1. What is the "dual reality theory," and how does the sermon apply it to the disciples' experience with Jesus?

2. Explain the significance of Caesarea Philippi as the location where Jesus questioned his disciples.

3. What two distinct questions did Jesus ask his disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi?

4. How did Simon Peter respond to Jesus's second question, and what was Jesus's affirmation of this response?

5. What was the "Gates of Hell" as described in the sermon, and in what context did Jesus mention it?

6. According to the text, what is the foundational "truth" upon which Jesus declared he would build his church?

7. The sermon describes both physical and spiritual risks in Caesarea Philippi. What were the spiritual risks mentioned?

8. Based on the quotation from Romans 10, what two actions are identified as essential for a person to be saved?

9. What is the core message of the fisherman's net parable from Matthew 13 as it is interpreted in the sermon?

10. How does the sermon contrast Peter's initial hesitancy with his later boldness to illustrate his spiritual growth?

1. Analyze the sermon's central theme of synthesizing the "human Jesus" and the "divine Jesus." According to the text, what are the specific benefits and outcomes for a believer who successfully integrates these two realities?

2. Discuss the symbolic importance of the setting of Caesarea Philippi. Explain how the specific elements of pagan worship, the deification of Caesar, and the landmark known as the "Gates of Hell" created a powerful and confrontational backdrop for Peter's confession.

3. Trace the development of Simon Peter as a disciple, as portrayed in the sermon. How does his journey from hesitation and confusion to bold confession and eventual leadership serve as a model for a believer's own growth in faith and discernment?

4. The sermon makes a clear distinction between being "in church" and being a saved Christian. Using the parable of the fisherman's net and the quoted passage from Romans 10, construct an argument explaining the sermon's call for a necessary, personal, and openly declared faith.

5. Explore the theme of "spiritual risk" and the challenge of competing voices as described in the sermon. What specific advice and actions does the sermon propose for believers to counter these external pressures and internal doubts in order to stand firm in their personal faith?

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1. What is the distinction between "storm assurance" and "assurance in the storm"?

2. How does the sermon describe Jesus's identity as the "Sustainer" and the "Lord over creation"?

3. According to the account in Matthew 14:22, what were the disciples' initial reactions to seeing Jesus walking on the lake?

4. Explain the concept of "active faith" as demonstrated by Peter in the narrative.

5. What caused Peter to begin sinking after successfully walking on the water?

6. How does the sermon characterize the act of Jesus reaching out to catch Peter?

7. What four-stage progression is identified as part of the Christian journey?

8. Besides Peter, what other biblical figures are mentioned as examples of trusting God amidst uncertainty?

9. According to the sermon, what was the reason for Jesus's ability to stand on the water?

10. What specific requests are made in the sermon's concluding prayer?

1. Analyze the sermon's central theme of "assurance in the storm." How does the speaker use the personal canoe story, the example of COVID, and the biblical narrative of Peter to illustrate the nature of life's storms and the source of true assurance?

2. Explore the "progression that happens in the Christian life," which moves from boldness to fear, doubt, and renewed worship. Using Peter's experience on the water and the speaker's story about the young woman entering the medical field, explain how this cycle contributes to a deeper and more real understanding of Jesus.

3. The sermon presents Jesus through multiple titles: Sustainer, Creator, Lord over creation, Son of God, and Good Shepherd. Discuss how the story of walking on water specifically supports his identity as "Lord over creation" and how this display of power is tempered by his compassion and grace.

4. "Faith isn't about having perfect certainty... but trusting God enough to step forward when things seem unbelievable." Evaluate this statement using the specific examples of Mary, Joseph, Abraham, and Noah as presented in the text. How did their uncertainty, followed by obedience, lead to them participating in God's plan?

5. Contrast the reasons why Jesus could stand on the water with the reasons why Peter could, and ultimately could not. What does this distinction reveal about the sermon's message regarding human faltering, surrender to God's will, and the role of God's grace in restoring and deepening faith?

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1. What is the primary goal of the sermon series "Following Jesus," and what benefits does it propose come from this practice?

2. What specific word from the scripture reading stood out to the speaker, and what personal experiences did it bring to mind?

3. How did Jesus view the crowds in Matthew 9, and what metaphor did He use to describe their condition?

4. What specific mission and authority did Jesus give to his 12 disciples when he commissioned them?

5. According to Jesus's instructions, how were the disciples to handle potential rejection from a town or home?

6. Who is Danielle Strickland, and what does her ministry in a brothel exemplify about the nature of compassion?

7. Beyond simple hexes, what deeper "curses" did Danielle Strickland pray to break over the women she ministered to?

8. How does the story of musician Mark Schultz illustrate the sermon's point about using God-given gifts for ministry?

9. Explain the three-part framework for ministry described as "God's part, our part, and their part."

10. What warning and associated truth did Jesus give his followers regarding suffering?

1. Analyze the concept of "compassion" as it is developed throughout the sermon. How do the speaker's personal experiences, Jesus's actions in Matthew 9, and Danielle Strickland's ministry collectively define and illustrate this theme?

2. The sermon emphasizes that the authority Jesus gave to the original 12 disciples "is still here today." Discuss how the sermon supports this claim, using the examples of the ministry breaking curses within the church, Danielle Strickland's work, and the "domestic missionary" in the factory.

3. Explore the tension between the call to minister and the reality of rejection and persecution. How do Jesus's instruction to "shake the dust off your feet," the "God's part, our part, their part" framework, and the examples of hostility in Nigeria help believers navigate these challenges?

4. The speaker states that for disciples to be "set apart" is another way of saying they are called to be "holy." Based on the source text, describe what it means to be a "holy" or "set apart" person in the modern world, referencing specific examples and character traits mentioned.

5. Using the stories of Mark Schultz and "Ashley" the social worker, explain the sermon's message about using one's unique, God-given gifts and life experiences in ministry, even in the face of fear, inadequacy, or a non-traditional mission field.

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Guest Speaker: Family Ministry Pastor, Zac Schwartz

1. What four features of the Garden of Eden are cited as evidence of God's intended order?

2. In the Parable of the Sower, what does the seed that falls on the "path" represent?

3. How does the sermon define the "rocky ground" and what causes a person in this category to fall away?

4. What are some examples of the "weeds and thistles" that can choke the word in a person's life?

5. According to the soil scientist mentioned in the sermon, what is the key difference between "dirt" and "soil"?

6. What is the central action or purpose that the sermon calls listeners to embrace, summarized by the phrase "We are to create order from chaos"?

1. The sermon contrasts the intentional order of the Garden of Eden and companion planting with the modern trend of "Chaos Gardening." Discuss how this contrast between order and chaos serves as the primary framework for the sermon's message about the human heart and spiritual growth.

2. Analyze the sermon's use of seemingly negative elements in nature—such as weeds, thorns, and pests—to illustrate a point about God's "grand design." How does the discovery of a beneficial purpose in these things relate to the message about overcoming spiritual hardship and chaos in one's life?

3. The speaker notes that the words "tend and cultivate" can also be translated as "serve and guard." Explore the full implication of this dual meaning in the context of caring for one's spiritual life as described in the sermon.

4. Using the four soil types from the Parable of the Sower as a framework, explain how a person's heart condition might shift between these categories throughout their life. According to the sermon, what specific factors ("rocks," "weeds") contribute to these shifts?

5. The sermon moves from discussing practical gardening techniques (e.g., bioaccumulators, pest-trapping plants) to interpreting a complex biblical parable. How does Zac Schwarz use his personal interest and expertise in gardening to make the spiritual lessons of the Parable of the Sower more accessible and relatable to a modern audience?

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1. What does the speaker mean by the term "radical living," and why is it necessary in the current season?

2. According to the sermon, what is the nature of the "spiritual battle," and who is the real enemy?

3. Define the term "oracle" as explained in the text and describe the two distinct types mentioned.

4. How does the sermon define "blessedness," and why is this term preferred over the word "happy"?

5. Describe the type of people Jesus chose to be his apostles and explain what this selection signifies for believers today.

6. The sermon identifies three categories of poor people for whom believers are called to be generous. What are these three categories?

7. What is the scriptural response to individuals who are poor due to their own laziness or refusal to work?

8. List the "woes" Jesus speaks of and explain the inherent danger associated with the conditions of being rich, well-fed, and well-liked.

9. Summarize the speaker's personal story involving the bus scam and the spiritual crisis it provoked in him.

10. Based on the teachings in Luke 6, how does the sermon instruct believers to respond to their enemies?

1. Analyze the contrast between the "now" and the "to come" as presented in the sermon. How does this dichotomy inform the call to "radical living" in the present?

2. The sermon uses the opposing concepts of "wheel" (blessing) and "woe." Discuss how Jesus inverts worldly expectations of who receives blessings and who receives woes, and what this reveals about the nature of the Kingdom of God.

3. Explore the speaker's argument that the primary conflict is a "spiritual battle" rather than one "against flesh and blood." How does this perspective change a believer's required response to social and interpersonal conflict, as outlined in the sermon?

4. The speaker shares a personal story of being scammed to illustrate the difficulty of loving one's enemies. Using this and other examples from the text, explain the sermon's teaching on the relationship between divine justice, human mercy, and personal responsibility.

5. What does it mean to be a "God-bearer" according to the sermon? Discuss the implications of this concept for how believers should speak, act, and value human life, especially in times of social strife and violence.

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