Message Notes for May 30, 2021
Series: Sculpted

God’s Kingdom is _______________
Problems of our world are not easy quick fixes.
God’s Sculpting is often slow and painful, but it is a miracle and He does the work.
What God’s Kingdom looks
God’s presence as Spirit of Light (God’s dynamic presence)

Peace

Joy
_____________________(Jesus interprets this as repentance and return to God)
Righteousness or Justice
Kingdom of God mentioned ______ times
Neighborliness: Because God made us all. The goal is to grow in our knowledge of Jesus and our neighbors so we may instantly love as Jesus loves.
“How is God sculpting the ‘Church?’” It is sculpting us to work with him to bring about the ______________________.
John 3:16-19, Jeremiah 29:4-14, Luke 4:16-20, John 17:20-26

(Moving, Deliverance or Salvation, Healing, Return from exile, 162, Kingdom of God)

Study Notes for May 30, 2021
Series: Sculpted

What is the most unrealistic problem you have ever seen solved in a one hour or 30 min. TV show? Why was it unrealistic? Did it talk about faith or religion? If so how? Why does TV deal with real world struggles and problems in this way? Do you believe we look for the quick fix in our own struggles, our families, or our societies? Do they usually work? Why not?

What has to happen for someone’s heart to change? What part does the Holy Spirit have in changing people’s hearts?

What are some ways you have seen individual Christians, churches or ministries act or engage the world and people around them this last year? Has it always been positive? If not why? How have you seen churches and people engage positively during this time? If you can’t think of any why do you suppose this is?

Read John 3:16-19 and Jeremiah 29:4-14. What do you see as Jesus’ mission towards the world in these passages? How is He going to accomplish this mission? What does it say about our place in this mission alongside Him?

When you hear “Kingdom of God” or pray it in the Lord’s Prayer, what do you think it means? Why? Of these seven aspects of the Kingdom of God [God’s presence as Spirit of Light (God’s dynamic presence), Deliverance or Salvation, Peace, Healing, Joy, Return from exile (Jesus interrupts this as repentance and return to God), Righteousness or Justice] How well are you and other Christian’s helping to live this out? Why or why not?

Read Luke 4:16-20 – Jesus says He has fulfilled all of these promises and He later asks us to do what He did and gives us the Holy Spirit to accomplish all this. How can you as an individual, we as a church, and our community of churches seek to accomplish bringing about God’s Kingdom.

Read John 17:20-26. How do you feel about different churches uniting around who Jesus is and pushing aside some of our differences? What do you see as a positive and what could be negative about this? Explain these answers. What are other ways that churches can join together to seek to do the God’s Kingdom work?

For our series, book study, and community engagement in the fall “Neighborliness: Because God made us all.” Why do you see CtK seeking to do a series like this? What can be a positive outcome of this? What would be a stumbling block for you or others to participate in this series and study?

Pray for all the churches in our community as we seek to live out jointly and in our own ways God’s call to build His Kingdom and as we seek to engage our church and community in the fall.