ARCC Sermons

DNA Questions (Genesis 32:22-32)

Discover:

-What is the significance of Jacob being "left alone"?

-What is the significance of the wrestling taking place "until the breaking of the day"?

-Why did Jacob need a name change and why would that have been such a blessing?

Nurture:

-Do you have any regular times of solitude where you are seeking the face of God? Why or why not?

-In some sense we are all wrestling in order to be blessed. What are you hoping will justify your existence at the end of the day?

-How does our new identity "in Christ" change and reorient everything else in your life? What still isn't?

-What "limp" or "weakness" can you boast in such that the power of God could be made perfect in you? (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Act:

-Believing that God views you through the lens of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection how could that change the way you respond to a difficult spouse, child, co-worker, teammate, classmate, etc.?

-What would it look like this week to lean into your weakness pointing to your need for Christ rather than hoping in your strength, wisdom, skill, etc?

-How can your "limp" be an incredible opportunity to share Jesus with your neighbor, spouse, children, co-worker, classmate, etc?

DNA Questions (Genesis 32:9-21)

Discover:

-What does it mean for Jacob that He identifies with God as the God "of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac"?

-Why is it important that Jacob quotes God in his prayer to God?

-What other factors of Jacob's prayer point to Jacob being honest with himself and God?

-Considering verses 13-21: Is Jacob making plans in light of his prayer or despite his prayer and how would you know?

Nurture:

-What does your prayer life say about your relationship to God?...what you believe about God and what you perceive to believe about yourself?

-Could you describe how your heart is feeling in the moment and what it desires most? Why is it important for you to know this? Why is that so often difficult to pinpoint?

-What scripture speaks most to your true heart's desire and concern in the moment? How does the gospel speak into it? What promises can you claim? (Help each other around the table with this.)

Act:

Believing that God will never leave you nor forsake you, how can your plans look different this week?

Believing that God is a loving Father who sent His son to have you, how can that change the way you pray this week?

What gospel conversations are waiting for you at work?...at play?...in your neighborhood?...with your kids?

DNA Questions (Genesis 32:1-8)

Discover:

-What was God's purpose for allowing Jacob to see the angels on his way back home?

-Would it have been possible for the messengers sent by Jacob to have alleviated his fear and distress? What "messengers" in your life increase fear and distress rather than help point to the Father? What kind of "messenger" are you?

-Does Jacob have any reason to believe that his only hope is to sacrifice half of his camp in order to escape Esau? Why or why not?

Nurture:

-Why is it so hard for us to believe that God is with us when it counts the most?

-Are you aware of the ways your past effects your view and response to the present?

-In what ways have you seen your past impact your present and how have you tried to deal with it?

-Why is trying to cover our past with success or escape it by trying to leave it behind such a futile pursuit?

Act:

-Beleiving that Jesus is with you and will never forsake you how could you respond to fear and distress differently this week?

-Beleiving that God will go before and stand behind what courageous actions can you take this week? (Isaiah 52:12)

DNA Questions (1 Timothy 3:12-13)

Discover:

What does it truly mean to be the husband of one wife?

What does it look like to manage one's household well?

What does it look like to have a "deacon" culture in the church?

Nurture:

Given Jesus' words in Matthew 5:27-30 what would it look like to fight the good fight of being a committed husband to your wife?

Consider Jesus' parable in Luke 15:11-32. Which son do you most identify with? How do you identify with the father in the parable?

At the end of the parable, how is the "prodigal" son better equipped to love his wife and manage his household than the brother who stayed home?

Sermon Outline - 1 T... 3 (12-13)

Act:

Considering God is like the father in the parable what is one area of your life that can be different this week?

DNA Questions:

1 Timothy 3:10-11

Discover:

What does it mean to "slander"?

What does it mean to be "sober-minded"?

What does it mean to be "faithful in all things"?

Nurture:

Why is it so tempting to slander someone? Why is it difficult to put a stop to it when it's going on around you?

What gospel promise can we hold to in order to fight this temptation for slander? (Help each other find scripture to hold to, memorize, and meditate upon)

Read 2 Timothy 3:1-7. How could it be possible for slander and a lack of self-control to "have the appearance of godliness"? What gospel promises can we cling to in order to be sober-minded in those situations?

Act:

Is there any repentance that needs to take place in your life around the issue of slander? What would that look like?

What is one are of your life where you need to commit simply to be faithful? What would that look like this week?

Discover: (1 Timothy 1:12-20; 3:8-9)

How does Paul, in his letter to Timothy help us to understand what it looks like / sounds like to be "dignified"?

Which prohibition do you struggle with most from verse 8 of chapter 3?

Being double tongued?

Addiction?

Greed for gain?

Nurture:

Why do you run to those things to cover your indignity? What is happening in your life that sets you down that path?

What gospel truth/promise strengthens you from falling into that trap? (Help each other find actual scripture to cling to and believe)

Act: (1 Timothy 6:11-2)

What will it look like for you this week to fight the good fight:

Flee these things

Pursue righteousness

Confess to the Lord and perhaps to others who can hold you accountable

Discussion Questions:

Why is it so hard to consider others as more significant than ourselves?

Sermon Outline - Deacons

What does it look like to "outdo one another in showing honor"?

What would it look like for you to "steward" the grace of God in your life for the good of the body of Christ?

In your experience, why does God seem "silent" or "inactive" in your life? Do you often cry out for Him?

How does the cross and resurrection of Jesus ultimately answer the Psalmist?

Do you believe that you were once an enemy of God? Why or why not? Do you believe that you are His "treasured one"? Why or why not?

Discussion Questions:

If God is sovereign over all of those in positions of power, how does that impact the way we think about the leaders in our day? (John 19:11; Daniel 2:21)

How is justice (or a lack thereof) interconnected with fatherlessness? How is the Church to respond?

If the earth was shaken, what would grieve your heart? How can we intentionally fight against loving the things of this world?