Matthew

Matthew 5:1-12: The Beatitudes

1. Does anyone know why these are called the “Beatitudes?” Where does that word come from? (Link for answer)

2. Each Beatitude starts with "Blessed are..." but speaks of circumstances we don't usually associate with blessing (mourning, meekness, persecution), so how do we understand these things as “good, lovely, happy?”

3. Let’s look at a few beatitudes in more detail:

   1. How could it be blessed to be “poor in spirit?” Can you think of any other scriptures that speak to this condition or its value in the spiritual life? (Psalm 34:18)

   2. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). How does the biblical definition of meekness differ from the world's definition? How do we see the value of meekness demonstrated in other parts of Scripture, such as in the life of Moses (Numbers 12:3)

   3. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6). What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? How could this hunger lead to a blessed life?

   4. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). In what situations could you make peace? What challenges do you face in trying to promote peace?

   5. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Why do you think righteousness provokes persecution? How should Christians respond to persecution?

4. Make a list of “stereotypical” Canadian beatitudes. What is considered “blessed” in Canada? (i.e. blessed are the homeowners, for they will receive equity; blessed are the highly educated, for they will be highly honoured).

   1. After you’ve come up with some other “Canadian beatitudes,” discuss the difference between what Jesus and Canadians think is blessed.

Matthew 4:12-25: Jesus begins his public ministry

1. Jesus began his ministry by preaching "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."(v.17) How do you understand the phrase "the kingdom of heaven"? What does it mean for it to be "at hand"?

2. Jesus chose to start his ministry in a low-key manner in Galilee, a place considered backward and unimportant. How does this contrast with the typical way new projects or ventures are launched in our society? What can we learn from Jesus' approach?

3. Jesus called the first disciples with a promise to make them "fishers of men." How does this mission apply to our church community today? What activities/actions do fisherman “do” that are helpful metaphors for the church?

4. Do you agree with Ben that not all Christians are individually called to be “fishers of men?” Why or why not?

5. What do the disciples give up to follow Jesus? What does this level of commitment look like in our own lives? Are there things that God might be calling us to give up in order to follow Him more closely?

6. How does one know if you are called into vocational/full-time ministry? Has anyone in the group seriously considered full-time ministry? Why or why not?

7. Jesus not only preached the gospel but also healed every disease and affliction among the people. How does this holistic approach to ministry (addressing both spiritual and physical needs) challenge the way we do church today?

Matthew 4:1-11: Temptations/Tests in the Wilderness

1. What is the difference between a test and a temptation? Do you have any examples from your own life of either? (Bonus points: Anyone remember the Greek word used for both?)

2. Which of the three interactions with the devil do you classify as a test vs. temptation? Why? How does it change the meaning of the story?

3. What is “under” the temptation of stones to bread? What is the problem with this particular test?

4. What is “under” the temptation to jump off the temple?

5. What is “under” the temptation to worship the devil and receive the kingdoms of earth and their glory?

6. If you had to explain the point of this story in one sentence, what would you say?

7. Read Hebrews 4:14-15. What does it feel like to have a high priest who sympathizes with you in your weakness?

8. Does the story in Matthew 4 make you more confident in approaching God? Why or why not?

Matthew 27:11-26: Good Friday

1. What was your favourite part of Good Friday? Anything you found especially meaningful or helpful this year?

2. First, make sure everyone understands the context. What is happening in this passage? Why is Jesus standing before Pilate, and what are the charges against Him?

3. Pilate tried to absolve himself of responsibility by washing his hands. What was the problem with this? Why is he not as innocent as he seems?

4. Why did Jesus choose not to speak? How does Jesus’ silence contrast with all our sins of speaking?

5. The crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus. Have there been times in your life when you've intentionally chosen something or someone over Jesus? Do you think this can happen unintentionally?

6. What exactly did the chief priests envy about Jesus? In what ways does humanity envy God in general?

7. Ben concluded by asking if you can say with your heart and mouth, "For me, he died." Where are you at with this question? In what ways is it hard to say this?

Matthew 3:13-17: Baptism of Jesus

1. This passage provides a glimpse of the Trinity. What roles do each of the Father, Son and Spirit play? Why is the Spirit symbolized as a dove?

2. What does it mean that Jesus being baptized would “fulfill righteousness?”

3. If John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance (Matt 3:2), why did Jesus need to be baptized?

4. In what ways does this baptism tell us about Jesus’ humility and his identifying with humanity? (Phil. 2:5-8)

5. How does the baptism of Jesus here differ from Christian baptism (Matthew 28:19-20)?

6. What are other times that the Father speaks from heaven to or about the Son? (Matthew 17:5, John 12:28). What is significant about these three events?

7. This baptism happens at the start of Jesus’ ministry. Why is that significant?

8. If you have some time, read this Gospel Coalition article out loud together. What stuck out to you?

Matthew 3:1-12: The ministry of john

1. Why do you think John's message of repentance was so appealing and impactful to the people of Jerusalem and Judea?

2. Share a personal experience of a time when someone else's confrontation or rebuke led you to repentance or a change of heart.

3. How can we cultivate a heart that is open to being confronted or rebuked by others, even when it comes from unexpected sources?

4. Discuss the difference between repentance as merely fleeing consequences and true repentance that leads to a change in behavior. (Acts 3:19; 2 Corinthians 7:10)

5. “Repentance is not depending on past performance.” How have you seen this play out in church world? How do we avoid this?

6. Read Acts 19:1-7. What do we learn about John’s baptism vs. Christian baptism?

7. Do you think baptizing with fire is a positive or negative metaphor? Give your reasons. What would it symbolize in either case?

Amos

Questions and Links for Amos 9

1. What kind of structure has an “altar,” “thresholds” and “capitals?” Why is this significant?

2. Read Psalm 139:7-12. What similarities does this passage have to Amos 9:2-4? What differences? Why does God’s presence “feel” different at different times?

3. Why does God compare Israel to pagan nations in vs.7? What is he saying about Israel?

4. What lessons do you take from all of the more difficult, sad and hard parts of Amos? What are you taking away?

5. Compare vs. 1 and vs.11. Which structure is more stable when God acts? Why is this significant?

6. Why is the booth of “David” important for Israel? What does it say to them about their king?

7. What does it mean for a plowman to overtake a reaper or for a treader of grapes to overtake the sower of seeds? What exactly is God promising?

8. How are the promises here a kind of reversal of Gen. 3:17-19?

9. Has the end of Amos 9 come to pass yet? Why or why not?

10. What do you find helpful about the prophetic books? What are you taking away from this series as a whole?

Questions and Links for Amos 8

1. In a vision, Amos sees a basket of summer fruit. God says that this basket of fruit signifies the “end” of Israel. What are the two ways that a fruit basket is connected to the end of Israel?

2. In vs.4-7, Amos says that the merchant class / businesspeople of Israel have sinned in three different ways: in what their business people cause in others, in what the people desire and in what the people do. A few questions are related to this teaching:

   1. To what extent are business people responsible if the poor are being crushed?

   2. How can you distinguish between sinful ambition and a non-sinful desire to succeed and be generous?

   3. What are some ways that businesses shortchange or cheat people today?

3. Why is it that so few people think they have a problem with money? Why did Ben suggest that we have a working hypothesis that “money could very easily become a problem for me?”

4. If you have time, read 1 Timothy 6:6-11 and James 5:1-6 and compare with Amos.

5. What biblical events do vs.9-10 remind you of? There are a few examples. What does this tell us about these verses? How and when are they fulfilled?

6. Some modern churches claim that we are currently experiencing Amos 8:11-13. Do you think that is true? Why or why not?

7. What is the difference between these verses and Matthew 5:6? How does Jesus change the way we understand these verses?

Questions and Links for Amos 7

1. Reflecting on the visions of Amos and the symbols of locusts, fire, and a plumb line, what do these images reveal about the nature of divine judgment? (Refer to Amos 7:1-9 for context)

2. How does the intercessory role of Amos contrast with the reaction of Amaziah, and what does this teach us about responding to God's warnings? Discuss the importance of intercession in our own lives and church. (Amos 7:10-17)

3. In what ways do we see modern parallels to the defiance of Amaziah when confronted with divine truth? How can we guard against the temptation to reject or avoid God's word? (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

4. The sermon drew a connection between the repentance of Nineveh and the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge. How do these stories illustrate the potential for change when warnings are heeded? (Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 15:7)

5. Considering the resistance faced by prophets and truth-tellers, how should we respond when receiving a message that challenges us or makes us uncomfortable? (Jeremiah 20:7-9; Galatians 4:16)

6. In the sermon, there was an emphasis on not shying away from churches or teachings that confront us with uncomfortable truths. Discuss the role of a faith community in helping us face these truths and grow spiritually. (Ephesians 4:15; James 1:22-25)

7. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. How have prophetic messages or moments of deep introspection led to renewal in your life? Share instances where you felt called to change direction. (Psalm 51:10-12; Romans 12:2)

Questions and Links for Amos 5:18-6:13

1. What does Amos mean by the Day of the Lord? What will it include? Do you know any other famous passages about the Day of the Lord? (Joel 2, Zeph. 31, Jer. 31)

2. What is the relationship between 5:18-20 and 5:21-23? What does their worship have to do with the day of the Lord?

3. If you want to listen to “Instead of a Show” by Jon Foreman, here is a Spotify link. What does Foreman get right about Amos 5?

4. What is the relationship between Amos 5:24 and repentance? What does it tell us about repentance?

5. Why do the people feel at ease in Zion and Samaria (vs.1)? Should they feel at ease?

6. What should the example of the foreign cities in vs.2 have taught Israel?

7. What kinds of luxurious living does Amos call out in vs.4-6?

8. Is luxurious living sinful? Why or why not? What other biblical passages come to mind for how we should think about luxury?

9. Read Luke 12:13-21 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19. What does this teach us about wealth and luxurious living? Whether or not you consider yourself rich, how might you apply these passages to your own life?

10. God says that he hates Israel’s strongholds (vs.8). Why does he say that? What is wrong with having a strong military?

11. What is the underlying temptation that comes with wealth, a strong military, great beauty, business/life success?

For a long read on the Day of the Lord, here is an essay from the Gospel Coalition.

Questions and Links for Amos 5:1-17

1. Amos starts by singing a lament. First, what is a lament? Any other famous laments in the Bible that you can think of? (2 Samuel 1, Jeremiah 4:8, Acts 8:2)

2. What do you think about the variation in Amos’ style of trying to persuade Israel? What does lamentation add?

3. In vs. 5, what is the difference between Israel seeking Bethel/Gilgal/Beersheba and seeking God? What are modern examples of this?

4. If vs.7 is a summary of Israel’s sins, what does it mean to turn justice into wormwood?

5. Why is a lack of justice and righteousness such a big deal?

6. Why do you think Amos mentions that God created the Pleides and Orion? (Hint: Look at 5:26)

7. Is there a difference between seeking God (vs.4 and 6) and seeking good instead of evil (vs.14, 15)?

8. What does the second part of vs.15 indicate about whether or not God will take the people back?

9. Read Luke 19:1-10. What light does this story shed on “man seeking God” and “God seeking man?”

Questions and Links for Amos 4:1-13

1. Amos opens by calling the women of Israel “cows.” If you read vs.1-5, in what ways are they acting like cows?

2. What does it mean in vs.2 that “the Lord has sworn by his holiness?” Is this different from “Thus says the Lord?”

3. What is the main problem with the way Israel is worshipping in vs. 4 and 5?

4. What are some warning signs in our own lives that some has gone awry in our worship?

5. God tells the people that he tried five different methods of getting Israel to return to him (vs.6-11). What are the five ways?

6. Discuss how to reconcile a God that uses disaster to call his people back to him? Why does God do this? How do we understand this kind of action in light of his other attributes? Is this a paradox? A tension?

7. What does it look like for us to return to God? How does this work itself out in day-to-day life?

8. What is the “threat” in vs.12? Why should Israel be worried about meeting God?

9. Why is the God that Israel meets so “different” from the God we meet in the incarnation of Jesus?

10. Why does Amos begin with so much bad news? Why has the book been so bleak? What do you think God/Amos is doing from a high level view?

Questions and Links for Amos 3:1-15

1. Why does the chapter begin with “hear this word?” Where else does this come up in Amos? Where else in the Bible?

2. Find the word ‘therefore’ in the second verse. What does it signal? What is it telling us about the relationship between covenant status and responsibility?

3. Read Luke 12:43-48. What is the relationship of this parable to Amos 3? Read vs. 48 carefully. What is the principle being held up by Jesus?

4. What does vs. 6 have to tell us about “bad luck"?”

5. Does God still send prophets today (vs.7 and 8)? How are the people of God taught and warned in today’s world?

6. What are the two general categories of things that the Lord says he will strike in vs. 14-15? (Wealth and Religious practice). Why these two things?

7. How can we tell when our faith (religious practice) is growing cold?

8. How can we tell when our wealth (as little or much as we have) is negatively impacting our faith?

Questions and Links for Amos 2:4-16

1. Why would Judah be named and condemned in a sermon to Israel? What is Amos/God up to?

2. What does it mean that Judah’s “lies have led them astray?” Compare Romans 1:25.

3. Judah is judged according to a higher standard (the law). Does that feel fair to you? Why or why not? (If you have some time, read Romans 3:1-8 and discuss how it relates to Judah being judged according to the law)

4. Why is it important that Amos cites seven specific sins that Israel has committed (instead of one or two)? What is the rhetorical effect?

5. Why does Amos go after the Israelites for social injustice as opposed to idolatry or breaking the first commandment? (Amos 5:21-23 has a clue if you are stuck)

6. If the seven sins are all related to exploitation of the powerless (as Ben argued), in what ways are the powerless exploited today? What should we be on the lookout for?

7. How does God’s past behaviour function as a counter-example to the behaviour of the Israelites? (vs.9-11)

8. What should Israel’s response have been to God’s love and salvation?

9. Why does God promise destruction to Israel’s army? If God is taking away the things they have trusted in, how might we see similar judgment play out today?

Questions and Links for Amos 1:1-2:3

1. Before this sermon, what (if anything) did you know about the book of Amos?

2. Review some of the biographical details. What was Amos’ profession? Where is Tekoa (link)? Under which kings did Amos minister? (If you have some time, read 2 Kings 14:23-29 to get a sense of Israel during Amos’ ministry)

3. Some commentators argue that vs. 2 functions as an introduction to the whole book, that it is not part of the first sermon, but a kind of explainer for everything else that follows. If that is true, what does vs. 2 foreshadow? What kind of tone is set?

4. Is it common in the Bible to compare God to a lion? Any evidence for or against? (If you need help, see Hosea 5:14, 13:7, 11:10; Joel 3:16, Rev. 5:5 but also… 1 Pet 5:8 😳)

5. The rest of this section has six stanzas about six nations. What are the parts that repeat? What do you see in each section?

6. Will God judge the nations for what they do? On what standard? What does this mean for us as citizens/residents of Canada?

7. How this kind of sermon by Amos engage our emotions? What kind of feelings does this whole passage evoke? Why do you think he writes/speaks in this way? What does this tell us about the spiritual life in general?

GALATIANS

Questions and Links for Galatians 6:11-18

1. Why do you think Paul wanted to write the final greeting in his own hand? What are his (likely) motivations for doing so?

2. What do vs.12-13 reveal about the motivations of the Judaizers?

3. Do you think vs. 14 and 15 are a summation of the letter to the Galatians? Why or why not?

4. Why do you think Paul includes vs. 17? What does it add to his argument and the letter as a whole?

Galatians Summary Questions:

1. Summarize the message of Galatians into six words or less.

2. Share a favourite verse or two from this book and why it was so meaningful to you.

3. What would we be missing (biblically) if Galatians had never been written? (i.e. what is unique to this letter?)

Questions and Links for Galatians 6:1-10

1. Have you had the experience of trying to restore someone who was sinning? How did it go? What did you learn from that experience?

2. How can one distinguish between burdens (vs.2) and loads (vs.5)? What happens if you think someone has a burden and they think it is a load? How can you help?

3. Why does Paul include multiple warnings in vs. 3 and 4? How do these warnings relate to the relational issues Paul is addressing?

4. How does vs. 6 fit with vs. 1-5? Why does Paul include it here?

5. Restate the principle of vs. 7 in your own words. Where have you seen this law show up in your life or the life of the church?

6. In what areas do you tend to grow weary in sowing? Any place you are tempted to give up?

7. Why does Paul highlight doing good to the household of faith? Why is this the place we are “especially” to do good?

QUESTIONS AND LINKS FOR GALATIANS 5:16-26

1. What are the two natures at work in every Christian? Why does Paul choose the word ‘flesh’ to represent the sinful nature?

2. What is set in opposition to the Spirit in vs.16? What is set in opposition to the Spirit in vs. 18? What does this tell us about how the sinful nature/flesh operates?

3. List all of the words that describe a Christian’s relationship with the Spirit (hint: I count at least 4). What significance do you find in these various descriptors?

4. What does it mean to “crucify the sinful nature (v.24)?” How do you put a passion to death? How do you put a desire to death? How does this relate to walking with the Spirit?

5. Franky listed a few ways to break the works of the flesh into different categories, but there are several ways to group them. What categories can you think of? (religious vs. irreligious, external vs. internal, relational vs. internal vs. oriented toward God). What does this tell us about the human heart?

6. Why does Paul end with a warning about conceit, provocation and envy? How does it relate to the rest of the passage.

For a discussion about the fruit of the Spirit, take a look at this short article. Read it together and then answer the following questions:

1. What stood out most to you?

2. What fruit feels most deficient in your life?

Questions and Links for Galatians 5:1-15

1. The thesis of Paul's last chapters is stated in 5:1. What does Paul teach in these two sentences?

2. What is Paul warning the Galatians against in verses 2-4? Is Paul saying here that the Galatians who are real Christians are going to lose their salvation (v.4)? How does v.10 shed light on v.4?

3. Why do you think Paul would say we hope for righteousness (v.5) when in 3:6 and elsewhere he says we have righteousness? How can we wait for it practically?

4. What does it mean that the gospel makes both “circumcision and uncircumcision” both equally valueless? (vv.5-6)?

5. From verses 13-15, answer the question: “Why does a Christian obey God?”

6. Compare verses 1 and 13. What two different misuses of gospel freedom does Paul spell out (lose vs. abuse)? What are the errors in thinking behind each misuse?

If you have time, read this one page article with some helpful thoughts from Spurgeon and Luther.

Questions and links for Galatians 4:21-31

1. Quick review: (vs.21) What does it mean to be under the law? In what ways are Christians under or not under the law?

2. Read Genesis 16:1-4; 18:10-14; 21:1- 10. What are the differences in the births of the two sons (v.23)?

3. What does Paul say that each mother represents?

4. Why are these two women (and Abraham!) a good example of grace vs. works?

5. Why does Paul quote Isaiah 54:1? How is Sarah an encouragement to those who view themselves as failures or disappointments?

6. What does it mean to cast out the slave woman and her son? In what ways do we need to do that today?

If you have time, read this article about the hidden story of forgiveness in this passage.

Questions and Links for Galatians 4:8-20

1. What kind of religion did the Greek Galatians have before they heard the gospel--a Biblical one or an idolatrous one? What kind of religion are they in danger of turning to now? What are the implications of Paul calling a prospective lapse a "turning back" to idolatry?

   • Related Quote that may be helpful: “How can a bondage to the law be called a bondage to evil spirits [false gods]?....What Paul means is that the devil took this good thing (the law) and twisted it to his own evil purpose, in order to enslave men and women...” (Stott, p.105)

2. In verse 9, Paul says that they know God and then seems to correct himself and says, “...or rather are known by God.” Why does Paul add this correction? What principle is he getting across? How is this an antidote for works- righteousness?

   • See I Cor.4:3-4 for a helpful cross reference

3. What brought Paul to the Galatians in the first place? What does that teach us about suffering and thwarted plans (Also see.2 Cor.12:7-10)?

4. How does Paul’s ministry differ from the ministry of the false teachers as to it’s goal and means? (See v.16-17, 19-20)

5. Ben argued that ‘worldly ministry’ is often characterized by three things (detailed below). Have you experienced these things? What was that like? How do we avoid these dynamics?

   • There are weird push-pull dynamics between the leadership and the people, a feeling of being jerked around, constantly toggling between being the golden child and the prodigal.

   • Any “encouragement” that comes from a leader seems designed to get you to do something else for them. Encouragement is an end in itself, not leverage to get you to do more.

   • If a ministry is centred around building up a leader, not the building up of the body as a whole, that is a major red flag.

6. If you have time, read the attached pdf about healing idolatry through the gospel.

Questions and Links for Galatians 4:1-7

1. Why is an heir no different from a slave as long as he is a child? Who is vs.1 about: Israelites under the old covenant? New testament Christians? Jesus?

2. If Christians are heirs, what are we set to inherit? Does this make an emotional/heart level difference to you? Why or why not?

3. What are the elementary principles of the world? What does it mean to be enslaved to them?

4. Why was it important for our redemption for Jesus to be born of a woman? Why was it important for him to be born under the law? What would have happened if it weren’t so?

5. What is/was the Spirit sent to do? How is it different from what the Son was sent to do? (Hint: The difference between legal status of sonship and actual experience of sonship).

6. What does it mean for Christians to “cry out” to God as Father?

If you have time, this is a great worksheet on the difference between living as a son/daughter of God vs. living like an orphan. If you can, print a few of these in advance.

Questions and Links for Galatians 3:10-29

1. What does it mean to be under a curse?

2. Why does it mean for Christ to bear our curse or redeem us from the curse?

3. What principle is laid down in v. 18a? Compare and contrast what it means to receive something by promise vs. receiving something by law? (Contrast gifts vs. wages)

4. Why was the law of Moses not able to set aside or add to the promises spoken to Abraham?

5. TOUGH QUESTION: What does the end of vs.19 and 20 mean? ESV Study Bible note says: put in place through angels by an intermediary. Deuteronomy 33:2 talks about God coming from Sinai, where he gave the law, “from the ten thousands of holy ones,” so the angels were present with God on that occasion (cf. Acts 7:53; Heb. 2:2). Moses was God’s “intermediary” in the gift of the law to Israel (Lev. 26:46; John 1:17). The Mosaic law was part of a temporary covenant never intended to last forever. Now that Jesus has come as the true offspring of Abraham, the Mosaic law is no longer in force. Therefore, circumcision is no longer required, since it is part of the Mosaic covenant.

6. What does it mean that the “Scriptures imprisoned everything under sin?” How does that lead us to faith in Christ (as the end of vs. 22 says)?

7. Vs. 27 says that all Christians have clothed themselves (“put on”) with Christ. What are the implications of the metaphor?

8. How do we maintain distinctiveness/individuality while also emphasizing our unity in Christ?

9. If you have extra time, read and talk through the attached document. Ignore the top part of pg.1. This article deals with sins related to speaking and how we deal with them in the gospel. Article.

Questions and Links for Galatians 3:1-9

1. What can we learn from 3:1-3 about how the Galatians came to Christ from paganism? (What was presented to them? How did they respond? What was the result?)

2. What can we learn from 3:3-5 about how the Galatians are to grow spiritually, now that they are Christians? How are the Galatians to grow?

3. Paul is warning the Galatian Christians that it is easy to fall back into works-righteousness as we try to overcome sin and live the Christian life. Give some examples of how we must deal with sin through “believing the gospel” rather than just “human attainment.”

4. If you have time, read Genesis 15:1-19. What does it mean that Abraham's faith was credited/counted? On what basis does God credit righteousness to Abraham?

5. How is Abraham's saving faith a model for us?

6. If you have time, you can read the attached article and answer the questions at the end.

   
   

Questions and Links for Galatians 2:15-21

1. Opening question: What class in high school or college/university did you find very difficult and hard to follow?

2. Define your terms: What does justification mean? What does “works of the law” mean?

3. Discuss this statement: “You aren’t a Christian because you are good at being a Christian.” How does this statement help you understand justification by faith? How is it inadequate?

4. How do we square the understanding of justification found in this passage with other passages that emphasize obedience and continuing in the faith (Parable of the Sower for instance…)

5. If someone asked you, “why do we have to be obedient if justification is true?” How would you answer? (You can read Romans 7:4-6, it can offer some help)

6. What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? What part of you died on the cross with Christ?

7. Why is justification by faith so hard to remember and live by? Why do even apostles like Peter forget?

Questions and Links for Galatians 1:1-10

1. Look quickly at the start of Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. What are some of the differences you notice between Galatians and these other books?

2. What does it mean to be an apostle?

3. Why does Paul emphasize that his calling was not “from or through men” but also emphasize that his letter is also from “the brothers who are with me?”

4. How does Paul quickly summarize the gospel? What elements does it contain (vs.3 and 4)?

5. How can Paul say that there is no other gospel and yet the Galatians are also deserting to another gospel? In what ways is there and is there not other gospels?

6. Which part of the gospel message is hardest for you to believe? Read pg.2 of the linked PDF to see which idolatry may appeal to you.

Questions and Links for Mark 12:13-27

1. How does Mark 12:12 set the stage for this passage? How does it relate to the first part of vs. 15 about hypocrisy? Or vs. 18 about the Sadducees and resurrection?

2. Why the flattery of vs. 14? What are they trying to accomplish by it?

3. Read Romans 13:1-7. What are some of the things that ‘belong’ to Caesar? Also, when we say they belong to Caesar, in what sense do we mean that?

4. Read Psalm 50:10-12. What things belong to God?

5. How does Psalm 50 (and other similar passages) change how we view our kids? Our work? Our possessions?

6. As for the story in vs. 19-22, do you think it is a) mocking a belief in the resurrection, b) a hopeful attempt by the Sadducees to get Jesus on their side, c) a sincere question based on a true story?

7. What does it mean that Jesus accuses them of neither knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God? (vs.24) What exactly is he accusing them of?

8. In what ways are resurrected humans like angels? In what ways are they unlike angels?

9. Read 1 Cor. 15:42-49. How does this relate to vs. 25 and marriage in the life to come?

10. If the dead in Christ are not currently resurrected, what is their current state? Where are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob right now? (see Luke 23:43, 2 Cor. 5:8)

Questions and Links for Mark 12:1-12

1. Why does Jesus teach in parables? Why not speak plainly?

2. What is the vineyard intended to represent? (See Psalm 80:1-2. Isaiah 5:1 for reference). Who are the tenants? Who is the landlord?

3. Summarize the meaning of the parable for the Jews who would have been listening to Jesus tell this story (see vs.12 for a clue).

4. What does this parable teach us about God? What attributes are on display in this passage?

5. What does this parable teach us about the modern church? In what ways are we (or are we not) a vineyard? Are we the old tenants? Are we the new tenants? (vs.9)

6. What does vs. 10 have to tell us about the meaning of this parable for today? You can read Psalm 118:22-23 to see these verses in their original context).

Question and Links for Mark 11:12-33

1. In your own words, why is Jesus frustrated with the fig tree?

2. How do we know that this fig tree is a kind of metaphor or symbol for Israel and the church?

3. How can you tell if fruit and not just leaves are growing in your life?

4. Read Jeremiah 7:11. What is Jesus accusing the temple of becoming?

5. Why do the religious leaders get so angry at Jesus? Do they think the temple is working fine?

6. In what way should we understand vs.23 and 24? What context needs to be added? (1 John 5:14, Phil 4:19)

7. If you were answering the Pharisees question in vs.28, how would you summarize Jesus’ right to do what he is doing?

If you want to read more about Tim Keller, here is a link to a secular obituary from the New Yorker, an obituary from our denominational magazine and one from Christianity Today.

Questions and Links for Mark 10:32-52

1. Why does Jesus have to remind his disciples so many times about his soon-to-happen death?

2. Some people were amazed at Jesus’ courage, while others were feeling fearful. If you can place yourself in the scene, which reaction do you think you’d have? (Or is there a third reaction you think you’d have?)

3. How would you summarize what James and John really want from Jesus?

4. Why is what they want antithetical to Christianity and the way of Jesus?

5. Is Jesus opposed to authority in the church? Why or why not? What should church authority look like?

6. What are some of the contrasts drawn between Bartimaeus and the disciples? What about between Bartimaeus and the rich man from the previous passage?

7. If Jesus asked you, “what do you want me to do for you?” how do you think you’d answer that?

Questions and Links for Mark 10:13-31

1. How should Christians think about children? What are some biblical passages that apply to children in general?

2. Do all children belong to the kingdom of God? Why or why not?

3. Let’s talk about the rich man. Why do you think he called Jesus good? Did he believe in Jesus as God?

4. Do you think he was telling the truth when the rich man said he had kept all the commands? (For a fun cross reference, take a look at what Paul says in Phil. 3:6).

5. What does it mean that Jesus loved the man? What does it mean for us?

6. How do we know that vs. 21 is descriptive not prescriptive? (i.e. how do we know that not all Christians need to sell everything and follow Jesus? Or maybe we do?)

7. In what ways is it harder for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God?

8. If you are or end up wealthy, how do you guard against its temptations?

Questions and Links for Mark 10:1-12

1. Read Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Under what circumstances is a “certificate of divorce” allowed? How were the Pharisees going beyond Scripture?

2. How does it change our understanding of marriage and divorce if God is making two people into one flesh?

3. Why does this account leave out any sanctioned reasons for divorce? (i.e. what is the purpose of the passage?)

4. What reasons does the Bible give as reasons one can divorce? (Read Matt 5:31, 1 Cor. 7:15).

5. Why do Christians often disagree about divorce and remarriage? How should we treat Christians who disagree on this topic?

6. How does 1 cor 7:17 apply to us in tricky divorce/remarriage situations?

If you want a thorough treatment of the PCA Position on Divorce, here is a long paper you can read. If you want to look up a specific passage or question, see page 5 for a table of contents.

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 15

Note for leaders: There are a number of difficult issues in this chapter. Don’t be worried if you don’t have all the answers or if people express significant doubt or questions. There are lots of good resources online to point people to:

The Repentance (or not) of God

The Amalekite Genocide

1. According to the sermon, what factors should we consider as we look at God’s command in vs. 3? What do we need to know about the Amalekites and about the way warfare was conducted in the mid-east?

2. On a scale of 1-10, how much does this command bother you? (1 - not at all, 10 - major hindrance to faith in God). How do you normally deal with these kinds of passages?

3. Read Luke 13:1-5. What does Jesus tell us is the lesson we should take from tragedies of all kinds?

4. In what way does God regret making Saul king (vs. 11)?

5. In what way(s) does God not regret making Saul king (vs.29)?

6. For some context on God’s regret, read the following passages and try to figure out in what way the text is using the word regret/relent/grieve: Exodus 32:12-14, Genesis 6:6, Psalm 106:45, Jeremiah 18:8-10.

7. In vs. 35, it says that Samuel grieved over Saul. In what ways should Christians grieve the sins of others? What do you think that looks like?

8. The final picture of God in this chapter is of God grieving the sins of Saul. How does this picture of God colour in the rest of this passage? Does it change anything for you?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 14

1. Take some time to list what Jonathan believed about God and what Jonathan did. What did he believe and what did he do in response?

2. How can you tell the difference between proactive faith and foolish risk-taking? Any clues in the passage?

3. What do Jonathan’s actions teach us about how we ought to go about living life?

4. Take some time to list all the foolish things Saul did. Can you identify any sins by Saul or is it just un-wiseness?

5. Read Ephesians 5:15-18. Using Saul as a negative example, how should Christians be living? What would a healthy, mature Saul have looked like in this passage?

6. How is God the real hero of this passage? Read Romans 5:6-8. How does Christ’ death relate to foolish and wise people?

If you are looking for a short book on “Finding God’s Will,” here is a review and link to the book quotes in the sermon, “Just Do Something.”

Questions and Links for Matthew 28

1. Share your favourite Easter memories from this past weekend or Easters in the past.

2. Why do you think there were different reactions to the angel? The guards went into a coma but the women were merely afraid?

3. Why did the women leave the tomb with “fear and great joy?” That seems like an unusual combination.

4. What significance does the second half of vs. 9 have? Why the note about embracing Jesus’ feet and worshipping him? (Shows the realness of the resurrection, Jesus accepting worship as God)

5. Do you think the guards believed? What do you think their motivation was for spreading the other story?

6. What does this tell us about why some people refuse to believe the evidence before them?

7. What difference does it make to read the Great Commission as part of the Resurrection story?

8. Look at Matthew 1:23. How is the very last verse of Matthew a “callback” to the very start of Matthew?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 13

1. If you’d like some more background on the weird ellipses in vs. 1, see here. It is from Third Mill Ministry which offers a longer explanation.

2. What are some clues in the text that Saul was not acting like a good king? (Not fighting the Philistines, his son fights for him, he takes credit for the victory)

3. Saul is under pretty intense pressure to do something. Can you recall a time when you felt immense pressure? Can you recall a time when you felt a lot of spiritual pressure and temptation? How did you respond?

4. Read 1 Samuel 10:8 and Numbers 18:7. What commands is Saul breaking?

5. What are the three reasons Saul gives to Samuel for why he did what he did?

6. Of the three (blameshifting, religious excuse, the urgency of the moment), which is the most tempting for you? Or maybe rank them from most tempting to least tempting.

7. Why does God’s punishment seem harsh or overbearing to many people? How should we understand it? Does God still punish like this today? How do we know? (Read Romans 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 for context).

8. Why does the chapter end on such a low note? If you had to guess, what is the narrator setting the table for? What will come next?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 12

1. What pastors or spiritual leaders do you know that have retired gracefully and well at the end of a long ministry? Tell a few stories to encourage the group.

2. This is a farewell speech from Samuel, yet it is not the end of his life. He goes on to confront Saul, anoint David, etc. Why is this speech here in the story of Israel?

3. Why is Samuel so concerned with his reputation and whether or not he has defrauded anyone? (hint: Who was the last priest/judge before Samuel and what were his issues)?

4. Why does Samuel remind them of their history in vs.6-13. How does their history apply to the present moment?

5. What is the significance of it being the time of the wheat harvest? What is the significance of the ‘miracle’ of the thunder and rain?

6. Samuel warns the people not to turn aside after ‘empty’ things. If idols are ‘empty,’ why do people turn aside after them? What is the antidote to turning aside after empty things?

7. Why does Samuel end his speech with a warning instead of an encouragement?

8. How should we apply this kind of passage? What aspects apply to our lives or to the life of our church?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 11

1. Why does Nahash want to bring disgrace on Israel? What does it mean to be disgraced?

2. How is Nahash a symbol for evil that threatens God’s people? How does Matthew 18:9 make this connection?

3. Does it feel like you need salvation? In what ways does this feel true for you?

4. How do we know God is behind Saul’s response? (Find at least three clues)

5. What sorts of things should Christians be angry at? Has there been a time when your anger was righteous?

6. Do you find yourself struggling with the violence of God’s people in the Old Testament? Why or why not? (For a longer treatment of the just war theory from a Christian point of view, read this: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/isis-just-warfare-30-percent-rule/)

7. What does it mean for Israel to “renew the kingdom?”

8. How should modern Christians rejoice greatly in the salvation of God?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 8

1. Do you think hereditary leadership is a good idea? Name some positive and negative examples.

2. Read Deut. 17:14. The similarity in language is striking. Why was their request for a king bad? (Hint: What do they repeat as a reason for wanting a king?)

3. In what ways was Israel like the other nations and in what ways were they to be different?

4. In what ways should modern Christians be like our neighbours and in what ways should we be different?

5. What is the problem with Israel getting what they want from God (v.10-18)?

6. Do you have any personal examples where God answered your prayers and it ended up leading to difficulty? Or where God didn’t answer your prayers and it saved you from difficulty?

7. What else stood out to you from this passage?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 7:3-17

1. Why does Samuel start his statement in vs.3 with “if?” How does this relate to the 20 years between vs. 2 and vs. 3?

2. What does it practically mean to put away idols and serve God? How can you tell if you really turning your back on idols?

3. Why did Samuel want to gather the people together (vs.5)?

4. List all the actions that were taking place at Mizpah. (I count at least 4). What would you call this kind of gathering? (revival? church service? renewal? church party?)

5. The Philistines view this spiritual renewal as a military threat and respond with their army. How is this a test of Israel’s repentance?

6. What is the significance of God thundering against the Philistines? (Cross reference fun: 1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 22:14–15; Psalm 18:13)

7. What is significant about Ebenezer, besides the meaning of its name? See 1 Sam 4:1.

8. Does it feel like “thus far the Lord has helped you” in your life? Why or why not? What light does Jesus’ life and work shed on this question?

Questions and Links for Psalm 131 (Guest Preacher: Chuck Garriott)

First, if you are interested in Ministry to State, the organization that Chuck started and now leads, you can find out more here.

1. How do we know the difference between a healthy ambition/desire for growth vs. not having hearts and eyes that are lifted up and raised too high?

2. What are some examples of things that are too great and marvellous for us to be concerned with?

3. Can we ask deep questions and think profound thoughts? If yes, what exactly is vs. 1 warning against?

4. What does a calm and quiet life look like in Ottawa today? What would your life look like if it was calm and quiet (assuming you keep your current family and job and house etc.)

5. What sorts of images or feelings does picturing a small child with his or her mother bring up for you? How does this change the way we relate to God?

6. Why does David switch from the very personal to the corporate (me to Israel) in vs.3? What do we learn from this sudden transition?

Special Prayer Request: In keeping with Chuck’s work, please take some time to pray for those who work in government - Staffers, ministers, elected officials.

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 6 - 7:2

1. Why could the Philistines not simply send the ark back?

2. Read Lev. 5:14-17. What did Israelites believe about guilt offerings? What would have been the appropriate offering for what the Philistines did?

3. What do Christians believe about guilt offerings? How do we know the sacrifice of Christ is a guilt offering that ‘works?’ (Heb.9:11-14)

4. What is the whole test with the milk cows? How does God answer their test? Why does God 'condescend’ to answer their test?

5. What do the people of Beth-shemesh do right? What do they do wrong?

6. Why were the people struck down? (Numbers 4:20) What does this ‘striking down’ teach you about God?

7. Do you think that you (or others) treat God too casually? What is the problem with such an approach?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 5

1. To get an idea of where the ark travels during 1 Samuel 5 and 6, take a look at this image.

2. Why did the Philistines put the ark of God in Dagon’s temple? What did that symbolize?

3. Does it ever feel like other ‘gods’ are winning in Canada today? How should we understand that feeling/thought in light of this passage?

4. God cuts off Dagon’s hands and head on the second night. What does that symbolize?

5. How should we understand other gods? Do they have power? Are they real? Where do they stand in relation to Yahweh, God of the Bible?

6. Why does God afflict the Philistine people with tumours and terror? What do we learn about God because of this?

7. What is the line between ‘defending God’ in our culture today while also knowing that he can take care of himself? Should we try to defend God? Why or why not?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 4

1. Background fun: If you have never seen “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” start here: https://youtu.be/RfUkwCvXHEo

2. How do we know God is behind the defeat in the first battle? Does this view remove human responsibility or the role of the Philistines?

3. The Israelites decide that the solution to their problem is to bring the ark to battle. Spend some time brainstorming better responses they could have chosen.

4. What is ‘power religion?’ How were the Israelites misusing the ark (and God)? What are some ways ‘power religion’ is used today?

5. Why does the aftermath of the battle matter? What do we learn about God and his promises in the followup to the battle?

6. How would you sum up the work of Eli as a judge? Pros/cons?

7. What is the most meaningful part of this chapter for you? What hits you the hardest?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 3

1. What does it mean that the word of Lord was rare (vs.1)? Is the word of God rare today?

2. Was Samuel a believer in God (vs.7)? What does the narrator mean that he “did not yet know the Lord?”

3. Does God still call people today? In what ways is it the same or different from the way he called Samuel? Do you feel like God is calling you to something specific? (In the PCA, we use the word ‘calling’ to describe someone sensing that they should be a pastor, elder, deacon, etc.)

4. Why does God say to Samuel that they can be no atonement for Eli and his son’s sins? (vs.14). What light does Hebrews 10:26-27 shed on this tricky verse?

5. What does it mean that none of Samuel’s words fell to the ground? What relationship does it have to him being a prophet? (vs.19-20)

6. Who is the hero of 1 Samuel 3? Samuel? Eli? God? If you answer God, in what ways is he the centre and focus of this story?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 2:12-36

1. Did the news about Bruxy Cavey and the Meeting House affect anyone in the group? How has it been handled by people you know?

2. Read Leviticus 3:16. What were the problems with what Hophni and Phinehas were doing? List all the different sins they were committing.

3. Eli refused to discipline his sons (beyond verbal rebuke). How should churches treat ministers they find sinning? What steps should they take?

4. The man of God accuses Eli of ‘honouring his sons above God’ in vs. 29. How can you tell when you are honouring someone over God? What are the signs/signals that it is happening?

5. All throughout the text, Samuel is being contrasted with Eli and his sons. Ben called this “God working in the background.” What do you find comforting about a God who is at work in the background? What do you find hard or challenging or frustrating about a God who works in the background?

6. The man of God announces judgement on Eli, Hophni and Phinehas. Why don’t we see this kind of direct intervention from God today? How does God operate in the ‘foreground’ today?

Questions and Links for 1 Samuel 1 - 2:10

1. For a fun opener, take a look at the 12th Century BC Wikipedia page. Why does 1 Samuel skip all these events?

2. Children were extremely important to ancient peoples. What is the difference between polygamy and Levirite marriage (Deut. 25:5-6)? How do we know polygamy (or open marriage) is against the teaching of the Scriptures? (Matt 19, 1 Cor 7:2)

3. What problems does polygamy cause in this text for: Elkanah? Penninah? Hannah?

4. Hannah cannot have a child and vs. 6 says it is because the Lord has closed her womb. How do deal with this? How do we understand this verse?

5. If anyone is willing to share, please share any experiences you’ve had with barrenness, miscarriage or childlessness. Take some time now or later to pray for those people who share.

6. Why do you think Hannah promises to dedicate her child to the LORD (vs.11)? What does it tell us about her?

7. What does vs.28 teach us about how Christian parents should think of their children?

8. Does Hannah’s prayer in 2:1-10 remind you of any other prayer/song in the Scriptures? (Luke 1:46-56)

9. What parallels exist between Samuel and Jesus in their conception, birth and purpose?

Questions and Links for Malachi 3:6-18

1. What was your first paying job? What did you do with the first money you earned?

2. God calls a failure of Israel to give tithes and contributions “robbery.” Does it feel like robbery to you? Why or why not?

3. How do you decide how much to give away? What guiding principles from the New Testament inform your decisions?

4. Does God still pour out blessing on those who give generously? In what ways?

5. Read vs. 13 again. Does it ever feel vain to serve or give? Do you wonder if there is any profit in it? How should we respond to these thoughts and temptations?

6. Does it matter that other people also choose to give and be generous? Why or why not?

Questions and Links for Malachi 2:17-3:5

1. Malachi begins by accusing the people of “wearying” God with their words. What does it mean to weary God with words? How do we square 2:17 with verses like psalm 62:8?

2. Read Isaiah 40:3-5. What does it mean to prepare the way for God? How did Malachi do this? How did John the Baptist do this? (Mat. 3:1-12)

3. What two images does Malachi use for the coming of God to his people?

4. Which image more accurately represents the last few months of your Christian experience: refining fire or laundry soap? Why?

5. Why the focus on proper offerings in vs. 4? What do proper offerings mean or represent?

6. Which of the sins listed in vs.5 is most often overlooked by the Canadian church? Why?

7. How is the experience of shame related to this passage? What can a Christian who experiences shame be reminded of?

Questions and Links for Malachi 2:10-16

For those who are interested in further study, here are the links to the PCA’s study on divorce/remarriage and the report on abuse.

1. What is your experience with divorce? (e.g. your own, family members.)

2. In verse 10, God describes his relationship with Israel as a “Covenant.” What is a covenant? What are other examples of God’s covenant in scripture?

3. In verses 10-12, Israel’s wrongful divorce and remarriage affected them on a spiritual level, damaging their relationship with God. How might your earthly relationships (marriage) be different if you were to keep your relationship with God in mind?

4. In verse 12, God threatens to “cut off” the descendants of unrepentant Israelites. What do you make of this? Is it wrong for God to cut off or divorce? Are there other passages of scripture that might shed light on this? (e.g. Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 15:30-31)

5. In verse 13, the people cover the altar with tears, but God refuses to answer their prayers. What is God’s reason? Also, how might Malachi 3:6-12 shed light on why the people are crying?

6. Who are the “wives of their youth” (v14) and the “daughter of a foreign god” (v11)? How might Ezra 10 and Nehemiah 13 provide some background for this type of situation?

7. Our culture tends to view relationships as transactional (E.g. you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours.) How does God’s view of marriage differ from this? What is God’s agenda for marriage (v14-15.)

8. Some bibles mistranslate verse 16 to say “God hates divorce.” How does the proper translation shed more light on what God means?

   1. A more proper translation is “The one who hates sends [her] away, says Yahweh the God of Israel, and he covers his garment with violence, says Yahweh of armies.”

9. The prophet tells us to “guard” ourselves twice! (v15-16.) How can we guard ourselves? What hope is offered to us throughout Malachi and into the rest of the scriptures if we keep reading?

Questions and Links for Malachi 2:1-9

1. What was the best teacher you had in school? What made them so great? What was the best pastor you ever had? What made them that way?

2. God says that the priests used to teach rightly and live rightly (v.5 and 6). What do you find more common - pastors who teach well but live poorly? Or pastors who teach poorly but live well?

3. Why do priests bear the responsibility for making the people stumble? Isn’t everyone responsible for their own behaviour?

4. What does God promise to do to the priests who do not hear him and change? (vs. 2 and 3)

5. Does that punishment seem just? Why or why not? If no, how do you handle parts of the Scripture that bother you?

6. Read Isaiah 53:5. How does Malachi 2 shed light on exactly what Christ bore for us?

7. Any other questions or comments you had from the sermon or this passage?

Questions and Links for Malachi 1

1. Have you heard the word oracle before? In what context? What does it mean? (To lift up or carry, according to the Hebrew)

2. Why do you think Malachi chooses “dialogue” as his main literary device? What does it accomplish?

3. How does God demonstrate his love for Israel? Is lack of hate the same thing as love? Do you find this proof compelling? Why or why not?

4. What was the problem with Israel’s sacrifices? Why do you think God says that a closed temple is preferable to half-hearted worship? (vs.10) Isn’t some faith better than none?

5. What aspects of faith have you felt weary about and even sniffed at? (vs.13)

6. If you have time, read Deut. 29:15-24. What are some of the curses for those who fail to honour God?

7. Are Christians under the curse of the law? Why or why not? What do we do when we break the law?

Questions and Links for Revelation 3:14-22

1. Have you ever felt “lukewarm” in your faith? Why did it feel that way?

2. What is the definition of lukewarm according to Jesus? Why is it dangerous to define “lukewarm” by external actions only?

3. How do we reconcile being called “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked” with also understanding that we have value, worth and are loved by God? How we do live in that tension?

4. Read vs.19 again. What does it mean to be reproved by God? What does it mean to be disciplined by God? Read Hebrews 12:6-11 and compare with vs. 19. What stands out?

5. Jesus offers a vision of himself standing outside the church at Laodicea knocking on the door, wanting to come in and eat with them. What does that kind of image mean to you? In what ways should we apply it to our lives and our neighbours?

6. What has stood out to you in the Revelation series? Any images or ideas or applications? (Bonus points if someone can email these to Ben for feedback :)

Questions and Links for Revelation 4

1. [Ice-breaker] In Revelation 4, John is transported into a heavenly worship service, full of otherworldly symbolism so as not to be taken literally. But on earth, worship styles vary from church to church and culture to culture. What worship styles have you experienced? Which are your favourites?

2. In verse 2, John is “in the spirit” and says things look “like” this and “like” that. Essentially, he is describing spiritual realities using physical illustrations. How might we misinterpret Revelation if we get this wrong?

3. In verse 3, God and his throne are described as looking like precious jewels. Perhaps the bright-clear jasper represents his holiness, and the red carnelian represents his fiery judgment. AND around his throne, there is an emerald rainbow, which suggests his mercy (Genesis 9). AKA holiness and mercy hand in hand. What happens to our faith when we see only one of these attributes and not the others? (Hint: legalism, antinomianism) How have you experienced this?

4. Quiz time! Which Old Testament scripture passages might help to explain the following salvation images that accompany the throne? [You may pick someone to read each passage if no one can describe it.]

   • v5 “Flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder”

     • [Answer: Mt Sinai, Exodus 19:16]

   • v5 “seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God”

     • [Answer: Dan 7:9-10; Zech 4:2,10b]

   • v6 “sea of glass”

     • [Answer: Psalm 65:7; 2 Chronicles 4:6; Revelation 15:2-3]

5. In verses 6 to 9, God is surrounded by four living creatures, identified as cherubs in Ezekiel 10:20. They understand that their purpose is to serve God. How might awareness of these spiritual creatures encourage us to find our purpose in serving God too?

6. [Question for groups who meme] Besides biblically-accurate angels, what kind of memes are you into?

7. In verses 10 and 11, there are twenty-four humans casting their crowns before God’s throne, symbolizing both their honourable position as God’s vice-rulers on earth, as well as their desire to glorify him and not themselves. Are there people in your life who have modeled what it looks like to use their authority like this, serving others humbly in their sphere of influence?

Questions and Links for Revelation 3:7-13

1. In verse 7, Jesus says he has the “key of David.” How do Isaiah 22:22 and Revelation 1:18 help to interpret this key?

2. In verse 8, Jesus sets an “open door” before the church in Philadelphia, symbolizing the access they have to God, including a knowledge of God’s unfolding plan of redemption (see Revelation 4). How do you personally walk through the ‘open door’ and commune with God?

3. In verse 9, Jesus says that the members of the “synagogue of Satan” will “bow” before the church. How does Isaiah 60:14 help us to interpret this bowing?

4. What non-christians in your life do you hope will believe in the love of Jesus and “come and bow”? [Select someone and briefly pray for the names mentioned].

5. In verse 10, Jesus says he will “keep” his people from the “hour of trial.” Does this mean that Jesus will remove his people during times of trial, or that he will keep them from falling away from the faith? How might Daniel 12:10 and John 17:15 help to interpret this?

6. In verse 12, Jesus gives his people a permanent place in God’s presence by making them into a “pillar” in the temple. You’re so important to God that if you were to be removed it would destroy the whole thing. How might your thoughts/life be different if you fully believed how important you are to God?

Questions and Links for Revelation 3:1-6

1. Have you ever been part of a church that was almost dead and trying to revitalize? Or a church that did close? What was that experience like?

2. Jesus tells them that the church as Sardis has been choosing reputation over reality. When have you seen that happen in the church?

3. Read 1 Tim 3:7. How do we balance “being well thought of by outsiders” with not caring too much about “reputation” or “name?”

4. What is Resurrection Church’s reputation? Do you think it matches reality?

5. Jesus offers 4 words as a way back: Wake, Strengthen, Remember and Keep. Which of these is the most difficult step for someone with a dead/dying faith? Why?

6. What do you think of Jesus coming against them like a thief? Does it bother you? Encourage you?

7. What 3 rewards are promised to those who conquer? Which is most personally encouraging to you?

If you want to read about the Siege of Sardis referenced in the sermon introduction, here is the wikipedia article.

Questions and Links for Revelation 2:18-29

1. Quiz: As a group, how many of the seven churches in Revelation can you name in 3 minutes? [Answer: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea]

2. v20 Jesus’ complaint against this church is that they are tolerating a false teacher. Can you remember times in your life when you have tolerated/held on to false teaching? What sort of teachings were they?

3. v21 Jesus judged the false teacher in Thyatira because she refused to repent of her teaching and immoral lifestyle. Have you ever gone through a situation where a person of influence in your life refused to repent? If so, what was that experience like for you? Feel free to share as many or as few details as appropriate.

4. v28 Jesus promises to give “the morning star” to his people who persevere. This star is Jesus himself, sharing his reign as the king of kings when he returns. What a great relief to Christians who feel a tension between the pressures of the world around us and the doctrinal and lifestyle commitments of our faith. What areas of life do you feel your need for this star the most? (E.g. raising your children well, workplace environments, etc..)

Questions and Links for Revelation 2:12-17

1. Quiz time! Can anyone recall how Jesus described himself to the church at Ephesus or the church at Smyrna? (Look back at Ch.2:1,8 for the answer). What does Jesus having a sword symbolize?

2. This church has successfully resisted external pressure and persecution but is struggling with internal sin and false teaching? Why is it easier to resist external pressure than internal sin?

3. If you have some time, read both Numbers 22:1-7 and Numbers 25:1-5. What parallels do you see between the story of Balaam/Balak and the church in Pergamum? Consider: the temptation, the people giving false teaching, the outcome (how God feels about it).

4. Can you think of any examples of people promoting compromise with sin? i.e. “It’s not a big deal”

5. What would it look like for a church to repent in this kind of situation? What kinds of actions would it take? What would it do or not do?

6. What are the three promised rewards? How do the promised rewards speak to underlying motivations for eating food sacrificed to idols or practicing sexual immorality?

Questions and Links for Mark 3:7-35

1. [For groups with good humour who can afford 10 minutes to watch an old music video] Hi everyone, Franky here, a certain senior pastor at Resurrection shared this song with me a while back. Pretty campy, pretty dated, pretty cheezy, but pretty awesome. Lyrics here. Enjoy!

2. [Group quiz activity, set a timer for 3 minutes] As a group, see how many of the 12 disciples from Mark 3 you can remember. [Anwers below]

   • Simon (Peter)

   • James (son of Zebedee)

   • John (son of Zebedee)

   • Andrew (Peter’s brother)

   • Philip

   • Bartholomew (Nathanael)

   • Matthew (Levi)

   • Thomas

   • James (son of Alphaeus)

   • Thaddaeus (another Judas, not Iscariot)

   • Simon (the Cananaean/Zealot)

   • Judas Iscariot

3. Lots of people who crowded around Jesus didn’t understand that Jesus was really the one gathering them to teach them the gospel (v14.) Did you ever have a time when the gospel ‘clicked’ after years of being in church? Or is this a process your still going through? Or is it hard to pinpoint a time?

4. Jesus has bound the “strong man” and has plundered his belongings (v27.) He went into Satan’s house to rescue you. Take 1 minute of silence to meditate on him rescuing you. [Leader, don’t let the silence bother you, give them the full minute.]

5. Christians may grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30) by continuing in sin, but it is impossible for a Christian to “blaspheme the Holy Spirit” (v29) because that would mean they have rejected Jesus’ redemptive work. However, all who deny Jesus are guilty of this, and Jesus says they are “guilty of an eternal sin” (v29) which leads to eternal punishment. Is there someone for whom your heart hurts because they keep rejecting Christ?

6. Jesus doesn’t rescue us only from the punishment of our sins, but also from the captivity to sin. Theologians refer to these as Justification (being declared righteous) and Sanctification (being made holy). Sanctification is a process that continues throughout the Christian life with many ups and downs. What has sanctification looked like for you?

7. [For more intimate groups] When do you feel the most captive to sin and in need of a friend to remind you that Jesus has bound the strong man and severed your chains?

Questions and Links for Mark 2:18-3:6

1. Fasting. Some people hate it, some people do it for health reasons. Is fasting something you’d like to know more about?

2. Verse 18, back then, fasting seemed to be an indicator that someone took their faith super seriously. What sort of habits (or lack of habits) do you think of when you imagine a super-serious Christian today?

3. Verse 19, Jesus compares himself to a bridegroom with whom it would be wrong to fast because it’s time to party. When you think of Jesus, do you imagine him this happy? Or do you imagine him only as stoic, somber, or angry?

4. Verse 21, Jesus isn’t here to patch up some old ripped garment, he’s a new set of clothes. Jesus wants you to have a totally new joy in all of life. This doesn’t mean Christians should fake happy, but they should believe that God wants them to have a deep joy in Him in spite of their suffering. How have you experienced this?

5. Verse 22, Jesus is new wine. In what moments or activities do you most deeply drink of his joy?

6. Verse 24, the Pharisees accuse Jesus’ disciples of breaking the sabbath when they plucked grains as they walked. Not that they were breaking the law, but the Mishnah, or commentary on the law. But Jesus explained that he as the “son of man” is Lord of the sabbath, and as such, it is he who can properly explain that the point of the sabbath is for human flourishing. People did not appear to change their minds and believe him in the moment. But have you ever changed your mind on what ‘law-keeping’ looks like for a Christian? (E.g. alcohol, wearing jeans to church, ‘secular music,’ church attendance, etc.)

7. Verse 27, Jesus says that the Sabbath was a gift from God to man, not man a gift for the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a time to rest and be restored. Do you take a sabbath rest? Or do you feel like it wastes your time?

8. Verse 3:5 Jesus is angry. He’s angry because the Pharisees were so quick to want to trap him and make him look like a law-breaker for healing the man with the withered hand on the sabbath. Their hardened hearts were interested more in destroying than in restoring. How about your heart? How quick are you to destroy/restore people whom you disagree with? (E.g. parent’s generation, different political or social groups)

9. Verse 6, the Pharisees sought to destroy Jesus, yet Jesus saved many of them through his death. Paul, a former Pharisee, explains how Jesus transformed his entire life. [Assign someone to read Philippians 3:2-11] How can you actively seek to know more of this Christ?

Questions and Links for Mark 1:14-45

1. John the Baptist (v14) is often referred to as the last of the Old-Testament-style prophets. Are there sections of the Old Testament that you’d like to know more about (Law, Prophets, Wisdom)?

2. Jesus called people to “repent and believe the gospel” (v15.) Was there a key point in your life that you repented and believed, or has this been an ongoing thing since you were a child?

3. Often when Christians understand their own sinfulness they have a hard time believing that God truly wants them. However, Jesus came to “fish for men” (v17.) Take a minute of silence to meditate on this question, “Does God want you?” [[To the group leader: Don’t let the silence bother you, and after the minute passes feel free to ask if anyone would like to share their thoughts.]]

4. Jesus taught (v22.) What theological topics would you like to learn more about? (e.g. God himself, mankind, sin, Christ, salvation, church, his return)

5. Jesus cast out demons (v25,34). In our cultural moment, it is increasingly difficult for Christians to believe in spiritual creatures. Do demons feel real to you, or more like a fairy tale?

6. Jesus has authority over the fate of our bodies (v31,34) and will heal us either in this life or in the next. What about your own body do you long for him to heal?

7. Jesus told people to be silent after his miracles (v25,34) because he wanted to rework their idea of a messiah through his teaching (v38) from being an earthly-miracle-worker king into a suffering-servant king. Though Jesus does truly want us to bring all our woes to him in prayer, what would your prayers be like if you approached the messiah more as a suffering-servant king than as an earthly-miracle worker?

8. Jesus woke up “very early” (v35) to pray to God because he loved spending time in the presence of the Trinity. Is God’s presence something that brings you comfort, fear, both, or something else?

9. [[For groups that are more intimate]] Lepers being physically defiled is a good analogy of our own spiritual defilement. When do you feel most defiled and “untouchable” and in need of Jesus’ cleansing touch?

10. Jesus told the leper to obey the law of Moses regarding cleansing (v44). In the Old Testament, the only person who gave the law and could cleanse lepers was the Lord (Hebrew: Yahweh. Greek: Kurios.) Jesus’ disciples referred to Jesus as the “Lord” (Kurios). How should this affect our understanding of God in the Old Testament? Is Yahweh the Son of God?

Questions and Links for Mark 1:1-14

1. Mark Quiz! Answers at the bottom- How many chapters does Mark have? How many times does Mark use the word “immediately (euthys in gk.)?” Which Mark likely wrote the gospel according to Mark?

2. Mark begins his gospel with an announcement that this is the “gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” What are the two ways “gospel” is used in the Bible?

3. Why do you think Mark doesn’t start with a genealogy (like Luke or Matthew) or with a theological foundation (like John)? What is his point?

4. John appeared to be the messenger who prepared the way of the Lord. Do we still need to prepare the way for the Lord? Why or why not?

5. What does it mean when John says that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit? (See Ezek. 11:18-19)

6. Why is it significant that all three members of the godhead are involved at the baptism?

7. Why does Mark not mention any of the temptations Jesus faced?

8. If belief means to entrust yourself to God, what would it look like right now to believe in Jesus Christ, the son of God? In what areas are you working/struggling to entrust yourself to God?

Quiz Answers: 15 Chapters, 41 “Immediately” uses; Probably John Mark (Acts 12:11-12, Acts 15:36–41)

Questions and Links for Mark 16:1-8 (Easter Sunday)

1. Do you have any Easter memories from growing up? (Alternate: Rank the holidays according to which holiday has the best food - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Canada Day? Halloween? Chinese New Year?)

2. We often say that Jesus was in the ground for 3 days. Approximately how many hours was it from Good Friday to Easter morning? Why do we say three days?

3. The text calls the being at the tomb a “young man.” Why do we think this is an angel? What evidence is there in the text?

4. Read John 20:11-12. How do we reconcile the number of angels at the tomb? (Link for help).

5. The angel says that Jesus is going in front of the disciples into Galilee. Ben argued that other texts teach this same principle, that Jesus goes with and ahead of his people? Does that feel true in your life? Does it feel like Jesus is with and ahead of you?

6. The women leave the tomb in fear, astonishment and silence. How long do you think it took for them to come around? (See Matt 28:8)

7. What was this Easter like for you? Choose a word or colour to describe your celebration of Easter.

If you have never read the John Updike poem “7 Stanzas at Easter,” you can read it here.

Questions and Links for Mark 11:1-11

1. What was Palm Sunday like for you (if you grew up going to church)? Any memories stand out?

2. Look up Zechariah 9:9. What is the context of Zechariah 9? What aspects are being fulfilled here?

3. The people surround Jesus with shouts of Hosanna. What does that mean? (Google it if no one knows). What did the people want to be saved from?

4. When you think of what you want to be saved from, what comes to mind? During which times of life do you want to shout Hosanna? Does that line up with what Jesus offers salvation from?

5. Read Malachi 3:1-3. What aspects is Jesus fulfilling here? What aspects had yet to be fulfilled after the triumphal entry?

6. Why does the salvation and work of Christ sometimes feel abrasive (like Fuller’s soap) or painful (like a refining fire)?

7. If you have time, read one or two of the other accounts of the Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21, Luke 19). Why do you think Mark emphasizes what he does? Why does he leave some things out? What could this tell us about his audience or his goal with his gospel?

Questions and Links for 1 Peter 5

1. Name the five elders of Resurrection Church? (Bonus: Name an elder who attends Resurrection but is technically not an elder of Resurrection Church).

2. In your church experience, where are elders most likely to struggle - serving unwillingly? Using their position for personal gain? Being domineering? Failing to be a good example?

3. For you, what is hardest part of submitting to elders in a church?

4. Peter tells all of them, elders and not-elders, to “clothe yourselves with humility?” What connotations does viewing humility as clothing bring up?

5. Read James 4:1-10. What similarities and differences does this passage have with 1 Peter 5?

6. Does vs.6 imply that if you are humble, you will be exalted in this life?

7. If you would be willing to share, what anxieties pop up most in your life? What makes it difficult to cast them on God?

8. How does knowing that others suffer (vs.9) encourage Christians to resist Satan?

9. What are the big lessons that have stood out to you from 1 Peter? What are you taking from this series?

Questions and Links for 1 Peter 4:7-19

1. Do you have a favourite apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic movie/book/story?

2. What are the four commands that Peter gives to the Christians? Which do you think is the toughest for modern Canadians to obey?

3. Who do you normally have trouble being hospitable towards? The unthankful? Those very different from you? What are the benefits or drawbacks to being hospitable in your particular stage of life?

4. How have you normally thought about spiritual gifts? Are you more of a speaking person or a serving person? Any unusual gifts that you are trying to figure out how to use?

5. What does it mean to share the sufferings of Christ (vs.13)?

6. What is the difference between suffering because you are a Christian vs. suffering for some other reason? Have you seen Christians get this confused?

7. What does it mean for judgement to begin at the household of God?

8. What would it look like for you to entrust yourself to God in your current circumstance?

Questions and Links for 1 Peter 3:8-4:6

1. How have the pressures around you the past two years negatively affected your habits and thoughts (AKA tempted you to lose your religion)?

2. Peter understands that the pressures outside the church can cause problems inside the church. Without divulging names, have you struggled with Peter’s charges in verse 8 to “have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind”?

3. Verse 9: Has there been anyone in your life who exemplifies what it looks like to bless others in response to their cursing/reviling?

4. Take a moment to dwell on these words from Chapter 3 verse 18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” Perhaps memorize them this week.

5. Verse 19: Who are the spirits in prison? (Email Franky when you figure it out.)

6. Peter connects Baptism to Noah’s Ark. Are there any other biblical parallels that come to mind?

7. [Question for more intimate groups, such as men’s or women’s groups]. In 4:1 Peter says to “arm yourselves” with Christ’s suffering as an encouragement to fight sin by taking the road of suffering. Are there certain times during the week when you suffer temptations more strongly than others? [Please refrain from giving any advice to one another until after the study.]

8. 4:4 says the world will be surprised and offended when they see Christians not going along with their way of thinking and acting. What are some difficult topics that you expect to cause tension between you and your non-believing neighbors? How have conversations with them gone in the past? Do you feel equipped to talk with them or do you need more training?

Questions and Links for 1 Peter 3:1-7

1. What did submission mean in the church you grew up in (if anything)?

2. In vs. 1 and 2 Peter assumes that husbands and wives will not always agree. If you are married, would you be willing to share a disagreement you had and how you resolved it? IF you are married to a non-Christian, would you be willing to share how you negotiate disagreements?

3. Is Peter commanding against hair braids and jewelry in vs. 3? Or certain kinds of braids or jewelry? Why does he choose these things to single out?

4. Read Matt. 11:28-30. What light does this shed on the command for wives to be gentle and quiet in spirit? How does quietness of spirit differ from physical/social quietness?

5. Peter calls for husbands to live with their wives according to knowledge. If there are husbands in your group, what things have you learned about your wife that may differ from ‘typical’ women? In what specific ways are you learning to live with your wife?

6. What does it mean for wives to be weaker vessels? What would it mean to honour women as weaker vessels? (Article if you have time)

7. What stuck out to you from the sermon on Sunday? Was anything new or unexpected?

Questions and Links for 1 Peter 2:13-24

1. In your mind is there any difference between “be subject to” and “submit to?” What nuances does each phrase have? (Both are from the same greek word)

2. If you think across the New Testament, in what kinds of relationships or situations are Christians told to submit? (See: Heb 13:7, Eph. 6:1 in addition to this passage and the next one). Why is submission such a prominent theme?

3. For you, what is the most difficult part of being subject to human governments and institutions?

4. Is breaking a minor law (speeding, littering, etc.) a failure to submit to human authorities?

5. Why does Peter not come out and condemn slavery as a whole?

6. If we have more rights as workers than slaves do, what should we do if we have an unjust boss or unjust work situation?

7. How does Christ’s example change how we submit and potentially suffer?

8. What does it mean to die to sin and live to righteousness when it comes to obeying these commands to submit?

If you have extra time, read this article together.

Questions and Links for 1 Peter 2:4-12

1. What does it mean for Christians to be living stones? What does that tell us about the nature of the church? In what way is it living?

2. Do you feel like you are part of a holy priesthood? Why or why not? What would a holy priesthood look like in Ottawa?

3. If we are the spiritual sacrifices that we offer to God, which is the hardest part of your life to offer - your time, your money or your skills/talents? Why?

4. What does Peter mean by the end of vs.8, that some people stumble because they disobey the word as they were destined to do? How are God’s power and human responsibility both emphasized?

5. Read Exodus 19:5-6. How do those verses compare with 1 Peter 2:9? What does this mean about Christians?

6. What does being sojourners and exiles have to do with resisting the “passions of the flesh?”

7. What does Peter mean when he says that non-believers with glorify God because of the good works of believers?

Questions and Links for 1 Peter 1:17-2:3

1. Which is more natural for you - to think of God as Father or as Judge? Why?

2. What does it look like to “conduct yourselves with fear?”

3. What is Peter alluding to in vs.19 when he says that Christ was “like a lamb without blemish or spot?” Read Exodus 12:1-5, 21-27. What does this tell us about the sacrifice of Jesus?

4. Look at vs.22. Do we have pure hearts or mixed motives? How does this affect the way we love one another? What does loving brothers and sisters in the church look like during a pandemic?

5. Which of the sins listed in 2:1 is the most troublesome to the Canadian Church? What about for you personally? Malice? Deceit? Hypocrisy? Envy? Slander?

6. If there is a mother in the group, could you tell us what it was like to have a hungry newborn? What was that experience like? How does that teach us about what it means to long for spiritual nourishment?

7. Can you make yourself long for something? How exactly do we become people who long for spiritual nourishment? What if we don’t? What should that teach us?

Questions and Links for 1 Peter 1:10-16

1. What does Peter mean by the “Spirit of Christ in them” when referring to prophets? What does that mean about their writings?

2. Why don’t angels understand as well as humans?

3. What does it mean to “gird up the loins of your mind?” What relationship does this have to living with hope?

4. What does it mean to be sober-minded?

5. In what kind of situations is it hardest for you to be hopeful? Persecution? Difficult relationships? Your own growth?

6. If you have cross references in your Bible, look up some of the Old Testament passages where God says, “be holy as I am holy.” (If you don’t here are a few: Lev.13:44, 19:2, 20:7, 21:8). In what kind of contexts/situations is God telling his people to be holy?

7. What did holiness mean to Israel? In what ways is holiness different for God’s people today? In what ways is it the same?

8. What do you think it means for you to be holy as a parent? Or at your job? Or with your friends? (or any other area that comes to mind)

Questions and Links for Romans 12

1. What does the “therefore” in vs. 1 refer to? Why is it important for Paul’s point?

2. Why do you think Paul tells them to “present their bodies” to God? What is he trying to emphasize?

3. In what ways are Christians tempted to conform to the world? In contrast, what would transformed minds look like instead?

4. What is the connection between thinking of ourselves rightly (vs.3) and using our gifts (vs.4-8)?

5. Do you know which spiritual gift you have? In what ways have you been able to use it?

6. Of all the commands in vs. 9-21 which is the hardest for Christians in general to obey? Which do you find the most difficult personally?

Questions and Links for 1 Peter 1:1-9

1. What are some things you know about Peter the Apostle that might be helpful in interpreting this letter? Anything you know about the letter of 1 Peter (when it was written, where Peter might have been writing from, etc.)?

2. What does it mean to be an elect exile? Which of these words feels like it describes you better?

3. In the face of hostility are you more tempted to assimilate or withdraw? Why?

4. What is the inheritance that vs. 4 speaks about? Why should this give us hope?

5. How would you explain that “God’s power is guarding you” (vs.5) to a person undergoing suffering or persecution?

6. Why do we normally skip over the grief part of trials (vs.6)?

7. Does anyone have an example of a trial they have been through and how God used it to strengthen their faith?

8. Of everything in this passage, what part stood out most to you and why?

Questions and Links for Haggai 2:10-23

1. Does anyone have any examples of uncleanness spreading further and faster than cleanness? (Reputations, actual dirt, etc.)

2. Read Leviticus 6:25-27. What does this law mean?

3. Read Numbers 19:11-13. What does this law mean?

4. Why does uncleanness spread but holiness not spread?

5. What two things does God tell the people are cursed and stained because of their uncleanness? (vs.14)

6. Why does God choose to bless them now? Was he obligated by their obedience? Why or why not?

7. What does it mean for Zerubbabel to be a signet ring? What does that signify? (see Jer. 22:24-27)

8. As you look back on the book of Haggai, what stands out? What will you take away or remember from this book?

Questions and Links for Haggai 2:1-9

1. Has anyone given up on a habit/resolution shortly after beginning it? Any examples? Why did you quit?

2. Israel is on the verge of giving up. What were some of their reasons? Nothing is written explicitly, so do some detective work and make some educated guesses. (Check out Ezra 5:1-5 for more background information)

3. What are the most common reasons we get discouraged in our spiritual lives?

4. What is the difference between “Be strong and work!” and “Work, for I [God] am with you!” What do you think or feel when you hear the first statement? What changes in the second statement? Even though the text doesn’t say, what effect do you think this encouragement had on the people?

5. Turn to 1 Corinthians 15:58 - what additional light does this verse shed on how we should work as Christians?

6. The prophecies made in vs. 6-9 are a little difficult to understand. If you have time, read Hebrews 12:18-29 and discuss how this New Testament letter helps us understand what Haggai is talking about.

7. How do promises of future good help Israel (or you) persevere in the present?

Questions and Links for Haggai 1

1. What do you know (if anything) about the book of Haggai? Any famous quotes? Any New Testament references?

2. God, through Haggai, accuses them of attending to their own houses instead of building God’s house. What is the difference between taking care of our needs and being overly self-focused? How can we tell when we’ve crossed a line?

3. Church buildings don’t function in the same way the temple did, but what lessons do we learn about the role physical buildings play in our faith?

4. God invites the people to “consider their ways.” Ben explained that God says it twice and it means two things. What two things does God have in mind when he tells Israel to consider their ways?

5. In your life, how have you distinguished between suffering and being punished for a sin?

6. There is a difficult tension to resolve in Haggai 1 around personal prosperity and one’s faith in God. Should Christians expect that God will bless them physically/materially? In what ways? How do we avoid simply being selfish and materialistic?

Questions and Links for Song of Songs 6:4-8:4

1. For those who are married, what have feels like important but also repetitive parts to marriage? For those who are unmarried, comment on this question from the perspective of friendship or family life?

2. The man says in 6:9, that the woman is the only one for him. How important is “compatibility” in looking for a partner? In what ways is it underrated or overrated?

3. Conflict can lead to deepened relationships or to a decay in the relationship. Share about a relational conflict in your life and what it led to (and why).

4. Why is it important for both partners in a marriage to pursue a healthy sexuality? What happens when it is unbalanced or one partner has to do all the work?

5. In 7:11-13, the woman invites him for time away. In any kind of relationship (marriage, friendship, etc.) what role does time away from the usual play? How important has that been in your life?

6. For single people, what has stuck out for you in this series as being particularly applicable or relevant to your current stage? What questions do you still have?

Questions and Links for Song of Songs 5:2-6:3

1. Have you ever had a dream about your spouse (if married)? If it’s appropriate, share a funny or serious dream you’ve had about them.

2. Should we put much stock in dreams? How should we interpret them, if at all?

3. In the dream, there is mismatched desire. At first he wants to be with her and then he leaves when she doesn’t respond. But later she seems to change her mind. If you are married, how have you dealt with mismatched desire? If you are single, comment on mismatched desire from a friendship or family angle. How do we respond when our desire for intimacy/closeness/friendship is mismatched?

4. The lovers ‘lose’ one another through self-focused actions. That is, their relationship suffered because they looked at each other as means to an end. Are there any conflicts you have experienced/felt because you looked at someone as a means-to-an-end (this could be in boss/employee relationship, sibling, parent-child, etc.)?

5. Whom do you complain about the most? Are there parts of your complaint that are self-focused?

6. George Matheson (the hymn-writer who went blind) knew the pains of loneliness through his loss of fiancé as well as his sister. When do you feel the most lonely (even if you’re in a relationship/married)?

7. Only in Christ (not one another) can we find the love that we desperately need. Have there been times that you’ve really felt his love? Are you in a time when his love feels distant or theoretical?

8. What relationships in your life do you think would be better if you grew in your experience of God’s love?

   
   
   

Questions and Links for Acts 13:1-4

1. What is your experience (if any) with church planting? What feelings or thoughts does church planting bring up for you? Excitement? Dread? Curiosity?

2. What are the benefits of diversity in a church? What can it bring to a church?

3. In what ways is Resurrection Church diverse? In what ways does it need to grow in diversity?

4. Most of us have some experience with worship and prayer, but does anyone have experience with fasting? Have you been part of a church or a group that fasted together? What would it look like to have fasting be part of our church culture?

5. How do we know when the Holy Spirit is leading us? Do you have experience with this personally or in a church context?

6. Franky and Alaina are considering planting a church in Gatineau. What do you think about the idea of a daughter church for Resurrection?

Take some time to pray for Franky, Alaina and the future of Resurrection Church.

Questions and Links for Song of Songs 4:8-5:1

1. If you attended church growing up, what (if anything) did that church teach about sex? If you didn’t grow up in church, how did your parents address it?

2. Do you agree with Ben that it is easier to compliment than to reveal something about yourself? Which do you find easier and why?

3. Why does the author use so many garden metaphors in vs.13-15? What are the connections to the garden of Eden?

4. If Christians have the “correct” view of sex, why does it often go badly for Christians?

5. What is the difference between “sex is performance vs. sex is what I can give to another person?” How would this view change a relationship? (Even if you are single, treat it as a thought exercise)

6. What does Tim Keller mean when he says that both single people and married people need to have “the spousal love of Jesus?” How does that kind of love change things?

7. Anything else you’d like to discuss from the sermon or passage?

Questions and Links for John 4:5-42 (Guest Preacher)

1. Why did Jesus “have to” pass through Samaria?

2. Kevin’s first point was that the woman was lonely and alone? Have you ever felt this way? Was it a particular season of life or a persistent feeling?

3. Does it matter that Jesus reaches out to the lonely? How?

4. Kevin’s second point was that the woman was “invisible” to the people of her town. What kind of people are normally invisible in our city? What kind of people does our church fail to notice? Have you ever felt invisible?

5. Jesus offers the woman water and she takes him too literally instead of understanding what he actually meant. Unpack the metaphor. (But, what other people have also misunderstood Jesus by taking him too literally?)

6. What is the lesson of the woman at the well for the disciples? (33-38). How does that change our reading of this story?

Questions and Links for Song of Songs 2:8-17

FYI: This series is pretty personal and some of the discussion questions are personal as well. Do your best to share openly and honestly.

[Icebreaker Question] If you married, share a highlight and lowlight of the time when you were dating. If currently dating or engaged, share a current highlight or lowlight (what is best or hardest about this period?).

1. In vs.8-10, the man eagerly comes to his beloved. How do we know when it is time to awaken love? When do we heed vs. 7 and when do we say, “it is the right time now.”

2. The man wants to be with his beloved yet there are numerous hints that the time is close but hasn’t arrived. How does a person know when it is time to get married?

3. Though the man and woman desire each other, they stay apart sexually. What reasons do the Scriptures provide as reasons to wait for marriage to have sex?

4. Sometimes self-imposed rules can help a young couple abstain from sex. What has your experience been about “rules” during dating? (Either from your own life or the lives of friends). What is the problem with rules?

5. If there are single people, what has been your experience in waiting? What is helpful or unhelpful?

6. In vs. 15, the couple talks about foxes that ruin the blossoms of love. Foxes refers to troubles that can derail love. Many marriage guides talk about the major categories of trouble (i.e. poor communication, in-law issues, conflict resolution, leisure time differences, sexual differences, money, etc.). What has been a persistent source of trouble in your marriage?

7. Vs.16 might be expressed, not as love of a woman for a man, but also of Christ’s love for us and our love for him. How have difficulties or seasons of waiting pushed you towards Christ?

Questions and Links for Song of Songs 1:15-2:7

Humans have often struggled to define love. Perhaps you read Plato’s Symposium at university or Shakespeare in high school. Many definitions of love that the world offers us are too simple. Song of Songs defines romantic love as 1- Singularly Devoted, 2- Intensely Intimate, and 3- Guarded by a Sacred Oath.

1. [Icebreaker Question] The couple in Song of Songs have lots of sweet and ooey-gooey names for one another such as dove, lily, and apple tree. Are there any ‘poetic’ names that get used in your house (or the house you grew up in) that you’d like to share with the group?

2. In verses 1:16-17 the woman talks about her desire to build a house with the man (green couch, beams of cedar, rafters of pine). She’s planning a life together with him. What sort of qualities might we look for in a spouse if our goal is to plan a life together with them?

3. Have you ever sought love with someone with whom you could not plan a life together?

4. In verses 2:3-6 the woman positively describes the delights of physical intimacy with her beloved (fruit, wine, and embracing). How was sex talked about in your home growing up (positively, negatively, ignored altogether)? How do you think this affected you?

5. Verse 7 warns the daughters of Jerusalem not to awaken love until it pleases. But all of us have broken this oath in some way. Listen to this snippet from a Matt Chandler sermon and discuss (or just praise God for his grace.)

Questions and Links for Song of Songs 1:1-14

1. What is your experience with this book? In what was it treated by the church you grew up in (if relevant)? Have you ever read it before? Share some opinions and experiences.

2. Why do you think Solomon started with the voice and desires of the woman not the man?

3. In what ways have women been encouraged or discouraged to express their sexuality and desires in the church?

4. What do we do with our desires when we are not in a position to express them? What if a person is single, divorced or their spouse has passed away? If such a person asked you for advice, what would you tell them?

5. In vs. 5, the woman expresses worry that her skin is too dark or that her social place is too low to be loved. How do we distinguish between looking for a quality spouse (having high standards) while also not giving in to cultural expectations of beauty and achievement?

6. In vs.8, the beloved (the man) responds to her inquiries with reassurance of her beauty and her importance to him. What role do words of affirmation play in a marriage? If there are married couple present, try to share practically about the difference (positive or negative) it has made for you.

7. The sermon concluded with the acknowledgement that all human desire and affirmation isn’t enough, but we need the love God has for us in Christ. Has anyone experienced this personally? Was marriage somehow less than you hoped or did it not fulfill you in the way you expected? Or if single, what difference does the love of God make?

Suggestion: Try to pray for each other’s relationships. If married, pray for the marriages in the room. If single, for their desire for a spouse or their work to be satisfied as a single person. This series may be more vulnerable than others, so pray for each other.