The King in Battle [Luke 4:1-13]

Monday, September 24 2012

The King in Battle [Luke 4:1-13]

Sermon Discussion Questions

• The battle of temptation that we are involved in is very close to home. Ryan was illustrating how involved with the battle of temptation we are through the story of Tom the World War Two pilot. We actually have connection to the most important battle of all time. Do you feel like you are involved in the intense battle of temptation like Jesus was? 
• There was a C.S. Lewis quote given in the reflection "We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it". What does suffering against temptation look like? What does it feel like? What are some of the hardships that come with fighting against temptation? 
• We are more vulnerable to temptation at some times more than at others. Jesus was most brutally attacked when he was most physically weak. What times are you most vulnerable to attack? Can you detect patterns of when you come under attack of temptation?
• Ryan told the story of the Civil War General who got the information about the enemy army but the general didn't think he could trust the information. We know the timing and tactis of Satan's attacks. How can we use this good information against Satan's attacks?
• The sermon wasn't just about "Be like Jesus". Jesus is certainly a good example of what it looks like to actually fight viciously with temptation, how does Jesus inspire you to fight temptation and does Jesus does more than just inspire? 

Didn't get a chance to hear the sermon? Click here to listen now!

The King Arrives [Luke 3:1-22]

Monday, September 17 2012

The King Arrives [Luke 3:1-22]

Sermon Discussion Questions

• Ryan began by pointing out the dilemma of humility. What are some of the ways in which it is hard to recognize humility in our own lives? Is it easier to recognize humility in others than in ourselves? 
• What are some things we say to ourselves when we try to humble ourselves? Do we think of ourselves as "miserable" or "less than others" or "scum of the earth"? 
• John's mission was to promote Jesus, he wasn't thinking less of himself or others, he was simply thinking more of Jesus. This humility of living the ways things are actually frees us. Ryan mentioned two things humility frees us from, what does humility in Christ free us from? What are some areas of life in which those two burdens weigh heaviest? 
• No one will ever mistake any of us for being Jesus or calling us "Big M Messiah", but plenty of people in our lives think of us as "small m messiah". What are some harmful side effects of trying to be small m messiah for other people? 
• Since none of us are Jesus, we will end of disappointing one another at one point or another. Is this true in the church as well? How can humility help us as we disappoint others and ourselves and are disappointed by others and ourselves?

Didn't get a chance to hear the sermon? Click here to listen!

Monday. September 10, 2012

Too Good to Be True [Luke 1:1-4]

Sermon Discussion Questions

• Ryan mentioned that both the presidential conventions took place recently. Often we Americans are sceptical and even cynical about news and reports. We can be sceptical of anything that claims to have authority out of a fear of propagating an agenda or simple disbelief. How does this impact us as we come to the Bible and what does Luke 1:1-4 say about itself as a reliable history?
• C.S. Lewis certainly knew the difference between a myth and history. What are some key differences between myth and the history of the Bible?
• Have you ever read, or hear someone challenge the trustworthiness of the Bible? What are some doubtful passages have you heard others call silly, crazy, or myth? What is challenging in believing and sharing the story of the bible in a cynical environment? 
• Do you know someone who loves to eat pizza? Or someone who has really bad breath? These are little details that get included in stories we tell about the people in our lives, do the details of Luke's gospel matter? How so? Do the details affirm spiritual truths or historical realities? 
• What is the difference between good news and good advice? Do other religions give good news or good advice? 
• Ryan finished by asking if we were ready to go on this adventure together hearing the good news of Luke's gospel. Do you want in your daily life more good advice coupled with the good news? How do you struggle between living in a Christian way while still remembering the good news of Jesus?

Haven't heard the sermon yet? Click here to listen!

Enduring in the Fight [Revelation 3:7-13]

Sermon Discussion Questions

• Where's a time or situation in your Christian walk that you felt the pressure to give up or to give in?  What made the fight so hard?
• What's comforting about knowing that Jesus has the "key of David"?      
• Do you remember what it means that Jesus will "keep" the church from the "hour of trial"?  Why do you suppose that Jesus doesn't just physically remove them from harm?  What does this say about what Jesus desires for the church?
• What areas of your life are you currently facing hardship and asking yourself the questions, "Can I do this?  Do I have what it takes?"  Share as a group.
• What can you look to in the past or present to see God's work in your life?  How does this serve as motivation and fuel to endure?  As Christians, what do all of us ultimately have that we can look to?
• Why is God's vision for the future condition of the people so central in this passage?  What is it about this vision that gives them (and us) such hope?  

Looking Inward [Revelation 3:1-6]

Sermon Discussion Questions

• Penny told a story about a baseball team whose uniforms left many with the impression that they would be poor at playing the game.  What was the purpose of this story and how did it relate to the church in Sardis?  As a group, discuss what facades we erect to hide behind our dead hearts.  Think individually and personally (e.g. facebook, etc.) and think corporately (i.e. our church as a whole).
• Do you think of a warning as being gracious?  Why or why not?  How does this warning to the church serve a gracious purpose?
• Amidst their/our sin, what hope does Jesus offer the church?  How does the reality of a faithful remnant serve as hope? 
• To what action does he call you and I?  What action(s) do we see from Jesus?
• Jesus invites us to put off the false life of the external and to put our confidence in Him.  Why do we have so much trouble doing this?  Why is it so hard to accept Christ's gracious invitation?  [Thinking of Penny's story of going to the Sugar Bowl may spark thought and conversation.]

Tolerating Ourselves to Death [Revelation 2:18-29]

Sermon Discussion Questions

• When we tolerate sin, what kinds of excuses do we tell ourselves?  When we tolerate sin, what is it that Pastor Ryan said is eroded?
• What was significant about the way that the trade and commerce system worked in Thyatira?  Why was this a difficult place to be as a Christian?  What real issues do Christians face today that might be similar?  (start with what Pastor Ryan mentioned and brainstorm from there)
• Take a few of these issues and discuss how, as Christians, we can lovingly engage the world around us even as we seek to have an intolerance for sin, particularly sin in our own lives.
• What is truly needed to develop a gratitude for grace?  
• We should have a proper longing for a greater and future glory.  Are you surprised by the picture of glory described in this passage?  What significance does it have for us that we are given not merely a place but truly a role in this future glory?  How does this aid in curbing our tolerance for sin?

Your Life According to Jesus [Revelation 2:12-17]

Sermon Discussion Questions

• Can you think of a time that being told the truth was difficult or uncomfortable?  On this side of that experience, are you glad to have received the truth?  Why do you suppose that for God, receiving truth and our maturity are so interconnected?
• Do you think of Satan as roaming about (Job 1), prowling around to devour who he may (1 Peter 5)?  In other words, do you think (as CS Lewis said) of where you live as "enemy occupied territory"?  How does or should knowing this truth change the way we engage this world?  Who or what is our fight against?
• In this letter to Pergamum, he commends them on the one hand but also holds some things against them.  What does he hold against them?  What can it look like for you/us to fall into this trap?
• While we may not know exactly what the "hidden manna" or "white stone" actually signifies, what hope do they appear to provide?  What does it mean to you to know that you are marked out, belonging to God?  How does this truth change the way we live in the here and now?