Going to The Chapel

(2:58) Question of the Day: If you could swap roles with anyone at The Chapel for one day, who would you pick, and what is the first thing you would do?

(6:20) Off Topic Topic:  How should we actually discern God’s plan for us? 

(15:03) Discussion & Member Questions: Let's recap last Sunday's sermon!

1. (19:10) How do we disassociate with a brother or sister but also love them and invite them to church? In their eyes, wouldn’t that be treating them like a brother or sister? Can you give an example? Kevin, have you had a situation in your years of pastoring?
2. (26:41) How is punishment an act of mercy if you’re giving them up to Satan?
3. (39:53) A couple chapters earlier, Paul talked about not judging each other before Christ. Now he is saying he has already judged them. How do we reconcile those two things?
4. (42:05) How does redefining sin happen in our culture an context today?

(46:47) Celebration: SALT Fall Retreat and 1st-5th Grade Kids

(2:16) Question of the Day: How many seconds should you wait before honking at a green light?

(11:15) Off Topic Topic: If you are married and one partner is quite unkind (even mean) quite often and this causes lots of problems and breaking up. Both love each other a lot but the unkindness and meanness continues and is even denied by the person doing it. Does God want us to stay married even when these types of problems persist?

Discussion & Member Questions:

(22:46) I have a question for Kevin and Steve: I heard a pastor say that “every preacher needs a preacher.” Do either of you have a preacher that you go to consistently to hear a message that you didn’t help write?

(27:25) Let's Recap Sunday! - Steve

1. (31:45) As Christians, it is easy to say after getting a promotion, buying a house, or experiencing something good that it was because of God’s blessing that we got those things. But then it becomes easy when someone doesn’t get the promotion, can’t afford the house, or is struggling financially or physically that God must be withholding his blessing. How should we think and talk about God's blessings?
2. (38:16) I think most Christians would recognize complacency in someone who stops attending church or reading their Bible. But the Corinthians were active in their faith and had plenty of spiritual gifts. Can someone be doing all the right Christian things and still be spiritually complacent?
3. (42:03) Paul describes a life of following Jesus that involves suffering, rejection, and sacrifice. But for many of us, following Jesus hasn't necessarily meant experiencing those things to the same degree. Should we be concerned if our faith isn't costing us very much?
4. (46:45) We ended by talking about the importance of relying on God's power instead of our own. I think that's something Christians hear often, but it can be difficult to put into practice. What does it actually look like to rely on God's power rather than our own efforts? For example, if I'm struggling with patience and trying to become a more patient person, what's the difference between trying harder and depending on the Holy Spirit to change me?

(51:43) Celebration: Chapel Women's Ministry

(1:40) Question of the Day: What is something everyone should experience at least once in their life

(10:20) Off Topic Topic: Rank these Churchisms

(23:26) Discussion & Member Questions: Let’s recap what we covered on Sunday just to remind everyone what it was about

1. (27:32) Why don’t we title the series the book we are going through like “Leviticus”, referencing the book we are going through or more pointed like “Sermon on the Mount.”
2. (30:00) We talked about evaluating spiritual leaders based on faithfulness rather than impressiveness. But what does that look like practically? How can someone actually determine whether a pastor or church is being faithful? Especially since sometimes looks can be deceiving or they may be new to the church and not know the pastor personally.
3. (35:39) Can you give examples of how the guests of the house come in and try to tell the servants how to act? 
4. (39:26) How do y’all weed through the actual practical improvements you could make and whether it is just trying to meet the world’s standard?
5. (44:36) The sermon mentioned that thinking we’re better than others and thinking others are better than us can both come from pride. Can we explain how insecurity can actually be a form of pride?

(50:40) Celebration: SALT & Family Weekend

(2:08) Question of the Day: Should you take an iced coffee to a job interview?

(8:52) Off Topic Topic: Are we supposed to look for dreams or visions from God?

(18:00) Discussion & Member Questions: What does eldership look like at The Chapel? With a biblical requirement for the office of eldership, why don’t we see more elders teaching on Sunday morning? How does the elder team balance shepherding with the aspect of paid staff whose job it is to “do the work” so to speak of caring and shepherding the flock? Do you require elders to teach (I recognize it can be a bible study, Sunday School, etc.) while they hold the position? Thanks!!

(22:47) Let’s recap what we covered on Sunday just to remind everyone what it was about

1. (27:59) We talked about how the church should look different from the world, and that Baton Rouge shouldn't look at us and feel like they're looking in a mirro. But at the same time, we want people who don't know Jesus to walk into our church and feel like there's a place for them here. How do we balance being distinctly different from the world while still meeting people where they are and helping them feel like they can belong?
2. (35:17) We talked about how the church should be an “alternative” to the world and that people should be able to see something different in a Christian community. What specifically should someone encounter in a healthy church that they can’t get from a good friend group, nonprofit, club, or community organization?
3. (42:31) What does it look like to look forward to Christ’s return while staying engaged in day to day life and planning responsibly for a future that might be decades away?

(49:53) Celebration: Family Weekend and Hold the Rope

(3:04) Question of the Day:  Fall This or That pt. 2

(9:37) Off Topic Topic: When you attend a larger church, it can be easier to hide and remain unknown. Even though we intentionally keep our services at The Chapel smaller, you two still may not know what every person is walking through. What structures have we put in place to help people be known, cared for, and shepherded here at The Chapel?

(15:45) Discussion & Member Questions: Let’s recap what we covered on Sunday just to remind everyone what it was about

1. (19:06) What does it mean to “give it to God” when you are the one who actually has to physically do it?
2. (23:01) How should someone answer the question “How is your relationship with God?”
3. (31:24) For those who are naturally driven…how can you have healthy drive/direction without it turning into selfish ambition
4. (41:57) If someone has many spiritual gifts…should they make sure they are using all of them in the church?
5. (46:49) Why does verse 9 say we are God’s field, “God’s Building”?

(48:50) Celebration: Baptisms!

(1:26) Question of the Day: What is your earliest memory?

(7:08) Off Topic Topic: What should someone do if they are reading their Bible and come cross something that disturbs them, and the Bible doesn’t denounce it right there or at all? How should people think about it when this happens?

(17:35) Discussion & Member Questions: 

(17:42) CQ: Can y’all speak about parents idolizing children, particularly from the view of the child (and a married child at that). How should the child navigate being idolized when the default is to soothe the situation and not engage in conflict?

(23:47) Let’s recap what we covered on Sunday just to remind everyone what it was about

1. (29:59) CQ: We talked a lot about man’s wisdom vs. the Lord’s wisdom. For the believer, there is the Holy Spirit to help us understand the wisdom of the Lord. When we seek wisdom on a particular topic, how can we tell if the answer we receive is of God or of man?
2. (37:59) CQ: Can you speak to the cognitive dissonance someone might experience when they grow up believing a certain theology, but then later learn something new that makes sense, but it contradicts what they've always believed? How do you know when to hold firmly to what you've believed and when to be willing to reconsider it?
3. (45:37) If every Christian receives the Holy Spirit, why do some Christians seem to understand Scripture very differently from one another?
4. (51:38) How should a person respond when they hear an argument that is very convincing and seems wise, though it may contradict what they believe the Bible says?
5. (54:44) Is it okay to say “God told me?” When is it appropriate vs. when is it not?

(01:02:55) Celebration

(3:04) Question of the Day: This or That Fall Edition

(12:11) Off Topic Topic: Will there be baldness in heaven?

(17:32) Discussion & Member Questions: Let’s recap what we covered on Sunday just to remind everyone what it was about

1. (28:28) With non Christians, the idea of Jesus dying on the cross isn’t necessarily the most offensive thing for them. Rather, it’s trying to wrap their heads around around how God can be good and yet there’s still genocide happening in the world. Or person A is cured from a disease but person B is not cured. I know we may never get clear explanations of why certain things happen, but I just wanted to share my experience. What are some handle bars you can give us when these concerns come up when having gospel conversations.
2. (37:17) If God is the one who changes people’s hearts, how much responsibility do we actually have to have answers and be persuasive when we talk about our faith?
3. (41:35) Paul worked hard to communicate clearly while also insisting that the result depended on God. What does that tension look like outside of preaching in our jobs, parenting, leadership, or everyday life?
4. (44:08) How does a prayer sound different from praying for abilities to what you're talking about?
5. (46:24) If someone comes to faith partly because they really connected with a particular pastor or speaker, is that a problem? When does admiration for a messenger become unhealthy?

(49:58) Celebration: Group Connect Sunday!

(4:09) Question of the Day:  If you had to give a 30-minute presentation with zero preparation, what topic could you talk about? 

(13:10) Off Topic Topic: Multiple New Testament letters tell Christians to greet one another with a holy kiss. Obviously most churches don’t. Thank God, but why not?

(16:27) Discussion & Member Questions: Let’s recap what we covered on Sunday just to remind everyone what it was about

1. (19:02) While preparing this sermon, were there any parts you wished you would have had more time to draw out?
2. (23:47) How do you celebrate something God has allowed you to accomplish without turning it into boasting about yourself?
3. (27:17) Did you have any thoughts on some of the things we look for?
4. (32:39) Could you speak to the extremes we can have in pursuit of intelligence?
5. (39:28) We associated boasting in ourselves with division. If a church really stopped competing over personalities, preferences, accomplishments, or status, what would actually look different about that church day to day?

(42:14) Celebration: Re:gen Ministry

(2:40) Question of the Day: What is your love language?

(8:10) Off Topic Topic: Based on a 2025 Cambridge University Press study, Gen Z is reading more, not less, and they’re turning to print for time away from screens. This study found that 66% is identifying as readers which is up 14 percentage points from 2022. The researchers said that it is tied to a longing for ‘digital detox’.  What are some of the most impactful books you've read?

(14:43) Discussion & Member Questions: Let’s recap what we covered on Sunday just to remind everyone what it was about

1. (17:43) What advice do you have for navigating conversations and relationships with family members who are Catholic and Greek Orthodox? I don’t want to divide over disagreements regarding issues like Sola Scriptura and what is needed for salvation, but these debates constantly get brought up. Do I just avoid these discussions altogether for the sake of keeping the peace and cultivating unity with family members?
2. (26:57) When there is a tier 1 issue, what does dividing actually look like?
3. (36:30) Is there a point where pursuing unity goes too far because we are avoiding necessary conflict? Can that be used to pressure people to just get with the program and get over difficulties?
4. (39:29) We talked about some of the tiers to decide what is most important? What if some people disagree with what belongs in those tiers?

(45:30) Celebration: Growing Kids Ministry

(2:48) Question of the Day: Do you wash your feet? 

(6:36) Off Topic Topic: Buying a stranger’s coffee outperformed clinical therapy in a head-to-head study published in the journal of positive psychology. From lower stress and stronger relationships to improvements in depression and anxiety, neuroscientists are finding that compassion changes us too. Researchers were shocked though people of faith might not be.

(15:17) Discussion & Member Questions: So we just started a new series. Why this? Why now?

(21:24) Let’s recap what we covered on Sunday just to remind everyone what it was about

1. (26:52) I’ve seen Christians be skeptical of someone who has professed their faith in Christ because that person still talks about X or is involved in X. So they therefore question whether that person has truly been changed by the Gospel. For instance, someone famous who professes their new found faith in Christ but they still talk about X or support X therefore making christians question if they’ve truly been transformed by Christ. Is there a point where this goes from discernment to then casting judgment on a person and worrying about their speck instead of our own plank? Should we just be encouraging that they’ve found Christ or is there an appropriate way to also discern if they’ve been truly changed?
2. (33:40) We asked the question whether The Chapel is having an impact on BR or if BR is having an impact on The Chapel.  What are some parts of BR culture that you think the church needs to understand and where do you hope the church can help shape that culture locally?
3. (45:24) Being “called out” doesn’t always feel good. What are some things we need to remember when we are being called out throughout this series?

(50:47) Celebration: SALT Leaders