July 1 – 7

Weekly Reading for July 1 – 7

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: No Filter
Sermon Title: The Image Restored

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on July 8, 2018:


Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: No Filter
Sermon Title: The Image Broken
Delivered On: July 1, 2018

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Memorize and Reflect

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28)


Prayer Direction

Spend time reflecting on and giving thanks for the gift of creation. Consider and give thanks for the way that God created humans to think, relate, create and live in this world. Specifically give thanks for members of your family, friends and coworkers by name. Also, spend time in confession, recognizing ways you may not be living out the intentions God has for your life or obeying his commands.


“Live It!” Challenge

Live Gratefully Make a commitment to recognize and record at least one aspect of nature and one characteristic or action of a friend for which you are grateful this week. Commit to offering prayers of gratitude for these things and directing a word of blessing towards your friend.


Small Group Discussion

  1. Read: Genesis 1:1-19. As a group, list and define at least four characteristics of God that are revealed in this account of creation. How does creation manifest these divine attributes? How have you personally encountered one of these attributes of God in your own life?

  2. Talk about a time in your life when you experienced awe and wonder. What were you doing? What was it like?

  3. Read: Psalm 19. Describe the response of the Psalmist to the beauty of creation. How is this a model for what worship should be? What is the connection between Creation and the Word of God? What is the Psalmist’s attitude towards God’s Word?

  4. When is the last time you found deep delight in reading Scripture? What caused you to enjoy it so much? Has there been a time recently where a command from Scripture has caused you to feel a level of conviction or sense a need for change?

  5. Read: Romans 1:18-22. In light of this verse, respond to the following statement: Sin starts with false worship. Spend time discussing the statement. What does it mean? Do you agree? Why or why not? Have you seen evidence in your own experience for this?

  6. Read: Romans 7:18-20. Paul talks about the “sin nature” having power in our lives. Many people in our culture think that people are essentially good. How do you think Paul would respond to that? Based on the other readings for the week, how would Scripture as a whole respond to that? Does this mean that people are wholly evil? What evidence for the “sin nature” have you encountered in your own experience?

  7. As a community of believers, how does the biblical teaching about the origins of sin help us have compassion for those struggling with addiction and/or other self-destructive behavior? How could your experience of fighting against the sin nature help you walk with someone seeking to overcome their own area of struggle?

  8. Read: Genesis 1:1-19. As a group, list and define at least four characteristics of God that are revealed in this account of creation. How does creation manifest these divine attributes? How have you personally encountered one of these attributes of God in your own life?

  9. Talk about a time in your life when you experienced awe and wonder. What were you doing? What was it like?

  10. Read: Psalm 19. Describe the response of the Psalmist to the beauty of creation. How is this a model for what worship should be? What is the connection between Creation and the Word of God? What is the Psalmist’s attitude towards God’s Word?

  11. When is the last time you found deep delight in reading Scripture? What caused you to enjoy it so much? Has there been a time recently where a command from Scripture has caused you to feel a level of conviction or sense a need for change?

  12. Read: Romans 1:18-22. In light of this verse, respond to the following statement: Sin starts with false worship. Spend time discussing the statement. What does it mean? Do you agree? Why or why not? Have you seen evidence in your own experience for this?

  13. Read: Romans 7:18-20. Paul talks about the “sin nature” having power in our lives. Many people in our culture think that people are essentially good. How do you think Paul would respond to that? Based on the other readings for the week, how would Scripture as a whole respond to that? Does this mean that people are wholly evil? What evidence for the “sin nature” have you encountered in your own experience?

  14. As a community of believers, how does the biblical teaching about the origins of sin help us have compassion for those struggling with addiction and/or other self-destructive behavior? How could your experience of fighting against the sin nature help you walk with someone seeking to overcome their own area of struggle?