December 5th, 2010

We are meeting out in the main area again and we watched a video called "Indescribable: Significant Insignificance" by Louie Giglio.

The Universe is a big place. Astronomers estimate that it is 156 billion light years wide (keeping in mind that a light year is 5.87 trillion miles). This has led many to state that if earth is the only inhabited planet, it sure seems like there is a lot of wasted space out there. But what if the universe had a different purpose, other than just to house us? What if it was intended to communicate something to us? If we were to listen, what would it say about us and about God?

Question to think about...
1) Read Psalm 19:1-6. What does the universe communicate to us about God?
2) Why do we tend to lose perspective on how big God is? How does this impact how we approach life?
3) How can you remind yourself how big God is? What difference would it make in your life if you carried around the proper perspective of God's bigness?
4) Read Psalm 8:3-4. What does the universe communicate to us about ourselves?
5) Why do we tend to think of ourselves as bigger than we really are? When have you been reminded of your smallness?
6) Read Psalm 8:3-9 and Philippians 2:5-11. What is the source of our significance?

PRAYER REQUESTS
~ Chris and Missy and their trip to Iowa with Lincoln
~ Praise that Leah is home from the hospital and prayers for the family as they still don't know what was wrong?
~ Fredel is scheduled to have the baby on Friday
~ Traci's mom's eyes
~ Pastor Search

NEXT WEEK
Next week we will be watching the video "Indescribable 2: Astronomical Grace".

We are given glances into God's grandeur when we stare out into the universe. Stars and nebulas and pulsars and galaxies all beautifully and intricately created by Him. However, contemplating the vastness of God can make it harder to wrap our minds around His grace. How can it be that a God this big, this creative, this imaginative, would stoop down, take the form of a man, and die a humiliating death on the cross? Could the One who made the stars also offer me grace?

Questions to think about for next week...
1) What are some specific things in God's created universe that amaze you? What are some things you have learned about God because of His creation?
2) Read Hebrews 1:1-3. How could it be that Jesus is a better reflection of God's glory than all the stars in the universe?
3) Jesus provided the way for our sins to be cleansed by offering Himself as a sacrifice on the cross. What emotions surface when you think about the One whom all things were created through offering Himself as a sacrifice?
4)When did you first come to know about the grace offered by God? How was it communicated to you?
5) God's grace is big enough to cover all sins. How does the bigness of God's grace compare with the bigness of His creation? Are both equally amazing?
6) How can a better appreciation of the bigness of God's grace change the way you interact with God and others?