Tough Questions

Here are a few questions from Gabrielle and Stephanie's first-year group.
We want to challenge members to seek answers in scripture and pray about their questions.
If you can help find answers for any of these feel free to post your response as a comment.

• Who is the Holy Spirit?
• Is it possible to want the “fattened calf” and still follow God? Do we have to give up everything? What is preventing us from giving up everything? (ex. fear that God won’t provide, pride, etc.)
• What is the relationship between pre-destination and free will?
• Why do you believe the Bible? Where does the authority of Scripture come from? What is the word of God? Scripture changes lives; it doesn’t return void
• What makes a human a human?
• What is spiritual warfare? Who is the devil?
• Why is it easier for some to know?
• How to get over past attachments?
• Why doesn’t prayer guarantee answers?
• What does it mean that Jesus died for us?

Ephesians 1:15-2:10

This week we'll be looking at Ephesians 1:15-2:10 [Prayer and Thanksgiving & Made Alive in Christ]
Here's a link to the passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph%201:15-2:10&version=31

Here are a few questions from the Urbana handbook you might want to consider:
-- In what areas of your life do you struggle to find hope?
-- What difference does it make that Christ has authority over every other power? How would that conviction change the way you respond to problems in the world?
-- How do you think and talk about the church? How should that change in light of this passage?
-- How have you experienced being made alive with Christ?
-- How open are you to listening to God about the good works he has prepared for you to do (rather than determining them yourself)?

Here are a few links that will help your discussion:
Created for Good Works (Ephesians 2:10) -- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=46
The Gift That Saves Us (Ephesians 2:8-9) -- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=45
God has Raised Us from the Dead (Ephesians 2:6-7) -- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=44
A God of Grace, Mercy and Love (Ephesians 2:4-5) -- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=43
Doing What We Want (Ephesians 2:3-4) -- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=42
The Living Dead (Ephesians 2:1-2) -- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=41
For the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23)-- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=40
Power Beyond Our Own (Ephesians 1:20-21)-- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=39
Incomparable Power to Live By (Ephesians 1:19-20)-- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=38
Hope and Inheritance (Ephesians 1:18)-- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=37
The Triune God at Work in Us (Ephesians 1:17)-- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=36
Cause for Thanks and Prayer (Ephesians 1:15-16) -- http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm?article=35

Starting somewhere...

Hi all,

We've had a bunch of really important and challenging questions come up in small groups this year. As small group leaders it is important that we not forget about these questions, but rather engage with them and seek out answers. For my part, I apologize for not better providing resources for you and equipping you with thoughtful answers.

I created this blog with the goal of sharing with each other these tough questions with the hope that we might be able to respond to each other and help each other out. I chose to call this blog "hebrews ten: twenty-five" after the scripture verse that reads, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Indeed small groups are a place where we can meet with our brothers and sisters in Christ and encourage one another. Taking on this mindset of encouragement we see that together we can support each other and find the relevant answers to the questions that arise in our groups.

--Kat