Magnifying the Greatness of Our God

Magnifying the Greatness of Our God
EFCCL
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Daniel 4
Series: Daniel: Finding Hope in Our Faithful God

  1. God Is Great in His Warnings (vv. 1-18)
  2. God Is Great in His Wrath (vv. 19-33)
  3. God Is Great in All His Mercy (vv. 34-37)

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

  • Pride. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear this word? Is it positive or negative?
  • Humility. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear this word? What does our current culture say about pride and humility?
  • Do you think you struggle with pride? Share with your group: why or why not?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Daniel 4:1-18. What is the specific warning here?
  2. What is your definition of pride?
  3. Read 1 Corinthians 4 (the entire chapter). What is Paul rebuking them for? Be specific.
  4. Read Isaiah 14:12-15. Whom is God speaking to? Clues? What is being said? Why?
  5. Read Ezekiel 28:14-19 and answer the above questions.
  6. Read Philippians 2:1-11. Discuss the lessons of Jesus’ humility.
  7. Read Mark 10:45. What are the implications for us? Where are you others?
  8. What are the subtle disguises of pride in our lives? Be creative.
  9. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. How is this an antidote for pride? Be specific.
  10. Read Isaiah 40:21-25 and answer the same question.

APPLICATION

Discuss this quote from The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis. It is a senior demon writing a fictitious letter to his nephew—a younger, inexperienced demon.

You must therefore conceal from the believer the true end of humility. Let him think of it not as self-forgetfulness but as a certain kind of opinion (namely, a low opinion) of his own talents and character . . . By this method thousands of humans have been brought to think that humility means pretty women trying to believe they are ugly and clever men trying to believe they are fools. And since what they are trying to believe may, in some cases, be manifest nonsense, they cannot succeed in believing it and we have the chance of keeping their minds endlessly revolving on themselves in an effort to achieve the impossible. To anticipate the Enemy’s strategy (i.e. God), we must consider His aims. The Enemy wants to bring the man to a state of mind in which he could design the best cathedral in the world, and know it to be the best, and rejoice in the, fact, without being any more (or less) or otherwise glad at having done it than he would be if it had been done by another.
— LETTER #14

Posted on February 16, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Daniel and tagged Jay Childs.

The Significance of Baptism

The Significance of Baptism
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 1:9-13
Series: —

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Have you been baptized by immersion? As an infant?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Matthew 28:16-20. What role does baptism play with making disciples?
  2. Read Acts 9:1-19. How was Paul saved? When was he baptized? Discuss the sequence.
  3. The word “baptize” in Greek means “to cover, dip, or immerse.” Discuss the significance.
  4. Why is baptism by immersion important? Is it a matter of obedience for a Christian? Why?
  5. Read Matthew 3:13-17. Describe Jesus’ baptism. Where and how was He baptized?
  6. Read Acts 2:29-39. Discuss the sequence of “Repent and be baptized.” Why is baptism second?
  7. Read Acts 8:26-40. Where was the Ethiopian baptized? How was he baptized?
  8. Is there any record of toddlers or infants being baptized in the New Testament?
  9. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Is baptism necessary to be saved? Why or why not?

APPLICATION

Have you been saved according to the Bible? Have you been baptized by immersion? If not, when?

Posted on February 9, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Special Services and tagged Jay Childs.

No Compromise

No Compromise
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Daniel 3, 6
Series: Daniel: Finding Hope in Our Faithful God

  1. No Compromise in Our Worship (ch. 3)
  2. No Compromise in Our Obedience (ch. 6)

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Have you had the opportunity to stand firm for your faith? Please share with the group. What happened? Did you stand firm or back away? How has this affected your life since that time?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Recap the main points of the sermon.
  2. Read Daniel 3:1-6, 16-18. Discuss the response of these three men.
  3. Read Daniel 6:1-10. Discuss Daniel’s response. What happened?
  4. Why were these men able to face death with confidence? Why are Americans afraid of death?
  5. Does God always deliver us in times of physical danger? If not, is He still loving?
  6. Read Psalm 119:161-168. What does David say about obeying God’s commands?
  7. Read Psalm 119:97-104 (slowly). How is obedience described here?
  8. Read 1 John 1:5-7, 2:3-6.
    • What does obedience (or lack of) tell about us?
    • Why are so many so casual about obedience issues?
    • What are ways we try to justify our disobedience?
  9. Read 1 John 5:3. Why are God’s commands not a burden for true believers?
  10. Read 1 Samuel 15:22-23. What is Samuel saying here?

APPLICATION

What are some of the blessings of obedience? Any examples from your life?

Posted on February 2, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Daniel and tagged Jay Childs.

Compassion on the Hurting

Compassion on the Hurting
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Luke 10
Series: —

Sermon Notes

  1. The Call to Compassion
  2. Religion Can Get in the Way
  3. Even My Enemy Is My Neighbor

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Describe a time when you were hurting deeply and someone encouraged you.hen did you first learn about the Gospel—of Jesus living and dying for us?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Luke 10:25-37. What were the main points of the sermon?
  2. How can religion get in the way of genuine compassion? Discuss.
  3. How is the concept of compassion rooted in a Judeo-Christian worldview? Discuss.
  4. Read Genesis 1:27. How does this impact the role of compassion? Why?
  5. Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-12. When is it appropriate to be tough on the hurting? Why? How?
  6. Read Romans 15:1-4. How are we to treat those who are hurting? Practical suggestions?
  7. Read Matthew 25:31-46. Discuss the role of compassion in light of the final judgment.
  8. Read 1 John 4:6-7. What is the “mark of a Christian”? How does love behave?

APPLICATION

Who is someone who is currently hurting that you could minister to? When will you do it?

Posted on January 26, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Special Services and tagged Jay Childs.

Follow. Connect. Make.

Follow. Connect. Make.
EFCCL
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: —
Series: —

Sermon Notes

  1. Follow
  2. Connect
  3. Make

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

When did you first learn about the Gospel—of Jesus living and dying for us?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Matthew 4:18-25. Who was called to follow Jesus? How were they called?
  2. Read John 15:15-17. When a person comes to Christ, who really chose whom? Why?.
  3. Read Romans 10:9-10. How is a person saved according to the Bible? Specifically?
  4. Read Acts 3:19. What does it mean to repent?
  5. Read Acts 2:4. What is the first act of obedience after repentance? What is baptism?
  6. Read 1 John 2:3-6. What is the proof that a person is truly saved?
  7. Read Hebrews 10:25. Why is connecting with other believers regularly so important?
  8. Discuss: What is the difference between a “Bible study” and a Church?
  9. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7. What are the qualifications for leaders in a local church?
  10. Read Matthew 28:16-20. What does it mean to make disciples? How did Jesus do this?

APPLICATION

  • Have you been saved according to the Bible? Have you been baptized by immersion? If not, when?
  • When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone?
Posted on January 19, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Special Services and tagged Jay Childs.

Two Dreams and a God of Hope

Two Dreams and a God of Hope
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Daniel 2, 7
Series: Daniel: Finding Hope in Our Faithful God

Sermon Notes

  1. The Dream of a Pagan King (ch. 2)
  2. The Dream of a Prophet of God (ch. 7)

Discussion Questions

Today’s message is the second 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.

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

  • Did you listen to the sermon?
  • Have you ever been distressed by a dream? Are you willing to share?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Daniel 2:1-10, 27-35. Paraphrase Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
  2. What was the interpretation? Read Daniel 2:36-47.
  3. Describe similarities and differences from Daniel’s dream (chapter 7, verses 1-14).
  4. What was the meaning of Daniel’s dream? Read Daniel 7:15-28.
  5. How does God’s sovereignty give hope to a true Christian? Discuss.
  6. What are some other dreams recorded in the Bible? Where? What happened?
  7. How would you describe/define God’s sovereignty over all things?
  8. Read Psalm 104 (this is one of the nature psalms). How does this psalm describe God’s sovereignty—specific observations?
  9. Read Exodus 9:12, 2 Chronicles 30:12, Proverbs 21:1, and Acts 2:23. Discuss how these passages reveal God’s sovereignty. How extensive is it?
  10. Discuss how God’s sovereignty is a primary lesson in Daniel’s book. How does this come out?

APPLICATION

Discuss how God’s sovereignty is both encouraging and sobering at the same time.

Posted on January 12, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Daniel and tagged Jay Childs.

Finding Hope in Changing Times

Finding Hope in Changing Times
EFCCL
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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 by EFCCL and filed under Daniel and tagged Jay Childs.