Tuesday 25 February 2014

Transformative Prayer



Passage: 7 fold call to prayer from John 14-16


Transformation in us and our world is related directly to prayer.  Prayer is key to transformation:


a. from being overwhelmed to overcoming (John 14:12-14)
What was overwhelming the disciples at this time?  How do these words bring comfort to them?
What overwhelms you in life?  How do these words impact your overwhelming situation?


b. from being fruitful to exceedingly fruitful (John 15:7-8, 16)
Is it possible to be a Christian and not fruitful? (15:2). 
Describe God's intention in our lives regarding fruitfulness. (15:2, 8, 16)
Describe the relationship between fruitfulness and prayer (7-8, 16)
What is the fruit that you would ask Him for today?


c. from joy to fullness of joy (16:22-24)
What is the joy that every Christian has which can never be taken away?(16:22)
What is the path to fullness of joy? (16:23-24)
Are you growing in that?


d. from hesitant to confident with God (16:25-27)
How does confidence in the love of God affect our practice of prayer?
How may you grow in confidence in the love of God?
What does it mean to pray in the name of Jesus?
Are there any promises like these anywhere, by anyone, under any circumstances?
Praise God for these promises and commit to take hold of them this week.

Monday 17 February 2014

Our Church Vision - Make Disciples




1. Can your group recall the main ideas from the previous three sermons on the vision of Toronto Alliance Church?

2. Who is one person who has had a significant impact on your life? Describe your relationship with this person: How did their personality rub off on you? How did they teach you? What is the most important lesson you learned from him or her?

3. Read Matthew 28:16-20. As a group, spend a few minutes trying to memorize verses 18-20. Why is it a good passage to have memorized?

4. How would you define a disciple? Are there any biblical verses which guide your definition?

5. When does discipleship begin? Is it possible to be a believer in Christ but not a disciple? Discuss.

6. Reflecting on the passage: Why do you think Jesus speaks about His authority before giving the commission? How are disciples made? What does the knowledge of Christ’s presence do for the disciple maker?

7. How can you personally go and make disciples in Toronto? Has anyone in your group ever felt a calling to missions? Do you still sense this calling (from time to time)?

8. Who are some people in your life you would like to see become disciples or who are you presently discipling? In groups of 2 or 3 pray for these people.

Sunday 9 February 2014

Our Church Vision - Restoring Broken Lives



1. What has Bill taught about the vision of TAC so far (prior to this past Sunday)? When you reflect on these ideas, how do they impact/affect you?

2. The vision of TAC is “Restoring broken lives.” What does this mean? Who are the broken who need to be healed? How have you seen TAC fulfilling this vision?

3. Read Mark 14:1-10.

4. Pastor Bill said that as God restores us He causes us to have eyes for Christ only. Do you see this in today’s passage? If so how? Have you seen this in your life or in other’s lives? Share about this.

5. Pastor Bill said that the woman does not have her eyes on other people. What does this mean? What happens when we focus on others and not on Christ?

6. The woman does something beautiful for Jesus. Why might she have done so? How can we do beautiful things for Him today?

7. Pastor Bill said that it is never a waste when something is devoted to Christ. What did he mean by this?

8. Pray for one another – that God would continue to restore your own lives (perhaps share an area of brokenness that still needs His healing). Pray for friends and/or family members who need His healing. Pray that your eyes would be on Christ.

Monday 3 February 2014

TAC - Our Church Vision - Our Connection with History




1. As a denomination, what is the Christian and Missionary Alliance known for? 

2. Describe something that you have had to rebuild or remake. 

3. What does the prefix re mean? What comes to mind when you hear the word rebuild? What do you know of TAC’s re-build?

4. Read Jeremiah 33:1-11.

5. Have everyone share one thing which stands out for them from this passage. What are some things you might learn about God’s work of rebuilding from this passage? [Pastor Bill said that when God does a rebuild God calls us to prayer; he said that when God does a rebuild it is a rebuild of people; he said that God rebuilds for His own glory.]

6. Recall some of the stories Pastor Bill shared from Footprints. Do you know of any other stories from the early Alliance? What is the benefit of remembering such stories?

7. The early Christian and Missionary Alliance spent much time ministering to the poor and broken. Who are the poor and broken in Toronto today? Pray for some of the poor and broken people you know personally.