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MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Good Good Father (2 Thessalonians 2;16) – The EP by Zealand Worship

Come Thou Fount (Psalm 16:11) – Public Domain

Unending Love (Romans 8:39) – God is Able by Hillsong Worship

Jesus Is Better (Mark 9:24) – King of Love by Austin Stone Worship

Doxology (Romans 11:36) – Public Domain

TEACHING: Be the Church, Part 1

As followers of Christ, we don’t go to church. We are the church.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. Prior to hearing this message, what came to mind when you heard the word “church”? Has that changed at all now?
2. What passages of Scripture come to mind that describe the design, purpose, or mission of the Church?
3. What does it mean that we, as followers of Christ, are the Church? Why is it so important to get these terms right?
4. Have you, or anyone you know, left a local church for any of the reasons that Pastor Mike described? What are other reasons (right or wrong) that someone might leave?
5. What does it look like for the truth to bring conviction rather than guilt?
6. How would you respond to a friend who said he was leaving the church because he thought it was boring or irrelevant? What if he thought that the church was full of hypocrites?
7. Read Romans 6:15-23. What is the difference between how the world defines “freedom” and how Scripture defines it? How does Jesus give freedom to His followers? What should our lives look like in light of that freedom? How should it affect our interactions with unbelievers?
8. Spend some time praying that your group, and all the believers at RBC, would truly reflect and honor Christ, as His Body. Pray for the unbelievers in your lives, that they would put their faith in Christ and become members of the Church.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Keeper of My Heart (Psalm 121:1-2) – Majestic by Kari Jobe

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us (Galatians 6:14) – Mars Hill Music by Dispatch

Your Promises (2 Peter 1:3-4a) – Wake Up the Wonder by Elevation Worship

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

TEACHING: Be Anxious for Nothing

We live in a world that is morally decaying. Pastor Mike and David Shedd dialogue about viewing the world in which we live through a biblical lens.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. What makes you anxious as you observe the state of the world today?
3. Read and discuss Philippians 4:4-9. What does this reveal about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What commands, encouragements or warnings are there for us to heed?
4. We live in a world that is morally decaying. What opportunities do you have (or can you make) to be salt and light in the environments in which you have influence?
5. How do we balance the tension between security and compassion in an uncertain world?
6. What is the root of anxiety, beyond circumstances and situations? How does anxiety relate to trust?
7.  How does the gospel anchor us in the midst of uncertainty?
8. Read and discuss 1 Peter 5:6-7. What anxieties do you need to cast upon the Lord? Spend some time in prayer about this.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

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

Alive in Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God is Able by Hillsong Worship

Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – Death of Death by Charlie Hall

O Praise The Name (Anástasis) (Romans 5:8) Open Heaven / River Wild  by Hillsong Live

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

TEACHING: The Purposeful Mind

Stagnation is devastating in the life of a believer. We must set our minds to the greatest purpose of all life – to know Jesus.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. If there was one thing about you that you could snap your fingers and instantly change, what would it be?
3. Read and discuss Philippians 3:10-16. What does this tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What commands, encouragements or warnings are there for us to heed?
4. What is the role of change in the life of a Christian? What does change indicate? Are there some things that shouldn’t change?
5. In what ways are we the church in danger of “standing still” or becoming complacent?
6. What is an area where you need to stop coasting?
7. Why are we so easily distracted from things that really matter by things that really don’t?
8. Where in your walk do you need to forget what is behind and move forward?
9. How does the gospel enable us to press on, endure, persevere?
10. What is one area of your walk where you need to develop discipline?
11. How does the gospel encourage, propel and enable biblical change in our lives? Pray that God would be graceful to continue to know and make you like Jesus.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

YOUR PROMISES (2 Peter 1:3-4a)
Brown, Brock, Furtick, Joye  |  Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
ONLY KING FOREVER (1 Timothy 1:17)
Brock, Brown, Furtick, Joye  |  Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
COME TO ME (Matthew 11:28)
Akers, Capps, Bleecker | Bleecker Publishing
O PRAISE THE NAME (Romans 5:8)
Hastings, Ussher, Sampson |  Hillsong Music Publishing

TEACHING: Following Jesus to the End

Clear minds enable clear thinking.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Read and discuss 2 Peter chapter 3. What does this tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What commands, encouragements or warnings are there for us to heed?
3. What is “wholesome thinking” or “a pure mind” (v. 1)? Why is this important?
4. What causes us to forget God? What sort of “interference” do you tend to deal with?
5. What does it mean to be deliberately ignorant of something (v. 5)? What are the results of this? How can we avoid doing this ourselves?
6. What present-day scoffers have you seen or encountered?
7. Why do we so easily buy into things without checking them out? What examples can you think of?
8. What does it mean to redeem something? How does this relate to the gospel? How does it relate to our daily life?
9. As we look at the world stage today, what comfort is there in knowing that God is in control and He redeems? What patterns of though or action in your life do you need to reevaluate in light of this?
10. In light of all this, knowing what will come to pass, what kind of people ought we be? How can we lean into the gospel and look forward to the coming kingdom of God?