The Gospel 4: A Power to believe in
June Silber began this time in the word by encouraging us with the example from the Old Testament of Ruth's influence and the challenge to continue to influence our family friends and neighbours.
Don Silber takes us to Paul's letter to the Romans to focus our examination of the Gospel on the power of God for Salvation. This practical and provoking message is available on audio below.
Some questions for small groups are shown below.
Together read as part of the worship time Psalm 103 (If you know the song sing it?!)
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
Don spoke from Romans Chapter 1 verse 16
Ro 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
I am aware that as each group gathers this week we all have the opportunity to do as Don suggested- and as Paul hoped with the Romans
To BOTH impart AND receive. Lets all seek to do both.
Read the passage again and take the following phrases in turn or in sub groups and reflect on them.
- Am I proud of the gospel? (by which I don’t mean how its portrayed by the world nor do I mean- Am I proud of the Church?)
What has the Gospel done for me?
- The Power of God –
Consider demonstrations of the power of God in your life
What have they been and how have they changed you?
- Salvation, Don described as being so much more than being saved. But also set free- What testimony of being set free can you see in your life that you can share – The more recent the testimony the better!
(Keep them brief 2 min each max) What new set frees can you now claim and pray for together
- Agree together some of the everyone’s you are praying for who will yet believe. Spend some time together praying for some of your everyones.
- Write down one of your ‘everyones’ on a piece of paper and mix up the groups papers. Commit to pray for that person every day for the week (Don’t go on a downer if you forget just pray for them.)- Put the slip somewhere you will see it to remind you.
Don and June Silber, 30/11/2009