Tag: wisdom

Ivy MCR GG notes on Colossians 3

Dead and Alive  – Colossians 3   Read Col 3:1-3 If your version starts with ‘If’ in verse 1, I think the versions that start with ‘Since’ make more sense, following the flow of argument from the previous chapter. ‘SINCE you have been raised with Christ…’ Discuss:  You only get raised with Christ if you died with Him first! Do you know or are you aware of anyone who had a ‘near death’ experience, a close shave with death etc (like Fabrice Muamba for instance) and got a second chance at life? Anyone in the GG had that kind of experience personally? How would you live after you experienced such an incident? How might your perspective, priorities and plans change? Read Col 3;1-17 Paul is probably referring to baptism here as a symbolic experience of ‘putting to death’ the old life and passing from death to life. The early church actually gave baptismal candidates a new set of clothes to symbolise the new life they were entering. Discuss:  This is a very dramatic picture If you were baptised as an […]

Matty Hawthorne – What’s the point of church

These notes from Matty’s talk at our new gathering at Ivy Sharston form our discussion notes for this week’s grow groups Church is about people with a purpose It’s not about a building Discuss: Why do people HATE church? One of the worst things Christians have done is make God boring One Internet thread Matty found described Christians as the most judgemental people Read James 2:14-20 Maybe it’s not about being more relevant but more real. We talk as if we have the monopoly on love – but the world wouldn’t agree. We talk as if we have the monopoly on generosity. People love to do good works and give. We should encourage and recognise that. Read Matt 5:14-16 What does ‘shine’ mean to you? The message version says be generous with your lives. It’s not (just) about the money! Discuss What makes a church a church? The Bible word ‘oikos’ we translate in the Bible as household is really a gathering of community, extended family. Is your grow group an oikos? What matters? 3 things Love one another Get […]

OVER OUR HEADS IN GLORY

  Carrying on from my Graham Cooke notes for Ivy Grow Groups again! Sorry these are a little late and thanks for the reminder, I have been at New Wine LSE which was fabulous but very busy and little opportunity for internet access.  PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER:  Pray for Ivy as people go away for summer, many at festivals like New Wine (some for refreshing, others to work) Pray for the meetings continuing on Sundays at Ivy Didsbury at 10am (short family services) and 1130am (no children’s provision) STUDY:   Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD, that is My name;  I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images.” Isaiah 48:11 “For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act;  For how can My name be profaned?  And My glory I will not give to another.” Discuss: What do you think God meant by not sharing his glory with another?  Graham Cooke said, “You say ‘He won’t share his glory with another!’ Well you’re not another. You’re his and you’re in him. If you’re […]

Mike Pilavachi – the Spirit & the desert – New Wine LSE

We look at the NT then at our lives & see something missing! Lk 3:21f Trinitarian event. We all love being affirmed. Jesus was affirmed – and publicly! It wasn’t whispered but a shout from heaven. Then – 4;1 he was driven in the desert. Why? Spiritual equation – Led to the desert Filled with the Spirit Then used by the Spirit. The desert place is not the devil’s place. Joseph had his from 17 to 30 Moses had his from 40 to 80 He thought he was God’s gift. Till the desert, the burning bush. Who am I that I should go? Was he hoping for affirmation? Answer? I will go with you. That’s not the answer Because Moses is asking the wrong question Should be – who are you? Moses has been in Midian 40 years. Hot, dry, big, quiet, sand. That’s all there is to see about the desert. Not a day trip Not a week There’s only so many sand castles you can build. But in the desert – It’s just you and God And that’s […]

Graham Cooke – BRILLIANT THINKING: Leader’s evening at Ivy Manchester

GREAT start to our time this weekend, Graham spoke BRILLIANTLY about thinking BRILLIANT. Tomorrow at the Armitage Centre we’ll hear more. Excited to partner with our friends from Christ Church Harpurhey and Vinelife, It’s not too late to book in – here. Here’s my notes from tonight… Around 25 years ago had 3 dreams: 1) a grey man in an old car was showing him round the grey city pointing out all the sin and problems in people, with a grey attitude. Depressing! Dream 2 – grey man in slightly better grey car saying, ‘We are doing courses to help them’ – that was even more depressing. Dream 3 – Bright young guy in a bright car, shouting encouragement that told them who they really were and it CHANGED the people! ‘This is how I see you – you’re going to be doing this!’ The city changed! The church has an old vehicle being driven by an old man. The old man is the old man that was put on Jesus. We don’t need to do that. God isn’t focused […]