This is the third and final message in a series called "Under The Sun" which is a study of the book of Ecclesiastes.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to have an “identity of possession?” 

2. Discuss the consequences of having an “identity of possession.”  How does it lead to living in a constant “fear of loss?”  What does a “fear of loss” cause us to do?  What does that ultimately prevent us from doing? 

3. Where in Israel’s story can see the signs of an “identity of possession?”  Where can you see similar signs in your own story? 

4. What does it mean to assume an “identity of gift” and how does it serve as an antidote to the problems created by an “identity of possession?” 

5. What will be the signs in your life that you have assumed an “identity of gift?” 

6. What’s the difference between living with a “fear of loss” and living as a slave to the fear of loss and how does an “identity of gift” enable us to make that shift? 

7. What can we do everyday to live in an “identity as gift?”

This is the second sermon in a three-part series on the book of Ecclesiastes called, "Under The Sun."

This is the 1st sermon in the 3 part series on Ecclesiastes called Under the Sun.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever read/studied the book of Ecclesiastes before this sermon series?  If so, what impressions, understandings, etc…of the book are you bringing into this experience? 

2.  I suggested that we usually search for “understanding” in life “under the sun” when our expectations don’t align with real experiences.  Have you had situations in your life where this has been the case? 

3.  What does the teacher mean when he says, “everything is meaningless?”  What ultimately leads him to this conclusion? 

4.  How do you respond to the suggestion that we should allow our experience with life, God, people, etc…to challenge and, where necessary, change our understanding/image/impression/expectation of God?  Why does such a suggestion often scare people in the church? 

5.  Read and discuss the story of the blind man in John 9.  What does the imagery and John’s conclusion communicate about the interplay between experience and expectation? 

6.  What is so important about the incarnation of God in Jesus as it relates to this expectation vs experience equation?

This is the final message in the 6 part series from the book of Isaiah called New Horizons.

Discussion Questions:

1. How have you been taught to think about the nature and purpose of God’s “final judgment?”  Does it look a little (or a lot) like Isaiah’s vision of God trampling his enemies and destroying the rebellious? 

2. Were you surprised to learn that in Luke 4:16-19 Jesus actually edits Isaiah’s words in Isaiah 61:1-2 by removing the line about God destroying his enemies?  What does that imply about God’s nature, Jesus’ mission, Isaiah’s vision, etc…? 

3. Why did the people of Luke 4 get so angry with Jesus that they wanted to kill him?  What’s ironic about their response? 

4. Do you find yourself or other people in the church responding in a similar way to Jesus’ implication? 

5. How should Isaiah 55:8-9 help us understand who God is and what his ultimate vision is? 

 

This is the 5th sermon in the 6 week series called "New Horizons" out of the book of Isaiah.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Recall a time when you experienced pain and suffering.  What “narratives” did you tell yourself or did others tell you to help you make sense of your pain? 

 

 2. What do I mean when I talk about a “narrative of death” vs a “narrative of life?”  Which does the Christian church seem most interested in? 

 

 3. What is the big shift in emphasis that comes through the prophets during the time of the exile? 

 

 4. What lie had the people of Judah come to believe about God and how did they arrive at that particular lie? 

 

 5. What do I mean when I use the term “right-handed” or “left-handed” strategy? 

 

 6. Did my illustration using The Life of David Gale help you to better understand the purpose and work of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53?  What questions do you still have? 

 

 7. I suggested that it’s possible the church has misread the story of the cross using a right-handed interpretive grid?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?  How does a left-handed interpretive grid change the meaning of our central story?

Mike Strole shares a message on getting back to the foundation of our faith found in Christ.

This is the fourth message in a six-week series called "New Horizons" which is a study of the book of Isaiah.

Discussion questions coming soon.

 

The third message in a six-week series studying the book of Isaiah called, "New Horizons."

Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the concept of justice.  Do you tend to think of justice as giving people what they deserve?  Why?  Where did you get that picture?  Do you think that’s the way God thinks about justice?

2. Discuss the three implications implied in God’s judgment of everyone: 1) he loves everyone, 2) he has expectations for everyone, and 3) he has somehow communicated those expectations to everyone.  What do you think? 

3. What do I mean by the phrase “catholicity of the kingdom?”  Discuss the difference between “no kingdom to kingdom” vs “kingdom hidden to kingdom revealed.”  How does that shift in understanding challenge how you think about God and what his plans are? 

4. If it is “kingdom hidden to kingdom revealed,” why is the advent of Jesus so definitive? 

5. How does God intend for his “kingdom to come…on earth as it is in heaven?” 

6. How does this approach change the way we think about evangelism and discipleship?  How does it change the way we see people?  (perhaps read Acts 17 to generate discussion) 

7. What does Isaiah say is the purpose of God’s judgment in Isaiah 26:8-11?  Discuss the implications of that. 

 

Message #2 in a six-week series studying the book of Isaiah called, "New Horizons."

Discussion Questions:

1. I made the argument that we tend to distort our picture of God as we move from positions of weakness and vulnerability to positions of strength and power.  What do you think about that? 

2. How have you seen this phenomenon revealed personally, socially, nationally, and ecclesiastically (within the church)? 

3. How did God respond to the people of Judah misunderstanding his nature and their role?  How does this relate to the parable of the unmerciful servant?  Discuss the implication of Jesus saying, “you will not get out unto you’ve paid the last penny.” 

4. What theme(s) do Isaiah 9:1-7 and Isaiah 11:1-5 have in common? 

5. What is significant about the fact that the predicted savior figure will eradicate evil with his “breath?” 

6. Discuss the vision of Isaiah 11:9 

 

This is the first sermon in a six-week series on the book of Isaiah called, "New Horizons."

Discussion Questions:

1. Why would the people of Judah have been shocked by Isaiah’s indictment of them in Isaiah 1:1-4? 

2. Discuss the fact that Isaiah calls the leaders “leaders of Sodom” and the people “people of Gomorrah.”  What’s interesting about that in light of what he accuses them of actually doing? 

3. Discuss God’s question, “what makes you think I want all of your sacrifices?”  Why would that have been a difficult question for the people of Judah to hear and how should we interpret the significance of it? 

4. What does it mean for God to be “holy” and consequently for his people to “reject his holy name?” 

5. What happens when we fail to cultivate lives that proactively seek the good of others?  How is that depicted in this chapter? 

6. What is the ultimate purpose of God’s “punishment” according to the vision in these opening chapters?  How does that challenge your picture of God?