Diagnosis? Hope: 2/27/2011 sermon questions

Text Eph. 2:1-10 - Small Group Discussion Questions
1. What part of the “before” is hardest for you to associate with? (Do we really understand how bad we were?)

2. Why is it important to remember where we came from (Eph. 2:12)?

3. Why is the word “wrath” in relation to God a problem for people? Why do most people gravitate towards the word “love” when talking about God? (Eph. 2:3)

4. How does sin affect the value of a person in God’s eyes?

5. When is comes right down to it why did God save us? What does he see in us?

6. What part of the “after” is hardest for you to apply to yourself?

7. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s workmanship/masterpiece/work of art. In what ways do you find it hard to apply these words to yourself?

8. On the reverse of that how does knowing that God made you special and has particular good works, that only you can do, make you feel?

9. How can an understanding that we were shaped to serve God, and not to serve ourselves or our passions, change the way we live?

10. Read Col. 3.5-17. What sins do you need to “put off,” and what virtues do you need to “put on?”

Sermon Discussion Questions from 2/6/2011

God’s Power Always Makes A Point – Pastor Perry Kallis

Text: Eph. 1:19-23

1. When you think of God’s power, what do you think of?

2. We have the power through the Holy Spirit to Share God’s love, Suffer for Him, and Serve Him. For you, which of these is the hardest and why?

3. In what ways have you seen God’s power at work in your life to bring glory to Jesus?

4. Based on Eph. 3:20, Pastor Perry said that “we’ve got so much power from the Lord that we can risk living dangerously for God.” What kinds of risks do you think God might want you to take right now?

5. Since Jesus is seated at the right hand of God and has all authority and power, how should we think about life? About trials? About our obedience?

6. Read Eph. 1:22-23 – What is the significance of this for the Church?

7. What would a church empowered by the Holy Spirit look like? What would be different? How can you help towards moving in that direction?

8. How can God’s transforming power most freely be at work in my life? What things do we need to change in order to bring the most glory to God? Are there ways in which I’m hindering God’s power?

Love is in the Air – Small Group Discussion Questions
Sermon by Pastor Joe Broesamle 2/13/11
Psalm 121

1. Read Psalm 121 – What speaks to you from this psalm? How does this psalm apply to
twenty- first century life?

2. Read 1 Peter 2:9 – What does it mean to be a royal priesthood? A Chosen people?
Based on this how can we “show others the goodness of God”?

3. Read Luke 12:6-7 Is there anything, object, model, craft, that you have built that you know every detail of it? How much do you value something like that? What is our value to God? One more question…why does he say “do not be afraid”? check out verses 4-5

4. How valuable do you feel to God? What gives us worth in God’s eyes?

5. Read Eph. 2:10 – When a painter, novelist, sculptor, makes what others consider a masterpiece what makes it so? What does it mean to you to be a “masterpiece”?

6. Got to take a look at Psalm 139:13-16 because it is a classic “masterpiece” of God’s workmanship in us. What moves you the most from this passage? Why?

7. Read John 10:10 What does it mean to have an abundant life? Are you having an abundant life? What do we need to do in order to have this abundant life that Jesus promises us?

8. How can our valuing ourselves, because of who we are in Christ, effect those around us?

9. What is our mission as believers in Christ? How does how I view myself affect that mission?

Praying Prayers on Purpose – Pastor Perry Kallis – 2/6/2011
Text Eph. 1:15-19 - Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Read Ephesians 1:15-19. Why do we find it easier to list our needs and wants in prayer than to ask for the kinds of things Paul does here??

2. What should we pray for? What does God want for us?
See: 2 Thess. 3:1, Luke 11:13; 18:7; Romans 10:1, 15:30-31,
Eph 6:18-19, James 1:5, Matt. 9:38, John 17:20-21,
(These are just a sampling there are many more references to prayer see attached list.)

3. The Ephesians were known for their “faith and love for all the saints” what do you think you known for as far as your walk with God? What would you like to be known for?

4. How do we really get to know God? Where does theology and doctrine play into knowing God? Is knowing doctrine important?

5. See Eph. 1:18 - What is our Hope? What is our Calling? How would a better understanding of these change our everyday lives?

6. Read Eph. 1:19-20. What do you know about God’s power? How does that power get transmitted into our lives? What kinds of things does God want to give us the power to do? (see 2 Pet. 1:3; 1 Thess. 4:3-7;
Acts 4:29-31; Rom. 15:13; 2 Cor. 12:9; Eph. 6:10-13)

7. What are some specific things you feel challenged to start praying for?

With your small group you may want to spend some additional time in prayer this week and use the A.C.T.S. method of prayer:

Adoration of the Lord – Who He is and praising His character traits.

Confession – What do I need to confess (maybe silently)

Thankfulness – What can I thank the Lord for?

Supplication – What do I need to ask Him For?