Encounter - Sundays

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read 1 Cor. 3:1-9. What is God’s Word saying to you? What stands out to you in this passage? Paul was concerned that these believers in Corinth were staying on a diet of spiritual milk instead of meat (v. 1-3). What are some specific examples of Christians today, that seem to stay (or get stuck) in the “milk” stage of their spiritual development? On that same note, what are some specific things we can/ should be doing to move onto the “meat” stage (or “solid food”) of our discipleship? Or in other words, what are the deepest, most mature things we are called to in our pursuit of Jesus? Another thing Paul was trying to teach and correct the Corinthian church about was how much they were comparing and competing with each other. What is one area of your life that you struggle with comparison? What is one area you feel you are competing with someone? How do you feel God would want you to act in these situations? One of the big traps we can fall into when we are spreading God’s love, is be

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read Colossians 1:15-22. What is God’s Word saying to you in this passage? What is God’s heart for His people?How would you describe Jesus?... Who was He? Why did He come? What did He do? What did He teach? What was the toughest claim He made?What are some practical ways that we can make Jesus the focus of our lives? To make Him central, our top priority, and truly the Lord of our lives?Celebrating 10 years of God’s faithfulness at Encounter... What do you love most about our church? What areas are we strongest in? Weakest in?What would you love to see God do with us as a church in the next 10 years?Who is one person that you’d love to see come to Encounter?Close in prayer- asking God to open up doors to bring those specific people to church... and praising God for His faithfulness for the first decade of Encounter.

Go Deeper//Find Your Identity in Christ, Not the WorldThe world measures worth by success, wealth, and influence, but God chooses the weak and lowly. This week, take time to reflect on where you find your sense of worth. Meditate on 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 and Jeremiah 9:23-24, and ask God to help you boast only in Him. //Trust in God’s Wisdom Over Human WisdomThe cross seems foolish to the world, but it is the power of salvation. When facing decisions, struggles, or cultural pressures, lean on God’s wisdom through Scripture and prayer instead of relying solely on popular opinion or personal reasoning (Proverbs 3:5-6). //Rely on the Holy Spirit, Not Personal StrengthPaul didn’t depend on polished speeches but on the Spirit’s power. This week, as you share your faith, serve in ministry, or face challenges, pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you rather than trusting in your own abilities (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read 1 Cor. 1:10-17. What is God’s Word saying to you? What stands out to you in this passage? From the passage above, what was the issue that they were fighting over? Have you seen that same issue in the church over the last few decades? Or anything close to it? Explain. Read Eph. 4:1-6. “You’re on the same team,” was a big point in the sermon. Why is it so difficult to remember this in moments of conflict? Who is your real enemy? Is it your friends and family? Is it fellow believers? If not, how can you transfer your anger and indifference away from them, and onto your real enemy? What is your common identity and purpose with other disciples of Jesus? Read James 4:1. What would you specifically say makes you quarrel the most? (What triggers you or makes you most mad so that you fight?) In John 17, when Jesus was praying in the garden just before he went to the cross, his #1 prayer for His followers was that they would be one. That they would be unified. Clearly... this is VERY impor

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS How have you seen God work over the last few months in your life?Of the various kinds of grace which one spoke to you and impacted you most?In your story when or where did the grace of God see you?Share a time when you recognize it had to be God’s grace that worked in your life or your situation.Personally, how did God’s grace change your heart? Of the action steps to grow in grace which one can you commit to and how?DIG DEEPER Common Grace is given indiscriminately to all people.Psa 145:9; Mat 5:45Prevenient Grace - the grace that goes before salvationJoh 6:45Saving Grace - the grace that saves usEph 2:8Justifying Grace - “Just as if I never sinned.”Rom 3:23-24Sanctifying Grace - the grace that transforms us/makes us holy.Tit 2:11-12Sufficient Grace - the grace that meets all our needs.1 Cor 9:8; Heb 4:16Sustaining Grace - the grace to keep on going.1 Pet 5:10

Go DeeperPlaces to serve at Encounter (pretty immediately): Encounter Crew (Sunday Setup/Teardown)Contact: Oliver Delacruzdelacruz.mailbox@gmail.comEncounter KidsContact: Jenni Quituguajenni@encountermv.comEncounter Production (Audio/Visual)Contact: Matt Sonnenbergmatt@encountermv.comEncounter HospitalityContact: Dayna Pattisondayna@caofb.comEncounter WorshipContact: Steven Starkstarkbound@hotmail.comEncounter Youth Group (EYG)Contact: Billy Archiebilly@encountermv.com

A THEOLOGY OF THE HOLY SPIRITThe Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit, a member of the Trinity, who works alongside the Father and the Son to make disciples’ lives pleasing to God. He works by pointing us to Christ and empowering our lives. The Spirit of Truth draws and leads you to righteousness, and dwells within you to produce the fullness of Christ in our lives. 2 Cor. 3:17 The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.Ez. 36:27 I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.Rom. 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.1 Cor. 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? Rom. 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.Luke 11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts

EPIC BIBLE VERSES FOR 2025Joshua 1:8-9Ps. 46:1-3Ps. 141:3Prov. 3:5-6Prov. 18:10Is. 26:3Is. 40:31Is. 41:10Is. 43:1-2Jer. 17:7-8Matt. 6:33Luke 9:23John 3:16-18John 16:33Acts 1:8Acts 4:12Rom. 5:8Rom. 8- All of it!Rom. 12- All of it!1 Cor. 13:4-72 Cor. 1:3-42 Cor. 5:17Eph. 2:8-9Eph. 2:19-22Eph. 4:20-24Eph. 5:15-16Eph. 6:10-18Phil. 4:6-7Phil. 4:11-13Col. 2:6-7Col. 3:1-3Col. 3:15-17Col. 4:21 Thes. 5:112 Tim. 1:71 Pet. 5:7

Verse 1Hark! the herald angels sing:"Glory to the newborn King!Peace on earth and mercy mildGod and sinners reconciled"Joyful, all ye nations riseJoin the triumph of the skiesWith angelic hosts proclaim:"Christ is born in Bethlehem"Hark! the herald angels sing:"Glory to the newborn King!"Verse 2Christ by highest Heav'n adoredChrist the everlasting Lord!Late in time behold Him comeOffspring of a Virgin’s wombVeiled in flesh the Godhead see;Hail the incarnate DeityPleased as man with man to dwellJesus, our EmmanuelHark! the herald angels sing:"Glory to the newborn King!"Verse 3Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace!Hail the Son of Righteousness!Light and life to all He bringsRis'n with healing in His wingsMild He lays His glory byBorn that man no more may dieBorn to raise the sons of earthBorn to give them second birthHark! the herald angels sing:"Glory to the newborn King!"

Go DeeperWhile we often take note of Isaiah’s prophecy around this time of year (think Isa 7:14 & 9:6-7) we most likely do so apart from Isaiah’s “Easter Time” Prophecy. This week, as you reflect on living in the anticipation of Christ’s present and coming reign, enjoying the pageants of angels and shepherds, take time to explore Isa 53 as well as 7:14 & 9:6-7. What does reading the Christmas story (Mat 1:18-2:12; Luk 1:26-38, 2:1-20) in light of Isa 53 reveal to you about who God is and how He works? And how does that influence your worship this Christmas season?

O COME, O COME, EMMANUELVerse 1O come, O come, Emmanuel,And ransom captive Israel,That mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appear Verse 3O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, freeThine own from satan’s tyrannyFrom depths of hell Thy people saveAnd give them victory o’er the grave Verse 4O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheerOur spirits by Thine advent hereDisperse the gloomy clouds of nightAnd deaths dark shadows put to flight (Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to you, O Israel)

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSSPECIAL THANKSGIVING EDITION... Going Deeper: How does God’s Word affect your outlook on life this week? Pick one or two verses to memorize or carry around with you this week on an index card.Ps. 69:30 “I will magnify (God) with thanksgiving.”Phil. 4:6 “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.”1 Cor. 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”2 Cor. 9:15 “Thanks be to Christ for His indescribable gift."1 Thes. 5:18 “No matter what happens be thankful for everything for this is God’s will for who belong to Christ Jesus.”Ps. 50:14 “What I want…is your true thanks to God.”Col. 3:17 “Whatever you do or say…do it all while giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”Ps. 35:18 “I will give you thanks in the great assembly among many people.”Ps. 106:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Make a list of 20 things you are thankful for and praise God for them. Why does God

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Going Deeper: Read the following Scriptures. How does God’s Word affect your outlook on life this week? Pick one or two verses to memorize or carry around with you this week on an index card.Ps. 69:30 “I will magnify (God) with thanksgiving.” Phil. 4:6 “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.”1 Cor. 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”2 Cor. 9:15 “Thanks be to Christ for His indescribable gift."Thes. 5:18 “No matter what happens be thankful for everything for this is God’s will for who belong to Christ Jesus.”Ps. 50:14 “What I want...is your true thanks to God.”Col. 3:17 “Whatever you do or say...do it all while giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”Ps. 35:18 “I will give you thanks in the great assembly among many people.”Ps. 106:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Make a list of 20 things you are thankful for and praise God for them. Why does

Together Group Questions The word honor occurs 142X’s in the ESV. What are some of the groups of people God’s Word says to honor? (see 1 Tim 5:3, 1 Pet 3:7, Rom 12:10, 1 Tim 6:1, 1 Tim 5:17, Lev 19:32, Exo 20:12 for examples) What areas of your life do you find it the most difficult to show honor (God, Others, Self)? What are some practical steps you can take toward improving showing honor in these areas this week? Isaiah 29:13 says that some people honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from him. What is the difference between honoring with our lips and honoring with our actions? We just came out of a tumultuous political season. What are practical ways you can honor those with whom you disagree politically? Think of two or three people who are in a position of authority in your life. How are you honoring those people? How could you honor those people in a way that would be meaningful to them? As your group closes, spend some time reflecting on this: Is there a situation or relationship which you