Sermons – St Bart's Anglican Church

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Paralysed Man’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Luke 5:17-26DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 5:17-26 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can Jesusʼ example better equip you to actively resist the temptations of the enemy?WARM-UP Do you think that most people in our culture consider forgiveness as really necessary? Have you ever encountered a radical story of forgiveness between people? Read Luke 5:17-21Who are gathered and where did they come from? For what reason do you think they were there? Why were the paralysed manʼs friends desperate to get the man to Jesus? What effort had they made? How could Jesusʼ words have come as quite the shock to the paralysed man? What is the deepest need that Jesus is addressing? How would that have been a shock to those listening? How is forgiveness also our greatest need? Is that a controversial message today? Why or why not? How do people respond to Jesusʼ claim of authority to forgive sins? Why is it so radical? Read Jeremiah 31:34 and Micah 7:18-19. Does this vision of forgiveness excite you? How do we already know this in Jesus? What was the significance of Jesusʼ reference to being the ʻSon of Manʼ (cf. Daniel 7:13-14)? How is Jesus being the ʻSon of Manʼ inherently linked to his authority to forgive? Which is easier to say: ʻyour sins are forgivenʼ or ʻget up and walkʼ? For whom? Does this mean that every person who receives Jesusʼ forgiveness is also healed physically straight away? How is this a pointer to that which is yet to come? Read Luke 5:22-26 How does Jesus ultimately make forgiveness possible whilst also being perfectly just? 14. How has your encounter with Jesus brought forgiveness into your life? 15. Why do you think some people have difficulty in accepting Godʼs forgiveness? How is Godʼs offer of forgiveness open to every single person? APPLY: What is one way in which forgiveness from God is evident in your day-to-day life? PRAYER Gracious God, please grow our understanding of the extent of forgiveness that you have made possible for us through Jesus. Please help us to recognise the desperate nature of our need and the completeness of the cure which we find in you alone. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: With schools recommencing, who do you regularly interact with in that community? How could you intentionally invest in the relationship with that parent, teacher, coach or administrator? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Luke 5:17-26” by William TaylorAudio (Paid): “Which is Easier” by Abraham ChoBook Chapter: “Where is God in all the Suffering” by Amy Orr EwingBook: “Exclusion and Embrace” by Miroslav VolfSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Evil Tempter’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Luke 4:1-13DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 4:1-13 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: As we think about encountering Jesus, what opportunities do your friends have this year to encounter Jesus through your words, invitation, or your actions?WARM-UP What do you think most Australians would think about the devil? How about evil more generally? Is evil real? Why is it equally in error to either: disbelieve in evil or be excessively interested in evil? Read Luke 4:1-2 Where did the Holy Spirit actively lead Jesus? What would it have been like? Why was this necessary? How is it evident that there werenʼt just a few temptations but that Jesus was constantly bombarded over this entire 40-day period? What do you think this would have been like? What is meant by Jesus being tempted? Have you ever had a time of particular testing/temptation? What is the parallel between Jesusʼ 40 days in the wilderness and Israelʼs 40 years of wandering? How would Jesus faithfully fulfil what Israel had failed to do? How is Jesusʼ humanness evident in these verses? Why is this of great encouragement to us? Read Luke 4:3-13 Preceding this passage (i.e., 3:21-22), who did the Father just declare Jesus to be? Why does Satan repetitively seek to undermine this truth? What is the enemyʼs goal? How would you describe the three tactics used by the enemy? Are any a challenge for you? Do you think the enemy ever uses similar tactics to tempt us away from Godʼs plan and will? Under what conditions are you most susceptible to succumb to temptation? How does Jesus confront each of the three temptations? How is this a model for us? What resources has God given us to resist temptation? What does he provide when we fall short? What have you found most helpful in resisting temptation? What do you find most challenging? Why does verse 13 mean? When would be the most opportune time? How is Jesusʼ death and resurrection the ultimate triumph over the schemes of the evil one? APPLY: How can Jesusʼ example better equip you to actively resist the temptations of the enemy? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that whilst Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, he did not sin. Please help us to identify temptation, rely on your strength, flee from sin, and rejoice in your forgiveness. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: In February, where do you see Jesus’ priorities on your calendar?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Luke 4:1-13” by Tim Keller (Paid)AUDIO: “Power of Satan” by Dick LucasAUDIO: “Test trials passed” on Luke 4:1-13 by William TaylorBOOK: “Did the Devil make me do it?” by Mike McKinleyBOOK: “666 and All That Stuff” by John DicksonVIDEO: “The Satan and Demons” by the Bible ProjectSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful): https://bit.ly/341gAdIBook: Luke for Everyone by Tom Wright: https://bit.ly/3IexkghGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Wat...

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Waiting Prophet’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Luke 2:21-28DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 2:22-38 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Who are THREE people on your frontlines whom you long to become followers of Jesus? What would practically help you cultivate a habit of praying for them daily?WARM-UP Have you ever had a life-changing encounter with someone?Can you remember the first time you heard about Jesus or the first time you gave your life to him? How did you react? Try to see if you can craft this into a short paragraph to be able to use when you’re telling people about Jesus!Read Luke 2:21-32What were all the rituals that Jesus went under? Why did he go through all of these? What does this tell us about the nationality and background of Jesus?What was Simeon waiting for? Why was Israel in need of consolation?Why was Simeon so content and satisfied in seeing this baby? What did Simeon see in him?Is the salvation that Jesus offers limited to only Israelites or only those in church? Why/why not?How is Jesus the light for all the nations? What does light do?What other things in this world may we try to find satisfaction or salvation in? How can we ensure we look to Jesus for these things?Luke 2:33-38In what ways do we see Simeon’s prophesy in V34-35 fulfilled in Jesus’ lifetime and even to this day? Why do you think Jesus causes this much division?How does Jesus reveal the thoughts of our hearts? Where or to whom can we run when we know we haven’t lived as he has called us to live?What are we told about Anna? How did she react to seeing Jesus?What could help you grow in your awe and wonder at who Jesus is and what he has done?APPLY: As we think about encountering Jesus, what opportunities do your friends have this year to encounter Jesus through your words, invitation, or your actions? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you for the salvation and satisfaction that is found in Jesus. Thank you for the faithful patience of Simeon and Anna, and help us to find our joy and fulfilment in knowing and being known by Jesus. Give us opportunities this year to tell others about our encounter and relationship with you. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: In February, where do you see Jesus’ priorities on your calendar?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “The Nunc Dimittis” by Kent Hughes: AUDIO: “The Song of Simeon” by Alistair Begg:AUDIO: “Luke 2:22-38” by Dick LucasVIDEO: God’s Story: Anna and SimeonSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful): https://bit.ly/341gAdIBook: Luke for Everyone by Tom Wright: https://bit.ly/3IexkghGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join th

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fourth sermon in our series on the Priorities of Jesus. This sermon is ‘COMMISSION: Make Disciples’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Matthew 28:16-20DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you grow in your love for God and neighbour in 2022? WARM-UP What are the most memorable ‘final instructions’ that you have given or received before going away? In what way are all disciples of Jesus disciple-making disciples? How are we all sent? Read Matthew 28:16-20 What has happened up to this point in Matthew 28? What do you think the disciples were expecting to happen as they waited for Jesus? What do the disciples do when they see Jesus? What does this tell us about who they thought Jesus was? Is it surprising that - as a group - worship was intermingled with doubt? How can this be true for us? How comprehensive is the authority that has been given to Jesus? Is there anyone with more? How is Jesus’ authority the basis for being sent? How should this drive and give us confidence? If our purpose as disciples comes from Jesus (i.e., from outside of us), how is this counter-cultural? How is it exciting to know that we’ve been caught up in a purpose greater than ourselves? (Re) Read Matthew 28:19-20 What do you think it means to make disciples, teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded? In what area of your life has God been recently teaching you greater obedience? What is the link between baptism and the making of disciples? How are we involved in this? What are the frontlines to which Jesus has sent you? Can you name three people on your frontlines whom you long to become passionate followers of Jesus? How are Christians sometimes in danger of turning the ‘Great Commission’ into the ‘Great Omission’? How is it tremendous Good News that as we are sent, that Jesus is with us? How can we cultivate a life that is shaped by activity for Jesus and intimacy with Jesus? If we are sent on the basis of Jesus’ authority and with his presence, what confidence should that give us as we seek to make disciples on our frontlines? How can this encourage you this week? APPLY: Who are THREE people on your frontlines whom you long to become followers of Jesus? What would practically help you cultivate a habit of praying for them daily? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus! Please help us to identify disciple-making opportunities on all of our frontlines - that our life’s purpose will be shaped by your mission to the world. Thank you that we do not do this alone, but with the very power of Jesus. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What does it look like to prioritise Jesus on your frontline? What might you adopt, stop, or focus on this year? Listen, Watch, and Read: ARTICLE: “What is a Whole-Life Disciple?” by the London Institute of ChristianityAUDIO: “The Authority of the Risen Lord” by John StottAUDIO: “Why Jesus when there are so many options?” by Kanishka RaffelAUDIO: “The Resurrection and the Great Commission” by William TaylorBOOK: “The Radical Disciple” by John StottSERIES Resources:Series overviewBOOK: “Resilient Disciples” by Rick Hill BOOK: “Need to Know” by Gary Millar ARTICLE: “What is a Whole-Life Disciple” by LICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity)Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our series on the Priorities of Jesus. This sermon is ‘COMMANDMENT: Love God and Neighbour’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Mark 12:28-34DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Mark 12:28-34 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: In 2022, what is one way in which you need to bring the use of your time, talents, and treasures more into line with the priorities of Jesus? WARM-UP What do you think the people on your frontlines think Christianity is all about? How is the Christian story different to these possible misconceptions? Read Mark 12:28-31 Why were the Pharisees and teachers of the law trying to have Jesus arrested? How were they attempting to do this? What was the motivation of this teacher who approaches Jesus in V28? Why was his question to intriguing for the Rabbis of the day? What was the first part of Jesus’ answer? Why is this statement foundational for all the other commandments? In what ways are we commanded to love God? How does this look for you practically? Read 1 John 2:15. What then are we not to love? Where is it tempting to love the world rather than God? What could help you avoid these temptations? Who are are neighbours? To what extent are we to love our neighbours? How could you share your love to your neighbours on your frontlines this year? Read Mark 12:32-33 Why will attempting perfection not work in attempting to follow the commandments? If we have been saved by grace, why then are we to obey God? What is at the heart of us following God’s commandments? What attitude should we have towards God in obeying him? If the teacher wasn’t far from the kingdom, how do we gain entrance into the kingdom? APPLY: How could you grow in your love for God and neighbour in 2022? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you that you are the creator, that you are the only God, and that you have revealed yourself and the way you want us to live in your word. We are sorry for when we haven’t loved you as we ought, when we haven’t loved our neighbours as ourselves. Please help us this year to grow in our love for you and our obedience to you as we grow in our knowledge of you and your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What does it look like to prioritise Jesus on your frontline? What might you adopt, stop, or focus on this year? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “The Greatest Commandment” by Chase KuhnAUDIO: “First Commandment, First Sin” by Don CarsonAUDIO: “Four Questions for Obeying the First Commandment” by Kevin DeYoungBOOK: “Holiness” by J C RyleSERIES Resources:Series overviewBOOK: “Resilient Disciples” by Rick Hill BOOK: “Need to Know” by Gary Millar ARTICLE: “What is a Whole-Life Disciple” by LICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity)Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our series on the Priorities of Jesus. This sermon is ‘CROSS: Who do you say that I am?’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Mark 8:27-38DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Mark 8:27-38 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Spend some time considering how to prioritise Jesus this year, and think of 3 ways to go about it. WARM-UP Do you think you have more of a ‘head’ or ‘heart’ approach to priority-setting? In our culture, how do we typically place ourselves at the centre of decision-making when it comes to priority setting? How does a Gospel approach to priority-setting differ? Read Mark 8:27-29 What is the question that Jesus first asks the disciples? What were the range of answers? What were some of the other ideas about Jesus’ identity reported elsewhere in the Gospels? What are some of the most common ideas today about who Jesus is? How does Jesus make the question personal? How is this question also personal to us? If you have not really considered this question before, how might you explore it in 2022? Read Mark 8:29-33 What is Peter’s response to Jesus’ question? Does this mean Peter understands correctly? How does Jesus fundamentally connect his Messiahship with the cross (and resurrection)? Why would the news that Jesus had to die (and rise) been so shocking to those listening? Why does Jesus rebuke Peter’s response so harshly? Why must Jesus die? Read Mark 8:34-38 What does it mean to deny ourselves and to take up the cross? What does it not mean? In what ways is following Jesus costly? Are there examples of people who come to mind? Why is it worth laying down our lives for Jesus? How have you embraced the cost of following Jesus? How does it involve your time, talents, and treasure? APPLY: In 2022, what is one way in which you need to bring the use of your time, talents, and treasures more into line with the priorities of Jesus? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you for the phenomenal truth of who Jesus is! Please help us to recognise his beauty and embrace the cost of following him with our entire lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What daily rhythm is going to help you live for Jesus in 2022? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: What does it mean to be a Christian by William TaylorAUDIO: Identity: Who do you say I am by Chris WrightAUDIO: The King on a Cross by Tim KellerSERIES Resources:Series overviewBOOK: “Resilient Disciples” by Rick Hill BOOK: “Need to Know” by Gary Millar ARTICLE: “What is a Whole-Life Disciple” by LICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity)Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our new series on the Priorities of Jesus. This sermon is ‘CALL: Repent, Believe, Follow’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Mark 1:14-20DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Mark 1:14-20 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: In what ways could you grow in the knowledge of God and humility? WARM-UP As the people of the world set priorities and goals for the new year, how do you think they go about it? What drives their decision making? As we consider the year ahead, who and what should drive our priorities for the year? Read Mark 1:14-15 What is the good news of God according to Jesus? What does he mean by saying that the time has come and that the kingdom of God has come near? How has Jesus been promised to his people before he came? What is the kingdom of God? On the basis of this statement of fact, what are the two things that Jesus calls us to do? When the world hears the word ‘repent’ what do you think they think it means? What is a more biblical definition of repentance? How would you describe repentance to a friend who doesn’t know Jesus yet on your frontlines? In what ways is belief different to just an academic acknowledgment; a shot in the dark; or a leap of faith? How would you describe belief to a friend who doesn’t know Jesus yet on your frontlines? Why is what we believe in good news? Does the world see the gospel as good news? Is there anything that is stopping you or holding you back from repentance and belief in Jesus? Read Mark 1:16-20 What is the third call of Jesus? How is following Jesus different to following a celebrity, a politician, or even a brand? What are we to follow Jesus with? How does this shape the way that we prioritise things this year? Is there anything that you tend to prioritise more before following Jesus? Bring it to him in prayer and maybe ask a good friend to keep you accountable. APPLY: Spend some time considering how to prioritise Jesus this year, and think of 3 ways to go about it. PRAYER Gracious God, thank you for the amazing hope that we have in Jesus. As we look ahead for the new year and the rest of our lives, please help us to prioritise you and respond to your call faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What daily rhythm is going to help you live for Jesus in 2022? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Jesus: His Message and His Mission” by Alistair BeggAUDIO: “Kingdom News” by Simon ManchesterAUDIO: “Mark 1:14-45” by Dick LucasAUDIO: “The Lord’s Fisherman” by John StottSERIES Resources:Series overview BOOK: “Resilient Disciples” by Rick Hill BOOK: “Need to Know” by Gary Millar ARTICLE: “What is a Whole-Life Disciple” by LICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity)Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is our final sermon in 2021. This sermon is ‘New Year: Live for Jesus’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Philippians 1:27-2:11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Philippians 1:27-2:11 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you grow in BOTH your experience and expression of God’s love this Christmas? WARM-UP Do you have any New Year’s resolutions? How have you gone in the past with them? Do you think that this year will be any different? Why do you think the world puts so much emphasis on the New Year? Read Philippians 1:27-30 What does the word to ‘conduct’ mean? How are we made citizens of the gospel? What is the main emphasis in these verses? Why is unity important? Where have you seen this not lived out? Where have you seen it lived out effectively? If someone was to look in the windows at St Bart’s, what type of church would they see? What could disrupt our unity? How could we ensure that we stand firm together in the face of pressure from the world? What practical measures could we put in place? Read Philippians 2:1-11 From what basis does Paul urge us to live in humility? What would make his joy most complete? Does this mean that we all have to be the same in everything? Why/why not? What unites us? What is the rule of humility in living as one people? What happens when someone is not humble? What is the measure of humility that Paul references? How is this distinct from all other religions? In what specific ways has Jesus shown us humility? To what extent are we to be humble? How does the world view humility? Is it easier for us as Christians to show humility? Why/why not? Who should now be at the centre of our lives and object of our worship? In what ways is Jesus greater than all things? In the new year, what rhythms and patterns could help us grow as one and grow in humility? Apply In what ways could you grow in the knowledge of God and humility? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that you loved us so much that you would be so humble even to death on a cross. Help us as your people to be one, that the world may know of your love, and keep us from pride and selfish ambition. May we be a church that continues to make and mature disciples of you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What daily rhythm is going to help you live for Jesus in 2022? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Worthy of the Gospel” by Simon ManchesterAUDIO: “Adopt Jesus’ Death as the Test of Your Outlook” by Don CarsonAUDIO: “Humility” by John StottAUDIO: “Imitating the Incarnation” by Tim KellerBOOK: “Humilitas” by John DicksonARTICLE: “3 Bookmarks and a Bible” by Brian RosnerGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesListen to our sermon from Christmas 2021. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam LoweDOWNLOAD the Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fourth of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Love Lavished on Us’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 John 4:7-21DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 John 4:7-21 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format..CONNECT: How can the depth of joy in Jesus transform one trouble that you’re currently experiencing?WARM-UP What do you think the world’s standard of love is? How does this compare to God’s love?What has been your most positive experience of God’s love in the context of Christian community?Read 1 John 4:7-10What is meant by “God is love”? What does it mean for God to be the author and source of love?Why is saying “love is God” different from John’s claim that “God is love”?How does disconnecting our understanding of love from God ultimately result in us either worshipping the idea of love and/or adopting a diminished view of love?As per the passage, what is God’s standard of love? What has been your experience of this?What causes you to marvel most about the nature of God’s love?Do you ever struggle with accepting God’s love? What has helped? What has not helped?How can we grow in our appreciation and acceptance of God’s extraordinary love for us?Read 1 John 4:11-21How does God equip and enable us to love in such an extraordinary way? Is there something in particular that you need to ask for help with from God in order to love others more?What does perfect love drive out? What does this mean in the context of judgment?How is our act of loving others actually a declaration of God to the world? If we fail to love, how can this reflect on God?How do you see God’s love expressed in the context of our community? How could we grow in this?Why is hating others incompatible with a claim to love God? What was happening in John’s context?In a society the is fractured on many fronts, how can we - at St Bart’s - demonstrate God’s love even amidst disagreement? How can we remind one another of the things of ‘first importance’?Apply How can you grow in BOTH your experience and expression of God’s love this Christmas? PRAYER Gracious Father, we thank you that it is because of Jesus that we may know joy through all in the power of the Holy Spirit. Please help us to know your joy and share it with the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: In this season, meals can be an amazing opportunity for relationships and pointing to God. How can you use grace at meals to point to Jesus this Christmas?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Perfected in Love” by Charlie SkrineAUDIO: “The Love of God” by Tom Wright:AUDIO (PAID): “Love” by David Bisgrove:Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series overview both in PDF and AudiobookAdvent Devotional by Tim and Kathy KellerGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Joy that Completes’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: John 16:16-33DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: John 16:16-33 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What one thing will help you to better celebrate Christmas this year? WARM-UP What do you think is the difference is between happiness and Christian joy? Do you know a Christian who has been a great example of joy amidst challenge? Read John 16:16-22 (Parting is Temporary) Why do you think the disciples were so confused? What would they have been feeling? What did Jesus mean by saying he must go but that they would see him ‘in a little while’? What image does Jesus compare our present sufferings with? What does he mean by this? Who can take away our joy? How should this be a source of great comfort and confidence? What most is troubling you? How can Jesus’ resurrection and return be a source of joy for you? As we await Jesus’ return, how does our future joy impinge upon today in the power of the Spirit? Read John 16:23-28 (Present Relationship) What does Jesus mean in verse 23? Does this mean God will give us anything we ask for? How should praying in Jesus’ name cause us to come to God in both humility and confidence? Through Jesus, with what type of intimacy are we grafted into relationship with God? How can you experience intimacy with God more readily and more frequently? Read John 16:29-33 (Permanent Victory) What is meant by the disciples' joy being complete? What would it look like for your joy to be complete in and through Jesus? Why - even in the inevitably of facing trouble - should the disciples ‘take heart’? Why should we? What should you be asking of God this advent? Would what it look like to pray confidently this Christmas in accordance with what motivates God? Apply How can the depth of joy in Jesus transform one trouble that you’re currently experiencing? PRAYER Gracious Father, we thank you that it is because of Jesus that we may know joy through all in the power of the Holy Spirit. Please help us to know your joy and share it with the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: It is not too late for a last minute invite to Carols. Who would want to miss a night of glowsticks & joy?! Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO (Paid): “Infallible Joy” by Tim KellerAUDIO: “Joy while we wait” by William TaylorAUDIO: “Surprised by Joy” by Dick LucasSONG: “Joy to Be” by CitizensSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Ser

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Peace with God’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Romans 5:1-11 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What one thing will help you to better celebrate Christmas this year? WARM-UP Why do you think the secular world puts so much time and energy into Christmas? What’s the difference between the peace that the world gives and peace that God gives? Read Romans 5:1-5 What does it mean to be justified by faith? Why do we need justification? What is sin? How does sin impact our relationship with God and others? Are we ever at risk of not taking sin seriously? How is it that we can have peace with God right now? How does God’s peace change the way we face troubles and afflictions? Why won’t the hope that we have put us to shame? How should God’s peace change the way that we live on our frontlines? Read Romans 5:6-11 What is so radical about the death of Jesus? Why did he have to die and for what sort of people did he die? What does his death mean for us? In what ways is God’s love different to any love that we find in the world? How can we see God’s love at its greatest? What does it mean for two people to be personally reconciled? What is the difference between being pronounced innocent by God and being reconciled to God? How is the salvation that God offers complete and total? What should this salvation lead to in us? In your week, what are some rhythms that can help you remember the seriousness of sin and also the peace that we have with God? In the lead up to Christmas, how will you share about the peace that God offers? Apply How can you keep the peace that Jesus gives us at the centre of Christmas this year? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a gracious and compassionate God who is abounding in love. Please help us to take sin seriously in order to see your mercy more clearly. Thank you for the justification and reconciliation that we have in Jesus. Help us this Christmas to rest in the peace that you give us. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: It is not too late for a last minute invite to Carols. Who would want to miss a night of glowsticks & joy?! Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Romans 5 - Amazing Love” by Christopher AshAUDIO: “Grace and Glory” by Simon ManchesterAUDIO: “Romans 5” by Gary MillarAUDIO: “Romans 5” a lecture by Dick LucasSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series overview both in PDF and AudiobookAdvent Devotional by Tim and Kathy KellerInvite a friend to carols!Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Hope that’s Real’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:1-12DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Peter 1:1-12 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:Grace and peace be yours in abundance.Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: On one of your frontlines this week, how can you be fortified in: remembering who’s boss, standing firm, and trusting that salvation belongs to the Lord? WARM-UP What are the most common ways in our culture that we prepare for Christmas? What does ‘advent’ mean? What do you find most helpful in preparing for Christmas? Read 1 Peter 1:1-5 Who were the communities that Peter was writing to? What do we know of their circumstances? In what ways is our hope living? How does this living hope make a difference in the ‘everyday’? How is it good news that our hope is anchored away from ourselves and to Jesus? How is our hope anchored to Jesus? What does Peter mean by “through” the resurrection? What are the types of things that you most o#en hope for? What is our greatest hope? What helps you anchor your hope to Jesus in the face of trouble or challenge? How about in times when things are going more smoothly? How does Christian hope (and the biblical view of hope) differ to everyday use of the word? Read 1 Peter 1:6-9 How is our inheritance described? Why does this matter? If our inheritance is guaranteed (and cannot spoil!), what sort of confidence should this give us? Can you think of an example of someone you know who has faced extraordinary sufferings yet maintained their hope in Jesus? How does Peter explain the purpose of the trials that the people were facing? Have you ever experienced a time of trial? How did you find that experience? Why do you think it is o#en through suffering that we grow as disciples of Jesus? Who is someone this Christmas with whom you would love to share the good news that through Jesus we have a hope that is real? Perhaps be especially praying for them this week. Apply What one thing will help you to better celebrate Christmas this year? PRAYER Heavenly Father, we thank you so much that it is through Jesus that we can have a sure and certain hope. Please help us to be anchored to Jesus, certain of our future, and transformed today for your glory. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: How is your reliance on God, above everything else, visible on your frontline?Listen, Watch, and Read: VIDEO: “Let’s Start with God” a sermon on 1 PeterAUDIO: “The Imperishable Inheritance” by William TaylorVIDEO: “Born again into a living hope” an exposition of 1 Peter 1:1-12 from TGC’s Women’s ConferenceAUDIO: “The Christian’s Gospel” a sermon by Dick Lucas on 1 Peter 1:1-25Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series overview both in PDF and AudiobookAdvent Devotional by Tim and Kathy KellerInvite a friend to carols!Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the seventh of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘In the Lion's Den’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Daniel 6DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Daniel 6 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing.Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:“May you prosper greatly!“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.“For he is the living God and he endures forever;his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Is there a particular area in your life that your pride is trying to get in the way of God

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sixth of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Writing on the Wall’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Daniel 5DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Daniel 5 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant. So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!” she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled. But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.“This is the inscription that was written:MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN“Here is what these words mean:Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed ar

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fifth of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Daniel 4DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Daniel 4:1-27 King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.“In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “ ‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. “ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’ “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can we trust God this week and acknowledge his work in our lives to those on our frontlines? WARM-UP At surface

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fourth of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Fireproof’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Daniel 3DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Daniel 3 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘A Tall Order’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: Daniel 2DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Daniel 2:1-23 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.”Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.”This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: On any of your frontlines, is there anything you need to say ‘no’ to in order to be faithful to God?WARM-UP Share an experience when your knowledge or strength failed you. How did you respond?Read Daniel 2:1-23Why was Nebuchadnezzar so disturbed by his dreams? What does this say about their origin and significance?Where do he seek guidance? Why doesn’t he tell his “wise men” the details of his dreams? What does this say about him?In whom or what did the Babylonians place their trust? Who was their god? In whom or what do we place our trust, and how reliable is it?Read Daniel 2:16-23; 27-28How did Daniel respond to hearing the news that he and his friends had been sentenced to death?How does Daniel seek the answer to Nebuchadnezzar’s question? Who gives him the answer?How do you approach a difficult situation or problem? How does Daniel respond to receiving the answer from God?When Daniel approaches Nebuchadnezzar, who does Daniel say is the source of the answer? How is this so counter-cultural (then and now)?How do we acknowledge God in our achievements? How can we be consistent in this?How does our church’s mission acknowledge this? How can we, as a community, remain consistent in this?Read Daniel 2:36-49Who does Daniel say is the source of Nebuchadnezzar’s power and authority? Why is this significant?What is the main message of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream? How does Nebuchadnezzar react?How, and by whom, is God’s kingdom established? How is it different from human kingdoms?How can we tell others about God’s Kingdom and Jesus’ in

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Living Faithfully in a Foreign Land’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Daniel 1:8-21DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Daniel 1:8-21 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How should the cross shape the way in which you act on your frontlines?WARM-UP What do you think are the common ways that Christians may feel pressure to conform to culture?What are the main ways on your frontlines in which you feel pressure to conform to culture?Read Daniel 18Looking back at verses 1-7, what were the ways in which Daniel (and his friends) seem to go along with the expectations set on them up to this point? Where did Daniel ‘draw the line’?Does this passage tell us why Daniel decided to draw the line here? What were the unlikely reasons?What do we learn from Daniel about how to determine which things matter and which things do not?How may have Daniel reached that resolution? How can that help shape our decision-making?What were the ingredients of Daniel’s response that can help shape our responses?On one of your frontlines, have you ever had to take a stand in order to be faithful to God? How did you discern that you needed to ‘draw a line’ about something in particular?What are the ways in which you’re most tempted to go along with culture? Is there anything right now on one of your frontlines in which you’re trying to discern if you should be ‘drawing a line’?What are the ways as community in which we can help each other discern how to live faithfully?Read Daniel 1:9-21How is God’s kindness and faithfulness evident in what happens next?Have you ever had to take a stand at work/uni/school and witnessed God’s grace at work?Is there anything now in which you need to ask God for help to try and find a way through?How does verse 21 remind us of who really is in charge and who will ultimately be victorious?How does keeping our eyes on Jesus (and his return) help us to be faithful day-by-day?Apply On any of your frontlines, is there anything you need to say ‘no’ to in order to be faithful to God?BONUS: If work is a frontline, try the next meeting of our Centre for Work+Faith: stbarts.com.au/workfaith PRAYER Gracious Father, how we praise you for your faithfulness! Please help us in our resolve to live faithfully on our frontlines, being wise in when to take stand and when it is not necessary. Please help us to ultimately trust that you are working out your purposes and that your Kingdom will prevail. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What is challenging about your frontline? How do you respond to these challenges?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “The Daniel Diet” by Guy MasonAUDIO: “Clash of the Kingdoms” by Chris WrightAUDIO: “Discipleship with Distinction” by William TaylorINTERACTIVE: “Tour of Mesopotamia 1500-539BC” at the British MuseumSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series overview both in PDF and Audiobook: https://bit.ly/3DsC3bBDaniel and the Twelve Prophets by John Goldingay. https://bit.ly/3jLRKnwKingdoms in Conflict by Andrew Reid. https://bit.ly/3kZp61uDaniel Overv

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Welcome to Babylon’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Daniel 1:1-7DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Daniel 1:1-7 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: In what circumstances can you show that the gift of eternal life has sprung up in you through Jesus?WARM-UP Have you ever experienced or witnessed a crushing defeat? What was it like?In regards to living for God, in what ways are the times in which we now live different to the times of Daniel? What are some of the similarities between us and those led out to exile?Read Daniel 1:1-2To the outsider who didn’t know about the covenant and the Lord’s hand in all of this, what do these verses in Daniel look like?Why were the Israelites defeated and led out to exile? Who was the one who orchestrated the whole thing? For what reason?Read Deuteronomy 30:15-18. What is the role of the covenant in the exile of God’s people?What was the main and underlying cause of Israel’s sinfulness? How could they still have hope even in the midst of their situation in exile?In our context of uncertainty, instability, messiness, and our sinfulness, what is our source of assurance and peace?Read Daniel 1:3-7How do these verses show God’s faithfulness to his people and covenant?What may have been king Nebuchadnezzar’s intention in bringing these educated people into his courts? What sort of things may they have learned?What may have been the intention in changing the names of these men?In our modern culture, have you ever experienced pressure to conform to the world? In what way? How did you react in this situation? How did Daniel react in V8?Read 1 Peter 2:9-12. In what way are we foreigners and exiles in our world? To whom do we belong and where is our ultimate home? How are we called to live this side of the cross?How can we ensure that we are living in line with God’s will for our lives and not the world’s?APPLY: How should the cross shape the way in which you act on your frontlines? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a God who is faithful to his promises from generation to generation. Thank you that even while our backs were turned against you, Christ died for us. Help us to live lives devoted to you and not to the patterns of this world for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: How do your interactions with people & problems demonstrate your satisfaction in Jesus?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: ‘God of the Exiles’ by Alistair BeggAUDIO: ‘Discipleship with Distinction’ by William TaylorAUDIO: ‘Discretion & Valour’ by Christopher AshSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series overview both in PDF and Audiobook: https://bit.ly/3DsC3bBDaniel and the Twelve Prophets by John Goldingay. https://bit.ly/3jLRKnwKingdoms in Conflict by Andrew Reid. https://bit.ly/3kZp61uDaniel Overview by The Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/daniel/“Exile” Overview by The Bible Project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSua9_WhQFEGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second of two sermons in our mini-series on What Would Jesus Say. This sermon is ‘To The Unsatisfied?’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: John 4:1-4DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: John 4:1-14 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Is there anyone on your frontline that needs to hear of the eternal satisfaction of Jesus? WARM-UP Do you think most Australians are satisfied? Why or why not? What do you think most people try to make the source of their satisfaction? Does it work? Read John 4:1-9What kind of relationship did the Jews and Samaritans have? What was unusual about the time of day that the woman was visiting the well? What made Jesus speaking to the woman particularly scandalous? Why was the woman surprised that Jesus would ask her for a drink? What did Jesus know about the woman? Is this good news that Jesus knew all of this? Do you find it reassuring that Jesus knows everything about you and still loves you? Have you ever felt like you were too far from God? How does Jesus’ interaction show that there is no one for whom the Gospel is “off limits”? Read John 4:10-26 How does this man’s question reveal the condition of his heart? How does Jesus respond? In what ways was the woman confused about the water that Jesus offered? What is this ‘living water’? What was significant about the well? What was the basis for Jesus’ water being greater? How does Jesus really satisfy us so that we will never be thirsty again? How can we receive the gift that Jesus offers? In what way can we be refreshed daily by Jesus? As you read on further (verses 39-42) what was the fruit of the woman’s trust in Jesus and witness? What are the ways in which you can be tempted to be temporarily satisfied? If we make the world the source of our satisfaction why can we not expect God to be the source of our peace? Have you ever had a time in which you were really unsatisfied? How does Jesus change this? If you have a friend who is unsatisfied in life, how would you explain to them that Jesus is the one who can bring them ultimate satisfaction? APPLY: In what circumstances can you show that the gift of eternal life has sprung up in you through Jesus? PRAYER Heavenly Father, we thank you that it is through Jesus that you have offered us living water! Please help us to accept this gift and trust in you - that we would only seek for you alone to be the source of our ultimate satisfaction. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who are the other Christians on your frontline? Do you pray together for the people and activities on your frontline? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: A Satisfied Thirst by Rico TimeAUDIO: The Gift of Life by William TaylorAUDIO: What is satisfaction and how do we get it? by Charlie Skrine Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Overview Published by St Bart’s“Freedom to Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy” by Tim Keller“Surprised by Joy” by CS Lewis“Can I Have Joy in my Life” by RC SproulGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first of two sermons in our mini-series on What Would Jesus Say. This sermon is ‘To The Satisfied?’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Luke 12:13-21DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 12:13-21 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can we live in such a way that refreshes the spirit of our leaders and our brothers and sisters in Christ? WARM-UP If you were to ask the people on your frontlines who aren’t followers of Jesus what they thought being satisfied looked like, what do you think they would say? How would you define satisfaction? Read Ecclesiastes 2:4-11What did satisfaction look like before the fall? How does the fall impact our relationship with creation and even our satisfaction? What is the one thing that all created things have in common because of the fall? Why wasn’t the writer of Ecclesiastes satisfied with all the possessions that he had amassed? Why won’t we ever find satisfaction in created things without any reference to the creator? Can we ever be at risk of attempting to find satisfaction in created things? What in particular? How could we keep ourselves from this? Read Luke 12:13-21How does this man’s question reveal the condition of his heart? How does Jesus respond? What does Jesus say to the satisfied or to those pursuing earthly satisfaction? What’s the danger that he is warning us about? What is the, already, rich man’s problem? What is his solution? What is his more significant problem? How does God respond to this man’s arrogance? Why is this man a fool? If we aren’t to find satisfaction in earthly things, where can we find satisfaction? Read Luke 12:32-34. What is in store for this who have their trust in Jesus? How has this been made possible? Can we return to satisfaction as it was before the fall? Until Jesus comes again, how can we be satisfied even while living in a fallen world? Who could we tell of this on our frontlines?APPLY: Is there anyone on your frontline that needs to hear of the eternal satisfaction of Jesus? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that you that you created a good creation and for us to be in relationship with you. We are sorry for when we sin against you and attempt to find satisfaction in your creation rather than you. Thank you for the eternal satisfaction that has been made available in the Gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who are the other Christians on your frontline? Do you pray together for the people and activities on your frontline? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: ‘On Guard Against Greed’ by Alistair BeggAUDIO: ‘A Safe Investment’ by William TaylorAUDIO: ‘The Search for Satisfaction’ by Alistair BeggVIDEO: ‘Uncovering Satisfaction’ by Tim KellerSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Overview Published by St Bart’s“Freedom to Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy” by Tim Keller“Surprised by Joy” by CS Lewis“Can I Have Joy in my Life” by RC SproulGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the eighteenth and final sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Stand Firm’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 16DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 16:1-18 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you give yourself ‘more fully’ to the work of the Lord (on one of your frontlines) this week?WARM-UP Have you ever had the experience of being in a church service in which you couldn’t understand much of what was happening? What was it like? How did you feel?Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-4What was “the collection for the Lord’s people”? How did it connect with the Corinthians’s faith?How were the Corinthians to set aside money for this gift? What are the key principles of Christian generosity?Also looking at Galatians 6:9-10, do you grow weary in your generosity? How can this be overcome?Towards whom should we, as Christians, be generous?Read 1 Corinthians 16:5-12Why did Paul want to spend time with the Corinthians, and why was he delayed?Why would Timothy fear visiting the Corinthians again? How does Paul compare Timothy’s ministry to his, and what is the significance of this?Why would Apollos be reluctant to visit Corinth at this particular time? What does this say about the Corinthian church?How can we respect the leaders in our church who exercise authority over us?What would the consequences be of attempting to usurp the Godly authority of our leaders?How is our church’s mission and unity connected?Read 1 Corinthians 16:13-18What are the five short messages Paul gives to the Corinthians? Does one speak particularly to you?Why are these messages so relevant to the Corinthians?How can we be on guard and stand firm in the faith? How can we be strong and courageous?How can make sure that everything among us is done in love?APPLY: How can we live in such a way that refreshes the spirit of our leaders and our brothers and sisters in Christ? PRAYER Gracious Father, help us to love the Lord so that we can stand firm in generosity, stand firm together and stand firm in faith and love. Unite us in the bonds of love, through Jesus Christ, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst the people you see week to week, who seems like they would never be interested in Jesus? Pray and invite them to Alpha.Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “What are the Gospel’s Priorities?” By John StottAUDIO: Four-Part Series on 1 Corinthians 16 by Dick Lucas:1 Corinthians 16:1-4 // 1 Corinthians 16:5-12 // 1 Corinthians 16:14-24 // 1 Corinthians 16:15-16Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Overview Published by St Bart’sWebsite: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course)Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these toge

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the seventeenth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘The Fruit of the Resurrection‘. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 The Resurrection BodyBut someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What is one priority in your life that is shaped by the certainty of future physical resurrection? WARM-UP What aspect of the resurrection of the dead do you find most challenging to grasp? What aspect of the resurrection of the dead do you find most exciting? Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-44What are the questions that Paul raises? Which of these does he focus his answers on? What analogy does Paul use to explain the type of resurrection that awaits us? What does it mean? How is it clear that our resurrection is a physical one? How is this different from just a dead person coming alive? How do you long to be made new? What are the contrasts between our ‘former self’ and ‘resurrected self’ in verses 42-44? Can you explain what these mean? What in particular does it mean to be ‘imperishable’? What does Paul mean by ‘natural body’ and ‘spiritual body’? Why is this critical to understand? Read 1 Corinthians 15:45-50What contrast is Paul making in these verses between our two family trees? What is the fruit (or inheritance) of our earthly heritage? How is that evident today? If we are in Jesus, what is the inheritance that is promised through him? Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 What did some of the Corinthians mistakingly believe about ‘the end’? How is it evident that the end has not actually arrived yet? How will we know? When will we be transformed with new bodies? How long will this take to happen? Who gives us the victory over sin and death? How has Jesus made this possible? What do you think it looks like to stand firm in these things? But also more generally? What do you think it looks like to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord (on all of your frontlines)? Do you ever feel like your work is in vain? How does our promised future change this? APPLY: How can you give yourself ‘more fully’ to the work of the Lord (on one of your frontlines) this week? PRAYER Heavenly Father, please help us to stand firm on the truth of the Gospel,

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sixteenth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘The Basis of Faith."‘ Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you use your gifts in peaceful and ordered ways to build up the church? WARM-UP What do you think most Australians believe happens after death? What are the common misconceptions that the Corinthians held about the resurrection? Do you see any similarities between the Corinthians and what our culture thinks about the afterlife? Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11What does Paul mean by reminding them of the Gospel which he preached? Why does it seem that Paul had to remind the Corinthians of the basic news of the Gospel? What are the contents of the Gospel as Paul describes them here? Are these words (vv.4-8) Paul’s? When do they date from? How does this give us certainty? How does Paul describe himself in these verses? What changed his perspective about Jesus? How does recognising Jesus’ resurrection as an event, increase your certainty of the future? Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-22What, according to Paul, is the connection between Jesus’ resurrection and ours?Why is the bodily resurrection and our future resurrection so central to Christianity?If Jesus was not raised from the

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fifteenth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Peace not Confusion."‘ Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What are the key ways in which you could use your gifts more for the building up of God’s church?WARM-UP Have you ever experienced a moment or an event of extreme chaos? Why is it important that when we gather together, there isn’t chaos?Read 1 Corinthians 14:26-33Who has God gifted in the church and with what type of gifts? What would be the result of everyone using all their gifts all at the same time?What is the lens that we should see our gifts through? What question should we be asking as we come to us our gifts especially in the context of the gathered church?Why does Paul go into such granular detail here? Why would the people who wished to speak required to speak one at a time?If there was no interpretation of the tongues, what would they have to do? Why?In what circumstances might we have to show restraint or not use our gifts? What should be the guiding principal?When the church gathers, what should there be? Why? What regulations did Paul set out for those who wished to share their prophesy?Why is the ‘weighing’ of any teaching important? How might we do this today?In what ways to we see God bringing order out chaos? How might our usage of gifts reflect this?Read 1 Corinthians 14:34-40In light of 1 Corinthians 11:2-15, does this passage forbid women from speaking at all in gatherings? How can we reconcile the two?What was happening in their gatherings? What may have been ‘disgraceful’ about the interactions between husbands and wives?How can we ensure that we maintain peace and order amongst all of our relationships in the gathered church?What role should the word of God have in our lives? How does it tell of the peace and order of God?APPLY: How can you use your gifts in peaceful and ordered ways to build up the church? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege that it is to gather together as your people to build each other up. Help us to use our gifts in peace and in service of you. Where we should use our gifts, show us. Where we should be still, remind us. Help us to do all we do for your glory and not ours. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: How can you remain fruitful over the long-term? If you’d like to explore this with others, join us at our Work + Faith meeting, 7-8AM Wednesday 1 September.Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Prophecy then and Now” by Dick LucasPart 1 // Part 2AUDIO (Podcast): “Ask N T Wright Anything” on the gifts of the SpiritAUDIO (with Q&A): “Confusion or Peace” by Charlie SkrineAUDIO: “God Loves Order Not Chaos” by Ray GaleaAUDIO: “All Things from God” by Adam LoweSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Overview Published by St Bart’sWebsite: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course) WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Famil

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fourteenth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Building up the Church…’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you demonstrate Christ’s love on your frontlines this week?WARM-UP Have you ever had the experience of being in a church service in which you couldn’t understand much of what was happening? What was it like? How did you feel?Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-12What are the two gifts of speech that Paul describes in this chapter? Can you define them?According to these verses, what is the intended purpose of our gifts? What does edification mean?Can you think of practical examples of what it looks like to build up God’s Church?What are the three images that Paul uses? Why is helping to ensure ‘understanding’ so essential if our purpose is to build up God’s church? How do you see this as evident at St Bart’s?Is Paul saying that the gift of tongues is unhelpful? Why does the context matter?When we gather together on a Sunday, how often do you consider your role in helping to build up other brothers and sisters in Christ? How could we prepare more intentionally to do this?Read 1 Corinthians 14:13-19How does Paul describe the way that he would pray and speak? What does this mean?What does using our gifts with our whole selves actually look like in practice?Why is it a mistake to create a false dichotomy between ‘spirit’ and ‘mind’?Do we ever rank particular gifts as more ‘spiritual’ than others? How so? Why is this so unhelpful?How can we help ensure that people are able to fully participate together on a Sund

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the thirteenth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Faith, Hope, and Love’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. t does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Who is one person who you could encourage in the active use of their gifts for the Lord?WARM-UP If you were to ask a friend who wasn’t Christian what they thought love meant, what do you think they would say?If a friend who wasn’t a Christian was to ask you what you thought love was, what would you say?Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-7According to this passage, how are we meant to use our gifts? Why? What is the danger of not using our gifts in this way?What does Paul mean by him being only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal, him being nothing, and him gaining nothing?In what areas are you serving? What attitude do you have towards using your gifts?Practically, how could you remind yourself of the importance of love wherever or whoever you serve?What sort of love are we to have and serve with?Where have we seen the elements of this list before? How is love the ultimate solution to the problems of the Corinthians?Re-read V4-7 and put your name where love is described. Is this an accurate description of your life?Where do we see this love lived out completely? How are we recipients of this love? How can we grow to be more like this in all that we do, especially as we take our part in building up God’s church?Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-13What is the role and purpose of our gifts now? What will happen to our gifts and even our human knowledge when Christ returns?How is it that we can know God right now? Why is our knowledge currently only in part? How can we still have confidence in what God has revealed to us?How does God know us now? How will we know God in the New Creation?Why is love the greatest of all virtues?APPLY: How could you demonstrate Christ’s love on your frontlines this week? PRAYER oving Lord, thank you for how you have selflessly loved us in Christ Jesus. How you have been patient, kind, how our sins have been forgiven because of the cross, and life is assured by the resurrection. Help us to always have this love when we use our gifts, as we seek to build your church for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What opportunities do you have to show God’s love towards those who might be in lockdown?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “The Church in the Mirror” by Alistair BegAUDIO: “A More Excellent Way” by Dick LucasVIDEO: “The Greatest” by Ray GaleaREAD: “Love Is Not Whatever You Want It to Be” by Alex DukeREAD: “11 Reasons Why You Need to Belong to a Church” by Peter AdamSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Overview Published by St Bart’sWebsite: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course) WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the twelfth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘To Each is Given"’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you grow in your appreciation of the Lord’s Supper and in the unity of the church?WARM-UP What were the various ways in which the Corinthians had created competition and contention amongst themselves? What was happening in Corinth when it came to spiritual gifts?Do spiritual gifts ever cause controversy in the church today? What are the common ways?Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-13Who does Paul say that all gifts are from? (Try to find all of the references that make this clear.) How is this such a counter-cultural idea today? How can we be reminded that our gifts are from God?How can I sure that I have the Spirit of God? Does this mean we also are gifted by God?Paul encouraged the Corinthians to see themselves as body and then individuals. How is this a radically counter-cultural idea today? What difference would it make to “flip” our view of things?How can a distorted view of our gifts lead to feeling inferior or superior? What does Paul say to that?What is the purpose of our spiritual gifts? What are the pointers that we are incredibly united?Do you think you have a tendency to underestimate or overestimate the gifts entrusted to you? Why are both so potentially dangerous with regards to God’s plans and purposes?Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-31What are the gifts listed in this chapter? Do we

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the eleventh sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Do This In Remembrance of Me’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you grow in your appreciation of the opposite sex as passionate followers of Jesus?WARM-UP Are there any foods or meals that represent something bigger in Australian society today?Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-26Why does Paul have no praise for the Corinthians in the following verses? What have they done?Along what lines was the Corinthian church divided? Can you recall what was practically happening?Why then weren’t they coming together to eat the Lord’s Supper? What is the sadness and hypocrisy in a deeply divided church coming to celebrate the Lord’s Supper?Our divisions may not be as obvious or as deep as these, but how might we be at risk of being divided as a church? What is our role individually in this? What is the thing which unites us?From where/who does the Lord’s Supper come from? What was the background for the very first Lord’s Supper?What is the significance of the bread? What does it represent and remind us of?What is the significance of the cup? What does it represent and remind us of? Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 What is the new covenant and how do we receive it?How is the Lord’s Supper designed to impact us every time we take part in it? What could cause us either disengage or be distracted as we come to the table?Read 1 Corinthians 11:27-34What does the context of the passage indicate that ‘eating and drinking in an unworthy manner’ means? Why is this a serious matter?In what ways do we examine ourselves before coming to the Lord’s Supper? Why is this important?What occurred in the Corinthian church as a result of not taking the meal seriously and being divided?What are some ways that you could practically prepare to take part in the meal as we gather as church together the celebrate?APPLY: How can you grow in your appreciation of the Lord’s Supper and in the unity of the church? PRAYER Gracious Father, thank you so much for the hope that we have in Jesus and thank you for giving us ways in which to remember your grace. Keep us from being too casual with the Lord’s Supper, keep us from divisions, and help us every time we come to celebrate to grow as disciples of you, In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: How can you remain fruitful on your frontlines over the long-term? Join us as we consider this Wednesday morning from 7-8am in the Centre for Work + Faith.Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: 3 talks on the Lord’s Supper from Dick LucasTalk 1 // Talk 2 // Talk 3AUDIO: “Communion

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the tenth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘All Things from God’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you live your life in such a way that points others to Jesus on your frontlines?WARM-UP What are some ways in which the Gospel contrasts with aspects of culture in Australia?What are some ways in which the Gospel affirms aspects of our culture in Australia?Read 1 Corinthians 11:1-12Why is it so important to understand the context of the first recipients of the letter before applying it to us? Does this mean that the letter is not also relevant to us? (Why or why not?)How can we properly discern between matters that are culturally dependent and those things which are instructions with the exact same application today?With a study Bible, what do you learn culturally about the nature of head coverings in Corinth?What inappropriate behaviour was happening in gathered worship in Corinth?How could this offend people outside of the church? How could it also give people the wrong idea about what Christians thought about marriage?What are some of the various ways that the word ‘head’ could be understood? How do all of these understandings point to the reality that there are differences between men and women?How is it clear that men and women are equal? Do you think our culture values difference between us?How can we avoid making unhelpful (and unbiblical) distinctions between men and women?How is it evident that men and women are created in the image of God? How are we interdependent?What do you think are the challenges for men and women today as they seek to follow Jesus?Why is it inappropriate for us to unhelpfully diminish the opposite sex? What are the common ways that you witness this expressed on your frontline? How could you live differently?Read 1 Corinthians 11:14-16What is meant by prayer and prophesying? Who could prayer and prophesy?Why was it so radical that Paul was permitting (and even encouraging) women to participate?How can we celebrate the contribution of men and women more in the life of our church?APPLY: How can you grow in your appreciation of the opposite sex as passionate followers of Jesus? PRAYER Who could you invite to the Public Lecture this Friday? Take a handful of flyers, write people’s names on them, and personally invite them to join you? GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: People are much more likely to trust what their friends endorse. Which friend or colleague could you invite to Alpha?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Summoned by Grace” by Andrew SachAUDIO: “Where’s your head” by Charlie SkrineBOOK (more technical): “The Making of Biblical Womanhood” by Beth Allison BarrSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Overview Published by St Bart’sWebsite: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course) WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the ninth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Glorifying God’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 10-11:1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What is one fear in your life that could be dispelled by taking confidence in the LORD?WARM-UP What are some things in the world that can sometimes have all show but no substance?What have been some highlights that you can recall from 1 Corinthians from Term 2?Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13Read 9:24-27. Why does Paul want the Corinthians to know about the history of the Israelites?What united the Israelites and formed them as a nation? Who did they belong to?Did their lives match up to what they called to be? Why/why not? What was then the result of how they lived?What lesson does Paul want the Corinthians to draw from the example of the Israelites in the wilderness? How do we have it better than the Israelites?What could cause us to not live wholeheartedly for God? How can we seek help in these times of trials? Is there any temptation that can take us away from God?Read 1 Corinthians 10:14-22What does the Lord’s Supper symbolise and how does it help and impact us? How does it also demonstrate and show our identity?In this world, what other things compete and battle for our allegiance, identity, and worship?

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our mini series in ‘Winter Warmers’. This sermon is ‘The Lord is My Light’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Psalm 27DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Psalm 27 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?When the wicked advance against me to devour me,it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.Though an army besiege me,my heart will not fear;though war break out against me,even then I will be confident.One thing I ask from the LORD,this only do I seek:that I may dwell in the house of the LORDall the days of my life,to gaze on the beauty of the LORDand to seek him in his temple.For in the day of troublehe will keep me safe in his dwelling;he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.Then my head will be exaltedabove the enemies who surround me;at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;I will sing and make music to the LORD.Hear my voice when I call, LORD;be merciful to me and answer me.My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”Your face, LORD, I will seek.Do not hide your face from me,do not turn your servant away in anger;you have been my helper.Do not reject me or forsake me,God my Savior.Though my father and mother forsake me,the LORD will receive me.Teach me your way, LORD;lead me in a straight pathbecause of my oppressors.Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,for false witnesses rise up against me,spouting malicious accusations.I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the LORDin the land of the living.Wait for the LORD;be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What prompts you to look to the shepherd? What troubles/concerns this week could you bring to him?WARM-UP Have there been any times in your life in which there has been physically a complete (or almost complete) absence of light? How did this make you feel?Did David have significant cause to be fearful? What causes you to be afraid?Read Psalm 27:1-6Who does David describe the LORD as in verse 1? What do each of these names mean?How is it clear that this knowledge about the LORD is not just objective truth, but also a personal reality to David? Do you know this to be true as well?How does David have confidence even in the presence of trouble? Do you ever struggle with this in your own life? How so?When you face trouble or stress, what is your natural instinct? What helps you be redirected to God?How does David’s example steer us away from both complacency and self-reliance? Do you think that this is particularly counter-cultural in Australia?What knowledge helps you to trust in God even in the face of trouble? What practices help you to trust in God even in the face of uncertainty?How is knowing God a great gift even when we experience uncertainty, stress, or danger?What did David long for more than anything? What does this mean?How do you seek God? How can we be sure of knowing him?What are the practical ways in which we can seek the goodness of the LORD?Read Psalm 27:7-13How does David reflect his desire to be known by God in these verses?What does David mean in verse 11? How is obedience an expression of our trust?How does Jesus make it possible for us to have a clear and certain confidence of the future?APPLY: What is one fear in your life that could be dispelled by taking confidence in the LORD? PRAYER Gracious Father, we thank you so much that we can have every confidence that you will keep us ultimately safe through the Lord Jesus. Please help us to trust in you regardless of the circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: People are much more likely to trust what their friends endorse. Which friend or colleague could you invite to Alpha? stbarts.com.au/alpha Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “One thing I have asked” by Aneirin GlynAUDIO: “I will see the goodness of the Lord” by Richard BewesAUDIO: “Walking with Our God” by James FauxINTERVIEW with Maryam and Marziyeh at HTB Church, London:Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Outline by St Bart’s Toowoomba: https://stbarts.com.au/blog/2021/6/20/winter-warmers-miniseries-outlineWebsite: “Psalms” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/learn/psalms/Book: “The Case for the Psalms” by Tom WrightDevotional: “My Rock and My Refuge” by Tim KellerCourse: “Introduction to Psalms” by the Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/psalms/Course: “The Psalms” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course). WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families:

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our mini series in ‘Winter Warmers’. This sermon is ‘The Lord is My Shepherd’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Psalm 23DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters,he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right pathsfor his name’s sake.Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,for you are with me;your rod and your staff,they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the LORDforever. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can your choices and actions this week be sensitive to the needs of others?WARM-UP Where have you heard this Psalm before but not in a Sunday service? Why do you think this Psalm is so popular even in the world?How have your friends who aren’t christian reacted to the past 18 months of uncertainty?Read Psalm 23What was the role and purpose of a shepherd in these times of David? Why were the sheep so dependant on the shepherds?How does God provide for us the best and most fruitful place to live and thrive?Can you recall a time when you have felt the refreshment of the soul that David speaks of in V3? Where does our greatest refreshment and restoration come from?What does it mean to walk in the right paths? Who do we follow to guide us along these paths?What does V4 assume for us this side of eternity? How can we possibly not be afraid in this darkness and even in the face of death?How has the Lord provided for us in abundance? Where do we primarily see God’s goodness and love poured out for us?How can we have the confidence of dwelling in the house of the Lord even after death?What could it look like for us to act more like a sheep in our lifetime? How can we continually keep our eyes on the shepherdRead John 10:11-18What does the good shepherd do for his sheep? How have we seen this? Why does the shepherd do this for us?How well does the shepherd know us? How could that shape our relationship with him?What does the opposite of this Psalm say to the person who isn’t a believer? Who could we tell of the comfort of the shepherd this week?APPLY: hat prompts you to look to the shepherd? What troubles or concerns this week could you bring to him? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you for your compassion for us in being our shepherd. Please help us to remember that we are your sheep, that you care for us, and that we can call upon you to help us. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Alpha begins Monday 12 July. Who could you invite along? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: The Future! by Dick LucasAUDIO: The Psalm of the Sheep by D.A. CarsonVIDEO: Psalm 23 by Peter OrrAUDIO: The Shepherd Who He Is and What He Does by Simon ManchesterSONG: I’m Not Alone by Church by the Bridge Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Outline by St Bart’s Toowoomba: https://stbarts.com.au/blog/2021/6/20/winter-warmers-miniseries-outlineWebsite: “Psalms” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/learn/psalms/Book: “The Case for the Psalms” by Tom WrightDevotional: “My Rock and My Refuge” by Tim KellerCourse: “Introduction to Psalms” by the Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/psalms/Course: “The Psalms” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course). WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our mini series in ‘Winter Warmers’. This sermon is ‘The Lord is My Rock’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Psalm 28DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Psalm 28 To you, LORD, I call; you are my Rock,do not turn a deaf ear to me.For if you remain silent,I will be like those who go down to the pit.Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my handstoward your Most Holy Place.Do not drag me away with the wicked,with those who do evil,who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work;repay them for what their hands have doneand bring back on them what they deserve.Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORDand what his hands have done,he will tear them down and never build them up again.Praise be to the LORD,for he has heard my cry for mercy.The LORD is my strength and my shield;my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.My heart leaps for joy,and with my song I praise him.The LORD is the strength of his people,a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.Save your people and bless your inheritance;be their shepherd and carry them forever. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can your choices and actions this week be sensitive to the needs of others?WARM-UP When was the last time that you got stuck in a situation and had to call someone for help?What comes to mind for you when you think of justice? What does the world think about justice?Read Psalm 28:1-5Who does David call upon for help?What does it mean when we see a big capital ‘L’ in our bible and then the rest of the word ‘lord’ in small caps? Why is this significant?Why is the Lord more than able to help? What is he like?What does it mean for David to lift up his hands towards the Holy Place? What was dwelling there?Who are the wicked and what are they like? What does David want for them?How can we reconcile the command that we are to love our enemy and this Psalm which calls upon God to repay David’s enemies?How is God’s justice different to that of any human justice? Why are his judgements good news for us? How then should we act when we face opposition?Read Psalm 28:6-9What is David’s response to seeing God at work in the world? How should we respond even when our prayers aren’t answered in the way that we may have hoped?For you, what does it mean for the Lord to be your strength and shield? Can you recall a time that you have had to explicitly remind yourself of this?When we aren’t feeling particularly close to or joyful in the Lord, who and what can we turn to?What does it mean for God to save his people? How are God’s people sustained through the ages?How does relying on God as our rock and strength change the way we live on our frontlines? How could this shape your actions and words to others?APPLY: How can you remind yourself that the Lord is your Rock this week? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you that you love us, that you care for us, and that you are more than able to save us. You are the God who has sustained and been and will be faithful to his promises for eternity. Help us to rest in the sure hope that you are good, that you will judge, and that you will strengthen us. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who could you invite along to a Sunday service? With the appeal of warm food - Winter Warmers might be a great opportunity.Listen, Watch, and Read: VIDEO: Prayer in the Psalms: Discovering How to Pray by Tim KellerVIDEO: Psalm 28 Devotion by Peter OrrCOMMENTARY: Psalm 28 by John CalvinSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Website: “Psalms” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/learn/psalms/Book: “The Case for the Psalms” by Tom WrightDevotional: “My Rock and My Refuge” by Tim KellerCourse: “Introduction to Psalms” by the Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/psalms/Course: “The Psalms” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course). WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the eighth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians) from our 6PM service. This sermon is ‘Building Up’. Preacher: Amy Norman. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 7 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God. So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you use your circumstance - right now - in more focused devotion to the Lord?WARM-UP Have you met a “know-it-all”? Why can they be so difficult to be around?What governs the food you eat? Have you ever had to make cultural choices when travelling?Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-3In Paul’s time, why was food offered as a sacrifice to idols? Do you see a difference between eating food you know is offered to idols compared with eating food that probably was offered to idols?What are the benefits of knowledge? What are the dangers of knowledge?Do you think that you’re ever in danger of being ‘puffed up’ by knowledge?What is better than knowledge? How is it better?Read 1 Corinthians 8:4-8Why was it okay for the Corinthians to eat food sacrificed to idols?What does say Paul say about the difference between idols and God who we worship?What did Jesus say about food (see Mark 7)?What does it mean when Paul writes that “not everyone has this knowledge”? How are their “consciences defiled"?Read 1 Corinthians 8:9-13Why should we be careful about what we do around others? Are we living according to others’ convictions instead of our own?Should we be willing to sacrifice our enjoyment for others? If we misuse our freedom, what are we doing?Should loving others ever be at the expense of truth? How do we work this out?What did Christ do for us? As a consequence of that, what should be willing to do for others?What other areas, besides food sacrificed to idols, does this principle apply to?APPLY: How can your choices and actions this week be sensitive to the needs of others? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom we have in Christ. Help us to be mindful of the experiences and needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we don’t cause anyone to stumble but rather build each other up in love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Are there any other Christians on your frontline that you could encourage, as you serve Jesus together?Listen, Watch, and Read: TALK: “We have a ministry” by John StottTALK: “Don’t cause others to stumble”TALK: “Why not to prize freedom too highly” by Hugh PalmerARTICLE: “Christian: Will you negative split your life?” by Steve McAlpine:Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Overview Published by St Bart’sWebsite: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course) WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the eighth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Building Up’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 7 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God. So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you use your circumstance - right now - in more focused devotion to the Lord?WARM-UP Have you met a “know-it-all”? Why can they be so difficult to be around?What governs the food you eat? Have you ever had to make cultural choices when travelling?Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-3In Paul’s time, why was food offered as a sacrifice to idols? Do you see a difference between eating food you know is offered to idols compared with eating food that probably was offered to idols?What are the benefits of knowledge? What are the dangers of knowledge?Do you think that you’re ever in danger of being ‘puffed up’ by knowledge?What is better than knowledge? How is it better?Read 1 Corinthians 8:4-8Why was it okay for the Corinthians to eat food sacrificed to idols?What does say Paul say about the difference between idols and God who we worship?What did Jesus say about food (see Mark 7)?What does it mean when Paul writes that “not everyone has this knowledge”? How are their “consciences defiled"?Read 1 Corinthians 8:9-13Why should we be careful about what we do around others? Are we living according to others’ convictions instead of our own?Should we be willing to sacrifice our enjoyment for others? If we misuse our freedom, what are we doing?Should loving others ever be at the expense of truth? How do we work this out?What did Christ do for us? As a consequence of that, what should be willing to do for others?What other areas, besides food sacrificed to idols, does this principle apply to?APPLY: How can your choices and actions this week be sensitive to the needs of others? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom we have in Christ. Help us to be mindful of the experiences and needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we don’t cause anyone to stumble but rather build each other up in love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Are there any other Christians on your frontline that you could encourage, as you serve Jesus together?Listen, Watch, and Read: TALK: “We have a ministry” by John StottTALK: “Don’t cause others to stumble”TALK: “Why not to prize freedom too highly” by Hugh PalmerARTICLE: “Christian: Will you negative split your life?” by Steve McAlpine:Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Overview Published by St Bart’sWebsite: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course) WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the seventh sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Marriage & Singleness’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 7DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.1Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sixth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Flee from Sexual Immorality’. The audio recording this week comes from the 6PM service. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 5-6DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 6:12-20 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you show humility and demonstrate grace on your Frontline this weekWARM-UP Why do you think the church can be hesitant to discuss sex? Why is ignoring it not helpful?Is sexual promiscuity just a modern day problem? What was it like in Paul’s Corinth?Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-6:11What were the cases of sin that Paul has reported to him amongst the Corinthians? How shameful was it even in the pagan culture?What does the original word for ‘sexual immorality’ mean? What is the God-given context for sex?What was really at the heart of the problem in the Corinthian Church? Is that a problem for us?What does Paul mean in 5:8 by sincerity and truth? What does it look like to test our desires against God’s Word with sincerity and truth? How might this be costly?Are we ever in danger of trivialising sexual immorality? In what way?What is the danger of sin that goes ‘unchecked’? What image does Paul use to describe this danger?What is meant by 1 Corinthians 5:5? What did Paul hope to achieve for the man and the community?Why would expelling someone from a community only be used as a last resort? What steps would a community reasonably engage in before someone was expelled?If we fall into sexual immorality, are we condemned? How is 6:11 of encouragement to us?Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20How does Jesus’ resurrection confirm the reality that are bodies (and what we do with them) matter?How is marriage a sign of our union with Christ? How does this affect who we are ‘united’ with?In what ways are believers a temple of the Holy Spirit? How can we glorify God with our bodies?Can you think of a time in which you had to flee something? What does it mean to flee sexual sin?If a clos

FOCUS Talk & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third talk from the St Bart’s Toowoomba FOCUS weekend. This talk is ‘God our Hope’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Rhys Bezzant. Bible Reading: Psalm 2.Download the FOCUS Weekend Study Guide (PDF)

FOCUS Talk & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second talk from the St Bart’s Toowoomba FOCUS weekend. This talk is ‘God our Guide’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Rhys Bezzant. Bible Reading: Psalm 73.Download the FOCUS Weekend Study Guide (PDF)

FOCUS Talk & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first talk from the St Bart’s Toowoomba FOCUS weekend. This talk is ‘God our Father’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Rhys Bezzant. Bible Reading: Psalm 121.Download the FOCUS Weekend Study Guide (PDF)

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sermon from St Bart’s Toowoomba on the FOCUS weekend. This sermon is ‘God our Refuge’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Psalm 144DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Psalm 144 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow. Part your heavens, LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke. Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy; shoot your arrows and rout them. Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful. I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David. From the deadly sword deliver me; rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful. Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets. Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the LORD. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you show humility and demonstrate grace on your Frontline this week?WARM-UP When people of the world face troubles or hardships, where or what do they turn to?Read Psalm 144:1-4In hard times or struggles, what can be our first impulse? Where does David begin in this Psalm?How does David describe the Lord in these verses? How does this give you comfort in times of trouble?How are human beings described in these verses? In what ways can you see this in the world? What are God’s actions towards human beings?Read Psalm 144:5-11Is there any place or area in creation that God’s authority doesn’t reach? How is God’s authority described in these verses?Why is God the most qualified person to save? Is there anything that we can do to save ourselves? How then can we receive God’s salvation?How is God’s plan for salvation for us ultimately revealed? Who and what are the ultimate enemies? How are we saved from them?What is the response to receiving God’s rescue?Read Psalm 144:12-15What are the covenant promises that God made to Abraham? Where can we see these in this Psalm?Why don’t we experience these blessings in all their fullness right now? When will we?How can the future hope of these things give us contentment in this life now? How can these promises help us when we face life’s uncertainties?On your frontlines, where could you demonstrate this joy and contentment that comes from being in relationship with a faithful God?APPLY: How are you enjoying being in relationship with our sovereign and faithful God? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that you care for us, that we find take refuge in you, and have hope in you forevermore. Help us in times of trouble and times of peace to rest in your unchanging and sure character and promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who do you see quietly following Jesus on their frontline? It might be a great opportunity to encourage them.Listen, Watch, and Read: Psalm 144 by Peter OrrGod’s Sovereignty Brings Hope In Despair by Andrea ThemAre you ‘Practising the Presence of God?’ by Peter AdamPsalm 107:1-150:6 by James Hely-HutchinsonUse to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence (Institutes of Christian Religion I.XVII) by John Calvin WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fifth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Fools for Christ’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 4DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How is your life building on the foundation of Jesus? WARM-UP What does our Australian culture do with people who are ‘full of themselves’ or show pride?What happens to the church and church culture when people (especially leaders) don’t demonstrate humility?Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-5What does it mean to be a ‘steward’ of something given to you? Who is the owner? Who sets the terms and conditions of the ‘stewardship’ period?What are Christian leaders called to be a servant of? How should this inform the way we view Christian leaders?Why doesn’t Paul care about the judgement of the Corinthians or even judge himself? Who is the judge? How is this freeing for us?What does it mean for us to be faithful stewards? How could you demonstrate this on your Frontline?Read 1 Corinthians 4:6-21How does a correct view of grace inform the way that we view ourselves? Where did the Corinthians go wrong in this? What was the result of this?In what ways are the Apostles different to the Corinthians as in described in verses 8-13? What is Paul’s tone in this section?What is it like for you to be a Christian in this cultural moment? How could we ensure that we don’t make the same mistake as the Corinthians?What drives Paul to write so passionately and emphatically to the Corinthians?Why does Paul urge the church to imitate him? Is he being prideful? Why/Why not?What are the differences between something that is a nice idea and something that is powerful? Which one is the Kingdom of God? How should this inform the way we prioritise our lives?APPLY: How could you show humility and demonstrate grace on your Frontline this week? PRAYER Father, thank you for your love and grace shown to us in Jesus. Please keep us from pride, keep us from boasting, and help us to steward, live out, and be diligent in the gospel. Amen. GOING DEEPER On

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fourth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘God's Fellow Workers’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you seek the Holy Spirit’s wisdom this week on one of your frontlines?WARM-UP Do people in our culture have a longing to belong? How do you think people satisfy this longing?Can you remember a time when you didn’t feel like you belonged? How does belonging to Christ bring comfort (even) in times such as these?Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9Why could Paul only give ‘milk’ to the Corinthians rather than ‘solid food’? What does he mean?What does Paul mean by them being ‘babies in the faith’? Is he questioning their salvation?How is the Corinthian’s worldliness evident in their community? Is this a challenge for us today?Why does maturity in Christ matter? How are we active as a church in our intention to both make and mature disciples of Jesus?Why is it important for the Corinthians to recognise that their leaders are only servants? Who ultimately is the master and is also the one who causes the growth? How can we remember this?In what sense are we co-workers with God? How does this look on one of your frontlines?Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-23What was the foundation that Paul laid? How do we dedicate our lives to building on Jesus?How are leaders in God’s church important? How are leaders in God’s church only ultimately building on and for Jesus? What does this mean for St Bart’s as we think about the next 30-50 years?What will happen to the things which are not sincerely built upon Jesus? What does this say about the longevity of the mission in which we participate?What is our role in judgment? Whose judgment should we be ultimately mindful of?What was the temple? In what way (now) are God’s people his temple?If we are God’s temple, how should this transform the way we treat one another? What is the consequence (especially being mindful of leaders) of mistreating God’s temple?What belongs to us? To whom do we ultimately belong? How does this change your life?APPLY: How is your life building on the foundation of Jesus? PRAYER Father, we thank you for the extraordinary privilege of building our lives on Jesus. Please help us to make him the focus of our lives, that we might seek to serve him alone. Amen. GOING DEE

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Mind of Christ’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can we keep the cross central to all that we do?WARM-UP What do you think is the most common pieces of wisdom that our culture offers?Where were many in the church in Corinth seeking their wisdom from? How can we sometimes be tempted to do the same?Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-9 - The True Nature of WisdomWhat and who are not the source of true wisdom? Who are rulers of this age that Paul describes?What is the ultimate trajectory of a worldly type of wisdom (devoid of God)? How can you see this as true - perhaps considering examples from your frontline?What is the content of the ‘message of wisdom’ which Paul speaks about here?In what way was this message hidden but is now revealed? How does this contrast with the secret knowledge that some of the Corinthians longed for?How is it evident that the rulers of Paul’s age did not understand the wisdom of the cross?What is the trajectory of God’s wisdom compared to the wisdom of the world?What has God prepared for those who love him? How should this good news spur us on amidst our daily lives across the whole spectrum of frontlines?How can we encourage and remind one another of the promise of the glory that God has prepared?Read 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 - Received in the Power of God’s SpiritWho were the Apostles? How was the Holy Spirit particularly at work in the lives of the Apostles?How is the Holy Spirit at work in us in order to bring about an understanding of the cross?How does the Holy Spirit make a way for phenomenal intimacy between every believer and God?As you seek to show and share the Good News, how is the Holy Spirit involved? How should we be greatly encouraged that it is ultimately the work of God’s Spirit that brings about conversion?How are you dependent on the Holy Spirit in seeking to follow Jesus on your frontline?APPLY: How can you seek the Holy Spirit’s wisdom this week on one of your frontlines? PRAYER Gracious Lord, thank you for the gift of your Spirit! Please help us to understand the Gospel, live responsively to your Spirit, and participate in the proclamation of your Son. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst holidays, what new opportunities do you have to visit, love, or listen to someone? Listen, Watch, and Read: The Power of the Spirit by Peter Adam:The Spirit and Revelation by Christopher Wright:Grow UP! By Richard Coombs:Understanding God’s Wisdom by Alistair Begg:Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Website: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course) WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Preach Christ Crucified’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-2:5DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT:How would others recognise that your identity is shaped by your relationship with Jesus?WARM-UP How would the world define wisdom? Where do the people on your frontlines search for wisdom?Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-25 - God’s PowerWhat does it look like for God’s church to be unified? What is it that ultimately unites us?Can we ever be tempted to follow church leaders? How can we avoid this temptation?How does the world react to the message of the cross?How does God’s wisdom make the wisdom of this world foolish? What does this tell us about the type of wisdom we should pursue?Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - God’s PeopleHow does Paul describe the Corinthians in these verses? How is this a source of great comfort for us?Throughout the whole of God’s story, what type of people does God work through and choose?Is there anything that we can boast in when it comes to our salvation?What does it look like to boast in the Lord? How could you demonstrate and show your confidence in the gospel on your frontlines?Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 - God’s MessengersIn what way did Paul come to the Corinthians? What was the centre of his message? How did he communicate this?What should be our constant message as a church? How should we communicate this?How can we ensure that our faith relies on the power of God and not the wisdom of people?APPLY: How can we keep the cross central to all that we do? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you for your phenomenal grace, love, mercy, and power shown to us in Jesus’ death. Please keep us from resting in worldly wisdom but only in you. Help us to keep the cross firmly in our sights and minds all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst holidays, what new opportunities do you have to visit, love, or listen to someone? Listen, Watch, and Read: Things to Remember by Simon ManchesterJesus Christ and Hum Crucified by Alistair BeggThe Message of the Cross in a Secular World by Mike Raiter1 Corinthians 1 by Peter AdamThe Cross an Electric Chair? by Glenn StantonSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Website: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course) WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Wa

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘to the church in Corinth’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge — God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT:What is one way this week that you can demonstrate that Jesus has sent you? WARM-UP Can you remember a funny example of a time when you made a bit of a mess of things?How had the church in Corinth made a mess of things? Yet, how does Paul speak of it?Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-4 - Called by GodWhat was the city of Corinth like? What was the history of Paul’s connection with Corinth?Whose church was it? Whose church is St Bart’s? Why is it so important to recognise this?For what reason does Paul give thanks for the church? Does this surprise you at all?How can you give thanks for the same in our life together at St Bart’s? Can you think of examples?How is being called by God to be his church fundamental to our ultimate identity?Read 1 Corinthians 1:5-7 - Supplied with GiftsIn what way does Paul say that the Corinthian church (and us!) have been enriched?What were some of the issues for the Corinthian church when it came to gifts? Can we be similar?When it comes to God’s gifts, do you usually have a view of scarcity or abundance? Why or why not?How do you see God’s gifts at work in our life together at St Bart’s? Is there anyone you could encourage or enable to use their gifts in the life of God’s church at St Bart’s?For what reasons should our gifts never be a source of boasting?Read 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 - Kept BlamelessWhat does it mean for God to keep us firm? In what way will we be blameless? On what basis?Does this guarantee give us freedom to obey rather than freedom to rebel?How does belonging to Jesus shape your identity on one of your frontlines?APPLY: How would others recognise that your identity is shaped by your relationship with Jesus? PRAYER Gracious Father, thank you for the grace, gifts, and guarantee of a secure future that we have in Jesus. Please shape the identity of our lives and church on the basis of who you are and what you have done in the Lord Jesus. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst holidays, what new opportunities do you have to visit, love, or listen to someone? Listen, Watch, and Read: Summoned by Grace by Andrew Each1 Corinthians 1:1-9 by Andy GemmillOur Confidence by Grahame Johnson1 Corinthians 1 by Peter Adam1 Corinthians 1:1-9 by John StottSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Website: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course) WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the final sermon in our series on God’s Kingdom. This sermon is ‘Sending King’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Acts 1:1-11Download the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Acts 1:1-11 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What could help you see Jesus more clearly and continually worship him as Lord of all?WARM-UP What is the connection between the end of Luke and the beginning of Acts?Have you ever considered the ascension of Jesus to be critical? Why or why not?READ Acts 1:1-11Why does Luke both finish Luke and commence Acts with the ascension account? If the ascension didn’t happen, what are the implications?What further evidence does Luke supply at the beginning of Acts to support the claim that Jesus had risen? What are the implications of Jesus being alive?What do you most love about being able to know Jesus? What most helps you in this relationship?If one of your friends knew quite a lot about Jesus, how would you encourage them to actually know Jesus personally? How could you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus?READ Luke 24:45-53What is the significance of the disciples worshipping Jesus immediately after the ascension? How could you grow in wonder of Jesus as your exalted King?What is different about Jesus’ assumption into heaven compared to Enoch’s or Elijah’s?What does it look like to recognise Jesus as Lord on all of your frontlines and of every aspect of your life, identity, and activity?According to Jesus, who is the Good News for? What does this mean for us and our proclamation?What was now at the heart of the mission of the disciples? How are they empowered for mission?How do we in some way share in this same mission? How are we empowered for mission?What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus living between his ascension and his return? What do you find most challenging about waiting for Jesus’ return?How should Jesus’ return motivate us to go into the world as witnesses of Jesus?What are the most important details about God’s Kingdom that you have learnt or been reminded of during this series? What has stood out for you the most?APPLY: What is one way this week that you can demonstrate that Jesus has sent you? PRAYER Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have enjoined us in your mission to the world as part of your church and empowered by your Spirit. Please embolden us to live in the reality of Jesus’ Lordship and every frontline, proclaiming the Good News that he is the risen, exalted, and returning King. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst holidays, what new opportunities do you have to visit, love, or listen to someone?Listen, Watch, and Read: Luke 24 by Gary MillarACTS Series by Gary Millar“The Ascension of Jesus” by Tim Keller (Redeemer, New York)Acts 1:1-11 part of the “To the ends of the earth” series at St Helen’s BishopsgateNext Series Resources (1 Corinthians):Website: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course):Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:OUTLINE: for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions: https://bit.ly/39w5GgkFOR FAMILIES: Download the St Bart’s Kids Lego Devotional Guide: https://bit.ly/2YrP3MfWEBSITE: “Gospel of the Kingdom of God” by the Bible Project: https://bit.ly/2NFP2SJBOOK: “Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the eleventh sermon in our series on God’s Kingdom. This sermon is ‘Ascended King’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Luke 24:36-53Download the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 24:36-53 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 6 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What is something about your Easter that you could share with someone on your frontline this week? Who could you invite to Alpha?WARM-UP What do you think your friends who aren’t Christians yet think about Jesus’ resurrection?Before this passage, who has Jesus appeared to?READ Luke 24:36-43Why were the disciples frightened at the sight of Jesus? What does this tell us about their expectations or hope of resurrection?What type of body does Jesus have here? What type of body will we have in our resurrection?Why did Jesus eat in front of them? How were the disciples reacting at this point?How is the resurrection of Jesus foundational to the hope that we have? What would be the point of our faith if Jesus didn’t rise?READ Luke 24:44-53What does it mean for Jesus to fulfil what was written about him?Read Hebrews 10:5-10. How has Jesus fulfilled the law of the Old Testament?Read Isaiah 11:1-3 and 53:7-9. How has Jesus fulfilled these prophesies? Do any other passages come to mind?Read Psalm 22:1; 6-8 and Psalm 23. How is Jesus the fulfilment of these Psalms?How should this principle of a ‘Christ-centred’ reading of the bible shape the way that we read and/or teach the word?In what way does Jesus fulfilling the Old Testament give us assurance and confidence in our relationship with God? How could we incorporate this when we tell others about our faith?How does V45 inform the way that we read God’s Word? What should we always do before doing so?What caused the disciples doubt and fear to turn to joy and worship?Why is it important that Jesus ascended? Where is Jesus now? How is this good news for us?What does this passage tell us about the identity, role and victory of Jesus? What role should he have in our lives?APPLY: What could help you see Jesus more clearly and continually worship him as Lord of all? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that Jesus is alive! Thank you that you always had a plan for salvation for the whole world and that you didn’t leave humanity in its mess. Help us to continually grow in this knowledge, to grow in our love for you, to grow in our dependance on you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst holidays, what new opportunities do you have to visit, love, or listen to someone?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “The Plan and Purpose of God” by Alistair BeggAUDIO: “Grasping the Truth” by William TaylorAUDIO: “Luke 23:50-24:53” by Gary MillarARTICLE: “Recovering the Forgotten Doctrine of Christ’s Ascension” by Patrick SchreinerSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:OUTLINE: for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions: https://bit.ly/39w5GgkFOR FAMILIES: Download the St Bart’s Kids Lego Devotional Guide: https://bit.ly/2YrP3MfWEBSITE: “Gospel of the Kingdom of God” by the Bible Project: https://bit.ly/2NFP2SJBOOK: “Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel in Revelation” by Graeme GoldsworthyBOOK: “Luke for Everyone” by Tom WrightCourse: “The Bible Overview” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).