Bible and a Brew

All welcome to join us for a pint and a lively discussion about this week's sermon. Remember, you can always find the sermon written in this week’s Ekklesia Newsletter

# Summary

This sermon focuses on the concept of Christians as 'living stones' being built into a spiritual house by God. The pastor uses the metaphor of carefully placed stones in landscaping to illustrate how God intentionally places each believer where they are meant to be. The message emphasizes that our role is not to strive or achieve, but to surrender and let God build us into His spiritual house. The sermon addresses how modern forces try to isolate us from one another, but God's project is to bring people together as a community aligned with Jesus as the cornerstone. Three confirmation students shared testimonies about God's love, worthiness of praise, and forgiveness as examples of pure spiritual milk - the gospel message we're called to share.

# Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather together as Your living stones, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us today. Help us to surrender our own plans and agendas, and instead trust in Your perfect design for our lives. May we be receptive to Your Spirit's leading and ready to discover how You have placed us exactly where we need to be. Prepare us to encourage one another and to see Your work among us. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

# Ice Breaker

Share about a time when you paid close attention to what your neighbors were doing - whether it was watching a construction project, landscaping, or just being curious about changes happening around you.

# Key Verses


1 Peter 2:2-10


John 14:1-14


Psalm 31:1-5

# Questions

1. How does it feel to think of yourself as a 'living stone' that God has carefully chosen and placed where you are?
2. In what ways do you see God building something through your current circumstances, relationships, or location?
3. The pastor mentioned that our job is to 'let God' rather than strive. What areas of your life do you struggle to surrender to God's design?
4. How do the forces in our world try to isolate us from one another, and how can we resist becoming just 'a pile of rocks on the street'?
5. What does it mean to you that Jesus is the cornerstone that we align our lives with?
6. The confirmation students shared testimonies about God's love, praise, and forgiveness. What 'pure spiritual milk' has God given you that you could share with others?
7. How can we better see ourselves primarily as God's people rather than defining ourselves by work, family, or other identities?
8. What 'mighty acts of God' have you witnessed that you could proclaim to others around you?

# Life Application

This week, spend time in prayer asking God to show you why He has placed you exactly where you are right now. Look for opportunities to share the 'pure spiritual milk' of the gospel - God's love, forgiveness, or faithfulness - with someone in your neighborhood, workplace, or community. Practice seeing yourself first as one of God's living stones rather than defining yourself by other roles or achievements.

# Key Takeaways

1. God has carefully chosen and placed each of us exactly where we are meant to be, like stones in a beautiful foundation
2. Our role is to surrender and let God build us into His spiritual house rather than striving on our own
3. Modern forces try to isolate us, but God's project is bringing people together as a unified community
4. Jesus is our cornerstone - we align our lives and values according to His teaching and sacrifice
5. We are called to share the 'pure spiritual milk' of the gospel - God's love, forgiveness, and mighty acts - with the world around us

# Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being our cornerstone and for choosing us as living stones in Your spiritual house. Help us to trust that You have placed us exactly where we need to be for Your purposes. Give us courage to share Your love and forgiveness with those around us, and help us to see ourselves first as Your people, united together in Your mission. May we resist the forces that try to divide us and instead be instruments of Your peace and unity in this world. Build us together as a community that proclaims Your mighty acts. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.