The Stream at Riverside

Landon continues our Sojourning with God series as he preaches on Genesis 15:1-8.

1) Re-read 13:5-9 and 14:14-16. Abram was incredibly self-sacrificial toward Lot, trusting in God’s promises to him above what he could see or currently possess. What conflicts are you currently facing that challenge you toward self-sacrifice? How does God’s promised blessing in Christ enable you to make personal sacrifices? 

2) Re-read 13:10-18. Apparently the promise land didn’t look as promising as the land of Sodom. What are some ways we’re tempted to walk by sight instead of faith, and trust in our own evaluation of “flourishing" rather than trust in God’s promised blessings? 

3) Re-read 14:17-24. Abram’s trust in God’s ultimate provision gives him both gratitude for God’s present faithfulness and victory, and discernment about what is in fact God’s blessings vs. what is merely worldly benefits. Where are you wrestling to discern divine blessing from the compromising “spoils" of the world?

James gives the children's sermon on Genesis 13-14.

1) God calls Abram, a moon-worshipper from Ur (Joshua 24:2-3), to leave his homeland, his family network and ethnic heritage, and follow Him to only-God-knows-where to receive great blessing (12:1-3). How do you identify with Abram’s call and faith? (Hint: reflect on Galatians 3:5-9) 

2) Abram claimed the promise land by faith - walking its breadth and length, building altars on it in the name of God - after God had appeared to the patriarch and promised him the land of Canaan (12:5-9). What does it look like today for us to claim the earth as the proper domain of the Lord’s reign and our future "home of righteousness” (2 Pet. 3:13)? 

3) Very quickly, the promise to Abram appears threatened - or at least complicated - by a severe plague in the land. Abram makes his way to Egypt, and devises a dishonest strategy to save his own neck. Where do you feel God’s promise to you in Christ (ex. hope, peace, joy, deep connection to him and others, etc.) is threatened or complicated? How are you currently tempted to respond “by sight," and not by faith in God alone? How does God’s persistent faithfulness to us (even in our less-than-faithful moments) strengthen us to respond with faith?

Stacy gives the children's sermon on Genesis 11:27 - 12:3.

Sermon Discussion Questions 

1) Paul urges the Galatians to not be conceited (5:26; 6:3-5), but, rather, bear one another’s burdens (6:2). What does conceit look like for you? How does it undercut our ability to serve others in love (5:13-15)? 

2) Re-read 6:1. Have you had an experience like this, either as the one tangled in sin or the one “restoring” someone caught up in it? If so, how has it gone? If not, why do you think this command hasn’t been practiced in your life/circle? 

3) We’re called to persevere in doing good to others (6:9) - serving everyone, but especially to the people of God (6:10). Yet we’re all tired. How can we “not grow weary in doing good,” according to the apostle?

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1) Jesus invites us to find rest under his yoke, learning from him (11:28-29). This might be called an "active rest." How have you experienced active rest in Christ? 

2) Some of us need to step back and take a “rest" from serving in certain areas. Others need to find rest by stepping up to serve in Jesus’ name - even in their current fatigue. How can we know the difference, and determine what active rest in Jesus looks like for us? 

3) How does Jesus' revealing his unique relationship to the Father (11:27) and his own heart - that it is gentle and lowly (11:29) - invite you to find rest in relationship with Him?

Nate gives the children's sermon on Matthew 11:25-30. 

Sermon Discussion Questions 

1) There seems to be a misconception for many believers that the presence of conflict means the absence of unity. Why do you think this is? How does the truth of the gospel contradict this misconception? 

2) Paul urges us in Ephesians 4:1-2 that we should "walk worthy" of our calling, "with "humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love". Are there any people (especially fellow believers) you know of that you need to bear with? How can you put into practice humility, gentleness, and patience with them? 

3) The unity that Paul says we should be "eager to maintain" (verse 3) is derived from the oneness already on display by the Triune God. As Paul states in verses 4-6, there is "one body and one Spirit...one Lord...one God and Father of all". In what ways can the oneness of the Trinity help us in our efforts to maintain unity with each other?

Stacy gives the children's sermon on Ephesians 4:1-6.