Foundational Verses

Today Dave looks at the fifth and final area of our life and thinks about the spiritual reality we have to help other people discover the wonderful news about what God is doing.

Worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
1 Peter 3:15

Discussion Questions:

• The verse talks about our ‘Hope as a believer’ – how would you define this? What is your hope?
• Dave said our hope is what is experienced by understanding God’s involvement in the first 4 areas of security – God, Good News, Church and Everyday Life. How much do you feel full of hope because of God in each of these areas?
• Which areas do you find easier or more difficult to see God in?
• How much do you feel this hope is visible to others around you? What opportunities have you had in the past to talk about it?
• How easy do you find it to talk about your hope? What would help you find it easier?

This week Adam is continuing our series by looking at Romans 12:1-2 and how it can help us grow in our security in Everyday Life.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2

Watch along here:

In this talk Dave looks at why and how we should be secure in our church family, knowing we are accepted and truly belong. From a place of security we are able to exercise loving each other just as Jesus loved us.

Discussion Questions:

• Dave talked about three sorts of burdens – a struggle, a responsibility and a calling. Have you experienced any of these? Are you currently experiencing one of more? How are you open to people sharing your burden?
• Thinking about last weeks theme, what might God be doing that is good in the midst of your burden? How might this be growing his likeness in you?

Watch along here:

Today we look at a verse to give us security in the second area – good news. We think about a famous verse that is often misunderstood and think about how the security of God always bringing good news empowers us to live.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28

Discussion Questions:

• When have you seen good things come out of bad situations? Has this helped build your faith?
• How often do you refer to these when you hit new bad situations? What do you think about the idea of ‘speaking to your troubles about God’? Would this be a helpful way to think?
• When have you chosen something hard because it’s the right thing to do? Have you ever avoided the right thing because it would be difficult? This could be something big or small.
• What in your life should you do (or stop doing) right now, because it’s the right thing even though it might be difficult? Tell someone so they can ask how it’s going.

You can watch along here:

This week Dave continues our series looking at Foundational Verses, and how Bible Memorisation can help us build our security in the five areas (God, Good News, Church, Everyday Life, and Mission).

Today he talks about the most famous verse in the Bible as a foundation for our security that God loves us, and we think about the amazing length God went to to get our attention and reconnect with us.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Discussion Starter Questions:

• This is a very famous verse. Do you think things can lose their impact because we’re over familiar with them? If so, what can you do about it?
• Dave talked about two extremes (and more than talked, there was some skilful acting too!) – accepting something at face value and being totally cynical. Where are you on that spectrum? How does this effect your reading of the Bible?
• What can you do to believe and trust the Bible’s truth is relevant for you?

Watch the vodcast here:

Today Dave sets up our new series and the new spiritual practice – Bible memorisation. He thinks about what the phrase “The Word of God” means and the place we give it in our lives.

Discussion Questions:

• Do you already have any Bible verses committed to memory? Which ones? Why these? How and why did you learn them? Do they have any effect on your everyday life?
• What sort of promises or truth do you think are really important to help us live our lives based on God’s foundation?

The video for this week’s podcast can be found here (look below for the autumn plans video too):

The video for our Autumn plans, mentioned in the News and Update, can be found here: