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ICEBREAKER
What are some great examples of someone loving you well? You can share about your spouse or someone in your family but also think of how others outside your family have loved you well. Today we’re talking about the biblical concept of Love and how God provides more love for the loveless. It’s part of our Advent series at church called “More or Less.” While Christmas is a beautiful, even magical time of the year, it doesn’t resolve all our conflicts, reduce our anxieties, or fill our lives with friends and cheer. In fact, in some ways it complicates life. The bottom line for this whole series is… “When there seems to be less, God has more.” WATCH, STUDY, DISCUSS Watch the Bible Project’s teaching video on “Love.” You can find it on their website at BibleProject.com or on YouTube.
Read 1 John 4:7-16 - The God of the Bible doesn’t just express love, he is love. As a triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—he has always been and always will be an others-centered, self-giving, communal being. Jesus fully embodies the love of God, and he demonstrated it most clearly when he gave his life on behalf of humanity. When people learn to trust Jesus’ love for them, they join in God’s community of life and love, and their very nature is transformed to live a life of love with him.
Read Matthew 5:43-48 - Jesus teaches his followers to seek other people’s well-being without expecting anything in return and to extend love to even their enemies. Sacrificial, selfless, and forgiving love imitates the very character of God himself.
TAKEAWAY Do you have a person in your life that you struggle to love? Take time now to imagine how God sees that person. What do you imagine he desires most for them? How do you think Jesus would personally address them, and how can you join him today? John the Baptist said in John 3:30 “He must increase. I must decrease.” This week, how will you make the love of God more important and the love of yourself or others less important? PRAYER First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer. ICEBREAKER
On a snowy weekend, would you rather stay inside where it’s warm and cozy or get out and play in the snow? Today we’re talking about the biblical concept of Joy and how God provides more joy for the joyless. It’s part of our Advent series at church called “More or Less.” While Christmas is a beautiful, even magical time of the year, it doesn’t resolve all our conflicts, reduce our anxieties, or fill our lives with friends and cheer. In fact, in some ways it complicates life. The bottom line for this whole series is… “When there seems to be less, God has more.” WATCH, STUDY, DISCUSS Watch the Bible Project’s teaching video on “Joy.” You can find it on their website at BibleProject.com or on YouTube.
Read Isaiah 51:1-16 - Israel suffered under the rule of an oppressive empire, but the prophet Isaiah knew that sorrow and sadness would not have the final word. Isaiah remembered how God faithfully delivered Israel from oppression in the past, and he looked forward to God delivering Israel again. Isaiah relied on God’s faithful character, so he could say with confidence that one day God would lead his people to eternal joy.
TAKEAWAY What has God done in your past that brought you great joy? What has God done in the past of others that you can look to give you joy? John the Baptist said in John 3:30 “He must increase. I must decrease.” This week, how will you make your joy in God more important and joy in yourself, your circumstances, or others less important? PRAYER First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer. ICEBREAKER
Would you rather be financially comfortable and routined with no adventure or be spontaneous and adventurous but always on the financial edge? Today we’re talking about the biblical concept of Peace and how God provides more peace for the peaceless. It’s part of our Advent series at church called “More or Less.” While Christmas is a beautiful, even magical time of the year, it doesn’t resolve all our conflicts, reduce our anxieties, or fill our lives with friends and cheer. In fact, in some ways it complicates life. The bottom line for this whole series is… “When there seems to be less, God has more.” WATCH, STUDY, DISCUSS Watch the Bible Project’s teaching video on “Peace.” You can find it on their website at BibleProject.com or on YouTube.
Read Isaiah 9:6-7 - The prophet Isaiah looked forward to the arrival of the Prince of Peace. His reign would lead to eternal shalom, righting all wrongs and healing all brokenness. Isaiah’s words are fulfilled with the arrival of Jesus. When Jesus is born, shalom is proclaimed. He is the King who brings peace and restoration to the broken fragments of our world.
TAKEAWAY Exercise. You’ll need paper and pen/pencil for each person.
How can you find “Shalom/Peace” in your life even if the above areas don’t change? John the Baptist said in John 3:30 “He must increase. I must decrease.” This week, how will you make your peace in God more important and peace in yourself, your circumstances, or others less important. PRAYER First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer. ICEBREAKER
Would you rather have the ability to see 2 years into the future or go back 2 years into the past? Today we’re talking about the biblical concept of Hope and how God provides more hope for the hopeless. It’s part of our Advent series at church called “More or Less.” While Christmas is a beautiful, even magical time of the year, it doesn’t resolve all our conflicts, reduce our anxieties, or fill our lives with friends and cheer. In fact, in some ways it complicates life. The bottom line for this whole series is… “When there seems to be less, God has more.” WATCH, STUDY, DISCUSS Watch the Bible Project’s teaching video on “Hope.” You can find it on their website at BibleProject.com or on YouTube.
Read Psalm 62 - In this Psalm, David is surrounded by murderous enemies. Though he had little reason to cling to hope, David still was able to say, “My hope comes from God.” David, like many other people in the Bible, faced difficult times with no evidence that things would get better, but they chose hope anyway.
TAKEAWAYIn what ways have you or are you putting your hope more in circumstances or your self than in God? John the Baptist said in John 3:30 “He must increase. I must decrease.” This week, how will you make your trust in God more important and trust in yourself or others less important. PRAYER First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer. |
ABOUTHere you can find our life group discussion outlines which are based on our current sermon series.
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Traditional Service 8:30AM | Contemporary Service 10:00AM
2302 Twin Bluff Rd, Red Wing MN | 651-388-2385 | [email protected]
2302 Twin Bluff Rd, Red Wing MN | 651-388-2385 | [email protected]
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About Us
First Covenant Church is part of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), which is a rapidly growing multi-ethnic denomination in the United States and Canada, with ministries on five continents of the world. Founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants, the ECC values the Bible as the word of God, the gift of God's grace, and an ever-deepening spiritual life that comes through faith with Jesus Christ. We value the importance of extending God's love and compassion to a hurting world, and the strength that comes from unity within diversity. |
Office Hours
Monday 9 AM–2 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Wednesday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Thursday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Friday 8:30 AM–2:00 PM Saturday Closed Sunday 8 AM–12 PM |