The Fold

We are continuing in our third week of the Paradox sermon series. We have a special guest, Ryan Hughes, the associate pastor at Rosendale Christian Church. He is covering Philippians 2, working through questions of Humility.

Discussion Questions:

1. What was the reason for the path you chose in life?
2. When you walk into a room of people, are you thinking about what they think of you, or are you thinking about them?
3. If you ask a favor of someone that will cost them something, do you expect them to help? or when someone asks you for a favor that will cost you, do you help?
4. Do you ever plan how you are going to intentionally help others?

We are continuing in our Paradox series! This week, Ryan is taking us through Paul's encouragement and leaning on how "to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Ryan has three points:

1. Proclaim Christ in Life or Death
2. Practice Living Consistent to the Gospel.
3. Perceive Suffering as a Privilege.

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways does Paul's mindset on life and death differ from the world's? (Phil 1:21)

2. Do you consider your day to day actions to be consistent with the gospel? How about when making big life decisions, what factor does the gospel play in that?

3. How might suffering look different for the believer in the 21st century church as compared to the 1st century Philippian church? How can we ensure that we suffer well as Christians?

We are kicking off our next sermon series: Paradox! Van is leading us off through Philippians 1!

Van will walk through Paul’s situation under arrest, showing how—even in hardship—his focus stayed rooted in Christ. This message challenges us to examine where our attention goes in both the highs and lows of life, and what it looks like to stay grounded no matter the circumstances.

Discussion Questions:

• If you wrote a letter to fellow believers from a prison cell, what would you say?
• Does your life reflect a joyous life in Christ, regardless of your circumstances?
• Where do you focus during the toughest moments of your life?

We are wrapping up our Written in Stone series. This week, Preston looks to cover the greatest commandment, said by Jesus in Matthew 22.

Preston has three points:

- Love for God is the Top Priority for a Faithful Follower of Christ

- A Heart for the Father is Revealed by Love for His Children

- The Law was Given to Teach us How to Love

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does Jesus place love for God above all other Commandments? Why is love for our neighbor listed second?

2. What does it look like to love God, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength? What does it look like to love our neighbor as ourselves?

3. What is the ultimate purpose of the Commandments? How can we live a life at honor’s God through our obedience?

We are continuing through our Written in Stone series. This week, Ryan looks to cover the last 5 commandments listed in Exodus 20. We ultimately want to communicate how we can see the relevance of the 10 commandments and how we live them out on this side of the Cross.

Ryan has three points:

- Refine Your Heart

- Revere Your God

- Reach for your Redeemer

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you find it hard to follow the commandments 5-10 after Jesus clarifies that each of those sins (murder, adultery, theft, etc) begin at the heart level?

2. How does Jesus' fulfillment of the Old Testament law impact the way we view the law?

3. Have you had conversations with proclaiming Christians that struggle to answer the 2 questions that Ryan asked in his sermon? What advice to do you have for them?

We are jumping into our third week of our Written in Stone series! Ryan is taking us through the fifth commandment in Exodus 20:12

Ryan is looking to encourage us to recognize a biblical framework for nuanced family dynamics while also correctly submitting to God's fifth commandment to His people in the Old Testament.

1., Family is the Primary Plan for Discipleship.

2. Honor to Parents Does Not Mean Agreement.

3. Honor to Parents Means Care and Respect.

Discussion Questions:

- What does honor mean in Exodus 20:12 when it says to honor your parents?

- How can you still show respect to your parents when disagreeing with them?

- How would you encourage someone who has a difficult relationship with their parents to still honor them in young adulthood?

- In what ways is God being our Heavenly Father a comfort for those whose parents were either absent or abusive?

We are jumping into our second week of our Written in Stone series! Van is taking us through the next two commandments in Exodus 20:7-11.

Van is looking to encourage you to live out the faith that you claim. If you don't have a faith that you claim, to understand the love that God has for you!

Discussion Questions:

1. How does my life honor the 3rd commandment?

2. How does my life honor the 4th commandment?

3. In what ways do the words I speak or how I spend my time, not match my faith?

We are kicking off our new series: Written in Stone! We are going to be going over the ten commandments listed in Exodus 20. This week, Ryan is starting with the first two commandments. He brings up three points:

1. Relationship with God requires rescue by God
2. Right worship has requirements
3. Rewards come to the righteous

Discussion Questions

1. What is the significance of God reminding the Israelite people that He rescued them from Egyptian slavery? Why might He do that before sharing the 10 Commandments with them?

2. Have you ever had a conversation with someone who claims to love Jesus, but has a much different understanding of Jesus than you? How did you respond?

3. What kind of rewards does God offer to those who love him and obey his commands in Exodus 20:6? In what ways does this motivate you to pursue a deeper relationship with Him?

This week, we got to hear from some of Wyatt Park's couples and their experiences with being single, dating, engaged, married.

We want to share a huge 'thank you' to our couples:

Bryce & Rachel Szczepanik, Jeff & Kristen Parmer, and Ken & Robin Connell

We can't wait to see you next week for our next series!

In this message, Ryan covers what being engaged and married looks like in a Christian context. He covers three primary points.

1. How to know when to propose?
2. What is engagement for?
3. What is marriage for?

Questions to think about:

• In your opinion, how does the Song of Solomon weigh in on engagement?
• How does marriage model Jesus? If you are married, in what ways can you model Jesus in your relationship to your spouse?
• How might you encourage a Christian who desires to be in a relationship but has had trouble finding someone interested?