Points of Interest 08-28-05

Honesty is an interesting subject. Sometimes when we are honest we are able to clear up long standing problems. Sometimes when we are honest we hurt those around us.

• How much does our culture value honesty?


• Are there times in life when honesty is indeed not the best policy?


• Take a moment and read Micah 2:6-11. What might a “false prophet” sound like today?


• Based on the analogy of the body of Christ in I Corinthians chapter 12, how might dishonesty affect the body?


• What are some words that would characterize a completely honest body of believers?


• How can we know, as Christians, if our honesty is appropriate?

Points of Interest: 08-21-05

• Have you ever been to a confessional? Have you ever participated in a spiritual exercise the emphasized confession?
  


• Explain your feelings about those experiences.
  


• Do you think confession is difficult? Explain your thoughts.
  


• Read Psalm 32:1-5. What does confession mean to a relationship with God?
  


• Can you think of some ways to experience confession?
  


• Focus each day this week on confessing your belief and confessing for forgiveness.
  

Points of Interest: 08-14-05

• Do you tend to be a “rule keeper” or a “rule adjuster”? or Do you tend to follow rules easily or bend the rules a little?
  


• Read the story in Matthew 19: 16-30. From your perspective describe the young ruler.
  


• Why is it so hard for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of heaven?
  


• If Jesus looked at you like he did the young ruler and said, “One thing you lack” what would be that one thing?
  


• What is one thing you could let go of this week in order to give God all access to your life?
  

Points of Interest: 08-07-05

This Sunday, we met Jason and Christy Edwards. In her message, Christy talked about John 4 and her experiences as a missionary in Mali, and invited Crosspoint to partner with her and Jason as they begin their missionary work in Paris, ministering to African Refugees.

Be in prayer for Jason and Christy. We'll be developing our relationship with them as they prepare to leave, and we'll have some contact info and updates posted either here or on the website soon.


We also got to meet Meredith Stone. She and her husband James serve at FBC Commanche, but got to join us this weekend. She did such a great job leading us in worship that we'll forgive her for not letting us get a better picture.

Consider these questions in personal or group study this week:

John 4:1-30

• Describe a time when you were spiritually thirsty.


• What signs of spiritual thirst are there around you?


• What do you think of the idea that the church should help people 1)belong, 2)behave, 3)believe, instead of the opposite order?


• What cultural taboos would Jesus step across in our day?


• What boundaries have you built that need to be overcome?
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• How will you be Christ's hands and feet this week?

David & Goliath

Here are some of the questions our young couple's point team discussed last night.
-Walt

What are the key elements of the story of David vs. Goliath?

What’s your favorite part of the story?

Why is this a commonly used children’s story?

What do David’s words say about him? Are his actions consistent with his words?

List the characters in the story.

As children, we were taught to see this story as though we were David. Try looking at the story from another character’s perspective.

What questions or issues come up that you’ve not considered before?

What role do the following themes play in the story:

- Obedience
- Pride
- Loyalty/Commitment
- Anger
- Intelligence
- What other themes do you see?