New Day Christian Church - Weston, WI

How to make change in the offering basket!

Say What?!  Week 3: "Tithe" Talking about money in church makes many people squirm, but when rightly understood it's simply about giving back to God--cheerfully, sacrificially, and regularly. Key scripture: 2 Corinthians 8-9 Three Characteristics of Giving 1.  Cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7) 2.  Sacrificially (2 Corinthains 8:3-5) 3.  Regularly  (1 Corinthians 16:2) Questions for Reflection and Discussion 1. Read 2 Corinthians 8-9.  How would you explain this in your own words? 2. What gets in the way of people giving cheerfully through the church? What challenges have you had in this area?  How do Paul words encourage you? 3. Who do you know who need help right now? How can God use you to help them?

Worship (Stand up? Sit down? Fight, fight, fight!)

Say What!? Week 2: Church Worship (Stand up? Sit down? Fight, fight, fight!)

(Message recorded January 6, 2013 )

Today’s Key Scripture: John 4:7-30

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Read Psalm 33 (page 427). How would you explain this in your own words?

2. What aspect of God’s character can you celebrate today?

3. How do you praise God?

4. What does it mean to you that we are to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23)?

Born again (I thought that was for weirdies?)

Say What!? Week 1: “Born Again”

(Message recorded December 30, 2012)

John 3:3 (NLT) Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are BORN AGAIN, you cannot see the KINGDOM of God.”

Today’s Key Scripture: John 3:1-16

Supporting Texts Include: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3, 23

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Read 1 Peter 1 . How would you explain this in your own words?

2. What did you read that is something you could begin applying to your life today?

3. How would you explain what Peter means when he says “we have been born again” (v.3)?

4. Who do you know who needs to hear this message?

Making an Impact

The Spiritual Journey of Bilbo Baggins (December 23, 2012)

Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

“It was a good story, that of yours,” said Beorn, “but I like it still better now I am sure it is true…I have hurried home as fast as I could to see that you were safe, and to offer you any help that I can…” --The Hobbit, Chapter VII

KEY QUESTION: How are you making an impact on an unbelieving world?

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Read Acts 8:25-39. How would you explain this in your own words?

2. List what you see Philip doing in that passage that we can learn from today.

3. Have you ever shared your faith? Has anyone shared their faith with you? How did it go?

4. If someone asked, how would you summarize Jesus’ role in your life in two minutes?

Finding Nourishment

Matthew 13:21 (NLT) But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. “Even the good plans of wise wizards like Gandalf and of good friends like Elrond go astray sometimes when you are off on dangerous adventures over the Edge of the Wild… --The Hobbit, Chapter III Key Question: How are you finding nourishment along your Spiritual Journey? Questions for Reflection and Discussion Read James 1:1-18. How would you explain this in your own words? Compare that passage to Matthew 13:18-23. What connections do you see? How do these passages apply to your life? What will you do about it? (Be specific.) Who else needs to hear about this? How will you tell them?

He appointed you to GO!

The Spiritual Journey of Bilbo Baggins, part II Matthew 8:21-22 (NLT) 21 Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” “That leaves you just ten minutes. You will have to run,” said Gandalf. “But--,” said Bilbo. “No time for it,” said the wizard. “But--,” said Bilbo again. “No time for that either! Off you go!” --from The Hobbit, Chapter II Key Question: In what aspect of your life are you resisting the need to trust God? Questions for Reflection and Discussion Read Luke 14:25-35. How would you explain this in your own words? In the passage above, Jesus doesn't seem to have a good marketing plan. What was His goal? What can the church learn from His approach? What are some of the costs of following Jesus that you have discovered personally? What makes being a disciple worth the high price? What luggage might God be asking you to leave behind in order to move forward on your Spiritual Journey? As you discover that the journey doesn't move forward according to your terms, what do you need to be praying for?

He chose you

The Spiritual Journey of Bilbo Baggins John 15:16 (NLT) You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. Let’s have no more argument. I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for all of you…There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself. --from The Hobbit, Chapter I Key Question: How have you seen God inviting you to move from resisting Him to receiving Him? Questions for Reflection and Discussion Read Romans 9:10-24. How would you explain this in your own words? Read Romans 10:9-13. While Romans 9 suggests that God calls us, Romans 10 suggests that we call on God. How can we reconcile these ideas? There is a centuries-long debate about whether: (a) God wants everyone to be saved, but only a few people actually choose God, or (b) Everyone deserves destruction, but God mercifully chooses to save a few. Does this debate matter to you? Why or why not? The fact that you are reading this suggests that God is moving in your life—He is pursuing you. What do you see as the next step He is asking you to take?

Can I lose my salvation?

Q&A Part 8: Can I lose my salvation? (Recorded 11-25-2012) John 3:36 (NLT) And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment." Questions for Reflection and Discussion Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-17. How would you explain this in your own words? What are you thankful for? What are you stressed about? Pray. Read Hebrews 6:4-6. How does this fit (or not) with 1 Cor. 3:10-17? What do these passages say about God? His character? What do these passages say about people? What will you do about this? “I will…” Who needs to hear this story?

The second greatest law is Love

Q&A Part 7: (recorded on 11-18-2012) The Second Greatest Law (Matthew 22:34-40) 1 Corinthians 5:12 (NLT) It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. Colossians 3:12,14a (NLT) 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love… What qualifies someone as an advocate/judge in the church? Spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:19-23; John 15:4) Personal integrity (Matthew 7:1-5) Relational currency (Mark 2:15-16) An advocate walks with a person towards holiness (James 5:16-20): Questions for Reflection and Discussion Read James 5:13-20. How would you explain this in your own words? What are you thankful for? What are you stressed about? Pray. Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. How does this fit (or not) with James 5:19-20? What do these passages say about God? His character? What do these passages say about people? What will you do about this? “I will…” Who needs to hear this story?

How can I worship when I'm depressed?

Message recorded 11-11-2012.  Bonus interview with Nick LaFonte from the Center for Human Development - Wausau, WI. Q&A Part 6: How can I worship when I’m depressed? Psalms 86:15 (NLT) But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Questions for Reflection and Discussion What are you thankful for? What are you stressed about? Pray. Read 1 Kings 19:1-18. How would you explain this in your own words? What do these passages say about God? His character? What do these passages say about people? What will you do about this? “I will…” Who needs to hear this story? Is there anyone who needs help? What can we do? Make a plan.