FORMED, Part Five | Close – Allan McCullough
We continue in our series FORMED. We study John 10 and learn about what it means to walk closely with Jesus.
Reflection Questions
How have you wrestled with discerning the “will of God” in the past? What decisions were you trying to make? What was that experience like?
Do you more naturally view Jesus as a shepherd who is with you at all times or a distant owner who expects you to perform with little help or guidance?
We primarily hear God’s voice in the mundane and not the extraordinary.
In what ways do you seek to hear God’s voice - through coincidence, dreams, or major life events?
Do you tend to commune with God through being with other people or through solitude? Why?
What would it look like to bring more regularity and balance to these spiritual disciplines?
Joy is not found in worldly gain but in God.
How would you describe your “promised land” - the place or circumstance that you have been waiting on and are convinced will bring you rest and joy?
Would you take that promised land without God?
Why is it true that our promised land is wherever God is?
The Will of God is not a mystery of the future but a reality in the present.
How would you describe your current life circumstances?
How does it make you feel that your in the middle of God’s will right now?
What would it look like to walk closely with Jesus in the midst of these circumstances right now?
JAMES, Part Two | Dirty Theology – Evan Snyder
Pastor Evan Snyder continues in our study of James - James 1:5-8. Does anyone lack wisdom? God tells us to ask him - he gives generously! Wisdom begins with trusting the Lord.
FORMED, Week Five | Battered – Allan McCullough
We continue our 10-week discipleship journey called FORMED. We study Lamentations 3 among other passages to learn how the Gospel not only provides forgiveness from our sins but also provides healing from the ways that we have been sinned against.
Reflection Questions: Read Genesis 2:25-3:8.
Why do you think Adam and Eve wanted to cover their nakedness when they first sinned? Why were they afraid of God? Why were they afraid of one another?
Do you feel uncomfortable talking about the ways in which you have been wounded and hurt through life? If so, why?
When doing self-examination and in partnering with God in your sanctification, why is the question: “What’s wrong with me?” not enough?
Why must we also be curious about the question: “What happened to me?”
In what ways do our wounds in life shape our character? Be specific.
Read Lamentations 3:1-26.
How does this prayer make you feel? Do you feel permission to pray similar prayers to God?
What present struggles do you have that might be connected to ways in which you have been sinned against in the past?
In what ways have you covered yourself up with the fig leaves? Have you shared this with a trusted person?
What do you think healing looks like from this wound?
What do you think it looks like to take real responsibility for the ways in which this has shaped your character?
Is your local church a safe place for you to invite others in on a healing and repentance process?
FORMED, Week Four | Complicit – Allan McCullough
We continue our 10-week discipleship journey called FORMED. We study Psalm 51 and consider that the mark of a mature follower of Jesus is we know we’re complicit in the brokenness of this world, we’re not defensive, and we’re quick to repent.
Reflection Questions:
Read Genesis 3:1-13 & Romans 1:21-22, 24-25.
In what ways did Adam and Eve think they were being wise? How was it, in reality, foolish? Take some time to consider your own story. As you reflect, in what ways do you relate with Adam and Eve and have made similar choices?
Read Psalm 51.
In what ways does David seek to explain his sin, defend his actions, or clarify his true intent?
What does David ask God to do in this prayer?
What does it mean that God desires a broken and contrite heart over our offerings (v.16-17)?
The mark of a mature follower of Jesus is we know we’re complicit in the brokenness of this world, we’re not defensive, and we’re quick to repent.
Where do you notice defensiveness in yourself?
What happens in your body when this happens?
How do others experience you when this happens? (Maybe ask a few people who are close to you.)
How does the Gospel make it safe for us to practice self-awareness?
What does it look like to practice self-awareness?
What does it look like to show grace to one another and minister the Gospel to one another as we all grow in letting our defenses down as God forms us into something new?
FORMED, Week Three – Anchor, Pt. 2 – Allan McCullough
We continue in our series FORMED - a 10 week discipleship journey on how Christlike character is formed in us. For week three, we stay in 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5 and learn why we can trust that the Bible we have today is an accurate reflection of the Word of God.
Reflection Questions:
• How would you describe your posture towards the Bible?
• How have you seen that posture evolve as you have followed Jesus through your life?
Read Proverbs 3:5-8:
• Where have you found “your own understanding” to differ from the Bible? Be honest! We all have examples.
• Why are we instructed “to be not wise in our own eyes”? What is the danger in this?
• Do you believe God’s Word can be healing and refreshing? How? What would it look like for you to test God’s Word by casting yourself upon it?
• What would you have to give up?
• How would that be humbling?
• What are the risks?
• Who are the people that you are reading and studying the Bible with?
• Can you be honest where you struggle with the Bible?
• Do you help one another to “not lean on your own understanding” but together wrestle with and submit to the text?
• If not, how can you begin encouraging this kind of culture in the group?
• If you don’t have anyone your reading the Bible with, who can you ask?
“Dirty Theology,” James Pt. 1 – Evan Snyder
We begin a study through the book of James. James lays out practical wisdom for followers of Jesus to live by. Life is hard and following Jesus can be messy business but there is hope for living in a broken world.
FORMED, Week Two – Anchor, Pt. 1 – Allan McCullough
We continue a new 10-week sermon series learning about how Christlike character is formed in us and what it means to live life following Jesus. This morning, we study 2 Timothy 3-4 to learn how character is anchored in God's Word.
This series is designed to be a discipleship tool so the people of the church can help each other grow in Christlikeness. The reflection questions below can be used to specifically apply what we are learning to your life. These questions are meant to be asked and answered in a community setting such as a small group or one-on-one.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. Review the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Discuss how God’s grace specifically helps each of these fruits grow in someone’s life.
2. Read 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5. As specifically as possible, list all roles that the Word of God plays in the life of the believer.
3. What warnings is the reader given in 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5?
4. Read Isaiah 66:1-2. What do you think it means to tremble at the Word of God?
5. In your own life, in what ways have you been tempted to take away from God’s Word? This question may take some time to answer substantively.
6. In your own life, in what ways have you been tempted to add to God’s Word? This question may take some time to answer substantively.
7. Where do you disagree with God’s Word? Do you allow God’s Word to challenge you and your perspective? When is the last time you felt corrected by God’s Word?
8. What does it means to represent God, His Kingdom, and His Word to the world with gentleness and grace?
9. Why is it vital that we read and wrestle with God’s Word in community with our local church? How does this practice represent God’s Kingdom and help further grow the fruits of the Spirit in us?
