Rainier Valley Church - Seattle

"How is Your Christmas Spirit?" (John 1:1-4 and Philippians 2:1-11)
Among Us: A Christmas Story
Sunday, December 17th

Discussion and Study Questions 
The Call to Humility (Philippians 2:1-4) - How does Paul's call for unity in verses 1-4 impact the way we connect and assess new churches in 2024?  Why is it so important to have Theological, Relational, Philosophical, Missional unity with your church family?   
The Example of Humility (Philippians 2:5-8) - How is the story of Christmas the greatest example of humility possible? How can we cultivate this mindset/attitude that Jesus shows of ultimate humility? 
The Rewards of Humility (Philippians 2:9-11) - What are the implications of Jesus' glorification and the universal recognition of his Lordship in verses 9-11 for our worship and daily lives? How should this knowledge change our perspective on suffering, service, and the future?

Resources for "Know Your Rights This Christmas"
Audio - https://rainiervalleychurch.com/latest-sermons
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go2X_kP5Wjc&t=2079s

1. Who is the "true light" mentioned in verse 9 and why is light a fitting description of this figure? (Hint: consider John 8:12) What are some ways we can share the "true light" of Jesus with others in our community? How is Jesus a light into the darkness of our lives and the lives of those we know and love?
2. Why do you think the world did not recognize the true light, even though it was made through him? (v. 10) Share a time when you felt "rejected" or "not recognized" by those around you. How did you find your own light in that situation?What does it mean that Jesus "came to his own, and his own people did not receive him"? (v. 11)
3. What is the "right to become children of God" that Jesus gives in verse 12? How does one receive this right? How can we better receive the "right to become children of God" and live out our inheritance as his children?How does this passage challenge or encourage your understanding of Jesus and your relationship with him?
4. Children of God have Confidence in God (1 John 2:28) - Why do Children of God have confidence in their relationship with God? How does confidence practically change our relationship with God? What is the difference between a relationship with God marked by either confidence or shame? 
5. Children of God Are Becoming Like God (1 John 2:29) - How does being a Child of God set the course of our life and transform us to be more like God?
6. Children of God Experience the Love of God (1 John 3:1) - How do Children of God experience the love of God? How are you currently experiencing the love of God in your life? What ways does the love of God help, strengthen, support and guide us?
7. Children of God Have Hope in God’s Future (1 John 3:2-3) - How does having hope in Jesus' return purify us? How have your experienced the purifying power of hope in your life? k
8. What ways can we be praying for one another and supporting one another this week?

"What Gifts are You Getting for Christmas?" (John 1:14-18)
Among Us: A Christmas Story
Sunday, December 3rd

Discussion Questions: 
Presence and Glory John 1:14-15 - What does it mean that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us? How does this challenge our understanding of God?What does John mean by "we have seen his glory"? What kind of glory are we talking about here?
Grace and Truth  John 1:16-17 - How is the glory of Jesus described? What does it mean that he is "full of grace and truth"? How does common grace and saving grace function like grace upon grace in our life? What was can we act like Jesus by being both gracious and truthful? What are some ways that you have seen grace and truth embodied in the life of Jesus?
Revelation and Clarity John 1:18 - John says that "no one has ever seen God." What does this mean? How can Jesus then make God known? What does the phrase "the only God, who is at the Father's side" tell us about the relationship between Jesus and God the Father? Share your own experiences of encountering the glory of God. How can we, as a community, better reflect the glory of God in our own lives?

"Who is Coming Over for Christmas?" (John 1:1-5)
Among Us: A Christmas Story
Sunday, November 26th

Discussion Questions:
Who is someone you are looking forward to seeing this Christmas season?
Why is preparing our hearts so important for our deep enjoyment of the Christmas season.
Jesus is the Eternal God - John 1:1 (What does it mean that Jesus is the Word?)
Jesus is the Creator God - John 1:2-3 (Why is it important to understand that Jesus is the Creator?
Jesus is the Living God - John 1:4-5 (How is Jesus the life and the light?)
How would you explain the incarnation to someone who has never heard of it?
How does the incarnation affect your daily faith? Why does it even matter if Jesus is divine?
How can we pray for one another as we start this year's Christmas season.

"Always Rejoicing and Giving Thanks" (Philippians 4:10-13)

Everyday Disciple

Sunday, November 19th

"Walking with God through Suffering" (John 11:17-45)
Everyday Disciple
Sunday, November 5th

Discussion Questions
What does Jesus' weeping at the tomb of Lazarus reveal about his character?
Why did Martha and Mary doubt Jesus even though He had previously performed many miracles?
What is the significance of Jesus' statement that He is "the resurrection and the life"?
How does Jesus' raising of Lazarus challenge our understanding of death and dying?
What does the reaction of the Jewish leaders to Lazarus' resurrection tell us about their motivations?
How has your understanding of death and dying changed in light of Jesus' raising of Lazarus?
How can you be more like Jesus in your compassion for those who are grieving?
How can you be more open to sharing your faith with others, even when it is difficult?
How can you live your life in a way that brings glory to God?
How can we pray for one another this week? How can we practically support one another this coming week?

Resources for "Everyday Disciple: Walking with God through suffering"
Audio - https://rainiervalleychurch.com/latest-sermons
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LS4BupKnfo

"Resisting Temptation" (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Everyday Disciple
Sunday, October 29th

Discussion Questions
Share a time when you were tempted and how you overcame it.
What are some of the things that you do to resist temptation in your everyday life?
What are some of the ways that the Holy Spirit has helped you to overcome temptation?
What are some of the things that we can do as a small group to support each other in our struggles with temptation?
What does it mean to say that God will "provide a way out of temptation"?
How can we recognize the temptations that are common to all humanity?
What are some of the specific temptations that we face in our own lives today?
How can we resist temptation and stand firm in our faith?
What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us to overcome temptation?
What are some of the things that we can do to prepare ourselves for temptation?
How can we support each other in our struggles with temptation?
What are some examples of people in the Bible who overcame temptation?
What are some of the consequences of giving into temptation?
What are the benefits of resisting temptation?

"Singing Praises" (Ephesians 5:18-21)
Everyday Disciple
Sunday, October 22nd

Discussion Questions
What are some of your favorite songs and why? How has music been meaningful at different season of your life? 
What are some silly songs or commercial jingles that have got stuck in your head over the years?
What was the first song you remember hearing as a child? What songs deeply impacted you as a teenager? 
Read through Ephesians 5:18-21 and consider what sin is to be avoided, what command is to be obeyed, and what promise is to be claimed? 
Why is Drunkenness a sin? Why does Paul contrast the sin of drunkenness with the command to be filled with the Spirit? 
What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? What are some practical ways to be filled with the Spirit? 
What are some of the things that can hinder us from being filled with the Spirit? 

Singing Convicts us of Sin - How does singing reveal what's truth, good and beautiful? How have you been convicted by singing what is true in your life? How is singing praises to God a holy activity in an unholy world? 
Singing Reminds us of Truth - How does singing help us to gain godly perspective? How does singing praises remind us of what it truth? How have you been helped by coming to church and singing what is right and true? 
Singing Brings us Comfort - What ways have you been encouraged by singing praise to God? What ways have you been encouraged by coming to church and singing praises with other brothers and sisters in Christ? 
Singing Helps us Remember - How does singing help us to remember ideas and concepts when they're set to music? What sorts of Christian doctrines or Christian disciplines immediately connect you with songs you've learned in the past? 
Singing Expresses our Emotions - How does singing help you to express difficult emotions such as doubt, fear, anger, disappointment, etc? How have you experienced singing as a way to connect with your emotions in a way that nothing else can? 
Singing Empowers us to Give Thanks - What sorts of things do we need to give thanks to God for? How does singing help us to praise God and give thanks? 

"Praying Passionately" (Matthew 6:9-12)
Everyday Disciple
Sunday, October 15th

Adoration - Spend Time with the Father (6:9)  
Intercession - Seek the Kingdom in Seattle (6:10) 
Petition - Trust God with My Needs (6:11) 
Confession - Be An Example of Forgiveness (6:12) 
Warfare - Fight Against the Evil One (6:13)
Worship - Praising His Glory (6:13b) 

6:9 “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Pray that God’s kingdom would come and his will would be done in your heart, your life and your family. 
Pray that God’s kingdom would come and will would be done in our community, schools, businesses, local and national government
6:11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
Prayer that God would provide for you, your family and your church
Prayer that God would forgive any sins you’re aware of this week and thank him for his forgiveness
Pray that God would make you an increasingly forgiving person. 
6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
Pray that the Lord would reveal the schemes and lies of the enemy that we’ve been believing, that have been holding us in condemnation, shame and guilt. 
Pray that the Lord would lead you away from the temptations of apathy, bitterness, greed, lust, etc. 

Resources for "Everyday Disciple: Praying Passionately"
Audio - https://rainiervalleychurch.com/latest-sermons
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbVyEw1nO9w