One Single Story

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Communication in Relationships

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

It does not look to me like this passage and the passage about Adam being alone would connect to each other. Explain this connection.

Do you think isolation is a problem in our society?

Do you think that believers should view relationships from a different perspective than non-believers? Explain.

Why do you think it is crucial that people in leadership live in relationship with those whom they lead?

The reading for the day is:

Exodus 17:8–19:15

Matthew 22:34–23:12

Psalm 27:7-14

Proverbs 6:27-35

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Praying for Protection

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

I think a lot of people have missed this part of the story of the 10 plagues and the Israelites coming out of slavery. It is interesting that during the first Passover, God said He purchased every firstborn son for Himself.

How exactly did they buy back the first born?

What does this passage mean for us today?

We have focused this week on praying for protection. Tell us about a time when God supernaturally protected you from hurt, harm, or danger.

Do you think that most people overlook the importance of the greatest protection of all: the protection from the punishment of sin?

The reading for the day is:

Exodus 12:14–13:16

Matthew 20:29–21:22

Psalm 25:16-22

Proverbs 6:12-15

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Praying for Protection

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

Our focus has been on prayer this month. When I read in our daily reading passage what the mother of James and John did, I thought we could call this a kind of prayer. Do you agree?

An important part of praying is that we pray, according to the will of God. Have you ever asked God for something and he gave it to you, and later you regretted it? Did God show wisdom in answering that prayer?

Have you ever prayed for something and God said, "No," and then later you realized that was the best answer you could've possibly received?

How do "prayer" and "trusting God to know how to answer prayer" go together?

The reading for the day is:

Exodus 10:1–12:13

Matthew 20:1-28

Psalm 25:1-15

Proverbs 6:6-11

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Praying for Protection

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

I have always assumed that the plagues that came upon the Egyptians did not come upon the Israelites who were enslaved in Egypt at that time. But the Bible does not explicitly state that the Israelites did not experience the effects of each of the plagues, does it?

What can we get out of this text today? Sometimes when I read the Bible, it doesn't seem like it directly relates to me and my life.

Can you think of some examples of how people's lives are plagued because of sin?

How does trusting in God preserve us from these kind of plagues?

Trusting God doesn't necessarily mean that we will never experience any consequences of sin or our poor choices. What is the real difference between the life of a person who is in a relationship with God and is experiencing sin's consequences and the life of a person who is not in relationship with God?

The reading for the day is:

Exodus 8:1–9:35

Matthew 19:13-30

Psalm 24:1-10

Proverbs 6:1-5

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Praying for Protection

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

Why is it important for you to think about who might have been in David's mind when he was writing Psalm 23?

Have your children ever heard you pray for them? In particular, have they ever had the chance to hear you pray for them when you were not specifically praying with them?

We do not pray to be heard by others. But why is it sometimes important for other believers to hear us praying?

When you encourage yourself by praying for protection, does that actually work? Is it even possible to strengthen yourself and encourage yourself?

The reading for the day is:

Exodus 5:22–7:25

Matthew 18:21–19:12

Psalm 23:1-6

Proverbs 5:22-23

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Praying for Protection

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

A lot of people are afraid of snakes. So when I read the story of Moses' staff turning into a snake, and then Moses picking the snake up by the tail, I can't help but wonder if I would have the courage to pick up a snake by the tail. But it started me thinking. What exactly was Moses afraid of? Why was he so reluctant to go back and speak to Pharaoh?

So in one sense, the things Moses fears relate directly to things that many people today fear?

What is your response to the idea that God has called you to be obedient, not necessarily called you to succeed?

Our focus this week is on praying for protection. How does this topic of fear and trusting God relate to our need for protection?

The reading for the day is:

Exodus 4:1–5:21

Matthew 18:1-20

Psalm 22:19-31

Proverbs 5:15-21

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Praying for God's Presence

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

Joseph becomes upset when Jacob crosses his hands and places his right hand on the head of the younger son. Why is that such a big deal?

Did the conflict continue with Ephraim and Manasseh?

What uncomfortable areas of your life do you think God might be working in to bring about His greater plan and good?

How are you praying for God's presence to affect family relationships in our church community? How about in your own family?

The reading for the day is:

Genesis 48:1–49:33

Matthew 15:29–16:12

Psalm 20:1-9

Proverbs 4:20-27

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Praying for God's Presence

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

Most of us are probably not up on our Bible geography. What's the big deal about Beersheba?

Does this sound too good to be true? Have you ever saw God about a major decision and yet didn't feel like you had a clear directive?

What do you do when you seek God about a major decision but still don't think the answers are clear?

The reading for the day is:

Genesis 46:1–47:31

Matthew 15:1-28

Psalm 19:1-14

Proverbs 4:14-19

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Praying for God's Presence

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

The Bible reading plan cover several verses in Matthew 14. Why have you chosen these two simple verses that basically state Jesus prayed? Doesn't seem very remarkable.

And why do we believe prayer was connected to Jesus' intimate relationship with His father?

The real question is not why did Jesus pray so much, but why do Christians pray so little? Use your imagination for a moment. What do you think it would've sounded alike to eavesdrop on Jesus prayer time?

Have you ever overheard somebody praying for you when they didn't know you were overhearing them? What did you think and feel when you heard that? If you've never had that experience, how do you think it might affect you?

The reading for the day is:

Genesis 44:1–45:28

Matthew 14:13-36

Psalm 18:37-50

Proverbs 4:11-13

Theme From Sunday's Sermon: Praying for God's Presence

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

How can we experience God's presence personally like David did?

How do you think the Bible teaches us that trusting in Jesus gives us access to these kind of promises?

David's description is very vivid. Is that what prayer is like for you: earthquakes (v. 7), smoke (v. 8), God coming down flying on angelic beings (v. 10)?

How does your time of prayer compare to the imagery we find in Psalm 18?

The reading for the day is:

Genesis 42:18–43:34

Matthew 13:47–14:12

Psalm 18:16-36

Proverbs 4:7-10