You Are Invited!

Maricamp Road’s Annual Fall Festival

• When: Saturday, October 30th
• Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
• Place: Maricamp Road Church of Christ :: 2750 SE Maricamp Road Ocala, Florida 34471
• Cost: FREE!

There will be much fun to be had by all in a safe and friendly environment. We will have food, games, and up to 30 cars for Trunk O Treat! Last year was a blast with around 150 kids in attendance.

Check out the video of last year here:

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Note: On November 14th we are having a Thanksgiving dinner clothing drive. If you are willing to donate socks, underwear, slightly used jackets, blankets or sleeping bags; that would be much appreciated. This is going on all through October and November up to the event. You can drop off your donation to “Maricamp Road Church of Christ :: 2750 SE Maricamp Road Ocala, Florida 34471″ or bring them to the fall festival.

PLEASE R.S.V.P. BELOW:

Hello everyone.

Please join us Sunday Feb. 28th 6pm-8pm for the first meeting of the Young Professionals Life Group. This is kid friendly so don’t be afraid to bring the children.  We will have a baby sitter to make sure the kids don’t kill each other. 

We will need the following:

• Meatball subs.  The Medley’s will be supplying the meatballs
• Cheese
• Chips and Dip
• Dessert
• Salad
• Drinks
• Hoggie Rolls
• Paper Plates
• Plastic Cups
• Napkins and Plasticware
• Any sides that go with Meatball Subs

Just the Right Amount of “This” and “That”!

Matthew 5:5

(February 14, 2010)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. Just off the top of your head how would you define the word “meek”? Are there any word “pictures” that come to your mind? Is there any person in particular?

2. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary: (1) enduring injury with patience and without resentment (2) deficient in spirit and courage (3) not violent or strong

(a) Based on your current knowledge of the usage of meek in the Bible, how do those definitions stack up?

(b) Do you think the Bible usage has more to say? How….

(c) How about you…do you consider yourself to be a “meek” person? “Why, why not”? Explain.

DIG:

1. John Stott says, “the Greek adjective “praus” – means gentle, humble, considerate, courteous and therefore exercising self control without these qualities would be impossible”. How do you see that play out in the following verses?

Matthew 11:28-30; Galatians 5:23; Ephesians 4:2; Galatians 6:1-3; I Peter 3:15

2. What do you think the Apostle Paul had in mind to say about himself and his relationship to the Corinthians by his reference to Christ in terms of “meekness and gentleness”? How did he want to be received by them?

3. Consider the following comment: “Meekness is essentially a true view of oneself, expressing itself in an attitude and conduct with respect to others. The man who is truly meek is the one who is amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do.” (Lloyd-Jones) This makes him gentle, humble, sensitive, patient in all his dealings with others” (Stott) what do you think?

How do you think, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit” and “Blessed are those who mourn” feed into this concept of being meek?

4. Just for fun speculate on what you think Jesus meant when he said, “for they shall inherit the earth?

Reflect and Apply:

1. How do you feel these first three beatitudes give you depth of insight about?

(a) The relationship God wants you to have with Him?

(b) How God wants us to see ourselves?

(c) Our relationship with others?

2. How would you feel about – “receiving the Kingdom of heaven”, “comfort” and “inheriting the earth”?

Less of Me…More of God and His Rule!

Matthew 5:3

(January 31, 2010)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. When you hear the word “poor” or “poverty” what are the first word pictures that come to your mind?

2. What connections might come to your mind between being “poor-physically” and “being poor spiritually”?

(a) Are the physically-materially poor always “poor in Spirit”?

(b) Why might be another reaction?

3. In what ways might it be harder for a person blessed with physical-material things – to be “poor in spirit”?

DIG:

1. In what ways are repentance and the New Birth necessary for receiving understanding and live life in the kingdom?

(Matthew 3:17; John 3:3-11)

2. What are some ways that understanding true poverty may help us to understand being “poor in spirit”?

3. What does being “poor in spirit” mean to you? How does it seem to relate to “self”? How does “self” keep us from realizing the Kingdom of God in our lives?

4. In what ways does “being poor in spirit” apply to:

* The person not yet a Christian?

* The person seeking to grow as a Christian?

*To the Church (a local church like Maricamp?)

Reflect and Apply:

1. As a Christian how important is it to you to receive the “Kingdom of God in your life”?

(a) What does that mean to you?

(b) How does that go beyond, “being saved”?

The Desire of Your Heart:

Is it to be “Happy” or “Blessed”?

(January 24, 2010)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. From a purely “earthly” perspective how would you complete this statement, “Happiness is __________________”?

2. From purely “spiritual” perspective how would you complete the same statement, “Happiness is __________________”?

3. In what ways might we “tend to blend” the two above thoughts as we form our personal thoughts about what, “Happiness is”?

4. Can you think of any passage that directs us to pursue happiness or is it a by product of another pursuit or lifestyle?

(cf. Psalm 144:15, 146:5, Proverbs 16:20, Philippians 4:4)

DIG:

1. Why would we assume that one of the main goals of life is to be, “Happy”? What might be seen as problematic in the pursuit of happiness?

2. How might Solomon’s pursuit of meaning and purpose be reflective of some of those same problems? (Ecclesiastes 2:1-8; II Chronicles 1:7-12; I Kings 11:1-6; Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14)

3. How is the search for God, happiness, meaning and purpose reflected in the Beatitudes? (Matthew 5:1-12)

4. Why might the experience of the “new birth” be necessary to see, understand and live out this lifestyle described in the Beatitudes? (John 3:1-12) How might 3:10-12 fit into this process? (See Matthew 5:20)

Reflect and Apply:

Have a brief discussion on “what are some things that happen” in the process of the “new birth”? Who all is involved? How should this be reflected in our lives each day?

A “New” Day! A “New” Way of Living!

(Luke 1:67-79)

(January 10, 2010)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. In what ways have you felt that there is more to the Christian walk than you are experiencing? Explain

2. What are some ideas or concepts that you feel (have/are) hindering you from that walk?

3. In what way can we as “Christians” be like the “Jews” and miss the true concepts of kingdom living and the Life to which we are called?

(cf. Matthew 13:11-17; 15:1-20)

DIG:

1. How important is Jesus teaching in Mark 1:14-15 to us today in order to receive all that’s encompassed in the teaching about the kingdom of God?

2. In what ways should the teaching of Jesus about the “New Birth” be significant to us in experiencing the life in the kingdom and understanding heavenly things? (John 3:1-16)

3. How does the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 26:28, 29 impact your thinking in understanding the new life God offers in Christ? How important is understanding the “new covenant” relationship with God? (Hebrews 8:10-12)

Reflect and Apply:

How can our trust in a “physical, earthly, political kingdom” hinder us from understanding and receiving the full benefits of the Kingdom of God?

Let There Be Peace on Earth

(Luke 2:4-14)

(November 8, 2009)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. Visualize and describe what “Peace” looks like to you!

(a) What “Christmas” card scene creates an aura of peace?

(b) Is that the true peace of “Christmas”?

(c) If you could describe what true peace is in your heart, how

would it look or feel?

DIG:

1. In your own words describe how God brought about “Peace” between Himself and mankind?

(cf. Romans 3:21-27; 5:1, 2; 6:11)

What role does God’s grace play?

Why was the blood of Jesus and the sacrifice of atonement

essential to peace with God?

Before “reconciliation” we were considered to be enemies of God:

What would that feel like to you?

What does reconciliation feel like to you?

2. How does this Peace from God affect you personally?

In terms of how you:

a. React to death?(Hebrews 2:9;17)

b. To personal troubles? (Philippians 4:4-7)

c. Worry? (Matt. 6:25-34)

d. How does our absolute trust in what “God Has Done In Christ” have a bearing on all these above areas?

3. Why is peace between the kingdoms of the earth impossible?

(cf. James 3:13-4:1-4; 5:1-6)

a. How is peace possible in the kingdom of God?

(John 18:36; Ephesians 2:11-22; Colossians 1:13-22)

b. How does the “peace of God rule” your heart?

(Colossians 3:15)

c. What role do you play in the peaceful kingdom of God?

(Romans 14:17-21)

d. How do you keep the “Unity of the Spirit” in the bond of peace?(Ephesians 4:3)

4. What do you think Jesus had in mind when he said “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called Sons of God”?

a. How would that be related to Jesus Christ “making peace”?

(Ephesians 2:13,14,15,17)

b. Take a look at Romans 12:14-21, How does that emphasis the effort to make peace?

* How does that look like Jesus? Luke 24:34;

I Peter 2:20-25

* How does the phrase “as far as it depends on you” the level of importance on being at peace?

Reflect and Apply:

1. How can “truly being at peace with God” affect every other area and

relationship in your life? Do you find that difficult to accept and apply?

What are one or two things you could do in the next week to bring this more into focus in your life?

(Introduction)

(October 25, 2009)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. Have you ever had a stress fracture (bones) or known someone who did?

(A) What were the symptoms?

(B) How was it diagnosed?

(C) What was the treatment?

a. Doesn’t rest for 6-8 weeks seem like a small price to pay to avoid a more serious injury?

b. Why would a person avoid treatment for healing?

2. In what way does “stress” affect us negatively if not dealt with effectively?

(A) What are some symptoms of not dealing with stress in an effective means?

(B) How do you normally deal with stress?

(C) In what way would “rest” (and its ramifications) play a positive role in overcoming stress?

Dig:

1. In what ways might an unexpected visit from a highly respected friend have the possibility of upsetting a household?

(A) Do you see how Martha might have become “distracted”?

(B) Have, you ever gotten to the point of being “worried” or “bothered” over such details?

(C) What might happen to your “normal, level” headed thinking in such a circumstance? How might it affect our attitudes and action toward others?

(D) What are some other areas where “being distracted”, “upset”, “worried” my affect your life?

2. What could have possible influenced Mary to focus on the “one” thing, instead of jumping up to work with Martha?

(A) What do you think Jesus meant by “only one thing is needed?

(B) What great power did Mary use that we all have?

(C) How do you feel about Jesus response to Martha, “it will not be taken away”?

Reflect and Apply:

How is the singular power of choice reflected in the following 2 passages that might help us overcome “Worry” or “Stress” fractures?

~ Matthew 6:33, 34 ~ Matthew 11:28-30

Let’s “Be” The Church (part 9)

Matthew 16:13-26

(October 18, 2009)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. Have you ever found yourself to be “in a rut”, “stagnated”, “not growing as a person”?

(a) What were the symptoms? How did you feel?

(b) What steps or actions did you take to “get moving” in a positive direction?

(c) How did that make a difference in your life?

2. Do you think “the church” (local congregations) can fall into the same kind of rut or stagnation?

(a) How would some of the symptoms be?

(b) How would you suggest we over come those things?

(c) What do you feel the desired outcome would look like?

Dig:

1. What are some ways you might feel or think we as a congregation could be in a rut or stagnated?

(a) Do you feel that applies primarily to you personally or to congregation at large?

How do you feel?

2. What happens to the energy, focus and time for priorities if we become too focused on thinking or wrangling about secondary issues in the church? (See I Timothy 4; 6-8; Titus 3:9)

3. How would “loving the church” as “Christ loved the church” get our focus and attention on the priorities of Jesus?

4. In what ways could reading and meditating; praying through; journaling through the letter to the Ephesians keep us focused on Christ and His view of the church? How might that help us in truly living out His story?

Reflect and Apply:

What steps might you take this week to examine your – “Love for Jesus and His Church” in light of Revelation 2:1-6?

Think, pray, write down your thoughts – share with a friend and ask them to pray for you in this process!