THE OFFER OF COMPLETE FORGIVENESS

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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Psalm 32
Series: The Offer of Complete Forgiveness

GETTING TO KNOW ME

What is the hardest part of confessing your sins?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Psalm 32 1:11. What were the main points of the sermon?
  2. Describe, in your own words, how main points 3 and 4 of the sermon outline, are true in your own life.
  3. Read Philippians 2:1-11. What does the cross call us to?
  4. Read John 15:1-17.
    What are the conditions for being a true disciple of Jesus?
    What is promised to the true disciple of Jesus?
    What does "fruit" look like in a believers life? Be specific.
  5. Read Psalm 51 and Psalm 139:23-24.
    Spend some silent time asking God to reveal hidden sins.
    Spend some time confessing sin, if appropriate, out loud.
  6. Read Romans 7:14-25.
    Does the intensity of Paul's struggle with sin surprise you? Why? Why not?
    What is the hope, practically, for the sinner's intense battle with sin? Be specific.
  7. Read Philippians 4:4-9.
    Why so much emphasis on rejoicing?
    What is the key to joy according to these verses? (Notice the emphasis on the mind.)
    Discuss the role of the mind an spiritual formation.
    What incredible promise is made at the end of the verses to those who think on these things?

FAMILY FOCUS

Parents, we are please 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. How did David feel before he confessed his sin to the Lord? See Psalm 32:3-4
    Have you or any other of your family members felt this way? Why is that?
  2. Read and discuss Acts 10:39-43, Ephisians 1:7, and Hebrews 10:22 and 28 to see how we find forgiveness for our sins.
Posted on March 4, 2016 by EFCCL.

WHEN WE HAVE TO CHOOSE

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Speaker: Dr. Cal Hiebert
Sermon: When We Have To Choose
Scripture: Genesis 39:1-10; 2 Samuel 11:1-4

Download discussion questions for 2/7/16 here

WHAT CRITERIA DO YOU USE TO MAKE YOUR DECISIONS?

  1. Consider Joseph's childhood (the dreamer hated by his brothers and favored by his father), what choice would you have thought he would make?
  2. Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17. How important is Christian training in early childhood? Do we have biblical examples of parents teaching their children? Give references.
  3. What scriptural references can you think of that tell us to provide spiritual teaching for our children?
  4. Read James 1:14-15. Can we say that the devil made us yield to temptation? Why or why not?
  5. "Discipline yourself and others won't have to." How does this look in your life?
  6. "The biggest gap in life is the one knowing and doing." Do you agree or disagree? Why?

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. Children, like their parents, make decisions every day. In order to make good decisions, they need good advice an guidance. Discuss ways where that advice and guidance can be found. Also read: Proverbs 1:8-9, 2:1-6, 9:10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 13:17
  2. Read Hebrews 5:14 and Romans 12:2. What are some benefits of constantly using the Word of God? Discuss some tangible ways that will help your family do that very thing.
Posted on February 7, 2016 by EFCCL and filed under When We Have to Choose and tagged Cal Hiebert.

We've Never Been This Way Before

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Speaker: Dr. Cal Hiebert
Scripture: Joshua 3:1-8
Series: We've Never Been This Way Before

Download discussion questions here in PDF form

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Tell of a time you have traveled into unknown territory.

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. What kind of preparations do you make at the beginning of a new year?
  2. Read Philippians 3:13-14. What was Paul's focus and how did it affect his life?
  3. How do we keep our focus on Christ?
  4. What are some of the distractions that keep us from focusing on Christ?
  5. How do you deal with a new situation?
  6. Read Isaiah 30:21. In our busy and noisy culture, how do you hear "the word"?
  7. Read Exodus 18:20 and Deuteronomy 8:2. Who, apart from Christ, helps you find your way in new situations? How do they do this?

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. The Ark of the Covenant (also referred to as the Ark of the Testimony) was a place where God spoke to Moses (see Numbers 7:89). The description of the ark is found in Exodus 25:10-22; if you want to be adventurous, make your own ark!
  2. Read Hebrews 9:4 to find our three items that were kept in the ark. What was the significance of these items (for more info, see Exodus 16:32-34; Numbers 17:1-10; and Deuteronomy 10:2-5)? What do you think the Israelites were to remember from these items?
  3. Discuss how Christians today use communion and baptism. What is the significance of these ordinances? What are we to remember from them? For more information, check out these links: www.efccl.org/beliefs and www.efccl.org/baptism
Posted on January 31, 2016 by EFCCL and filed under We've Never Been This Way and tagged Cal Hiebert.

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.