CELL NOTES

26-1-12

ICE BREAKER   

Do you enjoy swimming? What is your best swimming experience?

THEME

God is on our side

Reading: Mark 1:21-43

SERMON OUTLINE 

1. In the temple Jesus taught with authority.  He understood the heart behind the teaching.  We need to have our hearts formed by what we read in scripture, not just to learn facts and have head knowledge.

2. Jesus came to show us that God is real and is accessible to us. When he was praying and was interrupted, he did not shun the interruption.

3. Romans 5:8 God takes the initiative. He has always been a relational God. His strategy was to reconcile himself to us through Jesus.

4. A.W.Tozer wrote that what comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

5. If asked “What is your image of God, we might give standard answers e.g. God is loving, God is faithful. Do we really believe that? Romans 8:31-32.

6. Ben’s picture of a person standing in a river.

· You can stand and let the flow go past you.

· You can fight against the river.

· You can let go and go along with the flow of the river.

This can be a picture of how we respond to God’s plan.

QUESTIONS OF APPLICATION

1. What comes into your mind when you think about God?  Do you really believe that he wants a relationship with you personally?

2. Thinking about Ben’s picture, what are you doing in the river?

· Feeling you have things under control and standing still?

· Fighting against God’s plan for you?

· Letting God have his way and experiencing the thrill of being carried with him?

· Something else?

3. Ben read Romans 8: 31-39 from The Message. Which verse particularly speaks to you? Has there been a time when this passage has been especially relevant to you?

4. Is there anyone you wish could know the truth of these verses? Spend some time praying for them and for each other.