Luke 24:36-49 "Why Are You Troubled?" Rev. Ryan Laughlin

 

 

 

                                              Sermon Discussion Questions

 

 

   1) As you read over this passage again, what are the questions Jesus asks? What else does Jesus say in this portion?

  

 2) Why do you think the detail about the door being locked is included?

 

3) There is an abundance of details in this passage. What others do you observe?

 

4) What does the resurrection of Jesus teach us about living our lives now?

 

5) Does Jesus asking for some fish surprise you? What about that detail helps us know Jesus better?

 

6)  How do we as believers "show and tell" God's radical forgiveness and our repentance in our lives? 

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 "Joy of Looking Like Your Father" Dr. Paul Kooistra

 

      

                                                           Sermon Discussion 

 

  1) After reading the passage, what does it say about giving?

 

  2) Sermon quote: "God loves a cheerful giver because He loves people that look like Him." Was this encouraging to hear? Did it challenge your thoughts on giving?

  3) God gives in abundance. What evidence do you see of this in the world around us? In your own life have you experienced His abundance of provision?

  4) We were made and saved to be generous givers. What are some practical ways we can do this in our lives?

 5) Why do you think it is difficult to talk about what we do with the material things God has given us?

  6) What are some other passages in the Bible that show us God's generosity?

 

                                                  

Luke 24:13-35 "Recognizing Jesus" Rev. Ryan Laughlin

 

 

 

                                                                Sermon Discussion Questions

 

   1) After reading over Luke 24:13-35, what do we see Jesus doing and saying? What do those interacting with Him do and say?

 

  2) Are there times when we don't recognize Jesus in our lives? How have we responded to those times?

 

  3) Sermon quote: "For believers, we recognize Jesus at His best, when we are at our worst." Have you had experience of this at times in your life? How has Jesus helped you recognize Him in difficult times?

 

  4) In this passage, Jesus breaks bread with them. In a very real sense, He is still breaking bread with us when we come to the table. How do we see/recognize Jesus better when we come the Lord's Supper?

 

  5) How does being in His Word help us recognize Jesus better? 

Luke 24:1-12 Resurrection Matters Rev. Ryan Laughlin

 

 

 

 

                                                      Sermon Discussion Questions

 

   1) After reading over the passage, who are the characters in the narrative? What role do they play?

 

  2) Why should we care that the resurrection matters?

 

  3) What significance does the bodily resurrection of Jesus have on His Church? What is encouraging about it?

 

 4) How does the truth of the resurrection effect our lives today? In what practical ways can it change the way we live on a daily basis and not just Easter Sunday?

 

5) What does I Corinthians 15:54-57 say about death? How does Christ's death give us victory?

 

6) The reality of the resurrection of Jesus is the "new normal". What does this imply? 

 

 

                                           

Job 38-42 "When God Answers" Rev. Ryan Laughlin

 

 

                                                        

                                   Sermon Discussion Questions

 

   1) What does this passage teach us about God? How does God respond to Job? What questions does He ask Job?

 

   2)  What can we learn from Job's response to what God asks him?

 

  3) Sermon quote: "Every family system has a way that they deal with pain and suffering that shapes our approach to it as an adult." How were you formed by pain and suffering growing up? 

4) "Being quiet and still with ourselves can be disruptive sometimes."  We see other verses like Psalm 46:10, asking us to be still and quiet. Is it difficult to make time for these moments? Do we find ourselves dreading being still and quiet?

5) What was Job's conclusion/response at the end of Job? The word "repent" found in Job 42:6 can also be translated "comfort". Do we ever think of the process of repenting as being comforting? Who/What makes it possible for Job to comforted despite his circumstances?

  

    

                                        

                           

Job (2:11-13, 3-27) "Comforting with Care" Rev Greg Meyer

 

                                                Sermon Discussion Questions

 

 

 1) What did Job's friends say to him at first? Did their tone change over the course of the book of Job?

 2) Can you remember a time when you were comforted well by someone? What was helpful? Can you remember a time when you were not comforted well? What did that look like?

3) Are there folks in your life that you feel need to be comforted? How can we learn from Job's story how to comfort others with wisdom?

 

4) The greatest tragedy (the death of Jesus on the cross)  God turned to good. Has this comforted you? What does this teach us about the character of God?

 

5) What are some takeaways from Elihu's speech that we can learn from?

 

6) Bulletin quote: "Christians are responsible for care; God is responsible for the cure. What Christian caregivers so is prepare the ground for the Great Curegiver." (Ken Haughk, Founder/Director of Stephen Ministries) What about this quote resonates with you? Do you agree with it?

                              

Job 19 "The God Who Can Handle Our Questions" Rev Ryan Laughlin

 

 

 

                                               Sermon Discussion Questions

 

 

    1)  After reading over Job 19, what are some of the questions Job asks? Do you see the theme of the questions shifting as you read thru?

   2) We see other examples of showing our emotions to God in times of pain, fear and hurt. Psalm 10:1, Psalm 22, Psalm 44, Psalm 60, Psalm 74, Psalm 79. Take a little time to read over these. Do these help you shape your laments and questions toward the Lord in times of crisis? Do you have any other passages you find comforting/helpful in shaping your laments?

 3) Bulletin quote: "Lament is the voice of that pain, whether for oneself, for one's people, or simply for the mountain of suffering of humanity and creation itself. Lament is the voice of faith struggling to live with unanswered questions and unexplained suffering. God not only understands and accepts such lament; God has given us words in the Bible to express it! An over-flowing abundance of such words." (Chris Wright) Is this encouraging to you? Is any part of it challenging to you?

 4) It seems like in our culture we are not good "lamenters" or good at sharing/expressing pain, hurt and fear. Why do you think it is hard for us to share? What are some obstacles to being more emotionally/spiritually vulnerable with each other?

  

  5) What are some of our obstacles in taking our laments to the Lord? How does the truth of God accepting you and laying His life down for you when you were at your worst challenge these obstacles?