Sisters Community Church

Ryan Moffat | Exodus 20:1

“You shall not murder."

1. When you see people, do you look for the image of God first and foremost? Why or why not? If you currently don’t, how would that change how you see people if you did?

2. How can you be more intentional helping people connect a Biblical virtue (the sanctity of every human life) to the source of that virtue (The Bible)? Are you actively looking for opportunities to help people ground their conclusions about life from the word of God?

3. While many of us don’t struggle with murder, many of us struggle with judgment of others, hatred in our hearts (Matthew 5), or “fights and quarrels amongst ourselves” (James 4). What steps can you take this week to pull out the ROOTS of sin before it turns to rotten fruit?

4. What happens in life, in family, in church, and in culture if the Church ignores this important teaching?

Jeff and Julie Sanders | Acts 13-14

1. What did you learn about the person and ministry of Barnabas from the book of Acts?

2. Who are the people in your life you would call “Little Christs”? Why do they stand out?

3. What changes can I make to be more intentional, Christ-like, and mission focused as a disciple?

4. How can I or how can our small group be a Barnabas locally in central Oregon?

5. How can I or how can our small group be a Barnabas globally?

Dustin Smith | Exodus 20:12

1. How have the words of God impacted your life and practices so far? What about the 5th word?

2. What does it look like to treat our parents with “weight” or “honor” vs. “lightly” or “dishonoring”?

3. How have you seen people honor parents? What about dishonoring or belittling them?

4. How might Jesus’ instructions to the Pharisees help us to honor both our parents and the aging in our church family? (see Matthew 15:1-9)

5. “Embrace The Other” has four steps: Open the arms, Wait for them, Close the arms, Release them. Where might you be in embracing your parents?

6. What are you inspired to do in light of God’s Words and instructions this week?

For practical information about taking steps towards reconciliation and redemption, we recommend the book, “Boundaries” by Drs. Henry Cloud & John Townsend.

Steve Stratos | Exodus 20:8

1. What are reasons for remembering the Sabbath?

2. What is the hardest part of Sabbath that is keeping you from deep rest? Is it mental, emotional, or spiritual? Explain.

3. How can you have more joy in your Sabbath journey, and what would it look like? Who can you look to to help you with your Sabbath journey? When will you ask them?

4. What are some of the reasons you could bring into your Sabbath for celebration?

5. Why is resting in Christ so integral to your Sabbath celebration? What one thing could you bring into your Sabbath that could enhance your confidence?

Ryan Moffat | Isaiah 58:12

Special Guests Ashley Smith and Sandy Jo Crocker (author of If Walls Could Talk) join Pastor Ryan Moffat to have an honest discussion about domestic abuse. Sandy will share her story and answer important questions like:

1. Where is God in this kind of pain?

2. Why not just leave?

3. How can the Church serve those who are suffering, the marginalized, the hungry, the poor, the destitute? We encourage you to come with a hungry, humble heart ready to receive whatever the Lord has for you. If you need help or know someone who does, please reach out to Ashley at MPerfectly [email protected] OR 843-870-3844 or the SCC Church Office [email protected] OR 541-549-1201.

Steve Stratos | Exodus 20:7

1. While growing up, by what means did you seek a name for yourself? Where did you go to find it?

2. What does your name mean to you?

3. Explain a time where you were proud of your family name.

4. Explain a time when you wished you had a different name and why.

5. What is God revealing to you about the characteristics of the name high above every other name? How have you seen those attributes show up in your life, and what was the result?

Steve Stratos | Exodus 20:4-6

1. What are some of the idols that you have embraced over the years (these could include “good things” that have robbed you of intimacy with God)?

2. How have these idols tried to shape your identity?

3. How have you experienced God’s jealousy and God’s correction? How have those experiences been different?

4. How has the god of this world used your cell phone to rob you of time to worship God?

5. What do you need to remove from being on the throne of your heart? What is the role of repentance?

Ryan Moffat | Exodus 20:3

You shall have no other gods before me

1. Icebreaker & Heart Audit If you audited your daily schedule, budget, and thought life from this past week, what person, goal, or comfort is secretly competing with God for the #1 spot in your heart?

2. Culture & The Danger of Indifference C.S. Lewis noted that humans naturally praise whatever they value. Since we are hardwired to worship, where do you see our culture—or even your own heart—looking for safety and meaning when we grow bored or lukewarm toward God? How are you personally cultivating deeper heart felt worship in your own life?

3. Living Whole-Hearted Reflecting on the quote that Aslan “isn’t safe, but he’s good,” what is one area of your life where God is calling you to move past seeking comfort and to give Him your undivided, whole-hearted trust this week?

Ryan Moffat | 1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

1. The Gift of Guardrails: Ryan shared a story about driving through a guardrail when ignoring speed limits and introduced the idea that God’s laws act as protective guardrails. When in your life have you viewed God’s commands as restrictive “buzzkills” rather than protective grace? How can shifting our perspective to see the Law as liberating change our daily walk with God?

2. The Primacy of Knowing God: The sermon emphasized that asking “Who is God?” is infinitely more important than asking “Who am I?” How does focusing on God’s character (e.g., the God who saves us first, as shown in Exodus before giving the commands) change the way we read and apply His instructions?

3. Gospel Before Law: In Exodus, God rescued Israel from slavery before giving them the Ten Commandments. Why is the order of Gospel first-Law second so critical for us today? What happens to our spiritual life when we reverse this order and try to keep the rules to earn God’s favor?

4. Moral Default vs. God’s Design: The sermon highlighted how modern culture rejects God’s commands yet invents its own “noncommandments” or rules (e.g., “Thou shalt be nice”). Where do you see cultural moral confusion or shifting rules creating tension in your own workplace, school, or friend groups? How can living out God’s design offer a better alternative?

Steve Stratos | Galatians 6:11-18

1. How do you cultivate a discipline of sowing? What works and what doesn’t?

2. How has God been teaching you patience? What has helped you grow to become more patient?

3. Where have you experienced faithfulness and fruitfulness? Explain both!

4. What do you find yourself boasting in, and how does that manifest itself in your life?

5. Explain the significance of what Paul means when he says “the world has been crucified to me and I to the world?” (v. 14) Explain it theologically, psychologically and sociologically.