Fat Cows...

Here are some study questions from Gordon on the message he preached on Amos 4 and here's the link to the Sermon: Fat Cows of Samaria

Reading: Amos 4 

1. Consider the question, “What has God done for you lately?” Do we only think of things which prosper us or make us feel more comfortable, or are we able to recognise God's discipline a source of blessing also? (Ref Hebrews 12 :5-11)
2. Read vs 1-5. Discuss how the lifestyles of the people of Samaria and their attitudes towards the poor reflect those of  society today. How should God's people be different?
3. In what ways could it be possible for our worship to be full of tradition and ritual, with a sound knowledge of scripture, but be worthless in the sight of God?
4. Vs 6-11 Discuss ways that God might use to encourage individuals or nations to turn back to Him? Are there areas where we as a nation are guilty of not listening to  his warnings.
5. How is it possible for us as weak, unholy people to be prepared to meet our God as described in v 13?

Because God loves us, He corrects us...

Here's the link to the Sermon: God loves us and corrects us

 Reading: Amos 3 

1. Who is God speaking to here?
2. Read through verses 3-6: what is the message in these 7 questions and answers?
3. Does God bring disasters? Discuss various the thoughts on this and draw a biblical conclusion.
4. Has God told us everything that will happen? (verse 7)
5. This passage is full of judgement, discuss
1. what had the people done?
2. was God's judgement fair, discuss why or why not?
6. How does this passage apply to our lives as a nation, a church and individuals today? or to put it another way - how ought this challenge us?  

Heart Trouble?

Here's the link to the Sermon: A Work To Do In Your Heart  

Reading: Jonah 4

1. What is the book of Jonah mainly about, and what are the other themes?
2. Why is Jonah so angry at God? What does it tell us about Jonah?
3. What is the lesson God is teaching Jonah in this chapter? How does He do it?
4. We're not told Jonah's response, why is that?
5. Discuss ways in which we can apply the message of this book to our lives

God, You're right!

Here's the link to the Sermon: God, You're right! 

 

Reading: Jonah 1:17 - 2:10

This week the study is less directed, but there is a lot in this passage, so please don't rush through, but take some time to look at the things we didn't have time for in the sermon and also to remind each other of those things we did look at...

1. How long was it before Jonah prayed?
2. Take a look through Jonah's prayer and discuss any points that arise as you read through, line by line.
3. In the sermon we looked at a number of important points for us to apply to our lives today, and there may well be others, spend some time discussing these as a group.
4. What was the question we were left with at the end of the sermon?

A Paternity Test

Reading: John 8: 31 - 47
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: A Paternity Test?  

1. Verse 48 starts with a barrage of abuse from the Pharisees. Why the rudeness and what exactly do the Pharisees mean by what they say?
2. Verse 49 is written to carry serious force (truly, truly or amen amen), discuss the condition to having eternal life.
3. Verse 56: how did Abraham see Jesus coming (Gen 14 perhaps?)?
4. Verse 58: what is Jesus claiming, what does I AM mean and when was it first used of God to describe Himself?
5. In the sermon we suggested a paternity test - how might you test your spiritual paternity?

Why would you need saving?

Reading: John 8: 31 - 47
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Do you need to be free?  

1. Chat through what verse 31 means, consider what the flipside of this is? This is a big deal why?
2. What does it mean to you to be free in Christ? how does that match up to Jesus teaching, here and elsewhere, on freedom and slavery?
3. The Pharisees are really out of their depth in this passage. Why are they getting wound up, and how come they can't answer Jesus' questions of them?
4. What are you as an individual taking away from this passage to help you in your Christian life?
5. Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus' tells us that we either choose Him and eternal life or Satan and eternal existence in the 'outer darkness'. What do you make of that?

Not Just A Light

Reading: John 8:12 - 30
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Not Just A Light  

1. Discuss verse 12, what does it mean? What is the impact of this verse on us today, and how should we apply it?
2. Compare verse 13 - 18 with John 5:31. What is different about the two situations?
3. Consider how taking Jesus words out of context can have devastating consequences.
4. What were the Pharisees getting at in verse 19?
5. Take a look at the remainder of the passage what was Jesus trying to get the Pharisees to understand?

Sin - A Three Act Play

Reading: John 7:45-8:11
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: A Three Act Play...   

1. Read through to the end of chapter 7.Talk through what happened when the temple police got back to base without making an arrest: consider the things the different characters said. What can we learn from this scene?
2. In the sermon we split the next section into three acts. Chat through the three separate acts and discuss each part with the intention of listing as many things as you can that we can learn and apply to our lives today. This is quite a major exercise and could take most of the time you have for questions.
3. Spend some time praying together for the needs of each other, the life of our church and the impact of the Gospel in our lives and the lives of others we meet.

 

Only when we live our faith will we really get it...

Reading: John 7:1-24

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Are you missing the point?  

1. Think about and discuss why Jesus' brothers suggested all the things they suggest (verses 3-4).
2. Verse 5 says Jesus' brothers didn't believe– discuss the difference between true faith and a misplaced or false faith.
3. Look at verses 10-13
• why did Jesus go secretly?
• what did Jesus mean by "my time"?
• consider how you measure up to verse 13 - are you afraid to speak the whole gospel in public (not just the politically acceptable parts)?
4. Verse 17 - how is it that we can know the truth of Jesus's teaching? we looked at this for some time in the sermon. Why is it crucial to a Christian?
5. What was the thing that had really upset the religious leaders? Talk through how Jesus answers that.
6. Read verse 24 in different translation, then discuss it.

Some kind of celestial baker?

Reading: John 6:22-40

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Some kind of celestial baker?  

1. Why were the people searching after Jesus now, and why do many people follow Jesus these days?
2. What is the right motivation for following God? What should our attitude be towards spiritual rewards and material benefits? How does Jesus deal with this issue in verse 27?
3. What is the difference between every man-made religion and what Jesus taught us (see verse 29)?
4. Discuss verse 30: What sign do you think would be enough to convince them?
5. Verse 31 -33. What is the difference between the manna that Moses gave (through God) and the bread of God?
6. Is it possible for somebody to be called but not end up saved (37)?
7. Is it possible for somebody to lose their salvation after they have come to true faith in Christ? Why or why not?

Study Questions: Who condemns you?

Reading: John 3:16-21

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: So who condemns you? 

1. Read through verse 16 and consider every word and it's significance.
2. What didn't God send His son into the world to do? Discuss
3. How are we condemned. Talk through what this means in a) the way we should live; b) the way we should encourage and challenge other Christians; c) the way we talk to others about Jesus.
4. Discuss what it means to love the darkness and what we should expect as we come into the light.

Study Questions: A Spot of Spring Cleaning

Reading: John 2:13-25

 

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Spring Cleaning

 

1. Verse 13: What is Passover? (Exodus 12:1-14): What condition did the lamb need to be in and what did the lamb and its blood symbolise?
2. Verse 14-16: What was the big deal about:  a) the market place? b) the bureau de change?
3. Where does the Bible say the judgment will begin? 1 Peter 4:17?
4. How many times did Jesus clear the temple?
5. Study and discuss verses 23-25, what does it mean?
6. How can we apply all of this to our lives today?
7. Are we ready for Jesus to suddenly appear again?

 

Study Questions: What a way to launch a ministry!!

Reading: John 2:1-12

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: What a way to launch a ministry

1. Verse 1: What do we know about weddings and marriage as described in the Bible? And why is it important that we understand about this?
2. Verse 2: What was the big deal about the wine running out?
3. Verse 4: Discuss how Jesus addressed Mary; what is going on here?
4. Verse 5: Talk through what Mary said to the servants.
5. Verse 6-8: look at the details in these verses, what stands out to you and why?
6. Discuss what was said about the bridegroom and Jesus at the close of the sermon.
7. How can we apply all of this to our lives today? 

Study Questions - Who is Jesus? (or) What's a Fathers heart?

Reading John 1:14-18.
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon The word on the street is...
 

1. In the sermon we looked at a few of the ideas people today have about who Jesus is. Discuss some of these as a group. What difference does our idea of who Jesus is make to our lives today?
2. The second half of verse 14 says "And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son". What is god's glory? Can we see it today?
3. Verses 14 and 16: What is:
• grace;
• truth.
4. Verse 17, how does the law fit with grace and truth? And what difference does knowing that make to you?
5. Verse 18 says, (in the New Living Translation) "No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us." First talk through what God's 'father's heart' means, and then use this as a theme to lead you into a time of prayer.