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
Pastor Michaela shares her experience visiting Mars Hill in Athens, Greece, where the Apostle Pauldelivered his famous sermon to the Athenians about the 'unknown God.' She reflects on how Paul'smessage challenged the Athenians' expectations about God, just as God continues to upset ourexpectations today. The sermon explores three key ways God defies our assumptions: God is not to befeared but loved, God is not distant but intimately present with us, and God does not die but makes allthings new. Through her personal struggle with doubts about the church's future during her trip, PastorMichaela demonstrates how God calls us to spiritual curiosity and openness to new ways God might workin our lives and world.
Intro Prayer
Gracious God, as we gather together today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to what You wantto teach us through Your Word. Help us to set aside our preconceptions and expectations, and make usspiritually curious about how You are moving in our lives. Grant us the courage to let You upset ourassumptions and lead us into deeper relationship with You. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Ice Breaker
What's one assumption you had about something that turned out to be completely wrong?
Key Verses

• Acts 17:22-31
• John 14:15-21
• Psalm 66

Questions

• How do you think the Athenians felt when Paul told them about the 'unknown God' they had beenworshipping?

• Pastor Michaela mentioned three expectations that God upsets. Which one resonates most with yourown experience and why?

• When have you experienced God feeling distant or absent? How did you work through that season?

• What does it mean to you that 'in God we live and move and have our being'?

• How can fear of God be both healthy and unhealthy in our faith journey?

• Pastor Michaela struggled with doubts about the church's future during her trip. How do you handledoubts about faith or the church?

• What does it mean to be 'spiritually curious'? How can we cultivate this in our daily lives?

• How have you seen God make 'new things out of death' in your own life or in the world aroundyou?

Life Application
This week, practice being spiritually curious by asking God one genuine question each day and beingopen to how He might answer through Scripture, prayer, community, or unexpected circumstances. Payattention to how God might be upsetting your expectations about Him or your faith.
Key Takeaways

• God is not to be feared but loved - He has open arms like those on the cross
• God is not distant but intimately present with us in every moment
• God does not die but continually makes new things out of death and endings
• We are called to be spiritually curious and open to how God might work in unexpected ways
• Even in our darkest moments or seasons of doubt, God remains present and faithful

Ending Prayer
Loving God, thank You for being a God who upsets our expectations in the most beautiful ways. Help usto release our fears and embrace Your love. Remind us daily that You are not far from us but that in Youwe truly live and move and have our being. Give us courage to be spiritually curious and open to the newthings You are doing in our lives and in Your church. May we go forth this week with confidence in Yourpresence and excitement about how You might surprise us with Your grace. In Jesus' name we pray.Amen.