPE?
Q2. Is there anything you would like to add to SHAPE?

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22-23
Jonah
Jeremiah

Q2. According to the Bible, how important are ‘effectiveness’ and ‘success’ in our ministry (Serving God)?

Sharing time
From this week’s reading, do you have a passage from the book or from the bible that you want to share?

Prayer time
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Jeremiah
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"Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem" by Rembrandt van Rijn
Jeremiah or Yirmiyáhu (יִרְמְיָהוּ "Raised-up/Appointed of the LORD", Standard Hebrew Yirməyáhu, Tiberian Hebrew Yirməyāhû) (or, perhaps meaning "YHWH throws") was one of the "greater prophets" of the Old Testament, and the son of Hilkiah, a priest of Anathoth.
His writings are collected in the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Lamentations. Jeremiah is considered by some modern scholars (as well as some ancient Rabbis) to have written, or redacted much of the Old Testament, as we have it today. His language in "Jeremiah" and "Lamentations" is quite similar to that in Deuteronomy and the "Deuteronomic history" of Joshua, Judges, the Books of Samuel, and the Books of Kings. Jeremiah is also famous as "the broken-hearted prophet" (who wrote or dictated a "broken book", which has been difficult for scholars to put into chronological order), whose heart-rending life, and true prophecies of dire warning went largely-unheeded by the people of Judah. YHWH told Jeremiah, "You will go to them; but for their part, they will not listen to you".
According to the Book of Jeremiah, he was called to the prophetical office when still young; in the thirteenth year of Josiah (628 BC). He left his native place, Anatoth, (where Jeremiah was perhaps a member of the priesthood) and went to reside in Jerusalem; where he assisted Josiah in his work of reformation. (Josiah is one of the most famous "good kings" of the Israelites; one of the Hebrew scribes "found" a copy of the Old Testament Scriptures, and the chief scribe brought this copy to Josiah. Upon hearing it read to him, Josiah "tore his robes" in grief, at the revealed knowledge of the coming wrath of YHWH, because the nation had not been following the Scriptures. Josiah subsequently embarked upon a furious assault upon idolatry in Judah, removing the idolatrous priest-hood, and restoring the worship of YHWH to Judah.) He (Jeremiah) wrote a lamentation upon the death of this pious king, which has not survived.
During the three years of the reign of Jehoahaz, we find no reference to Jeremiah, but in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, the enmity of the people against the prophet was expressed with persecution, and Jeremiah was apparently imprisoned. In his most famous confrontation with Jehoiakim, Jeremiah warned the king that "God would roll him up into a little ball, and would throw him out of Judah"; a prophecy which includes a possible pun on the use of Jeremiah's name, which means "YHWH throws".
He remained in Jerusalem, uttering from time to time his words of warning, but without much effect. He was there when Nebuchadnezzar besieged the city (Jer. 37:4, 5), 589 BC, as Jeremiah had prophesied before-hand. The rumour of the approach of the Egyptians to aid the Jews in this crisis induced the Babylonians to withdraw, and to return to their own land. However, this siege was raised only for a short time. The prophet, in answer to his prayer, received a message from God, stating that "the Babylonians would come again, and take the city, and burn it with fire" (37:7, 8). The princes, in their anger at such a message by Jeremiah, cast him into prison (37:15-38:13). He was still in confinement when the city was taken (588 BC). The Babylonians released him, and showed him great kindness; allowing Jeremiah to choose the place of his residence, according to a Babylonian edict. Jeremiah accordingly went to Mizpah with Gedaliah, who had been made governor of Judea.
Johanan succeeded Gedaliah, who had been assassinated by an Amorite spy, "for working with the Babylonians". Refusing to listen to Jeremiah's counsels, Johanan fled to Egypt, taking Jeremiah and Baruch (Jeremiah's faithful scribe and servant) with him (Jer. 43:6). There, the prophet probably spent the remainder of his life, still seeking in vain to turn the people to the Lord; from whom they had so long revolted (44). He lived into the reign of Evil-merodach, son of Nebuchadnezzar, and may have been about ninety years of age at his death. We have no authentic record of his death; he may have died at Tahpanes, or, according to a tradition, may have gone to Babylon with the army of Nebuchadnezzar.

Purpose Driven Life Day 25-28

Home Group Meeting – 11/02/2005

Opening
Introduction and partner picking for newcomers

Brief Review of last week
Last week we covered the 1st 3 days of the 4th week – You were You Were Created to Become Like Christ, days 22-24:
Created to Become Like Christ – God’s ultimate goal for our life on earth is character development. (Romans 12:2)
How We Grow – Through Jesus Christ. (Romans 18:25)
Transformed by Truth – Read the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:11)
Christian’s Character - Matthew 5:1-12, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 2 Peter 1:5-7

4th week (2): You were created to become like Christ
Day 25 – Transformed by Trouble
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8-28
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” Genesis 50:20
Q1. What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?

Day 26 –Growing through Temptation
Day 27 –Defeating Temptation

“Happy is the man who doesn’t give in and do wrong when he is tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life that God has promised those who love him.” James 1:12
“Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts . . . but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right” 2 Timothy 2:22
Q1. How temptation works?
Q2. What are the keys to defeating temptation? Which one helps you most?

Day 28 – It Takes Time
“Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:22
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Philippians 1:6
Q. What is an abundant life to you? (John 10:10)

Sharing time
From this week’s reading, do you have a passage from the book or from the bible that you want to share?

Prayer time

Purpose Driven Life Day 22-24

Home Group Meeting – 10/26/2005

Opening
Introduction and partner picking for newcomers

Brief Review of last week
Last week we covered the 2nd half of the 3rd week – You were formed for God’s family, days 18-21:
Experiencing Life Together – Join and cultivate Community.
Restoring Broken Fellowship – Remove the plank of our own eye first.
Protecting Our Church – protect the unity of our church.

3rd week (2): You were created to become like Christ
Day 22 – Created to Become Like Christ
“As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.” 2 Corinthians 3-18
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’ will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:6
Q1. What is God’s ultimate goal for our life?
Q2. How is the Christian’s character different from what is suitable to the pattern of this world?

Day 23 – How We Grow
“For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 8:18,24-25
Q1. What are some of the changes you have seen in your life since you became a believer?
Q1. Is there an area where I wanted to change but still need God’s help?

Day 24 – Transformed by Truth
“People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God” Matthew 4:4
“All Scripture is God-inspired and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:11
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does no wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalms 1:2-3
Q1. How frequent do you open the Bible?
Q2. Where do you get help when you do not fully understand or have questions with some of the Bible verses?

Sharing time
From this week’s reading, do you have a passage from the book or from the bible that you want to share?

Passages to memorize –
The beatitudes of Jesus – "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:1-12
The fruit of the Spirit – 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
The description of love – “4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The list of the characteristics of a Christian – “5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7

Prayer time

Purpose Driven Life Day 18-21 p2

Home Group Meeting – 10/19/2005

Opening
Introduction and partner picking for newcomers

Brief Review of last week
Last week we covered the first half of the 3rd week – You were formed for God’s family, days 15-17 and a half of day 18:
To be a member of God’s family is the greatest privilege of a Christian.
Love will last forever – that is why learning to love is important.
The church is God’s family on earth – that is the place we belong.
Experiencing life together - fellowship

3rd week (2): You were formed for God’s Family
Day 18 – Experiencing Life Together
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” Psalms 133:1
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Q1. What is your understanding about Fellowship?
Q2. What would make it easier for you to be able to share your needs, hurts, fears, and hopes with others?

Fellowship is coming together in the name of Jesus Christ. It is deeper than our casual coffee time after service on Sunday. It involves having a relationship with our fellow members as if they were our brothers and sisters because in actual fact, we are brothers and sisters in God’s family. Various examples of fellowship were discussed, including the mutual acknowledgement that the Azabu Juban Home Group is a good example of fellowship.

In order to build a stronger fellowship group that enables us to share our needs, hurts, fears and hopes we need to all make a commitment to each other. That is, we need to invest time and effort into our brothers’ and sisters’ welfare. Also, we need to do more things together as a group as this cultivates trust.

Also, it was noted that when it comes to fellowship, smaller is better. Once the group gets larger than 10 people, it could start to become less intimate. Once a group becomes less intimate, it makes it harder for members to share needs, hurts and fears (particularly for the more quiet ones).

When we come together in fellowship, Jesus promised us that he is with us in our midst, “where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them”. Matthew 18:20.

Day 19 – Cultivating Community
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:15-16
Q1. What are the characteristics needed to cultivate community (fellowship)?
Q2. Do I have a heart-to-heart relationship with my PDL/spiritual partner?

The Bible teaches us to “speak the truth in love”. That is, speaking the truth is the principle and doing it in love is the guideline. We should always be truthful to our fellow brothers and sisters, however sometimes the truth hurts and what we say can often hurt their feelings or cause resentment. By speaking in love we can avoid these negative consequences.

PDL lists 9 characteristics that give specific guidance about fellowship. (Notice that simply having love for each other covers all these 9 things):
Authenticity – share our true feelings;
Mutuality – encourage each other;
Sympathy – support each other
Mercy – forgive each other;
Honesty – speak the truth in love;
Humility – admit our weaknesses;
Courtesy – respect our differences;
Confidentiality – not gossip; and
Frequency – make the group a priority.

Day 20 – Restoring Broken Fellowship
“Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody” Romans 12:18
“First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5
Q1. Who do I need to restore a broken relationship with today?

Restoring broken relationships are always difficult to do. But the important point here is that the hardest and most important step is that first step in actually taking the initiative. After that, it could take a long time, but with the Lord’s help and by taking it one step at a time, relationships can be restored.

Day 21 – Protecting Your Church
“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand” Romans 14:4
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” Romans 14:19
Q1. What are the things we should preserve? What are the disputable matters?
Q2. Are there any matters endangering the unity of our church?

In many stages of Christianity, persecution from external sources such as the Roman government at the time of the early church 2,000 years ago wasn’t effective in destroying the church. In fact, it only helped to make it stronger and grow. Eventually Christianity went on to be spread all over Europe and eventually the rest of the world.

In comparison, often it is internal sources that cause division in the church. That is, the members of the church itself. It is often a difference of opinions as to what is the right or wrong form of believing that destroys the church from the inside.

We must note that the early church (even with the original 12 apostles) was deeply divided and almost split up, because of these differences of opinion. Some wanted the new gentile believers to be circumcised because it was necessary for salvation, whereas others said it wasn’t necessary because salvation comes through faith alone. We note that a council meeting was held in Jerusalem to which Paul attended where this issue was debated. Although we know from his other Letters in the New Testament that he strongly opposed circumcision, we note that at the Jerusalem meeting, Paul did not speak out. This action is something we can learn from when dealing with division within the church.

The Bible teaches us that we should act in love and not in judgment on each other. In Romans chapter 14, Paul gives us the example of food: “if one man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” (Romans 14:2-4), and “if your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. … Let us make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:16-19

Therefore we should be wary that satan works to destroy the church from the inside, rather than the outside, and so we be prepared to act appropriately when it happens.

Finally, in light of the above, note that we have several different Christian denominations such as Protestant, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist churches and so forth. The important point is the these denominations share the same core orthodox truths of the Bible such as that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and the Son of God, that he died for our sins and rose from the dead three days later. When a section starts believing in something that deviates from these core truths then they are cannot be considered to be truly Christian. Examples of these churches include, the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Therefore, where the issue goes against the core truth of the Bible, then it is a cult and unacceptable. However, where the issue preserves the core truth of the Bible but is really more concerned with formalities, then we should strive to ensure that the differences of opinions on this issue should not cause division in the church.

Sharing time
From this week’s reading, do you have a passage from the book or from the bible that you want to share?

A passage to read – Acts 15:1-21
A passage to memorize – Matthew 7:5

Prayer time

Purpose Driven Life 18-21

Purpose Driven Life Day 15-17

Home Group Meeting – 10/12/2005

Opening
Introduction and partner picking for newcomers

Brief Review of last week
Last week we finished the 2nd week, days 8-14:
Worship is to bring pleasure to God.
The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love. Psalm 147:11
The heart of worship is surrender.
God wants to be our best friend.
Honest is the key to close friendship.
God’s worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

3rd week: You were formed for God’s Family
Day 15 - Formed for God’s Family:
“A slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.” John 8:35
“Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:50
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10
Q1. What is God’s family?

Day 16 – What Matters Most
" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22:37-40
“These three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love” 1Corinthians 13:13
Q1. Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?
Q2. What are the barriers that keep us from loving and caring for others?

Day 17 – A Place to Belong
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35
“You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” Ephesians 2:19
Q1. Do you feel at home when you are in church?
Q2. What are the barriers that keep us from loving and caring for other believers?

Day 18 – Experiencing Life Together
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” Psalms 133:1
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Q. What is your understanding about Fellowship?

Sharing time
From this week’s reading, do you have a passage from the book or from the bible that you want to share?

A passage to memorize – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.

Prayer time

Purpose Driven Life Day 13

Home Group Meeting – October 5, 2005
You were planned for God’s pleasure!! (continued)

Brief Review of last week

Day 10 – The heart of worship

Although the word “surrender” carries a negative meaning in most contexts, this is truly the heart of worship. The story of Joshua’s victory in Jericho (Joshua 5:13-6:21) shows how surrender actually leads to victory. By surrendering, we do not stop what we are supposed to do. Instead, we do those things with even more strength and confidence.

Days 11 and 12 – Becoming best friends with God

The difference between a servant and a friend is that a servant does not know his master’s business, but a friend does (John 15:14-15). God wants us to be His friend and demonstrated this by dying for us. The ball in now in our court: how can we become friends with God?

Day 13 – Worship that pleases God

Read Mark 12:30 (Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27) and Deuteronomy 6:6-9.

1. Which is easier for you – public or private worship? What kind of worship makes you feel closer to God?

2. What does “God’s worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) mean to you?

In John 4:24 Jesus meets a Samaritan woman and teaches her what it means to “worship in spirit and truth”.

Worship in spirit
To fully understand Jesus’ words here we must look to the context. When Jesus said we must worship in spirit this could mean several things. First, the location of where one worships is not important. Jesus said (in verse 23), “… a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem”. Therefore what this means for us is that you don’t need to be at church to worship. You could be doing it at home on the weekend, or even on the way to church.

This teaching is also consistent with what Paul said in Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, … to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship”. As you may remember we covered this a few weeks ago. The important point about worship (or, being a “living sacrifice”) is that it is a continual thing. That is, to be done anywhere and everyday, not just at church on Sunday.

Second, when we become Christians, God fills us with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit first came to new Christians on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) just as Jesus promised. Now that we are with God in Spirit (unlike the Old Testament times), we should also worship in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Worship in truth
This statement also has many layers of meaning.

First, we must again look at the context in which Jesus made this statement. When Jesus told the Samaritan woman to “Go, call your husband and come back” (verse 16), the Samaritan woman replied that she did not have a husband. She was telling the truth to Jesus that she replied that does not have a husband at that that moment, but on the other hand her response was misleading because she previously had 5 husbands and the person she is with now is not her husband. The fact was that she was living in sin. In this context, when Jesus says that we should worship in truth, it could mean that we should face God truthfully. That is, if we are presently living in sin (eg there is somebody we hate), or if we have not fully surrendered our lives to God (eg we can’t let go of materialism), this is not being true to God (or to ourselves). And accordingly, we are not worshipping in truth.

Second, worshipping in truth also means that we should know what we worship. We shouldn’t worship who we think God is! The God as revealed in the Bible is the true God. The God whom we image in our minds (without learning from the Bible) is a god created by our imagination. Again, looking at the context, Jesus said, “you Samaritans worship what you do not know …” (verse 22). Historically, the Samaritans were originally of Jewish descent but became mixed in enthicity as a result of years of conquest by neighbouring nations. In addition, their faith also became distorted through the influence of foreign religions and idols. As a result, although they believed in God, their knowledge of God was distorted, that is, their faith presented an “untrue” God. Therefore, when Jesus commands us to worship in truth, we must learn who God is from the Bible and not from who we “feel” God is.
Day 14 – When God seems distant

“I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I turn to the south, but I cannot find him. But he knows where I am going. And when he has tested me like gold in a fire, he will pronounce me innocent”. Job 23:8-10

3. Did you ever feel God being distant from you? What did you learn from that experience?

A background into the story of Job’s was discussed.

The story of Job is particularly important when we talk about “worship”. Why? This is because many of us quite easily fall into the trap of thinking that when we worship, we wish to feel good when we do it. That is, we wish to feel God’s presence and the work of the Holy Spirit. This is all well and good, and when we do worship (in spirit and truth), we often will feel these things. However, we must be very clear that worship is not about us. We worship to please God, not ourselves.

When we encounter difficulties in our lives, when things are not going as expected and worst of all, we can’t feel God’s presence during these hard times, there is a risk that we could turn away from Christianity or resent God. The reality is that God is always with us even if we can’t feel that He is. We should learn from Job, who through all this suffering in losing his family, health and wealth, he never failed to continue trusting and worshipping God.

One of our members also shared that he often reads Psalm 139 because it shows how intimately God knows and guides us, even in times when He seems distant.

5. What does this mean: “offer your bodies as a sacrifice”? What would our lives look like if we truly lived in this way?

Being friends with God means that we have an intimate relationship with Him. As Jesus stated, a true friend would die for his friends. This is the extent of our intimacy with God.

Purpose Driven Life Day 14

Home Group Meeting – 10/5/2005

Opening
Introduction and partner picking for newcomers

Brief Review of last week
Last week we covered:
Day 10 - The heart of worship: Although the world “surrender” carries a negative meaning in most contexts, it is the heart of worship. The story of Jericho (Joshua 5:13 – 6:21) shows how surrender could lead to victory. By surrendering, we do not stop what we are supposed to do. Instead, we do them with more strength.
Day 11 & 12 - Becoming best friends with God: The difference between servant and friend is a servant does not know his master’s business, but a friend does (John 15:14-15). God wants us to be His friend and demonstrated it by dying for us. The ball is in our court: how can we make friend with God?
And started with Day 13 –Worship that pleases God
For Q1, we read Mark 12:30 (Mathew 22:37, Luke 10:27) and Deuteronomy 6:6-9.

For this week we will continue with the questions of Day 13
Day 13 –Worship that pleases God
Q2. Which is easier for you – public or private worship? In which do you usually feel closer to God?
Q3. What does “God’s worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) mean to you?

Day 14 – When God Seems Distant
“I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I can not find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I turn to the south, but I can not find him. But he knows where I am going. And when he has tested me like gold in a fire, he will pronounce me innocent.” Job 23:8-10
Q1. Did you ever feel God seemed distant? What did you learn from such a time?

For Week 2:
Q. Did it surprise you that making friend with God is worshiping God? Why?

Sharing time
From this week’s reading, do you have a passage from the book or from the bible that you want to share?

A song to share – Footprints

Prayer time

This is the summary.

The Summary for Jubon HG on Sept. 28th

Jubon HG on Sept. 28th. @ Mindy`s

Members: Anna(new member), James, Jean & Thomas, Jose, Katie(new member), Kei, Mindy, Ninih, Sylvia, and Atsuo

Dinner: Nikujaga and Meat Sauce by Kei and Mindy (Thank you)

Discussion: Purpose Driven Life Day 10 to Day 14

Day 10- The Heart of Worship
Q. What is keeping people from surrendering your life to God?
A. - Fear, Pride and Confusion… i.g. Having fear of the thought that God may not forgive your sin. / Having unnecessary pride that you’re reluctant to commend full of yourself to God, etc

Day 11- Becoming Best Friends w/ God
God invites us to enjoy friendship and fellowship with all three person on the Trinity: Our Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. (p 86)

The term `Friend` in here is used `Friend` from more of God`s point of view.

Key to the Best friends w/ God: Constant Conversation and continual meditation

Day 12- Developing Your Friendship w/ God
Q1. How is the `friendship` w/ God similar or different to other?
A. It is similar in nature like parental unconditional love to their children but different magnitude. (More intimate, closer and helpful?!)

Q2. ・(Constant Conversation) ・(Continual Meditation)
・Be honest w/ God ・Obey God in Faith
・Value what God Values ・Desire friendship w/ God more than anything
*These are keys to the friendship w/ God. The word `Obey` sounds a bit strong but… it is `Worshipping` to us.

Day 13- Worship that pleases God
`Love God w/ all your heart, soul, mind, and strength`
This verse is repeated in different part of bible. (Deuteronomy 6:6
Mark: 12:30, Mathew 22:37, Luke 10:27)

　　　Q1. What to do with this verse?
A. Never forget this at all time. Teach to others. Repeat it at all time

Q2. Public or Private Worship?
A. Feel the closest in private (empty sanctuary at TUC) yet more joyful w/ others.

*Worship not for your benefit but others and to the glory of God. Do not become self-righteous but humble server to God.

* Reflection: Try to start a discussion at a fixed time.

Purpose Driven Life Day 10-13

Home Group Meeting – 9/8/2005
Day 10 – Day 12

Opening
Introduction and partner picking for newcomers

Brief Review of last week

Last week we reviewed Days 1 to 7: What on earth am I here for, and went through Days 8 and 9: Worship-You were planned for God’s pleasure. Group members discussed what the phrases “worship”, “offer your bodies as a sacrifice”, “completely dedicate our lives to God”, and “trust God” mean to us, and how we can truly live to what they mean to us.

Day 10 – The heart of worship

“The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become – because he made us. He invested all the different people that you and I were intended to be…It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, tat I first begin to have a real personality of my own” CS Lewis

Q1. If we are to trust God to work in our lives, we must fully surrender ourselves to Him. What barriers are keeping you from surrendering your life to God?

Day 11 – Becoming best friends with God
Day 12 – Developing your friendship with God

Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have make known to you.” - John 15:14-15

Q1. How is a friendship with God similar to any other friendship, and how is it different?

Q2. Rick Warren gives six secrets of friendship with God:
Through constant conversation
Through continual meditation
Be honest with God
Obey God in faith
Value what God values
Desire friendship with God more than anything else
Which one am I still missing?

Day 13 –Worship that pleases God

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. - Mark 12:30 (Mathew 22:37, Luke 10:27)
Q1. This verse was cited from Deuteronomy. Do you know what God asked His children to do with this verse?
Read Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Q2. Which is easier for you – public or private worship? In which do you usually feel closer to God?
Q3. What does “God’s worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) mean to you?

Day 14 – When God Seems Distant

Q1. Did you ever feel God seemed distant? What did you learn from such a time?

Sharing time
From this week’s reading, do you have a passage from the book or from the bible that you want to share?

Prayer time

The following is the summary. I think it was written by Atsuo.

The Summary for Jubon HG on Sept. 28th

Jubon HG on Sept. 28th. @ Mindy`s

Members: Anna(new member), James, Jean & Thomas, Jose, Katie(new member), Kei, Mindy, Ninih, Sylvia, and Atsuo

Dinner: Nikujaga and Meat Sauce by Kei and Mindy (Thank you)

Discussion: Purpose Driven Life Day 10 to Day 14
Day 10- The Heart of Worship
Q.What is keeping people from surrendering your life to God? A. - Fear, Pride and Confusion… i.g. Having fear of the thought that God may not forgive your sin. / Having unnecessary pride that you’re reluctant to commend full of yourself to God, etc

Day 11- Becoming Best Friends w/ God
God invites us to enjoy friendship and fellowship with all three person on the Trinity: Our Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. (p 86)

The term `Friend` in here is used `Friend` from more of God`s point of view.

Key to the Best friends w/ God:
Constant Conversation and continual meditation

Day 12- Developing Your Friendship w/ God
Q1. How is the `friendship` w/ God similar or different to other?
A. It is similar in nature like parental unconditional love to their children but different magnitude. (More intimate, closer and helpful?!)

Q2. ・(Constant Conversation) ・(Continual Meditation)
・Be honest w/ God ・Obey God in Faith
・Value what God Values ・Desire friendship w/ God more than anything
*These are keys to the friendship w/ God. The word `Obey` sounds a bit strong but… it is `Worshipping` to us.

　　Day 13- Worship that pleases God
`Love God w/ all your heart, soul, mind, and strength`
This verse is repeated in different part of bible. (Deuteronomy 6:6
Mark: 12:30, Mathew 22:37, Luke 10:27)

　　　Q1. What to do with this verse?
A. Never forget this at all time. Teach to others. Repeat it at all time

Q2. Public or Private Worship?
A. Feel the closest in private (empty sanctuary at TUC) yet more joyful w/ others.

*Worship not for your benefit but others and to the glory of God. Do not become self-righteous but humble server to God.

* Reflection: Try to start a discussion at a fixed time.

Purpose Driven Life Day 1-9

This is the summary of our first HG meeting on PDL. This summary was written by James Lee.

Home Group Meeting – 14 September 2005
You were planned for God’s pleasure!!

Opening

1. Brief introductions for newcomers.

2. Your Pledge - pick someone who you can follow the book together. This is your PDL partner. You should encourage each other, make sure you and they keep you up to date, ask questions etc…

Proposed partners are:
Jean and Thomas
Mindy and Kei / Hidemi
Atsuo and Tomoko
Dan and Sylvia
Alan and Jose
James and Ninih

Days 1 to 7: What on earth am I here for?

3. Go over main points from last week

Last week we went through the first 7 days of PDL. In it we learnt about the “meaninglessness” of having earthly goals and that true purpose could only come from our Creator (God). This is because only the Creator truly knows what His creation (us) was made for. The PDL states that after we have Repented and Accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour our purpose is to bring GLORY to GOD.

In the PDL, 5 ways in which we bring glory to God are discussed. We bring glory to God by:
1. Worshipping Him;
2. Loving other Believers;
3. Becoming like Christ;
4. Serving others with our gifts; and
5. Telling others about Him.

This week and next week, we shall discuss the first way we can bring glory to God: Worship.

Day 8: Planned for God’s pleasure

4. When you hear the word “worship”, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Read Romans Chapter 12:1-2

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will”. Romans 12:1-2.

For some of us, Worship reminds of singing gospel songs, attending and praying at church. In a general sense, it also makes us think of pagan things. For example, while I was backpacking in India, I witnessed a religious animal sacrifices. Such a ceremony could also be described as “worship” in a broader secular sense.

5. What does this mean: “offer your bodies as a sacrifice”? What would our lives look like if we truly lived in this way?

When we are urged to “offer our bodies as a sacrifice”, this means that we are to completely dedicate our lives and everything we do to God. Worship therefore goes beyond just attending church on Sundays, singing gospel songs and praying.

6. When we completely dedicate our lives to God, what does this mean?
Read Corinthians Chapter 10:31

When we completely dedicate our lives to God, this means that we live our lives as if we are living it for God.

God has created all of us and given each one of us gifts (both spiritual ones and non-spiritual ones). We should live our lives in appreciation of the things that God has given us and use our abilities for God. This could be by participating in the church’s operations such as in finance, mission, rice project, hosting a home group, and so forth. Even in our daily work lives we can live for God, such as introducing our colleagues to Jesus and spreading God’s word by being a light in the secular workplace.

Eric Liddell was a missionary as well as an Olympic gold medallist (see movie, “Chariots of Fire”). While he was training for the Olympics the intense training took him away from his missionary work preparations. However, even with the worldly goal of seeking an Olympic gold medal and all the fame that comes with it, he dedicated this goal to God. When he ran, he ran for God. And when he ran, he tried to use his success to spread God’s word even more effectively because of his fame. For example, after each race, he would give an evangelistic talk to the spectators who came to watch the races. Eventually, he went on to win an Olympic gold medal, and shortly thereafter, he went on to work as a missionary in China.

In the area of work/career, I believe God put us in our current jobs (and is continuing to put us in new jobs) for a purpose, His purpose. I also believe that when we dedicate our lives to God, our career aspirations should be consistent with His will, just as in the case of Eric Liddell.

7. What can I start doing in my life now as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?

The personal goals of some group members was briefly discussed.

Day 9 – What makes God smile?

8. Trusting is an act of worship. The PDL gives the example of Noah and how he trusted God.

Describe the story of Noah’s trust in God.

Noah built a boat in the middle of the desert when he had never even seen the sea. He had never even seen rain, but for 120 years he was the object of ridicule because of this. Despite this, Noah trusted in God’s will completely.

9. “Give it all to God: your past regrets, your present problems, your future ambitions, your fears, dreams, weaknesses, habits, hurts, and hang-ups. Put Jesus Christ in the driver’s seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel. Don’t be afraid; nothing under His control can ever be out of control.” Page 83

What does it mean to trust in God?
Read Romans 8:28
Read Proverbs 16:9

“And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. Romans 8:28

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps”. Proverbs 16:9

Trusting in God is having faith that God knows the best for our lives.

To worship God, to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, to dedicate our lives completely to God, in order to do these things, we must trust in God. To put it another way, if we don’t trust that God will work for our good (Romans 8:28) then how could we possibly dedicate our lives to God?

Like Noah, even when our direction in life sometimes seems difficult to comprehend we need to trust that God is working for our good.

10. Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?

The personal experiences and reflections of some group members were briefly discussed.

Prayer time

In addition to personal prayer points, think of today’s lesson and pray about the areas of our lives we could dedicate to God.

Let's grow together