Previous Sermon Discussion Questions

July 19th Sermon Discussion Questions 

Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control - Galatians 5:22-23

 1.     Read 1 John 3:2. What is the key point of this verse? Why is this so encouraging? 

2.     Faithfulness is a primary attribute of God.  Are you committed to following Christ no matter what? Does your faithfulness to Christ spill over into your other relationships and commitments?  Read 2 Timothy 2:13.  

3.     Does our world value the quality of “gentleness”?  What is a synonym for “gentleness”? What does God say about those who are gentle/humble as opposed to those who are proud?  Is it hard to be gentle/humble at the work place?  Does this make you feel weak or vulnerable?  Why?

4.     How does being humble, gentle, and kind help us in our witness for the gospel?  See Philippians 4:5.

5.     What is another translation (NIV) of self-control? (strict training). What areas of your life are you trying to get under control?  See Hebrews 3:13 – why does the devil want to disconnect you from other believers?  

July 5th Sermon Discussion Questions 

Patience, Kindness, and Goodness - Galatians 5:22-23

1.     What is Greek word translated as “patience”? Makrothumia  - How does this literally translate? - (takes a long time for you to get angry). 

2.     What event did Pastor Andrew refer to as an example of God’s patience towards us?  See 2 Peter 3:8-9.

3.     What is the definition of kindness?  Read Matthew 5:16 to see what we are called to do as Christ followers. 

4.     Name some practical ways you can be kind to those in your neighborhood, community, and world?

5.     What is the definition of Goodness? Do you live out what you believe as a follower of Jesus? Are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit prompting you to be aligned in your thoughts, beliefs and actions? 

July 5th Sermon Discussion Questions 

Love, Joy, and Peace – Galatians 5:22

1.     The first fruit of the Spirit mentioned is “Love.” See Galatians 5:13-14. What command does Paul say fulfills the entire law? How do you love your neighbor as yourself?     

2.     What do you see in God’s creation that brings you joy?  Pastor Andrew quoted Dallas Willard who said, “You’ll not understand God until you understand this about Him: God is the happiest Being in the universe.”  Why do you think this is true?  

3.     How can you experience joy in the Lord even during difficult times (sickness, death, loss, etc.)?

4.      Does the peace of God reign in your life? Why or why not? Name a time of immense pressure where you felt the peace of God.  How does John 16:33 provide comfort in light of current world events? 

June 21st Sermon Discussion Questions

God Transforms Us – Galatians 5:16 and 25

1.     Paul uses three action words/phrases in verses 16 and 25 to describe what our relationship with the Holy Spirit should look like.  What are they?   

2.     Are Religious Disciplines (read Bible, pray, attend church, give, etc.) by themselves profitable? What makes them powerful and productive in the Christian life? What analogy did Pastor Andrew use to explain difference in practicing Religious Disciplines without God’s life-giving Holy Spirit? (pile of bricks versus apple tree).  

3.     What is the foundation and motivation for Living By the Spirit?

4.     What is the foundation and motivation for Living By the Flesh?

5.     What is your motivation as a Christian? Guilt or Love?

Read Galatians 5:18. 

June 21st Sermon Discussion Questions

Living a fruit-filled life – Galatians 5:22-23

1.      Whether a Jew (original recipients of Paul’s letter) or a 21st century Christian, living like Christ can be tough.  Will living by rules and restrictions guarantee you to be more like Jesus?  How does the Spirit controlled life of freedom differ from a rule following life? 

2.     Are following rules and begin controlled by the Spirit mutually exclusive? Read Galatians 5:13. What is the connection of living in the Spirit and following rules according to this verse?

3.     What does “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” mean? What do your words reveal about your relationship with Jesus? Do your words and actions reflect that you are filled with the Spirit?

4.     Are you morally restrained or spiritually changed? Do your actions and words reflect your personality only? Or to they reflect both your personality AND your Christ-transformed heart and mind?

5.     Are you a follower of Jesus?  Would you like to find New Life in Christ today?  

June 14th Sermon Discussion Questions

Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23

1.     What is significance of Paul using the singular form “Fruit”, versus using plural form “Fruits” since 9 characteristics are listed? 

2.     Can a non-believer display individual fruits of the spirit?  Like joy, peace, or kindness?  Why is this different than a believer displaying the Fruit as an interdependent unit? How do you know if it is a personality trait or the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit? 

3.     Does the manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit come all at one time? How does God develop these characteristics in us?

4.     As believers why should we not blame our bad personality traits on our parents or relatives? We certainly may have natural tendencies from our DNA, but the Fruit of the Spirit is not genetic, but rather a supernatural change from the inside out. 

5.     What was point of acorn and marble slab story?  (Time and growth equal supernatural power).  

June 7th Sermon Discussion Questions

Pandemic Inspired Teachable Moments 

1.     Read James 4:13-14.  How has the pandemic uniquely impacted your life? Were any of your plans interrupted?  How much control do we really have in our lives? How should we respond to crisis as believers in Christ?

2.     With all the information that we receive, who can we trust? Where do we place our hope and whom should we place our hope? How does that look practically?

3.     What is the universal problem of all people? Reread the statement by Tony Dungy read by Pastor Andrew.  Click on this link and then click on excerpt for full statement. 

4.     Read Revelation 7:9-10.  How does heaven look in terms of diversity?

5.     In a world of anxiety, fear, and the unknown, what opportunities do we have as believers to make a difference? We do have the cure to sin – a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

May 31st Sermon Questions

Extraordinary Prayers Ordinary People – Hannah’s Extraordinary Prayer – 1 Samuel 1

1.     Why was Hannah so distressed?  (verses 2,5, and 6).  Infertility is a difficult situation for many women in today’s culture.  What unique cultural pressures made it extraordinarily difficult for Hannah in dealing with her infertility?

2.     What two voices did Hannah constantly hear regarding her situation?  Which of these two voices did she listen? (verses 6 and 8). What voices are you surrounded by and which ones are most important?

3.     Hannah was about to take a radical step.  What were some of her options in dealing with the voices of Peninnah and Elkanah? What did she do next? See verse 10.  Is prayer in your life a 1st step or last resort?  

4.     Did God answer her prayer? See verses 17-20.  What prayers have you seen God answer?  Are you still waiting on Him to answer some current requests? 

5.     What are two key take-aways from Hannah’s prayer?   

May 17 Sermon Series Questions

1.     Should prayers be stale and ritualistic?  Why or why not? Where do we receive instruction on prayer?

2.     When Jesus instructed the disciples their commission to be witnesses of Jesus throughout the world (Acts 1:8) and then ascended into heaven, what was the disciples first reaction? When facing a major challenge, what is your first reaction?     

3.     Why do we as 21st century Americans sometimes use prayer as a last resort instead of a first resort? What would be an example of an extraordinary prayer request in your own personal life? Has God answered an extraordinary prayer in your life in the past?

4.     What person allows us the ability, power, and expectation to pray extraordinary prayers? Do we fully utilize the power of the 3rd person of the trinity? What does praying in one accord mean?   

5.     What is your attitude in prayer? Are you earnest, persistent, expectant, and submissive to the Spirit as you pray to God? Do you ever doubt God’s ability to solve your problems? (see Acts 4:27-28). 

May 10 Sermon Series Questions

1.     Can we determine our view of God based on our circumstances? For example, as a faithful follower of Christ, if we are prosperous in our career and our children are obedient/intelligent, can we conclude that God always makes life easy for one that faithfully follows Christ?    

2.     Think about the verse, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8).  If we could understand all the activities/ways of God, what would that imply? Should we have a right to demand that God answers all our questions? Is it okay to ask God questions?

3.     What are some of the questions that God asks Job? (see 38:4-7 for example). What is the point of God asking Job all these questions?   

4.     What is Job’s conclusion to God’s barrage of questions in 42:1-3?  What does this teach us about God?

5.     If we trust, revere, and obey, what will God do? See 42:12. Complete restoration of loss may not come in this life, but peace and eternity with God in heaven is a promise to those that follow Christ. 

May 3 Sermon Series Questions

1. What are some of the human race’s biggest achievements over the last 50 years? What is the difference between human achievement and wisdom? When making decisions, do you rely solely on your intelligence, your IQ?

2. Certain decisions can be made solely based on qualified intellectual thought – like taking medicine. Others can be made based on the moral law found in the Bible (do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not commit murder, etc.). What about decisions for choosing a career, a husband or wife, whether to buy a house? Where do you find wisdom for these decisions?

3. Read Isaiah 5:21. Does wisdom come from within? Should we rely on our own intellect in making decisions? How is God described as being the source and giver of wisdom? See Job 28:20-27.

4. In 28:28, how does God define wisdom and understanding? Explain the “fear of the Lord”? See Psalm 130:4.  

5. When we face adversity, how should we respond? We can trust an “immortal, invisible, God only wise” even if we do not always fully understand His ways. 

• God is in control

• He cares for you

 April 26 Sermon Series Questions

1. Read Job 3:26. Has there been a time in your life where you felt like you hit “rock bottom?” Did you turn inward and try to cope in isolation? Or did you seek comfort and counsel from others? From the Lord?

2. Do you find it hard to admit that you are struggling and need help? Does authenticity and transparency about your struggles help or hurt your witness for Christ?  Why or why not?  

3. Job said, “May the day perish on which I was born …“ (see Job 3). According to Pastor Andrew, was Job “soul sore” or was this response his “soul core?” What is the difference? How is your “soul core”? Have you asked Jesus to give you new life in Him?

4. Three of Job’s friends are introduced in chapters 4-27. How are they at comforting Job? Is their application of “You reap what you sow” appropriate in this situation as they “comfort” or rather “correct” Job? When you see someone down and out, do you ever respond as Job’s friends respond?  Why?  Think of Jesus’ suffering.  See John 9:1-3.   

5. Who is the ultimate comforter when we are suffering? See James 5:11. How did Jesus comfort people? Keller quote, “Jesus comforted people with a mixture of truth and tears.” Will you trust God in your suffering?

•  God is in control

• He cares for you

April 19 Sermon Series Questions

1. After losing his material possessions and children, how did Job react? (see verse 20-22).

2. Has there been a time of tremendous loss in your life (material, relational, health, etc.)? How did you respond? Looking back, how did God reveal Himself to you through the situation?

3. How do followers of the gospel of Christ (Salvation is by Grace through Faith) interpret good or bad things in their life? (Grace based response says – 1. Everything whether good or bad from God. 2. Don’t hold onto things too tightly 3. Trust God).

4. What are two Key Points Pastor Andrew made at end of message? Two statements to meditate on every morning when you arise.

   1. God is in control

   2. God cares for me

5. When looking for empathy for our suffering or dire circumstances, where should we as believers turn our attention? (to the gospel, the cross: Jesus died and rose again because He is in control and He loves us).