For the first meeting of 2011 we went over 1 Cor 10:31 and Col 3:14 then shared our personal goals and hopes for small group amongst each other. A common goal seemed to be accountability, community and growth.
It's crazy how our small group has evolved and changed so much. We all came together to learn about His Word and find fellowship with others. We all started a bit shy of one another, but I can appreciate now how our small group members feel like family. As family we quarrel with each other, laugh with each other, and do the best we can help each other out. We all bring something different to the group, but the glue that keeps us together and should prevent us from coming apart is our love for the Lord. Let's continue to GROW as family while keeping the below verses in our hearts:
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
and Colossians 3:14
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
_______________________________
For our NEXT STUDY on Jan 12th we'll be studying AW Tozer's "Pursuit of God", Chapter 7.
For those of you who have iphones you can download this for free. Elsewhere, you can download a version on your computer here:
http://www.jesus.org.uk/vault/library/tozer_pursuit_of_god.pdf
Friday, January 07, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
How was your 2010? Did you learn a lot about 1 John? In the new year, 2011 we'll be learning about 1 Peter. We look forward to seeing you again. Let the new year be another year of growth!
Thursday, November 04, 2010
1 John 4: 1-10
Testing the Spirits Recap: Last time, we studied the confidence that we have as children of God. John reminds us we have known the truth that was from the beginning, and he exhorts us to remain confident in Jesus’ redeeming work despite doubts that might arise in our hearts.
During this study we learned more about the importance of knowing God's Word. How will you know what false teachings are if you don't know what the truth is? Remember, any teaching that strays from the Real Truth is false teachings. Gnostics lead you to believe that you needed to know Jesus AND "special knowledge" to be saved. The Word says you just need to accept the Lord as your savior, believing that he came in the flesh to atone for our sins with His death before rising again. Equip yourself against false prophets by knowing His Word... read His Word everyday!
Also, rejoice in Him for He is love! Our God is a just God. As sinners we would never be able to stand before the Lord without Jesus' sacrifice. The death of Jesus, the son of God, the perfect, sinless sacrifice allowed us to stand before Him. And remember it was God who sent His son to us in the first place because He so loved us! Isn't that just awesome? :)
++++++++++++++++++++++
Below are some pictures from our Missions team who on the last week of October went to Honduras to build a well, share the good Word and to grow and learn in Him. They'll be sharing their story in more details in the next few weeks at LSCC. If you want to hear from them earlier I'm sure they'll all love to share with you!
Thank you Jesus for bringing everyone home back safely!
+++++++++++++++++++++
Announcements
Sunday Nov 7th is OCC -- Operation Christmas Child. Please bring boxes, toys, geared towards boys and girls of the different ages (2-4, 5-9, or 10-14). More details in the link: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ Lunch will be provided at LSCC. Also, don't forget, it's $7 a box to ship! No war-related items, either!
Wed Nov 10th -- Huddles at the Shaw Shack. Since the Kongs will be exploring the world (in Asian) the Shaws will be hosting for the next few meetings. **Important-- BRING YOUR DEVOTIONALS CLASSICS book and read ahead-- "the Habit of reading the Bible daily" starting page 281**
Wed Nov 17th -- Bible study at the Shaw Shack
Wed Nov 24th-- No Bible study as this is Thanksgiving week
Wed Dec 1st -- Meet back at the Kong's place for LSFG
Sat Dec 4th -- LSCC Christmas party. Location: TBD. There will be white elephant gift exchange. The gift price should be at $7.
1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
4You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
5They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.
6We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
God Is Love
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
8The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
10In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
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Background: He is writing this letter for the purpose of combating the gnostic heresy. Particularly the ideas that Jesus only came in spirit and the need for one to obtain special knowledge in order to know God. John is reminding these early Christians that they have been given everything they need to know God--His word and His Holy Spirit (seed implanted in us) to understand His word.
Recap: Last time, we studied the confidence that we have as children of God. John reminds us we have known the truth that was from the beginning, and he exhorts us to remain confident in Jesus’ redeeming work despite doubts that might arise in our hearts.
Introduction: After reminding us to stay confident in the truth of the gospel, the truth that brought us to Jesus, John turns his attention back to discernment. John warns us not to believe everything we hear or read, but to test those who would claim to speak truth, lest we be led astray.
During this study we learned more about the importance of knowing God's Word. How will you know what false teachings are if you don't know what the truth is? Remember, any teaching that strays from the Real Truth is false teachings. Gnostics lead you to believe that you needed to know Jesus AND "special knowledge" to be saved. The Word says you just need to accept the Lord as your savior, believing that he came in the flesh to atone for our sins with His death before rising again. Equip yourself against false prophets by knowing His Word... read His Word everyday!
Also, rejoice in Him for He is love! Our God is a just God. As sinners we would never be able to stand before the Lord without Jesus' sacrifice. The death of Jesus, the son of God, the perfect, sinless sacrifice allowed us to stand before Him. And remember it was God who sent His son to us in the first place because He so loved us! Isn't that just awesome? :)
++++++++++++++++++++++
Below are some pictures from our Missions team who on the last week of October went to Honduras to build a well, share the good Word and to grow and learn in Him. They'll be sharing their story in more details in the next few weeks at LSCC. If you want to hear from them earlier I'm sure they'll all love to share with you!
Thank you Jesus for bringing everyone home back safely!
+++++++++++++++++++++
Announcements
Sunday Nov 7th is OCC -- Operation Christmas Child. Please bring boxes, toys, geared towards boys and girls of the different ages (2-4, 5-9, or 10-14). More details in the link: http://www.
Wed Nov 10th -- Huddles at the Shaw Shack. Since the Kongs will be exploring the world (in Asian) the Shaws will be hosting for the next few meetings. **Important-- BRING YOUR DEVOTIONALS CLASSICS book and read ahead-- "the Habit of reading the Bible daily" starting page 281**
Wed Nov 17th -- Bible study at the Shaw Shack
Wed Nov 24th-- No Bible study as this is Thanksgiving week
Wed Dec 1st -- Meet back at the Kong's place for LSFG
Sat Dec 4th -- LSCC Christmas party. Location: TBD. There will be white elephant gift exchange. The gift price should be at $7.
Friday, October 01, 2010
BROOMBALL
Here's the info for our upcoming broomball event.
Please let Marina know if you can or cannot make it.
Who: Living Stones Fellowship Groups, all of them!
What: BROOMBALL!
Where: Ice Center at Vallco Mall at 10123 N. Wolfe Rd, Cupertino CA 95014
When: Friday 15-Oct at 9:30pm - 10:45pm
Why: Time to see one another, catch-up, and create memories
Cost: $5 (much cost is subsidized by LSCC)
Announcements
Oct 15 = Group Activity.
We'll be eating dinner together around 7 and then broom-balling at the Ice Center at Valco Mall around 9pm. Bring your friends and your game face! More details to be provided as the date approaches.
Oct 27 = Combined Small Group activity
LSFG San Jose and Santa Clara will be meeting for an activity night. More details to come!
Living Water International
Please pray for the LWI team. The group needs solidarity in mind and spirit. This is more than just a way to provide fresh water for people in need in Honduras. It's an opportunity to be stretched as we share God's love and His Word. "Heavenly Father, I pray for One-ness as the LWI team prepares to do your work. Guard their bodies and their hearts as they travel out there. May you move them, may you love them. Amen"
1 John 3: 11-20
1 John 3:11-20 (New International Version)
Love one another
11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
We continue on with 1 John as he continues to dispel the gnostic beliefs. He uses extreme opposites to describe our actions if we choose to hate our brothers... To hate your brother puts us to the same level of Cain, a murderer! What stuck out to me is the part that says "He who does not love abides in death". That really stucks out doesn't it? To chose not to act is just as bad as choosing the act wrongly too. So make sure to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
Love one another
11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
We continue on with 1 John as he continues to dispel the gnostic beliefs. He uses extreme opposites to describe our actions if we choose to hate our brothers... To hate your brother puts us to the same level of Cain, a murderer! What stuck out to me is the part that says "He who does not love abides in death". That really stucks out doesn't it? To chose not to act is just as bad as choosing the act wrongly too. So make sure to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
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