Posts tagged #Jay Childs

The Coming Messiah

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Genesis 3
Series: Christmas Prophecies

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

 

GETTING TO KNOW ME

When did you first hear about Jesus & the Gospel?

 

GOING DEEPER

  1. Read John 4:19-29. What kinds of expectations did this woman have for a coming Messiah?
  2. Read John 7:25-31, 40-43. Describe expectations people had for a coming Messiah? Where do you think these kinds of expectations came from?
  3. Read Luke 20:41-47. What was Jesus saying here? What was His point in quoting Psalm 110?
  4. Read Genesis 3:1-15. What were the main points of the sermon? How do we know who the Serpent is?
  5. Read Luke 24:36-49. Where is it written in the Old Testament that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead?
  6. Read Luke 24:18-27. Where did Moses and the prophets write about Jesus? References.
    • cf Acts 26:22-23. Where does the Old Testament mention that Messiah would suffer and rise again?
  7. Read Genesis 12:1-3. What is promised here?
    • Read Acts 3:24-26. Describe how Peter interprets Genesis 12:1-3 in relation to Jesus?
  8. Read Psalm 22. How is the Messiah depicted here? What is said about Him specifically?
  9. Read Psalm 110. (This is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament.) What does it say about the coming Messiah?
  10. Read Jeremiah 33:14-12. What does Jeremiah say here about the coming Messiah?
  11. Discuss: How clear were the prophecies about a coming Messiah? What kinds of details should have been known?

 

APPLICATION

Take time to pray – out loud, together - for someone you are currently evangelizing.

 

FAMILY FOCUS

Parents, we are pleased to include a family-oriented section to the Community Group questions. Our goal is to assist you in taking what you have learned through the sermon and discussed in your group and “bring it home” to your family.

  1. Today’s passage (Genesis 3:15) is the first hint of the gospel, the coming of His Son to be the Savior/Messiah. Read Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2.
    What else do we learn of the coming Messiah?
    For the fulfillment of these prophecies, see Galatians 3:8; Matthew 1:23; 2:5-6.
  2. Read Isaiah 9:6-7. What names did Isaiah use to describe the child who would be born? Think of ways these names point to Jesus, how He demonstrated these titles while here on earth? 
Posted on November 29, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under Christmas Prophecies and tagged Jay Childs.

The Truth about Heaven and Hell

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Revelation 20 & 21
Series: Your Ever After

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Did you grow up believing in a literal heaven and hell? How did it impact you?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Matthew 5:21-22, 29-20, 10:26-28, 25:40-46.
    Why do you think Jesus spoke so often about hell?
  2. Read Revelation 20:10-15.
    What is being described here? What is the "lake of fire?" Is it eternal?
  3. Discuss: How can God be loving if there is an eternal hell?
  4. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10.
    How does Paul describe the final judgment and the final state of the wicked?
  5. Discuss: What should we be teaching our children and grandchildren about hell?
  6. Read Matthew 11:20-24.
    • Discuss: Will there be degrees of reward and punishment in heaven and hell? Why? Why not?
    • (cf Wayne Grudem; Systematic Theology; chapters 56 & 57)
  7. Read Revelation 21:1-18.
    How does John describe the "new earth?"  
  8. Read John 14:1-4.
    What is the “place” Jesus is preparing for us? Evidence?
  9. Discuss: What excites you the most about the new earth?
  10. Read Matthew 7:13-14, John 14:6.
    Discuss: Is Jesus really the only path to eternal life?   
  11. Read 2 Peter 3:11-13.
    Discuss: How should the doctrine of last things impact us?

APPLICATION

Discuss the statement by theologian Miroslav Volf:

 “God is not loving in spite of his wrath;  He is loving because of His wrath.”

—Free of Charge (Zondervan)   

Posted on November 22, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under Your Ever After and tagged Jay Childs.

The Bible and Reincarnation

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Romans 3, 5, & John 5
Series: Your Ever After

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

  • Why do you think reincarnation is so popular with so many Americans – even Christians? 

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. What is the purpose of reincarnation according to those who believe in it?
         How does it address the sin problem? How do grace & karma differ?

  2. Read Romans 5:1-11 / How does Paul describe the atonement here?
         How is it the final solution for sin? How does it refute reincarnation?
  3. Read Hebrews 2:17; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:1-2, 4:10
         • What are the benefits of Jesus’ death described in these passages?
         • What is “propitiation”? (cf Grudem’s Systematic Theology – Zondervan - chapter 27)
         • How does the death of Christ bring us to God?
         • Does the death of Jesus automatically reconcile everyone with God? Why? Why not?
         • What must a person do (specifically) to be saved?
  4. Read John 5:28-30 & 1 Corinthians 15:35-44
         Resurrection of the body or reincarnation? Discuss.
  5. Is the next life physical? Why? Why not? What will the New Earth be like?
  6. How does Jesus’ resurrection contradict reincarnation? Discuss.
  7. Read John 19:30 – discuss what this verse means in context.
         How does this answer reincarnation?
  8. What are some other theories of the atonement of Christ? 
         (cf Grudem’s Systematic Theology – Zondervan - Chapter 27)
  9. Read Romans 3:25-26
         How does the death of Jesus satisfy the justice of God against sin?
  10. Read Romans 8:1 & Hebrew 9:27-28 - How do these verses refute reincarnation? Discuss

APPLICATION

How should the doctrine of the atonement affect our daily Christian lives?
 

FAMILY FOCUS

Parents, we are pleased to include a “Family Focus” section to the Community Group questions. Our goal is to assist you in taking what you have learned through the sermon and discussed in community and “bring it home” to your family. 

 

  1. Read 2 Peter 3:10-13 and Revelation 20:11-15. 
         What information do these verses contribute to the coming judgment?
     
  2. Christians do not face the coming wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10). 
         Are there rewards for followers of Christ?
         (Look at 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12)
Posted on November 8, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under Your Ever After and tagged Jay Childs.

The Second Coming of Christ and the Final Judgment

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Matthew 24 & 25
Series: Your Ever After

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Did you grow up believing in the 2nd coming of Christ?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Matthew 24:1-3; where were Jesus and His disciples? Why would they ask Jesus this?
     
  2. Read Matthew 24:4-25
    Discuss and describe the sequence of events Jesus describes here
    Is this describing ONLY the events of AD70 or also the distant future? Why?
    What is the order of events: Tribulation and 2nd Coming or Second Coming and Tribulation?
  3. Read Matthew 24:36-44
    Are the ones who are ‘taken’ in vs 40-41 – taken in safety or taken in judgment? Why?
    Who is “left behind?” (vs 40-41)
    So…will true believers be taken or left behind in this analogy?
  4. Read Matthew 25:31-46
    What is this event? Why is the idea of a final judgment so disliked?
    How are Matthew’s words rooted in Isaiah 58? Read and discuss
    When does this judgment occur?
    What is the criterion for those who are lost and for those who are saved?
    How does this line up with Justification by Faith Alone? Discuss
    Can someone be truly saved and have no fruit in their lives? Discuss
  5. Read 2 Peter 3:10-18
    In light of Christ’s 2nd Coming – how are we to live? Be specific
    How can we focus more on His return to help us pursue holiness? Practically?
  6. Read Revelation 21:1-5 in two different translations
    Discuss John’s vision of the New Jerusalem
    What excites you most about the New Earth? Get specific….

APPLICATION

How can we help our children and grandchildren better grasp the 2nd Coming and what it calls for?

FAMILY FOCUS

Parents, we are pleased to include a “Family Focus” section to the Community Group questions. Our goal is to assist you in taking what you have learned through the sermon and discussed in community and “bring it home” to your family.

  1. Read 2 Peter 3:10-13 and Revelation 20:11-15.
    What information do these verses contribute to the coming judgment?|
     
  2. Christians do not face the coming wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
    Are there rewards for followers of Christ?

    Look at: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
    2 Timothy 4:8
    James 1:12
Posted on November 1, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under Your Ever After and tagged Jay Childs.