Відео

The volume is horrible

Nehemiah Part 2 Home Group Questions (Read Nehemiah chapter 2 to prepare for group) Opener: Do you usually stand up for your faith when you feel convicted to? Observation Questions: 1. Verses 1-4: Why do you think Nehemiah was afraid to show sadness in front of the king? How did the king respond to Nehemiah’s sadness? 2. Verses 4-5: How did Nehemiah prepare himself before answering the king’s question? What does this show about his relationship with God? 3. Verses 7-8: Nehemiah asked for several things from the king. What do these requests show about Nehemiah’s leadership and wisdom? Interpretation Questions: 1. What do you think Nehemiah’s private inspection of the walls teaches us about wise leadership and planning? 2. Nehemiah faced opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah. What can we learn from this about how God's work often encounters resistance? 3. What role does Nehemiah’s boldness and vision play in inspiring the people of Jerusalem to rebuild the walls (verses 17-18)? Application Questions: 1. Nehemiah was bold in making requests to the king. How can we be bold when asking for things that are aligned with God’s will? 2. How can you overcome fear when facing opposition or challenges in doing something you feel called to do? 3. Nehemiah carefully inspected the situation before taking action. How can you apply this principle of discernment and planning in your work or ministry? Personal Reflection: 1. Are there areas in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith, like Nehemiah did? 2. How can you remain focused on God’s plan for your life even in the face of opposition?

Fruit of the Spirit, Gentleness Questions: Read John 8:1-11 Understanding Gentleness: 1. What does gentleness mean to you in the context of the Fruit of the Spirit? 2. Can you think of a time when you experienced gentleness from someone else? How did it impact you? *Gentleness definition: the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Biblical Insights: 4. What does the Bible say about gentleness? Can you think of any verses or stories that highlight this trait? (outside of the scripture at the top) (Here are some biblical examples) Titus 3:2 ESV-To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 1 Peter 3:15 ESV-But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. Proverbs 15:1 ESV-A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Psalm 18:35 ESV -You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 ESV-And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 5. How is gentleness similar to and different than other Fruits of the Spirit, such as kindness or self-control? Application to Daily Life: 6. In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to practice gentleness? Why do you think that is? 7. How might practicing gentleness change the way you respond to conflict or difficult situations? Reflective and Personal: 8. Who in your life models gentleness well? What can you learn from them? 9. What practical steps can you take this week to grow in gentleness?

Home Group Questions/ Fruit of the Spirit; Goodness: This definition should help your discussion: the Bible tells us that the word ‘good’ actually means holy, pure and righteousness. Literally goodness is godliness. Goodness can often be seen in our actions, but our heart also has to be pure. The goodness of Christ is to be demonstrated in our lives every day. 1. Understanding Goodness: a. How does biblical goodness differ from the general understanding of being "good"? 2. Biblical Examples: a. Can you think of any Bible stories or characters that exemplify goodness? How did they demonstrate this quality? (Luke 10:25-37 as an example if needed) b. How did Jesus model goodness during His ministry on Earth? 3. Personal Reflection: a. What challenges do you face when trying to show goodness in your daily life? How do you overcome them? 4. Goodness in Action: a. How can we balance being good and standing up for what is right, especially in situations where it might be difficult or unpopular? 5. Impact of Goodness: a. Can you share a time when someone's goodness deeply affected or inspired you? How did it influence your view of God or faith? 6. Scriptural Insights: a. Read and discuss Galatians 6:9. How does this verse encourage us to persist in doing good? 7. How can you practically use this final quote here from John Wesley to improve Godly goodness in your life? "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." -John Wesley

Fruit of Spirit, patience questions Understanding Patience: 1. How would you define patience? a. Can you think of a time when someone showed great patience with you? How did it make you feel? Personal Reflection: 2. Reflect on a time when you struggled to be patient. What was the situation, and what was the outcome? a. In what areas of your life do you find it most difficult to be patient? Biblical Examples: 3. What are some examples of patience in the Bible? (e.g., Job, Abraham, Jesus) a. How did these individuals demonstrate patience in challenging circumstances? b. Read Ephesians 4:1-3 and share your thoughts for our application. Challenges to Patience: 4. What are some common situations that test your patience? How do you typically respond? a. How can you prepare yourself spiritually and mentally for situations that require patience. 5. Who in your life exemplifies the virtue of patience? What have you learned from them? 6. What steps can you take this week to practice patience in a specific area of your life?

Fruit of the Spirit; Joy group questions 1. Tell us about a time in your life that you have had great joy. a. Do you see the difference between happiness and joy? If so, how? 2. Out of the Fruit of the Spirit that Paul talks about here, which do you feel you are best at and why? Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 3. Does everyone have a particular fruit they are good at? a. If not, who is given these attributes and how do we use them to glorify God? 4. Read Matthew 13:44-46 and Revelation 21:1-4. a. What do you see heaven is like is like in these verses? b. In your opinion, what do you think heaven will be like? c. Do you ever think about your friends or loved ones who are not believers now? 5. Do you feel that it is easier for some people with certain personalities to have more joy than others? a. Who do you know that shows greater joy in their life, and why makes them stand out like this? b. How is this beneficial in being a witness for Christ? c. How can you personally add more joy in your life?

John 2 & 3 Questions 1. John starts off in 2 nd John talking about truth often. Read these following scriptures and tell us what you think truth is? a. Ephesians 6:14, John 4:24, 8:32,14:6, 16:13, and 17:17 b. How is Jesus an equal mix between grace and truth? c. How have you seen this mix of grace and truth work for good in your life or others? 2. John warns his listeners to watch out for deceivers and those who will try to pull you away from Christ. a. What does he tell them to do with deceivers? b. What are some examples of deceivers against Christianity? c. What is the danger of associating or welcoming those people into our lives? 3. Read 3 John verses 1-2. In this verse, commentator David Guzik makes the following comments: Some people have wrongly taken this as a guarantee of perpetual wealth and perfect health for the Christian. i. Of course, we should always remember that God wants our best and plans only good for us. Often present material prosperity and physical health are part of that good He has for us - and this prosperity and health are absolutely promised as the ultimate destiny of all believers. ii. But, for the present time, God may - according to His all-wise plan - use a lack of material prosperity and physical health to promote greater prosperity and health in the scale of eternity. a. What are your thoughts on these comments? Do you feel like God has a responsibility to financially prosper His followers? b. Do you feel like this thinking turns some non-Christians from following God? If so, what can we do about it? 4. Reread 3 John 4. Here John is writing to his dear friend Guias, but I (Kyle) have always looked at this as a strong encouragement for all parents. a. Do you feel this belief is actually happening in most Christian families at Center? b. If not, what can Christian parents do to change their mentality of putting anything else more important than our faith in Christ? 5. Later in this chapter, John talks about another church leader Diotrephes. What is he doing wrong here? a. Do you struggle in any of these areas yourself? b. What can we do to ensure this isn’t our reputation?

1 John 2 Questions: 1. In the very first verse John is encouraging his readers not to sin. What does sin mean to you? a. Are there some sins bigger than any? Why? b. Will God forgive us from all sin if we ask? 2. Have you ever thought of Jesus as your advocate? What does that mean to you? a. Does the defense lawyer analogy make sense for how stands in for us when we see God? b. Is there a different comparison you think fits your life better? 3. Read verses 3-4. Do you feel that you know God? Why or why not? a. Do you know people in your life that claim to be a Christian, but just don’t act like it? (please don’t list names) b. Read Romans 10: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. c. What does it mean to be a Christian to you? 4. What does it mean to you to love the world? Do you have any examples? a. ua-cam.com/video/coHKdhAZ9hU/v-deo.htmlsi=NufMypNKdSPQZBDg If able, watch this video from Toby Mac-Lose your Soul and discuss its meaning. 5. What is your opinion on the Antichrist? How should Christians deal with this issue? Check out these thoughts from GotQuestions.org: There is much speculation about the identity of the Antichrist. Some of the more popular targets are Vladimir Putin, Prince William, and Pope Francis I. In the United States, former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump are the most frequent targets. So, who is the Antichrist, and how will we recognize him? The Bible really does not say anything specific about where the Antichrist will come from. Many Bible scholars speculate that he will come from a confederacy of ten nations and/or a reborn Roman empire (Daniel 7:24-25; Revelation 17:7). Others see him as having to be a Jew in order to claim to be the Messiah. It is all just speculation since the Bible does not specifically say where the Antichrist will come from or what ethnicity he will be. One day, the Antichrist will be revealed. Second Thessalonians 2:3-4 tells us how we will recognize the Antichrist: “don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” It is likely that most people who are alive when the Antichrist is revealed will be very surprised at his identity. The Antichrist may or may not be alive today. Martin Luther was convinced that the pope in his time was the Antichrist. During the 1940s, many believed Adolph Hitler was the Antichrist. Others who have lived in the past few hundred years have been equally sure as to the identity of the Antichrist. So far, they have all been incorrect. We should put the speculations behind us and focus on what the Bible actually says about the Antichrist. Revelation 13:5-8 declares, “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast-all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.” Thoughts?

1 John 1 Questions: 1. What is the central theme of 1 John 1? a. What do you think of when we talk about John the disciple? 2. What is the significance of the phrase “walking in the light in verse 7? a. What steps can you take or do you currently take to walk in the light? 3. What does it mean to “have fellowship with one another” as believers, according to verse 7? a. Whether it’s through one of our Home Groups or avenues, how has Christian fellowship helped you and how can you convince friends of yours to find this same kind of community? 4. What does it mean that “God is Light?” How is this similar to what John wrote in the Gospel of John? Where did he use similar vocabulary about Jesus there? -Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. -Proverbs 6:23 - For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life -John 1:4 - In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. -John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 5. Have you ever been challenged by an atheist about your Christian faith, like the professor in the final story? a. Do you feel confident you can stand strong in your faith if questioned? If not, what are things you can do better prepare yourself?

"Promosm"

My Savior, my source of love, my rock, my secret dwelling place. My King, my everlasting Lord God. Amen.

2 Peter 1 Questions 1. It was brought up early in the video to look at this letter as if it were written personally to you. Do you ever get personal letters written to you? a. If so, how much do you value them? b. Do you ever write personal letters to others? (Not including digital communications/emails) c. Have you ever looked at any of the letters in the Bible as if they were written for you? d. How many books in the Bible can you name that were actual letters? 2. Much of this letter, 2 Peter is a warning about lies to watch out for in the Christian Church. a. Do you see lies in the American church now that we should be aware of? b. How should we best prepare ourselves? i. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 for guidance. 3. In verses 5, 10, and 15 Peter talks about Making Every Effort. a. What are similarities between these? b. What are differences? c. What does the phrase “make every effort” mean to you and your Christian walk? 4. Verses 12-15 Peter recognizes the need to remind the Christians how important it is to follow what Jesus taught. a. How good is your memory in general? Would your spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend agree? b. Following Christ means a lifetime of gaining knowledge about Him to better worship Him. What do you need to better remember to grow your relationship with Him? 5. Verses 16-18 Peter explains his eyewitness accounts with Jesus and why we should take our faith seriously. a. Why should we believe Jesus really was the Son of God and is the key to our salvation? b. If an atheist asked you why you are a Christian, how would you respond?

1 Peter 5 Home Group questions 1. Do you struggle with pride? a. If so, how? Any examples? 2. Who do you know that you feel is humble? a. How do they demonstrate that? 3. Read the following verses: Proverbs 22:4 and 11:2; James 4:10; Colossians 3:12; Ephesians 4:2; and 2 Chronicles 7:14. What are the dangers of pride in a Christian life? a. How can we create a humbler life? 4. Read verse 8. What does this verse mean to you? a. How should Christians react to this? 5. What experiences would Peter have had that helped encourage Christians reading verses 9-10? a. How did Jesus demonstrate humbleness that Peter would have observed.

1 Peter 4 Home group questions: 1. What kind of things have you had to sacrifice to live out your Christian life? a. Were you or others you know ever surprised to have tough struggles in your life once becoming a Christian? b. Do you feel that people in general think that Christians should have less suffering than non-Christians? 2. Do you find it difficult to put habits or activities behind us as Christians that are considered sinful, but that our friends still do for fun and entertainment? a. In what areas do you think Christians still try to hold onto things that society considers enjoyable, yet you are pretty sure God calls sin? 3. Do you ever think of the end times? a. Do you feel like we are close to those times now? If so why? b. What does God tell us about the end times and how we are to prepare? 4. Read 1 Peter 4:8-10. Which of these 3 verses most represent your life and goals? a. Which of these do you need to most improve in? i. How will you try to improve? 5. Much is talked about in this chapter about suffering as Christians. How can we as a church, small group, or individuals help others when they are having difficulties in life? a. Have you been able to help others in situations like this before and if so, how did things work out? b. Or, have you been on the receiving end of getting help from other Christians when you were in need?

1 Peter 3 Home group questions: 1. Read verses 1-4. a. Starting with the women, how do you take these instructions, and do you feel they still apply in today’s society? b. Men, what do you think? 2. As mentioned by Kyle, the first verse is often weaponized by men seeking to control their wives/girlfriends. Have you ever heard someone use this verse to control, or use any other one off scripture to try and persuade people to their point of view? a. If you have heard people take scripture out of context to win an argument, how should you respond in a situation like that? 3. Read verses 5-7. Verses 5 and 6 were not discussed in the video, but how does this tie into the previous verses? a. Men, how do you feel about what Peter is asking you to do in verse 7? 4. In verses 8-9 Peter is reminding fellow Christians what Christ taught them was most important in the way they treat other people. a. Have you wanted to seek out revenge against someone, and if so how did it work out? b. Or, have others tried to take revenge out on you? c. Read the following verses on revenge. How important is it to God to not take revenge? -Romans 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -Matthew 5:38-39 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. -Proverbs 24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” 5. Verse 15 is one of the most popular scriptures we have on sharing our faith and testimony. a. What part of this verse is the most important in your opinion? b. Is anyone willing to share your testimony? 6. For anyone willing, practice writing out your testimony in 100 words or less for your next meeting. This should help you be prepared if anyone asks you at an unexpended time. Here are the 3 parts to a memorable testimony. *What was your life like before you became a Christian? *When and how did you make your commitment to follow Christ? *How is your life different today because of Christ?

1 Peter 2 Home group questions: 1. When you read the bible, do you prefer an actual Bible or the Bible app and why? a. What are your favorite scriptures or stories that inspire you and give you hope? 2. In the beginning of 1 Peter 2, relying on scripture should be as important to us as Christians as milk is to an infant. a. How often do you read your bible now? Daily? Several times a week? Less? b. In what ways do you make sure to keep Scripture reading an important part of your life now? 3. What do you think Peter is really wanting us to know in his instructions from verses 11 and 12? a. In what ways do you try to live your life as an example for others to see your Christian faith? 4. Reread verses 13-17. How difficult is it in today’s times to submit to governing authority? a. Do you have any examples of when we should not follow government authority and what that would look like? 5. Read Galatians 3:28 and 5:1; Colossians 4:1, Titus 2:9-10, Ephesians 6:5. Now read 1 Peter 2:18-21. a. As a white male I haven’t always looked at these verses as controversial (trying to understand it’s context), since I have not had racial tension against me. b. Do any of you have family or friends who have endured slavery in their ancestry past? How would you think those who had to suffer through some kind of slavery might feel about how the bible talks about slavery? 6. Are there any takeaways for you this week to put into practice in your life?

1 Peter Home Group questions: 1. From what was described about Peter, and what you know about him from scripture, can you relate to Peter at all? If so how? 2. Read John 21:15-19. What was Jesus teaching Peter here in relation to the three times he denied he knew Jesus before He was crucified? (If nobody in the group knows check out a study bible or online commentary) 3. Based on verses 3 & 4, what is Peter trying to get the Christians reading this to understand? How does this help us? (Also check out Romans 8:14-17) 4. In verse 8 Peter uses the expression “inexpressible and glorious joy”. What in your life now or has in the past given you this kind of joy? Would you say you being a Christian now brings you this kind of joy? If that is the goal, what do you think it would take to have this in your walk with Jesus? 5. Verses 14-16 talk about us needing to be Holy as God is Holy, and not to conform. Based on this teaching and the similar teaching in Romans 12:2, what do you think Peter is trying to say here for them and us? (once again you may need to see someone’s study bible or commentary) 6. Are there any take home lessons for you from today’s teaching?

James 5 questions 1. Can you think of a time looking back that you wish you would have been more generous with your money? 2. Can you think of a time when you were generous and how you felt afterwards? 3. Read Luke 21:1-4 and Mark 10:17-31. What lessons do we get from these stories? a. In your opinion, how should a Christian handle their money? 4. Reread James 5:7 & 11. We know patience is especially difficult in today’s time verses the period in which these verses were recorded. How can we learn this kind of patience that God wants us to have when we have difficulties? 5. What do we learn in verses 13 and 14 about prayer? a. How would you rate your prayer life now on a 1-10 scale (1 not good enough, 10 great)? How can you improve? (Know that there is no wrong way to pray) 6. Looking at verses 17 & 18, do you look at some of the prophets or characters from the bible and think you could never do some of the things they did? a. Give some examples of some famous people in the bible and why you don’t think that is possible today. 7. As many people are willing to talk in your group, go around the room and have them say one action step from James 5 that they can take this next week to improve in discipleship with Christ. (I.E. being more generous with our income, having better patience, getting together with other Christians in prayer for support, or having better confidence in our prayer life)

James 3 Home group Questions: 1. What is the scariest thing you have ever been told? a. After hearing the news, how did you recover or get through it? 2. Do you teach or lead anything for the church? a. Have you ever thought about the verse James 3:2 and how it affects leaders in the church? b. Are you more excited or less about leading in the church with this information? c. If you haven’t had a leadership role yet, would you be less inclined to do it now? Why or why not? 3. Read James 3:3-6. We all have been hurt at times in our lives by something someone said to us or about us. Can you share your experience with this? a. Many of us were taught, sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt us. What is your opinion about this? 4. Read James 9-10. How often do you notice gossip in a conversation you are a part of? a. Since it is such a common occurrence, how important do you think eliminating gossip is to God? b. Read Proverbs 16:28, 20:19, 11:13, 26:20, Ephesians 4:28, and Leviticus 19:16. 5. Read James 3:13-16. What does James teach us about wisdom? a. Based on this teaching and what we discussed before in James 1:5, how do we gain wisdom? 6. What are you going to do differently this next week to follow the teaching from James 3 lessons we have learned today?

James 2 Home Group questions: 1. Do you know anyone who regularly looks to help people in need? a. How have their actions shown you the kind of faith they have? 2. Who might the well-dressed man and the poor man be in our society today? What makes someone honored, or what makes someone discounted and overlooked? a. What are the four reasons James gives in verses 5-9 for why favoritism is a sin? 3. What are some ways that favoritism shows up in our lives individually or as a church? a. What are some ways we can show mercy to those who are poor in the eyes of the world? b. If this passage was fully obeyed in our church, what difference would that make in our fellowship? 4. Have you seen hypocrisy in church now or in the past? a. Why do you think this causes non-Christians to want to avoid us? b. What can we do to be more authentic in our faith and not be hypocritical? 5. Read Genesis 22:1-2. How does Abraham put his faith into action? a. What is one simple step you can start doing this next week to put your faith into action?

The Challenge home group questions: 1. What is biggest challenge you have ever had in your life? How were you able to get through it? 2. What was the name Mary was told to give to the promised child and by what other name will he be called? How do these names reflect Jesus’s humanity and deity? (The word deity means "divine nature." Deity comes from the Latin word for "god") 3. Kyle said in the video that Gabriel the angel said these three things about Mary. She was highly favored; the Lord was with her; and she was blessed. a. Read these three verses (Ephesians 1:6, Matthew 28:20, and Ephesians 1:3). How do these scriptures encourage us that we can have the same benefits? 4. How were Mary and Joseph told about the baby they would be having? (See Luke 1:28- 38 and Matthew 1:20-24) a. What were the differences in how they were told? b. They both accepted this huge challenge that God gave them. In what ways can we use their experience here to overcome big challenges that we are given in life? 5. Boldness and faith were required for Mary and Joseph to handle this miraculous challenge God gave them. Name one thing that you need God to give you boldness in to strengthen your faith. a. Name some ways that you can gain this boldness.

The Preview Christmas message for Home Groups 1. Can you think of a movie preview that looked so good you had to go see at the theater? Did it live up to the hype? a. This message is called “The Preview”, because it is just the beginning for the story about the birth of Christ. Why do you think it was necessary for John to prepare the way for Jesus? 2. John the Baptist was born with one main goal; to introduce the coming of the Son of God. In John 3:30 we see John proclaiming, as he see’s Jesus coming towards him, He must become greater, I must become less. Why is it so difficult to be humble like John is here? a. What steps can we take to put Jesus above our needs and wants in life? 3. Zechariah was told by the angel Gabriel that he and his wife Elizabeth would finally have a child at an old age. He was so shocked, he doubted it could happen, so he was made speechless until his son’s birth. Have you ever needed God to answer a prayer that seemed impossible? a. Did you stop praying or lose hope after a period of time? Jeremiah 29:12 ESV Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 4. What will Zacharias' son do to be “great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:15)? a. Do your choices indicate that you want to be great in the sight of the Lord or world? How can you change that? 5. The story about Pastor Mark Batterson and how his asthma was cured seems unreal for many of us. Where can you find hope when things seem impossible? a. What brave and consistent prayers do you need to be more persistent with now?

Parable of talents questions: 1. What is a talent, or two God has given you He wants you to use for His glory? 2. Jesus starts this parable like so many comparing the story to the kingdom of Heaven. What does this parable tell us about heaven? 3. Jesus uses the examples of three different servants, but they were not equal. Why would God give some people more than others and what should you do if you aren’t given as many talents/wealth/opportunities as other people? 4. Why was the third servant afraid of his master? What does Jesus warn us about being like this lazy servant? (what lesson do we take from this?) 5. Read James 1:23-25; 2:14-18; 4:17 and 1 John 3:18 a. What do these verses tell us about God’s expectations of us? b. Do you serve in the life of the church now? If not, why? c. Give one example of something new you can do to put your faith into action? (unlike the first question, serving others does not have to be something you are particularly talented or skilled in)

Wise and foolish builder parable questions: 1. What’s the most important speech or presentation have you ever had to prepare? a. Was it a success or disaster and why? 2. What’s the worst storm you have ever been in and what kind of home or building were you using for protection? a. Did you feel safe? Why or why not? 3. Can you share a tragedy (storm) you have gone through? How did your faith or lack of faith in God work in that experience? 4. Looking at the example of the teenage girl being asked to clean her room, is this something you feel like you struggle with at times or people in our church in general? a. What is a good first step for Christians to take to better put our faith into action? 5. (go around the room to get everyone’s answer if willing) What will you start doing immediately to be better prepared for the next storm in your life?

The Rich Man and Lazarus Parable Questions: 1. Read the parable as a group, Luke 16:19-31. How do you think this compares to other parables from Jesus? Do you think this is a parable or a real story? 2. Have you ever thought about what hell is like? How would you describe it to others if they asked you? 3. Do you feel that is much more difficult for the wealthy to have a strong Christian faith and eventually go to heaven? Why do you feel that way? (Read 1 Timothy 6:10 and Matthew 6:24) 4. Based on the teaching of the parable/story, do you think it's fair or right for Abraham not to go warn the rich man's family as he asked? Why? 5. What lesson should we take from this story?

Acts summary home group questions 1. For fun, how would you sum up your favorite movie in one sentence like the examples we saw in the beginning. 2. From what we have studied the last few months in Acts, what was the most helpful lesson or reminder for your life? 3. How close are we as a church/small group to being the kind of church that grew so strong in this book? a. Why or why not? 4. What do we need to do differently as a church to have this same mindset? a. What can you do? 5. Our next series for the rest of 2023 will be on the parables of Jesus. What parables have most impacted you? Why is that? a. If you have suggestions on a parable for us to teach on let your leaders know so we can consider it at some point.

Acts 27 Questions 1. Have you ever been in a scary storm on a boat or plane? a. What do you remember about that experience? 2. Read verses 21 and 22 again. Paul gives a “I told you so” line, but right after that he turns it into encouragement. Do you often tell people “I told you so”, or do others say that to you?” How does that make you feel if being told to you? 3. A big part of this chapter is Paul continuing to keep his trust in God and His plans, even after all of the troubles he endured. Could you learn to have the same response? 4. Read Matthew 14:22-33. What lesson can we learn here concerning Paul in his story today? 5. I ended the study today proclaiming Paul was able to endure all of his troubles because he went all in with his faith. What do you think it means to be all in with your faith? a. If you don’t think you are there now, what needs to change? b. Also, is it necessary to be all in with Jesus to follow God?

Parable of the Lost Son Questions 1. Have you ever run away from home or knew someone who did? Explain what happened and the emotions from that experience. 2. The Prodigal Son showed incredible greed by asking for his inheritance, while showing no concern how it affected his father. Have you had times in your life you acted out for selfish reasons to later regret it? a. Did you go back to apologize to the person you hurt? 3. How do you feel about the response from the eldest son as his father accepted the lost son back so eagerly? Was your mind changed at all once you saw why their father explained why he accepted the younger son without punishment? 4. Is this the image you have as God that Jesus is showing us here in His parable? a. Why or why not? 5. What character from the story do you most relate to and why?

Parable of the Sower Questions - Mark 4:1-20 and Mathew 13:1-23 1. How are you at gardening or taking care of plants? Any good stories to share about your successes or failures? 2. Since the 4 different examples used in this parable about the seed being spread can be somewhat confusing, do you understand the differences? If you would like to share, where do you feel you are in your walk with Jesus now? 3. Which of these 4 different examples are the most dangerous to be in for self-proclaimed Christians? Why is that? 4. Have you ever been to a conference for work or church that you were really excited about and anxious to make serious changes, but instead that passion just fizzled away quickly? What was that and what could you do differently next time? 5. Much of this parable talks about putting your faith into action. What are some ways you are engaged in the life of our church now? Where do you think God might be calling you to do more in the life of the church?

Questions: 1. Have you ever been on a missions trip outside of the country? a. In the US? 2. What was the best part of the trip and what was the most challenging? 3. If you felt God give you a calling this week to do mission work of some kind, what would you do? 4. If you could go back in time for one night and have dinner with the Apostle Paul and the other disciples on the mission trail, what would you want to know? a. What would you want to tell them about the future? 5. What do you think we should do at Center Church to improve our missionary team? a. Would you like for us to plan more trips? If so, where would you want to go and why?

Questions 1. In the video I asked if you have had times in your life when you felt left out or marginalized. Would you be willing to share a time in your life? 2. Have you ever seen church members offend visitors by expecting them to look or act a certain way to be part of their church? a. What would you do if you were the visitor and someone else made you feel you weren’t wanted there unless you changed something? 3. How do you think the parable Jesus gives us in Luke about the tax collector and pharisee relates to us today? a. How can you protect yourself from having harmful pride in your life, like the pharisee here? 4. Do you know people who act entitled? If so, what should our response as Christians be towards them? 5. Romans 10:9-10 tells us it is not complicated to follow Jesus and become a Christian. With the ease of this, the benefit of Heaven for all eternity and the promise of the Holy Spirit in this life; why do you think more people do not choose to become a Christian?

Questions: 1. Have you personally been affected by racism or seen it happen to someone close to you? 2. Where does racism cause the most damage in our society? 3. What do we as individuals do to improve race relations around us? 4. Both Peter and Cornelius were obedient when the Lord contacted them to do something that required boldness. Do you think God still calls us to that kind of boldness today as He did back then? a. Can you think of a time when God was calling you to do something big for Him? 5. In chapter 11:34 we see “Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism”. Do you ever feel like God shows favoritism for some people more than He does you?

Questions: 1. If willing, share a time you were caught in a lie that you were trying really hard to hide. a. Did you feel better or worse when it was known and why? 2. Is lying ever justified? 3. What do you think about the penalty God gave to Ananias and his wife? 4. Have you ever had someone make false claims (spread false information) about you? Have you ever done it to someone else? a. How did that make you feel? 5. Do you ever think about the chance you may not live a life where you die of natural causes at an old age? a. How differently would you prioritize your life if you knew your life would end early?

Questions: 1. Is there a time when you showed great courage or boldness to accomplish something important to you? a. If you accomplished your goal, what was your inspiration? 2. Share a time that you needed courage to accomplish something to glorify God. a. Was there a difference between finishing the goal and the actual process of working on it? 3. All of us have failed at times or showed lack of courage when we should have been bolder. Can you share an experience where you felt God was prompting you have courage for Him, but you backed down? 4. Do you find it difficult to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the kind of boldness the early Apostles counted on? Why or why not? 5. Peter and John showed the most boldness in proclaiming Jesus as the true Son of God and the only way to the Father and eternal life. So much of our society is telling us there must be other ways to God. God is love and wants all of us to be with Him. a. How do you respond to friends/family who believe Jesus is not the only way to God? b. What do you think Jesus Himself would advise us to do, since it could cost us a relationship with people we love? • In preparation of next week’s study, read Acts 5 and 6 before the next study.

Dave and Cindy Rinehuls watching. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.

Discussion Questions: 1. What is your favorite movie sequel of all time and why? 2. How important is Jesus command in Acts 1:8 compared to other commands He gave and why do you feel that way? What differences to do you see in Matthew 28:19-20 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” And what Luke wrote in Acts 1: 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth?” 3. What do you think of most when I mention the Apostle Peter? Can you related to him in some ways? How? a. Does it give you confidence that you too can do things boldly, even if its not in your nature or personality? Why? 4. Peter and the early disciples of Jesus only accomplished this great growth of new believers because of the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus even told them not to do anything until they are filled with the Spirit. a. This is just as important for us to use His Spirit as it was so many years ago to accomplish God ordained goals. How do we gain access to the Holy Spirit? What experiences have you had in the past with the Holy Spirit? Or have you seen His presence in other people around you? b. Read John 14:15-27 and discuss it’s meaning of the Holy Spirit. 5. In Acts 2:42-47 we see the growth and power of small groups of people worship inside each other’s homes. a. How do you see your particular group in a setting like this? Do you feel it’s possible to have this kind of growth in new believers and caring for one another in today’s society? *In preparation of next week, read Acts 3 and 4 as we study these in the next session*

Good sermon and music❤

The forgotten God,that sounds like idolatry

Would love to see and hear the traditional service each week. Is this possible? Where can I find it?