God’s Tender Love

Discipleship Group Questions

for October 2, 2005

Scripture Readings:

Fr. Mark after commenting on Luke chapter 5 gave the following “Rhema” word to us:

“This is a word to those who have toiled long and hard. Jesus told Simon to cast out his nets. Simon replies but we have toiled long and hard and have caught nothing? Because of our faithfulness he will bless us. He is telling us that it is time to cast out nets. It’s time to act. He’s going to fill our nets. We’re not to be afraid, for from now on we will catch men. We will be astonished at the catch!”

Fr. Mark went on, “Even as we are speaking today an evangelistic anointing is being placed on this church. God is calling us to act. There’s a golden horseshoe running from Toronto to Albany. There will be revival along this horseshoe and it will begin in Rochester in a place no one has heard of. Because this is God’s way!

Cast your nets! Align your hearts to His will!”

Ah! Cast out your nets! Align your hearts with God’s will!

But how do we do this?

Phil. 4:6-9 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Discipleship Questions:

1. Our Lord gave TCC a “rhema” word – a word straight from heaven designed to quicken our hearts and call us to action! Please read the rhema word above and see if it is for you. Discuss if you are in a group.

2. How do we align our hearts with God’s will? This is the real questions. Please read Philippians chapter 4 verses 6 through 9 to discover the answer. What did our Lord reveal to you through this reading? Please discuss if in a group.

3. St. Paul tells us “Don’t be anxious about anything,” but in everything, in what???? “In EVERYTHING!” by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, with what???? “with thanksgiving” present your requests to God. 7 And then rest in the peace of God, which transcends which flies far overhead, all understanding, this peace will guard; will watch over; will protect (froure÷w – frureo - to watch over – to protect) your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Are you anxious about anything? We don’t have to live with anxiety anymore as Christians. How then do you enter fully into our birthright of peace? Please read verse 8 and answer this question. Please discuss if in a group.

4. WHAT IS GOD TELLING US HERE? IF YOU REALLY WANT TO ALIGN YOUR HEARTS WITH MY WILL THEN TRUST ME – DON’T BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING AND LOOK FOR ME IN WHAT IS HONEST, AND NOBLE AND RIGHT AND PURE AND LOVELY AND WORTHY – FOR THIS IS WHERE MY WILL IS HAVING IT’S WAY! May I encourage you to bow your head and pray (together if in a group) that God would give you the grace from now on to think only on what is honest, and noble and right and pure and lovely and worthy. Amen and Amen!