Pastor Tim Richards continues his series "Two Scrolls--The Gospel Story According to Luke." He looks at Luke 12:35-39.

Sermon Discussion Questions -

1. What difference does it make in our understanding of Scripture if the warnings Jesus gave were for events near or far from the people He was talking to?

2. Why do you think the people Jesus was talking to were better at predicting the weather than they were at understanding what Jesus had to say?

3. Has your faith in Jesus ever created tension in your relationships with family or friends? If so, how have you dealt with it? In terms of being ready for the Master to return, what sorts of things for you specifically do you think Jesus has given you to do that He wants to find you doing?

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards brings the 3rd sermon in a 4-week Advent series called "The Angels of Christmas--Advent's Heralds of Hope." This week looks at the angel's message to Joseph from Matthew 1:18-25.

Sermon Questions:

1. Why do you think Matthew makes a point of telling us that Joseph was a just man? What role did that trait play in Joseph's decision about how to deal with the revelation of Mary's pregnancy?

2. The angel tells Joseph not to fear. What fears do you think Joseph might have had?

3. What part of the angel's message is most interesting to you and why?

4. As you prepare your heart for Christmas, what are you thankful Jesus has saved you from?

Tim Richards brings the 2nd sermon in his 4-week Advent series called "The Angels of Christmas--Advent's Heralds of Hope." This week looks at the angel's message to Mary from Luke 1:26-38.

Sermon Questions:

1. Do you know the story of your name? Why was it given to you? What does it mean?

2. The angel's greeting to Mary as a favored or graced person (Luke 1:28) has led to controversy, with some thinking Mary was given a special role in dispensing grace. What did you learn about this controversy?

3. What did you learn and what is significant to you about the name of Jesus?

4. The book of Revelation uses lots of imagery, some of it hard to understand. In Revelation 2:17, we are told that God will someday give a new name to those who conquer. What kinds of things do you think God may incorporate into the new names He gives His children?

Pastor Tim Richards begins a 4-week Advent series called "The Angels of Christmas--Advent's Heralds of Hope." This week looks at the angel's message from Luke 1:5-25. SERMON: 36:26

Sermon Questions:

1. What picture comes into your mind when you think of seeing an angel?

2. Have you ever had an experience that overwhelmed you with fear? What happened? What insight does that give into Zechariah's experience?

3. What aspect of the angel's message to Zechariah do you find most meaningful?

4. If God sent you to tell someone about the Good News of Christmas, how would you explain it? What has it meant in your life?

#Christmas #Angels

Pastor Tim Richards looks at Luke 11:37-12:34, for his series "Two Scrolls--The Gospel Story According to Luke",

Sermon Questions:

1. Our passage begins with the story of Jesus offending his hosts at a dinner party. Have you ever been at a party when a guest did something offensive? What happened? How did people respond?

2. Luke is clear that by the time Jesus left the party, there were powerful people plotting to do him harm (Luke 11:53-54). Have you ever or are you right now in a position where you feel there were/are powerful people who mean you harm? What is your natural response to that sort of threat?

3. Does it seem strange that Jesus, knowing what he knew about the future chose to prepare his disciples the way he did? (Luke 12:22-36)

4. We live in uncertain times. It’s hard to know what the future will bring. What would it look like for you to seriously take Jesus’ counsel this week? What habits or voices in your life make it easier or harder to do that? What can you do to control those influences?

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Two Scrolls--The Gospel Story According to Luke", looking at Luke 11:1-26. Sermon Questions:

1. Thinking about things you've prayed for over the past few weeks, how does your typical prayer compare to the prayer model Jesus taught?

2. Can you think of a time when you sensed God's Spirit had moved or helped you to do something that went beyond your natural inclinations or abilities?

3. Jesus warned about a clean, tidy house that had nobody home (Luke 11:24-26). Pastor Tim talked about what Jesus was getting at with that image. Do you see places in our time where well-meaning people are trying to tidy things up but without God's power at the center? What is the danger in that?

4. What relationships has God placed you in where He may want to use His finger?

This Sunday, Pastor Lance Lewis continues the series "Two Scrolls--The Gospel Story According to Luke", looking at Luke 10:25-37.

Sermon Questions:

1. Why is the question "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" the wrong question?

2. Who is your neighbor? What does this parable teach us about loving others?

3. As you read the parable with yourself in the role of the passer-by, how are you challenged?

4. As you read the parable with yourself in the role of the injured man, and the Lord as the Samaritan, how are you thrilled?

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Two Scrolls--The Gospel Story According to Luke", looking at Luke 9:28-50.

Sermon Questions:

1. Try putting yourself in Peter's shoes. How would you have reacted? Consider Peter's later recollection (2 Peter 1:16-18).

2. Why do you think Jesus often said things to His disciples that didn't make sense to them until much later (Luke 9: 44-45)?

3. What lessons do you draw from Jesus' example of the little child?

4. What does it look like among Christians when group pride creeps in? How do we fight against that?

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Two Scrolls--The Gospel Story According to Luke", looking at Luke 9:18-27.

Sermon Questions:

1. What is your favorite labor-saving device?

2. What is one of the hardest things you have ever attempted? Why did you do it?

3. Peter's answer to Jesus' question no doubt deepend and changed as he came to understand more. How has your opinion of who Jesus is changed over the course of your life?

4. Is there something hard Jesus has asked or is asking of you this year?

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Two Scrolls--The Gospel Story According to Luke", looking at Luke 8:4-15. SERMON: 35:33

Sermon Questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to tell a story with some hidden meanings? (Luke 8:10)

2. Jesus talked about Satan snatching God’s word away like a bird snatching seeds before they can grow. What does that look like? How does it happen?

3. If you have a friend who loves Jesus but doesn’t attend church anymore, what reasons would you give for them to return?

4. Pastor Tim talked about thinning carrots. Are there any carrots in your life that need thinning? What would that require?