Sunday Rewind | 7.17.2016
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) –Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Nothing But the Blood – Already Not Yet by Citizens and Saints
I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) –Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
Jesus Is Better (Mark 9:24) – King of Love by Austin Stone Worship
Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
TEACHING: The Heart of Leadership
Integrity is the heart of leadership, and the church must stand firm in integrity. The church is the only hope for the world because the church carries the message of the gospel.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing from this message that encouraged your faith? What was one thing that challenged your thinking?
- What does it mean that men and nations suppress God’s truth? Why do they do it? What are some of the consequences that can result?
- Pastor Mike noted how the culture tends to use words that soften the seriousness of sin — like exchanging “choice” for abortion and “cohabitation” for fornication. Can you think of any others? Why are the terms we use important?
- How does seeing ourselves, and each other, as being made in the image of God affect our understanding of human life?
- How might understanding that all men come through the line of Adam change our view of race?
- Read Psalm 15. How does this kind of integrity set God’s people apart from the world? Who are some people in Scripture who exemplify this passage? Do the verses of this chapter reveal any areas where you feel a need to grow?
- If God brought revival to our nation, what might it look like? Pray that believers would come together and cling to the truth of Scriptures, starting with the members of your group, that the world may know that God sent His Son as a payment for sin.
Sunday Rewind | 7.10.2016
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant
Come To Me (Matthew 11:28-30) – Look and See by Village Church feat. Lauren Chandler
O Praise the Name (Romans 5:8) – Open Heaven/River Wild by Hillsong Live
Unstoppable God (Matthew 17:20) – Wake up the Wonder by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: From the Field – The Will of the Father
For security reasons, we aren’t able to share this week’s message online.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was something that encouraged, challenged, or convicted you about this message?
- How have the recent events in our nation affected the way you pray?
- What are some weaknesses you see in your prayer life? Do you find it difficult to truly pray “not my will but Thy will be done”?
- Read Luke 22:31. What is your main desire or prayer when it feels like you are being sifted like wheat? To be safe or to be faithful? How could Jesus’ words in this passage speak to you during those times?
- Do you find yourself surprised by the evil in the world? How can we encourage each other to love and good deeds in the midst of evil?
- Read Hebrews 12:1-3. Why did Christ go to the cross, according to this passage? How do the truths of these verses help us as we walk through a fallen world?
- What does it look like to pray “in the Spirit”?
- Spend some time praying for God’s will to be done in America and around the world. Pray for the work of RBC missionaries, and pray that the Lord would show you how he wants to use the members of your group. Pray to ask God what He would have you do, in His will, and then be willing to sit quietly and wait on the answer.
Sunday Rewind | 7.3.16
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Keeper of My Heart (Psalm 121:1-2) – Majestic by Kari Jobe
Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship
Jesus Is Better (Mark 9:24) – King of Love by Austin Stone Worship
Come Thou Fount (Psalm 16:11) – Public Domain
Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 21
We don’t drift toward the truth; we only drift away from the truth. So we must cling to Jesus, who is the truth.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
- Why does Scripture seem to spend so much time talking about spiritual rescue, but not as much about physical rescue? Why do we so often spend time focused on rescuing people who are physically wounded, but not spiritually wounded?
- What are the differences between physical wounds and spiritual ones? What are the differences between physical and spiritual consequences to our actions?
- Read John 8:27-31 and John 14:1-7. What does it mean that Jesus is the truth? How does the truth set us free?
- Why is it so easy to drift toward sin, toward the world, or toward untruth? Have you seen this at work in your own life?
- Have you ever “rescued” a fellow believer who was drifiting from the truth? Has anyone ever rescued you?
- What are some practical ways that we can go after a brother or sister whom we see drifting in his or her walk with the Lord? What passages of Scripture come to mind that can guide us in this?
- Spend some time in prayer, thanking the Lord for being the true Rescuer and offering eternal life and salvation to those who believe in Him.
- As we come to the end of our study in James, what are some things that have encouraged or challenged you throughout the book?
Sunday Rewind | 9.6.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Closer (Psalm 89:14-15) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong Worship
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God is Able by Hillsong Worship
In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: The Patriarchs, Part 8: Jacob’s Blessing
As Jacob discovered, even seemingly small sins can lead us far away from the Lord. Yet in His mercy, He will “wrestle” with us to break our self-reliance and point us back to His glory.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you could create your own tagline or summary of this message, what would it be?
- How do “small” sins send our walk with the Lord so far off course? Why will the consequences of sin always be greater than the momentary pleasure?
- Read Genesis 32:22-32. Who is the “man” that Jacob is wrestling with all night? If the man was powerful enough to be able to wound Jacob’s hip simply by touching it, why was Jacob allowed to overcome him?
- What does it mean for us to “wrestle” with God?
- Are there areas in your life where you are trying to scheme your way to your own will, rather than pray for God to bring about His will? What skill or gift or talent do you find yourself relying on instead of God’s strength? Where are you seeking your own glory instead of His?
- Can you think of a time in your life where it seemed as though God was placing an obstacle in your path to break you of your self-confidence?
- How has your view of the Patriarchs changed as a result of this series? What are some of the main lessons you’ve taken from the lives of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
Sunday Rewind | 8.30.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Unstoppable God (Luke 1:37) – Wake up the Wonder by Elevation Worship
How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Charlie Hall (Passion)
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Jesus Paid It All (Colossians 2:13-14) – North Point Live by Kristian Stanfill
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us (Galatians 6:14) – Original Arrangement
TEACHING: The Patriarchs, Part 7: Jacob’s Wives
Deception creates obstruction. And we are ourselves deceived when we seek after what we think will fulfill our hearts’ longings, rather than Christ alone.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one piece of this message that especially challenged or encouraged you?
- What does it mean that deception creates obstacles? How does deception create physical or circumstantial obstructions? How does it obstruct our walk with the Lord?
- How did Jacob’s deception create obstacles? How did Laban’s?
- Where do you see yourself in this story?
- Read Genesis 29:16-35. How does Leah represent the longings of our hearts? How does Rachel represent the ways we try to fill those longings?
- Is there a hole in your heart that you are trying to fill with something other than Jesus Christ? What are you striving after right now that you believe would fulfill you, if you achieved it?
- How is Jesus the “true Rachel”? Spend some time praying that He would help you desire Him more than anything else, and praising Him as the One worthy of our desire.
Take 5 Will Return on January 30
Pastor Mike will be back with a new Take 5 on Friday, January 30. In the meantime, look through our archive and catch up on any videos you might have missed. Or watch them again!
Take 5 is a series of videos for pastors & teachers of God’s Word. Mike Minter, teaching pastor and founder of Reston Bible Church, shares practical wisdom from over 40 years of ministry experience.
For more Take 5 videos, visit vimeo.com/channels/minter or subscribe via RSS here: blog.restonbible.org/category/resources/take-5/feed/
To suggest a topic for Pastor Mike to cover, send an email to questions@restonbible.org.
Sunday Rewind | 8.24.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-8) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
Be Thou My Vision (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) – Cathedral by Heartsong
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Do Something, Part 2
Having a hard heart can keep us from listening to and applying God’s truth to our lives.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- Are many people willing to admit to being stubborn? Why or why not? How did you respond to the statement, “We all struggle with hard or stubborn areas of our hearts”?
- How does being stubborn or having a hard heart make it hard for us to really listen and apply God’s truth?
- Where are some areas where you think our society has a hard heart or a severed conscious against God’s Truth? Where do you see yourself following society’s lead?
- On Sunday, Aaron said, “The more we say no to God, the quieter his voice becomes.” Where have you see this truth in your own life?
- Are there any areas where you think you are currently struggling with a hard heart or severed conscious rejecting God’s truth? Some of the diagnostic questions from Sunday are: what are areas we get defensive about? Where do I have to justify myself a lot? Where am I making lots of excuses? What am I claiming as my rights?
- Read Malachi 4:6. What is God’s desire for our relationship with our family? How is this different than just all getting along and our kids behaving well. How have we been deceived into choosing something good over God’s best for our family.
- Read Matthew 23:37 (start earlier for some context). What is God’s heart towards the Pharisees and those who had hard hearts towards him? Why is this important to realize as we deal with our own hard hearts?
- Pray through Psalm 139:23-24, asking God to reveal the hardness in your own heart.
Sunday Rewind | 6.29.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Everything Glorious by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – The Death of Death by Charlie Hall
Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17) – Yahweh by Hillsong
Lord of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
TEACHING: Free to Worship
God has set us free to worship Him, but freedom requires sacrifice and a generous heart.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- How did this message change or enhance your understanding of worship?
- What does it mean to be “free to worship”? What Scripture comes to mind that displays this freedom?
- Do you keep a few idols in the “closet” of your heart? What are they? How do these idols or “impostors” hinder your worship of the true God?
- Read Isaiah 45:14-25. Do these verses inspire you to worship? How do they speak to God’s worth, and the worthlessness of idols?
- In 2 Samuel 24:24, David says, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” Why does our freedom to worship require sacrifice?
- How can you keep your possessions from possessing you, and thus drawing you away from worship? How can you encourage others to serve God rather than mammon?
- What are some practical ways you can stretch yourself in being generous to God?
Sunday Rewind | 9.1.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
Blessed Be Your Name (Job 1:21) – Sacred Revolution by Matt Redman (Passion)
By Faith (Psalm 145:13) – Awaken the Dawn by Keith & Kristyn Getty
As It Is In Heaven (Psalm 149:1) – Overflow by Matt Maher
I Lift My Hands (Psalm 46:10) – And If Our God is For Us… by Chris Tomlin
TEACHING: Getting to Know Scripture, Part 1
After His resurrection, Jesus rebuked two of His disciples for disbelief and “interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27). The Old Testament is full of prophecy, foreshadowing, and models that point to the Messiah who was to come, all of which should build our faith in Him and the Bible that speaks of Him.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- Did this message encourage your faith in the Scripture? How so?
- Pastor Mike mentioned the narratives of Noah and the ark (Genesis 6-8), Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 17,21-22), Joseph (Genesis 37,39-49), Jonah, the Passover (Exodus 12), and the tabernacle (Exodus 25-26). Take one or two of these and discuss some of the ways in which they foreshadow Christ. Are there any other models or types of Christ in the Old Testament that come to mind?
- Why do you think the disciples on the Road to Emmaus failed to recognize Jesus as He talked to them?
- Read Luke 24:13-25 and Acts 8:26-39. What seems to be the response when someone “gets to know” the Old Testament? Is your response the same?
- How would you answer someone (or how have you answered) who tells you that the Bible is just a bunch of stories written “around a campfire”?
- Are there areas where you feel your understanding of Scripture is lacking? Spend some time as a group talking about and praying over ways you can grow in those areas.
Sunday Rewind | 8.25.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
O Worship The King (Psalm 145:9-10) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Beautiful Lord (Ephesians 2:4-5) – The Sound of Melodies by Leeland
Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17) – Yahweh by Hillsong Chapel
Son of God (Psalm 145:3-4) – Beauty in the Broken by Starfield
TEACHING: Ruth: A Story of God’s Redemptive Love, Part 7
As we conclude our series in the book of Ruth, Pastor Mike explains how the main theme of the story is redemption. Ruth and Naomi’s redemption through Boaz is a foreshadowing of the ultimate redemption by our kinsman-redeemer, Jesus Christ.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- How does Boaz’s redemption of Ruth and Naomi point to the redemption of God’s people through Christ? Can you think of other stories in the Old Testament that point to that redemption?
- Pastor Mike said the qualifications of a kinsman-redeemer are: 1) He is a relative. 2) He is able to redeem. 3) He is willing to redeem. 4) He is free from the problem of the one he is to redeem. Talk about the reasons that Christ is eligible to be our kinsman-redeemer.
- Read and discuss Galatians 3:10-29 and Romans 3:19-24. How do these passages explain the “problem” from which we need to be redeemed?
- Referring to the genealogy of Jesus, Pastor Mike said, “God redeems the mess. God even takes messes and uses them for His redemptive purposes.” Is this encouraging to you? Do you see any ways that God has used the “mess” in your own life, or those around you?
- What is one thing you’ve learned (or re-learned) from the study of Ruth that has encouraged you or challenged you in your Christian walk?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for providing us a kinsman-redeemer and Savior.