Back to Basics Acts 1:1-11 Ryan Laughlin (Sunday, Jan 12th 2020)

                                                         Sermon Discussion Questions



   Context: Luke wrote the book of Acts. One of the main goals of the book of Acts is to record the history of the early church following the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus started His ministry in the gospels, but He continues His ministry post resurrection.


1) Who’s in charge of the Church? What does the text say about God’s activity in His Church?

2) Jesus is not just in charge of the Church, but reigns over everything! How does that change our lives? How does that change what we do on a daily basis?

3) What role do we (Christians) play in the world? What is our main purpose?

4) What truth gives us hope to live/witness in the here and now? What does the text say about return of Jesus?

5) Here are some other references to Christ’s return: James 5:7, 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-3, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:42, John 14:3. What do we know for sure? What do we not know regarding the return of Chris?

Epiphany: Matthew 2:1-12 Chris Smith

                                                    Sermon Discussion Questions



1) Today’s sermon starts the first day of Epiphany. The word epiphany means: manifestation, revealing or something being made evident. What is being made evident in this passage?


2) Matthew is trying to show us what Jesus is about and Who He is in the passage. What does the passage say specifically about Jesus?

3) What does this passage tell us that God is up to? Looking back to Numbers 24, what does the prophecy say about the true King?

4) The star in the sky was God’s “big birth announcement” regarding Jesus. There were 2 different responses. How did Herod respond? How did the wisemen respond? What was the posture of the wisemen towards Jesus?

5) What is our response to Jesus? Is it one of  worship? What are the places on the “throne of our hearts” that we don’t want Jesus to rule over? Ask Jesus to help you identify those places in your hearts where you still want to rule.

Not Despising Small Things: Micah 5:2-5a Chris Smith (3rd week of Advent)

                                                     Sermon Discussion Questions



Context: 1) What was happening Israel and Judah, in the first 4 chapters of Micah, prior to chapter 5? In light of the judgment we read about in the first 4 chapters of this book, why are the first 5 verses of chapter 5 such good news?

                    2) Micah 5:2 is cited in Matthew 2:6. What historical context/significance is taking place in Matthew 2? 

                   3) Just as the leaders of Micah’s time had taken their eye off of the things of the Lord, we do as well. What are some affections that your heart is drawn to that may be distractions from keeping your focus on Christ? 

                  4) What the world often tells us to focus on is not what we should ultimately have our hope in. How do we fight against this in our every day lives? 

                 5) We see throughout Scripture, God often times will use the unexpected, or the “under-dog” in history to bring about His purposes. Why was Bethlehem an unlikely/unexpected place for the Messiah to be born?
           
                 6) The cross also seems like an unlikely place for God to defeat His enemies, but He ultimately defeats death/sin at the cross and through the resurrection of Jesus. Reflect on this truth. How is that comforting/good news?


   

Thank God for Gratitude: Luke 17: 11-19, Ryan Laughlin

                                            Sermon Discussion Questions



          1. Gratitude is good for us. But it can be difficult to cultivate. What are some ways that gratitude gets impeded in our lives?

          2. In the sermon, we heard there are some practical ways to cultivate “gracious gratitude” in our lives as believers. Discuss the following:
               A) We can cultivate true gratitude by “calling out in need.”
     
               B) We can cultivate true gratitude when we “turn back in wonder.”

               C) We can cultivate true gratitude when we “fall down in worship.”

          3. Sermon quote: “When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” G.K. Chesterton (Discuss with the group)
     
          4. We may not have leprosy like the lepers Jesus healed in this passage, but most likely there is something in our life that makes us feel isolated from others. (Personally reflect on what that could be to yourself. Take a moment to ask God to start healing/restoring that in your life.)

          5. 9 out of 10 lepers from the passage, missed out on thanking the person who healed them. Gracious gratitude is relational. How does this passage inform our approach to be grateful to Christ in our lives?

Why Give? 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 Ryan Laughlin

                                                Sermon Discussion Questions



    1) In these verses, Paul makes it sound like generosity is good for us. Is it? In what ways? How would our culture respond to that idea?

     2) God loves joyful and sacrificial givers. How does that challenge your giving habits?

      3) According to Paul, how does the Gospel motivate us toward generosity?


Quote: “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.” C.S. Lewis (Discuss with the group)

Prayer focus: Our generous Savior, I desire to be a more joyful giver because You have been a joyful giver with me—and You still are! Inspire our church to use our resources creatively and effectively for service in Your Kingdom. Keep us humble and dependent on You, particularly in this unique season of our church. We look to You for all good things. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Why Ask? Matthew 6:19-24 October 27, 2019 Ryan Laughlin

                                             Sermon Discussion Questions



        1) What is the difference between a thermostat and a thermometer? Which is Jesus describing?in verse 21: our heart’s thermostat or thermometer?

        2) Based on these verses, why does Jesus talk to His disciples about their relationship with money? Why is that relevant to our spiritual health?

       3) How do you balance being financially prudent (paying the bills, saving for college, etc) and being financially generous (sharing wealth, investing in God’s ministry?) How can you improve that balance, in light of these verses?

Quote: “I am convinced that so much of our selfish and unwise spending in an attempt to buy life, to buy the satisfaction that has far eluded us. Eternity reminds us that we cannot buy with our money what only grace can provide.” Paul Tripp (Discuss with the group)

Prayer Focus: Our Gracious God, free my heart from toxic greed and envy. Renew me with a generous heart so that I might be a faithful steward of all You have entrusted to me. Help our church to reflect our love for You with generous lives, that we may reveal to the world the supremacy of the riches we have in Christ. All for Jesus! Amen.

Why This? Psalm 78:1-16 Ryan Laughlin

                                                  Sermon Discussion Questions



     1) What makes cross-generational unity so difficult? How do you struggle to understand and appreciate younger people? Older people?

    2) How does Psalm 78 compel us to overcome generational divisions for the sake of the gospel?

    3) What are some of the ways Covenant Church fosters inter-generational ministry? What is our responsibility to train the next generation for faithful Christian living?

Quote from the bulletin: “Each generation of the church in each setting has the responsibility of communicating the gospel in understandable terms.” Francis Schaeffer (Discuss/Reflect with the group)

Prayer focus: Heavenly Father, heal the generational divisions within our own life, including my family. Holy Spirit, grace our church with unity during this season, particularly across generations within our church. May we effectively and faithfully tell the coming generations about all You have done through Jesus Christ. In His Name, Amen.