missio Dei: Falcon

SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The foundation and tradition of Luke’s writing (Luke 1:1-2).
2: The approach and purpose of Luke’s writing (Luke 1:3-4).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• How certain are you that the Word of God tells the true story of the Son of God? This is a safe place to answer honestly.
• What are the factors that have led you to your current level of certainty? What other steps of study or investigation do you need to take still?
• What would a higher degree of certainty in the story Luke tells produce in your emotions and actions?
• What do you hope to get out of our church’s extended study of Luke? What are you asking God to show you or work in and through you?

SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Encouraging Advice
2: A few warnings
3: A Cloud of Witnesses
4: Run with endurance
5: Fixing our eyes on Jesus

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What are some of the more common weights than slow Christians down?
• What weights or hinderances slow you down?
• What are your thoughts about the respectable sins among Christians? Are there sins that Christians seem to be more involved in?
• What practices can I be involved in to help in my race?

SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Why we need refuge (Psalm 16:1).
2: What refuge is (Psalm 16:2-5).
3: What refuge produces (Ps. 16:6-11).
4: Where refuge is found.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• If refuge is running somewhere for peace or safety when life is hard, where do you typically run?
• Which aspect of biblical refuge in verses 2-5 do you most struggle with?
• Which attribute of God’s refuge in verses 6-11 do you most long for?

SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Why repentance matters (Isa. 30:15-18).
2: What repentance looks like (Ps. 51).
3: How to practice repentance.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• How would you define repentance? How is repenting to God or repenting to another person similar and different?
• When do you most struggle to truly repent?
• What do you think are some characteristics of genuine repentance?

SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The challenge of forgiveness (Mt. 18:21-22).
2: A parable about forgiveness (Mt. 18:23-34).
3: The implications of forgiveness (Mt. 18:35). 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• In your own words, why is forgiveness so difficult?  
• Can you think of a time you experienced true forgiveness from another person? What did that feel like? 
• What is Jesus calling you to do with this topic of forgiveness? What feels scary or difficult about it? Encourage one another at your table.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Why do you think we have a picture of God that is harsh or demanding?  How does this affect the way we approach Him? 
• Why do you think our narrative of the hard situations in our life see God as being absent?  What do the scriptures say about God's presence in those times? 
• Pray for anyone at your table that could use encouragement and comfort this week. 

SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Be Angry and Do not Sin
2: Leave Room for God's Justice
3: God is the Strength of My Heart 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What difference would it make if we had more confidence in God as judge and did not take matters into our own hands? 
• Pray for one another at your table that God would give them strength in the situations they are facing. 

SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Turn to God in prayer…
2: Complain to God about the effects of sin and brokenness (Ps. 13:1-2).
3: Ask for God to bring healing and wholeness (Ps. 13:3-4).
4: Trust that God will fulfill His promises and stay true to His character (Ps. 13:5-6).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Which of the 4 stages of lament is hardest for you (Turn, Complain, Ask, Trust)? Why?
• Where do you typically turn when you are in pain?
• How do you typically respond when someone expresses complaint? How will Psalm 13 impact your response in the future?
• When you’ve had to help a loved one through the pain of suffering, what are some things you’ve found helpful and unhelpful?

SERMON OUTLINE:
What happened?
What was it all about?
What difference does it make?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• The sermon mentioned that a “me-centered” theology leads to spiritual poverty. In what ways can a deeper understanding of Christ’s nature, as revealed in the Transfiguration, move us away from a self-centered spirituality towards a more Christ-centered discipleship? Share personal experiences where focusing on Christ's glory has reshaped your spiritual journey and daily life. 
• As God’s people, we’re called to help one another see and savor Jesus.  How might we encourage one another to behold the glory of Christ throughout the ordinariness of life, the ups and the downs, the struggles, fears, triumphs, temptations, and the failures we all face? 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Who are some "kings and queens" that occupy our attention and our hearts? How is Christ a better King than those? 
• How can we cultivate a healthier view of our leaders in the upcoming election and avoid placing our hope in them?
• Pray for anyone at your table that has a need or concern this week. 
• **We welcome all who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation to receive Communion with us. All options are gluten free. Children are welcome to partake at their parents’ discretion.