Cell May 22 - Throwing Stones
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
This week, we had a special guest leader for the 10-12 cell group - Shannon.
The lesson this week was a simple one. The story comes out of our continuing study of the Gospel of John. In this case, we were reading from Chapter 8. In this story, a woman is brought before Jesus who has been caught out in a terrible sin - one for which the scriptual penalty is death by stoning.
Jesus basically says "You're right. I tell you what. Whichever of you has never sinned, you throw the first stone. " John tells us the men all felt guilty, and one by one, they left Jesus and the woman alone.
Notice that while the men walked (ran!) away in shame of their sins, the woman did not. She faced the consequences of her actions. Jesus then asked her (in paraphrase) "Where did they all go? Is there anyone left to condemn you? No? Then I won't either. Go try and do better to not sin."
God doesn't care what others say about you. He doesn't expect perfection. He only cares about your heart, and that you try to stay away from sin as hard as you can. Don't worry about others' sins - worry about your own.
Posted byMichael J Mahoney at 8:21 AM 0 comments
Labels: forgiveness, John
Cell May 8 - O Brother!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
This week we had a talk about sibling rivalry. Specifically, we talked about Joseph and the relationship he had with his brothers.
After reading about Joseph in Genesis, we were amused to find he was (in the words of the kids) a rat. A snitch. He dropped dime on his brothers when they goofed off.
His dad liked him best. A little Daddy's boy!
And apparently God liked him better, too. After all, God gave him dreams.
So Joseph's brothers did what any self-respecting older siblings would do. They slapped little Joseph around, threw him in a well, and sold him into slavery.
Years later, when Joseph was a powerful man and his brother's were in need, he had the chance to repay them. Did he? Of course not. Joseph showed his brother's love after what they had done. Does time really heal all wounds? Or does God?
What do you think?
Posted byMichael J Mahoney at 1:46 PM 0 comments
Labels: forgiveness, healing, relationships
Cell May 1 - Sowing Seeds
Monday, May 4, 2009
- The seeds that fall on path are taken by birds. This represents those who hear the Word, and want to respond to it, but they are distracted by things of the world. The devil literally comes and steals the Word from their hearts. These people fall prey to all the disc traction and lies that the crafty devil can throw at them.
- The seeds that fall on the rock grow and die. This represents people who hear the Word, and are joyful; but since the Word really did not take root, it soon dies within them. Maybe you know someone like that, someone who seemed on fire for God, but then that fire faded.
- The seeds that fall in the thorns grow, but are choked. These are the folks who allow the Word to be choked by worries, seeking after riches and looking for life's pleasures. There's nothing wrong with wanting comfort. But when it takes the place of God in our lives, the Word then gets choked off. God does not desire that we spend our days worrying about problems or about what we will get; rather we should seek after Him.
- The seed that falls on good ground grows, multiplies and bears fruit. A healthy plant will grow strong and will bear fruit - flowers, food, whatever. It will continue to multiply. That's how you know it's healthy.
We need to be sure that the Word is firmly planted in the "good and fertile soil" of our hearts.
Posted byMichael J Mahoney at 7:04 AM 0 comments
Labels: evangelism, Satan, word