Small Goups

Study Week 28 - John 6:1-15

2008-08-12T21:51:24Z

I laugh when I read the response of Philip and Andrew to Jesus' test in our study for this week. I laugh because I see myself in them and wish I was stronger ... more faithful, more trusting! I'm too prone to marshal the evidence, look at the facts, and then accordingly limit God's response to the challenge at hand. If only I could stand like Moses with staff in hand before the Pharaoh of Egypt, knowing that the staff symbolized the very presence of God in the midst of testing and conflict. What Moses could do as the instrument of God was far more than what Moses could do alone. What the boy David did in the Spirit of God when he confronted Goliath on the field of battle was supremely heroic. And so the champions of our faith, some of whose names are recorded in Hebrews 11, stand as faithful witnesses to encourage us to faithfully respond to God's call, knowing he is faithful to equip us for the task at hand, regardless of how big or how small. If we believe what Jesus was teaching his disciples, we, too, can feed the 5,000, for it's not us feeding, but it's Christ in and through us.

I need to constantly remember that Christ stands with me. I am not limited by my own resources, for God is my strength and power and he makes my way perfect. (2 Sam. 22:33-34) In responding to God's call on our lives, we can hold fast to the truth that Paul wrote to the church in Philippi: "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me." (Phil. 3:14) With God's provision, God's call on our lives is never too big.

Study Week 27 - Deuteronomy 4:32-40

2008-08-05T22:23:17Z

Deuteronomy is one of my favorite books of the Old Testament because it concerns a pivotal time in the history of the nation of Israel, and it contains 3 sermons/messages delivered by Moses when the nation of Israel is about to enter the Promised Land. Moses has provided 40 exceptional years of leadership to this fledgling nation, one forged out of 12 disparate tribes at Mount Sinai. His tenure as leader is drawing to a close. He has been raising up Joshua to lead the nation out of the wilderness and into the new land. And we're privileged to overhear God's words spoken through his prophet/leader Moses to the people. What is on God's heart? What does God have Moses speak to his people for such a time as this, as they stand ready to realize the promise of land God made to their ancestors, moving from promise to fulfillment? Were they anxious or worried as they looked at a land filled with hostile peoples? In your study and reflection of Deuteronomy 4:32-40, what does Moses ask the people to think about? Why? What purpose does it serve? How does it equip them for the journey they are about to embark on? How might this apply to your life, individually and as a member of Malibu Pres?

Have a great study. Blessings, Michael

Study Week 26 - Exodus 4

2008-07-29T19:44:50Z

My heart breaks for those people who lack confidence or don't believe they measure up or don't think they're good enough, and as a result never try anything or give up too easily or quit altogether. They come up with one excuse after another. They focus on their limitations. They can't imagine that God can take their natural gifts and talents and exponentially grow them beyond measure according to his purpose.

My heart breaks because I see some of those characteristics in me. I think self-imposed limited thinking is a common human affliction. It even plagued Moses, whom I believe to be the towering giant in the Old Testament. But God didn't let him get away with it. God dealt with him on that issue.

I can't do everything. I'll gladly admit that. But one thing is for certain, and I take my lead from the apostle Paul, who said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13) Whatever my calling, God will equip me to accomplish his purpose for my life.

God can take your limitations and multiply them exponentially for his glory, to accomplish his purposes. That's what he did for a prisoner named Joseph, a shepherd boy named David, an eighty year old shepherd named Moses, a concubine named Esther, and the list goes on.

So, what is God calling you to do in life? Do you believe you have what it takes to accomplish it? Yes, you can do it! Say along with me ... "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Don't self impose limitations. Instead, walk in the freedom of knowing that Christ will equip you to do whatever He calls you to do, for his honor and glory.

Have a great Life Group study, and blessings,

Michael

Study Week 25 - Luke 16

2008-07-21T23:05:49Z

On a recent trip with Karen to Mexico to visit our good friends Patty and Greg Amstutz, who are missionaries, I was overwhelmed by the poverty I saw.   Our friends run a camp for orphan kids in the summer, just south of Ensenada, Baja. It's bare bones, nothing fancy. No running water. Only out-houses. No buildings, only tents. The kids themselves have very little, if anything, yet they have the most beautiful spirits you can imagine. They showered me with their affection and playful spirits. They're so delighted just to camp out under the stars, hike nature trails, swim in the ocean, paint, draw, and play soccer and baseball. The volunteers who interacted with them were like medicine to their young souls. The kids forgot, if only for a week, about their poverty and embraced the love and warmth and encouragement showered on them.   I pray they hold onto the beautiful memories of their camping experience for a lifetime.

Our time in Mexico was invaluable because it raised, once again, a critical issue for me to address in my Christian walk; that is, "What is my responsibility to the poor, the orphans, the homeless, the marginalized?"   Or, as Micah puts it, "What does the Lord require of me?"

This week's lesson isn't for the faint of heart. It's a heavy issue and raises a biblical mandate for those who profess to be disciples of Christ. It's heavy because our responsibility on the justice-front is not optional. It's heavy, because shirking this responsibility carries heavy consequences.

So we won't shirk it off, and we'll take it seriously.   We won't assign this biblical mandate to our government and wash our hands of the poor and homeless.   We'll continue to get smart on justice issues concerning marginalized people in our world. And when it concerns our city, we'll take the lead, carry the ball, and follow in the train of the millions of disciples of Christ who have gone before us as champions of the poor, the marginalized, the homeless, and the widows and orphans.

It's our calling from God. The prophet Micah says we are to "do justice, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God." (Micah 6:8) So, do we?   Let's look around in our very neighborhoods and city. In Malibu, are there homeless people within reach of our church? Poor? Naked? Orphans? Widows? If so, what are we doing about these people?

This may be the most important lesson we've studied yet.   This time I won't say "Have fun in your Life Groups." Rather, I encourage you to study hard and apply what you learn. If we do, then as a church I have no doubt (and I hate to use the expression) we'll catch on fire because it's where God's heart is!

Blessings, Michael

Study Week 24 - 2 Kings 6: 8-23

2008-07-15T20:51:21Z

How would you like to have Elijah as a mentor? Elisha did! God chose Elisha to succeed Elijah as the preeminent prophet of the nation of Israel. These prophets lived in the 9^th century B.C. Elisha took up the prophetic mantle left behind when Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind carried up in a chariot of fire and horses of fire. (2 Kings 2:11-14) Here's one amazing prophet followed by another.

One of the fascinating accounts of Elisha's ministry is our study text, an account where it appears there is no way out for Elisha. The circumstances are against him. It's a stacked deck: a vast array of military might from Aram positioned around the city of Dothan to capture one man, Elisha. Watch Elisha carefully. Watch how he handles pressure and tough circumstances. It's life or death! Does he panic, or run, or curse God? Is he gripped by fear? If not, then what is it that makes him tick?

Another fascinating issue is raised at the end of the story. By the power of God, Elisha gains control over this military force so that he is able to take them into Samaria where they are at the mercy of the king of Israel. So, what does Elisha do with them? For me, the issue raised is this: what difference does a person's perspective have on his/her reality, and how did Elisha's spiritual perspective shape his reality and the decision he made based upon that reality?

This is a fascinating story involving one of the iconic prophets of all time that conveys timeless truths, one that will serve you well throughout your life. Talk about it, pray about it, and then apply it to your life. Have a great Life Group experience.

Blessings,
Michael