Text: Acts 1:1–11
Topics: Ascension, Mission, Witness
Big Idea of the Message: Acts 1:8 is a charge that Jesus is still giving the church today.
Application Point: The last command Jesus gave was to be his witnesses. How on fire are you to see that command carried out?

Discussion Questions:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. Do you agree that Acts 1:8 is a charge that we are supposed to be carrying out today? Why or why not?
3. How well is your church is doing in fulfilling this mandate?
4. How well are you doing in fulfilling this mandate?
5. Would you say you are on fire for seeing other people brought to Jesus? Why or why not?
6. How can we pray for you?



Here are the Foundations for Interpretation we are using.  These are outlined by Larry W Caldwell, Doing Interpretation!: Making the Bible Come Alive for Yourself and Your People.

The Bible is Authoritative 
God Communicates His Truth To Us Through the Bible
Jesus is the Heart of the Bible
The Holy Spirit Guides Bible Interpretation
Bible Interpretation is Best Done in Community
Bible Interpretation is Living and Active
The Purpose is to make Disciples of Jesus

The Seven Steps of Interpretation (Again Caldwell's book):
Step 1:   What kind of literary form is this Bible passage and what are the implications of this? 
Step 2:   What are the contextual boundaries of this Bible passage? 
Step 3:   What was God saying through this Bible passage to the original audience back then? 
Step 4:   What is the general principle that God had in mind through this Bible passage for all peoples and all cultures? 
Step 5:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to you today? 
Step 6:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to your community of believers today? 
Step 7:   How will you communicate the truths of this?

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Franco Savatori brings a word from Deuteronomy regarding remembering where God has brought us so we can imagine our future. 

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Text: Acts 1:1–2
Topics: Kingdom, Witness, Spirit
Big Idea of the Message: Acts is the story of what Jesus is doing in the world.
Application Point: When you wonder why God isn’t doing more, do you think he may
be wondering the same thing about you?
Discussion Questions:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. How do you feel about such a long series on the book of Acts? What are
you most excited about?
3. What do you know about this book? What do you hope to learn from this
series?
4. Does it change your understanding of Acts to see it as a story of what
Jesus is doing in the world?
5. What is Jesus doing in your


Here are the Foundations for Interpretation we are using.  These are outlined by Larry W Caldwell, Doing Interpretation!: Making the Bible Come Alive for Yourself and Your People.

The Bible is Authoritative 
God Communicates His Truth To Us Through the Bible
Jesus is the Heart of the Bible
The Holy Spirit Guides Bible Interpretation
Bible Interpretation is Best Done in Community
Bible Interpretation is Living and Active
The Purpose is to make Disciples of Jesus

The Seven Steps of Interpretation (Again Caldwell's book):
Step 1:   What kind of literary form is this Bible passage and what are the implications of this? 
Step 2:   What are the contextual boundaries of this Bible passage? 
Step 3:   What was God saying through this Bible passage to the original audience back then? 
Step 4:   What is the general principle that God had in mind through this Bible passage for all peoples and all cultures? 
Step 5:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to you today? 
Step 6:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to your community of believers today? 
Step 7:   How will you communicate the truths of this?

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Pastor Gary ends the year and let's us reflect on our lives and God.

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Text: Luke 1:30–33, 46–48; Matthew 1:18–25
Topic: Mary, Disgrace, Waiting, Hope
Big Idea of the Message: Mary experienced disgrace and struggle in carrying and raising Jesus, but God gave her strength and blessed her.
Application Point: We place our faith in God’s love and promise when we are lonely and questioning. 

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Text: Luke 1:5–45 
Topic: Elizabeth, Waiting, Promise, Hope, Time Big Idea of the 

Message: Elizabeth experienced restoration when God gave her a child, and then she encouraged a pregnant Mary. Application Point: We will strive to see God’s movement in the world and in the promises he has given us.

Pastor Gary Parmer brings this message.

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Text: Isaiah 40:30–31
Topic: Waiting, Advent, Strength

Big Idea of the Message: When we are struggling and waiting, we may become weary, but we can find strength in God.

Application Point: This week, write the passage from Isaiah on a notecard and post it where you will see it often. At least once a day, read it and pray for God to give you strength in the hard things in life where you are waiting right now.

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. What is Advent season about?
3. Has waiting developed anxiety or frustration in you? Why?
4. What does Isaiah teach us about waiting on God?
5. What should our perspective be toward waiting on God?
6. How can we pray for you?

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Part 1
Text: John 3:16

Big Idea of Part 1: God loves you unconditionally.
Application Point: God’s love for you knows no limits; you are loved by the God of the universe forever.

Reflection Questions:
1.    What is one thing that stood out to you from this part?
2.    Using one word, how would you describe the love of God?
3.    Now compare the words used to describe it. Which one most accurately depicts your deepest longing in life?
4.    Have you ever experienced a moment when you thought you wanted something, only to get it and realize it didn’t satisfy you the way you’d hoped? Describe that moment. What did you learn?
5.    How do you think God’s love might satisfy you in the way you hoped that object, person, or career would have?

Part 2
Text: Matthew 6:25–33
Big Idea of Part 2: Contentment comes from changed priorities.
Application Point: When it comes to how you spend your day, what are you placing first: God’s kingdom or something else?

Reflection Questions:
1.    What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2.    When you map out your priorities, what do you find, functionally, is first in your life? Where does God functionally fit into your priorities?
3.    How might bird watching or going for a walk and looking at flowers help you find contentment?
4.    Do you wish that Jesus had had another message about the necessities of life and how we approach them? If so, what do you wish he had said?
5.    How do you think the way you answered the last question reveals the state of your contentment in Christ?

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Week 2 
Text: Philippians 4:10–13
Topics: Provision, Contentment, Trust
Big Idea of the Message: God supplies everything we need.
Application Point: Discontentment can often arise out of fear, but the antidote to fear is 
knowing that God will supply everything we need.

Discussion Questions:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?

2. Did the study from the UK surprise you? Why or why not?

3. How do you define wealth? What about success?

4. How do you differentiate between what you need and what you want?

5. Have you ever experienced a time of provision from God? Would you 
please share that story with others?

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Text: Luke 3:10–14; Hebrews 13:5
Topics: Possessions, Needs, Wants,
Big Idea of the Message: We can be content in Christ.
Application Point: We don’t have to continually seek after the latest, greatest thing;
instead, we should seek Christ, and he will satisfy our desires.

1.    What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?

2.    Do you feel contentment in your life right now? Why or why not?

3.    How would you describe contentment? Have you ever experienced lasting contentment?

4.    Have you ever thought about contentment being strength instead of satisfaction? Do you know if that changes your understanding of the term?

5.    Have you experienced contentment in Christ? If so, can you please describe that experience for others?

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