CELL NOTES 1/10/07

ICE BREAKER

When you are sick, what are you like? Oscar the grouch, Superman, Rip Van Winkle?

THEME

Do you want to get well?

Reading John 5 : 1 – 9

SERMON SYNOPSIS

1) A description of Hebden Bridge. “We take pride in our eccentricity.” As Christians we need to be eccentric – self being off-centre so that Jesus can be truly central.

2) Jesus’ question in v 6. “Do you want to have your life together?” What makes your life dysfunctional?

3) Story of the man who identified work as the main factor in making his life out order – but then could not consider giving it up.

4) What’s wrong with us? We are self, not God centred.

5) Man in reading had been ill 38 years. He only knew how to be ill – can be the same for us - don’t really know what it would be like to be properly whole.

6) Story of counsellor who acknowledged need for people to receive forgiveness. Only Christians can offer that. For many, no concept of what that feels like.

7) “People in Hebden Bridge are all searching for something, but if they found it they wouldn’t want it.” Contentment is always just out of reach.

8) The man had no concept that Jesus could heal – just wanted Him to stay with him to help him into the pool. We often have an immensely limited concept of God and what He can do.

9) Can you teach an old dog new tricks?

QUESTIONS OF APPLICATION

1) Reflect over the weekend. What did you enjoy about it? What did God say to you, or do in your life?

2) What adventure do you think the Lord wants you to go on?

3) What stops you from being well? What needs to happen to change that?

4) How have you changed in the last two years? How available are you to change today?

5) How big is your God?