Willow Park Church

Willow Park Church

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Willow Park Church episodes

  • Trust the Light (Hwy33)

    We are in a constant battle between the darkness and the light. To find the light and live in the

    light, we must look to Christ - the light of the world.

    https://www.youtube.com/live/0nfVJShHI7o?feature=share&t=3025

    Study Questions

    1. 1)  Phil talked about our culture’s interest in mystery tv shows and movies. He said that we

      2. watch these shows because we want to see justice come through at the end, and for the
      story to have a fitting conclusion and solution. He then talked about how Christ is coming
      again one day to make all things right in this world, and bring justice and judgment. Is
      this something that you think about often? How do you feel when you think of Christ’s
      return and judgment?

    2. 2)  Christ said in John 12:36, “Put your trust in the light while you still have it, so that you

      3. may become children of light.” What does it mean to trust in the light? What does it mean
      for us to be children of light? How can this truth, that we live in the light, affect our daily
      lives?

    3. 3)  John 12:20-22 is a turning point in John, where Jesus interacts with Greeks and

      4. Gentiles. As Phil said, this means that, “Those that were despised or seen as unclean
      are now welcomed into the Kingdom of God.” What would this have been like for those
      who were outcasts in society? What does this mean for our culture now? What are some
      practical ways that we can welcome the “outsider” into our lives and point them to
      Jesus?

    4. 4)  Just as Christ came to die, we too must die to ourselves, take up our cross, and follow

      5. him. When we do this, we will find abundant and eternal life. How do we gain abundant
      life after dying? Or how can Jesus say that we will find life only once we die? What does
      this mean? And do you find it hard to die to yourself? Why or why not? How can you die
      to yourself this week?

    5. 5)  Jesus is the light of the world, and he came to bring freedom from the darkness. Phil

      6. said that in order to live in the light and not in darkness, we must “give our absolute
      devotion, our hearts, to Jesus.” What might it look like this week to give our devotion to
      Jesus? How can we increase our devotion to and affection for Jesus?

      40 min
    6. How does God respond to our doubt? (Hwy33)

      In our culture, Jesus is seen as a good teacher, a good man, and even someone who was enlightened. While these things are true Jesus is much more than just a good person - He is the light of the world, the redeemer of our brokenness, and God himself.

      Study Questions

      1. 1)  Phil talked about how the world views Jesus. Based on your observation of people in your workplace, family, or community, what do you think are some of the most common views of who Christ is in our culture?

      2. 2)  Phil quoted Lucy from Narnia when she says to Aslan, “You seem to get bigger every time I meet you.” What does this quote mean to you, or what comes to your mind after hearing it? Is this a reflection of your own experience with Jesus?

      3. 3)  John 1:4-5 says, “In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (or ‘did not grasp it’).” What does it mean that Jesus is the Light? What does light do? How does he bring light into the world? Has there been a time in your life where you’ve experienced the light of Christ overcoming the darkness?

      4. 4)  John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name...” Jesus came to the world to free humanity from sin, to satisfy our souls, and to transform us into being sons and daughters of a loving God. What does this verse, this truth mean to you? How important is it to know that you are a beloved child of God? How does this truth affect your daily life?

      5. 5)  Phil emphasized how the gospel is foolishness to the world, to those who have not experienced the revelation of Jesus. Alongside praying for those in our lives who don’t know Jesus, how can we share the love and light of Christ with others this week?

        6. 43 min
      6. Jesus is Risen! Easter Sunday (Hwy33)

        Jesus is risen! And he stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. Let him in, and experience

        his new and abundant life.

        1. 1)  Jesus is risen! What stood out to you the most this Easter from the story of Jesus’

          2. journey to the cross, his death, and his resurrection?

        2. 2)  Peter and John ran to the tomb to see what had happened to it after the stone had been

          3. rolled away. John got there first, but he didn’t go into the tomb. Peter, though, took the
          step of courage and faith and went inside the tomb. What stands out to you from this?
          Why didn’t John go into the tomb first? What do you think the significance is of it being
          Peter who went into the tomb?

        3. 3)  Mary was weeping outside the tomb when Jesus came to her. She didn’t recognize him

          4. until he said, “Mary,” and then she knew it was him. Pastor Phil also talked about having
          a moment of revelation, when he suddenly knew that Jesus was alive. Have you had a
          moment of revelation like this? When did you know in your heart that Jesus was alive
          and real?

        4. 4)  Pastor Phil talked about how Jesus stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, but we

          5. have to open the door and let him into our lives. What would it look like for you to “open
          the door” to Jesus this week - in your work, in your home? Is there an area of your life
          where you need to let him in and ask for his help, or depend on him, or let him lead you?
          If you feel comfortable, share that area with the group.

          36 min
        5. Jesus Meets Our Needs, Not Our Expectations (Hwy 33)

          Jesus Meets Our Needs, Not Our Expectations

          Luke 19:28-31

          https://www.youtube.com/live/jTWcuL1iWCw?feature=share&t=2180

          Often we place expectations on God that he “fails” to live up to, but that is because our

          expectations of Him are not accurate to who he is. Jesus comes not to meet our expectations of
          who he is and what we think we need, but to meet our real needs.

          STUDY QUESTIONS

          1. Anne Laporte says that “Expectations are resentment under construction”. How does this statement apply to the crowds that were beginning to gather in Jerusalem for Passover? Have you ever placed expectations on God that were not met in a way that you hadhoped?

          2. Has God ever met a need, rather than an expectation? If so, what was that like?

          3. Take some time to discuss verses 39 and 40: 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

          4. What do you think Jesus meant by this exchange? What were the Pharisees trying to accomplish? What was the point that Jesus was making?

          5. As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, he began to openly weep. What does this signify?

          6. Discuss the thought that God offers us his presence and not a parachute. How do you understand this statement?

          7. We have heard about “life after death”, but regarding the idea of God’s presence being with us, what does N.T. Wright mean when he says “Life before death”?

            8. 36 min
          8. The Funeral that Became a Party (Hwy33)

            The Funeral that became a Party

            John 11-1-46


            Many of us live in the jungle of our pain, confusion, and grief … then we break through into a different perspective - a breakthrough moment


            1. Think of a situation where you were waiting for God to act, to intervene. Maybe there’s a situation where you thought it was too late for God to work. If you’re comfortable, share these situations with your small group.

            2. v5-6 reminder about God's love - in the darkest hardest times, do you wonder what God is doing? He is doing something remarkable within us during these times! When has God done the most remarkable miracle in your life? The easiest times? (Isn’t it true that God has done the most remarkable things during the times that were the darkest and the hardest?

            3. Before Jesus performs a miracle, did you notice how He met both the women in their grief first? How does that impact your thinking about what you are going through at the moment?

            4. v21 Phil spoke about the myth that we should not show our emotions to God. This is not true. What would it look like for you to take your circumstances and your pain to the Cross? What would it look like to fully express what you feel to God?

            5. v33-36 Jesus was ‘deeply moved in spirit and troubled’ when he saw them weeping. Jesus was broken inside because he identifies with the depth of pain these people are feeling. Jesus wept. Dwell on how much Jesus feels your pain because He loves you so much.

            6. v43 ‘Lazarus, come out’ - one day Jesus will speak again and we will be raised from the dead. God will put all things right at the end. Hallelujah! How does knowing the end of the story affect what you’re facing right now?

              7. 47 min
            7. Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind (Hwy 33)

              Passage: John 9

              https://www.youtube.com/live/Fdx7sKGdmWw?feature=share&t=3195

              We all carry pain. Things that we’ve done, or things that have been done to us - they stick with

              us and leave their mark. Jesus wants to meet us in those areas of pain and, through a lifelong
              relationship, heal our souls.

              1. 1)  Phil said that, “The desire for God is central for our growth.” What do you think of this

                2. statement? What does desire for God look like for you? What does growth in your life
                look like?

              2. 2)  Phil talked about the difference between having religion and having a relationship with

                3. God. What do you think the differences are between the two? What does having a
                relationship with God mean to you? What does it look like on a daily basis for you,
                personally?

              3. 3)  Jesus wants to meet us in our pain and our brokenness. He wants to journey with us, he

                4. wants to give us peace, and he wants to heal us. If you’re comfortable, share a time in
                your life when Jesus met you in your pain, and walked with you through it, and healed
                you. How did he walk with you? What did it look like? How did you “allow” him to enter
                into your pain? Or share an area of your life where you need Jesus to meet with you and
                heal you.

              4. 4)  Jesus healed the man born blind physically, but he also healed him emotionally and

                5. spiritually. Jesus made him into a new creation when he made mud and rubbed it on the
                man’s eyes, and this is what he can do for everyone. What does it mean to be a new
                creation? What does it mean for you that you are no longer what everyone else says
                about you - that you are a child of God?

              5. 5)  What are some ways that can you share the love and redeeming power of Christ with

                6. those around you this week?

                42 min
              6. God’s Children in the Storms of Life (Hwy 33)

                John 6:16-21 / Matthew 14:22-33 

                When we’re in the middle of a storm, we can trust that Jesus will meet with us and be with us. He sees your life, he sees the storm, and he will be with you through it all. 

                General – Time allotment: 10-15 minutes for one or two of these questions. 

                ● Go around and share a highlight and a low light since you last met. 

                ● What stood out to you in the sermon? 

                ● What was one thing in the sermon that was challenging? 

                ● What was one thing in the sermon that was encouraging? 

                ● What do you want to be different this week in your life? 

                Sermon Specific 

                1) Jesus saw the storm that the disciples were in, and he sees the storm that you’re in. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus sees you during the storms of your life? Why do we sometimes find it difficult to believe that Jesus is with us during our storms? 

                2) Jesus asked the disciples to get into the boat, though he knew that the storm was coming. There are times when we clearly hear from God to take a step of faith, but then we find ourselves in a storm because of that decision. Have you experienced this before? Why do you think God calls us into difficult seasons and situations? Why does obedience to God’s calling on our lives often lead to difficulty? 

                3) Oftentimes, God seems to wait until the last moment, to “pull through” for us. He does this so that we learn to trust him - trust that he’s with us, trust that he will provide for us, trust that he knows best for us. Have you experienced a time when God provided at the last moment? Or has there been a time when you’ve trusted the Lord, even when it didn’t make sense, even when you’re hurting, and he came through for you? 

                4) Jesus saw the disciples in the darkness. Whatever darkness you’re in, Jesus sees you, and, as Psalm 139 tells us, there is no place that we could go where God isn’t with us. If you’re comfortable, share a time when Jesus met you in your darkness, and how he comforted you or “shone his light” in your situation. 5) “The more we focus on Jesus, the more our story changes.” Our story changes, because Jesus has the power and love to meet us and redeem the hardest moments of our lives. How can you focus on Jesus more during your season of life? How can you and your community focus on Jesus together

                37 min
              7. Appropriating Christ’s Power and Sufficiency (Hwy 33)

                In the midst of uncertainty and fear, Jesus tells us that he is enough for us, and that he can do more than we could ever imagine. Just bring him your little, and he will bring much out of it. 

                General – Time allotment: 10-15 minutes for one or two of these questions.

                ● Go around and share a highlight and a low light since you last met.

                ● What stood out to you in the sermon?

                ● What was one thing in the sermon that was challenging?

                ● What was one thing in the sermon that was encouraging?

                ● What do you want to be different this week in your life? 

                Sermon Specific 

                1) The story of Jesus feeding the five thousand reminded Pastor Phil of the story of David and Goliath. Both stories had circumstances that were seemingly impossible to overcome, but God had other ideas! What are a couple of things that stand out from these stories for you? 

                2) Through the story of feeding the five thousand, Jesus shows us that we can trust in him to provide for us and to be enough for us, no matter what situation we’re in. If you’re comfortable, share a time when you didn’t see a way through a situation, but God proved that he was enough for you. Share a time when God provided for you more than you could’ve thought possible. How did these times shape your faith? 

                3) Phil said that oftentimes, “the most remarkable moments in our life come after our deepest pain and disappointments,” because Christ is with us during our toughest times. Is this something you’d agree with? How does it make you feel knowing that Christ allows hard times to happen, but that he also works it together for good? 

                4) Jesus had compassion on the people who were following him, and he still shows his children compassion. He sees all of our pain, our hardship, our heartbreak, and he cares. How has Jesus had compassion on you? How do you feel knowing that Jesus has compassion on you, that he weeps with you, that he cares for you?

                41 min

              About Willow Park Church

              From the publisher's feed

              Welcome to the weekly podcast from Willow Park Church in Kelowna, BC. Here you will find weekly messages from all of our locations: 33, Downtown, and Lake Country.