Prayer Night 11/1/2013 at the Westermann's and Pactrice's @ 7pm

Hey NoHo Duloi,

The season of turkey and stuffing has descended upon us. This Friday is Nov 1 and brings us to a new month, and thus, a prayer night on the 1st Friday of the month! We have much to be thankful for, for in Eph 1:3 we read "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.". Praise God!

As is our custom, we'll be splitting into two smaller groups for prayer.

Group A = Last Name A thru H

7pm meet @ Patrice's <in Northridge>

No specific house rules but for parking the majority of street parking is at the corner of Andasol and Cantara. There is limited parking on Cantara. If you happen to have some folding chairs please bring a few. Oh and if you can't see the house number it is brown with an American flag.  Have a wonderful week! :)

-Patrice

Vincent will lead the prayer time.

Group B = Last Name I thru Z

7pm meet @ the Westermann's <in North Hollywood>

• Special house rules only for that night:
• Try to avoid children running around and screaming, so Jonathan and Caleb don't wake up. It will make the night more enjoyable for everyone.
• Parents can put children to sleep in Daniel's study room. (Please no getting into things that are not theirs.)
• Only use the front bathroom.
• Parking should be no problem. You could also park in our driveway.

Thank you! - Juliane

Jacob will lead the prayer time.

We look forward to seeing each of you on Friday. Have a wonderful week y'all.

blessings in Christ,

Vincent and Jacob

[please email us at doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com for address info or other questions]

Doulos NoHo Bible study 10/11, Friday. GCC F221-222 @ 7pm

Ahoy NoHo Duloi!

This Friday we'll be meeting at church, F221-222 @ 7pm. These are the rooms closest to the worship center.

We will continue our study in Colossians, our text being Col 2:16-23. In order to prepare yourself for the study this Friday please set aside 10-15 minutes and read 1x through the entire letter to the Colossians. Then look again at Col 2:16-23 and try to capture Paul's flow of thought in this section. Paul makes a direct attack on legalism in this section. Why does he do that here? What is legalism? Where do you see tendencies towards legalism in your own life?

It's a joy to to serve the Lord alongside each of you. We look forward to a wonderful evening of fellowship and Bible study with you this Friday.

in Christ,

Vincent and Jacob

[please email us at <doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com> for more info]

NoHo Prayer Night. Friday 10/4 @ 7pm... @ the Bartons' and Liz's.

NoHo Family,

This Friday we'll be meeting for another blessed night of prayer. Just like last month, the groups will be divided alphabetically by FIRST name. For married couples, join the group based on the husband's first name. PLEASE RSVP directly to the host via a quick email.

A-J is meeting at the Barton's home:

[please email us at doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com for more info]

K-Z is meeting at Liz's home:

[please email us at doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com for more info]

Jacob will lead the prayer night @ the Barton's and Vincent will lead the prayer night @ Liz's. If you're bringing visitors, just bring them to the group that you are going to. We look forward to seeing each of you on Friday!

warmly in Christ,

Vincent and Jacob

NoHo Bible Study 9/13/2013. 7pm @ GCC room G234.

Greetings NoHo Duloi!

This Friday (9/13) we'll be meeting at church, room G234 @ 7pm. 

(Note: it's a 2nd Friday, but we'll be meeting  at GCC in place of the Dandurand's this Friday)

Vince will be teaching from Colossians 2:8-15. This passage is rich with truths about our Savior, namely, His supremacy and sufficiency. 

In order to prepare yourself for the study, please read over this passage and make a copy of it in your own handwriting. Then answer this question: "Why does Paul say what he says here?" You will find it helpful to read all of chapter 2 to answer this question.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday!

blessings in Christ,

Vincent and Jacob

[for more info please email us at doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com]

NoHo Prayer night 9-6-13

OK Nohoi,

We have another wonderful night of prayer coming up.

The groups this time will be divided by FIRST name. For married couples, split based on the husband's first name. If your name is David Foehles, you are going to Natasja's house so that you can give a report on your Germany trip. If your name is Joshua Petty you are going to the Westermann's. PLEASE RSVP directly to the host.

A-J is meeting at the Westermann's house:

[please email us at doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com for more info]

K-Z is meeting at Natasja's house:

[please email us at doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com for more info]

See you all Friday,

Jacob and Vincent (in absentia)

Dear NoHo,

This Friday, 8/30 is a 5th Friday and that means it's a Doulos XL night! It should be a great evening for all of our Doulos Bible studies to get together and fellowship.

Meet at 7pm in the J370s at church (13248 Roscoe Blvd, Sun Valley, CA)

Andy Lynch will MC the night. David Ice and Vincent Wong will be giving the devotionals. The band will lead us in worship through music and song. To end the night with fun, Paul Ackerman from GTY has a great game planned for us, and it involves some of our very own Doulos newlywed couples!:

• Eric & Sarahi Dougherty
• Toby & Ericka Genaro
• Jim & Patty Brown
• Alain & Johanna Gyger

Have a great week and we hope to see you on Friday.

warmly in Christ,

Vincent and Jacob

NoHo Study, Friday, Aug 23rd, Dandurand's 7PM

Please take the time to read over and think through these questions. Remember, the more work you put into the study, the more you get out of it. I hope and pray that these questions will be a blessing to you and help you to understand this passage so that you might grow in wisdom when you apply it to your life.

Here are the questions:

Proverbs 8:22 +

What is our definition of wisdom? 

22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work,

the first of his acts of old.

23 Ages ago I was set up,

at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,

when there were no springs abounding with water.

What expressions are used to describe what was done to wisdom in verses 22-24? i.e. Of what verbs is wisdom the direct object?

What do we learn about wisdom from this?

If wisdom was created then it belongs in the category of created things. What exists that God did NOT create? What then can wisdom NOT be? How could Christ be our wisdom without violating this concept?

If wisdom was created at the beginning of creation, how do you answer the following question: Was wisdom a part of God's character before this? If so, what might it mean that Wisdom was created?

As you read the following verses, compare them to Genesis 1:1 and see if you can tell on what day each of these things happened.

25 Before the mountains had been shaped,

before the hills, I was brought forth,

26 before he had made the earth with its fields,

or the first of the dust of the world.

27 When he established the heavens, I was there;

when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28 when he made firm the skies above,

when he established the fountains of the deep,

29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,

so that the waters might not transgress his command,

when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

30 then I was beside him, like a master workman,

and I was daily his delight,

rejoicing before him always,

31 rejoicing in his inhabited world

and delighting in the children of man.

What is Wisdom establishing about herself in verses 25-31?

Genesis 1:1

Day4 - God puts stars in the heavens and creates the Sun and the Moon each to rule at its time. What where these things created for? In terms of planetary movement, what is a day, a season, a year? This is a fun one to do with the kids :-)

Back to Proverbs 8:

32 “And now, O sons, listen to me:

blessed are those who keep my ways.

Who is promised blessing? What does it mean to keep her ways?

33 Hear instruction and be wise,

and do not neglect it.

34 Blessed is the one who listens to me,

watching daily at my gates,

waiting beside my doors.

Again, who is promised blessing? From our previous lessons: Wisdom takes work and ___?

35 For whoever finds me finds life

and obtains favor from the Lord,

36 but he who fails to find me injures himself;

all who hate me love death.”

What is contrasted here?

From our previous lesson, Who does NOT find wisdom? 

NoHo Bible study 8/9... 7pm @ the Dandurand home... studying Colossians

Greetings Fellow Duloi!

This Friday (8/9) we will be studying Colossians 2:1-7. As is our custom, we'll be meeting at the Dandurand home @ 7pm.  

[please email us at doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com for address info]

Colossians chapter 2 begins with these words from Paul: "For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf..." His love for the church, his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, runs deep and is worthy of imitation.

Please prepare yourself for the study by reading through the passage (Col 2:1-7) and then making a copy of it in your own handwriting. In this passage Paul lists out some goals that he has for the church. Make a list of all the goals that Paul has for the church that you can identify. Then use this list alongside the passage to help you mediate and pray through this passage in the coming days.  

This Friday brings us to our first study in August, the last month that can officially be called part of Summer 2013. But fear not, the good times continue! We have grunion running and Doulos XL upcoming later this month. Also, please continue to keep our NoHo STM team members in prayer (David F. and Josh P. in Germany) (Patrice R. in the Czech Republic).

yours in Christ,

Vincent and Jacob

NoHo Study, Friday July 26th at the Dandurands at 7PM

I hope you have all enjoyed the many events we have been able to enjoy this month. I certainly have and I look forward to the events in August as well.

Please remember to arrive in time to begin promptly at 7:30PM.

I hope to get through the rest of Proverbs 8 this Friday. That means, we will be focusing on Proverbs 8:17-36

Here are the questions for this Friday.

Proverbs 8.17 I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently find me. 

What does it mean to look for something diligently? 

 What principle can we learn about obtaining wisdom from this verse?

 What tension might this create with our theology?

 Can this tension be resolved? If so, how?

Prov. 8:18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.

Prov. 8:19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

Prov. 8:20 I walk in the way of righteousness,

in the paths of justice,

Prov. 8:21 granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.

18: What are those who receive wisdom promised in verse 18? Is this all spiritual or is there something more tangible involved?

19: If you think of fruit, just normal fruit, like peaches and oranges and apricots, what do you know about how it is grown? Take some time, 10 or 15 minutes, to learn a little bit, maybe look on google to find out what farmers do to increase the fruit yield of their crops. Also, how long does it take, roughly, to see these changes take effect? Fertilizing, pruning, watering, sun exposure, etc.

What principle can we learn about obtaining the fruit of wisdom from this verse?

Proverbs 8.20           I walk in the way of righteousness,

                        in the paths of justice,

Proverbs 8.21           granting an inheritance to those who love me,

                        and filling their treasuries.

Who are those who love wisdom?

Proverbs 8.22 ¶       “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work,

                        the first of his acts of old.

Proverbs 8.23           Ages ago I was set up,

                        at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

If Wisdom was set up, was an act of God, was possessed by God, what can Wisom NOT be?

Remember from our previous lessons, we have learned that Wisdom is the way things are made, the manner in which they are made to accomplish the purpose of their creation. As that applies to man, it is living in accord with the purpose to which we were made, i.e. to glorify God with our lives. Consider that as you read this next large section. What does it mean that Wisdom was beside God as He began to create the earth and the Heavens?

Proverbs 8.24           When there were no depths I was brought forth,

                        when there were no springs abounding with water.

Proverbs 8.25           Before the mountains had been shaped,

                        before the hills, I was brought forth,

Proverbs 8.26           before he had made the earth with its fields,

                        or the first of the dust of the world.

Proverbs 8.27           When he established the heavens, I was there;

                        when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,

Proverbs 8.28           when he made firm the skies above,

                        when he established the fountains of the deep,

Proverbs 8.29           when he assigned to the sea its limit,

                        so that the waters might not transgress his command,

             when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

Proverbs 8.30           then I was beside him, like a master workman,

             and I was daily his delight,

                        rejoicing before him always,

Proverbs 8.31           rejoicing in his inhabited world

                        and delighting in the children of man.

What principle can we learn about obtaining wisdom from these verses?

What other part of scripture, i.e. book, do verses 24-31 reference? Can you find at least one verse from that book which demonstrates the wisdom of God?

Proverbs 8.32 ¶       “And now, O sons, listen to me:

                        blessed are those who keep my ways.

Proverbs 8.33           Hear instruction and be wise,

                        and do not neglect it.

Proverbs 8.34           Blessed is the one who listens to me,

                        watching daily at my gates,

After wisdom establishes her primacy and importance she begins to instruct.

According to verses 32-34, what is our responsibility if we would be blessed and wise?

Proverbs 8.35           For whoever finds me finds life

                        and obtains favor from the LORD,

Proverbs 8.36           but he who fails to find me injures himself;

                        all who hate me love death.”

Verse 35 refers back to verse 17, "those who seek me diligently, find me." What else does the diligent seeker receive or find?

If we are promised wisdom if we seek her diligently, then who is it that doesn't find wisdom?

:36 - How else is this person described in verse 36?

No study this Friday, July 12th.

Have fun at the beach on Saturday!!

Doulos NoHo Prayer meeting July 5... 7pm... A thru H @ GCC room 234... I thru Z @ the Westermann's

Greetings NoHo Duloi!

This Friday (7/5) we will be meeting for prayer and fellowship. We will be meeting as two groups in two different places @ 7pm this Friday. 

Group A = Last name A-H

Group B = Last name I-Z

*if you are bringing a visitor just bring them to the group that you are going to :)

*the host homes will provide light snacks. feel free to bring snacks to share if you'd like!

*The Wongs will go with group A and the Moores will go with group B

Group A - Meet at church room G234, 7pm

• 13248 Roscoe Blvd, Sun Valley, CA 91352
• We (the Wongs) were originally going to host this group at our apartment but because of the heat in our 2nd story apartment we're moving this group to the church room G234 where the AC is nice and cool. 
• Stephen Duwe will give a short devotional before the prayer time for group A!

Group B - Meet at the Westermann home, 7pm

• [for more info please email us at <doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com>]
• Location & Parking: Recall the Grosjean's house? Well, it's the same!
• If you've never been, it's about a quarter mile East of the church, on the South side of the street. Parking may be somewhat limited, but still available within a few houses distance.
• Alberto Solano will give a short devotional before the prayer time for group B!

Why 2 groups on prayer night?

The reason for splitting into 2 smaller groups on these 1st Fridays is to foster relationships in our study. Our study is  large which comes with its blessings and challenges. In a group of, say, 20 people it’s much more natural for us to have meaningful conversations with each other than in a group of 40-50.  Our goal is to see the fellowship that we share in our group deepen in relationship with one another even as we grow in the size of our study. Jacob and I have thought and prayed much about this and think that this will be a blessing to you.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday!

yours in Christ,

Vincent and Jacob

Meeting at the Dandurand's This Friday, June 28th at 7PM

This week we will have fewer questions but I hope they will still be a blessing to you all.

*****

Proverbs 8.12 ¶            “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,

                        and I find knowledge and discretion.

Proverbs 8.13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.

             Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

                        and perverted speech I hate.

            What does it mean to hate? What does it mean to hate evil? Can you think of any examples of “hatred of evil” in scripture?

            Why are pride and arrogance wrong (think beyond, "the bible says so.")? And what do these vices have to do with the fear of the LORD?

            What does “perverted” mean? What are some examples of perverted speech? What is the intended purpose of speech? Can you think of a verse to support your idea? What does it mean to hate perverted speech? Does the way you (personally) speak reflect a hatred of perverted speech?

Proverbs 8.14 I have counsel and sound wisdom;

                        I have insight; I have strength.

Proverbs 8.15 By me kings reign,

                        and rulers decree what is just;

Proverbs 8.16 by me princes rule,

                        and nobles, all who govern justly.

Proverbs 8.17 I love those who love me,

                        and those who seek me diligently find me.

What does it mean to love wisdom? How does this verse relate, if at all, to Prov 2:1-5? Based on verse 17, Who are those who love wisdom?  

NoHo's Good Ol' Day at the Park... Saturday 6/22

Dear NoHo family,

Get ready for a series of NoHo Good Ol' Park Days! This Saturday, 6/22, we will meet at Stonehurst Park for a great time of fellowship, fun, football, futbol, frisbees, fearless squirrels... ok, I think you get the picture :)

These NoHo Good Ol' Park Days will take place on the 3rd Saturday of every month for the summer season. We will NOT be meeting on the 3rd Friday of each month for the summer season. These Saturday Park Days will be scheduled in lieu of our usual 3rd Friday fellowship nights. If y'all have any questions about this please email us back for clarification.

Where?

Stonehurst Park

1 (818) 767-0314

9901 Dronfield Ave, Los Angeles, CA 91352

http://goo.gl/maps/wBRHo

Details:

10a to 2pm-ish :)

Bring Your Own Lunch

If you got 'em, bring the following:

• Softballs
• Gloves
• Bats
• Frisbee (or two)
• Chairs
• Blankets
• Shades

If you have or know someone who has:

• Bases (not sure if they are there)
• A tee

A big thanks to Shelbie, Amanda, and Mary for organizing this Park Day!

(Hebrews 10:23-25)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

yours in Christ,

Vincent and Jacob