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“Credibility by Humility” by Pastor Matt

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Group Discussion Guide

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Thriving in Babylon  Sermon Series
Credibility by Humility” by Pastor Matt
Leaders, please choose the best question(s) for your group

October 20, 2019
If you have questions, contact Pastor Ric,

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon.

Context: Daniel, because of his service to a faithful God, had the privilege to impact three different kingdoms.  He thrived in his faith even in the midst of difficult cultural pressures.  Just like Daniel, who was a slave and was a man who influenced kings, we can resolve to be individuals who influence our culture through our character, our humility.

Remember – it’s not about how great we are, or how great our faith is, it’s the fact that we have faith in a great God!  It’s not us, it’s the object of our faith.

Sermon Texts:

  • Daniel 1:8-9
  • Daniel 2:17-19, 27-30, 44-45
  • Daniel 3:4-12
  • Daniel 6:1-12
  • Micah 6:8
  • Luke 14:7-11
  • Luke 18:9-14
  • Romans 12
  • Ephesians 4:1-2
  • Colossians 3:12
  • 1 Peter 5:5-6 

Discussion Questions:

 This morning, as we looked at Daniel, Pastor Matt reminded us that humility matters.  Spend a few moments re-capping the sermon.  What thought, concept, text, or phrase popped out to you?

Define humility:

  1. What does it mean to have humility?

  2. Can you give examples of humility?
  • From scripture
  • From culture?
  • From personal experience?
  1. What is the difference between true humility and false humility?

  2. How have you checked your motives when it comes to humility?

  3. How does Christ’s humiliation on the cross help us understand the virtue of humility?

  4. Why does God want us to pursue humility if it goes against the fabric of our being? 
  1. How can a lack of trust in God lead us into:
  • Pride?
  • Resentment?
  • A loss of identity? 

In these three sections (Luke 14:7-11, Luke 18:9-14, and Matthew 23:1-12) Jesus speaks pretty strongly about the importance of humility.   

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

  1. What illustrations does he use to communicate its importance?

  2. How could each of these be applied in our lives?

  3. Which “lesson” seems to be the most difficult for you to apply? And Why?

  4. How can we pray for growth in this area?

Each one of us are surrounded by people in our relational world, our Oikos, who are watching our responses to situations every day.  Our character is on daily display to those around us.

  1. How did this play out in Daniel?
  • Who was on the periphery watching as Daniel boldly trusted God and exhibited “an excellent spirit” (Dan 6:3 ESV)?
  • Who might have been encouraged?
  • Who might have asked questions?
  1. Tell us about an instance when your character/humility resulted in your oikos taking notice (either positively or negatively).
  • What keeps you from living this way more often?
  • Are there situations/scenarios where this is more difficult?
  • How can we pray this week that character/humility would be the witness to your oikos for Christ in your life?

Have someone read aloud Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 5:5-6, Ephesians 4:1-2.

  1. Summarize the concepts from these verses.

  2. What do you think “clothe yourself in, walk in, and put on” are describing?

  3. What would it look like to obey these commands?

  4. Think of a scenario in the last week where you did this well and another in which you didn’t do this well.

Here are the Three Healthy Humble Habits which Pastor Matt mentioned Sunday morning in his message:

How’s your heart when it comes to …

  • Love requires humility
  • Gratitude requires humility
  • Prayer requires humility
  1. Why do you think each of them “require humility?”

  2. Do you think one could grow in each of these areas without humility?

  3. Is there one of these that might be more difficult than the others for you?

  4. What truth do we need to believe about God?

  5. Where do we put our trust?
Posted by Matt Sowada with

"False Hope" by Pastor Tony

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Group Discussion Guide 

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Thriving in Babylon  Sermon Series
“False Hope” by Pastor Tony
Leaders, please choose the best question(s) for your group
 

October 13, 2019
If you have questions, contact Pastor Ric,

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon.

Context 

Last week/Series Summary:  Our series is called “Thriving in Babylon” and our focus is on how we can live for God, even when the culture around us denies Him and belittles/persecutes those who follow him. The life of Daniel is important because he represents a godly example of one who influenced pagan Kings.  His deep faith enabled him to thrive in a challenging culture!  Last Sunday, Pastor Tony exposed the stuff that kills our hope from Daniel 2:8-11 and Daniel 3:8-12. 

This week:  Many of us look to culture and heritage for hope, depending on who we are, how much we have, what we do, and who we know to provide hope.  Today, Pastor Tony examines the text to discover why this was not the case in Daniel’s life and helps us discover from where lasting hope (hope that does not change due to circumstances) comes. 

Sermon Texts:  Daniel 6:10-16;  Daniel 12:1-13;  1 Timothy 3:15, 4:7-16              

Discussion Questions:  

Spend a few moments re-capping the sermon.  What thought, concept, text, or phrase impressed you? How will this make a difference in your spiritual journey? 

  1. To which of the common (false) hopes do you find yourself drawn? Why? Why don’t they provide lasting hope?
  • Heritage and status?
  • Resources: money, skills, intellect?
  • Political movements?
  • New ideas, new social movements, new social media platforms?
  • Powerful and influential people? 
  1. How can misplaced hope lead us to a spiritually ineffective life?

  2. It is normal to elevate our prayer life when we struggle? However, how does a consistent prayer life (Daniel’s example) allow us to participate in God’s lasting hope in the sometimes “foggy present”? 

Each one of us are surrounded by people in our relational world, our Oikos, who are watching our responses to situations every day.   

  1. When we face life’s challenges, how do we show a balance of godly hope and a realistically human perspective to impact those who are not yet believers?

  2. How do you hold strong to doctrine and truth in today’s culture, and also show compassion, mercy, and grace to your unchurched oikos?

Help for maintaining godly hope (discuss what this means):

  1. Commit to a church as a pillar for truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
  2. Commit to a church that faithfully teaches the Word of God, which is our source of truth. (1 Timothy 4: 7,13)
  3. Commit to pursuing personal spiritual training. (1 Timothy 4:7b-8)
  4. Regularly remember God’s faithful and loving provision of salvation, putting your hope in The Living God who saves you. (1 Timothy 4:10)

Digging Deeper

  1. Can we identify any parallels to the life of Christ in the ways that the officials of his day attempted to entrap Jesus?
  2. How must we apply 1 Timothy 4:16 to the church today?
Posted by Ric Joline with

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