This is the Ivy Grow Group Notes for this week. I rounded off the Colossians series last night but only spoke on one verse of it so not really much point in me going over that again… Well what an amazing day yesterday was at Ivy MCR Here are a few highlights from the things I personally witnessed, and I’m sure Ivy Fallowfield was great as always; 1030am service at Kingsway – I had more than a few people come and tell me, ‘We’re getting full again…’ There were some spare seats – but the received wisdom I’ve found to be true is that when your meeting room is 80% full, you’re full! SO… Do we need to hire another screen? When? What’s the answer? Please THANK GOD for growth and PRAY for wisdom and provision. 4pm at Ivy Sharston This service is getting more than 70 people a week already. Emily Bowyer did a great talk on ‘TOUCH’ and then an outbreak of hugging happened! SUCH a great time! . One new first time visitor […]
Tag: Church
LOOK BACK WITH WONDER – TO LOOK FORWARD IN FAITH
Notes for Ivy Grow Groups based on my talk to be given Ivy Kingsway 4th November (Actually it’s officially MOVEMBER and I’m going for it. Will you join my team or sponsor me please at http://uk.movember.com/mospace/4760473 ) Start the night with an online memory quiz like this one http://www.allthetests.com/tests/flipmatch/puzzle.php3 (Or do it with a pack of cards?) Or even the Christian version! http://www.biglightgames.com/-bible-games-for-christians/21339/12-apostles-quiz-and-memory-game.html Who’s your GG Memory champion? READ Joshua 1;6-9 DISCUSS What promises has God given you recently or in the past that you need to remember? Read Joshua 3:14-17 Discuss: In what ways do we have to sometimes get our feet wet in faith before we see the miracle? Why does God work like that? Read Joshua 4:1-7 All the ‘Memory techniques’ I’ve ever read about all boil down to three simple steps: and I believe you can see them in what God had Joshua do so the people would remember. 1. Concentrate You have to pay attention. Lots of the time we spend our energy trying to remember what we […]
GG notes – from CVM & New Wine Men’s Day Bristol. @MarkMelluish
Jesus says don’t define yourself the way others do, but define yourself by who is your true Father.
We don’t need Divine Rehab but Divine Rescue
CENTER CHURCH – Tim Keller (Ivy GG notes – much of this material comes from today’s Ivy GG Leaders Day; thanks so much to all who made time to attend and for all you’re doing at ‘the church that meets at your house.’) I have been very inspired as I read Tim Keller’s latest book, Center Church. Check out the video summary at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_ZWlPUmVug I downloaded it on my Kindle and began to highlight in yellow important phrases and concepts as is my usual practice, but there’s so much there it ended with what looks like a Christian version of the Yellow Pages! DISCUSS: Do you read regularly or is that something you find hard to make time for? If so how might you overcome that challenge so you keep on growing? What have you read recently that’s encouraged, inspired or challenged you? I outlined my understanding of what I’d read in the book to our leaders as follows: The ‘model’ of church isn’t what’s most important. We have at one end (D.F.) the DOCTRINAL FOUNDATION. What we believe – and as […]
Uniting in Prayer to Show that We Care
Mobilising our churches to pray for our police service. Tens of thousands are now signed up to this national campaign started here in Manchester following the tragic shootings this week. at 11am tomorrow we will stand in silent remembrance and pray for the families and friends of PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes, and praying with gratitude for all who ‘serve and protect’ in our Police Service. Full details at this link – http://ow.ly/dR436
Tears, Rage and Prayers for Murdered GMP Police Women
I wanted to be a police officer since I was thirteen, and at 16 my dream came true when I joined GMP Police Cadets. After that two years I served 10 years in various roles as a Constable, with some of the bravest and best people imaginable. As I wrote in my book ‘Diamond Geezers’ my concept of true friendship was forged during those years, and in some senses it spoilt me for what sometimes passes as friendship in the rest of the world. In the church I have made some great friends too, but such terms as brother/sisterhood are sometimes bandied around too easily as religious concepts among people who are Sunday acquaintances; but while not wanting to be over sentimental, when you’ve been through that dangerous door with someone, or fought alongside them in a dirty pub as the pint pots fly past – you learn who your friends are. My best mate is still one such man I faced fear down alongside with. The call that every Bobby worth their salt would abandon everything to run to […]
How are you known in heaven?
Jesus came to his home town, stood up to read – and read from the wrong place! Isaiah 61. ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…’
What was he saying? ‘This is how I am known in heaven…’
What would you like to be known in heaven for? What are you going to do now that will matter then?
Problem – Promise – Provision – POSSIBILITY!
Stop praying like a widow – and start praying like a bride. A woman who knows she’s loved by her husband knows she can get anything she wants from him.
You Need To Get An Upgrade!
The old you is dead!’ The Father sees you different. He doesn’t see what’s wrong with you. He’s dealt with that!
You’re in Christ – and one of his names is Wonderful, so what does that make you!?
You can’t say, ‘Jesus is wonderful but I’m rubbish.’ That’s just religious nonsense.
The NEW you is the TRUE you!
When you are in Christ you don’t have a right to be wounded, but you have a right to be healed….He uses every situation in life to empower you to become like Jesus.