The sermon for this week from the series “Strong: Putting on the Full Armor of God” is titled “Talking God’s Ear Off“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• Did you grow up in an openly “religious” home?  Or was religion a private matter, unseen by you until later years?
• Were you taught any rote prayers as a child?  What was one of the earliest prayers you can recall?

STUDY IT – Ephesians 6:18-20, Romans 8:26-27

• Read Ephesians 6:18-20 out loud.  What stands out for you in this verse?  What questions do you have?
• What are the things that Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for in these verses?  How do these things relate to the “full armor of God”?
• Why do you think Paul closes this section on the “full armor of God” by talking about prayer?  What’s the connection between prayer and the “full armor of God”?
• What do you think it means to “pray in the Spirit”?  Read Romans 8:26-27.  How does this help us understand what it means to “pray in the Spirit”?
• Looking again at Ephesians 6:18, what does it mean to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests”?  Is this difficult to do or easy to do?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

• What are some obstacles in your life that keep you from praying (or praying more)?
• What could you do to make prayer more of a habit in your life?
• What can you learn from this passage about your prayer for others in your small group? For friends in ministry and/or missionaries?  For others in general?  What can you learn from Paul’s prayers in Ephesians 1:16-18 and 3:14-19.

PRAY IT

• Application:  Pray for “all the saints” in your small group.  Take turns praying for each other, particularly their ongoing spiritual growth over the summer.
• Joys and Challenges:  What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Here at Northminster: Pray for the middle schoolers and high schoolers who will be going to Young Life camp this summer.  Pray also for the leaders who will be going with them.
• Beyond Northminster: Pray for Trinity Life Church a new church plant in San Diego affiliated with San Diego Presbytery.  Pray for their pastor, Marc Peña, that God would guide him and strengthen him for this new ministry.

The sermon for this week from the series “Strong: Putting on the Full Armor of God” is titled “Sharp“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• Would you rather read the book or see the movie? Why?

STUDY IT – Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

• Read Hebrews 4:12 out loud. What stands out for you in this verse? What questions do you have?
• What do you think it means that “the word of God is living and active”?
• Whose “soul and spirit, joints and marrow” is God’s word intended to penetrate? Whose “thoughts and attitudes” is God’s word intended to judge? Why is this important to recognize?
• Read Psalm 119:105 out loud. What stands out for you in this verse? What questions do you have?
• What does it mean that God’s word is a “lamp to my feet” and a “light for my path”? What function does a lamp/light serve?
• Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 out loud. What stands out for you in these verses? What questions do you have?
• According to v. 16, what is the source of the Scriptures? What does it mean that the scriptures are “God-breathed”?
• According to v. 17, what is the purpose of God’s word?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

• What evidence do you have that “the word of God is living and active” in our small group study? In your own life?
• In what way do you need God’s word to be a “lamp” and a “light” in your life right now?
• In what part of your life right now could the Scriptures help to equip you for good works?

PRAY IT

• Application: Almost every verse in Psalm 119 has to do with God’s word (using words like law, statutes, commands, teachings, precepts, etc.). Briefly scan Psalm 119 (not necessarily the whole thing) and find one verse that resonates with you. Then, as you begin your prayer time, go around the circle and have each person slowly read the verse they’ve chosen as a kind of prayerful meditation.
• Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Here at Northminster: Thank God for the wonderful work he did through us at our Worship SERVICE Sunday and for the awesome experience it was.
• Beyond Northminster: Pray for our neighbors who were blessed through our Worship SERVICE Sunday. Pray that we might continue to bless them!

The sermon for this week from the series “Strong: Putting on the Full Armor of God” is titled “Rescue Me“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• What’s the first thing that comes to mind for you when you hear the word “saved”?  The word “salvation”?
• Have you ever saved or rescued someone who was in trouble?  Have you ever been saved or rescued by someone (not including Jesus!)?

STUDY IT – Matthew 1:18-21, Luke 2:25-32, Philippians 2:12-13

• Read Matthew 1:18-21 and Luke 2:25-32 out loud.  What do these verses have in common in terms of what they say about who Jesus is?  (See in particular Matt. 1:21 and Luke 2:30.)
• What does it mean to say that “Jesus is salvation”?  How would you put this statement into your own words?
• Look again at Matt. 1:21.  What does Jesus save us from?  What does this mean?  Why is this important?  How does this relate to forgiveness?
• Read Philippians 2:12-13.  What does it mean to “work out your salvation”?  Is salvation dependent on our works?
• Do you think these verses are referring to salvation past (saved from the penalty of sin), salvation present (saved from the power of sin), or salvation future (saved from the presence of sin)?  Why?
• What do Phil. 2:12-13 have to do with transformation?  What does it mean to be transformed?
• LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life
• How have you experienced Jesus as someone who saves us?  (This could be in terms of being saved “from sin” or being saved in other ways in your life.)
• Do you feel like you’ve experienced God’s forgiveness (“the front end of salvation”)?  Why or why not?
• Do you feel like you are in a process of transformation (“being saved from the power of sin”)?  Why or why not?

PRAY IT

• Application:  Go around the group and have each person say one of the following prayers: 1) “Thank you for saving me from the penalty of sin,” or 2) “Thank you for saving me from the power of sin,” or 3) “Thank you that you will save me from the presence of sin.”
• Joys and Challenges:  What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Here at Northminster:  Pray for our Worship SERVICE Sunday next week!  Pray that we will make a real impact on our neighborhood.
• Beyond Northminster: Pray for our neighbors whom we will be blessing through our Worship SERVICE Sunday.

The sermon for this week from the series “Strong: Putting on the Full Armor of God” is titled “Shields Up!“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• Have you ever had (or do you have) anyone in your life that you trust completely? Why was that person trustworthy?
• Have you ever had friends that you didn’t completely trust? Why didn’t you trust them?

STUDY IT – Ephesians 6:16, Hebrews 11:1

• Read Ephesians 6:16 out loud. What stands out for you in this verse? What questions do you have?
• In what way is faith a “shield”? How have you experienced faith as a “shield”?
• What are “the flaming arrows of the evil one”? How have you experienced “the flaming arrows of the evil one” in your life?
• Read Hebrews 11:1 out loud. What stands out for you in this verse? What questions do you have?
• What are some things that you hope for and are sure of? What are some things that you are certain of, but can’t see?
• How might this understanding of faith help us to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one”?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

• What are some verbs or adjectives that describe your present level of faith? Why these?
• How has your life changed as a result of your faith in God? What has your faith cost you? How has your faith affected your neighbors (friends, family, co-workers, etc.)?
• What is one simple step you could take to help you grow in your faith? Is this something you’re willing to do?

PRAY IT

• Application: Spend a few moments praying silently about whatever step God might be asking you to take to help you grow in your faith.
• Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Here at Northminster: Pray for the Session and the deacons as they lead and care for the ministry of Northminster. Ask God to give them guidance, wisdom, and compassion.
• Beyond Northminster: Pray for Floresta, that they would be able to help poverty-stricken communities become self-sufficient. Pray for those communities, that they would discover the love of Jesus as Floresta works with them.

The sermon for this week from the series “Strong: Putting on the Full Armor of God” is titled “Feet Fitted“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• Have you ever gotten into a debate/argument with someone over a particular issue (political, religious, economic, etc.)? Who won the debate? How did you and the other person feel when the debate/argument was over?

STUDY IT – Genesis 15:1-6, Romans 4:1-5, 18-25

• Read Ephesians 6:14-15 out loud. The most literal translation of v. 15 is: “and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.” How clear is verse 15? What questions do you have?
• The NIV and TNIV translate v. 15 as, “and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” The NRSV translates v. 15 this way, “As shoes for your feet, put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.” What’s the difference between these translations? What’s the relationship between “readiness” and “the gospel of peace” in each translation? What do we need to be ready for according to each translation (for NIV, see Eph. 6:11)?
• Read 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 1 Peter 3:15, and Colossians 4:5-6. What do these passages have in common?
• How do these passages portray the way in which one ought to “proclaim the gospel of peace.”

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

• In what way does “the gospel of peace” (peace with God and peace with each other) help you to “stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11)?
• Do you feel “ready to proclaim the gospel of peace”? Why or why not?
• What are some steps you could take to help yourself become “ready to proclaim the gospel of peace”?

PRAY IT

• Application: Think of someone in your life (friend, family member, co-worker, etc.) who needs to hear “the gospel of peace.” Have each group member pray for their person by simply saying, “Lord, please make your ‘gospel of peace’ known to _____________________.”
• Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Here at Northminster: Pray for Northminster’s Worship Band. Let’s thank God for all their hard work preparing music to help us worship each Sunday. And ask God to encourage and guide them as they continue to lead us in worship each week.
• Beyond Northminster: Pray for Reality Changers, a Christian organization in San Diego that helps at-risk teens be the first in their families to attend college.

The sermon for this week from the series “Strong: Putting on the Full Armor of God” is titled “Perfect Credit“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• When you were growing up, what chores were you expected to do around the house? Did your parents pay you?

STUDY IT – Genesis 15:1-6, Romans 4:1-5, 18-25

• Read Genesis 15:1-6 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
• Based on this passage, what do you think Abram fears most?
• How is “faith” related to “righteousness” (v. 6)? Which comes first? Which comes from God? Which is indispensable to a right relationship with God?
• Read Romans 4:1-5 and 18-25. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
• What is the difference between a wage and a gift? What makes a gift special? Is righteousness from God a wage or a gift?
• How would you sum up the Gospel (the message about Jesus) from verses 23-25?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

• What does it matter to you—practically or emotionally—whether a right relationship with God is a gift to be received or a prize to be earned?
• In what area of your life do you need to take a lesson from Abraham and focus not on “working” but on “believing”?
• How is the message that God credits us with righteousness impacting your life? How might it impact your life?

PRAY IT

• Application: Thank God that we don’t have to earn our way to eternal life. Thank God for the gift of eternal life, which we receive when we place our faith in Him.
• Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Here at Northminster: Pray for Northminster Preschool. Ask God to be with the kids, the parents, and the teachers, and that God would demonstrate his love for them in each of their lives. Pray that we in the church would be a blessing to the kids, parents, and teachers.
• Beyond Northminster: Pray for Nate Landis’ organization, Urban Youth Collaborative (UYC). Pray for the Christian lunch clubs at high schools and middle schools all over San Diego. Pray specifically for the 3 lunch clubs that Northminster works with: Madison High School, University City High School, CPMA Middle School.

The sermon for this week from the series “Strong: Putting on the Full Armor of God” is titled “What Is Truth?“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• Have you ever been lied to?  What happened?  How did you feel?  Did that person come back to tell you the truth?

STUDY IT – John 14:5-6, Acts 16:16-34

• What are some ways that you have heard “truth” described or defined?  What is your understanding of what “truth” is?
• Read John 14:5-6 out loud.  What stands out for you in this passage?  What questions do you have?
• What do we learn about “truth” in these verses?  What do we learn about Jesus?
• Read Acts 16:16-34 out loud.  What stands out for you in this passage?  What questions do you have?
• In light of what happened, how do you think Paul and Silas felt in verse 25?  Why do you think Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God?
• What was the ultimate outcome of this story?
• If you were falsely accused, severely beaten and thrown into a dark jail, would you still trust in God’s plan (vv. 23-30)?  Why or Why not?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

• How does what we’ve discussed today affect your understanding of the world?  Of truth?  Of reality?
• Do you truly believe that Jesus is the truth—that his activity in the world is reality?  If so, how does that affect the way you live?  If not, how would you live differently if you did believe it?  What decisions would you make differently?  What risks would you take?

PRAY IT

• Application:  Go around the circle and have each person pray this prayer:  “Lord, help me to know your truth.”  If you’d like, feel free to add: “…in the area of ______________” (naming the area of your life in which you need God’s truth).
• Joys and Challenges:  What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Here at Northminster: Pray for Young Life, our youth ministry, as we reach out to kids in our neighborhood who don’t yet know Jesus.
• Beyond Northminster: Pray for the people who live in the apartments and homes around the church building.  Pray that we might begin to build relationships with them on our Worship “Service” Day (June 14).

The sermon for this week from the series “Strong: Putting on the Full Armor of God” is titled “Stand Strong“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• What were some of your (or your kids) favorite dress-up costumes?  Why those?

STUDY IT – Ephesians 6:10-20

• Read Ephesians 6:10-13 out loud.  What stands out for you in this passage?  What questions do you have?
• Where do you see the devil’s schemes being played out in the world today?
• Read v. 12.  What do you make of this verse?
• Read Ephesians 6:14-20 out loud.  What makes up the “armor of God”?  Which parts are defensive?  Offensive?
• In what ways does the armor enable us to stand against evil?  What piece of armor do you need the most in your life right now?
• What have you been struggling against lately?  How does this passage help equip you?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

• If you had to compare your spiritual armor to this list, where are you strong?  Weak?
• What evidence do you see of the “devil’s schemes” in your life?  Your church?  Your community?  Your nation?  The world?
• What would it mean for you “to stand” in these particular areas of life?

PRAY IT

• Application:  Choose one piece of armor from this passage that you especially need in your life right now.  As you begin your prayer time, go around the circle and have each person simply say, “Lord, I put on _________________,” naming the armor that you need to put on at this time.
• Joys and Challenges:  What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Here at Northminster: Pray for all of the small groups, that God would reveal himself in new ways to every person who is in a group.
• Beyond Northminster: Pray for the swine flu outbreak.  Pray for the thousands in Mexico who have it and for the families of those who’ve died.  Ask God to be with those in the U.S. who have it and ask him to keep it from spreading.

Small groups are starting up again on May 3. If you’d like to join one of these groups, click HERE.

Our next round of small groups starts next week–but it’s not too late to sign up!

Small groups are a great way for you to get to know other people and grow in your faith.  Below are a list of days and times that groups meet.  If you want to join a group, you can sign up in church on Sunday, or you can click the following link to sign up online (simply indicate which group you want to join):

Small Groups Sign-Up

Spring 2009 Small Groups

SERMON-BASED GROUPS

Sunday

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Church
Facilitators – Johana Smith and Judy Sperling

5:00 – 6:00 PM at the Church
Facilitators – Markus and Robin Watson

Tuesday

7:00-9:00 PM at the Church
Facilitator – Loreto Remorca

Wednesday

6:00 – 8:00 PM at the home of Isabelle McCutchen in Clairemont
Facilitator – Isabelle McCutchen

Thursday

7:00-9:00 PM at the home of Mark Hammill and Michelle Hickey
Facilitators – Mark Hammill and Michelle Hickey

Friday

9:00-11:00 AM at the Church
Facilitator – Sonja Wieland

Online

If none of these times work for you, there is an online group that corresponds by e-mail. The first meeting will be in person as well as one other time.

TOPICAL GROUPS

Monday

Weight Loss Group
6:30 – 8:00 PM at the Church in the Fireside Room
Facilitator – Rechelle Mojica

The sermon for this week from the series “Nuts and Bolts: Essentials of Christianity” is titled “God in a Box“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• Describe the last time you tried to talk someone into something or make a deal with someone?  How did it go?  Did you succeed?  What tactics did you use?
• Have you ever felt manipulated by someone?  Or have you ever felt like someone wanted you to be something that you were uncomfortable with?  How did that feel?

STUDY IT – John 12:9-16

• Read John 12:9-16 out loud.  What stands out for you?  What questions do you have?
• Why do you think the people were so excited about Jesus?
• How could you tie in their hope that Jesus will do at this Passover what God did at the first Passover?
• Why a lowly donkey for Jesus (see Zechariah 9:9)?  What was Jesus communicating to the crowds by riding in on a donkey?
• How do you think the people felt when they realized Jesus wasn’t going to meet their expectations?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

• What convinced you that Jesus is your King?  What is the best thing you’ve seen about the type of King he is?
• Have you ever tried to get God to fit into your agenda?  Have you ever bargained with God?
• How difficult or easy is it to allow God to transform you (as opposed to trying to get God to conform to what you want him to be)?
• In what area of your life do you need to allow God to transform you?

PRAY IT

• Application:  Take a moment of silent prayer.  Ask God to help you be open to whatever transformation he wants to do in your life.
• Joys and Challenges:  What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Here at Northminster: Pray for our Holy Week worship services this coming week:  Maundy Thursday, 7pm; Good Friday, 7pm; and Easter morning, 9:30 a.m.  Ask God to bless us as we remember the crucifixion and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.  Ask God to bless those who will be our guests on Easter morning, that God would touch them in a special way.
• Beyond Northminster:  Pray for all those in our neighborhood who have not experienced the life-giving love of God.  Pray that we might connect with them so that they might experience God’s love through us.