AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

In this week’s sermon Basil began the conversation on Genesis chapter 15. One of his main points was that Abraham's promise included both a promise for this present life, and for the life to come. This is true for us as well, God has made promises for our life here, and the time to come when the dead in Christ are raised.

1. Abraham had to be reminded of the promises of God. As you meet together, discuss what promises of God we need to be reminded of. What are the truths that we so easily forget?

2. One of the passages Basil quoted was from Philippians 2, which begins like this:

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."

When you keep reading this passage there are various commands for us to live this Christian life with humility and love. How do God's promises for both the here and now and for eternity free us to live humble and loving lives? In what way does belief in God's promises change us in the midst of our daily pursuits?

3. In what way do God‘s promises help us in our daily struggles and hardships?