Finding Hope in Changing Times

Finding Hope in Changing Times
EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Daniel 1
Series: Daniel: Finding Hope in Our Faithful God

Sermon Notes

  1. Remember God Is Sovereign over the Nations
  2. Remember God Is Sovereign over Our Lives

Discussion Questions

Today’s message is the first in a 9-part series in the book of Daniel. Discussion questions for this series are available—along with audio and video archives of the Sunday sermons—here on the website or via our free mobile app (visit app.efccl.org for download links). Sign up here if you’d like to receive the discussion questions via email or stop by the Information Center each week for a print copy.

The discussion questions will be published every Sunday between January 5 and March 16. Starting March 23 (Spring Break for local schools), there will be no more questions published until the beginning of our fall series.


Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Have you ever moved from one town, state, or country to another? Share cultural differences that you have experienced and how you felt.

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Daniel chapter 1 out loud. Observations?
  2. What is the setting of Daniel’s life? (i.e. Writing from where? Writing to whom? Why?)
  3. What are the two reminders about God in the first chapter? Discuss how this gives courage and hope.
  4. Why do liberal scholars not believe that Daniel wrote in the 6th century B.C.?
  5. Discuss how God’s sovereignty is the primary lesson in Daniel’s book. How does this come out?
  6. Read Isaiah 40:18-31. Discuss how passages like this keep our view of God “Big.” What are some other passages that remind us of God’s sovereignty? His power?
  7. A secondary lesson in Daniel is the importance of obedience. Read Daniel 1:8 and 3:13-18.
  8. Read 1 John 2:3-6. What does it mean if there is not a pattern of obedience in our lifestyle?
  9. Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What does Paul tell us to do here? Why? How do we do this?

APPLICATION

In what situations are you tempted to forget how Big God is? What can you do about it?

Posted on January 5, 2014 and filed under Daniel.

Hope for a Fresh Beginning

Hope for a Fresh Beginning
EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Psalm 51
Series: Christmas Snapshots in the Psalms

  1. Cleanse Me
  2. Restore Me
  3. Use Me
Posted on December 29, 2013 and filed under Christmas Snapshots.

The Victory of the Messiah

The Victory of the Messiah
EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Psalm 110
Series: Christmas Snapshots in the Psalms

  1. King (vv. 1-3)
  2. Priest (v. 4)
  3. Warrior (vv. 5-7)
Posted on December 22, 2013 and filed under Christmas Snapshots.

Messiah, King, Lord

Messiah, King, Lord
EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Psalm 45:1-7
Series: Christmas Snapshots in the Psalms

  1. A Royal Wedding (vv. 1-5)
  2. A Royal Messiah (vv. 6-7)
Posted on December 15, 2013 and filed under Christmas Snapshots.

A Reminder Why Jesus Came

A Reminder Why Jesus Came
EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Psalm 14
Series: Christmas Snapshots in the Psalms

  1. The Folly of the Sinner (v. 1)
  2. The Way of the Sinner (vv. 2-6)
  3. The Hope of the Sinner (v. 7)
Posted on December 8, 2013 and filed under Christmas Snapshots.

The Raw Side of Christmas

The Raw Side of Christmas
EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Tim Bruns
Scripture: Psalm 22
Series: Christmas Snapshots in the Psalms

  1. A Psalm of Lament (vv. 1-21)
  2. A Psalm of Hope and Praise (vv. 22-31)
  3. Jesus and Psalm 22 (Matthew 27:35-46)

Conclusion: The raw but necessary side of Christmas.

Posted on December 1, 2013 and filed under Christmas Snapshots.

Kiss the Son

Kiss the Son
EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Psalm 2
Series: Christmas Snapshots in the Psalms

  1. The Nations Rage (vv. 1-3)
  2. The Lord Laughs (vv. 4-6)
  3. The Son Speaks (vv. 7-9)
  4. The People Are Warned (vv. 10-12)
Posted on November 24, 2013 and filed under Christmas Snapshots.

Born to Reproduce

Born to Reproduce
EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20
Series: Discipleship: The Jesus Way

  1. Make
  2. Mature
  3. Multiply
Posted on November 17, 2013 and filed under Discipleship.

Disciples and the End Times

Disciples and the End Times
EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Matthew 24-25
Series: Discipleship: The Jesus Way

  1. The Prediction (24:1-2)
  2. The Explanation (24:3-25:30)
  3. The Final Judgment (25:31-46)
Posted on November 10, 2013 and filed under Discipleship.

A Call to Authentic Community

A Call to Authentic Community
EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Matthew 18
Series: Discipleship: The Jesus Way

  1. A Call to Humility (vv. 1-14) 
  2. A Call to Honesty (vv. 15-20) 
  3. A Call to Forgive (vv. 21-31) 
Posted on November 3, 2013 and filed under Discipleship.