TBC CONNECTION Discussion Notes / May 2018

CONNECTION Discussion Notes

Ephesians 4:1-16; Colossians 3:14-21

May 6, 2018

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Ephesians 4:1-16  “The Master Builder has put the stones of his church into place.  Look to Christ who built His Church for unity.”

1.  What are characteristics in verses 2-3 are essential for unity?

2. What reasons does this passage give that unity is important?

Colossians 3:14-21  When the massive weather front of God’s power, meets the massive weather front of God’s love, in the believer’s heart energized by Christ’s abiding presence, it produces an F-10 tornado of “doxology” or praise! —adapted from John Piper

3. How did Paul praise God at the beginning and end of his prayer?

4.  What were the four main requests in this prayer?  How did the relate to each other?

How God Answers Prayers: “He may say, 'yes,' immediately or within a short period of time.  He may say, 'wait.'  He may say, 'I have something better.' " -- Charles Stanley

5.  What attitude did Jesus have in His Gethsemane prayer that we should share with Him? (Luke 22:42)

6.  How does remembering Job help us when God answers “yield or wait?” (James 5:10-11)

7.  Why is Peter’s shortest prayer in the Bible a good prayer for all of us? (Matthew 14:30)

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Take some time for prayer.  Divide your time up praying in these four ways.

·       Adoration – Hebrews 13:12-15

·       Confession – 1 John 1:9

·       Thanksgiving – Psalm 100

·       Supplication – 1 Timothy 2:1-4

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5. Luke 22:42

⁴¹ And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” ⁴³ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. ⁴⁴ And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

6. James 5:10-11

¹⁰ As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  ¹¹ Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

7. Matthew 14:30

²⁸ And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind,[b]he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”