Grand Lake Church

Why Are You Here? Four traits explain the apostles’ witness in the book of Acts—boldness, humility, tenacity, and urgency; these same four traits should characterize our witness. Peter and John constantly went around reminding the religious leaders that they had killed Jesus, a fact they were less than thrilled to recount. Their boldness astonished the religious leaders, especially since Acts 4: 1...

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. Read Luke 10: 25-37. 2. Who are you in this story, and why? 3. Read Luke 17: 11-19. 4. When all seems lost, who do you turn to for help? 5. What do you need to give up control over? 6. Why is this so hard? 7. Where is our “Go?” 8. Read Isaiah 40: 21-31. 9. What are God’s promises to you? Prayer for the Week: Lord, far too often our plans for our...

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection:  1. In what ways do you serve Jesus in and through Grand Lake United Methodist Church?  2. Are you aware there is a program in and through the United Methodist Church which helps equip and empower people in the church? Lay Servant Ministries has a multitude of classes that can equip and enhance your skills and understanding. These can be found at:...

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. What stories have your heard that have given you the hope and promise there really is life after death? 2. As Christians, we believe in the resurrection of the body, (stated in the Apostle’s Creed). Do you believe in the resurrection of the body or only a spiritual body? Why? 3. Read 1 Corinthians 15: 12-14, 20-22. 4. What stands out to you? 5....

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. When is the first time you remember hearing about giving money to the church? What were your thoughts? 2. Over the years were you taught to give to God, or did your giving depend upon what was left over by Sunday morning? 3. Why do you think people become apprehensive when we talk about money in the church? 4. In what ways do you become apprehen...

1. Why do you come to worship? 2. Who taught you to worship? 3. In what ways do you prepare for worship: Saturday night, Sunday morning, on the drive over, and as you arrive? 4. Do you come with the expectancy to worship, or to see what you can ‘get’ out of worship or the sermon? 5. Read Romans 12: 1. In what ways do you offer yourself in spiritual worship? 6. 1 Chronicles 16 is David’s Psalm (son...

1. Why do you come to worship? 2. Who taught you to worship? 3. In what ways do you prepare for worship: Saturday night, Sunday morning, on the drive over, and as you arrive? 4. Do you come with the expectancy to worship, or to see what you can ‘get’ out of worship or the sermon? 5. Read Romans 12: 1. In what ways do you offer yourself in spiritual worship? 6. 1 Chronicles 16 is David’s Psalm (son...

Wesley Covenant Prayer: I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now,...

Spiritual Gifts: Apostleship – Read Acts 13: 1-5; Romans 1: 1-6; & Ephesians 4: 11-13. 1. What is an apostle? 2. What is their Spiritual Gift? 3. Who do you know that has this gift? Evangelist – Read Acts 8: 26-40 and Isaiah 53. 1. In what way was Philip drawn to the Egyptian eunuch? 2. What didn’t the Egyptian not understand? 3. How would you explain the Isaiah text to another? 4. Who is Jesus to...

The Spiritual Gift of Miracles – Read John 2: 1-11; John 20: 30-31 and Matthew 11: 20-24.  1. Jesus performed many miracles. What miracles have you witnessed? What miracles are you aware of? In what way(s) did these deepen your faith? 2. The Gospels are filled with miracles. What other miracles can you find? Which one is most meaningful to you? The Spiritual Gift of Healing – Read Mark 1: 29-45 an...

Discernment Read Acts 5: 1-11. 1. Have you considered, when you aren’t truthful, you are more importantly lying to God? 2. In what ways will this new understanding affect you? Shepherding Read Ephesians 4: 11-16. 1. What stands out to you in these verses? 2. How will you continue to move forward toward maturity in Christ? Hospitality Read Hebrews 13: 1-3, 1 Peter 4: 7-11 & Romans 12: 9-13. 1. When...

1. Read Mark 2: 6-8; John 1: 45-50. What knowledge does Jesus have about the people in each of these settings? 2. Read 1st Corinthians 2: 12-13 & 12: 8; Jeremiah 9: 23-24. How is wisdom understood in these scriptures? 3. Read Acts 6: 1-17 & Exodus 18. Why is the gift of administration important when working with a large group of people? 4. Read Luke 22: 1-26. What surprised you about leadership? W...

Today I shared an overview of Tongues, Interpretation, Intercession and Prophecy found in 1 Corinthians 14. 1. What stood out to you? 2. What surprised you? 3. Read 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10. What are the nine Spiritual Gifts listed in Paul's letter? 4. Read 1 Timothy 2: 1-2. What Spiritual Gift is listed in Paul's letter to Timothy? 5. Read Exodus 31: 1-11. What gifts of the Spirit of God were given...

Read James 5: 1-6. - How does wealth destroy people? Read James 5: 7-11. - The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. In what ways have you experienced God's compassion and mercy? Read James 5: 12. 1. Compare this to Matthew 5: 33-37. How does Matthew's expanded version help your understanding? 2. What does swearing an oath accomplish, over a mere yes or no? Read James 5: 13-16. 1. Have you seen oi...

Read James 4: 1-2, 7-12. 1. Who do you fight or quarrel with the most? Why? 2. When you don’t get something you want, how do you usually respond? 3. Why are we to submit to God? 4. What keeps you from submitting wholeheartedly to God? 5. What are your plans for the next 5 years? Read James 4: 13-17. 1. What does the person in 4: 13 presume about his or her self? 2. Are making plans, buying, and se...

Read James 3: 1-12. 1. Think of a time when you regretted something you said. How did you resolve it? 2. Sometimes we deceive ourselves, saying we are not gossiping, when we say something like, “Mimi, you’ll never guess who needs our prayers and why!” Most have gotten entrenched in gossip at some point in our life, especially if it is really GOOD. How have you rationalized gossip? 3. When is shari...

1. Read James 2: 1-13. What are examples of when you have seen or experienced favoritism? What happened? How did it make you feel? 2. Someone once asked Mark Twain, “Doesn’t it bother you that there are so many parts of the Bible that you don’t understand?” Quick on his feet, Twain replied, “What bothers me most are the parts that I do understand!” Have you been concerned that when you break one o...

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. Read James chapter 1, verses 1-18. Which of James’ proverb type statements stand out to you? Why? 2. Read James 1: 19-27. What stands out to you? Why? 3. Read James 1: 19-27 out loud this time. Now what stands out to you? 4. In what ways do you ‘just look’ regarding your relations? Your occupation? The ways you serve in and through the church? 5...

Read 1 Peter 4: 7-8, 1 John 4: 16b-21, 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8a & 13. 6 Greek words for love: 1. Eros is physical love or sexual desire. Eros is the type of love that involves passion, lust, and/or romance. 2. Philia is affectionate love. Philia is the type of love that involves friendship. 3. Agape is often defined as unconditional, sacrificial love. Agape is the kind of love that is felt by a pers...

Scripture: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.” –Luke 10:27 Questions: 1. How do I love God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind? 2. How am I called to love my neighbor? (Read: John 13: 34-35) 3. Who is a neighbor to me this week? Scripture: “For where your treasure is, there...

Read Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. Grief is the set of conflicting feelings caused by the end of or change in a familiar pattern of behavior. (The Grief Recovery Handbook by John James & Russell Friedman page 3) Grief is the gift that keeps on giving. We know that we cannot muscle through or run from our grief and that we will have to deal with grief in our lives. Grief is a NORMAL PART of our life! But ho...

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. Think of an event that created a major shift in your life. How did you feel? Did you reach out to God? What was the outcome? 2. Think of a time when God whispered to you, asking you to step out in faith. Did you? Why or why not? 3. If you did not, did someone else step up, or was that mission or ministry’s impact lessened without you? 4. When wa...

Dear Grand Lake UMC, One of my favorite hymns has always been, Here I Am, Lord. Here is the refrain: Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night I will go, Lord, If You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart Four years ago, when I heard God calling me out of my career as a teacher, I told Him I would go where He led me. I’m so thankful He led me to Grand Lake. You are...

Father’s Day Prayer A Prayer about Fathers Our Father in heaven, you have made yourself known to us through Jesus Christ and have invited us to pray to you as our Father, that we may pray boldly and confidently to you. We pray for fathers. Give them wisdom. Give them patience. Give them the ability to love in a way that reflects your love. We pray for children. Give them guidance. Give them a spir...

1. Read Matthew 5: 10-12. What does verse 10 state is the reason a believer should be persecuted? How do you interpret what Jesus is saying? What does verse 11 give as a reason for being blessed? Is this an area in your life where you have been blessed? How so? Verse 12 gives reason for rejoicing. Why is it important that the prophets who came before us were persecuted? 2. Read 2 Corinthians 4: 16...