Brandon Martel

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All Nations Church

Life Group Study

Joy to the World

Week of November 28^th, 2021

Study by Wayne Arcand

In this study we will explore the concept of joy. All too often our focus is on the cares of the day and we forget the blessings in our life. But, as we will see in the first few verses of James 1, even our troubles serve a purpose. We will then have a look at Psalm 100. Over the last three weeks I have returned to this Psalm frequently. I hope you find as much inspiration in this Psalm as I have.

1. It is interesting that in the NIV version of the Bible, “happy” is mentioned just 20 times while “joy” and “joyful” is mentioned 242 times.
   1. Discuss the difference between “happy” and “joy”.
   2. What does the difference in the number of times “joy” and “happy” are mentioned suggest about the importance of each emotion?

James 1 (NIV):² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

2. We are often ready to make sacrifices in time, work or personal hardship to attain an education, job, possession, holiday or a goal that we believe will bring us joy. But when faced with hardships, trials, sacrifices that are not of our choosing we look at things differently.
   1. Who is this passage written to?
   2. Generally speaking, what is your first reaction when faced with a trial?
      1. Does verse 2 and 3 of James 1 cause you to rethink that reaction?
      2. What is the likelihood we will face trials?

• What is the value in the trials we face in this world?

1. What does the phrase, “the testing of your faith produces perseverance” mean to you?
2. Am I in a situation now that I need to rethink as a result of these verses?

3. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:
   1. Look at each phrase and discuss the meaning and/or the purpose of our trials, or afflictions as they are referred to in 2 Corinthians.

4. 1 Peter 1:5-7:
   1. What encouragement can we take from verse 5?
   2. What are we rejoicing in?
   3. What does Peter tell us the purpose of our trials are?

5. Discuss the connection between James 1:4 and 1 Peter 1:7.
   1. Is this a source of encouragement? Why?

6. Read Psalm 100 below:
   1. Note each phrase that is an action we are to undertake. Why are we to take the actions described in these verses? What do you base your answer on?
   2. What words or phrases support the joy we are to experience?
   3. Which verse in Psalm 100 resonates most with you?

Psalm 100 (NIV)

¹ Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²     Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

For Reflection:

Consider Romans 8: ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is the confidence we have as a child of God. Believing this promise fills us with the joy of the Lord. As I look back over today’s study, there are many reasons we have to rejoice in the midst of our trials. As a person who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour and believe in the life-giving, saving sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary, how can I not rejoice that my God loves me enough to bring me to maturity in him.

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All Nations Church

Life Group Study

Sailing with Noah Makes Me Try Harder

Week of November 21^st, 2021

Study by Wayne Arcand

I have always found the story of Noah to be fascinating from a number of perspectives. There is a interesting parallel between the story of Noah and the story of Lot in Genesis 19. Both Noah and Lot were men of God who remained faithful in a wicked culture. As a result of their faithfulness, God saved them when he brought judgement on the wicked. Meeting in our Life Groups and gathering together on Sundays to worship the Lord is a great way to mutually encourage one another as we live in a world that is increasingly anti-Christ. It is easy to feel alone and isolated when not gathering with the family of God for weekly worship or gathering through the week in your Life Group. I am reminded of 1 Kings 19:18, when Elisha was feeling as if he was the only one who still served the LORD. The LORD told him that he was not alone. In the words of scripture the LORD said, “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Let us be counted among those who are faithful.

This study is based on Genesis 6: 5-22.

1. Consider the phrase from verse 5, “that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time”.
   1. What does this tell us about the life focus at that time?
   2. What does this suggest about man’s relationship with God?

2. As we look at verses 6 and 7, what do we learn about God?
   1. Why did He regret having made human beings?
   2. What do you think God was looking for from human beings?

1. How do you think they were able to do it?
2. How do we live a life that is not influenced by the world around us?

3. Consider verses 8 and 9. How often do we use terms and almost intuitively have a feeling for what they mean, but when asked to define the word or term, we have to think about it. Let’s look at verse 9 and develop a clear understanding of some key phrases.
   1. How did Noah find favour in God’s eyes?
   2. What does it mean to be a “righteous man, blameless among the people”?
   3. What does it mean to “walk faithfully with God”?
   4. How difficult do you think it would have been for Noah and his family to live the life described at that time?
   5. What evidence is there in the balance of this chapter of Noah’s character as described in verse 9?

4. As we read verses 11 to 21, there are at least three principles we can explore:
   1. God punishes the wicked.
   2. God saves those who love him.

• God provides in his unique way.

1. How are each of these principles demonstrated in these verses?
2. Can you find a New Testament verse that supports these principles as they would apply to the world today. What is the verse? What is the parallel?

5. The size of the ark was to be about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high or about 135 meters long, 23 meters wide and 14 meters high.
   1. What experience do you think Noah would have had to prepare him for the task God called him to?
   2. Where did the knowledge and ability to carry out God’s command come from?
   3. Can God accomplish the impossible through us? What does this require on our part?

6. Considering the time Noah lived in, the scope of the project, the time frame it took to build the ark, and then the final gathering of feed, food and animals into the ark:
   1. What do you think Noah and his family would have endured from the people living in the area?
   2. What does this tell us about their character that they would continue to be obedient to God through this time frame?

7. Verse 22 is beautiful in it’s simplicity and yet it tells us so much about Noah and his relationship with God.
   1. What does this verse mean to you?

For Reflection:

We live in a world that has a much different view of correctness than the Lord does as taught to us in the Word of God. The question is, do I have the relationship with God and a support network that will keep me walking faithfully with my Saviour? If we try to do it in our own strength we will fail. But, 1 John 4:4 tells us, “⁴ You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  And Philippians 4 tells us, “¹³ I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.” (NCV) To reiterate an opening statement in this study, “Let me be counted among those who are faithful”.

All Nations Church

Life Group Study

Your Ordinary becomes His Extraordinary

Week of November 14^th, 2021

Study by Wayne Arcand

When we are in the midst of our troubles, it may be difficult to see the hand of God working to protect us, guide us, provide for us and bring about an outcome that glorifies him. But, when we look back, we can often point to specific events or turning points that brought us to where you are now – a child of God saved by grace. The life of Moses is very interesting in that we can look back and see God moulding and shaping his life to be ready to fulfill the task of leading God’s people out of a life of slavery.

We will explore some of the events that shaped Moses life.

1. Read Exodus Chapter 2 to give the background for this study.
   1. What was happening in Egypt at that time?
   2. Who were the parents of Moses?
   3. Does it strike you as odd that the daughter of Pharoah would want to raise a Hebrew baby that was found hidden in the reeds?
      1. What do you think would have motivated her?

2. In Exodus 2:11-22, what might you learn about the character of Moses at that time?
   1. What does verse 22 suggest about Moses state of mind?

3. In Exodus 2:23-25, we learn some key characteristics of God.
   1. What are they?
   2. What have you learned that might apply to your life or situation?

Exodus 3:

Too often we are so focused on us and our problems that we don’t take the time to see the big picture, the God picture. Perhaps our focus should be on, what does God want to do through me as a result of my situation?

4. How did God get Moses attention?

5. What do verses 4 to 6 tell us:
   1. About God?
   2. About Moses?

6. There are some key phrases in verses 7 to 10 that tell us a lot about how God works. Identify each of these key phrases and describe what they tell us about God.
   1. Describe the progression in the actions that God took.
   2. Is there an important principle in verse 10?
      1. If yes, does it still apply today?
      2. Can you give examples?

7. What do you learn about Moses in verses 11 to 15?
   1. Can you identify with Moses?
   2. How did God respond to Moses questions?
      1. What lesson is there for us in this exchange between God and Moses?

8. What life lessons do you think Moses would have learned living the life of a shepherd?
   1. How would this have compared to living a life as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter?
   2. What skills do you think he might have learned while living in Pharaoh’s household?

9. Discuss how Moses life experiences shaped him for the task God was calling him to.

10. We are all at different stages of our walk with the Lord. Some of us are just starting out. Some have been on the journey for some time. The Lord has a general calling for us as his children, but he may also have a specific calling using the spiritual gifts and abilities he has given us. God spoke to Moses from the burning bush. He spoke to Nehemiah by giving him a concern for his people.
    1. How does God speak to us now?
       1. Is it more likely to be a Moses or a Nehemiah experience?
       2. How do we know that the Lord may be calling us to do something?
    2. Has the Lord called you to a specific area of service – in your church or perhaps in the community? What has he given you a concern for?
    3. What spiritual gifts or abilities has he given you that would allow you to do what he is laying on your heart?

For Personal Reflection:

What is my response when God lays it on my heart to do something? Do I react like Moses when he said, “who am I that I should go”? or do I react with the response of Isaiah when he said, “here I am, send me”? What makes the difference in how I respond to God’s call on my life?