YOU: Would you say you have a clear sense of “good vs. evil” in your daily consciousness? Do you tend to see the world in “black & white”, or in “shades of grey”? Give examples
BIBLE: Look up [Phil.4:8-9] once again, and consider how you are actively pursuing these good things of God. Also, as you recall the sermon, why is Good considered “powerful”?
OTHERS: Would you warn others of the powerful advancement of God’s Goodness? What is the consequence of preferring evil instead of good?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
One Body, Many Members
Do ever find yourself comparing yourself to either “less gifted” or “more gifted” people? How does that make you feel?
Why should being one body in Christ free us from human comparisons and lead us to serve in joy and humility?
How should the example of Christ’s humility transform the way that we exercise our God-given gifts?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
Ministry and Function of Elders
YOU: What are you learning about a Presbyterian Church? How is it different from other church(es) you’ve experienced in the past?
BIBLE: Can you recall or review the many ministries and functions of church elders?
OTHERS: How is the Lord leading you to emulate such godliness and leadership? As you consider our HCC congregation, is the Lord showing you certain individuals as candidates for eldership? Do not make specific reference or gossip.
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
Christ's Call to Elect Qualified Men to the Office of Elder
In 1 Timothy 3:15 we see how significant the church is to God’s plan. How have you thought of the significance of the local church? How is this being reflected in your life?
As we looked at the Convictions and Character of elders as an example for all believers, what areas did you identify in which you need the grace of God to grow you in?
We looked at the good gospel result of having qualified men to serve as elders. What are positive examples
that you have seen of the effect of good leadership in a local church? What are some negative examples of bad leadership in a local church?What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH...a Biblical Model
What have you discovered about the history of Presbyterian church, or about the church history in general?
How does “Reformed Theology” inform our view of God, His Word and His Church?
What are some distinct features of a Presbyterian church? Consider our worship, governance, sacraments, etc.
What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
New Year, Renewed You: An Introduction to Our Community Bible Reading Plan
1. Do you struggle to keep God's mercies before you as the motivation for obedience to Jesus your King? What one practical step can you take to keep your focus on and confidence in the gospel of grace?
2. Where do you find yourself most being tempted to be conformed to the world's way of thinking? Is it in regards to your finances, relationships, appearance, leisure, reputation, etc.?
3. Have you attempted Bible reading plans before? Did you stick with it? How did it benefit you? How is the approach to our HCC Community bible reading plan both similar and different than those previous attempts?
4. What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
God’s Gift of Jesus: A Meditation on Galatians
Spirit-Filled Christmas
(You) How would you describe your “faith awakening” moment? Where were you; what was happening? Try to describe beyond circumstances. What was the Holy Spirit doing internally?
(Bible) Who does God console? How? Extract from Luke2:25-33 as well as Isaiah 25:8-9
(Apply) Consider where your heart is leading you to spend your time and resources. Are you about building up the Body of Christ for God’s glory? If not yet, repent now, and turn to the Lord and His purposes.
What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
A Song That Prepares Our Hearts for Christmas
What were some tough things that Zechariah and Elizabeth had to go through based on Luke 1? What are some tough things that you went through this year if any? How has God worked in your life in 2017?
Based on Luke 1:72-75, what is the purpose that God has saved his people from the enemies? What are the main sources of the fear that prevents you from serving God? How can you overcome those fears to serve God and his church?
What was the main goal of John the Baptist based on the prophecy of his father Zechariah in Luke 1:76-77? What are the things that you can prepare for the way of Jesus in the time of Christmas and new year?
What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
A Song Renewing Our Joy in the Incarnation
We saw that Mary’s song both in its structure and content was deeply influenced by the Old Testament and this helped her to appreciate the significance of the incarnation. How does this challenge the way you read and interact with Scripture? What is one step you will take this next year to grow in your intake of and meditation on Scripture?
In 1:46-50 Mary reflects on the significance of the incarnation for her personally. How would you characterize what she says about its impact for her? What impact has the incarnation had on your personally?
In 1:51-55 Mary celebrates the impact that the incarnation will have for the world. What are some of those things? What broken things in our world are you most looking forward to being totally redeemed at Christ’s second coming? How can you act now to make an impact on bringing Christ’s restoration to this area?
What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
Mary Had a Little Lamb
YOU: What is the greatest/biggest thing that nobody really knows about you?
BIBLE: What is the function of the Holy Spirit as shown in this passage? And how does the exercise of faith bless your life?
APPLY: How would you share and announce the gift of grace in Jesus to others this Christmas season? What are some practical/creative things you are willing/planning/ committing to do?
What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
The Unsearchable Depth
Discussion and Application
1. (You) How do you handle mysteries and uncertainties in life? Does it "eat away" at your perfectionist personality? Or are you just a "chill" sort who doesn't mind not knowing what you might consider "non-essential"?
2. (Bible) In light of the whole Scriptures on salvation to the elect, how should we understand the word "all", as in "all Israel" [v26] and "mercy on all" [v32]?
3. (Apply) How can you trust God with greater confidence and faith? Where is the place of mystery and uncertainty as you consider God and His ways? Should they lead you to worship or hopelessness?
4. What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
A Call to the Humility of Faith
Paul encourages us in 11:16-18 towards humility to non- Christians. Which sort of non-Christians do you struggle with arrogance towards and why?
How does knowing that our salvation comes by being “grafted in” (cf 11:17) to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob impact the way we read the Bible, think about God’s mercy towards us, and relate to Jewish people?
Paul warns us in 11:19-22 to be careful to make sure we are continuing to believe in Christ. What helps in the text and the sermon can help us to strengthen our faith in Christ?
What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
Your Place in God’s Purpose for All People
How do you feel about the doctrine of election and your salvation? Read Romans 11:1-6. How should you feel?
How do you feel about the doctrine of election and those who are not chosen? Read Romans 11:7-11. How are the un-chosen described, and how does that affect how you feel?
Read Romans 11:11-15. Think of any Jewish friends you may have. How do you feel about their salvation, and how should you feel?
What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
Receive the Righteousness Based on Faith
In Romans 10:5-6, Paul contrasts the righteousness based on faith with the righteousness based on faith in Christ. Why do you think humans are so tempted to pursue a works based righteousness? What are some words of counsel/ways of keeping your Christian friends accountable that we may be unintentionally promoting a works based righteousness in their lives?
In Romans 10:14-17 Paul shows the necessity of hearing the gospel in order to believe it and be saved by the righteousness of Christ. He does this to show that the Jews had heard the gospel. What level of familiarity
do your non-Christian work mates, fellow uni-students, families or neighbors have with the gospel? Do you think they really understand that Christianity is about grace and not works based? How do you know?
In Romans 10:18-21 Paul says that God will use the Gentiles receiving the gospel to make the Jews jealous for the gospel. What would it look like for your life to make non-Christians jealous of what you receive from the gospel?
What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
Reigniting the Passion
What are the things that you have done and doing that makes you feel more righteous before God? How can we correct this kind of self-cleaning and self-righteous attitude in light of the gospel? What are the ways that we can redeem the passion for the gospel truth?
In Romans 10:1, Paul expresses his heart’s desire and prayer to God for the salvation of his fellow Jews. Who are the people around you that you have this kind of heart’s desire and prayer to God? What are the small steps that you want to make to help them to find the salvation in Jesus?
Romans 10:4 states that ‘Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.’ Jesus is the only way that we can stand righteous before God. Do you struggle with this exclusive nature of Christian faith? How can we help others to see the most inclusive nature of Jesus out of all the exclusive truth claims out there?
What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?
God’s Sovereign Mercy: From Objection to Ovation
As you think about how you came to faith in Jesus Christ, in what ways is it obvious that is only God’s sovereign mercy that you came to believe the gospel?
Why is God’s sovereign freedom a source of praise instead of a terrible doctrine?
In Romans 9, Paul asks and answers a number of objections about God’s sovereign mercy. What others have you heard or do you have? How would you answer them?
What was the most helpful/challenging thing to you from the sermon on this text?