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MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Closer (Psalm 89:14-15) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong

Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship

Open Up The Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews

Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong

TEACHING: Sexuality & the Gospel, Part 1

Until you see yourself as sexually broken, you will never empathize with the brokenness of others; you will demonize them. God’s indictment is not on a particular community, but on the sinfulness of all people.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon? What is something you hope is covered in this series?
2. Why is sexuality a part of our nature? What would you say are the biblical purposes of sex and sexuality?
3. Read and discuss Genesis 1:26-31. What do you note about God’s purpose in creating mankind? What does it mean to be made “imago Dei” (in the image of God)? What are the implications of being created in His image?
4. Read and discuss Genesis 3. What does this tell you about the nature of God? What does it tell you about the nature of all who are born “in the line of Adam”? What are the implications of this chapter in regards to human sexuality?
5. What does it mean to “have no reference point” in regards to our fallen nature?
6. Why do we seem to innately tie our identity as people to our sexuality? What are the results of this, and how do you see this reflected in our society?
7. “Until you see yourself as sexually broken, you will never empathize with the brokenness of others; you will demonize them.” How do you respond to this statement? Have you found it to be true in your own life?
8. Read and discuss Romans 5. How does this chapter compare with Genesis 3?
9. How is the gospel the solution for the sexual brokenness of all people?

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

Hosanna (Mark 11:9-10) – Savior King by Hillsong Worship

I Stand Amazed (2 Corinthians 8:9) – North Point Live by Candi Shelton (North Point)

Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship

Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

TEACHING: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 17

To the degree that you don’t know Christ, you will trust in other things.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. Throughout the course of this teaching series, what has particularly impacted you from the book of Colossians?
3. What verse(s) would you consider the key verse(s) from each chapter of Colossians?
4. Read and discuss Colossians 1:27. Why is Christ the “hope of glory”? What is biblical hope?
5. How is hope dulled by unbelief? Where in your walk with Christ do you struggle with unbelief?
6. Read and discuss Colossians 2:13-14. What does this section tell us about forgiveness and the gospel? What are the practical implications for your life?
7. In what ways do you allow the gospel to become dulled by familiarity? How can we keep that from happening?
8. Read and discuss Colossians 3:1-4. What do these verses tell us about an eternal focus? How does temporal experience dull our focus on eternity?
9. Read and discuss Colossians 4:1-5. What do these verses have to do with missions? If our passion for missions is dulled by distance, what are some things you and your Shepherd Group can do to “close the gap”?
10. “To the degree that you don’t know Christ, you will trust in other things.” How have you found this to be true? How does the gospel give us grace to deal with this?

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin

With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong Worship

Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong Worship

The Wonderful Cross (Galatians 6:14) – The Worship Initiative, Vol. 5 by Shane & Shane

Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong Worship

Son of God (Psalm 145:3-4) – Beauty in the Broken by Starfield

TEACHING: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 16

Friendships expand the capacity of the soul to experience life.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. Read and discuss Colossians 4:7-14 . What do these verses show us about the nature of ministry and the church?
3. If you were writing a letter to tell others about how thankful you are for the people in your life, how many people would you include? Who are they? Who might include you in their letter?
4. “Friendships expand the capacity of the soul to experience life.” How have you seen or experienced this? What qualities make for a deep friendship?
5. When you find people in pain, do you tend to avoid or engage?
6. “Any time you forgive or are forgiven, your soul expands.”  How have you experienced forgiveness? Is there someone in  your life you need to seek forgiveness from? Is there someone you need to extend forgiveness to?
7. What specific seasons or moments in your life have expanded the capacity of your soul to love and care for others?
8. What does the gospel direct and demand regarding friendships, forgiveness , encouragement and ministering to others?
9. Spend some time in prayer about the things you’ve discussed. Ask the Lord to show you one person you can “go after” in encouragement.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship

Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong Worship

The Lord Our God (James 1:17) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

Be Thou My Vision (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) – Cathedral by Heartsong

In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

TEACHING: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 15

Everyone has a platform to proclaim the “mystery of Christ.” What gospel inroads has God given you?

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. Read and discuss Colossians 4:2-6 . What do these verses tell you about you? What do they tell you about Jesus?
3. Would you consider prayer a strength or a weakness in your walk with the Lord? Why? How do these verses instruct us in the area of prayer?
4. Have you had any recent opportunities to “proclaim the mystery of Christ” (v. 3)? What happened?
5. What does it mean to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders” (v. 5)? Do you make the best use of your time with those who do not know Jesus? How can you grow in this area?
6. What does it mean to be gracious in speech (v. 6)? Do you consider your words generally to be “seasoned with salt”? How do you need to grow in this area?
7. “God did not come to heal all your pain, but to give you the grace to get through the pain.” Have you experienced this? How do you respond to that statement? How can pain become a platform for the gospel?
8. What “gospel inroads” has God given you? What do you need to do in faith & obedience to make the most of those opportunities?
9. Spend some time in prayer about the things you’ve discussed. Ask God to give you opportunities to proclaim Christ in clear and wise ways to those around us.