July 31st Sermon Follow-Up Study

Read Luke 7:36-50

 

1.     Who do think you identify with in the story?  Simon? The woman? Why?

2.     After prayerful consideration, do the actions / activity of your life confirm your thoughts of question 1 or do they tell a different story?

 

Each day:

1.     Ask yourself if I truly love Jesus or the thought of Him?

2.     What does my life tell you?

3.     Do I really know Jesus or just an idea of Him (from how others speak of Him)?

4.     What will I do to know Him today, to love Him?

5.     What changes will happen in my life as my love for Him grows?

6.     Do I take grace for granted (hey it’s free!!!) or do I live my life in response to grace (What can I do to show my gratitude for your grace Lord)?

7.     How do I really see others whether they are friends or strangers?  Believers or non-believers?

8.     What person do I see often each day can that I need to take time to know and to love?

9.     How can I be Jesus and love that person like Jesus each day I see them?

June 26 Sermon Follow-Up Study

“THE LAST LINES”

If you were given the assignment to describe life with one word, what word would you choose?

If a person who knows you well tried to summarize what you have “taught” up to this point in your life,
what do you think that person would say?

Read Ecclesiastes 12:9-14.

How is the Teacher’s purpose described in verses 9-10?

Why is it significant that the Teacher’s words are based on the authority of the “one Shepherd”?

Why do you think this book ends with the particular directives of verses 13-14?

Sum up the message of Ecclesiastes in a brief phrase or statement.

What does it mean for you to “fear God and keep his commandments”?

In light of your study of Ecclesiastes, on what basis is life meaningless to you and on what basis is it not?

What did you find in Ecclesiastes that irritated you toward wisdom?

Spend some time thanking the Shepherd for challenging you with the words of Solomon.

June 19th Sermon Follow-Up Study

‘A TIME FOR ALL SEASONS”

On the edge of the University of Oregon campus lies a sizable historical cemetery.  For years university officials have eyed with envy this valuable slice of real estate that divides their campus.

At one point some even entertained suggestions to build a superstructure of above-ground buildings over the plots!  For many students the cemetery represents an unfortunate obstacle as they crisscross the campus from one class to the next.  I doubt if the Teacher would share this objection.  What better reminder for young people seeking to fashion lifelong values?  Contemplation of death gives us the wisdom to live.

Read Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

In thinking about your own death … what are some of your fears, what are some of your anxieties, what are some of your hopes?  Share these with your Father in prayer.

In what ways are the righteous and wicked described in verses 1-3?

What reaction might the Teacher hope to gain with his emphasis that a “common destiny” awaits all (vv. 1-3)?

What kind of hope does the Teacher offer in verses 4-6?

In what ways do verses 7-10 encourage us to enjoy life?

What uncertainty do the factors of time and chance bring to life (vv. 11-12)?

What difference would it make in your life if you knew you were going to die within six months?

In what ways does taking death seriously help alter your values in the use of your money, time and energy?

How do Christ’s death and resurrection give you hope in this life and in the one to come?

 

Reflect on the situation voiced by Peter but faced by all of us:

Read John 6:68

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Commit yourself to follow Jesus closely and thank him for the fulfillment such a life brings.

 

“Adapted from IVP Study”

June 12th Sermon Follow-Up Study

A SEASON OF PLEASURE

If worldly pleasure suddenly became your overriding goal, what would you likely do?  With what results?   Talk to God about your deeper desires to forsake short-term self-indulgence for the long-term gain of knowing him.

Read Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:16 and answer the following questions.

• Why does the author call his search for wisdom “a heavy burden” (1:13)?

• Describe the various avenues the Teacher tested in his quest for fulfillment (2:1-16).

• In 2:12-16 he outlines two approaches to discovering meaning in life.  What are the advantages and limitations of these two approaches?

• What prompts his change of perspective (2:14-16)?

• How have you been convinced of the meaninglessness of living outside of Christ’s lordship?

• What would help you turn your desire for meaning in life into a wholehearted pursuit of God?

 

Matthew 6:33 (NIV) – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

• What would it look like if you honestly began to seek the Kingdom of God with all of your heart?

• What would change in your life?

Matthew 7:8 promises that all who seek shall find.   Knock on Jesus’ door right now and ask Him to give you a hunger to find meaning in life through knowing Him better each day.

June 5th Sermon Follow-Up Study

Ecclesiastes 1

Read Ecclesiastes chapter 1 and answer the following questions.

1.        What is your reaction to the subject of the book which the teacher states in verses 2-3?

2.       How do examples of nature support his subject that “everything is meaningless” (vv. 5-7)?

3.       From verses 9-10, describe the teacher’s view of history.

4.       What might he say to a person who believes that educating people will eventually solve humanity’s problems?

5.       How does human mortality (vv. 4 and 11) bring the teacher’s argument to a high point?

6.       According to verse 8, seeking new experiences will not bring lasting satisfaction.  Give a personal example to illustrate this.

7.       What is one area in your life that has recently seemed futile or meaningless?

8.       What are you going to do to change that situation?

9.       Reflect on ways you sense that your life lacks meaning or purpose.  Ask God to help you draw on His resources to resist meaningless living and pursue His purposes.

 

(adapted from IVP Study)

May 29th Sermon Follow-Up Study

“Sinful Nature vs. Spirit-filled Life”

Read Galatians 5:16-25 and answer the following questions:

• What does it mean to you to “live by the Spirit”?
• How do you typically handle the temptations to sin that come your way?
• Have you ever thought much how the sinful nature and the Holy Spirit are at war within you?
• Where do you see the “acts of the sinful nature” lived out most today?
• What warning does Paul give about living for the sinful nature?
• Why is there no law against the fruit of the Spirit?
• If we as Christ followers have crucified the sinful nature, why do we struggle with sin so much still?
• What does “keeping in step with the Spirit” look like in your daily life?

Read Romans 7:18-25 and answer the following questions:

• Do you resonate with what Paul is writing about the battle between sin and Spirit-filled living?
• Does this passage help you understand better why you struggle with sin so much even though you don’t desire to be sinful?
• What is the source of hope Paul has despite this terrible condition he sees at work in his life?

Read John 10:10 and answer the following questions:

• How seriously do you take Satan?  Do you live with a constant awareness of his presence in your life and in our world or do you live as if he doesn’t exist?
• What do you think “life to the full” looks like that Jesus said he came to give?
• Do you live like your eternity with the Father began when you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior or do you live with the attitude of “I can’t wait to get to heaven to begin eternity”?
• How would your daily life look different if you really lived with this verse in mind each day?

May 22nd Sermon Follow-Up Study

Read Matthew 23:1-12 and answer these questions:

As Jesus sees it, what is evil about the Pharisees?  How are disciples to avoid falling into this evil?
What distinction was Jesus trying to make between the Pharisees and His disciples?
Compare the path to greatness followed by the Pharisees with that taught by Jesus.
What do these two views of greatness teach us about the kingdom of God?

Read 1 Timothy 4 and answer the following questions:

How important is it that a Christ follower’s actions reflect his or her faith?
What does it mean to” train yourself to be godly”?  In what ways is this like physical training?
How does this relate to the connection between actions and faith?
Why do you think Paul encourages Timothy to set an example for all believers?
How is this related to actions and faith?   Why would this be especially important for Timothy?
What is your plan for godly fitness in your life?  Using a physical analogy, in what kind of shape are you in?
What will you do this week to same in shape or get in shape?

Read Philippians 2:1-11 and answer the following questions:

How are humility and unity related?  How can a person look after his interest and the interest of others?
Paraphrase verses 6-8.  How is Jesus’ life an example of humility?  How did He practice His humility in His relationships with people?
How does Christ’s humility relate to Christian unity?
What does it mean to consider others better than yourselves?  What does it not mean?
How does respecting the God given dignity of others make it hard to be self-centered?
How would your life be different if you consistently lived by verses 5-11?  How would your relationships change?

May 15 Sermon Follow-Up Study

Read Acts 4:32-37 and answer the following questions.

1.      What characterizes the believers in verses 32-34?  How well would you have fit into the early church?  What would have been the most difficult for you to do?  Why?
2.      How easy is it for you to share with those who have needs that you know about compared to those that you do not know about?
What are the greatest barriers you face in being generous or open to the needs of others?
3.      To which needy person in our family of faith could you reach out?  What is it that you will do?

Read John 13:31-38 and answer the following questions.

1.      What identifying marks do Christ followers display today?  How are these different from the love Jesus commanded in verses 34-35?
2.      If Christ followers did love each other in a radical way, how do you think the world would react?  Why?
3.      What one action could you do this week that would show more clearly that you love others as Christ loves you?
4.      In light of verses 31-32, how do you think you can best glorify God this week?

Read Revelation 7:9-17 and answer the following question.

1.      What does Jesus see next?  How does He characterize the size of the crowd?  Who are a part of this crowd?
2.      What is the significance of the white robes and palm branches?  What does all of this say about the kingdom of God?
3.      When the multitude cries out, how do the angels, elders, and the four living creatures respond?
4.      How would this picture of the future encourage the Christ followers of John’s day?

May 8th Sermon Follow-Up Study

HOW TO HONOR YOUR MOTHER

Read Luke 2:41- 52 and answer the following questions.

1.  How do you think Jesus’ parents felt while they were searching for three to five days for Jesus?

2.  If Jesus was your son, how would have you reacted when you found Him?

3.  When they found Him in the temple, what did they say?

4.  Do you think Jesus’ parents really understood Him?  And give your reasoning for your answer.

5.  Do you think Jesus had any understanding of how his parents felt?

6.  Do you think Jesus’ parents were spared the struggles of most parents or did they have more struggles?

Read Ephesians 6:1-3 and answer the following question.

1.    How do you honor your parents as an adult, teen or child?

2.    How important is it that we honor our parents?  Why?

3.    What is the difference between disciplining and exasperating your children?

4.    How do you or will you bring up your children in the training and instruction of the Lord?

Read John 2:1-11 and answer the following questions.

1.    Why do you think Jesus went to the wedding?

2.    When they ran out wine, why did the mother of Jesus try to get Him involved?

3.    How do you think Jesus felt about the situation?

4.    Why do you think Jesus intervened and helped out?

5.    How do you think the bridegroom felt when he heard about the vine?

6.    Why do you think Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding feast?

May 1st Sermon Follow-Up Study

“REMEMBER ME”

Jesus chose to institute the Lord’s Supper during the Passover Feast of the Jews.  This feast was held on the 14th of the first month of Nisan (April) to commemorate the exodus from Egypt.

The Passover was followed by and closely connected with the feast of unleavened bread, to which the name Passover was applied.  For background and the Passover feast and the feast of unleavened bread read Exodus 12:1-20.

Here is a list of accounts from different writers in the New Testament about the institution of the Lord’s Supper.
Read Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25 Luke 22:14-20,

There are different names given for this feast.

Breaking of the Bread – Read Acts 20:7, Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 10:16

The Lord’s Supper – It is called the Lord’s Supper because He is the one who gave it, it is Him who invites us to take part in the meal: Jesus said “do this to remember me.”  When we participate in this meal, Jesus Christ is the source of the spiritual food.

Communion  – The term communion is applied today, this is more of a description of what takes place rather than a name for it.  Read 1 Corinthians 10:16.

Eucharist  – is another term for this meal.  Although this term is not used very much if at all in our church, it is used in many denominational churches.

Even though John’s gospel does not mention communion he does give us a lot of important information about that evening.
Read the following passages to get the big picture of what Jesus is communicating to us.

John 13:3-17, John 13:34 and 35, John 14:1-6, John 14:15-21, John 15:1-8, John 15:12-17, John 17:20 – 23

All of them shed some light on the command that we are to remember Him, His sacrifice and His teachings.

Take the time to read 1 Corinthians 11:23-34.   When you take communion are you following these guidelines?