One Body

One Body (Rom. 12:4-5)

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. How does the Western exaltation of the self go against the command not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think (v. 3)?

3. How can humility help the members of a body use their gifts together?

4. Why should a more visible gift not cause you to become proud?

5. Why might you be tempted to not use your gift at all if it's less visible?

6. Why does maintaining unity take work (Eph. 4:3)?

7. How does the body metaphor show the need for unity?

8. How does the family metaphor show the need for unity?

9. Why is it a privilege and responsibility to use your gift in the body?

Help for Imperfect Moms

Help for Imperfect Moms (Acts 16.1-2; 2 Tim. 1:1-5)

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this text?

2. Why do you think we tend to try to be perfect?

3. Even though the Bible gives us ideals, why don't you think it show us the ideal family in action?

4. What does Acts 16:1 tell us about Timothy's dad? Why is that significant?

5. What stands out about Paul's trip to Timothy's hometown Lystra in Acts 14:19-20?

6. Why is it better not to be unequally yoked together with an unbeliever (2 Cor. 6)?

7. Why should men be spiritual surrogate fathers (2 Tim. 1:3-4)?

8. Why should you have a sincere faith (2 Tim. 1:5)?

9. Is there a parent (biological or spiritual) you can thank today?

How to Think

How to Think (Rom. 12:3)

1.    What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this text?
2.    Why should you be humble and lowly?
3.    Why should you embrace neither superiority nor inferiority?
4.    How should a humble person respond when someone pays him a compliment for something he did well? Is it biblical humility to dump on ourselves?
5.    Why are you unworthy on your own?
6.    Why do you have infinite worth in Christ?
7.    How can we properly evaluate whether we are using our gifts to the full capacity that God intended? What criteria apply?
8.    Think of a recent relational conflict that you were a part of. How would humility on your part have affected the outcome?

Finishing Second

Finishing Second (1 Pet. 5:12-14)

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. Why do you need "the God of all grace" (v. 10) to get to the finish line?

3. How does the entire Christian life require standing in God's grace (v. 12)?

4. Why is it important to be a faithful member of God's family like Silas?

5. Who are some Silases in your life that you could thank like Peter does here?

6. How do Peter and John Mark remind us of our need for 2nd chance grace?

7. Why should we be a church marked by love (and culturally-appropriate "kisses")?

8. Why is trying to live your Christian life motivated by fear unsustainable?

Loving Community

Loving Community John 17:20-23

Outline:

A. Because of sin, you have a deep need for loving community. (20-21a)

• See we were not created to be separate, to be alone. We were made for fellowship, for community, for oneness with our Creator and each other.

• Adam & Eve had enjoyed the same kind of fellowship & community that the Trinity, the 3 persons of the Godhead had enjoyed. The Father, Son & Spirit have existed in perfect fellowship and eternal harmony from before time began.

• Adam & Eve were clothed in the love & acceptance of God. But now that His love & acceptance stripped away by sin—they feel naked, vulnerable, and exposed.

• Not only does sin destroy the oneness between us and our Creator. It destroys the oneness between us and each other.

• Satan's lie #1: “You will be as God. You’ll be your own god. You won’t need His help anymore. You can be independent, alone, all by yourself.” And that’s a lie. Because there’s only One who is self-existent, who is self-sufficient. God.

• Satan's lie #2: “I can’t become part of a community, because they won’t understand me. I’m unique. No one could possibly know what I’m going through.”

B. When you live in loving community, you point the world to Christ. (21b-23)

• Our oneness is a testimony to the world that Jesus is from God.

• When Christians show charity toward each other, it sends a powerful message to the world about Christ.

• So when we’re not one, when you refuse to forgive another Christian, what are you doing? In a sense, you’re denying to the world that God loves you.

• Verse 23 has the audacity to say the Father’s love for His adopted children is to the same degree as His love for His only begotten Son.

• Because you are loved completely, you can completely love.

Questions:

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. Why do you feel lonely? What causes us to feel alienation from God and separation from each other?

3. Before Adam and Eve sinned, why were they not ashamed to be naked before God? What were they clothed in?

4. Why do you think you're tempted to retreat to the privacy of your room, your phone, your screen-- rather than lean into relationships, community, and accountability?

5. What's so dangerous about Satan's lie that "you will be as God-- you can be independent, autonomous, self-sufficient"?

6. What's so dangerous about Satan's lie that "I'm the only one going through this. No one else is facing this. No one can understand or sympathize with me."

7. According to James 4:1 where do divorces, shootings, wars and terrorism come from?

8. Why is it important for the world to see an ability to regenerate our broken relationships?

9. How can knowing you're loved completely (v. 23) help you live in loving community?

The God of All Grace

The God of all Grace (1 Pet. 5:10-11)

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. What are areas in your life where you feel insecure?

3. What do you like about the title "the God of all grace"?

4. Why are you thankful our salvation is based on the God of all grace calling us?

5. How does the eternal glory of heaven comfort suffering believers?

6. How does the principle of suffering preceding glory (1:7; 4:13; 5:1; 5:10) comfort you?

7. What do you look forward to about a perfect resurrection body?

8. What do you look forward to about a purified character?

9. How do the four words in v. 10 ["make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you"] give you security?

Easter: Finding the Living Jesus

Hope in the Living Jesus              Lk. 24.1-12  

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this text?

2. How do we treat Jesus like He's dead (when a trial comes or we lose something or someone dear to us)?

3. How do Luke's research (1:1-4) and names of eyewitnesses (24:10) demonstrate his gospel is not just a myth concocted by Jesus' followers?

4. What is the meaning of the resurrection in v. 7 (Hint: "must")?

5. Why do you have to believe the meaning of the resurrection to find the living Jesus?

6. Why did we need Jesus to be our sacrifice, not just our example (1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 5:8)?

7. How does understanding the meaning of the resurrection protect you from a guilt-ridden life of shame?

8. Why is it not enough to know Christ is risen, you have to know the risen Christ?

Behold Your King

Behold Your King (Jn. 12:12-19)

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. What is causing you to worry today?

3. How does beholding your King help you deal with worry?

4. Why do we, like the Jews, often want a political liberator more than Christ?

5. How are Christians tempted to lead by power plays and power grabs?

6. What do 1 Peter 5:3 and Mark 10:35-45 teach us about Christ's leadership style versus man's?

7. Do you know someone who needs to accept the terms of peace that the King offers? 

8. If you really believe Jesus is the Lord of history & prophecy, then why shouldn't you lose your faith when you lose your job or a relationship, or a loved one?

9. How will you respond to the King?

Resisting the Roaring Lion

Resisting the Roaring Lion (1 Pet. 5:9)   

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. How does our culture often underestimate Satan?

3. How could visualizing a lion in your place of temptation help you recognize the danger of Satan's attacks?

4. How do some Christians become obsessed with Satan? Or use him as a scapegoat?

5. How can you stand firm in the faith to resist Satan?

6. What are some specific passages that help you battle temptation?

7. Why is it important not to run from a roaring lion, but to resist him?

8. How important is it to have a church community of brothers/sisters who encourage and pray for you in your walk with Christ?

9. Knowing you’re not alone should be a comfort. Do you look for ways to encourage others when you see them struggling?

Your Adversary

Your Adversary (1 Pet. 5:8)

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. Why should you beware of Satan?

3. How do you synthesize this warning (v. 8) with the command to give all your worry to God (v. 7)?

4. Are their legitimate cares (anxieties) for a Christian? If so, give biblical examples.

5. How was Daniel sober and vigilant (Daniel 1:8)?

6. Why do people today think God, not Satan, is their adversary?

7. Why should we beware of Satan's deceptive nature?

8. How does Satan try to take your fellowship? Your freedom? Your soul?

9. Why is the Lion of Judah greater than our adversary who's like a roaring lion?

Gospel-Displaying Unity

Gospel-Displaying Unity    John 17:21-26

1. What did the Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. Why do you think feeling loved, welcomed, and the possibility of friendships is the #1 reason people return to a church?

3. How can you make others feel loved and welcomed and develop real friendships at church?

4. How can our unity display the Gospel (v. 23)?

5. How does water baptism point to the spiritual reality of our union with Christ?

6. Why is the basis of our Christian unity not compromising the truth (John 14:6)?

7. Why is the basis of our Christian unity not uniformity?

8. How should Christ's giving us different gifts cause unity, not disunity in the Body?

9. What spiritual gift(s) do you think you could use in the Body of Christ?

Holy Mission

Holy Mission John 17:14-19

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. What do you think is the significance of Jesus' mission for us (v. 18) being sandwiched between calls to holiness (vv. 17, 19)?

3. Why is it important that you not only know the truth, but that your life is being made holy (sanctified) by the truth (vv. 17, 19)?

4. How do the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5) help us pursue holiness?

5. Why do you think Jonathan Edwards said we think holiness is "a melancholy, morose, sour and unpleasant thing, but it is the highest beauty"?

6. What are some specific ways you're tempted to follow the desires of your flesh, the desires of your eyes, the pride of life (1 John 2:16)?

7. How does the analogy of a firefighter remind us our mission is to go into the fire (the world)?

8. Are you more tempted toward isolating from or assimilating with the world? How can you go into the world insulated by holiness?

Prayer: Father, help me not to try to isolate myself from the world and forget my mission. Help me not to assimilate with the world and fail my mission. Help me to go into the world insulated with holiness. Help me daily put on Christ and His armor. Help me submit to the Spirit of Truth and cultivate His fruits of holiness. Help me stay on mission. Help me charge the worst dangerous inferno to rescue the perishing, the hurting, the broken for Your glory.

Freedom from Worry

Freedom from Worry    1 Pet. 5:5-7  

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. What things are you tempted to worry about?

3. How does knowing God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving make it easier to submit to His hand?

4. Why do we want to reject adversity and embrace worry?

5. Why should we embrace adversity from God's hand, and cast our worry on God?

6. How do you respond to thorns in your life? Do you get bitter? Do you complain?

7. Do you thank God for the very things that cause you to worry?

8. Why don't we thank God before we see His plan? Why do we question His motives and doubt His love?

9. How will being humble enough to trust God help you handle worry?

Leading God's Flock

Leading God's Flock (1 Pet. 5:2-4)

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. Why is it important to have a pastor as a Soul Guard (Heb. 13:17)?

3. How can you be a humble leader in the positions of leadership God has entrusted to you (at work, at school, in the dorms)? 

4. How should you lead by example?

5. Why should you lead sacrificially, not for selfish gain?

6. Why is it important to look to the Chief Shepherd, not an undershepherd, as your ultimate example?

7. Why is it easy to overlook the needs of others?

Prayer: Ask God to give you the desire to serve Him and others. Ask Him to show you where there are needs. Ask Him to help you put your desires second. Be thankful for God working in your life. Be thankful for opportunities to help and bless others. 

Principles of Church Leadership

Living as a Church

Principles of Church Leadership                                   2/12/2023 AM      Acts 6:3-7    

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage? 

2. Why do you think delegation is important for a church to make disciples effectively?

3. What could refusing to delegate do to a church's leaders and members?

4. Why was it so important to minister to the needy in a church family that the early church made this a formal church office?

5. Why do you think it’s important for a deacon to be honest? 

6. How can you know if a deacon is Spirit-filled? 

7. Where does biblical wisdom begin (Prov. 9:10)?

8. Hebrews 10:25 warns us not to forsake assembling together because we lose the opportunity to encourage one another. What are some ways you can encourage others when you meet with God’s people?

9. How does considering Whom you're serving for-- strengthen your resolve for serving?

Helping in the Harvest (Dr. Patrick Odle)

Dr. Patrick Odle urged us to pray that God will send gospel workers into the gospel harvest.

Learn more here.

Servants Strengthening the Church

Servants Strengthening the Church (Acts 6:1-2)

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. How does this incident remind us that every church has problems? Why does every church have problems?

3. How can subtraction (5:1-11) lead to multiplication (6:2) in the church?

4. What are ways something as seemingly innocuous as complaining can divide Christians in a family or church family?

5. Though God is not a respecter of persons (Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34) why do you think it’s easy for us to be? And how can this divide a church?

6. Why was it important that the widows not be neglected?

7. Why was it important that the Word not be neglected?

8. How can you be a problem solver in your church?

9. How can you be a peacemaker who brings a bucket of water, not gasoline, to a conflict?

Selfless Love for a Stepson (Sanctity of Life Sunday)

Selfless Love for a Stepson          Sanctity of Life sermon  
Pastor Crockett                             Matthew 2:13-21

Outline:

1. Violence against our own children starts with selfishness. (13b, 16)
2. Violence against our own children is inspired by Satan. (Gen. 3-4; Ex. 1; Lev. 18; Hos. 13)
3. Love for children requires selflessness. (13a, 14)

A. Like Joseph, would you risk your career for a child?

B. Like Joseph, would you risk your reputation for a child?

4. Selfless love is motivated by God’s forgiving love. (15-21)

Questions: 

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2. How do you think selfishness can cause intelligent people to ignore science and act violently against children?

3. Where do we see Satan's ancient war with "the seed of the woman" hurting children today?

4. What are ways that love for children requires selflessness?

5. How could it be hard to risk your career like Joseph for a child?

6. How could it be hard to risk your reputation like Joseph for a child?

7. Why is repentance really a sign of God's grace that you can turn to Him and change your story?

8. How can Psalm 51 be a comfort to those whose lives like David have been marked by murder and the guilt of a dead baby?

9. How can you show selfless love by being pro-life, not just pro-birth?

Feeding God's Flock

Feeding God’s Flock (1 Peter 5:1-2)

Application:

1.    What did the Holy Spirit teach you from this passage?

2.    How does Peter’s identification in verse 1 show his humility?

3.    Why does Peter go through so much effort to show that he is on equal footing with his audience and not above them?

4.    Where in the Bible are people spoken of as being like sheep with God as their shepherd?

5.    In what ways can we be like sheep?

6.    Jesus talked about the dangers of a bad shepherd watching the flock, what does it look like for a pastor to poorly watch the sheep?

7.    How is the church corporately like a flock of sheep?

8.    When you’re called to lead others spiritually (maybe shepherding your kids or your family or your small group or your SS class), how can you show the kind of humility, Peter shows here?

Prayer: Thank God for His care for you. Thank Him for always working for your benefit. Ask Him to give you the strength and the will to follow Him wherever He leads.

Entrusting Your Life

Entrusting Your Life 1 Pet. 4:17-19  

1. What did the Holy Spirit teach you about this passage?

2. What is the difference between God's judgment on believers and unbelievers?

3. What does Hebrews 12:6-7 teach about God's chastening (discipline)?

4. Why is it easy not to see your persecutors with Christ's eyes of compassion? 

5. Why is it important that you share the Gospel with unbelievers?

6. How does verse 19 challenge the Prosperity Gospel?

7. Why would God will for a person to endure suffering? 

8. Why is God's sovereignty not a cold, sterile concept?

9. What might it look like to entrust your life to your faithful Creator?