1. How do you feel about public speaking or being the centre of attention? 2. How was the woman and what she was doing perceived by the onlookers? Why? How was it perceived by Jesus? 3. We have discussed before that pretentious and heartless prayer is not welcomed by God. What is true worship? Why is it welcomed by God? (See John 4:21-26 to help discussion.) 4. Why is true worship costly? Discuss in terms of time, talent, money, reputation and life. 5. What type of “righteousness” did Simon the Pharisee have? What sin was it masking or hiding? 6. What is it about our sin that can help drive us to true love, true worship and true obedience from the heart? 7. In what areas of your life are you more concerned about what others think of you? How can you pray and act against it?
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1. Do you ever have doubts about the Gospel? What circumstances have led you to doubt?
2. What are the facts of the Gospel? Why are they of “first importance?” 3. Why is the fact of Jesus rising from the dead so important? What are the implications? 4. The ESV translation in verse 2 says of the Gospel: “…by which you are being saved…” What is meant by “being saved”? 5. What does the world tell us to cling to? 6. How do you preach the Gospel to yourself everyday? What aspect do you focus on? How do you think this helps you to grow in love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ? 1. What do you find most perplexing for yourself, or troublesome, in the Book of Revelation? Have you completed any reading or studies in the past to help gain more understanding of the book?
2. To review, what type of literary genre is the Book of Revelation? Are the visions to be taken literally? What are the visions meant to depict? 3. What three key themes found in the book were outlined in the sermon to help us keep Revelation in context and to help us understand the visions that John received? 4. What does the vision in 7:1-8 mean? What is meant by “sealed”? 5. Who are the people in the vision of 7:9-14? What allusions to the Old Testament do you see in this section? 6. Do you ever feel alone in your struggles? How do verses 15-17 and the “multitude” comfort you and encourage you to faithfully endure trials and tribulations? 7. Pray for our sponsored refugee families and ask God that they would faithfully endure their trials and tribulations.
1. Why do you think there is so much anxiety in our culture today? What surprising signs do you see of it?
2. The sermon illustrated 3 attitudes believers should have in suffering, persecution, trials and storms: Humility, Alertness and Hopefulness. Why is humility important? Who are we to humble ourselves before? 3. Why might pride be a source of anxiety and worry? What does Peter mean when he tells us to “cast all our anxieties” on God? Why must we do this? How do we do this? 4. From verses 8-9, why do we need to remain alert? How does the Adversary attack us? What is the target? (See Job 1:9-11; 2:4-6; 2 Cor 12:7 for help as required.) 5. From verses 10-11, what is our reason for hopefulness, no matter what happens to us? 6. In the coming weeks, how will you draw near to God and cast your anxiety on Him?
1. What do you think is the greatest song ever written? What is it that makes it great?
2. Read the following verses in this order: Psalm 139:13-16; Luke 1:76-79; and 1 Cor 4:6-7. How do you view John’s life meaning and purpose in light of these verses? How should you view your life meaning and purpose? Are there any grounds for arrogance and boasting? 3. When John asked his disciples to go ask Jesus if He was actually the Messiah, what expectations do you think John had of the Messiah? (Luke 7:18-20.) 4. Why do you think Jesus responded the way He did? (Luke 7:21-23). What scripture was He pointing to? Why did He encourage John and his disciples not to be offended, or in Greek: “scandalized,” by Him? 5. Jesus said John was the greatest prophet up to his time, yet, “…one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:28) What did Jesus mean by saying this? 6. Do you live in a “Prison of Expectations”? If God does not act in a way we expect or desire, how can that affect our faith and love for God if we are not careful? Do you think that the expectations we place on God are often just about us? 7. The key take away verse from this sermon was John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” How will you pray and apply this verse to your life and ministry?
1. Does biblical prophecy illuminate the future, the present, or the past? Or all three?
2. What disasters do the four Horsemen bring upon the Earth and why were they sent? Are Christians spared from suffering in these trials and tribulations? 3. How were the martyrs comforted? How would suffering Christians be encouraged by what they heard here? 4. Why does Christ permit testing and suffering for his followers? What does he want us to learn? What does he want the world to see when Christians suffer? 5. What is the fate and realization of those who reject God and trust in worldly power and institutions for their security and comfort? 6. Why can Christians seem to hope and trust in God for salvation, but seek comfort and security in worldly things? How can we resist this?
1. Human history and culture is full of symbols and imagery depicting ideas, authority and meaning. Discuss some current symbols that hold significance for you.(e.g., the Nike swoop, the Apple symbol, the Canadian Flag, etc.)
2. John described everything in relation to the throne:(1) before the throne, (2) around the throne, (3) from the throne, and (4) on the throne. Why did John use symbols and imagery to describe the Throne Room of God? Select some imagery you would like to discuss. What do these symbols and imagery convey to us about God and His people? 3. Why was God described as holy three times? Why should we have a high and exalted view of God seated on the throne? What does it mean? How does this give us comfort and hope. 4. We were created to worship and serve God, individually and with others. What hinders your worship and serving. What is your day to day view of God? 5. We can’t worship and serve God selflessly on our own strength. What practical steps can you take yourself and with others to worship and serve in truth and spirit?
1. What does the Book of Revelation prepare the church for? How does it do so?
2. Why do you think the seven churches were chosen to be addressed? How do these places compare to Winnipeg? 3. What does Jesus praise the churches for? What does Jesus criticize them for? 4. What does Christ promise to those who persevere in faith and service? 5. Do you see anything about yourself in any of the churches that Jesus addresses? 6. How do you continue to grow and persevere as a Christian? How does our examination of Revelation so far help you?
1. If you were given the chance to become very good, or even become an expert, at one thing within only one hour, what would you choose?
2. How does God equip and prepare His church to worship Him and spread the Gospel? How would you describe the character of the early church in Acts 2? A) How would you describe their teaching? B) How would you describe their fellowship? C) How would you describe their worship? 3. As the church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship and worship, an amazing thing happened; the Lord regularily added new believers to their numbers. What role did the individual members of the church play in this growth? 4. How has God equipped you to serve the church and to serve the spread of the Gospel? 5. What will you pray for and do regarding your fellowship and service in the Church? |
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