Grace-Snellville - Teachings | gfc.tv

As you almost certainly have heard, the founding pastor of the GraceFamily of Churches, Buddy Hoffman, died last Sunday evening. His memorial and celebration will be at Grace Snellville at 3pm on Sunday, but the stories we will continue to tell about his life will endure far beyond this weekend. In our gatherings this Sunday morning, DJ Coleman, who serves on staff with our student team and lived in Buddy’s basement for several years, will be sharing from Acts 17, where the Apostle Paul lays down a pattern that resulted in amazing God stories–the same kind of stories that marked Buddy’s life and that, hopefully, will more and more mark our own. Don’t you want to see a new God story through your life? DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) DATE: February 19, 2017 // Title: God Stories // Scripture: Acts 17:16-34 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week DJ led us into Paul’s God story in Athens and invited us to let God write His story in our lives as well. These God stories often start with provocation, where we see and sense something is wrong and something needs to be done. Paul sees the idolatry of Athens and it provokes his heart. After provocation the story turns to perception. Paul listens to the stories alive in the culture around him. Instead of creating distance, getting into a dispute or just wrongly delighting in the stories that he perceives, Paul instead begins to dialogue—entering into conversation with those whose stories are different than his. Finally, Paul proclaims the good news to the community that he is speaking to with grace, mercy and love. So, how might God want to write His story in your life? What provokes you? What do you perceive? How are you moving into dialogue with the stories around you? What might it look like to proclaim the good news in the midst of that? THE MAIN THOUGHT  Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion Your story can become a God story. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): This week DJ talked from Acts 17 about Paul’s God story—What is a God story? What do God stories start with? (provocation) What are some ways people respond to provocation in their lives? (Creating distance, Dispute, Delight or Dialogue) What comes after provocation? (perception) How was Paul engaged in the competing stories of Athens? What comes after perception? (proclamation) How does Paul proclaim good news to the community at Athens? What strikes you most about his content and tone? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What provokes your heart? What is it that you look at and think is not right in our world, in our community, in your neighborhood? What do you perceive is happening in these situations? How are you testing or evaluating those perceptions? What stories are you entering into and engaging in dialogue? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): What is the difference between “biblical literacy” and “gospel fluency”? (gospel fluency uses provocation, perception and proclamation to share the gospel in a contextual way) What does a “gospel fluent” person look like? What do you need to do to become more “gospel fluent” in your life? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Tell the Story 10 minutes (Legend tells us that Ernest Hemingway was challenged to write a compelling story in 6 words. Hemingway returned from the challenge with this 6 word story: “For Sale: Babies Shoes. Never worn.” With these 6 words,

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas do “the right thing” by casting a demon out of a slave girl who is being exploited by her masters. But the consequences are sobering. Rather than celebration and breakthrough, the backlash against the two leaders results in a severe beating and shackles at the bottom of the darkest cell of the Philippi jail. Have you ever done the right thing and felt like the reward was not quite what you were expecting? Have you ever wondered why the grace of God may seem absent when you need it (and perhaps believe you deserve it) most? How did you respond? Paul and Silas responded with prayer and praise. And the consequences of that decision were, in fact, earth-shaking. This week, we will press into the practice of Paul and Silas as we engage in both prayer and praise. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) DATE: February 12, 2017 // Title: Prayer/Praise vs. Prison // Scripture: Acts 16:16-40 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes In Acts 16, Paul and Silas do “the right thing” by casting a demon out of a slave girl who is being exploited by her masters. But the consequences are sobering. Rather than celebration, the backlash against the two leaders results in a severe beating and shackles at the bottom of the darkest cell of the Philippi jail. Have you ever done the right thing and felt like the reward was not quite what you were expecting? Have you ever let the circumstances of life annoy you? Have you ever wondered why the grace of God seems absent when you need it (and perhaps believe you deserve it) most? Have you ever felt imprisoned by reality? How did you respond? Paul and Silas responded with prayer and praise, and the result was literally earth-shaking. Jesus relieves our thirst for a reprieve from burdens and buffeting with an ocean of grace. He resolves our hunger to be set free from the baggage and bondage that imprisons our lives with a banquet of merciful blessing. He responds to our shout of “what must I do?” with the truth of his eternal power, and He invites us to believe on the name of Jesus and be truly and completely set free. THE MAIN THOUGHT  Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion The best response to burdens, baggage, buffeting and bondage is prayer and praise! You are free; through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13) SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture  (What is the story saying?): : What were the challenges Paul and Silas faced in Philippi? What was their focus in the middle of annoying and difficult circumstances? What were the consequences of their actions? What was their response to them? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Which character in the story do you most relate to? Why? Where do you see God in the story? How does the way he intervenes in each character’s circumstances strengthen your faith in his promise to fully set you free? Window  (How does the story change how I see those around me?):  Think about the people you interact with every day. Where do you see burdens, baggage, buffeting and bondage in their lives? How can the example of Paul and Silas guide you as share the truth of Jesus with them? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise 10 minutes (Silently pray through each phrase, asking God to reveal where He is in each area.) 1. Ask God to help you recognize the burdens that annoy, trouble or grieve you. 2. Ask God to help you recognize the baggage that seizes, grips and drags at your life. 3. Ask God to show you the buffeting forces that are inflicting physical, mental or spiritual blows on you. 4.

“Freedom” is one of the sweetest and richest words in the English language. It can be used to describe certain inalienable rights in our nation. It can be the day a teenager gets a driver’s license or a family finally pays off their debts. “Freedom” has even inspired a surprising number of advertisements for everything from denim to Dodge cars! The language of freedom saturates Scripture as well, and as we will see in our reading of Acts 15-16 this week, God’s grace brings three unexpected freedoms unique to life in his Kingdom. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) DATE: February 05, 2017 // Jerusalem:  Three Freedoms in Grace Scripture: Acts 15:36-16:24 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes The language of freedom saturates Scripture, and as we see in our reading of Acts 15-16 this week, God’s grace brings three unexpected freedoms, unique to life in His Kingdom: freedom to fail, to let down appearances, and to be truly free. THE MAIN THOUGHT  Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. You are free; through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13) SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture  (What is the story saying?): What kept compelling Paul to move on to the next place/people group? (I Timothy 1:15) What do we see them do when doors are closed? What measure of herself did Lydia want the men to use? (16:15) Mirror (Where am I in the story?): In my failed relationships or endeavors, where do I see God’s grace? What is my prayer when doors close for me? How does Lydia inspire me to let down appearances? Even if I know the right answers, is there a darkness that attempts to suffocate God’s grace in my life? Window  (How does the story change how I see those around me?):  Our response to the gospel is one of trust. If we trust the gospel, how does it affect the way we see and extend grace to others? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise 10 minutes Read Acts 13:38-39 and John 8:36 together. Ask God to show you areas where you’re struggling with sin. Hear God’s word of freedom to you in this moment. His goodness overwhelms our failures; the power of His name brings wholeness Change IN // Group Activity 15 minutes Have each person identify with one of the freedoms Jon spoke about: freedom to fail, to let down appearances, or to be truly free. Pray with each other to step more fully into them. Jon talked about accountability as an antidote to anonymity in our struggle with sin. Use this time to come clean with each other, confessing struggles and encouraging one another in the grace of God. Change OUT //Life Application Assignment 5 minutes Follow up on last week’s assignment. Where are you choosing to bring the freedom of Jesus to those around you? This week use Galatians 5:13 as inspiration as you plan how to serve one another. CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.

I never knew why the food drawers at the bottom of our refrigerator had different names (“Fresh” and “Crisper”) until Amy and I started a healthy, diabolical eating plan this January that left me nibbling raw kale at a Thursday staff meeting. The great assortment of fruits and vegetables that now stocks our fridge, however, has caused us to learn a bit more about our coolest appliance. Apparently, the “Fresh” bin is high-humidity for produce that won’t dry out and doesn’t emit ethylene (the natural way many fruits ripen). So that’s spinach, cucumbers, and (ugh) kale. The “Crisper” bin is low humidity and mainly for keeping ethylene-emitting fruits like pears and avocados from rotting quickly. But watch out for bananas—their drawer depends on their ripeness. What do these veggie musings have to do with the Book of Acts? Quite a bit, actually. We humans love having drawers and bins and categories not only for our produce but also for one another. And in Acts 15, the fast-flowing movement of God’s grace is nearly derailed when a group of religious leaders starts to insist that everyone must come into their “drawer” of Old Testament law-keeping in order to be saved from eternal “decay.” To what extent must we follow these rules today? And how does the decision of that Jerusalem Council guide us into a fresh witness of Jesus’ grace among peoples from every “bin” and background? Podcast DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) DATE: January 29, 2017 // Jerusalem: Grace Rules Scripture: Acts 15 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes We humans love having drawers and bins and categories not only for our produce but also for one another. And in Acts 15, the fast-flowing movement of God’s grace is nearly derailed when a group of religious leaders starts to insist that everyone must come into their “drawer” of Old Testament law-keeping in order to be saved from eternal “decay.” To what extent must we follow these rules today? And how does the decision of that Jerusalem Council guide us into a fresh witness of Jesus’ grace among peoples from every “bin” and background? THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Grace fuels us; legalism burns us out. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What was the issue that provoked the disagreement in Acts 15? What were the men who were requiring circumcision turning God’s grace into? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What is the grid I use for processing the sharp debates around me (both in and out of the church)? (Acts 15:15) When have I felt the temptation to distort religion into a self-serving practice? Window  (How does the story change how I see those around me?):  In the midst of sharp debates, how do I choose to press forward, seeing myself and others in the light of grace? What do I want to keep at the core of my viewpoint? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise 10 minutes Our desire is to reflect the heart of God as we interact with those around us. Put two minutes on a timer, and in the practice of silence, ask God how He wants you to show His grace to someone around you this week. At the end of the time, share those words, pictures or thoughts with each other. Then intercede for each other to do what God has said. Change IN // Group Activity 10 minutes At the close of his message, Jon challenged us to let grace rule in how we treat foreigners.  What does this mean for you? Discuss scripture’s examples and your intentions to be active in this

As you have almost certainly heard, Buddy and Jody Hoffman–the founders of the Grace Family of Churches–have received news that Buddy’s current health condition is imminently terminal. We don’t know how much longer Buddy will live, but the last week has been an incredibly sweet time of people sharing stories about how he and Jody have blessed so many through their faithfulness, kindness, and leadership. To be sure, Buddy is one-of-a-kind. And, as I’ve looked at the various pictures people have shared, he also has a taste for one-of-a-kind eyeglasses. This seems incredibly appropriate, because Buddy has a way of seeing the world differently, and he has taught many of us to see through these lenses as well. To borrow a phrase from Acts 11:23, Buddy is like Barnabas in that so often he “saw the grace of God” where others would see fear or failure or shortcoming. Buddy sees the world through the lens of God’s grace. We will continue our visit to the church in Antioch through Acts 13-14, and we will learn from Paul and Barnabas how to get better and better at seeing the grace of God in our battles, our history, our suffering, and our opportunities. Let’s all learn to see the world through the one-of-a-kind glasses of God’s grace! DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Date: January 22, 2017 // Antioch II: Seeing the Grace of God Scripture: Acts 13-14 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes Acts 13-14 tells the story of the church in Antioch and their sending impact. This movemental church in Acts functioned in grace—both seeing it and receiving it. When Barnabas came to visit the church at Antioch, he saw the grace of God there, so he brought Saul (Paul) there with him and together with the church they regularly worshiped God there. However, as they ministered to God it also created mission for God. Worship was the catalyst for mission. Barnabas and Saul (Paul) were sent out from the church to share the gospel throughout Asia Minor. On this first missionary journey, Paul (Saul) and Barnabas learn to see the grace of God in spiritual battle, in history, in the midst of opportunity, and even in their suffering. THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. “Grace is God acting in your life to accomplish what you cannot accomplish on your own” —Dallas Willard SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): This week Jon talked about learning to see and receive grace. So what is grace? What does is look like to see and receive grace? How does Barnabas do this in Acts 13? What did Jon say was foundational to seeing with grace? (Mission) How do Saul (Paul) and Barnabas see and function in the grace of God on their missionary adventures through Cyprus, Antioch, Pisidia, and Lystra? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): When in your life have you felt like you were living intently into the grace of God? When have you felt like you were living against or outside the grace of God? How has worship and mission helped you see grace in your life and live in it? Window  (How does the story change how I see those around me?): : Where do you see the grace of God in your home? Where do you see the grace of God in your workplace?

Our daughter Bethany loves playing with little plastic toy animals. She calls them her “amina.” Each toy animal is just like thousands of others taken from the same mold. People are not at all like toy animals–Scripture says each of us is uniquely crafted by a kind Creator. Nonetheless, we humans love to make sense of the complicated world around us by labeling and categorizing certain groups of people. This is not necessarily a bad thing; many labels and identity markers carry beautiful connotations. For instance, I am proud to be called a “Packers Fan.” In Acts 11 and 13, however, something rare happens. In Antioch, a major city, people begin to live in a way that shatters every known mold that the onlookers have to invent a new word to describe them: “Christians.” 2,000 years later, that word evokes many emotions and layers of meaning. But is it possible that we once again could discover what made the men and women of the church in Antioch so unique that they ruptured and renewed so many of the common molds and labels of their time? DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Date: January 15, 2017 // Title: Antioch I: “Christians” // Scripture: Acts 11 & 13 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes In Antioch, a group of people began to live in a way that shattered every known mold. The onlookers had to invent a new word to describe them: “Christians.” 2,000 years later, that word evokes many emotions and layers of meaning. However, in Acts 11 and 13, we can discover what made the men and women of the church in Antioch so unique that they ruptured and renewed many of the common molds and labels of their time! These unnamed followers of Jesus learned to see God’s grace in the middle of chaos, suffering, doubt, and need. They learned together how to see God at work and, with the sense of a settled soul, became witnesses committed to encouraging others to invite Jesus to be the center of their lives. As a result of their identity with the name of Jesus, they became a unified yet diverse community called “Christians” (ones who live and act like Jesus Christ) who shared the life-changing testimony of the work of the Spirit in the community around them. THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Our primary call as people who trust in and follow Jesus is to be witnesses of the gift of His grace to everyone! SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): : What did the Antioch community of Jesus followers learn to see in spite of the chaos and hardships of life? What did the example of Barnabas demonstrate about sharing encouragement instead of spreading criticism? Why is it so important to get our identity only from our faith in Jesus? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): : Where have I been seeing or failing to see God’s grace at work in my life? What areas of my life feel heavy or overwhelming instead of resolved and peaceful? Why? How well am I tuned in to seeing God at work around me? Do the people I encounter every day see me as a “Christian” who looks like Jesus? Window  (How does the story change how I see those around me?):What are some specific ways I can begin to witness God’s grace in my neighborhood, with the next generation, and among the nations around me? What are some simple ways I can be more gracious and generous, more Christ-like, with the people I encounter every day? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes Think of how you have seen God’s grace at work in your lives. Take a moment to have everyone share a brief story of what that gr...

Some of you may have grown up in church. Some of you may have found a church to attend while on vacation. Some of you may have gone to church overseas and worshipped in another language. Many of you plan to come to Grace Snellville on Sunday (or at least watch online, depending on the snow!) But snowstorms notwithstanding, it is likely you have attended more than one church in your lifetime. Take a moment to reflect on those experiences. What was beautiful? What might have been new or even uncomfortable? What was familiar? Every local church has a core and a culture, and we can learn from them all–especially those from the first century! In the second half of the book of Acts, we find bunches of incredible miracles, heroic sacrifices, and godly adventures. But as we read this section of Scripture together this spring, behind the amazing events we will catch a glimpse of God working through four prototype local church communities: Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, and Rome. What can we learn from these churches? This week, we will explore one of the first and most important lessons from Jerusalem in Acts 12. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Date: January 8, 2017 // Title: Jerusalem Church I: Give God the Glory // Scripture: Acts 12:1-25 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week we started back on our journey through the book of Acts. In this second leg of the journey, we will follow the church through several different epicenters of life and faith—Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus and Rome. In Jerusalem we will see the church hold fast to faith and doctrine. In Antioch, we will see the church grab hold of mission. In Ephesus we will see the church live as family. And in Rome, we will see the church move toward its future. This week, Jon challenged us to hold onto faith even in the midst of every circumstance of life like the church at Jerusalem did—both in the devastation and the deliverance. The way we hold onto faith is by recognizing Jesus is Lord in every area of life. So, this week Jon invited us to face life with prayer and laughter—orienting our lives around the call that Jesus is Lord, because when we do, we find that no situation or circumstance can ultimately rule or reign over our lives. THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. No circumstance or situation can ultimately rule or reign over those who realize that Jesus is Lord. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What are the four epicenters of church that we are going to be looking at this semester? (Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus and Rome) What did Jon say we could expect to learn from each culture? (doctrine, mission, family, future) What circumstances do we see the Jerusalem church encounter in Acts 12? How do the experiences of James and Peter shape the church’s life and culture? (fear and faith, destiny and doubt) What does it mean to say “Jesus is Lord” in this kind of world? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Where have you experienced doubt in your relationship with God? What circumstances or situations have contributed to that doubt? When have you had trouble sleeping in your life? Have you ever been through a season in which you couldn’t laugh? How might believing that Jesus is Lord help us learn to laugh, sleep and believe even in the midst of difficult circumstances and situations in our lives? Window  (How does the story change how I see those around me?): What would it look like this week for you to declare that “Jesus is Lord” in every area of your life?

Well, another Christmas is in the books. The presents are all opened. The tree has been taken down. The relatives have “hopefully” made their way home. And now we stand between Christmas and the celebration of another New Year. How do you celebrate the New Year? People all over the world celebrate the dawning of a New Year in lots of different ways. In France, they feast and toast. In the Phillipines, they eat twelve different rounds of fruit to symbolize good luck for the next twelve months and throw loud parties to scare away evil spirits that might threaten their next year’s success. In Greece, they play card games and feast, followed by Basil’s Pie—where a coin is hidden in one slice of pie. Whoever gets the slice of pie with the coin in it is said to have “good luck” for the next year. In Spain, they eat twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight in anticipation of the next twelve months that are to come. And in colder countries, they organize cold water plunges like the Polar Bear Plunge to raise awareness for a cause. Devout Jews celebrate the Tashlich during their New Year—throwing rocks into a flowing body of water (symbolizing throwing off all the mistakes of the past year) and then eat something sweet (symbolizing a taste of what might come in the year to come). Here in America, those of us who can stay up, watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve, give a kiss to those we love—or maybe just the person closest to us—and spend the next day watching college football. But wherever we might find ourselves, celebrating New Year’s often leaves us contemplating—contemplating the year that has been and the year that has yet to come. And in this contemplation, we often find ourselves somewhere between reflection and resolution. In reflection, we think about the good, the bad and the ugly of the year that has past—and to be honest for many of us 2016 has been pretty ugly. And yet, in resolution, we find ourselves hopeful that the next year might contain something different if only we could make one simple change. Fortunately, it is in this tension between reflection and resolution that often the best dreams are born. This year at Grace, as we start another year together, our invitation to you is to begin to dream again. For some of us, the skill of dreaming is trapped somewhere in the past—given up on because we’ve told ourselves that growing up means giving up on our dreams. For others, we’ve replaced dreaming with fantasizing—fantasizing about another life in another place that is sure to be better than where we find ourselves now. But what would it look like if we started this year really daring to dream again? Not fantasizing of a different life, but really starting to find ourselves in God’s dream for our future that begins wherever we find ourselves now. So come join us on New Year’s Day. You just might find a dream worth giving this next year (and maybe your entire life) to. Let’s dream together! And maybe even dare to “Live the Dream” again. DOWNLOADS  

“Joy to the World”, “Tidings of Comfort and Joy”, “Joyful Joyful we Adore Thee”…We hear these phrases and songs all the time. So much so, that as you are reading this, you may find yourself singing or humming these great Christmas tunes. But, what if you sing them all the time and your Christmas spirit just isn’t there with it? Better yet, you don’t sing them at all? How do we have joy when we don’t feel like having it or are circumstances are so harsh it’s the last thing on our minds…to be joyful. Well, this Sunday we will begin discovering how joy comes about in the hearts of everyone. In the Grace student service, we will be going through Psalms 126 to search for our answers. I hope you and your family can join us for this unique student service to discover how to receive good news of great joy. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Date: December 11, 2016 // Title: “Advent – JOY: The Lord has Done Great Things for Us” // Scripture: Psalm 126 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes The reality of life is that sorrow and joy are often found in the same sentence. If we follow the Psalmist along the Journey of Ascent, we will watch as he RECALLS all the things God has already done. We witness the COUNTS on God’s coming grace with an expectant heart and how he CRYS OUT to God trusting his tears are temporary but his joy is everlasting. Because the Messiah came to us in a manger, we are promised that no matter what tonight holds joy will come in the morning THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. We delight in the discovery of Grace despite our circumstances because Jesus walks in our pain. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): Read Psalm 126 together. The Psalmist says he “laughed” in the middle of his hardship. How is he able to find joy in the middle of tears? What are some ways God has demonstrated His faithfulness to His people? What is the hopeful result of the Psalmist’s tears? Mirror  r (Where am I in the story?): What are the good things God has done in my life? What effect should this discovery of God’s grace have in the midst of my tears? Window  (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Are there people in my life that are hurting right now? Is God’s grace enough for them? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Invitation 10 minutes Have everyone in your group share one difficult thing they are walking through right now. Let’s take a moment to re-orient our posture from discouraged to expectant. Have your group lift their eyes upward and take in a deep breath. Remind them that even if they aren’t feeling His faithfulness right now, God has been and will remain faithful. There is enough grace for all of His children; it will not and cannot run out. Change IN //   Expectation 10 minutes Have everyone in your group pause and reflect on a time when God has done great things in their life. Recalling God’s past faithfulness helps move us from focusing on our tears toward walking with a grateful heart. Share these moments. Ask your group, what do you want from God this Christmas? What are you hopeful for in this season? Have the group share their answers. Change OUT // Transformation  5 minutes  One reason God is restoring our joy is so the eyes of those around us can be opened to His goodness and grace. Have your group take a moment to think of a person that is hurting this Christmas season. Without naming these people, have everyone share with each other one way they can demonstrate God’s goodness...

During my preparation to preach this week, I came across a striking idea: If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until the looting started. And that’s the problem, isn’t it? All too often, our efforts to make (or keep!) peace swiftly shipwreck on shoals of selfishness. This Sunday marks the beginning of the second week of Advent, that Church season when we eagerly anticipate the Christmas celebration of Jesus’ arrival. And Scripture gives us good news–with Jesus came the promise and the power for a peace that cannot be looted or shipwrecked! In Psalm 122, the psalmist is transformed by entering Jerusalem. For us, “stepping into Christ” is even better. Podcast DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Date: December 4, 2016 // Title: Advent Ascents: “Peace be within you” Scripture: Psalm 122 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week we continue our Advent journey together; advent is a time of waiting for the arrival of Christmas. During these next few weeks we are going to move through several of the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). These were songs that the people of God used to sing as they made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feasts and Celebrations of their own “Holy Days” or “holidays.” Just like we have Christmas music that readies our hearts for Christmas, the Psalms of Ascent readied the people of God’s hearts for their holidays. This week we look at Psalm 122 to ready our hearts with Peace. Peace is a place of wholeness, in the presence of God. THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. You exist, wrapped in God’s presence. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What are some identifying characteristics of Jerusalem? (see verses 1, 3, 5, 9) In the New Testament how do we see Jesus as the answer to the prayer for peace? Mirror  (Where am I in the story?): What response do I have when I’m invited into the presence of God? What role does Jesus play in my worship? How does God’s presence (peace) influence your view of myself? Window  (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Even though peace is yet lacking, and we pray for it, how can we be instruments of God’s peace to those around us? How can the awareness of God’s presence (peace) in us affect the judgments that we make and the value we place on others? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Invitation 10 minutes If you are able to, play this song: http://bit.ly/2eKwf1T (“Christ Be All Around Me”) and let God awaken you to the invitations He is constantly sending you to be aware of His presence and to a new realm of possibilities that His presence brings. Change IN //   Expectation 10 minutes In Psalm 122 we see Jerusalem as a place where unity prevailed and as a picture to us of the Peace of Christ, which unifies our hearts. Talk together about how important it is to live everyday life with expectation that where heaven comes to earth and justice prevails, it fortifies us to reach out with Hope and Peace to those around us. Change OUT // Transformation  5 minutes  Pray for the peace of the Neighborhoods, Nations and Next Generation. Follow up on last week’s activity to demonstrate the goodness of God. Keep moving forward with that! CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week. Play this song.

This time of year, some of the most telling signs of the season are songs. Whether you prefer carols, crooning, or quiet, the aural blessing (or invasion) of Christmas is upon us. But have you ever wondered what songs God’s people sang before there ever was a Christmas? The answer, of course, is that they sang the Psalms. Moreover, during their holiday season, they especially loved to sing Psalms 120-134. These are called the “Songs of Ascent” because–according to tradition–the people sang them as they ascended the hills toward the holiday celebrations in Jerusalem. They are simple, beautiful, and filled with anticipation. For this reason, I believe they are a perfect companion to our Advent season at Grace. For the next month, we will anticipate how the simple and beautiful birth of Jesus opens the way for us to live more fully in God’s hope, peace, joy, and love. This week, we will hear the words Psalm 131 together and let them draw us forward into that oft-fleeting but ever-essential characteristic of God’s Kingdom: Hope! Podcast DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Date: November 27, 2016 // Title: Advent Ascents: Hope in the Lord // Scripture: Psalm 130-131 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week we began our Advent journey together; advent is a time of waiting for the arrival of Christmas. During these next few weeks we are going to move through several of the Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120-134). These were songs that the people of God use to sing as they made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feasts and Celebrations of their own “Holy Days” or “holidays.” Just like we have our Christmas music that readies our hearts for Christmas, the Psalm of Ascents readied the people of God’s hearts for their holidays as well. So this year we turn to these Psalms to prepare our hearts for Christmas. This week we look at Psalm 130 and Psalm 131 to ready our hearts with Hope. Hope is waiting well. As we hope, we learn to wait well both in the crisis and calm, and we learn to recognize our constraints and limitations and God’s goodness—He does great and marvelous things. THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Hope is possible both in the crisis and in the calm. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What is your favorite Christmas song? How does listening to Christmas music help you get in the Christmas spirit? What are the Psalms of Ascent? How are these Psalms like our Christmas music? This week Jon spoke to us from two Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 130-131) that helped ready our hearts for Christmas with hope. How did Jon define hope? Waiting well What were Jon’s two keys to waiting well? constraints and contentedness Mirror (Where am I in the story?): How well do you wait? Does waiting unify your focus or fragment it? How might recognizing your limitations or constraints cultivate hope in you? How might remembering moments of contentedness cultivate hope in you? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): What would it look like to believe the best was yet to come in your life? How does living life as a pilgrim help us do this? Remember a pilgrim is a person who journeys to a sacred place for a religious reason. Where in your current calm or crisis can you wait well? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise Christmas Music 5 minutes Take Jon’s challenge as a group this week. Choose to read one Psalm of Ascent every day between now and Christmas (Psalm 120-134). You should be able to get through these Psalms twice.

Barbecue. Tacos. Chips and salsa. Banh mi. Gyros. Pizza. What’s your preference? Some of us rarely venture beyond eating a few favorite foods, while others relish the diversity of dining options that exist in our multicultural community. In Acts 10, however, food was about far more than flavor for the Apostle Peter. It was a dividing barrier between his own Jewish ethnicity and that of the Gentiles around him. In fact, when a particular Italian soldier named Cornelius needed to hear about Jesus, God had to give Peter the same out-of-body vision three times before the Apostle understood God’s heart was much bigger than his own. In the same way, we sometimes let our preferences drift toward prejudices that divide. But as Peter learns, “God plays no favorites!” (Acts 10:34, The Message). Do we? Podcast Downloads Date: November 20, 2016 // Title:  : Nations: Cornelius and the Open Gates // Scripture:Acts  9:32–10:48 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes In Acts 10, food was a dividing barrier between Peter’s Jewish ethnicity and that of the Gentiles around him. In fact, when an Italian soldier named Cornelius needed to hear about Jesus, God had to give Peter the same out-of-body vision three times before Peter understood how much bigger God’s heart was than his own. In the same way, we often let our preferences drift toward prejudices that divide, although “the very diversity of Christian humanity makes it complete.” In this passage, Peter learns, “God plays no favorites!” Peter’s journey toward understanding God’s heart for the nations transformed his own heart, broke down barriers to diversity, and brought life-changing redemption to Cornelius and his family. Will you enter the rooftops and doorways that can lead you on the same journey of discovery into the diverse depths of the heart of Jesus? THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. The transformational Good News of Jesus brings deep unity to divided community. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture e (What is the story saying?): What is the significance of the geographic location of the stories from this passage? Why were the unique Jewish laws so important for God’s people? What was the response of Peter and Cornelius to their particular visions? What was the result? Mirror r (Where am I in the story?): How does my own prejudice or religiosity prevent me from seeing God at work in the diverse community around me? How have I allowed my identity in Christ to develop into a sense of personal superiority? What does the rooftop look like in my life? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Who are the steadfast, faithful people around me who need to be introduced to Jesus? Where are the doorways in my own life that God is inviting me into? How can I experience the richness in the diversity in my community? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes A Unified Exercise of Confident Praise  What are you most thankful for this week? Speak out your thankfulness in phrases of confident praise. Include specific praise for the impartiality that God has demonstrated in your own life! Take a moment and readjust your posture. Place your hands out in front of you and lift your eyes toward the heavens. The posture of giving is the same as the posture of receiving. In this posture take a moment to offer to God the things in which you need to trust him to be bigger. And in this posture take a moment to ask God to fill you with the Joy, Peace, and Hope that can only be found in the name of Jesus.

Aaron Keyes, guest teacher. Last week, Jon taught us about the dramatic conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus. He reminded us that Jesus can change even the most dire circumstance, and save even the most desperate soul. This week we look at what happens next in the life of Paul. It’s not at all what any of us might think, but how Paul walks through it all has much to offer us in how we might think. Podcast Downloads Date: November 13, 2016 // Title: Learning through Letdowns Scripture:Acts 9:20-31 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes As we observe the steps Paul takes after his conversion we watch him step off the road to Damascus and into the desert where he spends three years moving from delivered to empowered. Between Paul’s time in the desert and in Tarsus he spends 13 years growing silently outside of the spotlight. Then through the rest of his life, Paul was beaten, abandoned, imprisoned, and ship wrecked yet in all things he sang out the name of Jesus in Worship. Trusting that Jesus is the King means that we learn how to worship Him both in the parched lands of the desert and on the mountain peaks because our confidence is in the prevail of His kingdom. THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. God’s timing is not our timing; His ways are not our ways. Whether we are standing on the mountaintop or treading through the valley, God wants us to bring Him what we’re really feeling because He is the only one that can do something about it. “Our King is still on His throne, Our citizenship is still in His kingdom, Our confidence is still in His reign, Our joy is still in His salvation, Our inheritance is still as His children, and Our hope is still in His coming.” (David Platt). SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): : What happens to Paul when he starts proclaiming the name of Jesus in the synagogues of Damascus? How did the disciples help Paul to escape the chief priests in Damascus? What is the significance of Paul’s time in the desert and in Tarsus? How does Paul act in moments of suffering and isolation? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Where do I see myself right now, am I in the spotlight or alone in Tarsus? What is my posture in hard times? Is my hope in man or in the King of Kings? Do I bring what I’m really feeling to Jesus in worship? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): How would a release in the pressure I feel and a gained perspective in Jesus as King change how I react at work, school, home…? How can I place my eyes on the Lord this week even as my feet are stuck in the net? (Psalm 25:15) BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes Take a moment and readjust your posture. Place your hands out in front of you and lift your eyes toward the heavens. The posture of giving is the same as the posture of receiving. In this posture take a moment to offer to God the things in which you need to trust him to be bigger. And in this posture take a moment to ask God to fill you with the Joy, Peace, and Hope that can only be found in the name of Jesus. Change IN //  Group Activity 5 minutes When PRESSURE is applied to something, it reveals what is on the inside. What has been locked inside of you that you need to release today for God to receive, redeem, and bless? Give everyone a minute to process their answer to this question and then move around the room to have everyone share their response. We release these things to God because we can trust that He is good enough and big enough to receive it and redeem it.

Have you ever wanted to see Jesus in his glory? A young man named Saul did, and as his eyes were opened he was also blinded. And so even though we still speak of a “Damascus Road” experience as a moment of total transformation, for Saul it was all part of a journey that took him from being the Church’s biggest persecutor to its biggest proponent. And if God can work that kind of total reversal in the lives of men and women, what situation is beyond his reach? The answer, of course, is none. Podcast Downloads Date: November 6, 2016 // Title: Damascus Road and the Street Called Straight Scripture: Acts 9:1-31 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes The passage today is about the extraordinary story of Saul on two roads: the Damascus Road and the street called Straight. It was at this crossroads in his life that he found authentic hope and clear direction. We also meet Ananias, a believer who was fearful when God told him to go find Saul, but chose to be obedient anyway. THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Crossroads help us identify where we are. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): How had persecution affected the early church? Besides Saul, what were some other threats? What are two different ways “lay hands on” can be applied? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): When was a time when Jesus met you and transformed your heart about something? What does it mean to you/for you that as Jesus’ body, we cannot be destroyed? How does having hope affect how you respond to suffering? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): What are people around you focusing on? Do they seem hopeless? If that feels overwhelming to you, remember Ananias who was fearful but chose to be obedient anyway. BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes Take a minute and quiet your heart before God. Jesus is alive! No matter the circumstance, you are not stuck. Your identity is tied up with the Name of Jesus! His body is indestructible. Pray together, thanking him and proclaiming that you trust him. Invite him to show up in unexpected and powerful ways this week. Change IN //  Group Activity 5 minutes We each have a story with Jesus. Give each person two minutes to share a God story, relating a time when they were at a crossroads and God showed up with hope and direction. Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes We are surrounded by people who feel hopeless. As the body of Christ, use the encounters you have this week to stand in your place: connecting a living Lord and people in need, laying hands on people (literally or figuratively) and offering the hope and freedom that is found in Christ. CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.

In Dante’s Inferno, the foreboding inscription over the gates to hell reads: “Abandon hope all ye who enter here.” John Bunyan’s classic allegory Pilgrim’s Progress begins with Christian, the protagonist of the story, carrying his burden through the “Swamp of Despair.” The great American essayist Henry David Thoreau wrote, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” And if we’re honest, each of us has been able to relate to the words of these famous authors at one time or another. Hopelessness, despair, and desperation have plagued our human lives ever since Adam and Eve mortgaged Eden for a bitter bite of fruit. But in the second half of Acts 8, we find another famous author–Isaiah–who reminds us that there is One who has tasted the same bitter fruit and, by the power of his own sacrifice, undone its darkening power. And this is good news for everyone. Podcast Downloads Date: October 30, 2016 // Title: The Eunuch and You Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes Hopelessness, despair, and desperation have plagued our human lives ever since Adam and Eve mortgaged Eden for a bitter bite of fruit. But in the second half of Acts 8, we find another famous author, Isaiah, who reminds us that there is One who has tasted the same bitter fruit and, by the power of his own sacrifice, undone its darkening power. This is really Good News for each one of us! As we examine the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, the question that seems to arise is: “Am I enough?” This is a key question that we are constantly being confronted with every day: “Am I doing … being … saying … resting … enough?” In this amazing story, we find the answer for how we can move from an uncertain future and hopeless desperation to “Living God” with clarity of direction and identity that fill us with confidence in the goodness of God. The Good News is that Jesus has come to give us clear guidance and hope, as he restores and heals our brokenness and despair. With Jesus, you can become “more than enough!” THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Certainty about our direction and identity comes from the Biblical conformity and community affirmation that lead us to a personal encounter with Jesus – the unchanging Good News. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): How does Philip demonstrate what it looks like to hear from God and act on the direction that he is hearing? How does his working knowledge of the Word of God help Philip lead the conversation with the Ethiopian to Jesus? What is the result of the Ethiopian’s encounter with Jesus? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Am I listening well to the guidance and direction of God? Am I depending on the truth of God’s Word and conforming to the heart of God? Am I seeking wisdom and affirmation about what I am hearing from God through interaction with a trustworthy community of followers of Jesus? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): In my daily life, where am I meeting People of Peace, who are seeking answers about God? Am I listening to the questions of the people I encounter? Am I directing those conversations to the Good News of Jesus? How can I practice that this week? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Exercise – Practice Hearing from God 5 minutes Set a timer and be silent before God for a full minute! Simply ask God to show you how he wants you to respond to the truth that he is enough – then be still and listen. When time is up,