Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17
Series: —
- Protected Roots
- Unexpected Roots
- Rejected Roots
Roots
A Call to Take Inventory
Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 4:1-6
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love
- A Reminder about God's Coming Judgment (vv. 1, 5-6)
- A Reminder about God's Offer of Forgiveness (vv. 2-6)
You Can't Outgive God
Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 3:6-15
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love
Sermon Notes
- The People Were Robbing God (vv. 6-9)
- The People Were Robbing Themselves (vv. 10-15)
Discussion Questions
Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.
GETTING TO KNOW ME
What is your biggest fear when it comes to sacrificial giving?
INTO THE BIBLE
- Read Genesis 14:20 and 28:22. Why do you think Abram and Jacob chose to give the amount of “a tenth”?
- Tithing appears before the Mosaic Law, so is it for all time? Why? Why not?
- What were the main points of the sermon this week?
- Read Malachi 3:8-10. What does God promise to faithful tithers here? Why? Who is cursed?
- Read Malachi 19:21. What does it mean to have “treasure in Heaven”? How do we get this?
- In light of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, how is the New Testament even more radical than the Old Testament when it comes to sacrificial giving? Be specific.
- Should our tithe be directed to our local church? Why? Should we tithe gross or net?
- Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-4. What does Paul mean: “they gave . . . beyond their ability”?
- Read Matthew 6:21. What does it mean: “wherever your treasure is—there is your heart also”?
APPLICATION
How did you make your decision about what amount of money to regularly give EFCCL?
The Coming Wrath of God
Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 2:17-3:5
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love
Sermon Notes
- Questioning God's Justice (2:17)
- A Reminder about God's Messiah (3:1)
- A Reminder about God's Justice (3:2-5)
Discussion Questions
GETTING TO KNOW ME
What do you think of when you think of God's wrath? Did you hear about this growing up?
INTO THE BIBLE
- Read Matthew 25: Look over this passage in detail.
- Who gains eternal life? Who does not?
- What are the criteria for those welcomed into eternal life?
- Is Jesus teaching that we earn our salvation by doing good deeds? Why? Why not?
- Discuss details you learn in v. 41 about hell.
- Why is a day of coming judgment so difficult for our culture to accept?
- Read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10. Describe this future day of judgment that Paul writes about.
- Is the language of hell literal? Why? Why not?
- How do you react to passages like this?
- Read Revelation 20:7-15.
- What will happen to Satan? How long will it last? What is the nature of his punishment?
- What is “the book” that is opened in v. 12? Are there any other references to it in the Bible?
- Will those who go to hell be conscious or unconscious? Why?
- How is hell described in these verses?
- Read Revelation 21:1-8.
- Describe the scene here. What does John see? Describe what happens to death, pain, and sorrow.
- Read v. 6 and note that God the Father is speaking. Who is speaking in Revelation 1:17-18?
- How do these two texts establish that Jesus is God? Be specific.
APPLICATION
Discuss the following 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).
The Sanctity of Marriage
Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 2:10-16
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love
Sermon Notes
- The Problem of Marrying Unbelievers (vv. 10-12)
- The Problem of Divorce (vv. 13-16)
Discussion Questions
GETTING TO KNOW ME
- Did you listen to the sermon?
- Describe a marriage that you admire.
INTO THE BIBLE
- Read Genesis 2:19-25. Discuss what you learn about marriage from these verses. Who is it for?
- Read Ephesians 5:22-23. What do we learn here about marriage? Be specific.
- Discuss the Bible’s description of marriage: one man and one woman for life. Any exceptions in the Bible?
- Read 2 Corinthians 6:14. What does it mean to be “unequally yoked”? Does this apply to marriage? Business relationships? Other relationships? Why? Why not?
- Read Deuteronomy 7:1-4. Why does God forbid His people to marry unbelievers? Discuss.
- Read Matthew 19:1-11. What does Jesus say about marriage in these verses?
- Discuss how He clarifies Moses’ command in Deuteronomy 24.
- What are the implications of what Jesus says here for gay marriage?
- What are the implications for divorce?
- When is divorce permitted according to Jesus? Not permitted?
- Read Malachi 2:10-16. Why does the Bible use such strong language about divorce? Why does the Bible call marriage a “covenant”? What does this mean?
- Look through 1 Corinthians 7. Under what circumstances, biblically, is someone free to remarry? Be specific.
APPLICATION
Spend time praying for marriages and singles.
Friends Who Will Welcome You into Heaven
Speaker: Dr. Greg Livingstone
Scripture: Luke 16:9
Series: —
Discussion Questions
Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.
GETTING TO KNOW ME
Can you name two missionary families from EFCCL? Where do they serve?
INTO THE BIBLE
- Read Psalm 67. Describe God’s plan for the nations. How will this take place?
- Why do Muslims need to be saved? What are their beliefs about Jesus?
- Discuss some new facts you learned about Islam and Muslims.
- Read John 15:18-25 and 2 Timothy 3:12. Why does the world hate Christians so much?
- Read Luke 10:1-12. Discuss the phrase “the harvest is plentiful.” What does this mean exactly? What else does Jesus tell us to do in this passage? Discuss the relevance for us today.
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. What is the gospel? (Be as concise as possible.) What is the plan of salvation? (Be as concise as possible.) Discuss the difference between the gospel and the plan of salvation.
- Since Jesus is the center of the gospel, discuss His claims in John 5:16-30.
- Read John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. Why is Jesus the only way to heaven? Is this “fair”?
- Read Revelation 20:15. What happens to those who reject Jesus?
- Read Romans 10:9-15. What does this say about the need to share clearly with others? Why?
APPLICATION
- Will you commit, in your Community Group, to pray for one of our missionaries monthly?
- Who are you planning on sharing the gospel with next?
Playing Games with God
Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 1:6-2:9
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love
Sermon Notes
- Offering Worthless Sacrifices (vv. 1:6-14)
- Not Fearing God (vv. 2:1-6)
- Teaching and Tolerating False Doctrine (vv. 2:7-9)
Discussion Questions
Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.
GETTING TO KNOW ME
- Have you ever read the Bible from cover to cover?
- When did you first hear the true gospel?
INTO THE BIBLE
- Read Matthew 7:13-23. What is Jesus warning us about here? Who are these people?
- Read Malachi 1:11-14. What is going on here? What is “counterfeit faith”?
- Read Matthew 13:18-23. What are the four kinds of soils? Which one is genuine?
- Read James 1:19-24. What is the danger James is discussing here? How does it look today?
- Is James saying that salvation is by works? Why? Why not?
- Why does the Bible seem so intent on warning us about being a false disciple?
- Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What is Paul urging us to do here? Be specific.
- Read John 10:25-30 and Romans 8:37-39. Can a genuine believer in Christ ever lose their salvation? Why? Why not? (See Grudem’s Systematic Theology, chapter 40, for a good discussion on this.)
- Read 1 John 2:1-6. Who is the one who really knows Jesus? How can we tell?
- What is the gospel? How can we know if we are really saved (cf. 1 John)?
APPLICATION
- Do these kinds of warning passages shake your assurance of salvation? Why? Why not?
- When is the last time you shared the true gospel with someone?
Can God Be Trusted?
Speaker: Pastor Tim Bruns
Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6
Series: —
Sermon Notes
- God is there to encourage us when we are uncertain about life.
- God is honored when we trust Him and graciously rewards our faith.
- God will demonstrate that He is able to be trusted.
Discussion Questions
Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.
GETTING TO KNOW ME
Many times, after some big event in our lives, there can be a kind of letdown once it is over (graduation, wedding, birth of a child). The same can be true spiritually (ministry event, spiritual battle). Share an example with the group from your own life.
INTO THE BIBLE
- In Genesis 15:1-6, we see God encouraging Abraham to not be afraid. Fear is a part of all of our lives. Look at these passages to see how God wants to help us in the midst of our fears: Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 10:28, 2 Timothy 1:7.
- The Lord told Abraham that He would be his shield. Read the following verses to glean more on this powerful image: Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalm 3:1-4, 5:11-12; Proverbs 2:3, 30:5. Compare those verses with the spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:10-18.
- Genesis 15:6 says that “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited to him as righteousness.” That verse is quoted in the following New Testament passages: Romans 3:28-4:8, Galatians 3:6-9, James 2:14-26. How and why do the human authors use the quote? Is there a contradiction between Paul (justified by faith) and James (righteous by what they do)? If not, how do you reconcile the passages? (Also look at Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 2:11-14.)
- Abraham is an important figure in the biblical narrative—both as an example of faith (though not perfect!) and because it was through him that the Lord blessed the whole world by means of the salvation that was accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ. Read and discuss the New Testament “commentary” that sheds more light on the life of Abraham (Romans 4:18-25, Hebrews 11:8-19).
- In our passage, God reaffirmed a promise He made to Abraham. The Bible contains many promises that the Lord has made. What do the following references say about the promise-making God: Joshua 21:45; Psalm 119:140, 148, 162; 2 Corinthians 1:20; 2 Peter 1:4? As a group, come up with a list of at least a dozen promises that are given to Christians.
- In Hebrews 11, it says that faith pleases God and that the “saints of old” were commended for their faith. The following verses can be instructive for us to be people who live by faith: Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 2:16-20, 3:11; Hebrews 10:35-11:6, 11:32-38.
APPLICATION
Abraham was fearful, worried, and uncertain about the future. You may find yourself having those same feelings—because of a stressful job, a broken relationship, financial pressures, health concerns, discouragement, or overwhelming grief. Find one or more promises of God that speak particularly to your situation. Read and meditate on these; pray them back to God. Ask your group to also pray for you.
Disciplemaking the Next Generation
Speaker: Pastor Ron Kirkeeng
Scripture: Psalm 78:1-8
Series: —
Sermon Notes
Christianity will only continue as we follow God’s calling to do disciplemaking to the next generation.
How?
Personal Application: How will you obey and be a part of God’s calling to do disciplemaking to the next generation?
Discussion Questions
Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.
GETTING TO KNOW ME
Share about a few people who have helped you learn to be a follower of Jesus.
INTO THE BIBLE
- Read Psalm 71:5-8. How does the Psalmist describe his life and his relationship with God?
- How would you describe your walk with God these days?
- What are ways you can praise God for His work in your life from birth until now?
- Read Psalm 71:16-18 and 78:1-8. How important is it to pass our faith down to the next generation? What happens if we miss passing the Gospel and truth to the next generation?
- How can we be faithful to pass our faith on to the next generation?
- Share about how you have seen faith being passed down in your family. Where and how did it start, and how many generations have followed Jesus?
- Read 1 Corinthians 4:16. Paul made his life an example for others to follow. How did he do that? How can we do it in our world today?
- Read Deuteronomy 6:1-4. How did the instruction of future generations in Israel proceed? Formally or informally? What does this say about disciplemaking in our context as we pass the Gospel on to the next generation?
- Read 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9. What does it look like for you to share life with someone who needs to learn to follow Jesus?
A Call to Respond to God's Love
Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 1:15
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love
Sermon Notes
- An Overview of Malachi's Book
- Reminders of God's Love
Discussion Questions
Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.
GETTING TO KNOW ME
When is the first time you remember hearing about the love/wrath of God?
INTO THE BIBLE
- Read Malachi 1 out loud as a group. Summarize the chapter in your own words. What is the main point?
- Why were the people complaining about God not loving them? Have you ever done this? When?
- If you have a study Bible, remind the group of some basic information about Malachi and his times.
- Read Malachi 1:1-3. What does it mean, “I have loved Jacob, but Esau I hated”?
- Read Romans 9:6-21. How does Paul use this quote from Malachi? What is Paul’s point?
- Does the doctrine of election/predestination rule out God’s love? Why or why not?
- Read Psalm 136 out loud. What is the writer reminding us of? Why is this so easy to forget?
- Read Psalm 103:1-13 out loud. Talk about God’s love as revealed in the Old Testament.
- How is the love of God distorted in American culture today? Be specific.
- Read John 3:16. Name as many truths as you can find in this famous verse about God’s love.
APPLICATION
What do you struggle more with: God’s love or wrath? Why?