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MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS (Romans 8:28)
Skinner, McClarney | Thankyou Music

FOREVER REIGN (Lamentations 5:19)
Ingram, Morgan  |  Hillsong Music Publishing

IN YOUR PRESENCE (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Brown, Williams, Gatch, Brock, Furtick, Joye |  Elevation Worship Publishing

HOSANNA (Mark 11:9-10)
Ligertwood (Fraser)  |  Hillsong Music Publishing

CORNERSTONE (Psalm 18:2)
Mote, Morgan  | Hillsong Music Publishing

TEACHING: The Hard Truth, Part 4

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. How important would you rate the Bible in the life of a Christ-follower?
3. Read and discuss Matthew 4:1-11, Hebrews 4:12, and Psalm 119:1-24. What do these verses tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What do you observe about the Scriptures from these verses? What other verses can you think of that directly teach us about the Word of God?
4. Would you say you have an appetite for God and his Word? How does one develop or acquire this appetite?
5. How is the Word of God a light for our path (Psalm 119:105)?
6. How can we know the voice of God?
7. What is one verse that has shaped your life in a profound way?
8. How does the Holy Spirit and the Word of God work in tandem?
9. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the goodness of His Word. Ask Him to help you learn, love and live His Word.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

GREAT THINGS (Isaiah 12:5)
Cartee, Furtick | Elevation Worship Publishing

UNSTOPPABLE GOD (Matthew 17:20)
Brown, Furtick, Joye | Sony/ATV Tree Publishing

BE THOU MY VISION (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
Norsworthy, Hull, Byrne | Heartsong Music

BUT GOD (Ephesians 2:4-5)
Bleecker, Hall, Chandler | Bleecker Publishing

OUR GOD IS LOVE (1 John 4:9-10)
Houston, Ligertwood | Integrity Music

TEACHING: The Hard Truth, Part 3

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Would you consider yourself a vulnerable person? Is it easy for you to open up to others? Why or why not?
3. Read and discuss Genesis 2:25-3:13. What do these verses tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What do you observe about shame from these verses?
4. Share a time when you were ashamed. How does shame drive us away from vulnerability?
5. How does shame “sculpt the soul” and give birth to fear? What does fear lead us to do? What kind of people does fear lead us to be?
6. How do we hide from God, others and ourselves?
7. In what ways do we tend to cover our brokenness? What are your go-to “fig leaves”?
8. How does scripture provide us with a reference point through which to view ourselves, others, and the world?
9. How does the gospel of Jesus call us out of shame, fear and self-atonement?
10. Read and discuss Hebrews 12:1-2. What shame in your life do you need to despise? Where do you need to be vulnerable and honest with someone else? With yourself? With God? What is one step toward vulnerability that you can take in each of these areas? Spend some time in prayer in prayer about this and ask the members of your group to help you be accountable to take those steps.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

FOREVER (Revelation 17:14)
Pierce, Gifford, Wilson, Johnson, Taylor, Jobe |  Bethel Music Publishing

HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE (Galatians 6:14)
Townend  | Thankyou Music

GREAT THINGS (Isaiah 12:5)
Cartee, Furtick |  Elevation Worship Publishing

O PRAISE THE NAME (Romans 5:8)
Hastings, Ussher, Sampson |  Hillsong Music Publishing

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD (Ephesians 2:13)
Lowry | Public Domain (Arrangement by Citizens and Saints)

GOOD GOOD FATHER (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
Brown, Barrett | Sixsteps Music

TEACHING: The Hard Truth, Part 2

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Read and discuss John 8:42-47, Ephesians 6:10-20, Ephesians 2:1-9, 2 and 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. What do these verses tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God?
3. What do these scriptures tell us about spiritual warfare? How do they reveal something we otherwise would not know about?
4. What  do you think of when you hear the phrase “spiritual warfare”? Does this line up with what the scriptures reveal?
5. What firsthand experience have you had with spiritual warfare?
6. The world takes the truth it learns and either denies it or twists it. How have you observed this?
7. What weapons of spiritual warfare does the enemy wield against us? What weapons of spiritual warfare do we have at our disposal?
8. What is one specific area of spiritual warfare that you are currently struggling through? What weapon do you need to wield in this struggle? Spend some time in prayer together about this.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

COME THOU FOUNT (Psalm 16:11)
Robinson |  Public Domain

GREAT THINGS (Isaiah 12:5)
Cartee, Furtick |  Elevation Worship Publishing

O PRAISE THE NAME (Romans 5:8)
Hastings, Ussher, Sampson |  Hillsong Music Publishing

ONLY KING FOREVER (1 Timothy 1:17)
Brock, Brown, Furtick, Joye  |  Sony/ATV Tree Publishing

TEACHING: The Hard Truth, Part 1

Tourists go with the current of this world. Pilgrims go against it.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Read and discuss Hebrews 11:8-16. What do these verses tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God?
3. What’s the difference between a pilgrim and a tourist? What are the parallels of this analogy in the Christian life?
4. Compare and contrast tourists and pilgrims in these areas: time, money, relationships, suffering, sin. What other areas of life does this apply to?
5. Discuss Pastor Mike’s definition of joy: Joy is the inner confidence that God’s grace will see me through my earthly pilgrimage. What is the difference between joy and happiness? What gives you joy?
6. How does the gospel of Jesus Christ compel us toward joy? How does joy sustain us in our journey?
7. How was Jesus the perfect pilgrim? What does that mean for us?
8. Is there an area of your life where you’ve left the pilgrimage to become a tourist? Spend some time in prayer together about this.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Nothing But the Blood (Ephesians 2:13) – Already Not Yet by Citizens and Saints

But God (Romans 5:8) – Look and See by Village Church feat. Aaron Bleecker

In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

Jesus Paid it All (Colossians 2:13-14) –  Everything Glorious by Kristian Stanfill

TEACHING: Be the Church, Part 3

God gives us gifts then gives us as a gift to a local church body. No God-given gift is better or worse than another. Unity in the body is the result of corporate humility.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. How has the Lord used the church in your walk with Him?
3. Read Ephesians 4:1-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. What do these verses tell us about God? What do they reveal about us?
4. What does it mean to equip the saints for the work of ministry? How do you think you need to be equipped? In what ways can you equip others?
5. What causes divisions among churches? What examples of division in the church have you seen?
6. What examples of unity have you seen in the church? Is there an area of unity within the context of the church that you need to move toward?
7. What gifts, abilities or talents do you think God has given you? Where could those fit in the church?
8. What is the difference between unity and uniformity? Which does scripture call us to?
9. How does the gospel compel us toward unity through diversity?
10. Spend some time praying for the things you’ve discussed. Pray that the Lord would lead our church to a gospel-centric unity within our body and with other churches in our area.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Come To Me (Matthew 11:28-30) – Look and See by Village Church feat. Lauren Chandler

Great Things (Worth It All) (Galatians 6:14) –Wake Up the Wonder by Elevation Worship

But God (Romans 5:8) – Look and See by Village Church feat. Aaron Bleecker

In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) –Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship

TEACHING: Be the Church, Part 2

The church is called to be salt that preserves the world from decaying and light that cuts through darkness. The salt sets the stage for the light.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. How would you describe the mission of the church, in one sentence?
2. Read Matthew 5:13-16. What does it mean for believers to be the salt of the earth? What does it mean to be the light of the world?
3. Read John 3:16-21. How does this passage, with its imagery of light and dark, describe the hopelessness of man’s condition? What is the hope-filled solution the Lord provides?
4. Why do most religions offer a performance-based path to salvation? What is Scripture’s response to someone who believes they must work to earn God’s favor?
5. Why must we act like “salt” before people will be receptive to our “light”? How might that affect your day-to-day life?
6. What fears or doubts keep you from sharing the Gospel? What truths from Scripture might help you overcome those fears?
7. Spend some time praying that the Lord would help you to be salt and light to those around you.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship

Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us (Galatians 6:14) – The Dispatch EP by The Dispatch

This I Believe (the Creed) (Romans 1:16) Fielding, Crocker  |  Hillsong Music Publishing

Jesus Paid it All (Colossians 2:13-14) – Everything Glorious by Kristian Stanfill

TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 20

To pray demonstrates confidence in God. To not pray demonstrates confidence in man.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Read and discuss James 5:12-18. What does this tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What commands, encouragements or warnings are there for us to heed?
3. What tension between the text and your personal experience do you note in this text? How do you deal with such tensions?
4. How is prayer emphasized in these verses? What does this mean for us?
5. What is the importance of considering context when studying the Scriptures?
6. What is your view of miraculous healings or spiritual gifts of healing in our day & times?
7. In what ways do we tend to cover up our sins? Why is it important to confess our sins to each other? How does this develop community and camaraderie?
8. “To pray demonstrates a confidence in God. To not pray demonstrates a confidence in man.” How would you describe your prayer life?
9. Is there something burdening your soul that you need to release? Spend some time in prayer together for this.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Alive in Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God is Able by Hillsong Worship

Good Good Father (2 Thessalonians 2:16) – The EP by Zealand Worship

Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong Worship

Your Promises (2 Peter 1:3-4a) – Wake Up the Wonder by Elevation Worship

Be Thou My Vision (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) – Take the World by Giving Jesus by Ascend the Hill

TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 19

If life is a vapor, then so is suffering.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Read and discuss James 5:7-11. What does this tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What commands, encouragements or warnings are there for us to heed?
3. What does this section tell us about suffering and perseverance? How does it play out in the three examples James gives us here (farmers, prophets, and the life of Job)?
4. Have you ever had to be patient in suffering? What happened? How did you relate to God through that time?
5. Have you ever experienced persecution directly because of your faith in Jesus?
6. What is the doctrine of imminence (v. 7) and why does it matter?
7. Consider Romans 8:18. Why does Scripture call our sufferings “not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed”? What does this mean for our daily lives?
8. How does the gospel of Jesus give us an eternal perspective, particularly when considering pain and suffering?
9. Is there an area of suffering where you need to be patient and persevere? What would it look like to view this area through the lens of an eternal perspective? Spend some time praying together about this.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) –Only King Forever by Elevation Worship

With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong Worship

Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship

O Praise The Name (Anástasis) (Romans 5:8) Open Heaven / River Wild  by Hillsong Live

Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 18

The love of stuff is the seed of greed. Money always abandons us in the time of our greatest need.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Read and discuss James 5:1-6. What does this tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What commands, encouragements or warnings are there for us to heed?
3. Who are the “rich” whom James is addressing the verses above?
4. “Money is not bad in and of itself – but it is dangerous.” What does this mean? What examples can you think of?
5. “Treasures, because of time, become stuff.” How have you seen this principle to be true?
   
6. How is hoarding a way of presuming upon the future?
7. In what ways can we passively abuse the poor?
8. What is a way you can “do for one what you wish you could do for everyone”?
9. Consider Pastor Mike’s diagnostic questions: “Are you a hoarder? Do you love money? Has money ever gotten you in trouble? Do you have a giving plan? Do you think more about giving saving or spending?” How would you answer each of these?
10. How did Jesus become poor that we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9)? How should we respond to this great truth? Spend some time in prayer over the things you’ve discussed.