Eugene International Church of Christ

“D” is for “Discipline”

Opening Question: Who, in movies or in history, inspires you? What is ONE reason why?
Disciplined. The more disciplined the character, the greater capacity to love.

John 13:1-9
* What is about to happen to Jesus? Yet - what is he thinking about? Is it easy to think about other’s when you are suffering?
* What does Jesus do? Why? What’s motivating him?
* What about Peter’s reaction? Why is he acting like this? What are some things that could be going on in his heart?
* Peter had his own idea of what discipleship was. Peter was being proud, but he thinks he’s being righteous.
* Have you ever thought you were being righteous but it turned out that you were being proud? Example?
Read the rest of this entry »

Second Chance

If you could do one thing over in your life, what would it be?
There are lots of things that run through our minds, but grandparents and parents with kids growing up quickly will nearly every time say the same thing: I wish I would have spent more quality time with my children, with my family.

I want us to read the Biblical story of Hezekiah and how it relates to us getting a second chance!
Lets start in 2 Chronicles:
2 Chronicles 30-32 Here we are given a Big Picture perspective of Hezekiah! Destroyed the Ashera poles, high places to foreign gods, restored the temple worship, drove out his enemies - Great deeds are done by him.
2 Chronicles 32:24-33
Humility brings forgiveness:
God left him to test him and to learn what was in his heart…? Book of Kings?
Read the rest of this entry »

Because I Said So…

What is the most used word by little kids when we ask them to do something?
“Why?” Because. Because why? Because I said so.

Is it OK to question things? Of course. As children God want us to seek knowledge. So what is it that bothers us with this question? It is the issue of Trust…or lack of it.

Depending upon the age of the child, we could explain the answer to most of their questions…but often we have to try to explain it on their level… or they won’t get it. Even then, the usual reply is the same … but why?

Don’t they know that we have a plan behind what we are doing, we know what needs to happen to make that plan work, and we haven’t steered them wrong yet?

Unfortunately, we build up a sense of frustration after awhile…We think, don’t they know we have our children’s best interests in mind? It bothers us that they don’t…what? Trust us.

Now let’s take a look at ourselves from Gods eyes. Can you think of some of the ways we do the same thing to God?

Q: In what ways do people use questions to keep God at arms length?
Read the rest of this entry »

(Pass around image of Mr. Spock(Turn to John 15)
Q.) Name and something that comes to mind when you see this picture?
“Live long and prosper.” “Highly illogical.”
Q.) What is something you’ve done because it was “logical?” What is something you’ve done that was illogical?
Q.) What is logical? What are some examples of logic?
“If this, then that. This and that. This or that. Etc.”

We are not here to talk about Star Trek or Programming…so on to the bible.
How does logic apply to our relationship with God and our relationship in General?
Read the rest of this entry »

INTRO
Q.) What is the last thing you remember saying “thanks” for, or you expressed gratitude for?
Q.) What is something you should have said “thanks” for, but did not?
Q.) Have you ever had to thank someone for saving your life or have you ever “almost died?”
- Explain
- How did you feel afterward?

Luke 17:11-13
Q.) What is leprosy like? Back then? Imagine the smell. Imagine the loneliness. Imagine the despair…the utter hopelessness and sense of doom…
Q.) What did they ask Jesus for? Why?
Q.) Have you ever felt hopeless before? Have you ever felt like you could never change?

Luke 17:14
Q.) Does Jesus “work a miracle” here? Does he touch them? What did they do? He told them to go show themselves to the priests … why did they go?

Luke 17:15-16
Q.) How did this man feel? Why? Why does the Bible note that this is a Samaritan? (Explain Samaria and half-breeds and Jews views on it…).
Read the rest of this entry »