CELL NOTES 7/1/08

ICE BREAKER

Who is the most memorable guest you have had in your home – as a child, or as an adult?

THEME

Mission statement part 1

All Saints Church exists to love God

Readings  :-

Mat 22 : 34 – 40 & Luke 10 : 38 – 42

SERMON OUTLINE

1) The importance of relationships to our happiness. Jesus emphasises two – with God and people, and that both must be based on love.

2) Relationships, too, involve commitment for them to work at all well – and that includes our relationship with God.

3) When Jesus visited Martha and Mary, Mary chose the one thing that was needed – to be in the presence of Jesus.

4) First century Jewish blessing, “May you always be covered by the dust of your rabbi.”

5) A disciple is completely identified with his/her rabbi, in way of thinking, behaving, reacting, choosing etc.

6) How do we love God? By deciding to live in the presence of Jesus.

7) Martha was distracted by many other things. She was under the same roof as Jesus, but there was a relational gulf between them.

8) It is easy for other, in themselves good, things to become distractions in our loving God.

9) Loving god is 24/7. Most of our time is spent in the kitchen, work-place etc. So do it with Him – getting up, driving the car, doing the washing up, functioning at work etc.

10) When is a good time? Now!!

11) The HOPE 08 Declaration.

QUESTIONS OF APPLICATION

Read the passages.

1) By Jesus’ definition, what kind of lover are you?

2) What is likely to be distraction for you? How may you guard against this?

3) How, in practice, can you more consistently live your life in the presence of Jesus?

4) How do you feel about the way Jesus responded to Martha and Mary?

5) What do you make of the HOPE 08 Declaration?