Blog

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

God Is With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – Louder Than Creation by Michael Olson (North Point)

Blessed Be Your Name (Job 1:21) – Where Angels Fear To Tread by Matt Redman

Glorious (Psalm 72:18-19) – Glorious by Paul Baloche

Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17) – Yahweh by Hillsong Chapel

10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103:1) – Unrelenting Love by Nick Thurmond

TEACHING: Black Water

In the dark times of life, we are never alone – God teaches us things in the darkness that we would never have learned in the light. God is present and purposeful in our pain.

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. Have you ever had a “black water” experience, where you felt isolated, alone, and in the dark in your Christian life?  What happened? Did you struggle to sense God’s presence and purpose in your trial? Did that situation resolve?
3. Do you struggle with diving into the living and active Word of God with purpose? How does the Word of God prepare our hearts for trials?
4. Consider some of the passages from Mike’s message: Psalm 22:1-2, Psalm 23. Psalm 139:7-12, John 16:33, Job 1:1, Psalm 145:18, James 1:2-4, 2 Samuel 22:5-7, 17, Hebrews 12:7-11, 2 Corinthians 4:17. What do these tell us about out “black water” experiences?
5. How would you describe your prayer life?  How does this change in times of darkness?
6. If God’s Holy Spirit suddenly left you, would you notice? Why or why not?
7. If you are in a trial right now how, are you coping with the reality that you don’t know when or if it will end? What perspective does prayer, scripture and the gospel bring to your situation?
8. How has God ministered to you during trial in prayer, in the Word, or through connection and guidance?
9. In looking back at your own “black water” experiences, what are some things you can see you learned during those times? How do you think God used that time in your life to shape you spiritually into the image of Jesus?
10. Spend some time in prayer about the things you’ve discussed.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

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

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

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

God You Lifted Me Out (Psalm 30:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship

Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong

In Your Presence (2 Corinthians 8:9) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

TEACHING: There’s No Time Like the…

Everyone tends to default to living in either the past, the present or the future. Where does God desire us to be?

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. Everyone tends to default to focusing on the past, present or future. What are the strengths of each? What are the weaknesses?
3. Which do you tend to think more about – the past, the present or the future? Why do you think that is?
4. Read and discuss John 14:1-17. What do you see about the person and works of Jesus Christ? What might these verses also tell us about man? What jumps out at you personally as you read through these verses?
5. What does it mean that God’s Spirit “dwells with you and is in you” (v. 15)?
6. What does it mean to be in the presence of God? Can you describe a time when you knew you were in His presence?
7. How does the gospel of Jesus Christ frame your past? How does the gospel impact your present? What does the gospel promise for our future?
8. Spend some time in prayer about the things you’ve discussed. Thank God for His presence and the new life we have in Him. Pray for His grace over any specific struggles you have focusing too much on the past, present and/or future. Ask for a continual awareness of His presence in your daily life.