Monday, January 28, 2013

The Glory and the Dream [Luke 9:28-45]

The Glory and the Dream [Luke 9:28-45]


What are some of the ways we sedate ourselves to the glory of God around us?


How are we groggy, sleepy, and tempted to set up camp?


What is Jesus response to Peter's idea to setting up camp?

What is Jesus response to the doubt surrounding him in 9:37-44?

 In 9:44 Jesus points his disciples, who were doubting, to the cross. In moments of doubt, why is it hard to find solace in the cross? What is the power of Jesus death on the cross in moments of doubt? 

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Monday, January 21, 2013

Following the King [Luke 9:18-27]

Following the King [Luke 9:18-27]

Sermon Discussion Questions


Public confessions from the famous prompt big life questions, can we ask these questions of ourselves? Is what you are pursuing is it worth it?

There is only one thing worth pursuing with our lives, it isn't the perfect family, success, score, job, relationship, only following Jesus is worth all the sacrifice. What did Ryan say Jesus offers to us that is worth pursuing?

Jesus asks us to define our relationship with him. Jesus asks the question, "eyeball to eyeball" who do you say that I am?

Jesus has promised life in freedom, freedom from what and freedom for what?

Ryan told a story of a man who could own all the land he could cover in a day, how did the story end and how did Ryan connect this story with what Jesus says?

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Monday, January 14, 2013

Kingdom Ambassadors [Luke 9:1-17]

Kingdom Ambassadors [Luke 9:1-17]
Sermon Discussion Questions

Many of the fairy tales we know of have been sanitized from their original gory detail. In what ways do we sanitize the world and the brokenness of the people in it? 

Ryan said that Jesus gave us an announcement to make, not advice to give. What a challenge! How have you witnessed both an announcement being made, and advice being given? What is the difference between the two?

We all know the 'Christianise' talk about who we rely on in life. Christian talk is easy in the midst of comfort. 
But what is it that brings us joy, comfort, and hope in the toughest of times? 

"Actions speak louder than words, but actions and words speak loudest together" Jesus told the crowds the gospel, and then showed the gospel by feeding the crowds. Jesus heals, casts out demons, he is whetting our appetite for the kingdom that is coming. We are included in delivering this preview to the world around us. Does this feel like one more thing to add to our calendar? How did Ryan challenge us to think about our participation in sharing Jesus message?

How can we change the way we think about our participation in Jesus message?

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Monday, January 7, 2013

Searching for Jesus [Luke 2:41-53]


Search for Jesus [Luke 2:41-53]
Sermon Discussion Questions

Mary and Joesph passionately pursued Jesus like any parent would. What are some of the temptations that get in the way of our own pursuit of Jesus?

Does Jesus bring out a passionate search in you? Have you stopped passionately pursuing Jesus?

What was special about the way how Jesus learned in the temple? What was different about it than perhaps our own way of learning spiritual things? Luke 2:46-47

Our lives are filled with things that Jesus does as Lord of our lives that causes us to question him like Mary in Luke 2:48. Ryan named two ways how Jesus response comforts Mary and us, what are they?  

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Monday, December 17, 2012

We Wait With Joy [Luke 1:39-56]

We Wait With Joy [Luke 1:39-56]

Sermon Discussion Questions

*Ryan started out by talking about the serious tragedy in Connecticut and asked the question we may feel "is there any possibility of joy in a world like this?" What reality about Christmas and the gospel allows us to talk and even experience joy in as tragic as this?

*At one point Ryan described the first few chapters of Luke as "The flash mob of the New Testament". The outburst of Joy at the coming of Jesus stirred a song into the hearts and mouth of Mary, does Jesus still stir a
song in you? 

*There was a great bond of friendship between Mary and Elizabeth, one that allowed them to share the great joy of the special conceptions and children they both were bearing. Has God provided in your life that you can share great moments of joy with? 

*Is there only a sentimental or pithy bond between friends bound together in Christ, or is there something special about sharing in the joy of Jesus together with a friend? 

*Are you excited for Jesus to come a second time? Why or why not? 

*Ryan encouraged us a family of believers to find joy in reading the Bible, find joy in corporate worship on Sunday mornings and evenings, and joy in the cross generational friendships within our church. How seriously do you take this challenge? 

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

Monday, December 10, 2012

We Wait With Humility [Luke 1:26-38]


We Wait With Humility [Luke 1:26-38]

Sermon Discussion Questions

*Ryan said Mary is a model for us. What is she a model or example of?

*"The human heart has this amazing capacity to grasp for that which we do not have". How does entitlement have a way of sneaking into your own life?

*Mary's response to the angel is that she is the servant of the Lord. Ryan challenged us to think of when we have been disappointed and hurt, is our response one of faith like Mary's?

*Christ gave up what he rightly deserve in order to give us what we do not deserve. In a moment Jesus gave up heaven, for earth, royal riches for earthly squalor. What example does Jesus set for us in his advent? 

*Mary didn't win a contest. God himself showed her grace, and that grace made her uncomfortable. How does grace make us uncomfortable? Why does grace make us uncomfortable?

*Living a life of entitlement is the worst thing we can do for ourselves. Do you really think you don't deserve to be treated as the most important person in the room?

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Monday, December 3, 2012

Waiting with Faith [Luke 1:5-25]

Waiting with Faith [Luke 1:5-25]

Sermon Discussion Question


  • As we heard of Zechariah and Elizabeth we met a couple who had given up on hope. They had waited for a very long time for a child. As we approach Christmas what is it that we wait for and through? 
  • What is the significance of the place that Zechariah met Gabriel? 
  • We are all participants in this great story. In all the things that happen to us, around us, through us, there is a larger story and purpose. For Zechariah he got to see how all the little coincidences connected. How was God active in this moment of Zechariah's life?
  •  In a moment the tapestry of our life looks jumbled, in the midst of life we can't always see the purpose, but one we will see the other side of the tapestry. What are ways that you have had glimpses at the other side of the tapestry? 
  • We were challenged to wait with faith and wait through faith. Who is it that we now wait for? How is it a challenge to wait?
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