Sermon Archives - EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 1:15
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love

1. An Overview of Malachi's Book
2. Reminders of God's Love

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

When is the first time you remember hearing about the love/wrath of God?

1. Read Malachi 1 out loud as a group. Summarize the chapter in your own words. What is the main point?
2. Why were the people complaining about God not loving them? Have you ever done this? When?
3. If you have a study Bible, remind the group of some basic information about Malachi and his times.
4. Read Malachi 1:1-3. What does it mean, “I have loved Jacob, but Esau I hated”?
5. Read Romans 9:6-21. How does Paul use this quote from Malachi? What is Paul’s point?
6. Does the doctrine of election/predestination rule out God’s love? Why or why not?
7. Read Psalm 136 out loud. What is the writer reminding us of? Why is this so easy to forget?
8. Read Psalm 103:1-13 out loud. Talk about God’s love as revealed in the Old Testament.
9. How is the love of God distorted in American culture today? Be specific.
10. Read John 3:16. Name as many truths as you can find in this famous verse about God’s love.

What do you struggle more with: God’s love or wrath? Why?

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-7
Series: Family Matters

1. The Command to Discipline
2. Guidelines for Discipline

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

How was discipline handled in your family growing up? What have you imitated? Dispensed with?

1. Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9. Summarize what the Bible is teaching about training our children.
2. Read Jeremiah 17:9, Isaiah 59:2, and Romans 3:10-20. What is the human condition before God?
3. How does the doctrine of sin affect parenting? Be specific.
4. How seriously do (did) you take the doctrine of sin when it comes to your parenting?
5. Read Proverbs 23:13-14 and 29:15, 17. Summarize the Bible’s teaching on discipline in these verses.
6. Read Colossians 3:20. What is God’s will for children? What does this mean? Not mean?
7. Read Exodus 20:12. What does it mean to “honor” father and mother? How serious is a violation of this?
8. How does “honoring” change as children grow older? When does “obeying” cease as part of honoring?
9. Read Proverbs 22:15. Why should discipline be punitive? Discuss what this means and what it does not mean.
10. Why do children need to be evangelized? How should they be evangelized? When?
11. What is the gospel? How should it be explained to children/grandchildren?

How can your Community Group pray for you with regard to parenting, grandparenting, and/or surrogate parenting? 

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-7
Series: Family Matters

1. The Command to Discipline
2. Guidelines for Discipline

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

How was discipline handled in your family growing up? What have you imitated? Dispensed with?

1. Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9. Summarize what the Bible is teaching about training our children.
2. Read Jeremiah 17:9, Isaiah 59:2, and Romans 3:10-20. What is the human condition before God?
3. How does the doctrine of sin affect parenting? Be specific.
4. How seriously do (did) you take the doctrine of sin when it comes to your parenting?
5. Read Proverbs 23:13-14 and 29:15, 17. Summarize the Bible’s teaching on discipline in these verses.
6. Read Colossians 3:20. What is God’s will for children? What does this mean? Not mean?
7. Read Exodus 20:12. What does it mean to “honor” father and mother? How serious is a violation of this?
8. How does “honoring” change as children grow older? When does “obeying” cease as part of honoring?
9. Read Proverbs 22:15. Why should discipline be punitive? Discuss what this means and what it does not mean.
10. Why do children need to be evangelized? How should they be evangelized? When?
11. What is the gospel? How should it be explained to children/grandchildren?

How can your Community Group pray for you with regard to parenting, grandparenting, and/or surrogate parenting? 

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7
Series: Family Matters

1. Straight Talk about Marriage (vv. 1-9)
2. Straight Talk about Divorce (vv. 10-24)
3. Straight Talk about Being Single (vv. 25-40)

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

• Did you listen to the sermon?
• What are you most looking forward to in your Community Group?

1. Read Genesis 2:15-25. How is Eve a “suitable helper” for Adam? Were Adam and Eve literal people?
2. Read Malachi 2:10-16. Why does the Bible use such strong language about divorce? Discuss. Why does the Bible call marriage a “covenant”? What does this mean?
3. Read Matthew 19:1-11. Summarize and discuss what Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce here. When is divorce permitted? When is it not permitted? Why?
4. What role can “empty nesters” and older couples play in the lives of singles? Younger married couples?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. Why is any form of sexual activity, outside of marriage, sinful? Why is sexual activity outside of marriage so destructive to us personally?
6. Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-6. What are Paul’s instructions to husbands and wives about sexual relations?
7. Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-35. What are some benefits of staying single?
8. How is singleness viewed in the church today?
9. Look through 1 Corinthians 7 again. Under what circumstances, biblically, is someone free to remarry?
10. Read Ephesians 5:22-33. What are Paul’s instructions to husbands? To wives? What are the benefits?

Spend time praying for singles and married couples in your group.

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7
Series: Family Matters

1. Straight Talk about Marriage (vv. 1-9)
2. Straight Talk about Divorce (vv. 10-24)
3. Straight Talk about Being Single (vv. 25-40)

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

• Did you listen to the sermon?
• What are you most looking forward to in your Community Group?

1. Read Genesis 2:15-25. How is Eve a “suitable helper” for Adam? Were Adam and Eve literal people?
2. Read Malachi 2:10-16. Why does the Bible use such strong language about divorce? Discuss. Why does the Bible call marriage a “covenant”? What does this mean?
3. Read Matthew 19:1-11. Summarize and discuss what Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce here. When is divorce permitted? When is it not permitted? Why?
4. What role can “empty nesters” and older couples play in the lives of singles? Younger married couples?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. Why is any form of sexual activity, outside of marriage, sinful? Why is sexual activity outside of marriage so destructive to us personally?
6. Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-6. What are Paul’s instructions to husbands and wives about sexual relations?
7. Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-35. What are some benefits of staying single?
8. How is singleness viewed in the church today?
9. Look through 1 Corinthians 7 again. Under what circumstances, biblically, is someone free to remarry?
10. Read Ephesians 5:22-33. What are Paul’s instructions to husbands? To wives? What are the benefits?

Spend time praying for singles and married couples in your group.

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Genesis 12:10-20
Series: Family Matters

1. Abraham’s Lying
2. Isaac and Rebekah’s Favoritism
3. Rebekah’s Lying on Behalf of Her Son
4. Gideon’s Half-hearted Commitment to God
5. Eli’s Failure to Disciple and Discipline His Sons

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Genesis 12:10-20
Series: Family Matters

1. Abraham’s Lying
2. Isaac and Rebekah’s Favoritism
3. Rebekah’s Lying on Behalf of Her Son
4. Gideon’s Half-hearted Commitment to God
5. Eli’s Failure to Disciple and Discipline His Sons

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Series: Family Matters

1. Remember That Your Marriage Is Priority #1
2. Remember the Ultimate Goal of Parenting
3. Remember Four Essentials to Parenting According to the Bible

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Series: Family Matters

1. Remember That Your Marriage Is Priority #1
2. Remember the Ultimate Goal of Parenting
3. Remember Four Essentials to Parenting According to the Bible

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33
Series: Family Matters

1. God's Will for Marriage (vv. 31-33)
2. God's Will for Wives (vv. 22-24)
3. God's Will for Husbands (vv. 25-30)