What’s The Big Deal About Jesus? The two stories behind this story: The Passing Over: Exodus 12:1-20 John the Baptizer: Matthew 3, Luke 1:5-25, 57-80 Just in case you missed it: John 1:1-18 The Word is: , , , The Jesus we really need: John 1:19-34, Malachi 4:5-6, Isaiah 40:3 The most important thing we need is NOT a: . . . . It is a . The Jesus that really needs us: Once we are , we are given a . Two dangers in having a voice: Having a Thinking that we need a The best way to connect with us is the Connection Card in the bulletin. For the Digital Bulletin, visit myncc.info. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Support Our Ministry If you found this message beneficial and you would like to help continue our ministries, we would be grateful for your support. Go to northcoastchurch.com/give ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Life Group Study Questions For the week of January 15, 2023 WELCOME TO THE WINTER QUARTER OF LIFE GROUPS! This week we kick off our Winter Life Group Quarter. Your first gathering is designed to give you time to get acquainted, enjoy a meal together and connect with each other, as well as time to discuss how to make your Life Group meetings great! The study questions have been shortened this week to allow ample time to accomplish all of this. To prepare for your first meeting, take some time to focus on the questions below and be prepared to share your answers with the group. Online Groups - If your group is meeting online, your leaders will be sending you the link for your group. Use this link for tips on meeting with your group online: lifegroups.northcoastchurch.com/pro-tips/ GETTING TO KNOW YOU One of the great parts of being in a Life Group is getting to know others better. Take a moment to jot down your answers to the questions below and be ready to share with your group Tell us about yourself… Would you rather have all traffic lights you approach be green or never have to stand in line again? What would your perfect room look like? What are some small things that make your day better? As we start the new year, what are one or two things you’re looking forward to in 2023? Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged or confused you? A REDEEMED LIFE This weekend we heard how vital it is that Jesus is our redeemer and that He has given us the great privilege and opportunity to help others know and follow Him! As you read the passages below, circle two or three statements that catch your attention when it comes to living a redeemed life and living out what it means to follow Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Luke 11:33-36 33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” LOOKING AHEAD One of the key reasons we meet in Life Groups every week is to gain the encouragement and support we each need to honor God in all we do and keep our focus on Jesus. Before you go over the Life Group Commitment in your group, take a moment and write down your responses to the questions below: What are you looking forward to in your Life Group this quarter? Looking back at what you circled in Ephesians 2:8-10 and Luke 11:33-36, which one or two would you like to see God sustain and/or grow in you this next quarter? Is there anything specific you need prayer for, or is there any other focus you would like to have in order to grow this next quarter? THE PURPOSE OF LIFE GROUPS Life Groups exist to promote spiritual maturity and personal growth through meaningful Christian relationships and the study of God’s Word. (Romans 8:29 & Hebrews 10:24-25). Here’s how it will happen: SHARE Each week we’ll take time to share what is happening in our lives. At first this sharing will include planned “sharing questions.” But after the first few weeks, it will become more informal and personal as we feel more comfortable. STUDY Each week we’ll study a section from God’s Word that relates to the previous weekend’s sermon or an appropriate personal growth topic. Our goal is to learn how to live out our Christianity in everyday life. SUPPORT Each week we’ll learn how to take care of one another as Christ commanded (John 15:9-13). This care can take many forms, such as prayer, encouragement, listening, challenging one another and meeting real needs. SERVE Spiritual growth is fostered not only by what we gain through the support and input of others, but also through service to others. The role each of us fills is important to the health of the church and for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the community in which we live (Ephesians 4:11-16). Throughout the quarter, it is our hope that you can find and/or be affirmed in the ways God has designed you to serve and make a difference in God’s Kingdom. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ IMPACT YOUR COMMUNITY Looking to serve with your Life Group? To check out all your options, go to NorthCoastCommunityService.org. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DESERT RAT EXPERIENCE - FEBRUARY 3-5 Attention, guys with desert toys! It’s time again for the Desert Rat Experience. This is a man's weekend designed for guys who are into all kinds of off-roading and includes plenty of riding and eating. For more information or to sign up, visit northcoastchurch.com/rat.