Monday, March 28, 2022

Job 1-2 | Small Group Questions


Most of our life we are concerned and consumed with the three dimensional world we can see. We wake up, drink coffee, eat food, go to work, eat more food, connect with people we love, and sleep. We think that paying the bills, mowing the lawn, and grocery shopping are requirements of the week. What if the world is more than three dimensional? For those who believe in God that means we believe the world is at least four dimensions. The Bible teaches us about spiritual things but we don’t always focus on our spiritual growth; that is what “The Battle” is all about In this series we’ll lean in to God’s word and examine what is taking place in the spiritual realm. 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 | The Accuser | Job 1-2

The story of Job is what many people refer to when they are going through a difficult time. The picture in the first three verses of Job is of a godly, wealthy, fulfilled man. Job had a family who enjoyed the favor of God in his time. Job was the ideal candidate for the tests soon to follow. The Scriptures describe Job as a righteous and blameless man. God affirms this about the life of Job. In Job 1-2 we see four characters in the story: God, Satan, Job, and Job’s wife. The book of Job is a reminder that Satan will do anything to destroy our faith. And, if he was given the opportunity, he would try to kill us. Study these questions to see how Job maintains his righteousness in such a tough time. 

1) In 1942 C.S. Lewis released The Screwtape Letters. The book is about an older demon coaching his nephew on how to condemn a soul to hell. If you’ve read the book talk about how it impacted your understanding of the demonic forces. 

2) Read Job 1:1-5. The first verse describes Job’s character and righteousness. Read Psalm 37:18, 97:11, and  Proverbs 11:3. What does it look like to live a righteous and blameless life for the Lord? What do you need to adjust in your life? 

3) Read Job 1:6-12. Satan comes, uninvited, into the presence of God. His main goal is to destroy Job’s commitment to the Lord (see John 10:10). Can you think of a time that it felt like the enemy was trying to destroy all the good in your life? 

4) God is: Omnipresent. Meaning that God can be in all places at all times. God is also Omniscient. Meaning that God knows all things. How does knowing that Satan is neither of these change the way you think about the devil? 

5) Read Job 1:20-22. After loosing everything, Job’s first response was worship. Read Psalm 95:6, John 4:20-24, and Romans 12:1-2. When bad things happen, what is your initial response? How can you change that to worship? 

6) Read Job 2:1-8. When Satan sees that his first tactic didn’t work against Job, he tries again. Read John 8:44 and talk about how Satan is the father of lies. Share a time when you felt weak in your faith but were able to stand strong in God. 

7) Read Job 2:9-10. Job stays faithful to God through all of his loss, grief, and pain. Read Psalm 37:34, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 40:31, and Romans 15:13. What did you learn from the life of Job and his commitment to God? 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 



Wednesday, March 23, 2022

1 Samuel 17 | Small Group Questions


Most of our life we are concerned and consumed with the three dimensional world we can see. We wake up, drink coffee, eat food, go to work, eat more food, connect with people we love, and sleep. We think that paying the bills, mowing the lawn, and grocery shopping are requirements of the week. What if the world is more than three dimensional? For those who believe in God that means we believe the world is at least four dimensions. The Bible teaches us about spiritual things but we don’t always focus on our spiritual growth; that is what “The Battle” is all about In this series we’ll lean in to God’s word and examine what is taking place in the spiritual realm. For this sermon Chase Feindel wrote the small group questions. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone. 

Small Group Questions | Giant Slayer | 1 Samuel 17

The epic battle found in 1st Samuel 14 between David and Goliath help set the tone for the war bound leadership reign David would have as he stabilized the nation of Israel. The story is of Hollywood portion but tucked into the details of the battle are principles that are helpful to everybody in the family of God. The great giant of mankind has been slayed through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yet as we wait for the full promise of heaven, the enemy is consistently at work to steal, kill and destroy. In order to have the promised life to the full, we will need the principles for the battles that lay ahead of us as we fight for the faith.

1) It’s easy to miscast yourself in this story. We all want to be the hero but the main idea was that David is a Jesus-type figure and we are represented by the Israelites  in the story who are overwhelmed by the giant. How does that change our application of the text? 

2) Matthew 1:1 starts our by saying “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the word of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew is establishing Jesus kingship in the first sentence of his gospel. Why is the connection between David and Jesus so important?

3) Read Psalm 139:13-14 about David’s confidence in his identity in Christ. One of the more interesting parts of the battle was David did not fit in Saul’s army. Saul fought with the sword but David was trained on the hills with the sheep. Do you ever get caught comparing your faith to somebody else’s? How does it impact you when you do?

4) The Jews built altars to remember God’s faithfulness. Jesus established communion to help us remember his sacrifice. The phrase “The Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt” is mentioned 22 times through the scriptures. How does remembering what God brought you out of help you in the battle that is before you?

5) One thing David didn’t lack is confidence. He was anointed and the battle belonged  to the Lord. What steps have you taken that helped build your confidence in the faith?

6) The Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees, Lakers vs Celtics, L.A. Chargers and Oakland Raider are all bitter rivals. The Jews most consistent old testament foe was the Philistines. We all have rivals but the new covenant has a different challenge for us when it comes to our enemies. Read Matthew 5:44 and discuss.





Genesis 3 | Small Group Questions


Most of our life we are concerned and consumed with the three dimensional world we can see. We wake up, drink coffee, eat food, go to work, eat more food, connect with people we love, and sleep. We think that paying the bills, mowing the lawn, and grocery shopping are requirements of the week. What if the world is more than three dimensional? For those who believe in God that means we believe the world is at least four dimensions. The Bible teaches us about spiritual things but we don’t always focus on our spiritual growth; that is what “The Battle” is all about In this series we’ll lean in to God’s word and examine what is taking place in the spiritual realm. 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 | The Deceiver | Genesis 3

The events in Genesis 3 disrupt the calm of Eden and are central to the story of what happens to mankind. The book of Genesis was most likely written by Moses to God’s people (the Israelites). They were preparing to enter the Promised Land and would have felt the pain of their own disobedience to God. In Genesis 3 we read what many people refer to as “The fall on mankind” and you will see why. Our passage has four voices: God, the devil, Adam, and Eve. Adam and Eve are in the garden when the serpent approaches them to plant a seed of doubt in their mind. The devil plays a role of deception against Eve that leads her and Adam to sin. 

1) In the early Twentieth Century, Harry Houdini sought to expose the deceptive behavior of mediums and fortune tellers. Share about a time when you were deceived by someone. How did it feel and what did you learn? 

2) Read Genesis 3:1-5. The serpent wants to twist the truth of God. The serpent wants to plant a seed of doubt in Eve’s mind. Share about a time when you twisted the word of God to make it say what you want it to say. 

3) One of the ideas is that Eve didn’t fully trust God and that is why the serpent was able to deceive here. Read Proverbs 3:5-6, 2 Kings 18:5, Psalm 20:7, Daniel 6:23. What is holding you back from trusting God fully? 

4) Read Genesis 3:6-10. The pace of this story happens quickly: she saw, she took, she ate, she gave, and he ate. Think about how the story of sin in your life moves. Can you identify any patterns in your life that might lead to sin? 

5) Neal shared three consequences of our sin: We loose our innocence, we feel guilty or embarrassed for our actions, and we hide from God. When you look at the entirety of Scripture, what are some other consequences of sin? 

6) Read Genesis 3:14-19. Adam & Eve confessed their sin but there are repercussions for our actions. Discuss the different curses that God gave here. How do you see this play out in society today? 

7) Read Genesis 3:21. Even in their darkest moment, God’s grace shines the brightest. God covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve. Read Mark 15:33-41. Talk about how Jesus went to the cross to pay for our sins. 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 


Monday, March 07, 2022

Ephesians 6 | Small Group Questions

Most of our life we are concerned and consumed with the three dimensional world we can see. We wake up, drink coffee, eat food, go to work, eat more food, connect with people we love, and sleep. We think that paying the bills, mowing the lawn, and grocery shopping are requirements of the week. What if the world is more than three dimensional? For those who believe in God that means we believe the world is at least four dimensions. The Bible teaches us about spiritual things but we don’t always focus on our spiritual growth; that is what “The Battle” is all about In this series we’ll lean in to God’s word and examine what is taking place in the spiritual realm. 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 | Armor Up | Ephesians 6:10-20

Imagine the chance of meeting the Apostle Paul, that he came to your town and set up home base there and started a ministry to the entire region of Asia Minor!  That is exactly what happened to the people of Ephesus.  A place once recognized for being a center of pagan worship has now became a “beach-head” for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We believe that Paul worked in Ephesus around AD 55-59 and remained there, with the people, for about three years (see Acts 19:10, 20:31). After leaving Ephesus, Paul found himself imprisoned. Being incarcerated and with no other way to spread the Good News; Paul decides to write letters, also known as Epistles.

1) Neal shared about an unwanted spiritual encounter that he had while in college. Share about a time that you had an unwanted spiritual encounter. What were some of the main details and how did you respond in the situation? 

2) Read Ephesians 6:10-12. Paul encourages us to find our strength in the Lord. So often we are great at doing things on our own. Read 1 Samuel 30:6, Psalm 28:7, Isaiah 40:31, and Jeremiah 17:15. Discuss what it looks like to find strength in God. 

3) Paul commands us to put on the full armor of God to protect us in the spiritual battle. Read I Thessalonians 5:8, Romans 13:12, & Isaiah 59:17. What do these passages teach us about the full armor of God as we follow Jesus? 

4) The Bible has a number of adjectives for the devil. One is a schemer. When you think about a person who is a schemer what comes to mind? Knowing that, how can you be more aware of the schemes of the devil? 

5) Read Ephesians 6:13-15. The first half of the armor of God deals with truth,  peace, and righteousness. Read Exodus 20:16, Philippians 3:9, and John 14:27. What changes in your life when you fit yourself with this armor?  

6) Read Ephesians 6:16-17. The second half of the armor of God focuses on faith, salvation, and God’s word. Read Romans 10:17, Acts 4:12, & John 1:1-5, 14. What changes in your life when you fit yourself with this armor?  

7) Read Ephesians 6:18-20. Paul takes time to focus on having a life dedicated to prayer. He longs for wisdom, boldness, and clarity in sharing the truth of God. Where, or how,  would you like to see your prayer life grow this year? 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 


Friday, March 04, 2022

Responsive Reading The Book of Hebrews


I didn't grow up in a tradition that used responsive readings ever. It wasn't until my 30's that I remember participating in one for the first time. For the last four years I've been leading Coastline Bible Church and we rarely have a responsive reading. To share candidly, I've been reading more about spiritual formations and felt it was time to bring a responsive reading back. 

On Sunday February 27 we finished preaching through the book of Hebrews. I wrote this responsive reading as a way to help remind us of the book. Enjoy! 

Responsive Reading Hebrews 

Leader: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word

People: Jesus is greater than anyone who has come before Him 

Leader: We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

People: We will pay careful attention to the teaching of Jesus 

Leader: Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus.

People: Today we commit to fix our thoughts on Jesus 

Leader: See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

People: We repent of our sin and turn to God 

Leader: We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.

People: We commit to loving God with our entire mind

Leader: Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 

People: We ask for Jesus to intercede for us today

Leader: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

People: Give us faith to walk in your ways God 

All: And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.