One Single Story

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:

It struck me that this little scenario is the only thing we know about the childhood of Jesus. Why does the Bible not give us more information about what Jesus was like while He was growing up?

That is an interesting perspective. Out of all of the moments that must have occurred as Jesus was growing up, why do we know about this one story of Jesus getting left behind at the Temple?

Do you see Jesus as the main character in the story of your life?

The Father was the main character from the perspective of Jesus. With that in mind, what do you think about the exchange between Mary and Jesus: "Your father and I have been frantic . . ." vs. "I must be in my Father's house . . ."

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: The Trinity: One God in Three Persons

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

Most people do not like snakes. I cannot think of a worse judgment from God than an infestation of poisonous snakes! Is this not sort of a harsh response just for complaining?

That is a scary thought. And I remember that Jesus used this particular illustration to explain His own death.

We talk of God the Father sending His one and only Son. What must that have been like for God?

What can we say to people who suggest God has not provided enough ways to save the world that hates Him?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 21:1–22:20

Luke 1:26-56

Psalm 57:1-11

Proverbs 11:9-11

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: The Trinity: One God in Three Persons

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

Yesterday we looked at the end of the story of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark. Now we get to read the story all over again in the Gospel of Luke. What stands out to you about the beginning of Luke's Gospel?

That is interesting because we don't normally think about God as the primary character in a story like this. How can you see God as the primary character?

How does it change the way you read the Bible when you see yourself as part of God's great story for mankind?

How does it change your perspective when you think of God as the main character in your story instead of you being the main character in your story?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 19:1–20:29

Luke 1:1-25

Psalm 56:1-13

Proverbs 11:8

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: The Trinity: One God in Three Persons

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

Personally, I think this is a fantastic way for the Gospel of Mark to end. As a conclusion to a story, I think it is perfect.

Verse 19 sums up the story of Jesus nicely. But verse 20 adds a second dimension that hints at our inclusion in the story. Talk about that a little.

Talking about concepts of the Trinity is pretty deep. On more of a practical level, how does thinking about Jesus as the Son of God and the Son of Man affect you in your personal relationship with Jesus?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 16:41–18:32

Mark 16:1-20

Psalm 55:1-23

Proverbs 11:7

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: The Trinity: One God in Three Persons

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

Yesterday we talked about Jesus referring to Himself as the "Son of Man." Today I noticed we're looking at a scripture that calls Jesus "Son of God." What does this title mean?

So are you saying that when the Bible calls Jesus the "Son of God" it is not a divine title?

Do you think the idea that Jesus is the divine Son of God is one of the concepts that cause people to reject Jesus?

In your life as a Christian, do you think of Jesus more in terms of His deity than you do His humanity? Why?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 15:17–16:40

Mark 15:1-47

Psalm 54:1-7

Proverbs 11:5-6

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: The Trinity: One God in Three Persons

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

I have heard that some people suggest Jesus never claimed to be God, or to have divine characteristics of God. But I noticed in this passage that the Jewish high priest understood Jesus' words to be "blasphemy." It sounds to me like the high priest, believed Jesus was claiming to be divine in some way. Am I reading this correctly?

But explain how that was a claim to divinity. I thought Jewish teaching rejected the idea of a human person possessing divine qualities.

The subject of the Trinity is very deep and complex. How do you understand God as being one God in three Persons?

A lot of people use illustrations to try to explain aspects of the Trinity. These illustrations can sometimes be helpful, and sometimes can cause more confusion. Do you have an illustration that has helped you to grasp this teaching? (E.g. Three states of water: ice, liquid, steam; Multiple roles of a person: a husband, a father, an employee; Three equal sides of a triangle; etc.)

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 14:1–15:16

Mark 14:53-72

Psalm 53:1-6

Proverbs 11:4

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: The Bible: God's Word as the Ultimate Authority

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

Earlier this week we talked about Jesus speaking to a fig tree and causing it to wither up. I'm curious if the fig tree Jesus mentioned here in Mark 13:28 is a reference to that fig tree that withered up in chapter 11?

So we don't know for sure whether or not Jesus specifically was speaking about the fig tree from earlier in Mark chapter 11?

Jesus said His Word would never disappear, it is eternal. Do you think the Bible will be in heaven?

How does the imagery that the Word is eternal enrich and your personal devotional time?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 8:1–9:23

Mark 13:14-37

Psalm 50:1-23

Proverbs 10:29-30

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: The Bible: God's Word as the Ultimate Authority

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

Yesterday's lesson was about the importance of listening to God through His word. Again today, I noticed we are looking at a Psalm that opens up with a commandment to "listen."

What does that mean? How can we use music or a musical instrument to solve a riddle?

What is the difference between the style of music and the message of music?

Style can be deceptive. Music can be both beautiful and teach Godless lies. A prime example is the well known song "Imagine," written by John Lennon. What do you think about these lyrics?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 6:1–7:89

Mark 12:38–13:13

Psalm 49:1-20

Proverbs 10:27-28

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: The Bible: God's Word as the Ultimate Authority

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

This is one of those Scriptures that when I read it, I feel like I might be missing some important background information in order to really understand it. Is that the case?

So what you are saying is that in order to know God and to love God, we have to first listen?

Tell us how the Lord speaks to you through the Word.

Have you ever read a passage that seemed to directly address a situation you were going through at that very moment?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 4:1–5:31

Mark 12:18-37

Psalm 48:1-14

Proverbs 10:26

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: The Bible: God's Word as the Ultimate Authority

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

This psalm has a tone of excitement and joy to it. What exactly are these people partying about?

Well, I believe in God. But if I'm honest, sometimes I miss the meaning of Scriptures like this. What is the big deal about recognizing that God is King?

Some people read the Word without recognizing its authority over their life. How does recognizing God's identity as World King change how you personally read and receive the Scripture?

Do you think God rules the world now? Do you think He will rule the world in the future? What would a world under God's rule look like?

The reading for the day is:

Numbers 2:1–3:51

Mark 11:27–12:17

Psalm 47:1-9

Proverbs 10:24-25