Check back here every week for Sunday’s sermon notes’ “Go Deeper” questions.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Lent 2010 – [un]comfort[able]
Nathan Oates
Zechariah 10:1-2, Judges 2:10-19, Psalm 119:67-72, Mark 14:32-42
-Share your first impressions to the sermon’s central question: Are our comforts keeping us from being comforted?
-Are you giving something up or adding something in observance of Lent? What are you noticing through this experience?
-What are modern examples of “teraphim” (household idols, see Zech. 10:2)?
-Discuss the pattern repeated in Judges. Note how even the “heroes” of the story are not immune (8:23-27).
-Share examples from scripture of trials or disciplines which lead to spiritual growth.
-Have you grown through trials and/or disciplines?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Compassion Works, Part 2: Compassion Thinks
Nathan Oates
Genesis 1:1, 1:27; Luke 10:25-37
-Today’s teaching was built on the same portions of scripture as last week’s. Revisit Genesis and Luke passages if needed.
-Review your notes from “a different way of thinking.” Comment on each of these ways of thinking. Share real life examples.
-Which of these “ways of thinking” is the most challenging for you?
-What makes thinking in this way difficult? What would you add to this list? How do those whose lives are marked on compassion think?
-What factors/experiences have changed the way you think?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
First Things, Part 5 – “You First”
Paul Dabdoub
Luke 24:30-32, John 15 and Ephesians 3:17-19
-Paul referenced Luke 24:30-32. Was there anything that burned in your heart?
-What is the difference between “belief” and “experience”?
-What percentage of what you do for God is the result of belief? What percentage is the result of experience?
-If knowing God as a person – a real love relationship with Him – is the whole of Christianity, how does that chnage how we’re currently doing spiritual things (i.e. church, reading the Word, singing, prayer, serving others)?
-Dig deeper: Read the parable of the vine in John 15. Read Ephesians 3:17-19 and pray that prayer for yourself.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
First Things, Part 4
Nathan Oates and Tim Loomis
-Discuss your initial reactions to Sunday’s teaching on singing.
-What are some of the challenges associated with worship through corporate singing?
-Which of the three main points (We sing for…) do you resonate with the most? Which reason for corporate worship is most challenging for you?
-What have you learned/are you learning through worshipping?
-What do you need to do to better engage in the singing part of our worship gatherings?
-Go deeper: Read som Pslams and write down what you find related to singing.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
First Things, Part 3
Nathan Oates
-Discuss the four “preaching is…” points of today’s sermon. Your thoughts?
-At what point in recent memory did you experience the most effective preaching? Think outside the sermon. What else was happening that facilitated truly helpful preaching/learning?
-How do you prepare for the message? How do you engage in the message? How do you respond to the message? What do you do? How do you participate in the preaching?
-Dig deeper: Read and consider what Jesus is doing in his parables. Read the Peter’s and Paul’s sermons in Acts.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Second Sunday after Christmas
First Things, Part 1
Nathan Oates
Psalm 119
-How is your relationship with God’s Word? a) Like a blind date b) yawn c) There’s potential d) I’m in love.
-What’s your experience with God’s word? a) It’s all Greek to me b) I can find the Old Testament c) I’m familiar with the familiar parts d) I read it every day.
-Spend some time in Psalm 119. What stands-out to you?
-When has the Word been most alive to you? Why?
-Share your questions, challenges and helpful hints about reading and loving the Word.
-Resources: www.blueletterbible.com, www.textweek.com, www.biblegateway.org.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
First Sunday of Advent
Give_Together: God in My Living Room
Nathan Oates
John 3:16, Luke 2:1-7
-Discuss John 3:16. What does replacing the “world” with your name communicate? What does knowing “world” is kosmos emphasize?
-Read Luke 2:1-7. What details are given that emphasize Christ’s coming into the real world?
-Why do you think God expressed his love by giving his one and only son?
-Share an example of a physical, personal gift you’ve received that has effectively expressed love.
-How can you give in ways that are physical and personal this Christmas?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Finding the Way – When Resurrection Meets Life: “Resurrection Spirituality”
Nathan Oates
Acts 18:18-28, 19:1-10, 19:11-20
-Share about a time in your life marked by significant growth/change.
-How would you describe your spirituality today/in this season of life?
-Re-read the texts from Sunday. Comment on the three stories. What do you find remarkable about each story? How do you relate to each story?
-How/in what ways does your spirituality need resurrection/new life?
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