Monday, May 25, 2020

Jonah 1 Small Group Questions


Our church is doing a four-week sermon series through the book of Jonah called: "Running to God."
We are studying the life of the prophet Jonah and what it looks like to run to God even when we don't want to. The book of Jonah is small in size but deep in theology. We read about the unending, gracious, merciful love of God. We see that God is unwilling to give up on anyone and longs for all people to know Him. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions ::: A God who speaks ::: Jonah 1

The book of Jonah is small in size but great in impact. Jonah is one of thirteen minor prophets. Titled “Minor” based on size of the book, not of effectiveness of ministry. Jonah was a prophet in Israel who was asked to preach to a pagan nation (2 Kings 14:25). Jonah refused to obey the word of the Lord to preach against Nineveh and instead went the other direction to Tarshish. It is unique to see Jonah take a boat to flee from the Lord because the Israelites are known to be people of the land and not of the sea. Some scholars think that Jonah might have sold his personal possessions to amass enough money to pay the far to sail some 2000 miles from Israel. Study Jonah 1 to see what you can learn about running to God.

1) Neal started the sermon by sharing about his call to move to Vegas and help serve at a growing church. Share about a time you followed the voice of the Lord.

2) Read Jonah 1:1-3. Jonah chooses to go in the opposite direction that God called him to go. Read Acts 9:1-19. Compare Jonah running from God to Ananias obeying God. What history of God’s goodness do you have to move forward and trust Him?

3) We read that God sent a great wind and violent storm on the sea (Jonah 1:4-5). Scripture teaches us that God has dominion over every aspect of His creation. Read Matthew 8:23-27 and talk about the greatness of God.

4) While the storm was raging, Jonah slept in the boat. Jonah was never out of God’s sight. Read Psalm 139 and talk about the omniscience (God sees all things) and omnipresence (God is present in all things) of God.

5) Genesis 12:1-5 is an account of Abraham’s calling to follow the Lord. Scripture  teaches us that God desires for all mankind to know Him (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Where is God growing you in a compassion for those who are far from the Lord?

6) Neal shared about the grace of the sailors in Jonah 1:11-16. They responded with empathy to Jonah. Read to story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. Where is God asking you to step out of your comfort zone to help others know Him?

7) Ultimately Jonah was swallowed by a large fish (read Jonah 1:17). Even in his disobedience God was unwilling to let Jonah die. Share about a time where God stepped in and saved your life.

Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline on Sunday.

You can view the entire worship gathering here:

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Isaiah 6 Small Group Questions



Our church is doing a four-week sermon series called: "Questions from God." We are looking at times in the Old Testament where God asked questions from His people. The questions pertain to different subjects and situations (kind of like our lives). They take place in different time periods showing that questions from God are always relevant. In this series we are learning how to hear God's voice and follow His leading. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions ::: Questions from the Throne ::: Isaiah 6

In 742 B.C. Isaiah was in the Temple of the Lord. The king had passed away and Israel was looking for leadership. They had looked to a human king when God wanted them to Him as their eternal King. Isaiah chapter 6 looks like a good introduction to the life of the prophet. The book of Isaiah is about the faithfulness of God to an unfaithful people. Isaiah is a priest ministering in the Temple when he finds himself in the presence of our Holy God. The temple, in Jerusalem, is filled with the glory of the Lord. Some scholars think that Isaiah was in the company of the priests, meaning he wasn’t the only priest who experienced this interaction with God. But Isaiah is the only one who volunteers to go for the Lord. Open your Bible to Isaiah 6 and study God’s word in community.

1) Neal introduced the sermon and talked about volunteering. He volunteered to go to Africa in 2006 and it radically changed his life. What is something you have volunteered for that has changed you?

2) Read Isaiah 6:1-5. We read about Seraphim praising the Lord. Read Psalm 8, Psalm 19, and Romans 1:20. Discuss what these verses teach us about the glory of God.

3) In the presence of God is where Isaiah sees the depth of his sinfulness and the sinfulness of Israel. Read Matthew 8:5-13. Talk about the power of being in the presence of God.

4) Read Isaiah 6:7-9. Isaiah hears the voice of God and responds to the question. Read 1 Samuel 3. How can we learn to hear the voice of God in our daily life?

5) The call of Isaiah teaches us about the doctrine of: The priesthood of all believers. God has called all of us into ministry roles in the place we find ourselves. Read 1 Peter 2:5-9, Acts 2:1-4, & 1 Timothy 2:1-4. How can you live as a minister this week?

6) Isaiah knows that ministry can be a difficult calling (read Isaiah 6:10-13). Read Hebrews 6:4, 10:24-25, and 1 Samuel 30:6. How do you stay encouraged as a servant of the Lord?

7) Coastline has a core value of being outreach focused (read John 1:41-42, Acts 2:47, 17:16-34, and Luke 15:1). Talk about what is holding you back from your sharing your faith in Jesus. How can you step out in faith this week?

Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline on Sunday.

Monday, May 11, 2020

Mother's Day ::: Small Group Questions


Coastline took a break from our regular sermon series to bless mothers this Mother's Day. Mother's Day brings different emotions for everyone. Some women love this day. For other’s it’s a reminder of a broken relationship with their mom. Some are reminded that their mom is no longer with them. Some women are longing to be mother’s. Others are thrilled to celebrate all. For this sermon I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

How to Bless Mothers ||| Various Passages 

In the beginning God created mankind in His image. Genesis 1 tells us that mankind was created in the imagine of God. Once a year, at Coastline, we focus our attention to appreciate, bless, and encourage mothers. Mother’s Day is a time to reflect on the spiritual influence that mothers have on their children. It’s a time to be reminded of the great investment that woman have done to raise another generation of children who are influenced but the Word of the Lord. It’s not only biological mother’s who are raising the next spiritual generation. Spiritual mothers have stayed up late, gone on camps, and spent their money to invest into the lives of younger believers. Take some time to work through these questions and learn what Scripture teaches and investing into others. 

1) Neal and Charity started out sharing two very different memories. Can you think of a time that you totally blew it on Mother’s Day or a Mother’s Day that was a blessing?  

2) Read Genesis 16. In this dark time in Hagar’s life we read that God was close to her. Share about a time where you thought God was far from you but realized that He was near you every step of the way. (see Deuteronomy 4:7 & Hebrews 13:5) 

3) Choosing to trust God in difficult times might not be your natural reaction. Read Psalm 20 and Proverbs 3:5-6. Talk about the reasons you have to trust in the Lord. Share about God’s faithfulness in your past. (see 1 Corinthians 1:9 & Hebrews 11) 

4) Neal shared the story of Samson’s parents (Judges 13). What do these parents teach us about allowing God to shape our parenting? You might not be a parent, what do you want to take away for potentially being a parent in the future?  

5) Charity read Deuteronomy 6:5-7. How have you applied this to your parenting? How do you want to apply this to your parenting style as your move forward?   

6) In our world it is easy to delegate the task of parenting to others. Read these verses and talk about the great responsibility of raising children in the love and instruction of the Lord: Psalm 78:1-7, Proverbs 3:1-12, Colossians 3:21, & 2 Timothy 3:15. 

7) Scripture reminds us of people who devoted their life to teaching others about the goodness of the Lord. Who are you investing your life? (see: Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 16:1-2, Acts 16:11-15 and 2 Timothy 2:2) 

Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline on Sunday.

Here is the entire worship gathering if you'd like to watch it

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

Job 38- Small Group Questions


Our church is doing a four-week sermon series called: "Questions from God." We are looking at times in the Old Testament where God asked questions from His people. The questions pertain to different subjects and situations (kind of like our lives). They take place in different time periods showing that questions from God are always relevant. In this series we are learning how to hear God's voice and follow His leading. For this sermon we had Joey Ross as a guest speaker. A big "thanks" to Joey for writing these questions. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions ::: Questions from the Storm ::: Job 38

The book of Job is written like a play, There is action in two stages.  There is what happens on earth and what happens in heaven.  While the reader/audience knows what’s happening in both settings, the characters on earth do not.  Job cannot see, he cannot hear, and in the end he never finds out even why its all happening.  But far more important than knowing the whole story, Job discovers who God is and


1) What did you find most memorable about this weekends message regarding Job struggles?

2) Share one things you're learning about God through this pandemic/ or something you learned about God during another storm in your life?

3) Read Job 1:1-5 and 1:20-22
What kind of person was Job and how was he perceived by the people of Uz?
What is Job reaction when calamity strikes?

4) Read Job 2:4-5; 10
What is the main question Satan is challenging to God?
What happened to Job and how is his reaction different this time?

5) Read Job 38:2-7 and 42:12-15
How does God respond to Job question of why is he suffering?
What does God’s answer communicate to Job (and to us)?
How does Job respond?

6) During the early part of Job’s story, the amount of blessing that Job experiences is mistakenly seen as being proportional to the amount of ;obedience he offers to God.  How does this belief influence the way that you approach your own life?

7) Job has an experience of Orientation-Disorientation-Reorientation with God.  Have you had similar experiences where you believed something about God or Christianity and then your life experience / new learning of God force you to reevaluate?

Close in a time of prayer

You can watch the entire worship gathering and find the sermon here