CPC Discussions: January 2015

Monday, January 26, 2015

"Outlandish Promises for Ordinary People" - Genesis 15 (January 25, 2015)

1. Have someone read the passage.
2. What are the promises that God makes to Abram in this passage?
3. What are some of the hinderances Abram was confronted with that would prevent him from believing?
4. How do we see God drawing towards Abram?
5. The passage details the covenant ceremony, what is occurring in this ceremony?
6. Where are the places in your life that you're needing God to be your shield (where you're feeling vulnerable)?
7. How does this passage assure us that God will be our help?

Outline:
1. Why our faith languishes
a. Contradicting Circumstances
b. Deferred fulfillment
2. Where our faith leads
a. God moves towards us
b. God is beyond us
c. God is with us

Sunday, January 11, 2015

"God's Persistent Grace" - Genesis 12:10-13:18 (January 11, 2015)

1. Have someone read the passage.
2. What are some of your impressions of Abraham because of this passage?
3. How do we see Abraham "messing up" and "missing opportunities"?
4. Where is God's grace evident to Abraham in this passage?
5. Where are the places in your life that you live with "what if?"
6. How does God's grace help us to be free from the "what ifs?"
7. Spend sometime praying together that you would find motivation to repent, trust, and follow God by his grace.

Outline:
God's persistent grace
1. When we mess up
2. When we miss opportunities

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/