Key Scriptures Judges Ch 4&5 Who is Deborah? A judge and prophet in Israel for 60 years A national leader A military commander A songwriter A war hero A spiritual mother of Israel Story Summary: The pattern of the people of Israel continues and once again they have turned away from God and returned to their idol worship and they find themselves under the brutal oppression of a foreign King. God raises up a new leader, Deborah (a judge and a prophet) to speak for him and to lead the people to victory and deliverance by God’s mighty hand. God is sovereign and brings about his perfect plans ..read more

“Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” – CS Lewis Exodus Chapter 1 – Judges Chapter 1 – Summary Slavery in Egypt Deliverance by God through Moses (Red Sea) 40 years wandering in the desert with Moses Crossing the river into the Promised Land with Joshua Conquest of the promised land Death of Joshua Failure to complete the conquest Syncretism / pluralism in the new land Israel’s disobedience and decline Judges Chapter 2 – Summary Judges 2:18-19 Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge ..read more

Guest speaker John Lamerton from Global Mission Partners Acts 1:3-8 3 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. 4 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. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this ..read more

Time: The Book of Jonah is set during the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC), a period marked by Israel’s relative prosperity and expansion. The exact date of the book’s composition is debated, but it is traditionally placed in the 8th century BC. Place: Israel: Jonah begins his journey in Israel. He is a prophet from the northern kingdom, specifically from Gath-hepher in the region of Zebulun. Nineveh: The primary setting for Jonah’s mission is Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River (in modern-day Iraq). Nineveh was a large and significant ..read more

Q: Can you think of someone you really admire or aspire to be like? What is it about that person that stands out to you?   Scripture: Phil 4:1-9 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoi ..read more

Philippians 4:14-16 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.   Philippians 3:17-20  17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we ..read more

The elephant The goldfish Philippians 3:1-14 Observe: a/ ‘Finally’ b/ Watch out for the dogs c/ Paul’s pedigree   1/ If you’re going to look back, look back at what God has done 2/ If you’re going to look ahead, look forward to new things 3/ If you feel like letting go, know that Christ is holding you   Questions: 1/ Is there anything in your life that you will sometimes trust in other than Christ (good behaviour, church attendance, Christian background, anything else)? 2/ Are there any negative past experiences that are currently holding you back from living a full life for Jesus no ..read more

Context: The story behind the story (people, place, time, author) Philippians 2 a/ Sing an old song: an ode to humility Verses 1-11 The real ones live for humility and unity b/ Hold on and hold out Verses 12-18 Daniel 12:3 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. The real ones live with gratitude and thankfulness c/ Pay the price Verses 19-30 Real ones give honour where honour is due The post The Real Ones appeared first on Discovery Church ..read more

Our Partners: Discovery Community Care Southern Cross Kids Camp G&J EFICOR “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 ESV How do we live?  To live is self, to die is loss. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…” 2 Timothy 3:1-2 Live for something bigger than yourself, Paul defines his life as a partner of the Gospel.  If dying is seen as loss, it is because you live for self and not for Jesus. Without God, death is seen as the end of self. The post Living for Jesus appeared fi ..read more

Pentecost Sunday 2024 Acts 2 Pentecost Sunday — Shauvot — Feast of weeks – celebrated 7 weeks after Passover (Jewish) What for: To commemorate the giving of the law, The grain harvest, And entrance into the promised land What did they do: A feast that explicitly included leaven or yeast A covenant renewal ceremony A tithe of first-fruits from the harvest, leaving the edges for the alien A public reading of the book of Ruth All Jewish males required to travel to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices Pentecost – 50 days after Easter When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place ..read more