ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

PICTURES OF THE CHURCH 4: THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD

For home groups that would like them, here are some questions on the fourth of our series on Pictures of the Church. There's no need to answer them all - just tackle the ones you have time for. You don't need to stick to the areas mentioned here - feel free to discuss any other issues that arise for you.

1. If someone came and asked your advice on finding a place where they could meet with God, what would you say?

2. Read Ephesians 2:17-22. Where does Paul say that God lives?

3. Most of us are familiar with the idea that the church is a group of people rather than a building. But clearly not any group of people! From what Paul says here, what are the characteristics of a group of people 'in which God lives'?

4. Thinking about our life at St Nicolas, do you think God, as it were, 'feels at home' among us? Why? What could we do to help him feel even more 'comfortable' with us?

5. Can you think of ways in which you have encountered God through the life of the church? How did people help - or hinder?

6. How do we ensure that our lives - as individuals and as a church - are lined up with the chief cornerstone?

7. What does it mean in practice for us to be 'built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets' (verse 20)?

8. In the light of what this passage teaches about God's dwelling place, why do we bother with church buildings at all? And for us at St Nicolas in particular - what should be our approach to plans to reorder the church building?

9. Take some time to pray over the issues raised in this study and for those responsible for decisions in these areas.

David Stone
16 June 2008