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1. Spurgeon tells a story of an old minister who heard a sermon by a young man. When the young man asked the old minister what he thought of it, he was rather slow to answer. At last, he said, “If I must tell you, I did not like it at all; there was no Christ in your sermon.”  
“No,” answered the young man, “because I did not see that Christ was in the text.”  
“Oh!” said the old minister, “but do you not know that from every little town and village and tiny hamlet in England there is a road leading to London?”  

In Luke 24:27, Jesus goes back to the writings of Moses and the Prophets to help unfold the mystery of His death. What does this tactic of Jesus, coupled with Spurgeon’s quote, reveal about the Bible?  

How does this help us better understand and read Scripture?  
How might an overemphasis on this approach lead us to read Scripture inaccurately?  

2. It has been said that the Bible is a "Him" book... it’s all about Him!  
How do Genesis 1:1 and Revelation 22:21 bring this truth together, serving as the perfect bookends of Scripture?  
(See John 1:1-2 and John 1:14.)  

3. In Romans 1:16, Paul says, *“The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.”*  

Why is it necessary, once we are in Christ, to continue preaching the gospel to ourselves daily?  
(Consider 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Colossians 2:6-7; Galatians 1:6-9.)  

4. The message of the gospel is often seen as culminating at the cross.  

How is this view incomplete, and why does our hope beyond the cross serve as an essential element in understanding the full message of the gospel?  
(Consider Philippians 3:20-21 and 1 Peter 1:3-4.)  

5. How might the words of Jesus in Luke 24:25, *“Oh foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe,”* present both a challenge and a warning for each of us?  

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1) How would you explain what it means to “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”? Why should the gospel message create in us a desire to pursue righteous living? (Consider 1 John 5:1-3)

2) Philippians 1:27 describes the church as standing firm in one spirit and striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. How can we, as a church, build a community that stands firm and strives side by side? In what ways can we build stronger unity within our church, and how could elders help in that goal? Why is it so important to build a strong unified community that is centred around solid teaching of the gospel of Christ? (Consider 1 Peter 5:8-9, Philippians 3:2, Colossians 3:16)  

3) Striving for the faith of the gospel can mean a defensive, supportive stance, but it could also mean an offensive, proactive stance. What are some ways our church could strive to take the faith of the gospel to the community around us? What are some ways you have seen other churches do this well?

4) Do you think it is important for external missions to have a high profile within the church? Why? How could we, as a church, foster a greater missions focus?

5) What are some ways that Grace Community could encourage a greater prayer life in our community?

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Home group questions:

Unity doesn’t mean uniformity, so how can the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts (acting as an umpire) help us stay united when there are cultural, social, educational, and even theological differences? How should our knowledge that we are part of the body of Christ influence our relationships with fellow believers? (Consider 1 Corinthians 12:21-27, Hebrews 10:24-25.)


Some might say that it is more important to pursue peace above doctrine, but how does verse 16 speak against that? (Consider also 1:28 and Titus 1:9.) What has the book of Colossians shown us about the importance of sound teaching? (1:9-10, 2:1-8.) What can happen when the church turns aside from the word of Christ and instead teaches human traditions and philosophies? (Consider 2 Timothy 4:1-4.)


How would you define what it means to do everything “in the name of Jesus”? Why should the name of Jesus be the motivating factor in our lives? (1 Peter 2:9-12.) How should the name of Jesus shape our words and deeds, both in church and out in the world?


Why do you think thankfulness is such a central part of the Christian life? How can thankfulness promote unity within the church? Discuss how we might grow in thankfulness and encourage each other to be thankful.

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Pope Francis said on 60 Minutes, “People are fundamentally good. We are all fundamentally good. Yes, there are some rogues and sinners, but the heart itself is good.” Does Romans 3 support that message? Why? What do verses 10-18 tell us about the fullness of human sinfulness? (For example, “no one understands; no one seeks for God” speaks of being sinful in mind.)

According to verses 19-20, what was the purpose of the Law? (Also see Romans 5:12-13 and 20.) What, then, is the Christian’s relationship with the Law? (Consider Romans 6:14, Galatians 3:24, and 6:2.)

In Romans 3, Paul is discussing both Jews and Gentiles (all people). According to verses 21-24, what is the universal problem, and what is the universal solution? How is the solution received? What is the significance of Paul describing God’s justification as a gift?

Paul uses the term propitiation, which means to turn God’s wrath away from the sinner and onto the sacrifice, i.e., Jesus. Why is it important not to downplay the fact that God is wrathful toward sinners and their sin? (Consider Revelation 20:12-15.) If God did not show wrath toward sin, what would that say about God and about the seriousness of sin?

What does it mean that God is “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”? (Consider 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Colossians 2:13-14.)

Knowing God’s purpose in the Law and His wrath toward sin, because He is just, how does recognising our inability to be righteous on our own deepen our appreciation for the grace of God? How should that make us respond, especially knowing that His grace is a gift, in our everyday lives?

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In Colossians 2:16-18, Paul mentions that some felt judged and disqualified by false teachers who insisted on legalism, asceticism, and religious experiences. How do Paul’s words “as God’s chosen ones” (Colossians 3:12) reassure these believers—and all Christians—who feel as though they aren’t 'good enough' as Christians?  

Paul acknowledges that, although we have new life in Christ, we still battle the "old self." What are some practical ways we can “put to death” the old self and its desires? How can the group support each other in this ongoing spiritual battle?  

The false teachers were “puffed up without reason.” Why should the knowledge that we are chosen by God, without any merit of our own (see Ephesians 2:1-9), make us humble rather than full of pride and boastfulness?  

Paul says Christians are "God's chosen ones, holy and beloved." How does understanding your identity as chosen and loved by God affect the way you live and interact with others?  

How should knowing that we are God’s beloved stop us from chasing worldly treasures and make us content no matter what our situation?  

How should the title "holy" (meaning set apart for God) affect the way we make decisions and behave when we are by ourselves or when we are in the community?  

There is a big difference between living for God to gain His favour versus living for Him because of what He has already done for us. In your own life, how can you avoid falling into the trap of trying to earn God's favour, and instead live out of gratitude for His grace?  

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Home group questions:

1.What does it mean to be “blessed” by God when we are mourning? How does this perspective challenge your current understanding of happiness and blessing?

2.What specific things in your life or in the world do you feel God is calling you to mourn over? Why do you think these things matter to Him?

3.When you look at the example of Jesus mourning, what do you learn about His heart and how He views suffering and loss?

4.How do you tend to respond to feelings of sadness or grief? Do you turn toward God, away from Him, or to something else entirely?

5.In what ways has God comforted you in times of mourning in the past? 

6.Are there any sins or areas of personal brokenness that you need to mourn or bring before God this week?

7.What role do you think mourning plays in your spiritual growth? How might God use your sorrow to draw you closer to Him?

8.⁠ ⁠How can we, as a church family, support one another in times of mourning or hardship? Are there any ways you could be a blessing to others this week?

9.What promises in Scripture give you hope in times of sadness? Which promises might you want to meditate on this week?

10.How does the hope of Christ’s return and the end of all mourning impact your view of current sorrows and struggles?

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