One Single Story

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Salvation: God's Solution to Sin

On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell, Jay Rivenbark, and Alyssa Bream discuss the following questions:

During our Bible reading today, there was a little detail that jumped out at me for some reason. When King Herod heard about Jesus, why was he puzzled? What was he confused about?

So, do you think that Herod was puzzled only because he was keeping an eye on Jesus for fear that he might be leading a political rebellion?

People are not converted by the principles of Jesus' teaching, or His miracles, or even by the lifestyle that His disciples live. Conversion requires the work of the Holy Spirit. Why do you think this is the case?

Have you ever fallen into the trap of trying to "argue" to someone into the Kingdom of God?

The reading for the day is:

Deuteronomy 16:1–17:20

Luke 9:7-27

Psalm 72:1-20

Proverbs 12:8-9

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Heaven and Hell: Eternal Realities On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell, Sheryl Daughety, and Wendy Korbusieski discuss the following questions: The instruction that Jesus gave to "pay attention to how you hear" really stood out to me. What did Jesus mean by "how" you hear? We have been talking about eternity, judgment, heaven, and hell during this week. How can we apply this scripture to our conversation so far? Why do so many people who say they believe in Heaven in Hell never change their behavior? Do you think Heaven and Hell are subjects that promote a reward and punishment mentality? Is reward and punishment enough motivation to change a person's behavior? The reading for the day is: Deuteronomy 9:1–10:22 Luke 8:4-21 Psalm 69:19-36 Proverbs 12:2-3

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Heaven and Hell: Eternal Realities

On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell, Sheryl Daughety, and Wendy Korbusieski discuss the following questions:

This is another one of those passages where you can miss something if you're not aware of all the cultural differences between theirs and ours. Wouldn't you agree?

What stood out to me the most is that we do not know whether Simon responded in a positive way.

What kind of ending would you like to write to the story?

What does that ending say about you and your relationship with Jesus?

Do you identify more with Simon, or do you identify more with the woman?

The reading for the day is:

Deuteronomy 7:1–8:20

Luke 7:36–8:3

Psalm 69:1-18

Proverbs 12:1

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Heaven and Hell: Eternal Realities

On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell, Sheryl Daughety, and Wendy Korbusieski discuss the following questions:

On Monday we talked about the hope of Heaven. Yesterday we talked about the warning of coming floods, which referenced both trials and the judgment of God. Why have we decided to look at this little verse in Proverbs?

What do you think hell is really going to be like?

In light of how Peter understood Proverbs 11:31, do you see God's grace demonstrated to believers through trials in a different way?

The reading for the day is:

Deuteronomy 5:1–6:25

Luke 7:11-35

Psalm 68:19-35

Proverbs 11:29-31

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Heaven and Hell: Eternal Realities

On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell, Sheryl Daughety, and Wendy Korbusieski discuss the following questions:

This little parable of Jesus seems very simple. What do you think the ultimate meaning of this parable is?

What do floodwaters represent in this parable?

We do not like to discuss obedience (i.e. how we behave) as much as we enjoy talking about the big ideas of Christianity. Why is this the case?

Have you ever lived through a season of your life that you would describe as floodwaters? How did it challenge or strengthen your faith?

The reading for the day is:

Deuteronomy 4:1-49

Luke 6:39–7:10

Psalm 68:1-18

Proverbs 11:28

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Heaven and Hell: Eternal Realities

On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell, Sheryl Daughety, and Wendy Korbusieski discuss the following questions:

I'm not going to lie. When I read this text about Moses, begging God to permit him to enter the Promised Land, my heart is just torn. Why wouldn't God allow Moses to at least enter the land?

That is an interesting perspective. I suppose what Moses said in verse 24 was an indication of the great hope that he possessed.

Do you think hoping for Heaven is a type of escape mentality? Like people just wanting to get out of their trouble rather than understanding Heaven as the hope given through Christ.

How can we communicate the hope found in the Gospel message to others?

The reading for the day is:

Deuteronomy 2:1–3:29

Luke 6:12-38

Psalm 67:1-7

Proverbs 11:27

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Heaven and Hell: Eternal Realities

On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell, Sheryl Daughety, and Wendy Korbusieski discuss the following questions:

The instruction that Jesus gave to "pay attention to how you hear" really stood out to me. What did Jesus mean by "how" you hear?

We have been talking about eternity, judgment, heaven, and hell during this week. How can we apply this scripture to our conversation so far?

Why do so many people who say they believe in Heaven in Hell never change their behavior?

Do you think Heaven and Hell are subjects that promote a reward and punishment mentality? Is reward and punishment enough motivation to change a person's behavior?

The reading for the day is:

Deuteronomy 9:1–10:22

Luke 8:4-21

Psalm 69:19-36

Proverbs 12:2-3

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Sin: Humanity's Problem

On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell, Jay Rivenbark, and Alyssa Bream discuss the following questions:

You know, we think of sin as our problem. But this passage teaches us that Jesus was also tempted, even though He did not succumb to any of the temptations. Were these temptations unique to Jesus? They certainly do not seem like the kind of temptations I have faced.

So at the heart of it, these temptations are similar to the kinds of temptations we face even if the method of temptation is different?

Tell us about a time when the enemy has tempted you to call yourself a son / daughter of God and yet act like the you were the opposite of an obedient child of God.

Have you ever been tempted to choose power or position over your relationship with God?

Why is it important to know the Word in order to resist temptations?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 26:1-51

Luke 2:36-52

Psalm 60:1-12

Proverbs 11:15

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Sin: Humanity's Problem

On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell, Jay Rivenbark, and Alyssa Bream discuss the following questions:

We have been looking at Luke, who wrote the gospel of Luke, as a storyteller for the past couple of days. I am interested to know what you think the purpose of today's reading serves in Luke's story of Jesus.

So what does this genealogy list tell us about the social status of Jesus?

Sometimes we forget that the social and cultural setting of the Bible was just as broken as our own culture. Because Jesus was "supposed" to be the son of Joseph, Jesus' social status was scandalous. What kind of social media comments do you think we would read about Mary and Joseph if Jesus had been born in our culture?

Jesus' identity as the Son of God transcends cultural and social status. How does that speak to you about your own view of social status in our modern day?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 28:16–29:40

Luke 3:23-38

Psalm 62:1-12

Proverbs 11:18-19

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Sin: Humanity's Problem

On this edition of One Single Story, Pastors Stephen Mizell, Jay Rivenbark, and Alyssa Bream discuss the following questions:

Yesterday we spoke about Luke as a storyteller, shifting the focus from the parents of John the Baptist and the parents of Jesus to Jesus as the central character of the story. Now Luke jumps to the ministry of John the Baptist. What is the storyteller doing now?

How will the central character deal with the antagonist called "sin"?

What do you think it means for Jesus to separate the chaff from the wheat and clean up the threshing area?

The tone of the message of John the Baptist is one of judgment and warning. In light of the context of judgment, what do you think John meant by, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire"?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 26:52–28:15

Luke 3:1-22

Psalm 61:1-8

Proverbs 11:16-17