Christ the King :: Small Group Questions

Coastline Bible Church is doing a five-week sermon series called: "Searching for Christmas." As we approach the Christmas season we wanted to take a look at some of the most famous words ever spoken about Jesus. We might be familiar with the New Testament accounts of Jesus but what if we looked back, hundreds of years earlier, to the prophecies spoken about Jesus. 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 ::: Christ the King ::: Isaiah 9

The Christmas season is filled with a variety of emotions. Single parents might be trying to add an extra shift so they can afford that special gift for their child. A couple might be trying to balance the calendar in anticipation that family will be visiting. Or a student might be working their hardest to figure out how to surprise his/her parents on Christmas Eve. With the current climate many plans are in limbo, canceled, or on pause. It seems that some people are affected greatly while others aren’t feeling the impact as badly. As we study Isaiah 9 we read that the coming Christ will bring light to the darkness we’re experiencing. Isaiah gives four attribute names to the Son of God. Take some time to study the following questions together.  

1) One of the most watched Christmas movies of all time is Home Alone. Kevin is left at home while his family travels to Paris. Once they realize the mistake, the family is in distress. Are you feeling any distress this Christmas season? 

2) Isaiah let God’s people know that they no longer need to walk in darkness (read Isaiah 9:1-2). Talk about how Jesus has set you free from dark behaviors you participated in and has brought you into His wonderful light. 

3) Jesus said that He is the light of the world (read John 8:12). Jesus also told us that we are the light of the world (read Matthew 5:14-16). What are we doing to actively shine the light of Jesus this Christmas season? 

4) Read Isaiah 9:6-7. This is one of the most famous prophecies about Jesus. Read the four names that describe Jesus: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. What role of Jesus do you need right now? 

5) Focusing on the first two names of Jesus. Neal taught us that Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor and not a consoler. We also looked at Jesus being a Mighty God. Read Matthew 8:5-10, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 7:11-17, and John 8:1-11. What account about the power of Jesus sticks out most to you? 

6) Focusing on the final two names of Jesus: Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. How do you relate to God as Father? (read John 8:42-47 and Romans 8:14-17). Where do you need Jesus to bring peace in your life this Christmas season? (Read Mark 5:21-34, Luke 24:36 and John 14:27) 

Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline Online? 

9 Ingredient Top Ramen

This is not a food blog, I'm just a guy who knows how to eat Top Ramen! For years I've been doctoring up my Top Ramen. Don't get me wrong, I started like many of you. I boiled the noodles, put the seasoning in the water, and thought I was done. I'm not sure how it started, who prompted it, or where it came from but it's turned into a game to see how many ingredients I can add to my Top Ramen. 

This weekend I made my latest rendition of my favorite winter soup (when I only have 15 mins and I'm hungry). 

Use some common sense in following my directions:

Boil water

While the water is boiling, use this time to cut some celery and carrots. The best way for the carrots is to peel them so they cook quicker. If you have an onion around, this is a good time to add some of that to your healthy vegetable pile. 

Once the water is boiling:

Add Top Ramen

While that is going on, get a bowl on the counter and add the following: 

Top Ramen Season Packet

Pepper

Slice of butter

Tabasco (I do about 10-11 hits on the bottle)

About this time your noodles are close to ready. This is important: you need to get out any excess water that won't fit in your bowl. Once you've done that you can move on to being a master chef: 

Crack egg into boiling noodles with water and stir. This is kind of like egg drop soup! 

In about 30 seconds you can add your vegetables to the soup. 

At this point I give it enough time to help my kids get a drink (maybe a minute). Then I pour the entire contents of the pot on the stove in to the  bowl on the counter. If you get some hot water in the bowl first, you can stir in the seasoning packet (it's easier now). Then let it all go in the bowl and stir. 

Now, you get some cheese and break it up on top! Oh ya, cheesy goodness! 

Enjoy! 

Hope for the Hopeless :: Small Group Questions

Coastline Bible Church is doing a five-week sermon series called: "Searching for Christmas." As we approach the Christmas season we wanted to take a look at some of the most famous words ever spoken about Jesus. We might be familiar with the New Testament accounts of Jesus but what if we looked back, hundreds of years earlier, to the prophecies spoken about Jesus. 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 ::: Hope for the Hopeless ::: Isaiah 7

In the Christmas season it seems that everyone is searching for something. You might be searching for the perfect gift for a family member. You might be searching for a new apartment for the new year. You might be on the hunt for a new job. When we open our Bibles to Isaiah 7 we see that Israel was searching for Hope. The King of Assyria was planning to attack the region of Israel. King Ahaz had allied himself with two local kings to increase his odds of survival. At this point the prophet Isaiah approaches Ahaz and encourages with a word from the Lord. The spoke truth to the young king to help him thrive in his role in leading God’s people. Unfortunately the king didn’t heed the wisdom of the Lord and lead God’s people astray. Keep in mind that the words of Isaiah were spoken about 700 years before Jesus was born. 

1) Neal started the sermon by sharing about a jacket that he searched for as a gift for his wife last Christmas. What are you searching for this Christmas? Is it a present, a new living situation, hope, forgiveness, peace, or something else? 

2) Read Isaiah 7:1-2. Israel was in a tough predicament. King Ahaz was pressured into a coalition with two local kings. Think about a time you were pressured into a relationship or agreement. How did it turn out? 

3) As we search for Christmas, Isaiah gives us a roadmap on how to keep up our search (read Isaiah 7:4). What one statement do you need to work on most? 

4) The Christmas season can bring much joy and much fear in people’s lives. The Bible gives us over sixty verses about not being afraid. (Exodus 14:13, Numbers 14:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 27:1) What are you afraid of right now? 

5) Isaiah spoke these words of comfort to the young king (read Isaiah 7:7-9). It was God’s promise to provide for and to protect the king but he wouldn’t listen. Read Proverbs 4:25-27 and talk about being faithful to our Lord. 

6) We come to one of the most known prophecies of Jesus (read Isaiah 7:10-14). The nickname that Jesus would be given is Immanuel meaning: God with us. Talk about how you’ve actively seen God at work in your life. 

Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline Online?

 

Praying Scripture

We all know that 2020 has been a wild year. From fires, to the pandemic, to racial reconciliation, to an election year in America, and I'm sure I could write another paragraph about what has happened this year. As a pastor of a local church I've found it very difficult to lead with such turmoil around every corner. At one point this year we only made decisions for about 8 hours at a time. We then moved that to making decisions for two months. I'm not actually sure where we are in the time length for making decisions now. 

When the pandemic started I thought that churches wouldn't gather for three weeks max (WOW, was I wrong). What I thought would be a 5k run turned into a marathon that turned into an IronMan that I hadn't trained for. 

Last week I had this idea to study Scripture with our staff. You might think that is normally what is in a church staff meeting and there is a component of that. This week we took the majority of the meeting to read God's words, ask some questions, and then pray. The whole morning went really well so I thought I'd share it with you here. 

Our staff gathered and read the following passages. Then we asked these guiding questions (and some more). Finally we prayed. 

Jesus will build His church (Read Matthew 16:13-20)
Who will build the church? 
What is our role in building the church? 

Pray for Jesus to rebuild Coastline in the wake of the pandemic 

Go and make disciples (Read Matthew 28:18-20)
What is our command in these verses? 
Are we doing more event planning or disciple making?
Pray for Jesus to show us how to disciple people. 

Open the flood gates of giving (read Malachi 3:6-12)
How have we cheated God?
Are we teaching our people to trust God with their finances? 
Pray for God to open the flood gates of giving this year. 

Ask the Lord of the Harvest (Matthew 9:35-38)
Where do you need four more volunteers right now?
How will you build up these volunteers?
Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send workers. 

Care for the people (John 21:15-19)
How are we doing at caring for people?
How are we intentionally caring for people? 
Pray for God to shepherd His people 

Jesus, the hope of the world | Small Group Questions

Coastline Bible Church is doing a five-week sermon series called: "Searching for Christmas." As we approach the Christmas season we wanted to take a look at some of the most famous words ever spoken about Jesus. We might be familiar with the New Testament accounts of Jesus but what if we looked back, hundreds of years earlier, to the prophecies spoken about Jesus. 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 ::: Jesus, the hope of the world ::: Various Scriptures 

As we move into the Christmas season we’re starting a brand new sermon series titled: Searching for Christmas. The Christmas season brings great joy and hope to many people. On the contrary, some people have placed their hope in the wrong person or the wrong situation. The reality is that we are all searching for something. In the opener of this sermon series we will look throughout the Bible and search for Christ. From the prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus to the apostles who’s lives were radically transformed by His power. The call of Christmas is for us to look back on God’s faithfulness in sending Jesus, and to look forward to our hope of glory where God will liberate humanity, and the entire universe, from evil.

1) Bert started his sermon by sharing about how much fun he is having searching the Scriptures with his kids and studying advent. Have you started an advent reading? Share what you’re learning as you’re searching for Christ this week. 

2) Hope, in the bible, is a peculiar thing. And seems like a really vital component to how we relate to God. Read Romans 5:3-5. What is something that you’ve placed your hope in that has disappointed you? 

3) One problem with hope is: We convince ourselves we don’t need hope. Read Matthew 1:18-25 and talk about how the coming of Jesus brings us hope that we didn’t think we need. What sticks out to you most in this account? 

4) A second problem with hope is: We think hope equals optimism. Paul wrote to the early church about being focused on God (read 1 Corinthians 9:19-27). How are you training yourself in hope or how do you want to train yourself in being hopeful? 

5) A third problem with hope is: We often put our hope in all the wrong things. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed this very issue (read Matthew 6:19-24). What do you need to change to put your hope in the right place? 

6) The final problem with hope is: We think hope is only about the future. Read Luke 12:22-31 and talk about how we can hope in Jesus today, we don’t have to wait until tomorrow. What is one thing you’re hopeful for right now? 

7) As we wait in eager exception for Christ have someone read Revelation 21:1-5 and Romans 15:13. Share how you can be a hope dealer during the month of December as so many people are more open to the gospel message. 

Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline Online?