CPC Discussions: July 2015

Sunday, July 26, 2015

"A Vision from No-Man's Land" - Genesis 27:46-28:22 (July 26, 2015)

1. Have someone read the passage aloud.
2. Brian talked about the dark place that Jacob would have been in emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc. What are the circumstances that are causing this?
3. Similarly, what is the place you're in? What is causing this?
4. What is the vision that Jacob has tell us about God?
5. What is the promise that God is making to Jacob in the midst of this vision?
6. How does God's promise to Jacob help us? In those places you mentioned earlier, how does God's presence benefit us?

Sermon Outline:
1. Place

2. Vision
a. Mediator
b. Communicator
c. Sovereign Lord

3. Response

Monday, July 13, 2015

"Too Big to Fail" - Genesis 26 (July 12, 2015)

1. Have someone read the passage aloud.
2. The question was asked, "Is God really too big to fail?" Another way of asking this is, "Will God be able / willing to help me?" Where are the places / times you've asked this?
3. Where in this passage do we see God telling Isaac to trust him?
4. In this passage Isaac repeats some of the mistakes of his father, Abraham. Despite these mistakes, how does God show that Isaac has not be disqualified from the promises?
5. As God speaks to Isaac concerning His oath, what event is God reminding Isaac about?
6. Why is this oath significant? What does it say about God and how is it to encourage Isaac?
7. Where is a place that you can trust God this week?

Monday, July 6, 2015

"Our Inheritance Revisited" - Genesis 25:29-34 (July 5, 2015)

1. Have someone read the passage aloud.
2. Why was Esau so willing to give up his inheritance?
3. Esau's desires were off kilter, what are those things that you desire inordinately? How do your actions reflect this?
4. Take some time and compare Jacob's actions as a brother to Esau vs. Jesus' actions as a brother to us. How do they differ?
5. Since Jesus secures for us an inheritance, how do we practically grow in our desires for that inheritance?

Sermon Outline:
1. Our Inheritance Assessed

2. Our Inheritance Squandered
a. Over value
b. Under value the things of God

3. Our Inheritance Secured

Seven Tips For Staying On Track

1. Read through the Bible together with other people.

2. There will be some passages that you may not find interesting and / or difficult to read. Remember 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as you read these passages: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped for every good work." Ask yourself why God spoke this particular passage, and how it is profitable to you.

3. Do the whole reading for each day, but look for a "best thought" for each day - something you can ponder the rest of the day, a verse to memorize, something memorable.

4. As you come the Word each morning, ask God to open your eyes to the wonders found in his word.

5. Let your prayers for others flow out of what you read. Pray and read Scripture. After you read a passage, pray that passage for yourself and for others.

6. Some readings will be long and some short. Take advantage of shorter passages by reading them carefully, reflecting, asking questions, praying for answers, engage.

7. Look for ways you can practically live out what you're reading. James 1:22, "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."

*The above is taken from Stephen Witmer, http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/12/29/two-year-bible-reading-plan/