Rainier Valley Church - Seattle

"Believing Truth" (Psalm 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 12:1-2)
Everyday Disciple Fall Sermon Series 
Sunday, October 8th

Truth Matters - The Blessing of Walking in Truth (Psalm 1:1-6)
What is the main difference between the righteous person and the wicked person in this psalm?
What does it mean to "walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the path of sinners, and sit in the seat of the scornful"?
What does it mean to "delight in the law of the Lord" and to "meditate in his law day and night"?
What are some of the benefits of being a righteous person, according to this psalm?
How can we apply the lessons of this psalm to our own lives?
Truth Trains - The Profitability of Being Equipped in Truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
What does it mean to say that the Bible is "God-breathed"?
How is the Bible profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness?
How can the Bible help us to be complete and equipped for every good work?
What are some specific examples of how the Bible has helped you in your own life?
How can we make better use of the Bible in our daily lives?
Truth Transforms - The Power of Being Renewed by Truth  (Romans 12:1-2) 
What does it mean to present your body as a living sacrifice to God?
What are some ways that we can do this in our daily lives?
What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of your mind?
How can we learn to distinguish between what is good and acceptable and perfect in God's will?
What are some of the benefits of living in accordance with God's will?

New Sermon Series "Everyday Disciple"

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus, and why does it matter? How are we live out being followers of Jesus in the everyday stuff of daily life?

This Sunday, October 1st, we begin an 8-week series looking at the importance of practical discipleship such as following Jesus, believing truth, praying passionately, singing praises, walking through suffering, resisting temptation, knowing and using our gifts, and always rejoicing and giving thanks. Join us as we explore what it means to follow Jesus together as his disciples in South Seattle from Sunday, October 1st to Sunday, November 26th in our new sermon series "Everyday Disciple"

Discussion Questions for Personal Study and Community Groups

Formation - In what ways are we formed by the stories we believe, the relationships we have, the habits we practice and the environment we live in? What is the difference between intentional and unintentional formation and how can we be more intentional in our formation?

Be With Jesus - What does it mean to be with Jesus? Why is being with Jesus so essential to spiritual formation? What are practical ways that we can be with Jesus?

Be Like Jesus - You imitate what you admire. How have you seen yourself become like those you admire? What does it look like to be like Jesus in the situations and circumstances God has you in? Are you becoming more like Jesus through the circumstances of your life? Are you living a life where the Holy Spirit is getting His way with you? Are you becoming a person of love to the people who know me best and interact with me most frequently?

Do What Jesus Did - We’re called to do what Jesus did = Preaching the Gospel, practicing hospitality, praying to understand God’s will, forgiving our enemies, practicing silence and solitude, gathering with God’s people, living simply, eating with sinners, and making other disciples. What things did Jesus do in his earthly ministry that you need to begin doing? What things did Jesus do that you aren't regularly doing and why? How can you be practicing Jesus' habits in your own life?

What ways can we be praying for one another to be with Jesus, be like Jesus and do what Jesus did? How can we practically support and encourage one another this week? What practical ways can we encourage each other to be like Jesus this week?

"Trusting God" (Psalm 91)
Standalone Message - RVC Member's Meeting
Sunday, September 24th

Community Group Discussion Questions
What are some of the names of God that are used in Psalm 91? What do these names tell us about God's character? What does it mean to dwell in the shelter of the Most High? How can we make God our refuge and dwelling place? What does it mean to "call on the name of the Lord"? How can we do this more effectively? What are some of the ways that God protects us, both physically and spiritually? What are some of the challenges that we may face, even as Christians, and how can we trust God in the midst of those challenges? How can we share the message of Psalm 91 with others who are struggling?

1. Two Paths and _________ (7:13-14)
2. Two Prophets and ___________ (7:15-19)
3. Two Pleas and ___________ (7:20-23)
4. Two Homes and ___________ (7:24-29)

"Formation in Relationships" (Matthew 7:1-12)
Sermon on the Mount: A Kingdom Upside Down
Sunday, September 10th

Logs and Specks (Matt 7:1-5)
What do we have to do first to help others?
Dogs and Hogs (Matt 7:6)
How can we practice discernment in our relationships with non-believers?
Bread and Stones (Matt 7:7-12)
What is the Golden Rule
“Do Unto Others What You Would Have Them Do To You”

Community Group Questions
In what areas of your life are you most likely to be judgmental of someone (e.g. finances, work, health, parenting, marriage, emotions, etc.)?
What is the difference between church discipline (Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5) and sinfully judging a brother or sister?
Why would you not want to be judged with the same same standard you judge others (7:2)?
What aspect of the way God has treated you in the gospel should compel you to be humble and patient instead of judgmental?
How can you discern when you are throwing your pearls before pigs and wasting your time sharing the Gospel with someone who is attacking you (Matt 7:6).
Why is it astounding that God hears and responds to your prayers? If God hears you, why is it important to pray persistently? Why does he want you to pray more than once for your needs?
What is the difference between casual prayer and expectant prayer? What prayers can you look back on and be glad that God did not answer in the way you initially wanted?
How did God answer the prayer better than you asked? How brave are your prayers? Are they filled with needs that you can accomplish on your own or needs that require God to provide?
What is the Golden Rule and how can you apply it in your life this coming week?

Resources for "Formation in Relationships"
Audio - https://rainiervalleychurch.com/latest-sermons
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRRRVWLEcE8

1. Reorder Your __________
2. Remember Your _____
3. Recognize Your _________
4. Consider God’s _______
5. Focus On What Really _______
6. Don’t Borrow _______

"Formation in Kingdom Riches"
Matthew 6:5-24
Sermon on the Mount: A Kingdom Upside Down
Sunday, August 27th

Kingdom Riches Outline from Dan Nordblad
· Introduction: Who I am, what I do, my connection w/Pastor Kyle
· Sermon on the Mount nuances, ethics, takeaways as it pertains to spiritual formation/character development. (Ro. 5.3-5, Ro. 5.29)
· Sermon on the Mount as it is predicated off the first beatitude (Mt. 5.3)
· The imputation of kingdom righteousness both legal and incarnational.
· Matthew 6.5-8 – contrast two types of prayer (hypocrisy/sincerity)
· Matthew 6.9-13 – The Lord’s Prayer – Who we address in prayer and why, contrast our will w/His will. The value of being dependent on God – an extract from Exodus narrative. Sin in the context of debt. Praying according to God’s will, our desire to not succumb to sin.
· Matthew 6.14-15 – An addendum w/emphasis on forgiveness in context with our Christianity. Luke 7.47
· Fasting – our approach to spiritual disciplines, why we fast (Scriptural background to fasting), our personal/private relationship w/God and how that impacts others. (1 Tim. 5.24-25, Heb. 4.13)
· Matthew 6.15-21 – Fools gold versus Kingdom Riches
· The fallibility of materialism versus Kingdom wealth
· Our heart as it resembles our treasure (Pro. 27.19, Ps. 119.162, Col. 3.20)
· Treasures in heaven: Christ, Holy Spirit, Faith, The Word, wisdom
· Matthew 6.22-24 – outlook in life determines outcome in life
· Describe scriptural imagery e.g. eye, body, lamp etc.
· Describe eyes of faith (Psalm 119.130, Ps. 19)
· Describe eyes of unbelief
· New Testament prohibition against idolatry (1 Tim. 6.9-11)
· Christ’s teaching on the value of eternal destination.
· Exhortation: As He becomes your treasure, you become His! (1 Pe. 2.9, Ex. 19.5)Discussion Questions for Community Groups:
1. Is it okay to be a “rich/wealthy” Christian? Why/why not?
2. What are some ways that we can cultivate and develop spiritual disciplines e.g. prayer, fasting, scripture reading?
3. Is the Sermon on the Mount a prescription or description? Why?
4. What are the virtues of a public prayer life if any?
5. Which kingdom ethic do you struggle with the most and why? (unforgiveness, materialism, fasting, etc.)

Guest Speaker: Joe Culumber 

• What does it mean to pray in secret and why is Jesus highlighting the importance of a private prayer life? (Matthew 6:6)
• Why should we not pray like the hypocrites? What are the hypocrites trying to "get" out of their prayer time? (Matthew 6:5)
• What is the difference between praying in public and praying in secret? 
• What practical lessons can we learn from Jesus' teaching and example of prayer? What are the main stumbling blocks in our life around prayer? How can we be praying for each other this week? 

1. Can you think of some examples of public posturing not shared by Jon?
2. Of the three acts of piety Jesus uses as examples which do you have the most experience with? Which do you have the least experience with?
3. What are some examples of religious hypocrisy in our day?
4. What are some ways you have found yourself having the wrong motive when it comes to living out your faith?
5. Have you ever experienced doing spiritual things for the wrong reasons?
6. What are some questions you could ask yourself to determine if you are doing spiritual things for the wrong reason?
7. What’s one thing you will do in response to this message?

1. James explained that to "turn the other cheek" (verse 39) means to not return an insult for an insult. What ways can we deescalate tensions and turn the the volume down on conflicts that we are involved in? On the opposite end, what responses might we have that turn the volume up? How can we be tempted to be personally vengeful?   
2. What is the difference between loving your enemies and forgiving your enemies? How can we grow in trusting God to do what is right in situations where we have been deeply wronged?
3. Formation is the process of becoming more like Jesus in our knee-jerk responses to situations in life. What challenges do we face in following these commands to love our enemies and how can we overcome these challenges?
4. If Jesus didn't come to destroy the law but to fulfill it, what is the significance of Jesus' commands in Matthew 5:38-48 towards our enemies, especially as it relates to the law of God?
5. How do these commands reflect the character of God? How does God love his enemies?
6. What practical application will you take from the message this week? How do these commands challenge us to live differently? How can we help support one another in applying these things in our lives? How can we pray for one another this week? Are there any practical needs that we can help each other with this week?