Rebuilding Hope: Part 6 - The Covenant
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
October 09, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Night of Worship, October 19
Do you love the OneLife worship experience on Sundays? Then you'll for sure love our Nights of Worship! It's happening Wednesday night, October 19th at 6:30pm. Our campuses and Micro Churches will all join together at our East campus for an extended time of music, prayer, communion, and a few other special surprises. We can't wait to see you there!OneLife Students Fall Events
OneLife Students Middle School Corn Maze, October 22
On Saturday, October 22nd, from 3pm to 7pm the Middle School students from both campuses will be headed to Oaks Farm Corn maze. This is a family event, so parents make sure you plan on being there too! The cost is $16 per person. Registration for both events is open now. Visit onelifeknox.com/students.
Halloween On Mission - Oct 22-31
Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s an incredible time for you to live on mission in your neighborhoods. So, October 22 - 31, that’s what we’re challenging all of our Micro Churches and other OneLifers to do! From neighborhood pumpkin carvings, to reverse trick-or-treating, to making your house the best stop in the neighborhood on Halloween night, and more - there are a tons of ways for you to use Halloween to open up opportunities for conversations and relationships in your neighborhoods. Visit onelifeknox.com/halloween for more information and ideas, and to sign up to be a part of Halloween on Mission.
Join a Volunteer Team
Did you know it takes over a hundred volunteers every week to make a service at OneLife happen at our campuses? So if you haven’t started volunteering, then it’s time to get on the team! From First Impressions & Security, to Kid City, to Production & Worship, to OneLife Students, weekday teams, and more - there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone to serve. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
Stay Connected Through the OneLife App
From watching services, to Micro Church discussion guides, to online giving, family resources and more - the OneLife app has everything you need to stay connected to what’s happening among our church. The app is also available on Apple TV and Roku so you can watch services on your TV at home! Download the mobile version of the app on your phone by going to onelifeknox.com/app on your phone’s web browser. And on Apple TV and Roku simply search the app store for “OneLife” and look for our logo.
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
http://www.onelifeknox.com/give
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: God has given me a fixed point to know exactly where I am.
Nehemiah 7:1-5 NLT
1 After the wall was finished and I had set up the doors in the gates, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed. 2 I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most. 3 I said to them, “Do not leave the gates open during the hottest part of the day. And even while the gatekeepers are on duty, have them shut and bar the doors. Appoint the residents of Jerusalem to act as guards, everyone on a regular watch. Some will serve at sentry posts and some in front of their own homes.” 4 At that time the city was large and spacious, but the population was small, and none of the houses had been rebuilt. 5 So my God gave me the idea to call together all the nobles and leaders of the city, along with the ordinary citizens, for registration. I had found the genealogical record of those who had first returned to Judah. This is what was written there:
1. The covenant is the fixed point.
Nehemiah 7:73 NLT
73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Temple servants, and some of the common people settled near Jerusalem. The rest of the people returned to their own towns throughout Israel.In October when the Israelites had settled in their towns,
Nehemiah 8:1-3 NLT
1 all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey. 2 So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. 3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:8 NLT
8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.
Nehemiah 8:12 NLT
12 So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.
2. God’s Word is the GPS leading me to the fixed point.
Nehemiah 8:13-14 NLT
13 On October 9 the family leaders of all the people, together with the priests and Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to go over the Law in greater detail. 14 As they studied the Law, they discovered that the Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month.
Nehemiah 8:16-17 NLT
16 So the people went out and cut branches and used them to build shelters on the roofs of their houses, in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God’s Temple, or in the squares just inside the Water Gate and the Ephraim Gate. 17 So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy! The Israelites had not celebrated like this since the days of Joshua son of Nun.
3. Obedience is the driver determining my direction.
_____________________
START TALKING
When have you been lost or needed to find some place or something and knowing a fixed point helped you know how close or how far away you were? How did that fixed point, which never moved, help guide you in the right direction?
START THINKING
Read Nehemiah 7:1-2. What leadership principles do you see Nehemiah is using in how he sets up the leadership structure of Jerusalem? (Hint: does he try to do everything himself?) What implications does this have for us in our micro church? What does it mean for our larger church family, too?
Read Nehemiah 7:4. How did Nehemiah using the covenant relationship with God as his fixed point, including all of the four major covenants that were in place at that time, help him to see exactly where he and the Israelites were in this verse? If he didn't have the covenant as his fixed point, how might he have interpreted this differently?
Read Nehemiah 7:5. Where did Nehemiah's solution and plan come from? What does this teach you and us about where our plan should come from when we determine where we are in relation to the covenant?
START SHARING
Read Nehemiah 8:1-12. Why do you think they were weeping? When have you experienced that kind of reaction when you understood something about God's word?
Now read John 3:17. How do you think this lines up with the Israelites being told to not weep but rejoice? When do you feel condemned by what you read in God's word, when the reality is God wants you to see forgiveness and grace as the result rather than the condemnation you feel?
Read Nehemiah 8:13-14. What is something that you discovered when you've read the Scriptures that surprised you or that you had never noticed before? What did you do? How did it change you as it brought you closer to the covenantal relationship with Jesus?
Read Nehemiah 8:16-17. When they understood God's word, they did what it said to do. This brought them closer to the fixed point! When have you experienced that obedience, even when it didn't make sense, brought you joy and an experience with God you hadn't had before? When have you disobeyed and experienced the pain and consequence of doing it your way and on your own?
START DOING
What will you do this week to not only read, but discover and understand God's word in a way that will take you closer to Him? What is a plan that helps you have a system or pattern for reading and understanding His word?
What do you sense the Holy Spirit is telling you to do, and what will you do about it?
How can we help each other move closer to the fixed point of covenant relationship with Jesus through following His word as our GPS and being obedient to get there?
More About the Five Key Covenants
Click here to read more about why the covenants are so important to us and the Gospel! Find a time this week to talk to someone and share how this understanding helps you to better grasp the fixed point that God has for you!
https://bibleproject.com/blog/covenants-the-backbone-bible/
START PRAYING
Pray for each person in the micro church to following the plan that God has for them by being diligent to study His word and to do what it says. Pray that we will do this in community and together just like the Israelites did in these chapters. Pray that we will all be the "2%" who are willing to take risks to trust Jesus and follow Him no matter what the cost!
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
October 09, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Night of Worship, October 19
Do you love the OneLife worship experience on Sundays? Then you'll for sure love our Nights of Worship! It's happening Wednesday night, October 19th at 6:30pm. Our campuses and Micro Churches will all join together at our East campus for an extended time of music, prayer, communion, and a few other special surprises. We can't wait to see you there!OneLife Students Fall Events
OneLife Students Middle School Corn Maze, October 22
On Saturday, October 22nd, from 3pm to 7pm the Middle School students from both campuses will be headed to Oaks Farm Corn maze. This is a family event, so parents make sure you plan on being there too! The cost is $16 per person. Registration for both events is open now. Visit onelifeknox.com/students.
Halloween On Mission - Oct 22-31
Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s an incredible time for you to live on mission in your neighborhoods. So, October 22 - 31, that’s what we’re challenging all of our Micro Churches and other OneLifers to do! From neighborhood pumpkin carvings, to reverse trick-or-treating, to making your house the best stop in the neighborhood on Halloween night, and more - there are a tons of ways for you to use Halloween to open up opportunities for conversations and relationships in your neighborhoods. Visit onelifeknox.com/halloween for more information and ideas, and to sign up to be a part of Halloween on Mission.
Join a Volunteer Team
Did you know it takes over a hundred volunteers every week to make a service at OneLife happen at our campuses? So if you haven’t started volunteering, then it’s time to get on the team! From First Impressions & Security, to Kid City, to Production & Worship, to OneLife Students, weekday teams, and more - there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone to serve. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
Stay Connected Through the OneLife App
From watching services, to Micro Church discussion guides, to online giving, family resources and more - the OneLife app has everything you need to stay connected to what’s happening among our church. The app is also available on Apple TV and Roku so you can watch services on your TV at home! Download the mobile version of the app on your phone by going to onelifeknox.com/app on your phone’s web browser. And on Apple TV and Roku simply search the app store for “OneLife” and look for our logo.
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
http://www.onelifeknox.com/give
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: God has given me a fixed point to know exactly where I am.
Nehemiah 7:1-5 NLT
1 After the wall was finished and I had set up the doors in the gates, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed. 2 I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most. 3 I said to them, “Do not leave the gates open during the hottest part of the day. And even while the gatekeepers are on duty, have them shut and bar the doors. Appoint the residents of Jerusalem to act as guards, everyone on a regular watch. Some will serve at sentry posts and some in front of their own homes.” 4 At that time the city was large and spacious, but the population was small, and none of the houses had been rebuilt. 5 So my God gave me the idea to call together all the nobles and leaders of the city, along with the ordinary citizens, for registration. I had found the genealogical record of those who had first returned to Judah. This is what was written there:
1. The covenant is the fixed point.
Nehemiah 7:73 NLT
73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Temple servants, and some of the common people settled near Jerusalem. The rest of the people returned to their own towns throughout Israel.In October when the Israelites had settled in their towns,
Nehemiah 8:1-3 NLT
1 all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey. 2 So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. 3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:8 NLT
8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.
Nehemiah 8:12 NLT
12 So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.
2. God’s Word is the GPS leading me to the fixed point.
Nehemiah 8:13-14 NLT
13 On October 9 the family leaders of all the people, together with the priests and Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to go over the Law in greater detail. 14 As they studied the Law, they discovered that the Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month.
Nehemiah 8:16-17 NLT
16 So the people went out and cut branches and used them to build shelters on the roofs of their houses, in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God’s Temple, or in the squares just inside the Water Gate and the Ephraim Gate. 17 So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy! The Israelites had not celebrated like this since the days of Joshua son of Nun.
3. Obedience is the driver determining my direction.
_____________________
START TALKING
When have you been lost or needed to find some place or something and knowing a fixed point helped you know how close or how far away you were? How did that fixed point, which never moved, help guide you in the right direction?
START THINKING
Read Nehemiah 7:1-2. What leadership principles do you see Nehemiah is using in how he sets up the leadership structure of Jerusalem? (Hint: does he try to do everything himself?) What implications does this have for us in our micro church? What does it mean for our larger church family, too?
Read Nehemiah 7:4. How did Nehemiah using the covenant relationship with God as his fixed point, including all of the four major covenants that were in place at that time, help him to see exactly where he and the Israelites were in this verse? If he didn't have the covenant as his fixed point, how might he have interpreted this differently?
Read Nehemiah 7:5. Where did Nehemiah's solution and plan come from? What does this teach you and us about where our plan should come from when we determine where we are in relation to the covenant?
START SHARING
Read Nehemiah 8:1-12. Why do you think they were weeping? When have you experienced that kind of reaction when you understood something about God's word?
Now read John 3:17. How do you think this lines up with the Israelites being told to not weep but rejoice? When do you feel condemned by what you read in God's word, when the reality is God wants you to see forgiveness and grace as the result rather than the condemnation you feel?
Read Nehemiah 8:13-14. What is something that you discovered when you've read the Scriptures that surprised you or that you had never noticed before? What did you do? How did it change you as it brought you closer to the covenantal relationship with Jesus?
Read Nehemiah 8:16-17. When they understood God's word, they did what it said to do. This brought them closer to the fixed point! When have you experienced that obedience, even when it didn't make sense, brought you joy and an experience with God you hadn't had before? When have you disobeyed and experienced the pain and consequence of doing it your way and on your own?
START DOING
What will you do this week to not only read, but discover and understand God's word in a way that will take you closer to Him? What is a plan that helps you have a system or pattern for reading and understanding His word?
What do you sense the Holy Spirit is telling you to do, and what will you do about it?
How can we help each other move closer to the fixed point of covenant relationship with Jesus through following His word as our GPS and being obedient to get there?
More About the Five Key Covenants
Click here to read more about why the covenants are so important to us and the Gospel! Find a time this week to talk to someone and share how this understanding helps you to better grasp the fixed point that God has for you!
https://bibleproject.com/blog/covenants-the-backbone-bible/
START PRAYING
Pray for each person in the micro church to following the plan that God has for them by being diligent to study His word and to do what it says. Pray that we will do this in community and together just like the Israelites did in these chapters. Pray that we will all be the "2%" who are willing to take risks to trust Jesus and follow Him no matter what the cost!
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
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