“Pivotal Passage #7” (1 Cor 1:18) by Dave Bechtel

By kellitempleton

Here are the questions for our first ever live simulcast sermon:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

1. Why do you think Pastor Dave chose 1 Cor. 1:18 as a pivotal passage? Answers will vary. One reason a person could give is to make sure everyone understood the gospel, or message of the cross.
2. Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and discuss the following:
   1. What do we learn about God? Answers will vary but might include: He is powerful, He is wiser than anyone - to the point that He frustrates them, He saves through the cross, He is stronger than any man’s strength, He uses the despised, weak, and foolish things of the world to advance His kingdom.
   2. Why do you think “message of the cross” was used to refer to the gospel? The audience (Corinthians) were interested in wisdom, position, and outward appearances. But the message of the cross is the opposite of these values by the world’s standard.
   3. How many times is “wise, wisdom, etc” used? How many times is “foolish, foolishness, etc” used? (consider underlining them) The purpose of this question is to help people see the main point. Depending on the translation, wise is used ~16 times; foolish is used ~6 times.
   4. What do you think is the main idea of this passage? Answers will vary but one thought might be: God takes the wisdom of the world and turns it upside down showing it to be foolish.
3. Why do you think God says the wisdom of the world is foolishness (v. 20)? Share some examples. Answers will vary but might be along the lines of: everything is foolish without Him, especially since He is all-wise. Some examples of “world wisdom that is foolish” might include all paths lead to God, I can do whatever I want as long as no one is hurt, education will solve our world’s problems, etc.
4. What does the cross communicate about us? The cross shows that our sin debt is huge, we are totally bankrupt spiritually, everyone is equal at the cross, and we have great value to God. About God? God is gracious, merciful, loving, and holy. About Jesus? (see Point I on the sermon outline) Jesus is sinless, a human, the son of God, loving, an acceptable sacrifice, he was resurrected, and he is Lord.
5. What has the message of the cross meant to you personally? How can we soak in and apply the message of the cross every day? Answers will vary. Ways to soak in the gospel include music, scripture memory, prayer especially confession, reading the Bible and other gospel devotionals, etc.
6. For what reasons might some think the cross is foolish? How could you answer someone who believes Christians are required “to check their mind at the door” in order to follow Jesus? How does 1 Peter 3:15 guide us? Many can not accept the cross because it means their sin is equal to a murderer (offends their pride), or it nullifies their self-improvement efforts in education or service, or its just too simple. There are many ways to answer someone who believes Christianity is just a heart thing. The Lord engages our hearts and minds. Asking questions is often best but 1 Peter 3:15 says that whatever we do when sharing about Jesus, make sure it is with gentleness and respect.
7. Take time to pray for the unbelievers in your life and for opportunities to engage them with the message of the cross. In addition, consider praying that the power of the gospel brings healing to our nation and world (see “Heal our Land” song lyrics by Kari Jobe).

“Far More in Our Faith” Week 6 (1 Tim 1:12-20)

By kellitempleton

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

1. Read 1 Timothy 1:12-20 and discuss the following:
   1. Who wrote this letter and to whom (1Tim. 1:1-2)? This letter is written by Paul to Timothy. Timothy was a young pastor who was being pressured by certain leaders in the church to go back to a works based salvation vs a faith in Christ salvation alone.
   2. Describe what Paul was like before he followed Jesus (see also Acts 9). Before Paul met Jesus, he describes himself as a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man. He was ignorant and did not believe in Jesus. He views himself as the worst of sinners, now forgiven.
   3. What do we know about Jesus from these verses? Answers will vary but might be He is Lord, provider of strength and calling, shows mercy, gracious, he came to the world, saves sinners, has unlimited patience, provides eternal life, etc.
   4. Why does Timothy need encouragement? How does Paul encourage him? He is young and some in his church have rejected the faith and shipwrecked their faith. Paul reminds him of his calling, to fight the good fight (endure), hold onto his faith in Jesus and keep a good conscience.

2. When sharing your faith, why do you think it could be effective to share your past struggles with others? Share any insights you have learned. Answers will vary but some ideas might be that by sharing our past struggles we are more approachable, we provide hope for redemption, we reveal the grace of Jesus despite our struggles, the love of Jesus is displayed, etc. Some insights the question writing team came up with were that some struggles should not be shared with the opposite gender, be short and concise with the explanation of our struggle, be sure to give the Lord the glory and not the struggle or yourself, etc.

3. Based on the sermon, how was authentic faith described? How about shipwrecked faith? Where do you find your faith leaning? Authentic faith has a story to tell that is focused on Jesus, is overwhelmed with gratitude, and moves us from our old life of unbelief to a new life in Jesus. Authentic faith has a Savior to worship and this worship just bursts out of us. Authentic faith also has a struggle to engage and this struggle is battled by our authentic faith. Shipwrecked faith is a faith that no longer believes the Christ story of mercy and grace, it has forgotten how to give thanks, it has gone a long time without real worship to the Savior, and the struggle has dampened your faith. Be sure to pray for people if they are struggling to have authentic faith. This could be a real Holy Spirit moment to minister to one another.

4. How do you remind yourself of the gospel? In what current struggle(s) might it be particularly helpful to recall all that Jesus has done for you (e.g., parenting, marriage, health, etc)? Answers will vary but might be through music, devotionals, scripture memory, etc. The parenting seminar by Paul David Tripp encouraged us parents to remember the gospel when parenting and see every act of defiance, training, etc as an opportunity to share the gospel.

5. Homework from last week: Share anything that happened as a result of posting Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (the handout in our bulletin last week). Answers will vary but one of us on the question writing team posted it in our van. Our kids asked about it and we created different ways to pray, sing, or talk about the Lord each morning on the way to school.

6. “Far More” in Ephesians 3:20-21 is used to describe God’s work as beyond description and greater than we can imagine. What “far more” would you like God to do with your faith? Answers will vary and again, this might be a great opportunity to pray for one another.

7. Share something that has been beneficial from the “Far More” sermon series. Answers will vary. We have discussed all that God can do in us, our church, our parenting, the next generation, and our faith.

8. Take time to worship the Lord in prayer using 1 Timothy 1:17 as a model. Please do allow time for meaningful prayer and worship this week.

“Far More in Every Generation” Week 5 (Deut. 6:1-9) by Mark Seekins

By kellitempleton

Here are the sermon questions for your small group discussion:

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

1. Mixer: As a child, what is one lesson you learned from an adult that you are thankful for today? Again, this is just a mixer to get every talking.

2. Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and discuss the following:
   1. Who is the author and to whom is he writing? Moses is speaking with the Israelites right before they enter the promised land; Deuteronomy are his final instructions to the people as he transfers his leadership to Joshua
   2. What do you learn about God in these verses? answers will vary but may include God is the law maker, he wants the next generation to know Him and His ways, He is to be feared, He wants blessing for us, God is one, He wants us to love Him, etc.
   3. What does the next generation need from us? For us to have a vibrant relationship with the Lord, they need us to teach them about the Lord - share our stories, share Scripture, show them how to follow the Lord, praise God with them, show them that God is still working and He is good, tell them that His kingdom is everlasting, let God’s Word be in everything we do and say,
   4. Why do you think the author was so strong in emphasizing the teaching of God’s law to the next generation? answers will vary but might include the idea that God uses His people to show and tell others about Him and His ways

3. Read Psalm 145:1-13. What needs to be impressed on the next generation? (Recall that “impress” from Deut. 6:7 is an image of an engraver who takes a hammer and chisel to painstakingly etch a text onto a monument.) Why do you think this can be difficult to do? Impress on them that the God is great and worthy of our praise, that God is at work, and God is good. It can be difficult if we ourselves don’t live/believe these things personally. Other idols compete for our affection and the next generation’s affection.

4. Read Deut. 6:7-9 again. How can you season all of your life with the Word of God? What have you done or what could you do to teach the next generation about the Lord and His commands? Try to consider the next generation beyond your home as you consider the workplace, other children in youth activities, friend’s children, etc. Answers will vary but we are hoping there will be some useful, practical sharing going on that equips and encourages the groups. Music, devotions, bible study, memorization, being with God’s people are possible suggestions. Help the group think beyond their children to other children - helping at VBS, Sunday School, volunteer in children activities in music, theatre, sports, etc.

5. Discuss this statement from the sermon: You won’t make much of an impression for God until you have been impressed by God. answers will vary but we this is the BIG IDEA of the sermon.

6. Post Deuteronomy 6:4-9 somewhere where you will see it multiple times a day. Be ready to share next week about anything that happens as a result of posting this Scripture. There will be an insert with the verse in every bulletin on Sunday.

7. “Far More” in Ephesians 3:20-21 is used to describe God’s work as beyond description and greater than we can imagine. What “far more” would you like God to do through you as you influence the next generation? What steps/actions will this require from you? This is the standard question we ask each week. Basically, is there anything the Lord is calling someone to do/be for the next generation and if so, what do they need to do.

8. Take time to pray for yourself and the next generation as you seek the “far more” the Lord has for us.