People
About this series
In some senses nothing has changed - the church is still the church, with the same values, the same vision and the same people. Yet, so much has changed - we are now onsite and online, people are still going through a historic event and church life will never be quite the same again. A series on the church is therefore very timely and will hopefully remind people of the unchangeable nature of the church as well as envisioning people for what has changed. We’re framing this series of Sunday talks around eight terms used in the New Testament to describe the church - people, family, community, temple, unity, body, disciples, witnesses. These are the words the New Testament uses to describe the Spirit-empowered people of God and these are key elements for how we want to build Citygate.
About this talk
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:3-10
The Bible’s story can be described in many ways; one of which is as the story of God creating a people for himself. From Adam & Eve, through Abraham, Exodus and the gospels to the picture of Revelation 21:3: “They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” This has always been God’s intention - not only to rescue individual people, but to have a people who know him and through whom he is made known to the world. If Jesus is the image of the invisible God, making God visible and known to us, there is a real sense in which the church, too, makes God visible and known in the world.
If you have any questions surrounding this talk, want to find out more about Citygate Church, or want to know more about what it means to be a Christian, please fill in our online Connect form at citygate.church/connect and someone will be in touch to chat.
Watch it here
Audio only
Talk Summary
Questions for Life Groups
The questions below have been created for our Life Groups to facilitate discussion around this talk.
In your groups read together 1 Peter 2: 4-10 - The Living Stone and a Chosen People.
1. Tim was explaining that the bible as a whole shows us the big picture throughout history of God calling a 'people' to and for Himself. Had you seen this before, did you realise that you are chosen to be part of this big picture, part of 'His people'?
2. What two things did Tim say are the key things that mark us out as different from other 'people' groups?
3. People by Design. Do you find it hard or helpful being part of 'a people'? Are there areas where you feel the Holy Spirit challenging you to be less independent and more connected to his people?
4. People with Dignity. Chosen, Royal, Holy, Special people, read v9 again together. What practical step could you take (Tim made a few suggestions) which helps you to dwell more on these words of identity and live in the truth of them, rather than the lies we are often distracted with?
5. People with Definition. We are a people who are to be defined by Jesus, is there anything in your life that needs re-aligning to Jesus e.g. your priorities, your resources, your attitudes?
Prayer
Take some time to pray for one another regarding the various challenges presenting within the group, thanking God for His promises and reminding Him of them. Pray also for those in your lives who don't yet know him, and ask for his wisdom, grace, creativity and opportunity as you seek to share his love and goodness with them.
Give opportunity for the group to share any spiritual gifts by way of encouragement to the group, such as prophesying, words of knowledge, praying for healing etc.
