Opposites

By Dave Stone

Three texts for this week:

• Revelation 17:1-6
• Proverbs 7:1-27
• Luke 15:11-24

RELATE

What has most surprised you from the Revelation series and why?
Help people consider how the truths presented make a difference in the way they live their lives. Also helpful to identify new revelations about God as He reveals Himself in Revelation.

REVIEW

Share any truth, application or idea from the sermon that challenged or confused you.
Use this as an opportunity to have people share “tidbits”.  It is also a good time to review the Scripture (actually open your Bibles) and review the outline.

What is the meaning of “the flesh” in the sermon? In what ways are the Spirit and the flesh opposites? Give at least three examples of how the flesh corrupts a person’s life.
Here you want to capture the idea that “the flesh” and the Spirit are at war in our lives. The things we do determine which one is victorious.

Identify the soul-messages (the words that resonate deeply in heart of the young man) in Proverbs 7:14-20. How does “the world” uses these messages to seduce us to unfaithfulness?
Soul-messages include:

• I want you; you are valuable to me (Proverbs 7:13, 15)
• I’ve spared no expense for you (Proverbs 7:16-17)
• I love you (Proverbs 7:18) (note it only lasts for a short time–till morning)
  
• This is safe (Proverbs 7:19-20)
  

The world uses these messages to seduce us to unfaithfulness by using the same messages (and promise the same result) as God’s messages. However, the world’s soul-messages entice us to disobey God to obtain the promised results.

The Revelation harlot is not selling sex. What is she selling?
There’s probably a range of ideas here…some ideas might be:

• the world’s system meets all our needs
• the world’s system cares about us, and thus, we can trust it (her)
• the world’s system is really interested in our best
• a false worldview
  

DIG

We know that God loves us in spite of the fact that we’re unworthy. Read the verses below. What words illustrate God’s great love for us and/or motivate us to live a life worthy of God’s love?

• John 3:16-18
• Mark 15:34
• Romans 5:7-8
• Romans 8:32
• Romans 8:35-38

APPLICATION

This sermon dealt with contrasts. How do you deal with this contrast: being called to live perfectly, as Jesus did, and yet still having sin in your life?
Help your people by discussing that “the flesh” and the Spirit are at war. The way to deal with it is to do battle. Use the resources God has given us to wage war (seek forgiveness when we fail, read Scripture, pray, engage in spiritual warfare, “buffet” our bodies, put sin to death-Colossians 3). Our HOPE should ultimately be in the righteousness of Christ. God is more interested in us fighting the war than in us winning individual battles. Remember that our present state of salvation is sanctification.

Think about question #3 in review. What soul-message is God whispering to you as a believer to move you to faithfulness?
Our hope is that people will be personal about what they think God is telling them right now. Realize that it is God’s delight to offer a way of redemption by helping us live faithful lives in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Out of the City (Rev. 18:4)

By kellitempleton

We are done quickly today (Bob Bonner, Chris Mathieu, and me) since Pastor Dave’s sermon is HIGHLY application orientated – a follow-up from last week.  We have very few questions since it appears Pastor Dave will be driving us to action.  As a leader, take this week’s sermon questions as a chance to hold each other accountable…we are praying for transparency and fruit that lasts!

Relate

If you went to the Nick Vujicic event, share what you thought about it.  Try to keep this positive…..we recoginize there were some “challenges”.

Review

Share any truth, application or idea from the sermon that challenged or confused you.  Use this as an opportunity to have people share “tidbits”.  It is also a good time to review the Scripture (actually open your Bibles) and review the outline.

What were the three biblical usages of the word “world”?   Which one is “the great prostitute”?  1. Creation 2. People 3. An anti-God system (this is the great prostitute).  Try to recall Pastor Dave’s scriptural support for this answer.

How might a believer actively or passively “share in the sins” of the prostitute?  This is primarily in point I of the sermon

What were Lot’s consequences for “living in the city?”  looks like Pastor Dave will be eluding to Lot in point IIB.  Genesis 19.26-33 is key.

Dig

Read  Proverbs 7 about the naïve young man who is snared by the prostitute. What principles can you see about how the world works to seduce us from the One Who made us and loves us?  It seems Pastor Dave will be sharing what we do (folly, ignorance, simplicity, naivete, foolishness) but what does the world do to seduce us?

Are there any ways it is appropriate for you as a believer to be involved with “the great prostitute?”  Read Jn 17:14-18 and Matt 5:13-16.  Doesn’t look like Pastor Dave will hit this at all so it might be a good discussion of how we live in the world but are not of the world.  Jesus is the one talking in these verses…..this could be fruitful discussion for your group.

Application

Did you “make a stand” on Sunday? What was the Lord speaking to you about? What are you going to do about it?  we only did one application this week since “taking a stand” is significant.  We are hoping this would be a good time to have your group share and then the group help keep you accountible to your plan to accomplish it.

Beast Rider – Rev 17 AND 18

By kellitempleton

Today marks the first day we (Dave Hilliard, Chris Mathieu, and me) had to phone Pastor Dave B at his home because we were absolutely lost.  The phone call was profitable!  Key in on the idea that the “beast rider” is the world system.

Relate

Share any truth, application, or part of the sermon that challenged you?

Review

Pastor Dave provided all of these questions and should cover them in depth in the first part of his sermon.

What do we know about “the beast” with seven heads and ten horns? Where have we seen him before? Rev 13

What, according to the angel who speaks with John, are the “waters”?

Who are the three groups of kings in our chapters? How do they differ? What is revealed to us about “the kings of the earth”?

How is it that some people commit adultery with the great prostitute, others get drunk with her wine? What is the difference? What are some examples of each group today? Pastor Dave said if we profit, we are prostituting; however, we may be drunk with the idea of profiting.

Dig

How do the following Scriptures help you better understand the world system?  The goal here is to get your people to open their Bibles and think deeply between the world system and God’s way. The discussion/concepts found here will help lead you into the application section.

Isaiah 47:8b the key idea here is the attitude “‘I am, and there is none besides me”

1 Cor. 1:18-25 – gospel is foolish to the world yet the power of God for those who believe

1 Cor. 1:26-29 – God takes the things despised by the world and turns it upside down in regards to value and eternal worth

Phil. 3:18-21 – mind set on earthly things or heavenly things

1 Peter 4:3-4 – the world thinks we are strange and abuse us for not joining in with them like we use too…

Application

Even if we are believers, we grew up in the prostitute’s city and live near her today.

• What are some of the values we can bring into our Christian lives that originate in her?see ideas in the dig questions
  
• Can you give specific illustrations from your own life? this can be past or present…..value of education, money, party hard, etc.
  

Revelation 18:4 tells us about a heavenly voice imploring God’s people to “come out of her.” How have you come out of the world system? Pastor Dave stressed this is current believers God is speaking to…..it may be workthwhile to split into men/women and share this together as your prayer request, especially if folks feel they are still in the world….

God’s Moves Sermon Questions

By Dave Stone

Revelation 16:12-16

Pastor Dave is covering the same Scripture this week as he did last week. We know many of you were wondering about the “frogs” (Revelation 16:13-14) of our text. To get us started, we have an interpretation from Bob Bonner as to why those demonic spirits are likened to frogs. Are you ready? (get your rim-shot ready) Those demonic spirits are likened to frogs because they make people croak. [insert groan here]

OK, now to the real questions.

RELATE

Have you invited anyone to come with you to hear Nick Vujicic? If so, stop and pray for those invited.

Share which of the seven premises on how God moves is most meaningful or surprising to you and why?

REVIEW

Was there anything from last week’s teaching that particularly caught your attention, challenged you, or confused you?

Name each of the seven ways God moves and identify the key concept of each.

The goal here is to set the stage for application section…noting how God moves. In the application section we’ll delve into how is God moving in and around your life.

Review how each of the seven premises is relevant to our text.

We hope to update these notes after we hear the sermon, because before hearing the sermon, we’re not exactly sure how to answer this question.

DIG

Identify three or four biblical stories that demonstrate one or more of the ways God moves.

Example: Stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:59-8:4:

• triggers a sequence – as a result of Stephen’s stoning, believers scatter from Jerusalem and the Gospel goes forth
• incorporates the enemy’s plan – the enemy sought to squelch Stephen’s testimony, yet as a result God’s testimony goes further than Stephen could have taken it alone
• involves leaders – Stephen was stoned with the approval of Saul, a Jewish leader
• right on time – it appears to be God’s timing to spread the Gospel beyond Jerusalem

As a group, think of some other examples from Scripture. If you can’t think of any, check out these stories of Jesus (John 19-20), Joseph (Genesis 50:15-21), and Paul (Acts 27:27ff).

APPLICATION

Is there anything difficult in your life right now where it appears God is absent? As a group discuss how God might be moving.

Even if you can’t understand or see God moving in your difficult situation are you willing to trust Him?

Consider discussing with your group the “how” of trusting God. What does it look like to trust God? Also, bring up reasons why God is trustworthy.

RESOURCES

Where is God When It Hurts by Phillip Yancey

When God Doesn’t Make Sense by James Dobson

The Sixth Bowl Blessing Sermon Questions

By Dave Stone

Text: Revelation 16:12-16

View the Butterfly Circus.

This week was one of our more challenging weeks in questing writing. Our main goal is to help you lead your people in applying Pastor Dave’s three main points.

RELATE

What did you think about the movie clips from “Butterfly Circus?”

As a group, discuss attending the October 21st presentation by Nic Vijucic in lieu of your regular weekly meeting.
This is only a suggestion.

As group, discuss a Fall service project. Suggestion: Walk for Life (October 24), Fall Frenzy (October 30). See October CrossRoads or Service Opportunities on this blog for more details.

REVIEW

Take a minute and review the outline or any of the verses Pastor Dave mentioned. Share any truth, application, or part of the message that challenged or confused you.
This is always a good question to ask…find out how the Holy Spirit has been working through the sermon in people’s lives.

What does it means to be “blessed”? What does it take for someone to be blessed in this and other passages?
Here are some passages to consider Romans 8:28-39, Revelation 1:3 and 22:7.

Who is speaking in Revelation 16:15 and to whom?

DIG

How do the following verses relate to not being ashamed by “staying awake” and “keeping your clothes on”? (see Revelation 16:15)

• Luke 9:26 – believe Jesus, accept His words, obey His commands
• Colossians 3:12-14 – we have to choose these things (e.g., compassion, kindness, etc.), motivated by the fact that we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus
• 2 Timothy 2:15 – we are working (actively proclaiming the Gospel through words and actions), and we correctly handle the Word of Truth
• 1 Peter 5:8-9 – stand firm in the faith, resist the devil

APPLICATION

Is there anything from the sermon you need to “take to heart” so you will not be ashamed?

Are you “beholding the truth” with regular Bible reading? Share any strategies you have that make it meaningful.
One year Bible, Proverbs in a month, Scripture meditation/memorization, 1-year New Testament, early morning, before bed, etc.

What benefits have you received from regular reading of the Bible?
Benefits include: discern right from wrong, know God more, instruct children better, ward off attacks from Satan, greater appreciation of Jesus

Walk for Life – 10/24

By kellitempleton

Jeannette Remington is a GROW Group Leader with her husband, Rich.  They have formed a new group for parents of teens meeting on Sunday nights.

Jeannette is also invovled with the Tri-City Pregnancy Network.  Your group may want to consider the Walk for Life scheduled for October 24th.