April 19 – Sermon Discussion Guide
Initial Exam
1 John
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 (ESV)
Digging Deeper
Though he never uses the word “gospel” in this letter, John clearly articulates the themes and major movements of the gospel in this letter. Spend some time reading over these verses and identify the elements of the gospel story: Creation, Fall, Rescue, Response, Restoration.
- 1:3-9
- 2:1-2
- 2:15-17
- 2:24-25
- 3:1-8, 16, & 23
- 4:9-16
- 5:4
- 5:11-12
Digesting the Text
- What would be the condition of your spirit if you witnessed someone you loved, someone you respected, someone you trusted walk away from Christianity? How would you handle this?
- Have you ever experienced a church split? If so, how did you feel in this moment and what did you hope to hear from a pastor? If not, how would you feel if our church split? What would you hope to hear from me as your pastor?
- John says in 1:3 that the heart of Christian fellowship is fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. What does this mean for our church family in this season of separation? How should this change how we see our fellowship when we are able to reconvene our corporate gatherings?
- Do you find yourself doubting your salvation? What comfort does it give you that John wrote an entire letter to assure believers of their salvation?
- As we stand at the beginning of this letter, what do you think the signs of life for the Christian might be?
- Take time to read through this letter at least once this week. What questions do you have from your initial reading? What encouragement have you drawn from your initial reading?
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Week 16 – God’s Glory
Psalm 72:18-19 (ESV)
What?
How?
Who?
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April 12 – Sermon Discussion Guide
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Matt. 7.24-27_Foundations, Faulty or Firm
Foundations, Faulty or Firm?
Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)
Digging Deeper
The Bible has much to say about obedience. Take a few moments and look up these passages and discuss them together.
- Deuteronomy 5:29
- Psalm 1; 81:13
- John 14:15, 21
- Romans 2:13
- James 1:25
- Revelation 22:7
Digesting the Text
- Take a moment to compare the two characters of Jesus’ parable. What is similar between each? What sets them apart from one another?
- It takes hard work and extra time to dig beneath the surface and build a house on the rock instead of the sand. What are some ways that you prefer the “easy way” in your Christianity? Are there corners that you might cut in your obedience?
- No one likes to think of themselves as “deceived” and having built on sand instead of stone. What are some sandy foundations that you have seen in your own life or in the lives of others?
- This current crisis is not the final storm but it is a good opportunity for us to check our foundation. How has this season encouraged you to examine your obedience to Jesus and your relationship with him, with his word, with his church?
- Take a moment of honesty and vulnerability. Are there commands of Christ that you do not like or that you find difficult to obey? How can you come together as a family or a group of friends to support each other in these known areas of weakness?
- How does the gospel’s message that Jesus’s perfect obedience and not our disobedience or incomplete obedience will be the firm foundation for all those who have put their faith in Jesus motivate you to be more obedient instead of less?
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