Cell Meeting Outline week beginning 13th January 2008
Matthew 25:14-30
Welcome
If you had a large sum of money to invest in a worthy cause, how would you use it?
Word
Read Matthew 25:14-30
What questions, if any, did Sunday morning’s sermon provoke?
In the story, who do the master and the three servants represent?
What could the bags of money represent (you may be able to list a number of possibilities)?
Why do you think the servants receive different amounts of money (v15)?
What were the expectations of the master for his servants while he was away, and how does this relate to us while Jesus ‘is away’?
What do you notice about the response of the first two servants (v16,17)?
What does this suggest about their relationship with the master?
How does the master reward them on his return (v21,23)?
Why did the servant who had only one talent hide the money?
What does this suggest about his relationship with the master?
How can we avoid being like that servant?
What principles should we put into practice from this parable, and how?
Worship
Begin by singing or listening to a worship song which speaks about what God has given us (e.g. MP 170 Give thanks with a grateful heart; MP 486 Now thank we all our God; I will offer up my life
In a few moments of open prayer thank God for his gifts to you, both material and spiritual
Next take a few moments to thank God for one another. Each group member should be the focus of at least one prayer of thanks. Different group members could offer prayers of thanks beginning with the words, ‘I thank God for ……. because…..’, acknowledging some of the gifts and talents God has given them.
Witness
Pray through any issues raised from the parable
Our Christianity Explored course starts on Wednesday evenings from 30th January (one week later than previously advertised). There is still time to invite one or more contacts to this course.
Make plans for 2008 for the mission agencies you support.
Could someone in the group write to specific missionaries regularly?
Can you raise money for them in your Cell Group (in one cell group the members put about 50p a week into a jar when they meet)?
ST JOHN’S MESSENGER 13th January 2008 2nd of Epiphany
Welcome to St John's parish church,
If you would like someone to pray for you there will be two people available at the front of church after most services and also during the period of distribution in our Communion services
Peter Noonan’s group will be running our first Christianity Explored course on Wednesday evenings, beginning on 30th January 2008. There are invitation cards at the back of church for you to use to invite friends along. This would be a great course for enquirers or for anyone who wants to do a ‘refresher’ in Christian basics. It involves meeting on a Wednesday evening to eat, watch a DVD and discuss some basic issues about faith. In the process we go through Mark’s gospel. Participants don’t need to know anything about the Bible, they won’t be asked to read aloud, pray or sing, and they can ask any questions they want.
Evangelical Leaders’ Assembly
St Andrew’s Leyland Fri 25th & Sat 26th January 2008 Cost £15 per day
Theme: “Training in the local church”
Speakers: Archie Poulos
Head of the Ministry Dept, Moore College, Sydney and pastor at a new church plant
Simon Austen
Vicar of St John’s & St Peter’s, Carlisle
This conference is open to anyone, but is geared to those in leadership at any level in a local church. It is for anyone engaged in a Bible teaching ministry, whether lay or ordained, full time or not.
Advanced Notice of Events
Fri 1st Feb American meal and prayer event for the Hornbuckles.
Come and eat and pray between courses!
Thu 14th Feb Deanery Synod at St John’s Leyland – we will need people to organise refreshments for this
Thu 21st Feb Whole Church Meeting – Doug Harris of the Reachout Trust on the Jehovah’s Witnesses
It will cost us £850 per week to run St John's in 2008.
We need to have an average increase in donations of 15% in 2008 to balance our books
- Please prayerfully consider what extra you can give in 2008.
- If you pay tax; remember we can claim an extra 28p for every £1 that you give from the taxman.
- If you would like to give via standing order or using our envelope scheme, or would like to know more about how we can claim tax back on your gifts, please ask Dave Champness for details.
Articles & Notices for The Messenger to be sent to Alan Scarff by the Thursday before to alanandpam@blueyonder.co.uk
Confirmation
Would anyone who would be interested in being confirmed in the next year or so please let Alistair know and we will organise a Confirmation course in the near future. Confirmation means you become a full member of the Church of England and are able to play a full part in the life of the church including PCC membership, etc. If you were baptised as a child, it enables you to confirm the baptism promises that were made on your behalf by others.
Please remember in your prayers
Mick Davies Elsie Deacon Agnes Duffy Eileen Fisher Win Loftus
Carol Sergeant Thelma Thomas
ST. JOHN’S SERVICES AND EVENTS
Sun 13th Jan 9.45am Prayer in the Creche Room
10.30am Morning Worship
Mon 14th 11.45am Funeral Service for James Desmond Derbyshire
6pm Level 1 for Infant school aged children
7.30pm PCC in the Church Lounge
7.15pm Level 3 for High school aged children
10.30am Morning Worship
Mon 21st 6pm Level 1 for Infant school aged children
Tue 22nd 6.15pm Level 2 for Junior school aged children
7.15pm Level 3 for High school aged children
“Training in the Local Church” Cost £15 per day
“Training in the Local Church” Cost £15 per day
10.30am All Age Worship – World Leprosy Day
Mon 21st 6pm Level 1 for Infant school aged children
Tue 22nd 6.15pm Level 2 for Junior school aged children
Wed 23rd 10am Holy Communion
7.15pm Level 3 for High school aged children
Fri 1st Feb 7.30pm American Meal & Prayer event for the Hornbuckle Family
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