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MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture

Let Your Kingdom Come (Psalm 59:16-17) – Valley of Vision by Sovereign Grace Praise

How Great Is Your Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23) –  We Shall Not Be Shaken by Matt Redman

Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Kingdom Come by Elevation Worship

Oh How I Need You – The Longing by All Sons & Daughters

TEACHING: More Prejudiced Than You Think

Being prejudiced goes well beyond racial bias. We all have the tendency to pull away from certain people or groups – “those people.” Yet, the Gospel dictates that those are the very people we should lean into. To be prejudiced is to go violate the great commandments of loving God and loving our neighbor. Odds are, we are more prejudiced than we think.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. Was there any one thing you most agreed or disagreed with from this message? What was it and why?
2. When you hear the word “prejudice,” what comes to mind?
3. Read and discuss James 2:1-4. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they reveal about Jesus?
4. What are some hot-button issues for you personally? How might these expose your own prejudices?
5. Have you ever exercised prejudice against another person or group? Have you ever been the recipient of someone else’s prejudice? What happened?
6. Read and consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:43-48. How does the gospel of Christ call us to “lean in” to other people or groups we might naturally pull away from?
7. Is there something God has revealed to you as far as a prejudice you may have? What would it look like for you to be neighbor to that person or group? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about this.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Exalted One (Psalm 121:1-2) – For the Honor by Elevation Worship

Lord of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill

Agnus Dei (Revelation 5:12) –  Original Arrangement

Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Glorious by Paul Baloche

Great In All the Earth (Psalm 47:1-2) – I Will Go by Starfield

TEACHING: Be At Rest

Our culture prizes busyness while avoiding suffering at all costs. Yet, Scripture tells us we will suffer and calls us to work from rest, not just rest from work. As we enter this new year, seek Him for physical, spiritual and geographical rest. Live a life of saying “yes” to God from a place of rest, despite whatever our circumstances may be.

WHERE’S THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO? Due to the ministry location of our speaker this weekend, we are not able to post the sermon media online. You can, however, request an audio CD at the RBC Bookstore (located in the lobby by the stairs) between Sunday services.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. If you heard last weekend’s sermon, what is one principle or insight that stands out as being particularly helpful, insightful, or memorable?
2. Read and discuss Hebrews 1:1-4. What do these verses tell you about Jesus? What are the implications for your personal faith in Him?
3. Read and discuss Hebrews 4. What do you observe about suffering and rest in this chapter?
4. Do you find it difficult to rest? Why or why not?
5. How does the gospel encourage us to rest in Jesus?
6. What would it look like for you to rest physically, spiritually and geographically as you enter this new year?
7. Is there something God is currently asking you to say “yes” to? What would it look like to say “yes” to His calling from a place of rest? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about this.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Angels We Have Heard on High (Luke 2:13-14) – Christmas Offerings by Third Day

Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Luke 2:9-10) – Original Arrangement

I Lift My Hands (Psalm 46:10) – And If Our God Is For Us… by Chris Tomlin

Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17) – Yahweh by Hillsong Chapel

God, You Lifted Me Out (Psalm 30:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship

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

TEACHING: Follow Me

Pastor Wayne Johnson takes a look at the life of Peter, whose world was rocked by Jesus’ call to follow Him. What was it about Jesus that so captivated Peter’s heart? The way Jesus captured Peter’s heart is the same way He captures ours, and we will live for and from whatever captures our hearts.

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO & VIDEO OF THIS MESSAGE

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. If Pastor Wayne were to give an abbreviated version of last Sunday’s messages, what one or two points would you tell him to make sure he leaves in, no matter what?
2. Read and discuss 1 Peter 1:3-9. What do these verses tell you about Jesus? What are the implications for your personal faith in Him?
3. Our culture values privacy, busyness, and comfort. What else does our culture value?
4. How does does the Gospel go against the grain of our culture?
5. In what ways can culture distort the Gospel? How can culture be used as a vessel for the Gospel?
6. What do you find captivating about the person of Jesus Christ?
7. Was there ever an area in your life as a Christian where you sensed Jesus’ call to follow Him? What happened? Is there an area in your life now where He is asking you to follow Him? Pray about this area with your small group.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

O Come All Ye Faithful (Luke 2:14-15) – Original Arrangement

Awesome is the Lord Most High (Psalm 47:1-2) – See the Morning by Chris Tomlin

In Christ Alone (Philippians 3:7-8) – Original Arrangement

Hosanna (Mark 11:9-10) – All of the Above by Hillsong

Your Love O Lord (Psalm 36:7) – Original Arrangement

TEACHING: Taking God Seriously – Part 4

How often do we allow our personal prejudices and biases dictate how we view – and treat – other people? As Pastor Mike teaches through the final chapter of Jonah, we see that to take God seriously, we must take people seriously – even when they are different than we are.

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO & VIDEO OF THIS MESSAGE

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. As you reflect on this sermon, what is one principle or insight that stands out as as being particularly helpful, insightful or difficult to grasp?
2. Read and discuss Jonah 4. What do you learn about the nature of God? What do you observe about the nature of man?
3. What is the significance of the plant in these verses?
4. Where is Jonah’s prejudice or bias evident in these verses?
5. “Christians have become really good at being good.” Do you agree or disagree? Why? What are the implications of this statement?
6. Why is the human heart pulled to bigotry? How do you see this played out in the world? How do you see it played out in the church?
7. How does the Gospel of Christ deal with our bent toward bias, prejudice and bigotry?

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Everything Glorious by Chris Tomlin (Passion)

God Is With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – Louder Than Creation by Michael Olson (North Point)

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

Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalms 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin

All Creatures Of Our God And King (Psalm 148:13) – Original Arrangement

How Great Is Our God (Psalms 145:3-4) – Arriving by Chris Tomlin

TEACHING: Taking God Seriously – Part 3

Obedience is a key part of the Christian life, and God enables us in whatever He has called us to. It is not our purpose as Christ-followers to pass moral judgement on the world and society at-large. Rather, we are to uphold the testimony of the Gospel by holding fellow Christians accountable to obedience to the Word of God.

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO & VIDEO OF THIS MESSAGE

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What’s one thing from this sermon that you hope we talk about as a group?
2. Read and discuss Jonah 3. What do you learn about the nature of God? What do you observe about the nature of man?
3. In Jonah 3:1, what is the significance of God coming to Jonah a “second time”?
4. Can a person take God seriously without obeying Him? What role does obedience play in the Christian life?
5. Do you think Christians are known most for what we are against, rather than what we are for? Why?
6. Discuss this statement. Do you agree or disagree and why? “As followers of Christ, we do not have the right to impose our moral views on society.”
7. Has God ever given you a specific calling to do or be something or to go somewhere?
8. Have you been obedient to that calling? If yes, how did you experience God’s enabling? If no, how can your small group encourage you toward obedience?

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong

Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship

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

God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong

Jesus Paid It All (Colossians 2:13-14) – North Point Live by Kristian Stanfill (North Point)

TEACHING: Taking God Seriously – Part 2

Jonah needed some dramatic encounters with God’s all-knowing, all-powerful presence to take Him seriously – including being swallowed alive by a great fish. Such divine discipline is painful, but God can use it to bring us closer to Him and to prepare us for greater ministry.

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO & VIDEO OF THIS MESSAGE

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Can you remember a time where you felt like you were receiving chastening or discipline from the Lord? How did that time affect your life afterward?
2. Read Jonah’s prayer in Chapter 2. What truths about God does Jonah cling to?
3. How are “the big three” attributes of God revealed in this chapter – omniscience (God knows all things), omnipotence (God has all power over all things), omnipresence (God is everywhere)?
4. How have you experienced the “bait and switch” nature of sin? Is there an area right now where you’re believing that “life will be better when…”?

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Our King Has Come (Romans 5:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship

How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Original Arrangement

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

Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong

I Stand Amazed (2 Corinthians 8:9) – North Point Live by Candi Shelton (North Point)

TEACHING: Taking God Seriously – Part 1

The story of Jonah is about a man who knows God and has sound theology,  but does not take Him seriously. In this way, the story of Jonah is really the story of our lives. We are more fearful of those who might find out about the hidden aspects of our lives rather than the One who already knows. All sin can be traced back to not taking God seriously.

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO & VIDEO OF THIS MESSAGE

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. As you reflect on this sermon, what insight, idea or statement really stuck with you? Why?
2. Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt like you were running from God? What happened?
3. Read and discuss Jonah 1. What does this chapter tell you about the nature of man? What does it tell you about God?
4. How are “the big three” attributes of God revealed in this chapter – omniscience (God knows all things), omnipotence (God has all power over all things), omnipresence (God is everywhere)?
5. What are some ways you see yourself reflected in Jonah?
6. Is there currently an area of your life where you are not taking God seriously? Spend some time in prayer with your small group for these areas.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

The Church – For the Honor by Elevation Worship

Let Our Kingdom Come (Psalm 59:16-17) – Valley of Vision by Sovereign Grace Music

Great in All the Earth (Psalm 47:1-2) – I Will Go by Starfield

Glorious (Psalm 72:18-19) – Glorious by Paul Baloche

TEACHING: The World Is Waiting – 2012 Missions Conference

As part of RBC’s annual Missions Conference, nine missionaries from every corner of the globe joined us last week to share how God has been working in their respective ministries.

Listen to Bill Hurley’s November 4 message, “On Mission”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Share anything new you learned this week about missions work, or about any of the countries and regions represented by RBC missionaries.
2. Read Romans 1. How does this passage change the way you think about sharing the Gospel? How does it affect your view of missions?
3. Is it more important to be a missionary “goer” or a “sender”?
4. Are you willing to follow God wherever may lead you? If you are comfortable, talk about the calling God has placed on your life and whether you feel like you’re pursuing it.
5. Spend some time praying for the missionaries we heard from this week, or any of the other RBC missionaries. Learn more here about ways you can pray.