Mark 5:1-20 NIV

Proverbs 3:1-8 Who Will you Trust? Summary: Have you ever felt like it is hard to trust God? We wonder if He is really caring for us sometimes, especially when life is hard. We hope we can figure out problems on our own and fail to realize that God calls us to lean on Him. Today we’ll see in Proverbs 3:5-6 that our own wisdom often fails, but God calls us to trust Him with our whole heart. Let’s think about it: Outline: 1. The folly of independence from God 2. The wisdom of dependence on God 3. The spiritual health God promises Verse: Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart... Discussion Questions: 1. What are the areas in life where you feel “competent?” Where do you feel the weakest? Where might you be tempted to “lean on your own understanding?” 2. How does leaning on your own understanding cause you to live by works instead of by faith in Jesus? 3. Since Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in in the Lord with your whole heart, spend time praying about situations in your life where you are not trusting God. 4. Spend time this week meditating on the character of God, the power of the Gospel, and how He is worthy of your trust

Proverbs 1:8-19 Fatherly Wisdom Summary: Do you remember a time when you got into trouble for doing something that your parents said not to do? Did they warn you of the dangers? God gives parents the job of teaching their kids the way of godliness and wisdom. Today our passage in Proverbs 1 tells us all about this, so let's listen in! Outline: God’s plan for kids (and adults!): Hear and heed your parent’s wisdom A father’s wisdom: run from sinful influences A father’s warning: Unrepentant sinners get what they deserve Your parent’s hope: a victory of God’s grace in your life! Verse: Proverbs 1:8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, Discussion Questions: 1. What is the role of parents as you read Proverbs 1:8-19? What is the role of children? 2. How do you see the enticements of sin in this passage? What is enticing you currently (or your kids?) 3. What is the positive motivator to embrace wisdom in this passage? How do we balance the warnings with these motivations? 4. Where might you see Jesus through this Proverb? 5. If you are a parent, how can this passage shape your parenting?

Matthew 1:1-21 NIV

Jesus calls His first disciples to follow Him and become fishers of men. Luke 5:1-11

Proverbs 1:1-7 The School of Wisdom Summary: Every single day, we need wisdom from God; wisdom on how to live, how to serve God, and how to worship Him with our lives. As we start a new year together, let's seek wisdom from God as we study the book of Proverbs. Let's begin by understanding why God gave us this book of the Bible: Outline: 1. The subject of the Proverbs: We need wisdom 2. The two paths in Proverbs: the way of wisdom or the way of folly 3. The goal of Proverbs: to worship JESUS, the source of wisdom Verse: Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Discussion questions: 1. What are the areas of life where you need wisdom the most? Where do you tend to go for wisdom? 2. What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? 3. According to Proverbs 1:1-7, what might be the goal of the book? 4. Read Colossians 2:1-3. How is Jesus described? How then should we read the Proverbs?

Text: Revelation 12:1-6 Sermon Title: Cosmic Victory Outline: I. Preview II. The Woman III. The Dragon IV. The Child Questions: Preview What did

Shining as Lights in the World Philippians 2:12-18 Welcome today Pastor Ming Li from the Chinese Reformed Church of SD, which meets together Sunday afternoons in our worship center here after North City. God calls us as believers to shine as lights in the world, but how are we to do this? Pastor Ming will share with us two characteristics that Paul focuses on in our passage this morning from his letter to the Philippians. 1. Shining as Lights in the World in _______________ ___________________ 2. Shining as Lights in the Word in _______________ _____________________

Wise men followed a star to find and worship the new born king. Matthew 2

John 1:14-18 Christmas Glory Summary: It is the last Sunday before Christmas! It is amazing that God has not stayed away from us. He has drawn near by sending His Son Jesus so you can know Him. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King. Outline: 1. God knows your struggles 2. God has come near to know you 3. God has shown you His glory 4. God has given you grace and truth Verse: John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory... Discussion Questions: 1. Why is it so important to believe that Jesus took flesh and dwelt among us? What are the implications of it? 2. How do these words in vv. 14-18 relate to the tent of meeting in the Old Testament, where God promised to dwell with His people? How does Jesus fulfill this? 3. Why do you think John compares the law of Moses and the grace and truth that came in Jesus? Are they opposed to each other? 4. How can these truths in this passage help you cherish Jesus this Christmas?

Ephesians 1:15-23 NIV

John 1:9-13 Christmas Rejection Summary: Have you ever felt left out or rejected by someone else? When that happens, it usually hurts us. Imagine for a moment how it was for Jesus, the Creator of all people, who came to earth and was rejected by the very people he made for His glory! But there is good news today: even though we naturally reject God, Jesus came to bring us back into His family. Outline: 1. The rejection of the light 2. How to find life in the light Verse: John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God... Discussion Questions: 1. How does John describe the reception Jesus received when He came into the world? 2. Even though we have all rejected Jesus, he still makes a way for us to be welcomed into His family. How does this happen, according to v.12? How does it NOT happen, according to v.13? 3. How can these verses help you cherish Jesus more this Christmas?

John 1:6-8 Christmas Reflection Summary: Jesus said He is the “Light of the World” (John 8:12). Part of what we celebrate at Christmas is that Jesus, the Light of the World, has come to this dark world of sin to save us. When Jesus first came, John the Baptist was called to tell people that the Light had come. Let’s think about John’s job, and what it means for us: Outline: 1. The sending of the witness 2. The role of the witness 3. The goal of the witness Verse: John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Discussion Questions: 1. Why do you think God chooses to use human messengers to testify to the Gospel of Jesus? 2. How did God use John the Baptist? What does that mean for you and me? How is our calling the same or different from John’s? 3. How can this passage in John 1 help you cherish Jesus more this Christmas?

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 NIV

John 1:1-5

1 Corinthians 11:38-32 NIV

Text: Isaiah 52:1-12 Title:

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NIV

1 Timothy 6:20-21 Guard the Good Deposit Summary: Have you ever seen a soldier guard something important? They have a job to watch over and protect something valuable. God calls us to guard as well - to guard His precious truth! Paul finishes his letter to Timothy with this command: Guard the “deposit.” What does that mean? Let’s find out: Outline: 1. God has given us His Word as a treasure to guard 2. God calls us to turn away from error 3. God promises to give the grace we need Verse: 1 Timothy 6:20-21 ...Guard the deposit entrusted to you... Grace be with you. Discussion Questions: 1. God calls us to guard the deposit of truth he has given us. Where do you see the biggest threats to God’s truth ? What should it look like to guard God’s truth? 2. This passage warns us about the danger of foolish controversy. Where might you be tempted to engage in this? What might be the dangerous consequences of engaging in these things? 3. Paul often ends his letters with the words “grace be with you.” Why are they so important for the end of this letter?

Luke 3:7-17 NIV