ARCC Sermons

First Love

There are many fights and battles that the believer will engage in over the span of a lifetime, but the most important fight, is the fight for your own heart. 

DNA Questions

Discover

-Which snapshot of the Ephesian church most intrigues you? Acts 19, Ephesians 3:8-10, or Revelation 2:1-7?

-Which aspect of doctrine would you want to explore more in depth that is addressed in these texts? (Spiritual Warfare, Ecclesiology, Apologetics, etc)

Nurture

-Is it easier for you to understand the Gospel as “True News” or “Good News?” Why? 

-How aware are you of the motivations of your heart on any given day? (Feelings, Thoughts, Temptations)

-What do you need from Jesus in this season? From your DNA group?

Act

-In what way(s) do you typically presume on the kindness of God, that would keep you from remembering His mercy and grace in your life?

-In your current season, what is the Spirit leading you to repent of? 

-In what specific ways are you currently/actively avoiding obeying the Lord?

Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.

DNA Questions: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Discover

What is Paul's agenda for this text?

What is the standard for someone who is "Spiritual"?

How does it impact our theology and practical life experience to believe that the Spirit apportions as He wills?

Nurture

What in your life convinces you that Jesus is Lord?

Do you have a passion for the common good of the Church?

Is the Church profitable because of the gifts you have been given?

Act

What would it look like to use your gifts to build up the church?

The culmination of time with Jesus is proclamation of Jesus.

DNA Questions - John 15:26-27

Discover:

What is the context in which Jesus is speaking?

Why is it significant that the Holy Spirit is referred to as "Helper"?

What is the connection between the Holy Spirit, bearing witness about Jesus, and having been with Jesus since the beginning?

Nurture:

What connections can we make from this text to experiencing the Spirit in our own life?

What in our life is going on that would spark the interest and working of the Third Person of the Trinity (the Holy Spirit) in our life?

How could proclaiming Jesus change the way you think about your marriage, work, parenting, and neighboring?

Act:

What does praying sound like if it is your heart's desire to have opportunities to share Christ with others?

What changes about your natural life rhythms if sharing Christ becomes central to your life?

One of the marks of a disciples of Christ is that they “know the voice” of the good shepherd. In a culture of discipleship this looks like discerning the difference between the truth and the lie…between the one who wants to take it all and the One who gave it all in order to have us. 

DNA Questions: John 10:1-15

Discover

What is the significance of "truly, truly" at the very beginning?

How are we to think of Jesus given this text?

How are we to think of ourselves given this text?

Nurture

If the thief only comes to steal and kill and destroy why do we get taken by him so often?

How does looking to the shepherd who lays his life down help combat our temptation to follow the thief?

How do we pursue knowing the voice of the good shepherd?

Act

What would look different about your week if you followed the good shepherd to pasture rather than the thief?

How would the surprising kindness of the good shepherd lead you to repentance?

When we think about being a church with a culture of discipleship we must start with a people who come and see and then ultimately come to know and believe in a person.

DNA Questions - John 1:43-51

Discover

If this was the only scripture you had how would you understand the concept of discipleship or "following"Jesus?

Why do you think Nathanael asks "how do you know me" instead of asking for a sign or for proof?

What is Jesus referring to when He tells Nathanael that he will see greater things than these?

Nurture

What are your doubts about Jesus?

What makes you a Christian?

What in your life gives you the most confidence of your relationship with Jesus?

Act

What does your part in a culture of discipleship look like?

The Psalmist talks about what it is like to be gladdened by the work of God and subsequently how we can be vigilant to see His work.

DNA Questions: Psalm 92

Discover:

What does "good" mean in this context?

What are the traits of the stupid man and the fool?

What does it mean to flourish like a palm tree?

Nurture:

How can you pursue a grateful heart?

How do you view those who fail around you? How would a greater understanding of grace in your life impact this view?

In what ways have you seen the Lord's work in your life that you would flourish?

Act:

What would it look like for you in the next weeks / months ahead to "be planted"?

What could this text teach you about real life morning and evening rhythms in the pursuit of seeing the works of God in your life?

So often we come across beautifully written statements in scripture especially in the Psalms that we hold onto for dear life. Although that is a great thing, we can run into problems when we don’t really take the time to think through what those words mean and what God intended for us when He wrote them. Psalm 91 is a great example of what it means to think through God’s intent for such a phrase: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most Hight will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

DNA Questions - Psalm 91

Discover

What do you think of when you read verse 1?

What themes stand out to you the most from this chapter?

What questions arise as you read it?

Nurture

Where does your mind dwell?

What do you fear and how does that fear manifest itself?

How would dwelling on God's faithfulness impact our fearfulness?

Act

How could you dwell upon God's faithfulness in your life?

What lion is God calling you to tread upon?