Central Speaks

Discussion Questions:

Discussion Questions:   1. Paul writes to Titus who is on the island of Crete.  He gives a small insight into the Cretan society and culture when he quotes a poet of the time.  He says: “Someone said from out of their own, a prophet from among them: Cretans always are liars, evil beasts, idle bellies. This testimony is true. What do you make of this statement? What does this tell us...

Discussion Questions:   1 When you hear songs about peace during the Christmas season, what do you imaging that looking like? In light of this week’s message, what now surprises you most about that?   2 How have you experienced God’s peace in your life? Where has he been your refuge?    3 Peacemakers are desperately needed in our world. Peace-making is something we actively pur...

Discussion Questions:   1. What does the idea that sin is the reason for the season make you think about?   2. Now what does the outrageous love God has for you make you think about?   3. Have you accepted how valuable you are in light of God’s love shown to you? What difference does that make, or could make, for your life?   4. What are a couple of ways you could demonstrate t...

Discussion Questions: As a kid, what was an ultimate, fun, dream present you hoped to receive? (and received or still haven’t received it yet)? Why is hope based upon things that have happened in the past and always future oriented? (Romans 8:24-25) How are hope and faith related? How are they different? (Hebrews 11:1-2) What are some things you are waiting for from the Lord? (Lamentations 3:22-26...

Discussion Questions Luke 7:36-50 Two people make an effort to be around Jesus in Luke 7:36-37. One wants to know about him, while the other wants to know him in worship, humility, devotion, gratitude and service. Which of these two better describe the way you feel around Jesus? Why? When you look at people, do you see more of their past or what God is doing now and can make of them in the future?...

Discussion Questions: 1. How do you maintain a close listening ear to The Shepherd? 2. How might attending small groups help us to remain Christ centred? 3. In what way has lockdown given you an appreciation of  your church community? What have you missed the most? 4. What does Christ’s ownership of you look like in your life? 5. How might challenging times reveal God’s protection of His Chur...

Discussion Questions 1. What does it mean to have faith in Jesus? 2. Think about the characters of the bible that you know. Which stories help us understand faith? 3. In the contemporary world, what characters come to mind that through their lives we get an understanding of faith God? 4. In your own life, are there any instances where you felt God was teaching you about faith. If comfortable recou...

Discussion Questions: 1. What will you take away from the story of Rich Mullins life and how will you apply it to your life? 2. Do you have a hero of the faith? How did they come to faith? 3. How does the apostle Paul's message apply to you today? 4. Rich Mullins talked of others being "nuts and bolts” for him. What examples can you think of when someone was a nut or a bolt for you? 5. Can you be...

Discussion Questions: Discuss your picture and understanding of Jesus: Before he was born. Find, list and discuss the verses that describe him … in the beginning (the Word of God). As a man. Find, list and discuss your favourite verses that communicate Jesus to you. After his ascension. Find, list and discuss the verses that describe Jesus, particularly Revelation 4, 5 and 19. Having developed the...

Discussion Questions: Why did the Church at Laodicea cause Christ to utter such harsh  judgement? We all agree we should be a friendly Church. What was meant by the statement, “In trying to be relevant we must be careful not to become irrelevant”. How might a Church become irrelevant: - by ceasing to engage in worship lest others feel embarrassed? - by diluting the true meaning of Scripture l...

Discussion Questions: 1. How does the Lord Jesus describe Himself (7)? What does the “key of David” open, and what does this mean (vv.7-8; cf. Isa. 22:22-24; Matt. 16:19)? What doors has Christ placed before you? How have you taken advantage of these “open door” opportunities? 2. How is the church able to persevere? What did Jesus mean by, “you have but little strength” (v.8)? 3. What does it mean...

Discussion Questions: John 2:1-11 John makes the comparison between John 1 and Genesis 1.  In your group have someone read Genesis 1 aloud, and then someone read John 1 aloud.  List all the similarities you can find.  What do you make of this? The servants do what Jesus asks despite the seeming irrelevance of the actions to the problem. What are the insignificant acts of obedience t...

Discussion Questions: In verse 4, Paul tells us to rejoice in Lord always. Where else in scripture, and not just the obvious, does this instruction get stated, in one way or another. Discuss what this really means. How can we  rejoice particularly in the tough times, the sad times. Share some of your own stories around this. Paul suggests that as Christians we should let our gentleness be evi...

(Revelation 2:18-29) Discussion Questions How does the Lord Jesus describe Himself in verse 18? How do you interpret this description? Why is this appropriate for the church at Thyatira? What were the strengths of the church at Thyatira? What were the weaknesses of this church? What were the characteristics of the OT Jezebel in 1Kings 2:5-25, and 2Kings 9:7-37? What does the symbolic name “Jezebel...

Discussion Questions: Share a story about a sports team or group who had a reputation far better than its performance? In verse 1 what did the Lord mean by, “you have a reputation for being alive?” What are the implications of a church that has a reputation for aliveness, but the Lord has to tell them they are dead? What was the contrast between reputation and reality in the church at Sardis? What...

(Revelation 2:12-17) Discussion Questions Can anyone share the illustration of a frog being slowly heated in a pot of water? How is this similar to the temptations we face as believers? What was the teaching of Balaam (Num. 22-24; 31) that was being introduced to the believers at Pergamum? How do you think it affected the Pergamum church? What issues or sins do you think the Lord Jesus would point...

Revelation 2:12-17 Discussion Questions What do think “worldly compromise” means? In what ways might a church group compromise with the culture around it? How does the Lord Jesus introduce Himself to the church at Pergamum (2:12)? How does this differ from His introduction to the churches in Ephesus (2:1) and Smyrna (2:8). Why does the Lord use the illustration of the “sharp two edged sword” (2:12...

The full Virtual Church programme is available on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/0Y_qKQp2Zio   Discussion Questions:   1. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is really quite short. Read it aloud from beginning to the end. If you are in a bubble, or arrange a zoom meeting with others, take turns to read it together. Make a list of the main ideas (words) that stand out to you.  2....

Discussion Questions: In your own words say what it is for you to; “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”. As Paul introduces the idea of being in the same mindset as Christ Jesus in verse 5, he prefaces it with; “In your relationships with one another ….”. What does it mean to have the mindset of Christ in our relationships with each other? Philippians 2:6-11 is a clear description of Christ Jes...

1.Smyrna, modern Izmir, was an ancient city possibly dating back 3000 years, and located 56kms north of Ephesus. What do we know about the birth of the church in Smyrna? Where does the city and church in Smyrna feature in the book of Acts? How might the church possibly have been planted (Acts 19:10)? All we know about the city and church are written in Rev. 2:8-11. 2.What do you think the Lord Jes...

Discussion Questions:   1. In verse 4 the Lord Jesus tells the Ephesian church, “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” What happens when that first-love fades?   2. What do you think the Lord meant by, “Remember the height from which you have fallen?”   3. In verse 6 the Ephesian believers were commended for hating the practices of the Nicolait...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 25th July 2021) Revelation 2:1-7 Introduction: In chapters 2-3 the seven churches of Asia Minor were actual historical churches. They represent the types of churches that have existed right down through the church age. 1.Who wrote the letter to the Ephesians (v.1)? The seven stars is the same Greek word as messengers. What was the message they were carr...

Why would anyone want to take their family to live in a dangerous country on the other side of the world? Hear from Jono and Michele Pound as they share how God is calling them to serve and how you can support them in this awesome adventure.  If you wish to partner with the Pound family please email Mandy at the MAF office mclayton@maf.org.nz  For more information contact Jonathan direct...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 11th July 2021) Revelation 1:9-20 1.Share what you imagine it might be like to be separated from family, friends, and Believers, and to be imprisoned on a rocky island with other prisoners? How did John view his imprisonment in verse 9? 2.What did John’s isolation give him time to do (v.10)? How did God use John’s terrible situation for His divine purpo...