Main Point: Faith provides perspective on suffering, confidence in Prayer, and Right understanding of possessions.

Questions:

1. What challenged you or encouraged you from the message this week?

2. Read James 1:1-11. What do you notice about this passage? What words stick out to you? What questions do you have after reading this passage?

3. James frequently uses word pictures in this letter. What word pictures do you notice in the passage? How do they help to better understand the truths they are connected to?

4. Read James 1:2-4. How does James suggest that a follower of Christ understand suffering? How does the knowing God is using suffering to grow us change our perspective on suffering?

5. How does suffering produce perseverance and perseverance maturity?

6. Read James 1:5-7. What is the outcome of praying for wisdom? How does doubt affect one’s search for wisdom? What does it look like to have a single-minded faith versus being “double-minded”?

7. Read James 1:9-11. In these verses, how does James reverse our understanding of possessions and high or low cultural position? What does James mean when he says, “the rich will fade away even while they go about their business? What do these verses say about possessions?

8. Read Matthew 6:19-24 and Luke 12:15. What does Jesus say about money and the human heart? How does love of money affect a Christian’s relationship with God?

9. What is one thing God is calling you to do as a result of what you have heard today? By God’s grace, how can you apply this to your life this week?

Main Point: The reality of the resurrection engages head, heart, and hands with renewed Hope.

Questions:

1. What challenged you or encouraged you from the message this week?

2. Do you believe that Jesus resurrected? What led you to believe in the resurrection or to reject it?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-7. Paul firmly roots Jesus’ death and resurrection in actual history. What things does Paul mention that give evidence to the resurrection being a historical fact?

4. What is the significance of Jesus appearing to more than 500 people? How does the mention of so many witnesses encourage people to trust the resurrection as a historical event?

5. Read 1 Corinthians 15:8-11. Paul calls himself “the least of the apostles,” and believes that he does not even “deserve to be called an apostle.” Why does he feel that way?

6. Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17. What do these verses tell us about how Paul views his past and what God has done for him? Why is God’s grace so important to Paul?

7. Read 1 Corinthians 15:10. Paul states, “But by the grace of God I am what I am…” What does he mean? How does this understanding help to understand a Christian’s new identity in Christ?

8. What impact did God’s grace made on Paul’s work for the gospel? How does a changed heart motivate us to work for the gospel?

9. What is one thing God is calling you to do as a result of what you have heard today? By God’s grace, how can you apply this to your life this week?

Main Point: To fully understand and accept the message of Easter we must pursue Jesus relationally, avoid defining our Savior by our culture, and hold onto grace.

Questions:

1. What challenged you or encouraged you from the message this week?

2. Read Matthew 21:1-17 and John 12:12-26. What do you notice about these verses? What words stick out to you? What concepts catch your attention?

3. What is the Pharisee’s reaction? Why do you think that is?

4. What does Jesus say in John 12:26? What do those words mean?

·       How do we follow Jesus?

·       How do we know where Jesus is/calls us to be?

·       What does it mean that the Father will honor us?

5. What is the difference between the attitude of the Pharisee’s and the attitude of Jesus?

6. How are followers of Christ called to act, think, and perceive differently than a Pharisee?

7. Read Matthew 13:1-9 / 18-23.

8. Looking at the first 3 seeds Jesus describes; do you see any tendencies you have to be like any of them?

9. Why is it important to understand our own tendencies and proclivities as we look at faith, the bible, and Jesus?

10.What is one thing God is calling you to do as a result of what you have heard today? By God’s grace, how can you apply this to your life this week?

Main Point: Every Christian is on a mission for God.

Questions:

1.    What challenged you or encouraged you from the message this week?

2.    Read Matthew 28:16-20. What do you notice about this passage? What words stick out to you? What questions do you have after reading this passage?

3.    Read Matthew 28:16-17. The Disciples and other follower of Jesus gather to hear Jesus after His resurrection. There are two different groups: those who worshipped and those who doubted. Why the different reaction? How does this point to the significance of the resurrection?

4.    Read Matthew 28:18. Why is it significant that Jesus talks about authority? Is there any place where Jesus does not have authority?

5.    Read Matthew 28:19-20. What is the center command on this verse? How do the other three participles add to the center command?

6.    In your own words, what is a disciple? What does it mean to “make disciples”? How does a disciple of Christ make a disciple?

7.    What is the significance of going, baptizing, and teaching? What does baptism how to do with being a disciple?

8.    Read Matthew 28:20b. Why does Jesus remind his followers that he will be with them? Why is this important to the mission of God? How does the knowledge of God’s constant presence affect a Christian’s hope?

9.    Think of three people you know who don’t know Jesus. What is stopping you from sharing the Gospel with them? What would you need to share the Good News about Jesus with them? What is one way you can share your faith this week?

10.    What is one thing God is calling you to do as a result of what you have heard today? By God’s grace, how can you apply this to your life this week?

Main Point: God’s love motivates us to serve others.

Questions:

What challenged you or encouraged you from the message this week?

Read Ephesians 2:1-2. How does Paul describe the transformation that happens when a person becomes a follower of Christ? How does God show us His love and kindness in this passage?

How does the grace freely given to all who trust Jesus impact the Christian’s perspective on good works? Christians are not saved by works, so what is the motivation to serve others?

Read Galatians 5:13-14. What do these verses tell us about the way we are to serve people. What do they tell us about the motivation to serve other people?

Read Matthew 25:31-46. What is going on in verses? What is the point of the situation that Jesus is describing? When a follower of Jesus serves another person, who are they really serving? How can this truth change your perspective on serving other people?

Read Mark 10:35-45. What is going on in verses? What are James and John asking for? Why are the other Disciples upset with them? How does Jesus use this as a teachable moment?

Why is it significant that Jesus came to serve and not to be served? How should that effect the way His followers serve?

What are some ways that you can serve in you home, church, work, and community?

What is one thing God is calling you to do as a result of what you have heard today? By God’s grace, how can you apply this to your life this week?

Final Instructions and Benediction

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,[c] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

25 Brothers, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Life Through Jesus: Grow

March 7, 2021

Pastor Erik Miller

Main Point: We grow as we respond to God’s call, are transformed by the truth, and live into our new lives in Christ.

Questions:

1.    What challenged you or encouraged you from the message this week?

2.    Read Mark 1:15-18. What do you notice about these verses? What words stick out to you? What concepts catch your attention?

3.    What is the “Good News” that Jesus is talking about? How are people to respond to the good news?

4.    Jesus calls his first Disciples by saying “Come, follow me.” What did he mean? How did Simon and Peter respond? What does Jesus’ call mean for the modern disciple?

5.    How would you define the word disciple? What was the relationship between a Rabbi and his disciple? What implications does that have for a Christian’s relationship with Jesus?

6.    Read 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 12:2. What are Christians being transformed into? How does this relate to the way we think? What does it mean to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind”?

7.    Read Ephesians 4:22-24. How is our character changed by our relationship with Jesus? What has this transformation looked like in your life?

8.    Read John 13:34. How does being a disciple change the way you love and serve others?

9.    Read 1 Timothy 4:7-8. What does it mean to “train yourself to be godly”? What benefits does this training have compared to physical training?

10.    What is one thing God is calling you to do as a result of what you have heard today? By God’s grace, how can you apply this to your life this week?

The Day of the Lord

5 Now as to the times and dates, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety [all is well and secure!]” then [in a moment unforeseen] destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape [for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord]. 4 But you, believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not in spiritual darkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life]. 11 Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.

(AMP)

Main Point: We are created to do life together in meaningful and authentic relationships.

Life Together is:

Christ-Centered

Shared

Developed

Questions:

What challenged you or encouraged you from the message this week?

Read Acts 2:42-47. What do you notice about these verses? What words stick out to you? What concepts catch your attention?

These verses happen after 3,000 people come to faith on the day of Pentecost. (See Acts 2:1-40.) What do these verses tell us about early Christian community?

Read Acts 2:42-43. What are the four elements that are listed as part of the early Church gatherings? How do these elements center the Christian community on Jesus?

Read Acts 2:44-45. How does this radical generosity reflect the love of God? What do you notice about their giving to one another? How does this compare to the modern Church?

Read Acts 2:46-47. How often did the early Christian gather together in the Temple?  Why do you think they met so regularly?

The early Church also gathered together in smaller groups to share meals. Why is sharing a meal with others such an important part of doing life together? Why is hospitality such vital part of community?

What does it mean to eat together with “glad and sincere hearts”? What would it take for you to be involved in this kind of community?

What is one thing God is calling you to do as a result of what you have heard today? By God’s grace, how can you apply this to your life this week?