Monday, February 28, 2011

February 28, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 1:17-19, 3:15-17a

What do you picture when you consider the “glorious riches” God has for you? How does it make you feel?

What discrepancy do you see between the way Paul prays and the way you pray?

In what way is God challenging the way you view and value prayer? Pray about it right now.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

February 26, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:1-13

List the reasons why Paul told the Ephesians not to be discouraged about his current situation.

What are some ways he could have been discouraged? What does this reveal about the Christian life?

When you reflect on this past three week series, how is God growing you?

Friday, February 25, 2011

February 25, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:12, Ephesians 6:18-20, Acts 2:42

Why is it important to pray for one another especially during challenging times?

What does this indirectly teach about the importance of church and connecting together in Christ?

Who will you start praying for this week? Who will you ask to pray for you this week?

Thursday, February 24, 2011

February 24, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 2:19-21, Hebrews 10:23-27

Why is church more than an event, service, or program to attend?

Give examples of how this should change the way we view church or expect God to work at church.

How committed have you been to PCC? How is God challenging your values and priorities?

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

February 23, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:12, Hebrews 4:14-16, Ephesians 6:18-20

Explain what is meant by having freedom and confidence to approach God. Why is this important?

What is the connection between prayer and staying grounded during life’s struggles?

How does today’s reading encourage you? In what way have you taken prayer for granted?

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

February 22, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:10, Revelation 5:8-14, Hebrews 1:13-14, Luke 15:8-10, Matthew 8:28-32

Who do you think Paul was referring to in Ephesians 3:10? (i.e. rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms)

What is the manifold witness of God and how is it being revealed to heavenly realms?

How does Paul’s teaching challenge your perspective or enlighten your view of PCC?

Monday, February 21, 2011

February 21, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:10-12, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

In Paul’s statement to the Ephesians, he essentially says the church does not exist for itself. Explain.

How is Paul reinforcing his teaching to the Ephesians by exhorting the Corinthians?

How do you see this playing out in today’s Christian church?

Saturday, February 19, 2011

February 19, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:1-9
List the primary points that we unpacked in this passage over the past two weeks.
What have you found to be the most challenging part of facing trying times in life?
How has God used these truths to help stabilize you and help you trust God in deeper ways?

Friday, February 18, 2011

February 18, 2011

Read:  Judges 6:1-24

Describe Gideon’s challenges and why he was slow to trust God. How can you relate?

What do you find comforting about God’s response to Gideon? How does this encourage you?

Why would a Gideon perspective breed instability and fear? Take some time to pray about this struggle.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

February 17, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-6

Explain what Paul was teaching both the Ephesians and Corinthians about how to view life’s challenges.

Reflect back on a difficult time and how God used that to draw you close to Him. (i.e. how and when)

Reflect back on a difficult time and how God used it to help others. (i.e. how and when)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

February 16, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Describe how Paul viewed himself in light of others. Why? How can this be counter-cultural today?

Why would Paul’s self image help him see how God is working in his life?

Why would Paul’s self image help him stay grounded during tough times? (Hint: no entitlements)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

February 15, 2011

Read:  2 Corinthians 1:10-12, James 1:2-4

Why is a biblical view of pain and struggle important for stability and staying grounded?

How do you typically respond to pain and life’s challenges? How is God encouraging you?

Take some time and pray about a current struggle you are facing and ask God to teach you something.

Monday, February 14, 2011

February 14, 2011


Explain how Paul corrected and rebuked the worldly Corinthian mindset of self-exaltation.

In what way did Paul also challenge the idea of a pain-free Christian life? Why is this important?

How do you see this challenging today’s worldview of Christian living?

Saturday, February 12, 2011

February 12, 2011



How did God use hardship in Paul’s life? How is this different than the world’s perspective?

Explain why Christians should respond differently to the broken plays in life.

Journal your thoughts about how God may use a current challenge you are facing to help others.

Friday, February 11, 2011

February 11, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:2-6, Romans 15:8-12, 16:25-27

How would the Jews have viewed God’s plan to save the Gentiles? Why did Paul call it a mystery?

What does this teach you about making assumptions when it comes to God doing a work?

Why is this important? Pray about ways you might currently be making assumptions and limiting God.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

February 10, 2011

Read: Ephesians 3:1-6, Philippians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 10:5

Given Paul’s admonition to biblical thinking, what are you learning about yourself?

How does Paul’s perspective and encouragement help with stress and frustration in life?

What specific steps will you take to protect your thought life and maintain balance?

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

February 9, 2011

Read:  Acts 16:19-30, James 1:2-4

How do you typically respond to the broken plays of life? (i.e. frustration, worry, anger, etc.)

What does Paul’s response teach you about how to view hardship and difficult circumstances?

How can you apply James 1:2-4 to a specific situation you are currently facing?

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

February 8, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 3:1-6, Acts 9:1-16, 2 Timothy 3:14-16

What connection do you see between Paul’s conversion and his statement to the Ephesians?

Knowing that Acts 9 occurred 30 years prior, what is Paul modeling when it comes to trusting God’s word?

What is God showing you when it comes to bible study and relying on His word?

Monday, February 7, 2011

February 7, 2011

Read:  Acts 21:17-36, Philippians 1:12-18

Explain why Paul was facing persecution in Jerusalem. How could he have avoided it?

In what way was Paul letting God’s truth guide him rather than his circumstances?

How does this challenge the open door/close door approach to Christian living?

Saturday, February 5, 2011

February 5, 2011

Read:  Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Timothy 3:14-15, Galatians 6:9-10, Romans 8:15-17

What recurring theme is Paul consistently teaching the churches throughout Asia Minor?

How do you think this is counter-cultural to the way church is viewed today?

What do you see as being the ramifications if we were to apply this truth at PCC?

Friday, February 4, 2011

February 4, 2011

Read:  1 Corinthians 3:5-23

Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their worldly approach to church and unbiblical priorities. Explain.

How did discrimination within the Corinthian Church impact everyone’s perspective to contribute?

In what way can The Church today fall into the same trap? How does Ephesians 2:22 correct this thinking?

Thursday, February 3, 2011

February 3, 2011

Read: 1 Peter 2:4-10, Ephesians 2:18-22

Peter describes Christians as being like “living stones” and Christ as the “precious cornerstone”. Explain.

Why would this be an important issue during Paul’s day? (Hint: A temple in ancient world)

How would you say you are being fitted together at PCC? How specifically is God encouraging you?

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

February 2, 2011

Read:  Matthew 21:33-46, Ephesians 2:20-22

What point was Jesus making when He referred to Himself as the capstone/cornerstone?

How does this apply to Paul’s statements to the Ephesians? What are the implications?

In what way does this foundational truth become a way to measure the spiritual health of a church?

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

February 1, 2011

Read: John 3:1-8

What did Jesus mean when He said you must be “born again”? (Hint: Nicodemus was a Pharisee)

What impact should a spiritual rebirth have on the church and how Christians relate to one another?

Why is this important? How does this challenge the way you have previously viewed church?