RELATIONSHIP SEMINAR // REGISTRATION OPEN

Ready to go beyond the surface and cultivate a deeper connection? Consider this highly acclaimed seminar as your road map to doing just that. And think of Les and Leslie Parrott as your guides. You may have seen them on as guests on shows such as Oprah, CNN, and The View. A date with the Parrotts will not only equip you with tools to strengthen your relationship, but will also be fun and entertaining. 

Our Tenth community can attend for a discounted rate. We encourage you to register soon! This event is promoted throughout Greater Vancouver and there are only 700 spots available. Follow the link below and join us on June 23 from 10am-1pm.

http://www.tenth.ca/#/upcoming-events/becoming-soul-mates

Dive-in Concluded

The Dive-In personal bible studies offered during our Sharing the Presence sermon series have concluded. If you found this resource helpful, please contact us as we consider offering this in the future: smallgroups@tenth.ca

Click here to view previous studies.

Bible Study // WHEN IT HAPPENS #4

STUDY FOUR
For the message: “When it Happens” by Ken Shigematsu
April 29, 2012

Acts 17:26-34

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others. (TNIV®)

Read Acts 17:16-34 for context, then Acts 17:26-34 again.

1. What does Paul indicate as the ultimate proof that God is calling his people to repentance?
2. What range of reactions does this statement create?
3. At the end of the account, what evidence is there that the gospel continues to be closely entwined with personal stories?

Reflect on the question: How do you live in a way that provides proof of the resurrection? In other words, when someone sees how you live, how do they see Christ in you?

Bible Study // WHEN IT HAPPENS #3

STUDY THREE
For the message: “When it Happens” by Ken Shigematsu
April 29, 2012

Acts 17:24-34

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others. (TNIV®)

Read Acts 17:16-34 for context, then Acts 17:24-34 again.

1. This sermon series started out with the account of God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham. How is this promise unfolding in this passage?
2. How does Paul contrast the characteristics and attributes of God as opposed to idols?
3. How does he personalize God’s work in the lives of his hearers?

Reflect on the question: When speaking to sceptics it is easy to get sidetracked into controversial issues. How do you re-direct and focus on the personal work of God in your life in these conversations?

Bible Study // WHEN IT HAPPENS #2

STUDY TWO
For the message: “When it Happens” by Ken Shigematsu
April 29, 2012

Acts 17:21-28

(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ (TNIV®)

Read Acts 17:16-34 for context, then Acts 17:21-28 again.

1. From v. 22, what tone does Paul take in his initial statement?
2. From v. 23, how did Paul prepare prior to beginning to preach?
3. What evidence is there that Paul knows the belief system of his audience and makes a link between their perspective and his own?

Reflect on the question: In thinking of someone you know who has voiced their scepticism of Christianity, what values do you admire in their belief system?

Bible Study // WHEN IT HAPPENS #1

STUDY ONE

For the message: “When it Happens” by Ken Shigematsu
April 29, 2012

Acts 17:16-20

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” (TNIV®)

Read Acts 17:16-34 for context, then Acts 17:16-20 again.

1. While Paul was in this very secular city, what emotion motivated him to begin a discussion with the people there?
2. Where did he initially debate, and with whom? Where did this lead him on to?
3. Make note of the various groups Paul was addressing. Also note the range of reactions his words caused.

Reflect on the question: What is your emotional reaction to people who hold very different beliefs to you?

Bible Study // FRIEND ON THE JOURNEY #4

STUDY FOUR
For the message: “Friend on the Journey” by Ken Shigematsu
April 22, 2012

Acts 8:39-40

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. (TNIV®)

Read Acts 8:39-40

1. Think of a time when you heeded God’s call. What was the situation and what was the result?
2. Think of a modern-day “Philip” who travels around preaching the gospel? What does that person look like? What challenges do modern-day evangelists face?
3. What mistakes do we, as Christ followers, sometimes make when spreading the Word?