Week 2 Vanishing Grace Together Groups
We have a Problem
Pastor Cris Together Group [Bible Study]
Together Group Video Week 2
Discussion Guide | Week 2
![[Sunday] Uncomplicated Love - Vanishing Grace](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1674230189454-CL2E9LS648I57WDNKNFC/VG2a.jpg)
[Sunday] Uncomplicated Love - Vanishing Grace
The young man who pushed aside his family now thinks of only their love as he longs for the pig feed. We tend to make love more complicated that it needs to be, but perhaps its simple.
The young man who pushed aside his family now thinks of only their love as he longs for the pig feed. We tend to make love more complicated that it needs to be, but perhaps its simple.
Questions for this week.
Describe a time you’ve felt most fulfilled in life.
Read 1 Corinthians 13. According to this passage, when we speak and act without love, what do we produce? And to what extent might we deserve the unpleasant words people use to describe Christians?
What does love always do (v. 7), and what impact will these actions have on our relationships and interaction with those who do not acknowledge God?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![A June Mets Game [Photos]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1752198727255-RW7CQYV6TH5ADZ2NT8WB/IMG_2638.jpg)
![[Sunday] July 6 - Who is the Beloved? - Christ in the Psalms](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1751648088877-RHR8B8T4M71WDD60X315/2.jpg)
![[Sunday] June 29 Christ in the Psalms The Gift That Keeps On Giving](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1751038491595-3TO5P50WP7Q9WBH6WPCH/2.png)
![[Sunday] Who is the King of Glory - Christ in the Psalms](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1750268103162-AZ75T8PGHYOBHXHGDGLG/1.jpg)
![[Sunday] Joy Comes In The Morning - Christ in the Psalms](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1749737432576-MPNDC04BW8XXTV08ROH3/1.jpg)
Mark Driscoll and My Desert Temptation
It’s not every day that I’m near the church of a man whose rise (and fall) was the topic of so much controversy.
Read the rest at Mark Driscoll and My Desert Temptation - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
We were driving our rental car around cactus-lined streets on the first day of our snowbird getaway to Scottsdale, Arizona when we realized exactly where we were. We were only a few blocks away from a place of podcast infamy and evangelical intrigue: Trinity Church — AKA, Mark Driscoll’s new church.
It’s not every day that I am near the church of a man whose rise (and fall) was the topic of thousands of Twitter threads, blog posts, and podcast episodes about podcast episodes. That Sunday, we learned, Driscoll was starting a new sermon series titled “Real Romance: Sex in Song of Songs.” Perfect…………………………….
Read the rest at Mark Driscoll and My Desert Temptation - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
Week 1 Vanishing Grace Together Groups
We have a Problem
Pastor Cris’ Together Group
Together Group Video Week 1
Discussion Guide | Week 1
![[Sunday] Wells of Grace - Vanishing Grace](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1673530020140-DF98JJAF79TFM4TK0BCN/VG1a.jpg)
[Sunday] Wells of Grace - Vanishing Grace
Jesus was sitting by a well, and she showed up. All by herself, she carried with her the weight of so much struggle. While it would be so easy to belittle her, Jesus instead is a well of grace that is like a cool drink of water on a hot day. Maybe we can be like that.
Jesus was sitting by a well, and she showed up. All by herself, she carried with her the weight of so much struggle. While it would be so easy to belittle her, Jesus instead is a well of grace that is like a cool drink of water on a hot day. Maybe we can be like that.
Questions for this week.
How do you interact with people who are antagonistic to your faith in Jesus or living a life full of sin?
Read John 4:1-42. Why would the woman be at the well in the middle of the day? How would people in her day viewed Samatarians? How does Jesus respond to her?
What are some ways you can be a grace dispenser this week?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Zeal In The Way - Missio Dei Part 4](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1752278147934-JOT5HNNFKQO2MQ2AX8V1/Missieo+4+Week+1a.jpg)
Vanishing Grace Together Groups
Meeting together to talk about Grace
New Together Group Weeks Released Sunday at 11am
We are stronger together and any challenge is better when helped.
I encourage you to meeting with other people to watch each week’s video and go through the discussion questions.
![Philip Yancey on Facing the Canon [Good]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1673053717655-PHP9GW9J76M01Y1EHD6X/maxresdefault%5B1%5D.jpg)
Philip Yancey on Facing the Canon [Good]
Philip Yancey, author of Vanishing Grace is a great interview about his love of Grace.
Philip Yancey, author of Vanishing Grace is a great interview about his love of Grace.
![[Sunday] Following Light - The Book of Advents](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1672969335403-APA5I5N562IPH71T9X0Q/BOA+7a.jpg)
[Sunday] Following Light - The Book of Advents
The Magi followed God’s light of a star. Wait, those foreigners were following God’s light? Surely God’s people will follow the light rather than going back to darkness.
The Magi followed God’s light of a star. Wait, those foreigners were following God’s light? Surely God’s people will follow the light rather than going back to darkness.
Questions for this week.
In your own words, before rereading in the Bible, tell the story of the wise men.
Read Matthew 2:1-12. Now retell the story of the Magi.
How does Herod and all Jerusalem respond to the news that the Magi bring?
Why do you think they respond that way?
Read Isaiah 60:1-6. How can we follow the light of Jesus, as he brings the nations and Magi of the world to him?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Ringing in the New Me
Life has changed, but have I really changed?
Read whole article at Ringing in the New Me - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
t’s the time of year when our New Year’s resolutions slowly begin to unravel. It doesn’t usually happen all at once, of course. A cheat day here, a provoked outburst there, compounded by the multiplication of days and weeks, and what once felt possible eventually becomes fanciful. Even my best intentions can’t always hold up to the temptation of a Chick-fil-A milkshake.
Every new year is filled with hopeless optimism that I can truly change. At the beginning of this year, I took time to look back and reflect on all the ways that my life is different than it was just 365 days ago. I moved to a new state, I got a new job, I got engaged. Life has changed in some sizab………………………
![[Sunday] Simeon - The Book of Advents](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1671683973557-KHIHT6N1G4G8TVFXZEGE/BOA+6a.jpg)
[Sunday] Simeon - The Book of Advents
Simeon waited his entire life to see the Christ.
Simeon waited his entire life to see the Christ.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Prince of Peace Christmas - The Book of Advents](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1671683129733-WENISFPSXKWH4SV3FA3E/BOA+Christmas+Dayjpg.jpg)
[Sunday] Prince of Peace Christmas - The Book of Advents
Joseph is a righteous man, yet he is having to deal with the surprise pregnancy of his bride to be. But here we see the Prince of Peace Shining though Joseph.
Joseph is a righteous man, yet he is having to deal with the surprise pregnancy of his bride to be. But here we see the Prince of Peace Shining though Joseph.
Questions for this week.
When you think someone has sinned grievously against you, how do you respond?
Read Matthew 1:18-25. Based on Mary being pregnant, what would Joseph have logically thought happened?
How does Joseph respond to this? How is that just or righteous?
How does this foreshadow Jesus and his righteousness?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Christmas Eve- Advent of Emmanuel
Throughout history God has come to be with us which culminates with Jesus at Christmas.
Christmas Eve 4pm Service
7PM Service, Starts where the two different services differ.
Throughout history God has come to be with us, which culminates with Jesus at Christmas.
Christmas Eve 4PM and 7PM
Countdown to Christmas Eve at 4 PM
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] The Promised Christmas - The Book of Advents](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1671156329189-FUDG78ZOCCZNTCXZ33HT/BOA+4a.jpg)
[Sunday] The Promised Christmas - The Book of Advents
Joshua stands on the edge staring into the land filled with such promises for a perfect future. But what if you get your dream and desire and just shoot your eye out? Perhaps, then it will be a beautiful Christmas
Joshua stands on the edge staring into the land filled with such promises for a perfect future. But what if you get your dream and desire and just shoot your eye out? Perhaps, then it will be a beautiful Christmas
Countdown to Christmas Eve at 4 PM
Questions for this week.
What is the greatest gift you ever dreamed of receiving at Christmas?
Read Joshua 1:1-9. What is going wrong for Joshua at this time?
What do you think he was thinking as he looked into the promised land? What was he hoping for?
What does God promise He will do for Joshua? How do we see Jesus in this promise?
How has God brought beauty in the imperfections in your life?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Jesus in a Tuxedo T-shirt
In the place you least expect, Jesus finds you.
Read the whole article at Jesus in a Tuxedo T-Shirt - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
In the place you least expect, Jesus finds you.
One of my all-time favorite movie scenes comes from the 2006 Will Ferrell movie “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” You probably know the one. The scene is at a dinner table and Ricky Bobby, a successful if aloof, NASCAR driver, says the prayer before everyone eats. A disagreement breaks out between Ricky and his wife because Ricky repeatedly prays to “Sweet Baby Jesus.” She doesn’t think he always has to pray to a baby; “it’s a bit odd and off-putting to pray to a baby” she tells him.
He responds, “Well look, I like the Christmas Jesus best and I’m saying grace. When you say grace, you can say it to grown-up Jesus or teenage Jesus or bearded Jesus or whoever you want.” Later, Ricky’s friend and teammate, Cal, chimes in, “I like to picture Jesus in a tuxedo t-shirt because it says like, I want to be formal, but I’m here to party too. Cause I like to party, so I like my Jesus to party too.”…………………………
While our fervent passions can inadvertently get in the way, God's relentless love empowers us to join His expansive mission, extending grace to all.