Encounter - Sundays

- 2015 THROWBACK“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)Text: Ps. 119:9-16, Jer. 15:16, Is. 55:11, Ps. 1:1-3, Rom. 8:31-39, Col. 3:15-17- God's Word:1. Reveals KNOWLEDGE and WISDOM.2. Reveals GOD'S WILL for our lives.3. Is PRACTICAL and full of POWER.- How to Encounter God through the Word:1. Set aside TIME and READ it.2. MEDITATE on it and PRAY through it.3. Ask: What does it SAY? What are the FACTS?4. Ask: What are the spiritual PRINCIPLES I can learn from this?5. Ask the Spirit to REVEAL the truth you need from the Word.- 20 Ways to Encounter God through the Word:Survey the Word, Listen to the Word, Read the Word Silently, Read the Word Aloud (Privately), Read the Word Publicly, Discuss the Word, Hand-copy the Word, Study the Word, Cross-reference the Word, Stress the Word, Highlight the Word, Paraphrase the Word, Sketch the Word, Memorize the Word, Personalize the Word, Sing the Word, Display the Word, Share the Word, Teach (or Preach) the Word, Do the Word! - Encountering God Through the Word Prayer:Lord, make us a people who are endlessly hungry for your words of life. Make us a people that have so tasted and seen your goodness poured out in the pages of Scripture that we make time to feast on the bread of your Word. Fill us with a longing for deeper, more consistent encounters with you that we would search the pages of Scripture for truths that will open our hearts to you more fully. May our lives be marked today by the fruit grown from the seed of your Word.

Acts 7:58-9:22

Acts 7:58-9:22

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Acts 2:14-41. What stands out to you in this passage? Peter, a common uneducated man, stood up and addressed thousands of people with the message of the Gospel. He did this by the power of God's Spirit. In what area of your life (or what person or group) could you be more bold in sharing the good news of Jesus? In Peter's speech to the crowd, he makes it very clear that Jesus is central to everything. In your everyday conversations (friends, family, work), what topics take center stage instead of Jesus? What is one practical way you can intentionally point someone toward Jesus this week? Read Psalm 110:1 and Acts 2:36. What does it mean that Jesus is both “Lord” and “Christ?” What is one area of your life that you struggle to fully “submit” to the Lord, putting yourself under His authority? How can you practically take a step toward surrender? When people heard Peter's sermon, they were “cut to the heart.” How does conviction by the Holy Spirit work with you? When was the last time you were convicted? Describe the process for you. Repentance means turning away or turning from, not just being sorry for something. What is a specific attitude, habit, or pattern in your life that the Holy Spirit is calling you to turn from? What action would show that you “turned” away from sin and toward God? Close by praying for each other in these things. 

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Acts 2:14-41. What stands out to you in this passage? Peter, a common uneducated man, stood up and addressed thousands of people with the message of the Gospel. He did this by the power of God's Spirit. In what area of your life (or what person or group) could you be more bold in sharing the good news of Jesus? In Peter's speech to the crowd, he makes it very clear that Jesus is central to everything. In your everyday conversations (friends, family, work), what topics take center stage instead of Jesus? What is one practical way you can intentionally point someone toward Jesus this week? Read Psalm 110:1 and Acts 2:36. What does it mean that Jesus is both “Lord” and “Christ?” What is one area of your life that you struggle to fully “submit” to the Lord, putting yourself under His authority? How can you practically take a step toward surrender? When people heard Peter's sermon, they were “cut to the heart.” How does conviction by the Holy Spirit work with you? When was the last time you were convicted? Describe the process for you. Repentance means turning away or turning from, not just being sorry for something. What is a specific attitude, habit, or pattern in your life that the Holy Spirit is calling you to turn from? What action would show that you “turned” away from sin and toward God? Close by praying for each other in these things. 

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Luke 24:33-49. What is God's heart for His people?In the passage above, Jesus encourages His disciples in 8 different ways about all the benefits and blessings we have since the resurrection. As you read those verses again, which of those promises stand out to you, and how does it give you hope and encouragement?In verses 44-49, Jesus tells them to 1). Remember who He is, 2). Remember what He's done, 3). Remember what they've seen, and 4). To remember His promises. Go around the group and have each person share 1 or 2 things (from this list of 4) that they know about Jesus today.One of the great things about the resurrection was how God's light broke through all the darkness and evil of this world. What is one way you can let your light shine in the darkness?How does the resurrection of Jesus impact your personal faith? And how do you personally experience Jesus' transformative resurrecting power in your everyday life?We know that the resurrection signifies life after death and eternal life, but it also shows us the possibilities of new life, beginnings, and transformation in our lives right now! What is a specific area of your life that you are seeking resurrection power for, and how can your Together Group support you in this journey?

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Luke 24:33-49. What is God's heart for His people?In the passage above, Jesus encourages His disciples in 8 different ways about all the benefits and blessings we have since the resurrection. As you read those verses again, which of those promises stand out to you, and how does it give you hope and encouragement?In verses 44-49, Jesus tells them to 1). Remember who He is, 2). Remember what He's done, 3). Remember what they've seen, and 4). To remember His promises. Go around the group and have each person share 1 or 2 things (from this list of 4) that they know about Jesus today.One of the great things about the resurrection was how God's light broke through all the darkness and evil of this world. What is one way you can let your light shine in the darkness?How does the resurrection of Jesus impact your personal faith? And how do you personally experience Jesus' transformative resurrecting power in your everyday life?We know that the resurrection signifies life after death and eternal life, but it also shows us the possibilities of new life, beginnings, and transformation in our lives right now! What is a specific area of your life that you are seeking resurrection power for, and how can your Together Group support you in this journey?

EPIC BIBLE VERSES FOR 2026Joshua 1:8-9Ps. 46:1-3Ps. 141:3Prov. 3:5-6Prov. 18:10Is. 26:3 Is. 40:31Is. 41:10Is. 43:1-2Jer. 17:7-8Matt. 6:33Luke 9:23John 3:16-18John 16:33Acts 1:8Acts 4:12Rom. 5:8Rom. 8- All of it!Rom. 12- All of it!1 Cor. 13:4-72 Cor. 1:3-42 Cor. 5:17Eph. 2:8-9 Eph. 2:19-22Eph. 4:20-24Eph. 5:15-16Eph. 6:10-18Phil. 4:6-7Phil. 4:11-13Col. 2:6-7Col. 3:1-3Col. 3:15-17Col. 4:21 Thes. 5:112 Tim. 1:71 Pet. 5:7

EPIC BIBLE VERSES FOR 2026Joshua 1:8-9Ps. 46:1-3Ps. 141:3Prov. 3:5-6Prov. 18:10Is. 26:3 Is. 40:31Is. 41:10Is. 43:1-2Jer. 17:7-8Matt. 6:33Luke 9:23John 3:16-18John 16:33Acts 1:8Acts 4:12Rom. 5:8Rom. 8- All of it!Rom. 12- All of it!1 Cor. 13:4-72 Cor. 1:3-42 Cor. 5:17Eph. 2:8-9 Eph. 2:19-22Eph. 4:20-24Eph. 5:15-16Eph. 6:10-18Phil. 4:6-7Phil. 4:11-13Col. 2:6-7Col. 3:1-3Col. 3:15-17Col. 4:21 Thes. 5:112 Tim. 1:71 Pet. 5:7

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS(THANKSGIVING EDITION)Going Deeper: Read the following Scriptures. How does God's Word affect your outlook on life this week? Pick one or two verses to memorize or carry around with you this week on an index card.Ps. 69:30 “I will magnify (God) with thanksgiving.”Phil. 4:6 “Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.”1 Cor. 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”2 Cor. 9:15 “Thanks be to Christ for His indescribable gift."1 Thes. 5:18 “No matter what happens be thankful for everything for this is God's will for who belong to Christ Jesus.”Ps. 50:14 “What I want…is your true thanks to God.”Col. 3:17 “Whatever you do or say…do it all while giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”Ps. 35:18 “I will give you thanks in the great assembly among many people.”Ps. 106:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Make a list of 20 things you are thankful for and praise God for them. Why does God want us to have a constant spirit of thankfulness?Why would satan want us to stay away from thankfulness?What is one area in your life of ingratitude, that is holding you back from entering into praise? Why do you enjoy being thanked for something you did for someone?How do you think it makes people feel to be noticed and appreciated for things they've done for you? Who are 3 people you can reach out to in life and thank them for something specific? Practice thanking God for everything, all day long. Spend time in prayer right now and THANK Him for what He's done, and PRAISE Him for who He is!

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS(THANKSGIVING EDITION)Going Deeper: Read the following Scriptures. How does God's Word affect your outlook on life this week? Pick one or two verses to memorize or carry around with you this week on an index card.Ps. 69:30 “I will magnify (God) with thanksgiving.”Phil. 4:6 “Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.”1 Cor. 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”2 Cor. 9:15 “Thanks be to Christ for His indescribable gift."1 Thes. 5:18 “No matter what happens be thankful for everything for this is God's will for who belong to Christ Jesus.”Ps. 50:14 “What I want…is your true thanks to God.”Col. 3:17 “Whatever you do or say…do it all while giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”Ps. 35:18 “I will give you thanks in the great assembly among many people.”Ps. 106:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Make a list of 20 things you are thankful for and praise God for them. Why does God want us to have a constant spirit of thankfulness?Why would satan want us to stay away from thankfulness?What is one area in your life of ingratitude, that is holding you back from entering into praise? Why do you enjoy being thanked for something you did for someone?How do you think it makes people feel to be noticed and appreciated for things they've done for you? Who are 3 people you can reach out to in life and thank them for something specific? Practice thanking God for everything, all day long. Spend time in prayer right now and THANK Him for what He's done, and PRAISE Him for who He is!

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read 1 Cor. 11:17-34 Division was a serious issue in the Corinthian church- even during communion! Why do you think it was such a problem? What similar divisions appear in our church today? Read John 17:20-21 and James 2:1-4. What steps can we as believers take to pursue genuine unity in the body of Christ? Jesus took the bread and the cup, and both times He emphasized, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Have each person in your group share at least one thing that we should remember about Jesus and what He's done. Read Ps. 139:23-24. How should a believer examine themselves? What kinds of actions or attitudes might need to be confessed or changed? Why is this important to do before we take communion? In what practical ways can we show consideration for others in the church family, especially during times of worship and fellowship? Read Phil. 2:3-4. How does humility and other-centeredness reflect the heart of Jesus and honor Him at the communion table? Close by sharing in communion together. 

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read 1 Cor. 11:17-34 Division was a serious issue in the Corinthian church- even during communion! Why do you think it was such a problem? What similar divisions appear in our church today? Read John 17:20-21 and James 2:1-4. What steps can we as believers take to pursue genuine unity in the body of Christ? Jesus took the bread and the cup, and both times He emphasized, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Have each person in your group share at least one thing that we should remember about Jesus and what He's done. Read Ps. 139:23-24. How should a believer examine themselves? What kinds of actions or attitudes might need to be confessed or changed? Why is this important to do before we take communion? In what practical ways can we show consideration for others in the church family, especially during times of worship and fellowship? Read Phil. 2:3-4. How does humility and other-centeredness reflect the heart of Jesus and honor Him at the communion table? Close by sharing in communion together. 

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Psalm 103. What is your favorite statement from this Psalm & why? What aspect of Sunday's message spoke to you? Do you feel “in tune” with God in this season? How would you “grade” (A-F) your current levels of being grateful, and expressing gratitude, to God & others? What is your biggest challenge right now to cultivating or having an attitude of gratitude?   What are some of the qualities of both God and man from this Psalm? What does this make you appreciate the most about the relationship God wants to have with you? Relating to Point #1, if you were to conduct a “blessings inventory,” which areas would be your strongest & weakest (relational, emotional, physical, financial, or spiritual)? How might these dynamics draw you closer to the Lord?  Read v.10-14. Relating to Point #2, what are some things (spiritually/practically) that God has withheld from you for which you are grateful? What can you do to replace complaining/criticism, or entitlement? How might you reframe “hard things” to be able to praise & thank God?   How does the person of Jesus and the Gospel make an attitude of gratitude possible for you? What are some practical things you can do to step into Point #3 this week? Be specific, make a plan, pray, & do it by God's grace!