NC Blog http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:36:02 GMT en-us Copyright 2010 Neighborhood Church No NC Worship Gathering Tonight http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/no-nc-worship-gathering-tonight/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/no-nc-worship-gathering-tonight/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:36:02 GMT In light of holiday travel, there will be no worship gathering tonight.  Enjoy your holiday!

]]> How to Study the Bible http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/how-to-study-the-bible/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/how-to-study-the-bible/ Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:34:10 GMT The notes and audio from last week's message on Bible study principles can be found here and here.

]]> New Article - An Intro to Ephesians http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/new-article-an-intro-to-ephesians/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/new-article-an-intro-to-ephesians/ Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:12:41 GMT Here

]]> Reminder: No NC Worship Gathering this Sunday Night http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/reminder-no-nc-worship-gathering-this-sunday-night/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/reminder-no-nc-worship-gathering-this-sunday-night/ Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:32:05 GMT Just a reminder that we will not be having our normal worship gathering this Sunday night.

]]> No Worship Gathering this Sunday Night http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/no-worship-gathering-this-sunday-night/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/no-worship-gathering-this-sunday-night/ Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:07:00 GMT Because it's the 4th of July this Sunday night, we will not be having our normal worship gathering.

]]> Change in Location this Sunday Night http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/change-in-location-this-sunday-night/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/change-in-location-this-sunday-night/ Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:39:22 GMT On June 20 Neighborhood Church will be meeting with Cooper Church at Otherlands (641 S. Cooper).  KidsPlace will be at Robert and Mandy's house (923 Philadelphia St).  Kids can be dropped off at 5:45.  Things will get started a little after 6:00 at Otherlands.  I've been told that if you would like to order coffee you should get there before 6:00.

]]> Summer Discussion Groups http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/summer-discussion-groups/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/summer-discussion-groups/ Tue, 15 Jun 2010 05:52:30 GMT Our last community groups for the summer will be this Wednesday night.  We'll then be taking two weeks off, and then will be offering three different book groups that will run through the month of July.  Here are some details:

 

For the month of July, we will be offering three different book groups on Wednesday nights from 6:00-7:30 (no meals this time!)  The following links describe each book.

As soon as you know which group you'd like to participate in, e-mail mandygrisham@gmail.com so we can have a headcount.

*Childcare for all groups will be held at the Grisham's home beginning at 5:45 p.m. for a small donation. Please let us know if you will need childcare.

]]> Membership Class http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/membership-class/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/membership-class/ Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:50:33 GMT Our first membership class will be this Sunday night, from 4:00-5:00.  Childcare will be provided.  

]]> Community Group Questions - 04/07/10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-040710/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-040710/ Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:47:42 GMT Do you tend to identify more with the younger brother or the older brother?
  • What is the primary message to both brothers/groups?
  • Why is it just as important to repent of our righteousness as it is to repent of our sin?
  • How did God speak to you through the message?
    • ]]>         Holy Week Readings http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/holy-week-readings/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/holy-week-readings/ Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:27:14 GMT Sunday

    John 12:12-19

     

    Monday

    John 12:20-36

     

    Tuesday

    Matthew 26:1-16

     

    Wednesday

    John 13:1-17

     

    Thursday

    Mark 14:12-25

    Mark 14:32-42

     

    Friday

    Mark 15:1-20

    Mark 15:21-41

     

    Saturday

    Mark 15:42-47

     

    Sunday

    Luke 24:1-12

    ]]>         Good Friday Contemplative Service http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/good-friday-contemplative-service/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/good-friday-contemplative-service/ Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:27:50 GMT Power.  Mystery.  Sorrow.  Joy.  Victory.  Come feel the freedom to contemplate and respond personally to the miraculous and sacrificial work of Christ Jesus on the cross this Good Friday.  The Chapel will be a sacred space open to all for individual reflection and worship from 7-8:30pm.  Guided readings, meditations, and prayers will be available for personal direction if desired.

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 03/24/10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-032410/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-032410/ Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:42:14 GMT Why is it important to see the Kingdom as "Already" and "Not Yet", rather than simply choosing one over the other?
  • Most people fall into one of two extremes when it comes to Satan.  Either they give him too much credit or they don't give him enough credit.  Where have you been when it comes to this?
  • What is the most important thing that God has been teaching you when it comes to His Kingdom?
    • ]]>         Community Group Questions - 03/17/10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-031710/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-031710/ Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:48:42 GMT Read Exodus 20.  Why do we have a difficult time taking the fourth commandment as serious as, say, the sixth commandment?
  • What is one thing that you're wrestling with as a result of Sunday night's teaching?
  • What is one thing that you need to change in order to better live out Jesus' teaching on work and rest?
    • ]]>         Community Group Questions - 03/10/10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-031010/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-031010/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:13:57 GMT Re-read Mark 4:26-29.  What is the most comforting thing about this story?  What is challenging about it?
  • How do you describe the difference between advancing/building God's Kingdom vs. entering/receiving it?
  • How are you when it comes to discerning where God is working and joining Him?  Is this a new concept?  Does it resonate with you?  

    •  

    The Subversive Kingdom of God
  • What does it mean to say that the Kingdom of God advances in a subversive manner?
  • Christendom or Post-Christendom: Why does this matter? 
    • ]]>         Community Group Questions - 03/03/10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-030310/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-030310/ Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:25:46 GMT What is one thing that you learned about the Kingdom of God through Sunday night's teaching?
  • Read Luke 8:1 and Acts 28:30-31.  What do you learn about the kingdom through these two passages?
  • Do you know who the Bible says was the first preacher of the gospel?  Read Galatians 3:8.  What does this have to say about our study on the gospel and the kingdom?
  • What would change in your life if you saw yourself as an ambassador of God's Kingdom?
  • Can you communicate the good news of the kingdom to someone?
    • ]]>         Quotes from Sunday's Message http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/quotes-from-sundays-message/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/quotes-from-sundays-message/ Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:36:05 GMT Here are two of the quotes from last night's worship gathering.

    Rick McKinley: Pay attention, Jesus was saying, because in a mysterious but powerful way, the condition of your heart radically dictates what the kingdom is going to look like in your life.  If you wrap all your hopes and dreams around it and let it sink far into your inner being, the kingdom of Jesus will live in you and bear fruit.

    John Piper: If you don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 02/10/10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-021010/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-021010/ Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:37:51 GMT Do you struggle to believe that God can use you?  What would be different about your life if you truly began to believe that God could use you in a massive way?
  • What did you like about Peter's story?  What did you dislike?  What questions did it raise?  How did God speak to you?
  • Peter, his companions, and the crowd were all astonished by what Jesus did.  Only Peter and a few others put feet to their astonishment, though.  It took courage and sounded crazy at the time, but it changed their lives.  When was the last time you took a step of obedience that seemed utterly foolish at the time, but in which you've seen God use that step to bless you or to bless others?
  • How free are you today?  Do you feel like your life is up to you?  Do you find yourself trying to initiate?  What do you need to surrender to God?
    • ]]>         Community Group Questions - 02/03/10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-020310/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-020310/ Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:15:09 GMT Rather than give a set of questions this week, I want to give a list of topics that you can talk about in your community groups

    • Sacrificial generosity
    • Having balance in dependence and independence on others when it comes to providing for our basic needs 
    • Wise reasons to save money vs. foolish reasons to save money
    • We are called to fight injustice and to be generous, but we are also called to enjoy what God has lavishly given us.  Finding balance is tricky
    • What have you heard God saying to you during this series on money?

     

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 01/27/10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-012710/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-012710/ Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:41:39 GMT 1.  The question we asked on Sunday night was, "Why did Jesus feel it necessary to address money, and the issues surrounding money, so frequently?"  How have you answered this question in the past?

    2.  The first point we made in answering this question was that money affects our daily lives more than just about anything that Jesus talked about.  How does this answer the question?

    3.  The second point made was that money is powerful.  In Luke 16:13 Jesus says that we can serve God or we can serve money, but we can't serve both.  Do you believe that money exerts a power?  Why is this verse important?

    4.  Why did Jesus respond to the rich young ruler in the way that he did (Luke 18:18-30)?

    5.  What is the primary thing that you've heard God saying to you over these last few weeks as we've looked at what Jesus had to say about money?

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 01-20-10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-01-20-10/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-01-20-10/ Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:04:08 GMT 1.  Why is the question, "Am I an owner or manager?" so important?

    2.  Out of the eight points of application mentioned on Sunday night (and found here), which is most challenging to you?  Why?

    3.  If you were one of those chosen to receive $100, what was your reaction?  What have your initial thoughts been since receiving the $100?

    ]]>         Jesus on Money - Passages in Luke on God's Economy http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/jesus-on-money-passages-in-luke-on-gods-economy/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/jesus-on-money-passages-in-luke-on-gods-economy/ Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:51:38 GMT Luke's Gospel is filled with teachings of Jesus on the subject of money.  Here are the majority of those Scripture passages.

    ]]>         The Kingdom Assignment - Three Conditions http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/the-kingdom-assignment-three-conditions/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/the-kingdom-assignment-three-conditions/ Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:48:35 GMT You must understand and agree that this is not your money.  It is the Master's money and He has entrusted it to you.
  • You are to manage, multiply, and invest this money as a steward in some way that advances God's Kingdom agenda in the world.
  • In three months (on 4/11/10), you will come back and share what happened to the initial investment.
    • ]]>         Parable of the Ten Minas - Application http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/parable-of-the-ten-minas-application/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/parable-of-the-ten-minas-application/ Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:46:32 GMT You are a manager, not an owner
  • You are responsible to steward well all that God has entrusted to you
  • God expects a good return on his investment.  And what is his investment?
  • You:  Time, Treasure & Talents
  • At its core, this story is about trust and obedience.  Trust that God knows what He's doing and obedience that flows from that trust.
  • God is serious about this obedience, and judges those who refuse to obey
  • On the flip side, God richly rewards the faithful
  • This story is not about getting into the Kingdom.  It's about the way we live in it.
    • ]]>         Community Group Questions - 01/13/10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-011310/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-011310/ Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:31:52 GMT 1.  Why is it taboo in our society to talk about money?  Should it be this way for us as followers of Christ?

    2.  What do you think about the statement that Darin made: "It's not that we don't care for the poor, it's that we don't know the poor"?

    3.  Does Memphis rejoice when God's people prosper (Proverbs 11:10)?

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 01/06/10 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-010610/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-010610/ Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:28:36 GMT 1.  Why do you think Jesus chose Isaiah 61 as the text for his first recorded sermon?  What message was he trying to get across?

    2.  What was the key verse in this passage?  What makes it "key"?

    3.  What caused the people listening to Jesus to go from marvel to wrath? 

    4.  Why do we as Christians so often separate good words (evangelism) from good deeds (social concern)?

    5.  What was Jesus' response to this?

    6.  What does it look like to be a Christian that does both of these well?  A church?

    ]]>         Community Groups - this week http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-groups-this-week/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-groups-this-week/ Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:21:39 GMT Our community groups resume this week.  Email info@ncmidtown.com for more details.

    ]]>         No Community Groups Tonight http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/no-community-groups-tonight/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/no-community-groups-tonight/ Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:39:41 GMT No community groups either this week or next.  Have a merry Christmas!

    ]]>         Advent Conspiracy Press Release http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/advent-conspiracy-press-release/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/advent-conspiracy-press-release/ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:23:45 GMT NC's involvement with Advent Conspiracy was featured in Saturday's Commercial Appeal.  Unfortunately, it's not online, so I've posted it on my blog.  You can read it here.

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 12/16/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-121609/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-121609/ Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:23:36 GMT 1.  What were the three themes that we looked at in this week's sermon?

    2.  Read back over Luke 1:5-25.  What do you think about Zechariah's response to Gabriel's message?  What would your response have been?

    3.  Read back over Luke 1:26-38.  How does Mary's response to Gabriel differ from Zechariah's?

    4.  We learn that John the Baptist's purpose is to go before and prepare God's people for the coming of Christ.  What does this mean?

    5.  What do you like about God's plan here?  What do you dislike?

    6.  What is the role of repentance in God's plan?

    ]]>         God has a Plan http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/god-has-a-plan/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/god-has-a-plan/ Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:15:13 GMT New sermon uploaded:  God has a Plan, Luke 1.

    http://www.ncmidtown.com/resources/sermons/

    ]]>         Luke Series Pt. 2 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/luke-series-pt-2/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/luke-series-pt-2/ Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:35:25 GMT Tomorrow night we continue with part two of our series on the Gospel of Luke.  We'll be looking at the events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist.  

    ]]>         Advent Conspiracy Events Tomorrow http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/advent-conspiracy-events-tomorrow/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/advent-conspiracy-events-tomorrow/ Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:32:27 GMT Just a reminder that tomorrow morning we'll be having the Cookies & Crafts Brunch and the Men's Service Projects.  See our Events page for more details.

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 12/09/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-120909/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-120909/ Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:36:05 GMT 1.  Why do we have incomplete or even faulty beliefs about Jesus?  Where do those come from?

    2.  What can we do to overcome them?

    3.  What assumptions about Jesus do you bring to this study?

    4.  Would you agree with the assessment that Christians are often a stumbling block to Jesus?  Why or why not?

    5.  What do you think about the following statement:  Christianity doesn't have relevance because it's lost its influence.  And it's lost its influence because we have ceased resembling Jesus.

    6.  Turn the statement around.  If we resembled Christ more closely, do you think it would lead to us as His followers having more influence?  Would this make Christianity more relevant?

     

    ]]>         No Community Groups Tonight http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/no-community-groups-tonight/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/no-community-groups-tonight/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:52:38 GMT No community groups tonight.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 

    ]]>         24 Hours of Prayer http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/24-hours-of-prayer/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/24-hours-of-prayer/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:50:01 GMT The prayer guide for our 24 Hours of Prayer can be found here.

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 11/04/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-110409/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-110409/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:55:28 GMT Louie Giglio:  Worship is our response, both private and corporate, to God, for who He is and what He has done, expressed in and by the things that we say and the way that we live.  

  • What part of the above definition has been the most challenging to you?  Why?
  • How does our private/personal worship affect our corporate worship?
  • Go back to the Psalms that were read on Sunday night (13, 18, 22, 34, 62, 63).  What strikes you about these Psalms?
  • What did Jesus say in Matthew 15:8-9 was hypocrisy?
  • How has your definition of worship expanded during this series?  In light of Genesis 22?
    • ]]>         Community Group Questions - 10/28/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-102809/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-102809/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:26:18 GMT Is it more important to understand the holiness of God (ch. 1 & 2) or the delight of God (ch. 3)?
  • Why is it that so many Christians are aware of God's promises but do not taste His delight and joy?  If you find yourself unable to belly up to the table of God's eternal celebration, what are the main reasons?
  • If you were able to experience the unending delight of God on a consistent basis in your life, how would your walk with Him be different?
  • In terms of Zephaniah's process of the re-establishment of true worship (restoration, joy/celebration and re-assurance), where do you typically find yourself?
  • Why is our view of God important in our worship? 

    •  

    ]]>         Quotes from Sunday Night - 10/18/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/quotes-from-sunday-night-101809/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/quotes-from-sunday-night-101809/ Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:19:50 GMT Blaise Pascal:  There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus

    Augustine:  You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.

    C.S. Lewis: We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.  We are far too easily pleased!

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 10/21/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-102109/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-102109/ Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:18:22 GMT 1.  In Jeremiah 2 we see that God's people have committed two sins.  The first is that we have forsaken God, the fountain of living water.  Does this resonate with you?  Can you think of a time in your life when you saw God as this fountain of living water, when you came to Him to satisfy your thirst?

    2.  The second sin is that we carved out wells in order to satisfy that thirst.  The problem is that those wells are broken, and they can't do what we desperately want them to do.  Does this resonate with you?  Can you think of a time in your life when you looked to broken wells to satisfy your thirst?  What happened?  When it comes to broken wells, where are you right now? 

    3.  Do you resonate with the principle that we are not hungry for God when we're filled up on other things?

    4.  Do you believe that God is your Father?  Do you approach Him believing that He loves you and knows what's best for you?

    5.  What are your thoughts regarding the C.S. Lewis quote that was mentioned on Sunday night (see other blog entry)?

    6.  How does a passage like Psalm 37:4 get fleshed out in light of what we've been looking at the last two Sunday nights?

    ]]>         Quotes from Sunday Night http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/quotes-from-sunday-night/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/quotes-from-sunday-night/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:26:47 GMT Louie Giglio:  Worship is our response, both private and corporate, to God, for who He is and what He has done, expressed in and by the things that we say and the way that we live.

    Tim Keller:  Sin isn’t only doing bad things, it is more fundamentally making good things into ultimate things. Sin is building your life and meaning on anything, even a very good thing, more than on God. Whatever we build our life on will drive us and enslave us. Sin is primarily idolatry.

    Tim Keller:  an idol is anything in your life that is so central that you can't have meaningful life if you lose it.

     

     

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 09/30/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-093009/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-093009/ Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:17:11 GMT Questions

  • What was your biggest takeaway from Sunday night's message?
  • In the sermon, Matthew made the comment that the Bible is an urban document. What do you think he meant by this?
  • What do you think about the phrase, "as the cities of the world go, so goes the world?"  What are the implications of this?
  • Matthew shared his story of transitioning from being someone who served the poor because God commanded it, to being with the poor because he needed them.  What did you think about this statement, and where are you when it comes to this?
  • Earlier this summer we referenced Ezekiel 16:48-50 when we talked about building bridges into the gay and lesbian community.  Let's revisit this passage in terms of this subject.  What do you do with a passage like this?
  • Matthew said that God has a Memphis in mind, and He wants to use us to bring that about.  Do you believe this? 
    • ]]>         Spiritual Gifts - Resources http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/spiritual-gifts-resources/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/spiritual-gifts-resources/ Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:15:25 GMT There are a number of free online spiritual gift assessments.  If you've never taken one, or if it's been awhile since you did, I would encourage you to go through one.  Here's an example of one. Many of the definitions I used in last night's message came from Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle.  Those definitions can be found here.

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 09/23/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-092309/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-092309/ Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:01:31 GMT Questions

  • What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?
  • Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?
  • Think back to a time when you served out of your giftings.  What did it feel like?
  • In a small church, what do spiritual gifts look like?  Are we somewhat off-balanced if some gifts aren't represented?  
  • What does it look like to serve out of your spiritual gifts in the context of work or school?
  • Does God gift us in moments of need?
  • Do you consider yourself to be a vital part of this body?  Is the body healthy without you playing your role?
    • ]]>         Community Group Questions - 09/16/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-091609/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-091609/ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:14:18 GMT Questions

  • What was your biggest takeaway from Sunday night's message?
  • What did you learn about God through this message?
  • What did you learn about yourself through this message?
  • What did you learn about God's plan through this message? 
  • What is the relationship between God's people in exile in Babylon and God's people (us) today in Memphis?
  • What do you think about a church having a vision that includes statements about things such as buying houses, getting married, raising kids, bettering the city, etc? Too simple?  What do you like about it?
  • What are your thoughts concerning the statement, "Ordinary people living ordinary lives with gospel intentionality"?
    • ]]>         Community Group Questions - 09/09/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-090909/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-090909/ Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:36:41 GMT Questions

  • What was your first reaction to the video?
  • In your past, have you personally been better at taking sin seriously or taking grace seriously?
  • What does accountability look like to you?  What are your fears when it comes to accountability?
  • What does it look like to be too focused on grace (when it comes to you and when it comes to an accountability relationship)?
  • What does it look like to be too focused on sin (when it comes to you and when it comes to an accountability relationship)?
  • Do you struggle more with availability or vulnerability when it comes to God?  What about when it comes to community?
  • If you have been in a LTG (or other type of accountability group), how has God used it in your life?
    • ]]>         Healer Video http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/healer-video/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/healer-video/ Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:55:17 GMT Here's the link to the video we showed last night.

    ]]>         Dallas Willard http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/dallas-willard/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/dallas-willard/ Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:14:52 GMT Here are the two Dallas Willard quotes I mentioned last night.  They are both from his book, The Divine Conspiracy.

     

    Disciples are "those who have trusted Jesus with their whole life, so far as they understand it.  Because they have done so they want to learn everything he has to teach them about life in the kingdom of God now and forever, and they are constantly with him to learn this.  They are learning to lead their life, their actual existence, as he would lead their life if he were they” (241).

     

    “A disciple, or apprentice, is simply someone who has decided to be with another person, under appropriate conditions, in order to become capable of doing what that person does or to become what that person is” (282).

     

    ]]>         Community Group Questions - 09/02/09 http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-090209/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-questions-090209/ Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:31:45 GMT Questions

  • Do you think of yourself as a disciple?
  • Share about a time in your life where you felt that you were growing closer to God every day.  Where are you in regard to that today?  Do you still feel like you’re growing?
  •  Have you ever had a plan for spiritual growth?  “People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.”  What would it look like if you had one?  Do you know what areas you need to see growth in?
  • VIM:  what is the hardest part for you?  The easiest part?
  • How is this view of discipleship counter-cultural to the world around us?
  • Can you, like Paul, say, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”  If not, what prevents you from saying this?  Do you think God wants you to be able to say this?
  • How does discipleship flow to evangelism?
  • What is the role of community in discipleship?

    •  

    ]]>         NC Vision Series http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/nc-vision-series/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/nc-vision-series/ Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:36:15 GMT Last night we began a new vision series called "Who is Neighborhood Church?"  We will spend the next seven weeks covering different facets of our vision statement:

    Neighborhood Church is a Jesus-centered, missional community in the heart of Memphis.

    Below is the teaching schedule:

    8/30     Jesus-Centered: Discipleship
    9/6       Community and the "S" Word
    9/13     The City: Blessed to be a Blessing
    9/20     Community:  Spiritual Gifts
    9/27     The City:  Loving the Poor
    10/4      Mission: Proclaiming the Gospel
    10/11    Membership Covenant 

    ]]>         Halfway through Acts Study http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/halfway-through-acts-study/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/halfway-through-acts-study/ Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:45:59 GMT I just posted this on my personal blog, but wanted to include it here as well.

    Robert

     

     

    Mission of God --> Desperate Dependence --> Doing whatever it takes It all begins with the mission of God. What is the mission of God? It's Acts 1:8.  It all starts with the fact that God has had a plan from the beginning, and that plan has been to redeem and restore that which is lost. The early church did not understand that this plan included all people, so it was a bit of a shock to them when the Gentiles received the gospel. And here's the thing: as far as I can tell, the "ends of the earth" have not been reached. Therefore, our Missional God is continuing on with His plan, and He calls us to join Him. Though we have a role to play, the primary player in accomplishing the mission of God is the Holy Spirit. This is true now just as it was during the 33 years that make up the account of the early church found in the book of Acts. The Spirit of God orchestrates everything we see there. He births the church, heals people, convicts people, saves people, calls out people, and even tells His servants what to say and what to do. Once this begins to capture our hearts, as it did the early church, we become desperate to see God do what only God can do. It leads to a radical dependence. Two things come from desperate dependence: Prayer and Repentance. The early church was committed to prayer, not simply because it was what Christians are supposed to do, but because they were desperately trying to keep up with the Spirit of God. All they knew to do at times was to pray, but they learned that prayer is powerful. Repentance came alongside prayer. We often think of repentance as a one-time event, but the Bible paints a completely different picture. Repentance is a daily event. Last week Nathan Cook taught us from Acts 10, which is a great picture of repentance. What Peter saw in his vision went against everything he knew. It was a major paradigm shift, but even so, he said "Yes" to God. We need to constantly be in a state of repentance. We need to repent of our sins of commission and ommission, but we also need to repent of following our own agendas. Finally, "doing whatever it takes" is the result, whether this means opening up your home to others (Acts 2), or, to the other end of the spectrum, suffering persecution for the sake of Christ. One point I should make here: It's very easy to start here and believe that we'll never be at that point, but this is a mistake. It didn't start here for the early followers of Christ, and it doesn't start here for us. This is once again why I love the Total Church phrase, "Ordinary people living ordinary lives with gospel intentionality. I believe that God is at work in our city, and that He wants to use us to accomplish His plans. My hope is that as we continue to live this out in a beautiful (though often messy) and radical way, our friends and neighbors will begin to ask questions (1 Peter 3:15).

     

    ]]>         Community Group Discussion Questions http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-discussion-questions/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-group-discussion-questions/ Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:45:51 GMT Last night we kicked off our summer series on the book of Acts.  The discussion questions that we'll be using on Wednesday nights are going to be posted on the website.  Go here for Week 1's questions.

    ]]>         Community Groups http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-groups/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/community-groups/ Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:02:00 GMT Our first community group kicks off next Wednesday night (June 10).  It will be at the Grisham's (923 Philadelphia).  More info can be found here.

    ]]>         Easter Egg Hunt & Picnic http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/easter-egg-hunt--picnic/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/easter-egg-hunt--picnic/ Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:59:23 GMT Join us on Saturday, April 4, for our third annual Easter Egg Hunt.  Click here for the details.

    ]]>         Women's Discussion Group http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/womens-discussion-group/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/womens-discussion-group/ Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:37:45 GMT The women kick off their book group tonight.  For more information click here.

    ]]>         Men's Discussion Group... http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/mens-discussion-group/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/mens-discussion-group/ Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:43:46 GMT ...begins tomorrow morning.  More info can be found here.

    ]]>         New Location!!! http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/new-location/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/new-location/ Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:15:21 GMT Beginning Sunday night, February 8, Neighborhood Church will have a new home.  We are going to be meeting in the Chapel at Union Avenue Baptist Church.  The address is 2181 Union Ave.  The worship gathering will begin at 5:30, but come a little early for some good coffee!

    ]]>         Sunday Night Schedule http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/sunday-night-schedule/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/sunday-night-schedule/ Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:55:36 GMT Summer's over, so we're back to our normal Sunday night schedule.  We begin at 5:30 and will be finished by 7:00.

    ]]>         LTG's http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/ltgs/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/ltgs/ Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:29:37 GMT New Life Transformation Groups are getting started.  If you'd like to get involved in one, email us at info@ncmidtown.com. 

    ]]>         This Sunday...New Time & New Format http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/this-sundaynew-time--new-format/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/this-sundaynew-time--new-format/ Thu, 22 May 2008 16:21:47 GMT This Sunday we're going to begin our new format. We'll begin at 4:00 with a meal. Bring something to share. Starting around 5:00 or so we'll go into a time of worship, followed by a time of discussing Scripture.

    The theme for the next couple of weeks is Jesus at the Center. The question that we're going to be asking is:

    What would it look like to have Jesus at the center of:

    • Our lives?
    • Our families?
    • Our church?
    ]]>         This Sunday: Playtime in the Park http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/this-sunday-playtime-in-the-park/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/this-sunday-playtime-in-the-park/ Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:22:03 GMT You can tell by the title that I have kids, right?

    This Sunday at 4:00, we're moving outside.  Our plan is to grill out, play wiffle ball, throw the frisbee around, and enjoy the great weather.

    All are welcome! 

    ]]>         Good Friday http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/good-friday-/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/good-friday-/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:45:08 GMT Jason and Barb are going to be hosting a Good Friday "Experience" next Friday evening from 7:30 until 9:00. All are invited. For more information and directions, go here.

    ]]>         Easter Mailer http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/easter-mailer/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/easter-mailer/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:24:22 GMT If you'd like to see the mailer that is going to go out before the Easter service, click here.

    ]]>         Easter Egg Hunt Flyer http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/easter-egg-hunt-flyer/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/easter-egg-hunt-flyer/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:22:57 GMT If you'd like to see the flyer for the Easter Egg Hunt, click here.

    ]]>         Easter Egg Hunt http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/easter-egg-hunt/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/easter-egg-hunt/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:17:13 GMT Next Sunday is Easter.  Our worship gathering is going to be at the regularly scheduled time (5:30), but before the service we are going to have a community Easter Egg Hunt.  It will begin at 4:00, and, weather permitting, will be held in the park.

    I've even heard that a certain tall and furry creature will be making an appearance!

    ]]>         Discussion Group Begins Tonight http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/discussion-group-begins-tonight/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/discussion-group-begins-tonight/ Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:14:01 GMT Tonight we will begin our five-week discussion on Gregory Boyd's Myth of a Christian Nation.  A really good group has formed.  Should be fun.  It's still not too late to get involved.  Go here.

    ]]>         Books Now Available http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/books-now-available/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/books-now-available/ Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:08:47 GMT Books are now available for the Myth of a Christian Nation discussion group.  They are $3/each.  For more information on this discussion group, go here.

    ]]>         Prayer http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/prayer/ http://www.ncmidtown.com/nc-blog/prayer/ Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:11:15 GMT A new discussion group is beginning tonight.  For more information, go here.

    ]]>