“Bridge Building” (Acts 10:1-48) by Dave Dawson (Richland Campus 10/25/15)

By kellitempleton

Here are the sermon questions for small group discussion:

1. Mixer: When you hear the word “bridge” what image comes to mind? The question writing team came up with suspension bridge, musical bridge, a dental issue, and the internet.
2. How did God prepare Cornelius to receive the gospel in Acts 10:1-8? How did God prepare you? He provided him with a fear of God and actions like prayer and generosity; he gave him a vision, directions, Peter, etc. God may have prepared us by providing believing parents, a solid church, a crisis that brought us to Jesus, etc.
3. In Acts 10:9-16 and elsewhere in the passage, what were the big lessons God taught Peter so he could share and serve Him more effectively? What lessons has God taught you? Some of the big lessons that Peter learned were that nothing that God declares clean is unclean, especially people that we are sent to witness to; that the Gentiles could receive Jesus and belong to God; and the Holy Spirit was poured upon the Gentiles as well. Some lessons God may have shown us include to show people Jesus first before addressing morality issues; ask questions and consider people when witnessing versus argue with them; and pray more, talk less.
4. What bridges did God build between Peter and Cornelius in verses 17-33? What bridges is God asking you to step onto? God showed Peter that he should share Jesus with this previously “unclean” man and his household; Cornelius knew that he should listen to Peter as one speaking on God’s behalf. God may be asking us to associate with someone we need to forgive, we consider “unclean”, etc.
5. Read Acts 10:34-43 and identify the main points of the good news (gospel). God shows no partiality and desires all of mankind to know Him. God sent Jesus as a man to bring about peace between man and God. Jesus lived a perfect life, doing miracles, and showing that he was the Son of God. He died for our sins and was raised from the dead as witnessed by many. Anyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of their sins through Jesus.
6. What did the Holy Spirit do in Acts 10:44-48? Share about a spiritual conversation you have had when it was obvious that the Holy Spirit was working through you and/or in the receiver. The Holy Spirit fell on the gentiles as they believed in Jesus causing them to speak in tongues and extol God. Often when we share with others we experience the Holy Spirit’s power as se discern the person’s real needs or issues, we ask a wise question that was obviously not from us or we see the Holy Spirit working on the receiver as they show interest, awe, and ask more questions.
7. The more attractive God is to you, the more you will want to share Him with others. What about God was particularly attractive to you from the passage? Pray as a group that the Holy Spirit will fill you as you join Him in seeking to save the lost. The question writing team loves that God shows no partiality, his creativity in bringing Peter and Cornelius together, the way God acknowledges Cornelius’ faith in Him, etc.
8. Challenge Question: Can people who have never heard the gospel be saved? If yes, why did God then send Peter to preach? If no, how do you explain verses 34-35? (Support all opinions with scripture.) This is a difficult question to answer and our sermon writing team varied in our responses. Here are some articles to read as you prepare to answer this question John Piper’s Answer to a 12-Year Old Girl and What If Someone Never Hears About Jesus?

“He Was Lost, But Was He Found?” (John 5:1-18) by Dave Bechtel (Prosser Campus 10/25/15)

By kellitempleton

Pastor Dave Bechtel will preach in Richland this week (10/4/15). Here are the sermon questions for small group discussion:

1. Mixer: How would you answer the sermon title, “He was lost, but was he found?”
   Pastor Dave likens this biblical encounter with Jesus to a book he read as a youth, “The Lady or the Tiger”. This book leaves the reader in suspense, never revealing the young man’s choice - did he choose the lady or the tiger? Likewise, Pastor Dave believes we don’t really know the condition of the healed man’s heart - did he believe in Jesus or turn Jesus in to the Jews? We are hoping this question will start conversation while reviewing the passage a bit.
2. Read John 5:1-18 and discuss the following:
   1. Why do you think Jesus asked that question in verse 6? On the surface, this seems like a strange question to ask a disabled person; however, Jesus was trying to reveal the condition of the man’s heart.
   2. What does the man’s answer reveal about his heart condition? (verse 7) Pastor Dave argues that his answer is less than noble and reveals excuses, blame, and shifts responsibility for our situation on others. If his heart was noble, he would of answered in a straightforward manner - YES!
   3. What does the Jew’s response reveal about their heart condition? (verse 10) Their focus on the trivial (eg, the mat) shows that their hearts were hard toward God’s wonderful, healing light. A pure heart would note the miraculous, celebrate with the man, ask questions, etc. Instead they missed the miracle and the chance for God to work in and through them.
   4. How would you explain Jesus’ response in verse 14? Pastor Dave believes that since Jesus reminds him he is now “well again” that probably 38 years before he was physically well but some kind of personal sin brought about his disability. Jesus is not saying this man will not sin anymore but Jesus is asking him to stop wallowing in sin. If he does not leave his sin, he will suffer separation from Jesus - the worse condition.
3. Our character issues cannot stop God’s work for us and toward us (Point I) but they do hinder God’s work in and through us (Point II). What is the difference between “for us and toward us” versus “in and through us” according to the following scriptures? God’s work for us and toward us is his pursuit of us when we were sinners, lost, spiritually dead. It is his work to save us despite our flaws. God’s work in and through us is when we join Him and together work towards spiritually maturity, sanctification, growth. Our hearts need to be soft and willing to receive His word, change and grow.
   1. Eph 2:8-9 shows God’s work for us and toward us despite our flaws
   2. Titus 3:3-6 shows God’s work for us and toward us despite our flaws
   3. Luke 8:11-15 shows God and us working together to grow us
4. Why do you think character issues and choices are relevant in a “Lost and Found” sermon series? Character issues and choices are relevant in several ways: 1) When we are humble, growing, admitting our failures and choosing to follow Jesus, we make Jesus known - not just religion, but a relationship with Jesus known. 2) When we share with others they need to know that their character issues/flaws will not prevent God from saving them, loving them, pursuing them. 3) When we share Jesus with others, they may choose to not follow Jesus and stay in their flaws. 4) One of our character issues may be fear of personal evangelism, lack of love for the lost, etc. We need to let God work in and through us as we grow in these areas.
5. The more attractive Jesus is to you, the more you will want to share Him with others. What about Jesus in this passage was particularly attractive to you? Answers will vary but a few from the question writing crew were: 1) Jesus’ wisdom in asking a heart-probing question, 2) Jesus gives the man a second chance and introduces himself personally, and 3) Jesus offers salvation but doesn’t force it.

Break into gender groups to discuss the following.

1. Pastor Dave challenged us as believers: “Don’t just lay disabled in your spiritual life when Jesus has asked you if you want to get well.” What is your disability and do you want to get well? Pastor Dave states that the words in this passage are for all of us! They form a sequence of his healing work. 1) Do you want to get well? God starts here - do we really want to get well? are the costs too high? are we willing to forgive? will I have to work? 2) Get Up! Jesus commands a paralyzed man to get up - something only done by the power of God. Often the commands of God can only be fulfilled by trusting in His power. Examples may be…..husbands love your wives; wives respect your husbands; be a witness at your workplace; etc. 3) Pick up your mat! Jesus’ second command is simply a command to not return to your sin. Get rid of the éclairs in the fridge if you are overeating; the alcohol if you are addicted; entertainment if it is tempting; etc. 4) Walk - Jesus is asking the man to not just fall but to walk in an orderly, purposeful, directed, rhythmic, well paced lifestyle - he wants the man to plan for continued success and then 5) Stop Sinning - He is telling the man to choose a lifestyle not characterized by sin. Occasional falls will happen but we can repent and walk again. This question is intended to provide a time of personal reflection, confession, and repentance. Be there for eachother and remember the steps of healing provided in this passage.

“Desirable News for Despicable Me” (Luke 19:1-10) by Jason Greene (W Pasco Campus 10/25/15)

By kellitempleton

1. Mixer: If you could pick an ideal height, what would it be? Why?
2. Read Luke 19:1-10 and discuss the following:
   • Review why being a tax-collector was so despicable.
     A tax collector was just not an unpopular government official, he was considered a traitor hired by the Romans to find the money and keep the extra for himself, a thief. The Jewish Mishnah said that a tax collector was so loathsome that they should not even be considered human.
   • How did Zacchaeus uniquely show interest for Jesus? What do you think peaked his interest?
     He ran and climbed a tree - two things seemingly undignified for a businessman. Jason states that it is only by God’s grace that we seek Jesus (Rom. 3:11). Perhaps Jesus’ gracious reputation was leaking out, drawing Zacchaeus to him.
   • How did the crowd respond to Jesus? Why do you think they responded this way?
     The crowd grumbles and judges Jesus decision to eat with a sinner (v. 7). Jason thinks they responded this way because they believed you should clean yourself up first, then God will accept you (religion). The gospel says “God has offered acceptance to you; in light of that invitation, change”.
   • Review the changes in Zacchaeus’ life. What prompted those changes?
     He helps the poor by giving them half of his goods, making restitution for his sins of omission. He returns money stolen fourfold, making restitution for his sins of commission. Zacchaeus’ love for Jesus prompted those changes.
   3. What changes has Jesus made in your life? What changes are you still working on with Jesus? Consider using the 2-Minute Sharing Your Story template as preparation for sharing with others.
   Changes will vary from person to person as well those that God is stilling refining in us. The 2-Minute Sharing your Story template can help your group communicate those changes. We recommend this for three reasons: 1) It helps your group get to know eachother, 2) It gives everyone a front row seat to the power of God when they hear stories of salvation, and 3) it helps us prepare when we are asked about the hope we have (1 Pet. 3:15). The template is downloadable on the left sidebar under Lost and Found Resources.
   
   4. Describe the difference between the gospel and religion. What do you think unbelievers would say is the difference? How does your life display the gospel?
   Religion says “Change, clean up, and then God might accept you.” The gospel says “God has offered acceptance to you; in light of that invitation, change.” In the gospel, God’s acceptance is not the reward for having cleaned up your life - its the power to actually clean up. Religion is often about following a set of rules, do’s and don’ts. The gospel is about a relationship with the Living God! Unbelievers do not see a difference between religion and the gospel UNLESS we are living in the gospel. When we are gracious, forgiving, in love with Jesus…..the world can tell a difference. They will often ask about it (1 Pet 3:15).
   5. Brainstorm people groups in our society that are morally bankrupt, socially isolated, and/or spiritually disconnected. God sees, knows, and pursues these people; how does your heart compare to God’s heart? Spend a few moments praying for these people and your own heart.
   The question writing team came up with the following groups: the elderly, the disabled, pedophiles, Mormons, prison inmates, etc. Often our hearts do not want to see, know or pursue these people as God would like us to do. This is a great time to confess hard hearts, pray for our hearts, and then pray for the people to believe in Jesus.
   
   6. The more attractive Jesus is to you, the more you will want to share Him with others. What about Jesus was particularly attractive to you from this passage?
   We will use this question each week of the sermon series. Answers will vary but we shared the following: We thought it was attractive when Jesus calls Zacchaeus by name and asks to eat with him - be in relationship with him, Jesus sees him. We love how relational and personal Jesus is.

   Break into gender groups to talk about the following:

   7. Discuss this quote from the sermon: “A proper love of Jesus sets all other loves [people and things] in their proper place.” What could others do to help keep you in love with Jesus?
   Jason says when we love Jesus and leave our sin/other loves, its like getting the first button right on your button-down shirt. However, it is so easy to stray from our first love in Jesus. We need others to help us, remind us, pray for us, rebuke us, hold us accountable, etc. I have a friend who knows what my heart is prone to love more than Jesus and she regularly checks in with me and asks probing questions.

   8. After hearing the sermon, how is God asking you to respond:

   1. Receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord?
   2. Share Jesus with someone specific?
   3. Other?