This week, “Love Ottawa” and “City on Our Knees” are calling the churches of Ottawa to a week of prayer. Before you discuss this week’s message and/or curriculum, spend an extended period of time together praying for our city and for the churches of Ottawa.
Pray for:
- The City-Wide Church of Ottawa. Pray that the church would be loving & bold as it declares the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our City.
- The Gathering Ottawa. Pray that God would continue to advance His mission through our church. Pray for the leadership and for all the families represented.
- City Council. Pray for our City Councillor in RSS, or wherever you live (Michael Qaqish is the councillor for RSS) as well as for our Mayor (Jim Watson). Pray that they would lead with much wisdom!
- Ottawa. Pray for renewal in our city!
(Note: There are 7 great “Prayer Points” available for daily prayer on a City on Our Knees’ website. You can find them by clicking here)
CONVERSATION STARTERS
NOTE: If you missed this week’s message, click here to listen or watch.
Talk about your experience on Sunday morning.
- How did God speak to you during worship and/or teaching this week?
- What have you been reflecting on and/or praying about in response to this week’s service?
According to a recent study commissioned by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, only 1 and 7 Canadian Christians engage in weekly Bible reading (with many never reading, or reading only seldomly).
- Does this surprise you? Why or why not?
- How would you describe your current Bible Reading rhythm? Would you be one of the 1 in 7 who read at least weekly or one of the 6 of 7 who don’t?
“To be deeply rooted in Christ is to be deeply rooted in the Scriptures.”
- Do you think it’s possible to be deeply rooted in Christ without being deeply rooted in the Scriptures? Why or why not?
- What do you think it means for the Bible to be “authoritative”? Why is this so important?
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 together.
- Why is it important to recognize the Bible as “breathed out” (inspired) and as “the book that God wrote”?
- What implications do you think this should have on your relationship with Christ?
Read Hebrews 4:12 and James 1:22-25 together.
- What do you think it means for the word of God to be “living and active”?
- Why is it so important to not be not only be hearers of the word, but doers also?
- How does God use Scripture to help us grow in Christ?
- In what ways have you personally experienced spiritual growth through the Scriptures?
Jeff challenged everyone to commit to a 5-week Bible Reading Challenge through the Gospel of Matthew.
- Have you committed to doing this? How is your first week going?
- What is God saying to you through the Scriptures?
- What can this group do to encourage one another along in our Bible Reading?
Remember to use “SOAP” as you read! (hint: use a journal to record your thoughts and prayers!)
S – Scripture (What passage are you reading?)
O – Observation (What does it say?)
A – Application (What are you going to do about it?)
P – Prayer (Ask God to empower you to live it out!)
