FEATURED MESSAGES

As we reach the end of one year, it is a good idea to reflect on what was, but more importantly renew your faith for what is to come. In today's message, we will consider how to value what God has given to each of us and why you are so uniquely called and gifted. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS AND CONVERSATION POINTS: Spend time in personal reflection, asking the following questions: 1. What can I do that I'm best at and with little effort on my part? 2. What is the one thing that other people associate with me? 3. I've listened to others connect this gift with me, so how have I used it? Group Discussion: 4. Read 1 Peter 4:10 and Proverbs 18:16. What is the purpose of the gifts that God has given to us? 5. How can you best steward the gifts given to you? 6. Why does each Christian need to know and activate their gifts? What happens when we don't? 7. Discuss the balance between being humble and yet recognising the gifts you have? 8. Why do some Christians hesitate to use their gifts? How can this change?

We all have default responses, or patterns of thought, that kick-in the moment we face a challenge or an unfamiliar situation. But how often have you stopped and questioned if your default response is actually in-line with your new nature in Christ? In today’s message, we are going to confront these default patterns of thought and familiar responses so that they stop holding us back from greater growth and transformation. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS and CONVERSATION POINTS: 1. Can you recall a situation where your default response gave you an outcome you would have preferred not to have? Can you discern what the underlying reason was for such a response? 2. Thankfully in the Bible we see real life examples of people who don’t always get it right. Read Galatians 2:7-14. 3. What was Peter’s default response to the situation? 4. Why did Paul quickly confront Peter? What could have happened if he remained silent? 5. Read Ephesians 4:17-32. How does Paul teach us to live in our new identity in Christ? Pull out the practical applications.

The world is being shaken and a growing rumble is being felt. As the war in Israel and Gaza continues, God is calling His people to take their place, stand in the gap and PRAY! In this message, you will be encouraged to see the power of your prayers impacting lives on a global scale. Your prayers of intercession will make a difference. PRAYER POINTS: As you spend time praying and interceding for the family of believers in Israel and Gaza, use the following prayer points as a guide (Source: Open Doors): 1. Pray for the Israeli families who mourn for loved ones who were killed or taken hostage. 2. Pray for the believers in Gaza who are caught in the middle of the conflict. 3. Ask God to protect innocent people during this conflict. 4. Pray that, somehow, God will work through this situation to bring more people to Him – and that His people will be salt and light. 5. Pray for those who have been driven out of their homes. 6. Pray for the Christian Ministries and Relief Agencies in the Holy Land. 7. Pray for peace.

Mystery is enjoyable when watching it in a movie but living through it...not so much. Yet, the life of faith is full of seasons where the mysterious ways of God force us to face what we really believe. In this message, you will be encouraged to be honest about the challenges of mystery and find hope in God’s promises when things don’t make sense. God is still the Waymaker, even when we do not see it or understand. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS AND CONVERSATION POINTS: 1. Describe a time when mystery surrounded you. How did you respond to it and what did it do to your faith in God? 2. Why is it ok to have questions and how can questions enrich your faith? When do questions become dangerous to your faith? 3. Read Habakkuk 1:2-4 and then 1:5. What was God’s response to Habakkuk’s questioning? How does this encourage you? 4. Read the story of Lazarus’s death in John 11:1-45. How did Mary and Martha respond to Jesus’ delay in coming? 5. Can you recall a time when God’s response did not make sense? 6. What are some dangers that exist when you’re in such a place of mystery? 7. How do Jesus’ actions in this story breathe life to your faith and strengthen your trust in His plan over your life? 8. How will you plan to better manage the times of mystery ahead?

No one is exempt from trials, hardships and pain. But as believers, we have access to a place where we can find peace, strength and restoration. In this message, you will find hope amid a fragmented and hurting world. The secret place, under His wings, is where you will really know who you are and whose you are. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS AND CONVERSATION POINTS: 1. Be as honest as you can...what is your immediate response when hardships come and evil surrounds you? Share your experience. 2. Read 1 Samuel 30:1-6. As David faced a horrific situation, how did he know that God alone could give him the strength he needed? Discuss what it means to have a history with God and how that impacts your faith. 3. How do you find strength in the Lord your God? 4. Read Psalm 91. Spend time digging out the gold and discuss how this Psalm describes the blessings of the secret place of intimacy with God. 5. Why is it vitally important to nurture your “Secret Place” with God in a world that is anti-God and where all that you stand for is coming under attack? 6. Describe what your “Secret Place” looks like? How do you know you are resting under the shadow of His wings?

To see things clearly, we sometimes have to pause, take a step back and look again. The same goes for a Church’s vision. So, in this week’s message we are taking an honest look at our progress, our church culture and how we can move forward with greater unity. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS and CONVERSATION POINTS: 1. Read John 17:20-23. Why did Jesus, in His prayer to the Father, focus on the unity of His followers? What type of unity does He use as our standard? Is that possible? Why? 2. What are some aspects of Church life that can weaken our unity? 3. Read Acts 2:42-47. Point out the key points of why the First Church’s example is a blueprint for every church and not just a historic picture of a time gone by. 4. Why is it important for everyone who calls The Living Room Church their home, to be connected to the “AND” of our two-fold expression, and not just the “OR”? (refer to diagram) 5. Spend time sharing testimonies of what gathering in your Home Church or at the Gathered Church has done for your faith, your relationships with others and your spiritual maturity. 6. Please take time to pray for our Church. Without judgement, pray for an increased level of devotion and commitment, passion, breakthrough in power and for us all to grow in our sensitivity of the Holy Spirit’s work. Pray for your Pastors.

Love can be expressed in many ways and people often have differing definitions, but when we capture God’s heart for love we get to experience something that is life changing. In this message, you will be empowered to give love to others from what you first received from God. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS: 1. Is there something more you can do for the connection in your marriage? 2. What are some practical things that you can do to help nurture and strengthen your connection to God? 3. What do you normally do when someone in the church hurts you? What can you do instead to protect your connection to the body of Christ? 4. What makes you feel encouraged? What can you do to encourage others? 5. Pray for each other to get a revelation of how loved you are and to be able to love like Christ and not separate what God has joined together.

We’ve all been there…the dreaded hallway of waiting! It’s a season of uncomfortable mystery, patient endurance and active waiting, but is it wasted time? In this message you will discover the surprising blessings of waiting in the hallway of change and why the next open door will come in due time. Expect the unexpected as you navigate the hallway of waiting. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS and CONVO POINTS: 1. What is your experience in the Hallway of Waiting? Describe how you felt and responded to that season of waiting. 2. Read Psalm 46:10a. How have you experienced this reality and why is it an important action to apply? 3. Read Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV. What blessings does God have for those that choose to wait on Him? How can you apply this in your season of waiting? 4. Referring to Mark’s practical tips shared in today’s message, which of them resonated with you and why? 5. How will you position yourself to not miss what God wants to do for you while waiting for the next open door? 6. Spend time praying for each other and for God’s help so that you do not waste the season of waiting.