Acts 1:8, 2:1-17, 32-41; Ephesians 4:1-3 "To Be Continued: Pentecost" Rev. Ryan Laughlin

 

 

 

                                              Sermon Discussion Questions

 

    1) After reading over the passages again, what are you reminded about the role of the Holy Spirit?

 

  2) Are there other places in Scripture (in Old Testament) where you see the work of the Holy Spirit?

  

 3) Sermon quote: "The Holy Spirit shows up as promised and shows up in power." Is this comforting to you? How have you seen the Holy Spirit work in your daily life?

 

4) Quote: "The Holy Spirit is the missionary spirit sent out by the missionary Father and the missionary Son, breathing life and power into God's missionary Church." (Michael Oh) Where do we see evidence of this "sending out" in the Bible? How does this change the way we think about the Holy Spirit in our lives today?

 

5) Are there moments throughout your day that you live as if the Holy Spirit never showed up? Can you share some examples?

 

6) Sermon quote: "We need moment by moment the power of the Holy Spirit to move us through the day and remind us of the gospel." How is this truth comforting/challenging to you?

  

Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:23-27 "To Be Continued: He Intercedes" Rev. Greg Meyer

 

 

 

                                                     Sermon Discussion Questions

 

 

1) Sermon quote: We have been saved by Jesus but we are inherently imperfect. We are declared righteous but inherently unrighteous. This is why we need Christ as our intercessor." How does this truth encourage you? Is it challenging to you at all?

 

2) What do we learn about Jesus and our relationship with Him in these passages?

 

3) Jesus preserves us and prepares us to be with Him. What has that looked like in your life? 

 

4) Bulletin quote: "Intercession is the constant hitting 'refresh' of our justification in the court of heaven...The intercession of Christ is His heart connecting our heart to the Father's heart." Is this surprising to you? The realization that Jesus is always interceding for us can change the way we live daily. What can be some examples of this change?

 

5) How do we join in God's work of intercession for His people? What can that look like in our home and work life?  

Acts 2:32-36, Ephesians 1:19-23 "To Be Continued: He Reigns" Rev. Chris Smith

 

 

 

                                            Sermon Discussion Questions

 

     1) In observing, what does the Acts passage teach us about the resurrected Jesus? 

 

  2) What does the Ephesians passage say about Jesus?

 

     2) Christ's work on the cross is complete. He rules over all things. And He is waiting for His Church to be with Him. How do these truths encourage you? How can these truths change the way we interact with the world around us?

 

   3) Bulletin quote: "The ascension establishes the age of mission, both because the king is on the throne and because the king is absent." (Tim Chester, The Ascension: Humanity in the Presence of God)  What aspect of the gospel may he be referring to?

  

  4) Is it surprising to you that we have continued to talk about the ascension? Other observations from this passage or the sermon that were life-giving to you?

    

    

Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1: 6-11, Hebrews 6:19-20 "To Be Continued: Ascension" Rev. Ryan Laughlin

 

 

                                                   Sermon Discussions

 

  1) What do these passages remind us about Jesus? Where do we see the all three parts of the Trinity?

 

   2) Bulletin quote: "If, as the Lamb that had been slain, He bears upon His Person the marks of Calvary. He also bears in His heart the memories of Cana of Galilee, of Simon's house, of the spot outside the little town of Bethany where Mary wept beside her brother's grave and He wept with her." How does the life of Jesus encourage you in your life now?

  3) What does it mean that Jesus has gone as a forerunner for His people? 

   4) What does it mean for Jesus to be the "champion of heaven"? 

  5) "In Adam we were cast out of God's presence, in Jesus, we are brought back into His presence."  How is this truth good news for our lives?

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?