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Discussion Guide--The Way: God Writes the Story -- Pastor Joel

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Discussion Guide – The Way:   God Writes The Story - PASTOR JOEL
Questions by Pastor Ric
August 6, 2017 

If we want to understand the history of the church and the Gospel, Acts is our book.  This study will continue to give us a picture of how the early church handled its beginnings, struggles and subsequent growth in a culture not unlike our own—somewhat hostile but open to spiritual things.  We need this.

Feel free to use more or less of these questions.  They are here to move us from knowledge to obedience as God’s Spirit speaks to our hearts.  Share what God is doing in your heart as a result and have others you trust hold you to account for the life-change God is working in you.

TEXT:  PSALM 90; ACTS 28:16, 30

  1. Gaining a proper perspective of the everlasting God is a challenge. How does our inability to put God where He belongs affect our ability to live for Him and share the Gospel?  How do we gain a better perspective of the “eternal, thousand years is but a day” God?
  2. How does understanding the “Big Picture” (the whole) of the Bible’s message help us with understanding the smaller portions (the parts--books, letters)?
  3. The gospel message is the message of redemption from the “groaning” of sin (RO 8:22). Tim Keller puts it this way, “The gospel says you are more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe, but more accepted and loved than you ever dared hope.”  How does a deep understanding of this truth depend on our perspective of God’s extensive and unconditionally loving plan for our salvation.
  4. Sometimes (many times) the world is so chaotic and our present-day culture seems so far from God. However, it has been shown countless times through the ages, that His sovereignty is clearly evident through the most chaotic and horrible of circumstances (for example: DAN 11:2-4).  What impact should this repeated lesson of history have on us as we cope with our nation’s cultural and political chaos?
  5. God’s Plan A=Multiply disciples (Acts 1:8/MA 28:19,20) and that’s what the church is all about. Is our church doing this?  Are we, as Christ-followers doing this?  How do we know?  How are Life Groups a part of God’s plan A?
  6. What is the “secret” formula for the wild and unstoppable growth of the early church? (hint:  it’s the answer to the last question in #5 above and involves growing AND going.)
  7. Who are the people you are sharing the gospel with and discipling? How can we be more effective in the job of intentionally sharing our lives (as Paul did) with others who need to see and hear of Christ’s gift of love and eternal life? 
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THE WAY--Blind and Deaf, Spiritual Diabetes

Discussion Guide – The Way- Blind and Deaf, Spiritual Diabetes by Dan Hollingsworth
Questions by Pastor Ric
July 30, 2017

If we want to understand the history of the church, Acts is our book.  This study will continue to give us a picture of how the early church handled its beginnings, struggles and subsequent growth in a culture not unlike our own—somewhat hostile but open to spiritual things.  We need this.

Feel free to use more or less of these questions.  They are here to move us from knowledge to obedience as God’s Spirit speaks to our hearts.  Share what God is doing in your heart as a result and have others you trust hold you to account for the life-change God is working in you. 

Text: Acts 28:17-31

Spiritual diabetes: the silent killer that hardens your heart, blinds you and makes you deaf, leaving you insensitive and disqualified. The book of Acts concludes with Paul presenting the truth to those who thought they were “of the Word.” Their reaction betrayed a hard heart, blind eyes and deaf ears to the truth.  Dan Hollingsworth

  1. Sometimes life transitions are discouraging. How does Paul’s example of confidence during his “transition time” (detainment) model the truth of RO 8:28?  What are some things we can do to be sure we use transition times (short or long) for God’s glory?
  2. Hospitality in a home is a wonderful thing! Especially in this day of $200+/night hotel rooms J.  How can we safely and practically entertain guests (especially other Christ-followers) while providing them with a spiritually encouraging and loving environment? The hospitality Paul experienced was a huge contribution to his confidence and faith.
  3. Religious groups can cause confusion and disagreement. Those who took issue with Paul (28:17-27) had a “cardiologic” (heart) problem as Paul confronted them with the Truth.  Explain why the hardened heart is an issue many religious people face?  Check out Jesus’ quote in Matthew 21:31. How does this quote back up the situation Paul faced?
  4. What does our “family history” have to do with our spiritual growth? Augustine said, “How can you know God when you don’t even know yourself?”  A serious study of the dysfunction of our family past is very important to breaking the power the past has on us.  How can we find out about our family history to help us understand ourselves and our struggles better and be healed?
  5. Ineffectiveness in life-changing ministry to others is one of the results of religious activity. Perhaps the greater issue is how some “religious people” do not really love the Father.  Are religious people who are not in love with the Father really going to see Him in the Kingdom?
  6. Engaging the world seems like a scary proposition to many of us. Yet it is the thrust of Paul’s life and certainly this passage.  As people sent by God, it is not his intention for us to retreat from the world.  We are to, as one author puts it…”forge into the world, abandoning (our) comfort zone, accompanied by the Comforter.” (Milfred Minatrea)   How are we doing or not doing this?
  7. So how’s your “health”? What spiritual warning signs are you experiencing? What Truth are you ignoring?  Life Groups(LGs) are the ultimate opportunity for us to build the kind of relationships that encourage, exhort and motivate us to a healthy spiritual life. (Hebrews 3,4) Are you a part of one?  We will have some opportunities to try an LG coming this Fall.  Watch for info coming soon!
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