You Must Be Born Again

"You Must Be Born Again"
Discussion Guide
3-3-2013

Text: Jn 3:7
'You must be born again.'

Synopsis: Jesus is talking to a member of the San Hedrin, a religious leader of great power. In the discussion, the leader asks how can a person be born again. Jesus answers that it is a spiritual birth, not a literally birth.

Discussion Questions

1. How was the way prepared for Jesus and who prepared the way for Him?

2. What is baptism?

3. What is an epiphany and when did one happen?

4. What are three reasons Jesus was baptized?

5. How was Jesus prepared for His ministry?

6. How did Jesus face the temptations that were placed before him by Satan?

7. Why did Jesus react to His mother asking Him to make wine out of water the way He reacted?

8. What did Jesus ultimately do regarding the wine that needed to be made?

9. Why must we be born again?

10. What are some barriers to the gospel that were broken down by Jesus at the well with the woman?


Scripture:
John 2 Matthew 3 Isaiah 40:3-5 John 3 Matthew 4

He is Here!

He is Here
Discussion Guide
2-24-2013

Text: Lk 2:10-12
I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Synopsis: The Bible, God's written word is a historical narrative about the story of God's Redemption of His People. We have watched the story develop through the Old Testament that demonstrates God's Love for His people. God's love for His people culminates in the story of Jesus Christ. In the next ten weeks we will see God's purpose in sending His one and only son to us.

Discussion Questions

1. What are some messianic scriptures from the old testament?

2. What is the significance of these scriptures

3. What is the main message of the upper story in the Old Testament?

4. What are some lower story "stories" as the New Testament begins to unfold?

5. What is a Christology?

6. What is John chapter 1 teaching us concerning Jesus Christ?

7. What does it mean to us that God has provided a savior?

8. Why is joy part of the package of having a savior?

Scripture:

Ge 1:1-3 Ge 3:15 Ge 12:2 Is. 7:14 Is. 9:6-7

Micah 5:2 Luke 1-2 John 1:1-18

A Time of Courage

A Time of Courage
Discussion Guide 2-10-2013
Text: Esther 4:14
Esther 4:14 – “For is you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

Summary
Its purpose is to demonstrate God’s love and sovereignty in all circumstances. As a post-exile story about Jews who stayed behind after most returned to Jerusalem after captivity, Babylon was conquered by Persia, and Esther miraculously becomes the queen of the land and saves her people.

Discussion Questions
1. What life lessons does Haman teach us about pride, self-centeredness, and hatred?

2. In what way can we see God working behind the scenes in this story?


3. Queen Esther was willing to risk her own life to save her people. What are some examples in which we may risk everything to do what is right?

4. What main points is Mordecai trying to get across to Esther in Esther 4:13-14?

5. What types of people does God use to save His people or to make a difference?

6. An Agagite is an Amalekite, and the Amalekites were descendants of Esau and were enemies of God’s people (Exodus 17:16). How does this apply to Haman in Esther 3:1?

Scripture
Esther 2:17; Exodus 17:16; Esther 3:1-2; Exodus 20:3-5; Esther 4:13-14,16; Esther 5:12-13;
Esther 6:8-9; Esther 7:8;

Coming Home

Coming Home
Discussion Guide
2-03-2013

Text: Ezra 1:5 Then the heads of fathers' households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.

Synopsis: God exiled his people to teach them a lesson. Now it's time for the exiles to return home. It's not an easy trip to return home after many years. New people inhabit the land and wonder why you have come home?

Discussion Questions

1. What does it feel like to be stirred up by God?


2. Have you every returned to "home" after being away for a long period of time?


3. What are pros and cons of coming home?


4. Where did the people live after the exile?


5. What brought them back together?


6. How was the new leadership picked?


7. How did these new leaders know they were leaders?


8. How does perspective play a role in spiritual matters, then and now?


Ezra 1-6

Standing in the Fire!

Standing In The Fire
Discussion Guide
1-27-2013

Text:

Daniel 3:15
c what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?"
Summary - Daniel and his countrymen are exiled into Babylon, where they are trained as managers and statesmen. Their religious preference causes friction between the locals, the king and all of them. Daniel and His people stand up for what they believe and are rewarded by God.

Discussion Questions

1. What were the struggles of Daniel and His people as the story begins?

2. What is the first dream and its meaning

3. What is Nebbie's reaction to the dream interpretation?

4. Why are Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego tossed into the furnace?

5. Who is in the fire with them?

6. What is the vision of the tree about?

7. What are Darius' s conclusions after Daniel walks out of the lions den?

8. What are some conclusions that we learned from Daniel's life?

Daniel 1 - 6

Consequences of Neglect

Consequences of Neglect
Discussion Guide
1-13-2013


Text: 2 Kings 17:15


They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves.


Discussion Questions



1. What are various forms of neglect?


2. What are ways that we lose focus on God?


3. How did Israel neglect God?


4. How do we neglect God today?


5. What was God's response to Israel?


6. What was different about Hezekiah?


7. What changes did Hezekiah make in Judah that expressed his faith in God?


8. When God calls us what is the proper response?


9. What was God's response to Hezekiah's prayer



Scripture: 2 Kings 17-20, Isaiah 6

Speaking Up For God Discussion Guide 1-06-2013 Te xt: 1 Ki 18:24 "you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, He is God." Discussion Questions 1. What are you willing to stand for? 2. How does Elisha initially rock Ahab's world? 3. What's the difference between a King and a Prophet? 4. Who was the god in Ahab's kingdom? 5. What were indications of Elijah's faithfulness? 6. What fear did Obadiah have to overcome? 7. What God did Obadiah serve? 8. Why does Ahab call Elijah the Troubler of Israel. 9. What is significant about fire? 10. What happens when Elijah calls on God to bring fire? 1 Kings 16 -18