This week!

Welcome back! This week we will be continuing John with chapter 7. I look forward to seeing you all! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Love,
Joe

This week: John 6:16-71

This week we will be talking about Jesus walking on water and his claim to be the Bread of Life and what that means for us. Also, be thinking about ideas for a service project for our group this holiday. I hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Joe

This week!

We will be looking at John chapter 5 talking about Jesus healing the man by the pool on the Sabbath. Thanks to Ryan for leading last week. I heard it was a great discussion. Have a great week!
Love you guys!
-Joe

John Chapter 4

This week we will be looking at John chapter 4: The woman at the well.

See you Sunday night!

peace,

Joe

John Chapter 3:22-36

This week we will be finishing up Chapter 3 and looking more at the heart and attitude of John the Baptist.  See you Sunday night!

Love,

Joe

Article on "The Kingdom of God"

A friend of mine sent me a new Bible study resource:  www.theopedia.com.  On it I found a great article on the Kingdom of God by George Eldon Ladd.  Check it out!  Love yah!

-Joe

John Chapter 3

Please read Chapter 3 at least three times this week.  Take some notes, write down questions, etc.  I look forward to discussing Nicodemus with you all this Sunday night and what it means to be born-again.  Love you guys!

-Joe

John Chapter 2

This week we will be looking at John Chapter 2.  Please read over this chapter at least three times this week.  Take some notes, thoughts, and questions to bring to our discussion Thursday night.

Love,

Joe

A New Little One

Hello Everyone,

We just received a call from Shantha saying that they welcomed a healthy baby boy into their family on Monday. His name is Avunker Michael. Avunker meaning "Righteous One." He is named after both of his grandfathers. If you get a chance send them an email congratulating them. They wanted us to share the news with our Lifegroup. If you would like their address or phone number, we would be happy to pass it along.

Ryan and Trish

John Chapter 1

We will beginning John chapter 1 this week. Please read chapter 1 at least 3 times. Write down any questions, thoughts, or comments you have and bring them to group for discussion. Have a great week!
Love,
Joe

Treasure Principle Concluding Questions

1. How are you doing with your basic giving commitment to God, beginning with your local church (1 Corinthians 9:9-12; Galatians 6:6)? Whether I believe in the 10 percent guideline or not, do I qualify as a true giver?

2. How much is God leading you to give in freewill offerings? Where should I give them?

3. How strategic or worthy are the organizations or individuals you’re supporting or considering supporting? Do you know and agree with their values or purposes? Does God agree with them?

4. To whom might you pass along what you’ve learned about the Treasure Principle? How could you do this – Through the book, prayer, a Bible study or discussion group, or other study materials?

Opportunity to Serve

International Friendships, Inc. is a registered Ohio State University student organization and Christian community group seeking to promote friendship and hospitality for international students. The students participating are from a variety of countries. Staff members work closely with volunteers from local churches to provide various services that address the social, cultural, and spiritual interests of international students. Our activities are open to students from all cultural and religious backgrounds.

There are many unique opportunities to serve with this organization this summer. Talk to Joe or Kevin Smith for more information. We will be talking about serving in this ministry as a group this week.

Here is the Volunteer Page if you want to find out more about the different types of opportunities available.

Homework for Chapter 6- “For Such a Time As This”

1. Read Chapter 6
2. Meditate on and Memorize Hebrews 10:24
3. When it comes to giving, where is the balance between respecting privacy and avoiding pride and obeying God’s instruction to let our lights shine and to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds”?
4. Now that we have come to the end of this study think of any more questions or concerns that you have regarding this topic and bring them to study.

Homework for Chapter 5- “Getting Started”

1. Read Chapter 5
2. Meditate on and Memorize 2 Corinthians 8:7
3. Regardless of where you stand on tithing, why do you think most believers don’t live by the dominant principle of generous freewill giving, which will lead only to greater joy and fulfillment (Acts 20:35)?
4. Which risks are most likely to arrive if you wait to give? How can you avoid them?

Chapter 4 "Roadblocks on Giving"

Sorry this is so late.

Homework for Chapter 4
1. Read Chapter 4

2. Meditate on and Memorize Luke 12:15

3. What roadblocks do you wrestle with as you grow in your giving? What scripture passages might help us deal with them?

4. Which illusions of material wealth are most likely to fool you? Which realities of heavenly wealth have been most encouraging to you?

See ya Sunday!
Love,
Joe

Prayer Request and Opportunity to Give

Some time ago we were praying for a friend of the Walton's who had cancer. She has passed away leaving her three teenage children behind. Please be in prayer for this family. Also please be praying about how we can serve these kids during this difficult period. The Waltons are finding out what specific needs they may have and I will let you all know asap. Thanks!
In Him,
Joe

Mother's Day Break

We are still having life group this week but we are just going to spend the evening together.  Sorry for the late notice... busy week.   It's Mother's Day and some will be gone so we'll pick up chapter 4 next week.  See you Sunday!

Chapter 3 "Eyes on Eternity"

1. Read Chapter 3

2. Memorize and Meditate on Colossians 3:1-2

3. What thoughts about heaven and eternal reward are especially helpful to motivate you to obedience?

4. What do your checkbook, your credit card statements, your receipts, and your appointment book say about the placement of your treasure...and your heart?

Love you guys! Have a great week!
In Christ,
Joe

Chapter 2 "Compunding Joy"

1. Read chapter 2
2. Memorize and meditate on 1 Corinthians 4:2
3. Brainstorm a few strategies for changing your mindset from ownership to stewardship.
4. What part does God’s grace play in your motivation for giving? How can you become more intimately acquainted with His grace? How can your brothers and sister in Christ help you do that?

Have a great week!
Love,
Joe

The Treasure Principle- Week One

In addition to reading chapter one take some time and do these three things...

Meditate

on Matthew 6:19-21

Evaluate

1. Most of us have a budget of some type. Some of us have a loose budget, others a strict budget. Think about your budget and where the majority of your money goes.

2. How do you determine what you spend your money on?

3. Honestly, what brings you the most joy everyday?

Pray

Pray about your finances and for God to teach you something new through this study.

Pray for God to reveal to you ways for you to store up treasure in heaven.

Be ready to discuss chapter one on Sunday, April 20th. I'm looking forward to meeting with you again.

Love,

Joe

The Treasure Principle

We will be beginning a book study on 04.20.08 using The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. This is a biblically based text encouraging the believer to treasure Christ above everything in this world and find liberating joy in the giving of our possesions.

The lowest price for this book is on Amazon.com. There is a new version out that contains a prayer guide. This is not necessary for our study. If you have any questions regarding the topic of study or the book feel free to email me, Joe at jmccomb@ohiocornerstone.com.

I look forward to studying and applying this topic with you all!
Love,
Joe

Are You Ready?

Coming Sunday Night to an Alloway Street Near You...

THE RETURN OF

"MATT ROBERTS AND HIS BOYS"


"Tacos"
by Becca Yanity



"Fruit Pizza"
by Malorie and Jeff


Laughs and Learning provided. Bring your apetite and your bible and your praises and prayer requests and prepare for fun.

Missionary Biography This Friday! (03.28.08)

Hey everyone!

There is a missions biography this Friday night 3/28 at 7pm at the church office (8874 Commerce Loop Dr). If you're at all interested in going into missions this is a definite must attend! Everyone is welcome to attend. So even if you're not planning on missions you can come and hear some great testimonies from people who have been in the field and you can see how to pray for them. If I missied anyone please forward this to whom ever you like. Have a great day!
Love,
Joe

Life Group Canceled

The snow has fallen A LOT. Some of the Life Group members can not leave their place and the Robert's neighborhood is not plowed. Therefore, Life Group is canceled. Have a fun, safe night and see you all next week!
God Bless!
The McCombs

Praying That We Would Know God's Love More...

Ephesians 3:17-19:
"...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

How do we know something that "surpasses knowledge"? According to Paul for us to be able to know the love of Christ completely we would first have to know ALL things!

We will be talking about this more at Life Group this week. If you have time write down some quick observations from the above verses. Take some time to think about how well you know the love of God and it what ways you could love him more.

In Christ,
Joe

from Arizona . . .

Hey friends! I sporadically check the blog here and check up on how everyone is doing. I see ya'll went downtown - how did that go??? We are doing well in Arizona. God has really blessed us with the apartment we got as well as getting us settled in with furniture and what not. We've always wanted a decent-sized place to allow us to have friends over often. We were even able to get a 2 bedroom place out here, and a friend from the team and his wife are going to live with us during Spring Training. We've very excited for this time to minister to them in a real way - just living life in front of them. You can pray that it will be a great time of sharing and vulnerability when the Hayes' stay with us this March.
As I look back over the blog it reminds me of what a great church home we found at Cornerstone. We so enjoyed seeing you on Sundays and worshiping with you. Not to mention Sunday nights - something we always looked forward to! We've been to several churches out here and have yet to find one with solid teaching + solid community. This is one thing we are desperate for and would really appreciate your prayers on. God has been so faithful to cover our needs so far, we are waiting anxiously to see how He provides this one!
We miss you!

**Prayer Request**

I was asked by my pastor from my home town, Pastor Jeff Harper who married Trish and I, to prayerfully consider going on the youth mission trip for my church back home to Jamaica. They are looking for a male to go and be an encouragement for the group going. Pray that God would show Trish and I if this is a place where he wants me to be, and if not, that the church would find someone to go instead of me.

Thanks and see you Sunday,

Ryan (& Trish)

I'm a Blog Slacker

Sorry folks that I have not been keeping updated with the blog the last couple of weeks. I intend to... I doubt that any of you will check this before tomorrow night's group, but most of you know that we will be meeting at Bob and Katie Gribben's house for group. You can email Kate McComb if you need directions...

This week we will be looking at one Prayer of Paul, Ephesians 1:17. I want to focus on what it means to pray for God to give us and the believers around us a "spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him." So be thinking about that if you happen to check the blog in this short amount of time before our group.

Love you guys,
Joe

SNLG vs. The Cold

I don't know if anyone is going to read this, but in case someone does, remember to dress warmly and wear good walking shoes on Sunday night for Life Group. We will be meeting at Malorie's dorm room attentively at, 6:00pm and if you need directions, get in touch with Malorie. Hope everyone is having a good week and be sure to ask Joe about his trip to Texas.

Prayer Request

Hello Life Group family. I found out yesterday afternoon that my very good friend's father, Dave Reimann, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Tuesday. He was a pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Dublin. While it's a blessing that he is no longer suffering, please pray for the Reimann family in this time. His wife Mary Jo, and children Kim, Tara, Tim, and Malia. Please pray that the Lord be with them and comfort them. Thanks. ~Malorie

Prayer for a Couple

Yesterday I was looking at a friend from California's blog and she posted about a couple that really moved me. I am thankful that even though I don't know this couple, I know that because they believe in Jesus we are all united in Him and God does and hears our prayers for them.

Their names are Tricia and Nathan. Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis and was waiting on a double lung transplant when she found out she was pregnant. About 25 weeks later their baby, Gwyneth was born by c-section. They are both in critical condition. 

It has been really encouraging to read Nathan's blog. On one post he commented how their story is not "sad" but one of great joy because of all the things he has been able to see God do. Please pray and if you get a chance visit their blog:http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/. There was another post he posted about how he googled their names and was encouraged to see their story travel to different believers who are  lifting them up in prayer. Let us pray for them too!!

Praying for Strength, Endurance, and Patience

This week's life group will be focusing on the prayer's of Paul for the strengthening of the believers in specific churches he was overseeing. Here is the passage that we will mainly focus on: Colossians 1:11-12, "May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

Other Passages:

Ephesians 3:16-17

1 Thessalonians 3:13

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Some things to think about before we meet...

*In America, why do we need to pray for strength, endurance, and patience?

*How often do you pray for these things specifically?  For yourself?  For others?

*How different was the church at Colossae from our church?

Love you guys,

Joe