United We Stand: Equipping the Saints | Dave Mitchell at 7pm | 8 November 2020

8 November 2020 - 7pm Service

United We Stand: Equipping the Saints

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Dave Mitchell on ‘Equipping the Saints’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Tim Dobson speak on the same topic. Go check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Ephesians 4:1-13 and 1 Corinthians 14

A mature Church has mature people, with diverse gifts equipped by a diverse team. Ephesians 4 gives us a template of a ‘five-fold ministry’, a team that equips a Church. The missiologist Alan Hirsch has invested heavily into the five-fold ministry (or APEST) with his 5Q teaching where he suggests this model is for everyone.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. If we are one part of a body to use Paul’s image how do we discover our part, our gift and calling?

2. How would you identify five-fold ministry in Woodlands Church? How much do you feel people who carry a strong gift and calling in one area are able to equip someone like you?

3. Woodlands has a mantra ‘everyone a minister’. Do you think this is a real and possible practice, or just a slogan? How would you define your ministry?

4. How do you feel you need to be ‘equipped’? What methods would suit your personality? If this isn’t happening how could you feedback that to those charged with the task of ‘equipping the saints’?

5. Is there someone you are seeking to ‘equip for ministry’ right now? Who and how?
   

United We Stand: Equipping the Saints | Tim Dobson at 11am | 8 November 2020

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8 November 2020 - 11am Service

United We Stand: Equipping the Saints

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Tim Dobson on ‘Equippin the Saints’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Amy Viner will be sharing with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Ephesians 4:1-13 and 1 Corinthians 14

A mature Church has mature people, with diverse gifts equipped by a diverse team. Ephesians 4 gives us a template of a ‘five-fold ministry’, a team that equips a Church. The missiologist Alan Hirsch has invested heavily into the five-fold ministry (or APEST) with his 5Q teaching where he suggests this model is for everyone.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. If we are one part of a body to use Paul’s image how do we discover our part, our gift and calling?

2. How would you identify five-fold ministry in Woodlands Church? How much do you feel people who carry a strong gift and calling in one area are able to equip someone like you?

3. Woodlands has a mantra ‘everyone a minister’. Do you think this is a real and possible practice, or just a slogan? How would you define your ministry?

4. How do you feel you need to be ‘equipped’? What methods would suit your personality? If this isn’t happening how could you feedback that to those charged with the task of ‘equipping the saints’?

5. Is there someone you are seeking to ‘equip for ministry’ right now? Who and how?

United We Stand: Put It On | Amy Viner at 7pm | 1 November 2020

1 November 2020 - 7pm Service

United We Stand: A House Divided

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Amy Viner on ‘Put It On’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Clare Thompson speak on the same topic. Go check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Ephesians 4:24-26 and Colossians 3:10-15

Unity begins at home! It’s also not a passive thing, it is an active way of life that needs to be embraced and pursued, particularly in our closest relationships. New testament teaching often lands on household relationships. It encourages pro-active Christian living (so pro-active it might feel we are just ‘putting it on’). 

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. These bible passages emphasis the power of speech in guarding unity or creating disunity. What part does speech and other communication (like social media) have in guarding or hurting unity?

2. What are the tensions between being ‘real’ and living with integrity, and the choices to speak well of others, even when you have felt hurt by them or critical of them?

3. What particular discipleship challenges are there for you in your household or family?

4. How do you define the kind of ‘love’ that you ‘put on’?

5. Greg Boyd said ‘It’s more important to treat people right than be right’ What does he mean? Do you agree?

United We Stand: Put It On | Clare Thompson at 11am | 1 November 2020

1 November 2020 - 11am Service

United We Stand: Put It On

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Clare Thompson on ‘Put It On’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Amy Viner will be sharing with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Ephesians 4:24-26 and Colossians 3:10-15

Unity begins at home! It’s also not a passive thing, it is an active way of life that needs to be embraced and pursued, particularly in our closest relationships. New testament teaching often lands on household relationships. It encourages pro-active Christian living (so pro-active it might feel we are just ‘putting it on’). 

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. These bible passages emphasis the power of speech in guarding unity or creating disunity. What part does speech and other communication (like social media) have in guarding or hurting unity?

2. What are the tensions between being ‘real’ and living with integrity, and the choices to speak well of others, even when you have felt hurt by them or critical of them?

3. What particular discipleship challenges are there for you in your household or family?

4. How do you define the kind of ‘love’ that you ‘put on’?

5. Greg Boyd said ‘It’s more important to treat people right than be right’ What does he mean? Do you agree?

United We Stand: A House Divided | Nigel Savage at 11am | 25 October 2020

25 October 2020 - 11am Service

United We Stand: A House Divided

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Nigel Savage on ‘A House Divided’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Jon Wilcox will be sharing with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Luke 11:17

Jesus taught that division weakens and destroys a ‘household’ or organisation, and that it will lose power through division. Has todays Church lost power through its divisions? Historically the Church has divided over apparently trivial things, and theological niceties (e.g. Do we baptise in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit, or in the name of Jesus?). Churches divide most over passionately held beliefs- which is a challenge to zealous Christians!

STUDY QUESTIONS

How can Church celebrate diversity and mutual respect of others, especially when people believe passionately on a particular issue?

1. What things do Churches divide on? Which of these are vulnerabilities for us? (Check out 3 John 1:9, 1 Corinthians 3, 1 Cor 11:22, James 2, Galatians 2:11, Acts 6:1)

2. Why do you think it is said ‘the biggest enemy of revival is the revival that preceded it’? How open are we to the new and fresh?

3. What are the particular problems that Churches face as they grow large around divisions?

4. What does Luke 9:48/Luke 22:24 tell us about division and how to avoid it?

5. How much was the power of the early Church in Acts 4 onwards linked to their unity?

United We Stand: A House Divided | Jon Wilcox at 7pm | 25 October 2020

25 October 2020 - 7pm Service

United We Stand: A House Divided

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Jon Wilcox on ‘A House Divided’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Nigel Savage speak on the same topic. Go check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Luke 11:17

Jesus taught that division weakens and destroys a ‘household’ or organisation, and that it will lose power through division. Has todays Church lost power through its divisions? Historically the Church has divided over apparently trivial things, and theological niceties (e.g. Do we baptise in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit, or in the name of Jesus?). Churches divide most over passionately held beliefs- which is a challenge to zealous Christians!

STUDY QUESTIONS

How can Church celebrate diversity and mutual respect of others, especially when people believe passionately on a particular issue?

1. What things do Churches divide on? Which of these are vulnerabilities for us? (Check out 3 John 1:9, 1 Corinthians 3, 1 Cor 11:22, James 2, Galatians 2:11, Acts 6:1)

2. Why do you think it is said ‘the biggest enemy of revival is the revival that preceded it’? How open are we to the new and fresh?

3. What are the particular problems that Churches face as they grow large around divisions?

4. What does Luke 9:48/Luke 22:24 tell us about division and how to avoid it?

5. How much was the power of the early Church in Acts 4 onwards linked to their unity?

United We Stand: Welcome and Inclusion | Matt Dobson at 7pm | 18 October 2020

18 October 2020 - 7pm Service

United We Stand: Welcome and Inculsion

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Matt Dobson on ‘Welcome and Inclusion’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Rachel Riddall speak on the same topic. Go heck it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Acts 15

Much of the New Testament wrestles with issues around inclusion- of the Gentiles becoming part of the (Jewish heritage) people of God. 

Acts 15 is a key chapter exploring how the early Church managed to incorporate the Gentiles into the Christian family and how they were willing to modify deeply held and cherished practices in the light of what God was doing and deeper revelation and understanding of their mission and calling.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What is the difference between ‘welcome’ and ‘inclusion’?

2. What inclusion issues are there for the Church today?

3. What principles guided practices towards inclusion in Chapter 15 of Acts?

4. How do we in our small groups make space for and include people? What is our strategy for this? How central to our purpose is growth, welcome and inclusion?

5. What biblical guidelines are there for inclusion while holding on to key non negotiables? What might ‘non-negotiables’ be in your understanding? 

United We Stand: Welcome and Inclusion | Rachel Riddall at 11am | 18 October 2020

18 October 2020 - 11am Service

United We Stand: Welcome and Inculsion

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Rachel Riddall on ‘Welcome and Inclusion’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Matt Dobson will be sharing with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Acts 15

Much of the New Testament wrestles with issues around inclusion- of the Gentiles becoming part of the (Jewish heritage) people of God. 

Acts 15 is a key chapter exploring how the early Church managed to incorporate the Gentiles into the Christian family and how they were willing to modify deeply held and cherished practices in the light of what God was doing and deeper revelation and understanding of their mission and calling.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What is the difference between ‘welcome’ and ‘inclusion’?

2. What inclusion issues are there for the Church today?

3. What principles guided practices towards inclusion in Chapter 15 of Acts?

4. How do we in our small groups make space for and include people? What is our strategy for this? How central to our purpose is growth, welcome and inclusion?

5. What biblical guidelines are there for inclusion while holding on to key non negotiables? What might ‘non-negotiables’ be in your understanding? 

United We Stand: Body Image | Rob Scott-Cook at 7pm | 11 October 2020

11 October 2020 - 7pm Service

United We Stand - Body Image

This Sunday we celebrated Woodies’ 25th birthday! We also started our new preaching series United We Stand with a message from Rob Scott-Cook on ‘Body Image’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Earlier today Dave Mitchell also spoke about this topic. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Introduction:

The apostle Paul loves to compare the Church with the human body made up of different parts. In 1st Corinthians he challenges the Church which is ‘the body of Christ’ about its disunity. He reflects on the physical sickness among the Church as a sign of its spiritual sickness because of disunity, especially when it meets to share communion which should be a sign of unity (11:17-34). He says ‘your meetings do more harm than good’ and calls the Church to recognise how the different parts need one another. He challenges disunity on the basis of personalities, race and socio-economic factors.

Questions:

Read 1 Corinthians 11-14.

1. In the individualistic culture of the C21 what attitudes to Church and community would Paul challenge if he was speaking directly to us today?

2. In what ways do you think your attitudes and lifestyle contribute to the health or sickness of the whole Church?

3. How important is ou runity to God (John17).
   Why?
   How does it affect the mission and message of the Church?

4. It’s one thing for a local Church to be united - it’s another thing for a group of Churches or the Church in a city or region to be united. How would you assess our unity as Church in the City? Is there competition and rivalry? Is competition among churches ever healthy?

5. This Sunday we celebrate 25 years of Woodlands Central Church as a place of worship. A core value of Woodlands is ‘unity’ both as a group of Churches and within the City. How would you assess the legacy of Woodies and what would your prayer be for the future?

United We Stand: Body Image | Dave Mitchell at 11am | 11 October 2020

11 October 2020 - 11am Service

United We Stand - Body Image

This Sunday we celebrated Woodies’ 25th birthday! We also started our new preaching series United We Stand with a message from Tim Mitchell on ‘Body Image’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Rob Scott Cook will be sharing with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Introduction:

The apostle Paul loves to compare the Church with the human body made up of different parts. In 1st Corinthians he challenges the Church which is ‘the body of Christ’ about its disunity. He reflects on the physical sickness among the Church as a sign of its spiritual sickness because of disunity, especially when it meets to share communion which should be a sign of unity (11:17-34). He says ‘your meetings do more harm than good’ and calls the Church to recognise how the different parts need one another. He challenges disunity on the basis of personalities, race and socio-economic factors.

Questions:

Read 1 Corinthians 11-14.

1. In the individualistic culture of the C21 what attitudes to Church and community would Paul challenge if he was speaking directly to us today?

2. In what ways do you think your attitudes and lifestyle contribute to the health or sickness of the whole Church?

3. How important is ou runity to God (John17).
   Why?
   How does it affect the mission and message of the Church?

4. It’s one thing for a local Church to be united - it’s another thing for a group of Churches or the Church in a city or region to be united. How would you assess our unity as Church in the City? Is there competition and rivalry? Is competition among churches ever healthy?

5. This Sunday we celebrate 25 years of Woodlands Central Church as a place of worship. A core value of Woodlands is ‘unity’ both as a group of Churches and within the City. How would you assess the legacy of Woodies and what would your prayer be for the future?