Bible Study 12/21

- mediterranean chicken



We all need to continue to grow in the area of acceptance because Jesus accepted us. We become more Christ-like when we accept others and that ultimately glorifies God.

This will be the last Bible study of the year - don't miss it. Niki and Tim will bring food.

Bible Study 12/14

- manwich



While God gives us the liberty in our expression of faith, we must remember that we musn't cause a brother to stumble from our expressions. If we cause another to stumble by exercising our freedom, then we are in fact tearing God's work. The stronger brother should forgo a liberty that pleases him, but causes someone else to stumble because that is a small sacrifice compared to the sacrifice of Jesus' life.

Bible study this week - same everything. Jason and I will bring food.

Bible Study 12/7

- casserole



We learned that we as Christians need to be more accepting of one another as each person expresses worship differently. One example that Paul gives is a person may choose to worship God by being a vegetarian. Before, I would look down upon that vegetarian and his vegetables, but now I would accept him like a fellow meat eater. :P Another way to think about it is that God is the only one in the position to judge, so we're in no position to judge one another. However, this is not to say that you should not rebuke a brother/sister if they're faltering in their walk.

So here's a fun memory verse:

One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
- Romans 14:2

We will have Bible study this week to finish off Romans 14. Grace and Sterling will bring food.

Bible Study 11/30

- rotisserie chicken & sides



Sterling (to Niki): You're not that young!

It's been a while since we last met, hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Last time Paul encouraged us to love others because it is a hallmark of being Christians. We love to avoid doing wrong to others and readies us for the second coming. And Paul warns us to not practice the deeds of darkness - not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

We will meet this week for Bible study at my place at 7:30pm. Tim and Kim will bring dinner.

Bible Study 11/9

- Tres Amigos (Um...this is an authentic Tres Amigos fish taco - yeah.)



Be reminded that all authority on earth comes from God. We will be held accountable when we rebel against and not submit the authority that He has established because they're established for His purposes.

Bible study @ 7:30 at my place. Jeremy and Niki will bring food.

Bible Study 10/26

- In-N-Out



Pauls lays down with specificity the DNA of the church at the end of Romans 12. We are called to love - a love without hypocrisy or conditions, and a love that gives priority and preference to fellow brothers and sisters. We are also called to only not curse but to bless our persecutors. Only return good for evil because it is not our place to take revenge because vegeance belongs to God.

We will start on Romans 13 this week. Jason and Sterling will bring food once again.

Bible Study 10/19

- yep, KFC again.



God gives each of us spiritual gifts that are to be used to glorify Him. These gifts aren't to be hidden away nor to glorify ourselves because He gives them to us with the expectation for us to build one another up and to serve Him. Be reminded to remain humble with our spiritual gifts because we each have our differents gifts and have different functions in the body of Christ.

I found out last week I lack the gift of music, so look for me to try pump the music stat - D&D style.

We will be doing the last part of Romans 12 this week. Grace and I will bring food.

Bible Study 10/12

- KFC



When we last met, Paul urges us to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God to worship Him and to work for His Kingdom. He also warns us against conforming to this world which focuses on the worldly and material things.

We will see what more Paul has to say as we continue in Romans 12 this week. Jason & Sterling will bring food.

No small group - 10/3

There will be no small group this week.

Bible Study 9/21

- sushi



What is he holding??


Birthday girl.


Last week, we had a good time in fellowship watching Survivor. We also learned in the second part of Romans 11 that the Gentiles were branches that were grafted onto the olive plant because the Jews were branches that were broken off due to their disobedience. However, the Gentiles should not become prideful or look down on the Jews because it was only through God's grace that the Gentiles were grafted. And God will show the same mercy to the Jews to fulfill His promise to His people.

More Bible Study and Survivor this week. Jeremy and I will bring food.

Bible Study 9/14

- [Chien] House special fried rice & [Chen] special onion pancakes



Good Bible study last week...j/k. We fellowshipped by watching some hilarious YouTube videos.

We'll be continuing with Romans this week...seriously. Be on time, otherwise Grace and Niki won't feed you.

Bible Study 9/7

- dumpling noodle soup



Check out the new LSCC website.

We did our memory verses last week. We will continue on with Romans this week. Jason and Jeremy will bring food.

Bible Study 8/31

- Chili dogs



Synopsis from last week - Despite the fact that Israel has continually failed in the eyes of the God, He has not destroyed them. Instead He chose to maintain a remnant according to His gracious choice, so that His promises will be fulfilled. God will use Israel's failure to bring Gentiles to Him, which in turn will cause Israel to become jealous and turn back to Him.

We will continue with the second part of Romans 11 this week and memorize your verses! Angela and Niki will bring food.

Bible Study 8/24

We had a memory verse test last week...


...only those that passed got to eat.


Just kidding...

We have Bible study this week, I'm sure there's another memory verse test. Angela and I will bring food.

Bible Study 8/17

- Meaty Stuffed Peppers



Paul continued to explore Israel's failures in last week's study. Paul indicts Israel by pointing out that Israel had no defenses - they had heard and understood the gospel, but because of their pride and self-righteousness they chose to disobey God by rejecting Christ. We have also heard and understood, so let us not be indicted like Israel.

For those who couldn't make it to the Harvest Crusade Impact class this past Sunday, you're encouraged to attend the other locations. The first session is good review and builds the foundation for subsequent sessions.

We will continue with Romans this week - same place, same time. Arrive on time or no food for you! j/k. Danny and Jeremy will bring the food.

Bible Study 8/10

- spaghetti



Last week, we learned that Israel stumbled over Jesus because they continued to pursue righteousness through their own works rather than pursuing it by faith. Paul points out that Israel's zeal for God was there, but it was worthless without knowledge of Jesus Christ. Paul also argues that we don't need to do extraordinary works to obtain our salvation, instead "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". And anyone believe with their hearts will obtain righteousness and whoever confesses with their mouths will be saved. That is indeed the good news.

We will continue with Romans this week - same time, same place, same channel. Jason and Niki will bring food.

Bible Study 8/3

I'm still tired and sore from the retreat this past weekend. It was a really good opportunity just to get away from our daily distractions, meet with the Lord, and having fellowship with one another. Rafting was painful! Thank God that no one was seriously injured, especially after "Mother" where you'll see overturned/empty rafts, floating oars and floating people. It was a fun experience though, hopefully Jeremy will be kind enough to post some pics.

We spent last week trying to memorize Colossians 3:12-17; it could've been better, but I thought we all did a pretty good job! We will continue on with Romans this week - same time, same place. Harvard and Sterling will provide food.

Bible Study 7/27

- beef stew


God has the right to show favor to those who He wants to show favor to. It is not for us to question this because we're merely vessels and He is the potter who created us. Furthermore, we deserve His wrath from our own failures, but instead of destroying us, He remains patient with mankind by demonstrating His mercy. And He gives righteousness to those who pursue it by faith rather than works.

Bible study this week at the same place and time. Tim and I will bring food.

Bible Study 7/20

- soba




Last week, Paul explained to the Jewish people that they shouldn't automatically assume that they were saved based on their biological connection to Abraham because only a certain line of Israel was chosen and blessed by God. God's sovereign choice of who to bless or curse is traced back to Isaac, Jacob & Esau, and even the Pharoah. And His sovereignty to choose is fair because God is good, and He ultimately defines what is righteous and good. He chooses based on His will rather than man's will/works because that would result in our deaths.

We have Bible study this week and a new verse. Jason and Jeremy will bring food.

Bible Study 7/13

- tacos

Last week, Paul addresses believers who are suffering from persecution. He encourages them to endure because of the love of Christ. The love of Christ should stregthen a believer to persevere through suffering and nothing can ever take away the love of Christ from us.

We have Bible study this week at my place at the same time as usual. Danny and Niki will provide food. Oh yeah, new memory verse!

Bible Study 6/29

- chicken wings (peanut, bbq, spicy)

We played some Mario Party 7 last week for wild card.

In our previous study, Paul contrasts those who walk according to the flesh and those who walk according to the spirit. Paul reiterates that following in the flesh will lead to death. Yet because of Christ's sacrifice, we are freed from the flesh and can walk according to the spirit, which leads to life.

We will continue with Romans 8 this week. Sterling and I will bring food.

Bible Study 6/15

- casserole and spicy peas

Last week, Paul talked about the war that wages within Christians. In our minds, we would like to stop sinning, however the flesh is weak and sin-cursed, which causes us to serve the law of sin. Despite this, we are freed from the predicament through Jesus Christ.

We will start Romans 8. Danny and Jason will bring food. Oh yeah, test this week.

Bible Study 6/8

- drumsticks and corn flakes

We spent last week just sharing and praying for one another. It was good. Remember to continue praying for your brothers and sisters.

We will finish off the second half of Romans 7 this week. Danny and Jason will bring food.

Bible Study 6/1

- japanese curry and rice

Boy, did we need a cheater hint #3 for the last question last week!

In last week's study, Paul explains to the Jewish believers that they are released from the authority of the Law. This is important because sin uses the Law to increase our transgressions in the eyes of God. However, the Law is not sin because it is holy and shows what is good and evil.

We will continue on with Romans this week. Sterling and Tim will bring food.

Bible Study 5/25

- gourmet salmon melts

Paul wants us to be voluntary slaves to righteousness. Being a slave to sin leads to death, but God has freed us from sin. So instead, offer your bodies in slavery to righteousness, which leads to sanctification and results in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Bible study: same bat time, same bat channel. Tak and Tim will bring food.

Homeworks this week:
1. Memorize Romans 6:23.
2. Define the inductive study method.
3. Think of ways to be more righteous. (???Oops, can't find my study from last week???)

Bible Study 5/18

- chicken drumsticks, asparagus

We had a good time just hanging out and sharing last week. Remember to pray for one another.

Bible study this Thursday is at my place as usual. Jeremy and Tak will bring food.

Bible Study 5/12

- Tres Amigos

Wild card was an excellent time of fellowship as we watched Lakers' heart breaking game six lost to the Suns. :( Then we played a very hostile game of munchkins.

In the Bible study from two weeks ago, Paul explains that Christians should no longer live in sin because Christians are united with Christ in that we have died to sin and have been risen to walk a new life. Paul encourages Christians to consider themselves to be dead in sin and alive to God, and to be instruments of righteousness. (Note: Remember to do the homework in calculating your righteous/unrighteous %.)

Bible study this Thursday at my place. Harvard and Niki will bring food.

Wild Card 5/4

It has been awhile since the last.
When they had suggested Munchkins previously, I was aghast!
The activity this time is yet unknown because the choices are vast,
but hopefully Harvard and Niki won't make us fast.

Bible Study 4/27

- Pizza Hut: large pepperoni & sausage, large green peppers & chicken, cheese sticks w/ side of ranch

Last week, Paul contrasts Adam and Christ. Adam condemned mankind to death with his single transgression. In contrast, Jesus' free gift arose from many transgressions and leads to eternal life. Paul uses this comparison to show that God's grace is greater than sin. And it is only through faith that we can receive this gift.

We will continue onto Romans 6:1-14, Freedom from Slavery/Sin, this Thursday. Jason and Sterling will bring food.

Bible Study 4/20

Thank you for the kind thoughts last week.

- KFC

Last week, we learned from Paul that we are reconciled with God because we are justified by faith. We were once His enemies, but we now have peace with God through Jesus. Furthermore, we should rejoice in our sufferings because it will utimately bing us hope of His love.

We will continue with Romans this week. Tak and I will bring food.

Btw, we have homework to memorize the new verse on the sidebar.

Bible Study 4/13

- salad, squash spaghetti, gyros, fondue

I'm not feeling well, so I'll keep it short. We will have Bible study this week as we continue on Romans; Harvard and Tim will bring food.

Bible Study 4/6

- El pollo loco chicken

We had a wild card last week. We played Munchkins: lots of yelling, anger, and backstabbing. Check out the pics. (Note, no friendships were lost during the playing of this game.)

We will have a bible study this week. Harvard and Jeremy are doing food.

Wild Card 3/30

- pesto pasta and italian sausage served with more italian sausage

Remember to look through the prayer requests from last week and meditate...I mean pray for one another. We have wild card this week. Sterling and Tak will bring food.

Bible Study 3/23

What we ate last week? Salad and pasta.

Some may ask why I'm posting about what the group has been eating the past few weeks. I'm offering proof that we're not just about the Costco pizza's and KFC chicken. :)

In our last study, Paul states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God", thus no one can be justified in their own works. Rather, we are justified by faith in Christ Jesus. Paul also points out that justification by faith will not nullify the Law, but will establish it instead.

Homework - memorize Romans 3:23 or Romans 3:23-25a

Onwards with Romans this week. Jason and Sterling will bring food.

Bible Study 3/16

What we ate last week? Cheeseburger mac.

In our last study, Paul references the OT and points out that we are all guilty of sin. And none can be declared righteous in the law "because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin."

If you didn't do your homework last week, here's your chance to catch up, get the prize, and not get penalized!

Read:
1. James
2. Matthew 5-7
3. Hosea

We'll continue with our Romans study this week. Niki and Tim will bring food.

Bible Study 3/9

What we ate last week? Safeway lasagna.

Last week, we learned that God's judgement is just and righteous. And it also demonstrates grace to those who repent (like David). Even though "our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteouness of God", Paul argues that men should not justify their sins thinking that it actually benefits God because God ultimately wants all men to stop sinning.

Don't forget that we've had homework for the past three weeks:
1. James
2. Matthew 5-7
3. Hosea

There is a $$$penalty$$$ (5-20) for not doing the homework.

This week, we continue on with Romans. Jeremy and I will bring food.

Specialty Subject Study 3/2

In last week's study, we studied Prison Break...err...what I meant was that Paul distinguishes between being circumcised outwardly and inwardly. It is not enough to profess outwardly, when one does not practice what is righteous. Thus, a true circumcision is a "circumcision of the heart". So as homework, we should read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) to further understand what we should practice.

This week we'll be doing the second part of our special Specialty Subject series. Harvard and Tak will provide us with sustenance.

Bible Study 2/16

Assignment from last week: Read through the book of James. Reflect on what James has to say regarding faith and works in relation to Romans 2:13.

for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. - Romans 2:13

Join us as we continue onto part 5 of our Romans series. Jason and Jeremy will feed us.

Wild Card(?) 2/2

Paul lists things that are unrighteous in our last study, and those that practice these things are deserving of God's wrath. Remember to reflect and pray on the items on that list that you struggle with.

I think we'll be having wild card this week...more details to come.

Bible Study 1/26

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, "The righteous by faith will live." - Romans 1:16-17

Remember to do the homework from last week. You're suppose to email Jeremy or your pastor the list of people you want to share the gospel with.

We will be continuing with Romans this week. Harvard and Sterling will do dinner.

Bible Study 1/19

Last week, we were treated with a study led by Pastor Josh via webcam. Isn't technology great? Aren't software engineers great, too? :)

We had an overview of our new series in Romans. Romans is a letter Paul wrote to the believers of the church at Rome. And it is a gospel about God's grace and the salvation that is given to both Jews and Gentiles.

We will be getting more in-depth with Romans this Thursday at my place. Harvard and Tak will make and/or buy dinner.

Bible Study 1/12

We had very good sharing and reflection last week on the importance of the Christian community (especially in the context of the small group) and personal goals/priorities for the upcoming year.

Btw, have you been reading your Bibles? We're suppose to have read I Samuel 9-12 by last Sunday. Yeah yeah, I'm now officially behind too. :( So this is a reminder to be more diligent in our Bible reading.

We will have our first Bible study of the year as we start in a brand new series. I am looking forward to it. It will be at my place as usual, and Jeremy & Tim will provide dinner.

Specialty Subject Study 1/5

Happy New Year! Have you made your new year's resolutions yet? If not, here are two you can use from our last study (Psalm 127)...

[FOR THE WORKING PERSON] Do you go to work with God at your side or without him? Do you trust, by faith that God is working as you “work”?

[FOR THE MARRIED] What are your reasons why you are not having kids? Do you see them as a burden or a blessing? Are your reasons truly legitimate (i.e. certain house, certain job, certain age)?

We have a topical study this week. It will still be at my place as usual. Niki and I will provide dinner.