Sunday Rewind | 6.14.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Oh How I Need You – The Longing by All Sons & Daughters
Closer (Psalm 89:14-15) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong Worship
Touch the Sky (1 Corinthians 2:9) – Empires by Hillsong United
Your Promises (2 Peter 1:3-4a) – Wake Up The Wonder by Elevation Worship
Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship
Hallelujah (Our God Reigns) (Lamentations 5:19) – Forever Reign by Hillsong Chapel
TEACHING: Remember, Part 2: The Blessings of Remembrance
When we remember God, we contemplate His glory and experience His presence. God has given us some amazing ways to enjoy His presence and all His benefits.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- Read through 2 Chronicles 34 & 35. What do these chapters indicate to us about remembering and forgetting? What do you observe about the character of the boy-king Josiah?
- Mike shared several means God has given us to help remember Him: The Word, tradition, song, fellowship and prayer. Where do you find examples of these in the account of Josiah? Can you think of other Scriptures that reinforce these means?
- Which of these five means of remembrance particularly resonate with you? Why?
- Which of these means of remembrance would you consider strengths for you and your family?
- Which of these means of remembrance would you consider weak areas for you and your family?
- Which of these areas would you commit to grow in? Share with your small group and ask them to help hold you accountable to remembering the Lord in that way.
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His grace and goodness for us in Christ. Pray that our church would be a people who are constantly remembering God’s glory through all we have in Christ.
Sunday Rewind | 6.7.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – Death of Death by Charlie Hall
Open Up the Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews
Lord of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
Touch the Sky (1 Corinthians 2:9) – Empires by Hillsong United
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God IS Able by Hillsong Worship
TEACHING: Remember, Part 1: The Consequences of Forgetfulness
The blessing of remembrance is the enjoyment of God and all His benefits, but when we choose to forget God, there are relational and generational consequences. Only in Christ do we have the power to remember as we should.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- What is one of your favorite memories? Why? How does this memory illustrate the power of remembering for you?
- Read and discuss Deuteronomy 4:9, 8:11-20, Judges 2:10-12 and 2 Peter 1:3-15. What do these verses tell you about you? What do they tell us about God? What do they indicate about remembering and forgetting?
- How does being “heads down” lead to a slow drift away from God, His presence and His benefits?
- “The blessings of the Lord become idols in a forgetful heart.” How have you seen this to be true? What do you tend to trust in other than God?
- How does forgetting God and what He’s done whither our spiritual growth?
- How do the consequences of forgetfulness have ripple effects that go beyond ourselves?
- What things do you tend to forget about God? Where in your life do you need to “lift up your head” to recalibrate your trajectory?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His grace and goodness for us in Christ. Pray that He would help you not forget Him and His great works.
Sunday Rewind | 5.31.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:8-9) – God Is Able by Hillsong
10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103:1) – Unrelenting Love by Nick Thurmond
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted byElevation Worship
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: Seeing People As They Are, Part 2
Words create and words destroy. The words we speak shape the lives of the people we come into contact with. The church needs to be a proactive influence in the lives of everyone inside and outside of it with the tone and timing of our words.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- What does it mean that we “came through the line of Adam”? What are the implications of this? Even if we don’t know the details, what does this tell us about everyone’s story?
- Read and discuss Matthew 5:13-16. Who is Jesus talking to? What does He tell us about man? What do these verses tell us about God?
- “The world, by its nature, is rotting.” How and where do you observe this? How does this give context to the verses above?
- What’s the difference between being a moral policeman as opposed to a moral example? Which do you tend toward?
- Read through Proverbs 12 & 15. What do these chapters tell us about the power of words? What types of words are mentioned here? How have you seen the power of words bringing life or death in your life?
- How does the tone and timing of our words affect their impact?
- How does the gospel inform and affect how we speak to others?
- Is there someone you need to “pull the sword out of” (Proverbs 12:18) because of your reckless words? Share with your group and spend some time in prayer for them. Make a plan to ask for forgiveness this week.
- Spend some time thanking God for the eternal word of Christ and the spiritual healing He brings. Ask God to show you someone that you can bring healing words to this week.
Sunday Rewind | 5.24.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
The Lord Our God (2 Peter 1:3) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
Your Promises (2 Peter 1:3-4a) – Wake Up The Wonder by Elevation Worship
Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Seeing People As They Are, Part 1
Our tendency is to judge difficult people through our natural understanding of them, but Jesus has a whole new way of seeing people. If we only knew their story, we might respond with compassion instead of judgement.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- What was one thing that was said or done to you in the past that played a pivotal role in shaping your story?
- Read and discuss Matthew 7:1-5. What do you note about the nature of man? What does it indicate about the nature of God? How do you personally respond to this text?
- Read and discuss Luke 7:36-50. Compare and contrast Jesus with the Pharisee in this account. Where do you see yourself in this account? How does this section relate to the verses from Matthew 7 in the previous question?
- Who comes to mind in your life when you think of a difficult person or group? How do you see them? How do you think Jesus sees them?
- Even if you don’t know the specifics, how does knowing that someone has a story guide us toward compassion toward them?
- “The church should be safe place to tell your story.” Have you found this to be true? Why or why not?
- In what areas of your life do you struggle with hypocrisy? How might people on the “outside” who don’t know your story judge you for those? How does the gospel of Jesus address those areas?
- Spend some time in prayer asking God for the grace to see difficult people as Jesus sees them.
Sunday Rewind | 5.17.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Exalted One (Psalm 121:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
The Wonderful Cross (Galatians 6:14) – The Worship Initiative, Vol. 5 by Shane & Shane
Beautiful Lord (Ephesians 2:4-5) – Sound of Melodies by Leeland
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
TEACHING: Bucket List
Don’t misunderstand the promises of Jesus. We bring Him a bucket while He has a waterfall waiting for us. We need to see Him as greater than our personal bucket lists.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO (VIDEO IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS SERMON)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- What are some specific promises Jesus makes in Scripture that you hold dear?
- Read and discuss John 4:4-42. What do you see about the nature of man? What do you note about the person of Jesus? What strikes you about this familiar story?
- What divisions and misunderstandings do you note between Jesus and the woman at the well? How does Jesus address those? How does the woman respond?
- What are some misunderstandings regarding Jesus that we deal with today?
- In what ways can we be “good at religion, but terrible at faith”?
- “We are too concerned with our citizenship on earth, and Jesus wants to point our eyes to our citizenship in heaven.” Have you seen this statement to be true? Why or why not? How does the gospel of Jesus point our eyes to our heavenly citizenship?
- How does the gospel show us that we are fully known and yet fully loved? How does grasping this truth affect our life? How might “the Gospel Rule” (do unto others as Jesus has done unto us) overflow and affect the lives of those around us?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God that you are fully known and fully loved. Ask Him to help you set aside your “bucket” and quench your deepest thirst with the waterfall of His grace.
Sunday Rewind | 5.10.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Your Promises (2 Peter 1:3-4a) – Wake Up The Wonder by Elevation Worship
I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) –Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Praying for Mercy
If you come before God thinking He owes you something, you will see Him as distant and powerless. We should approach God understanding our need and confident in His character.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- Read Luke 18:9-14, 35-43. What do these verses tell us about the nature of man? What do they tell us about Jesus? What do you observe about prayer? What do you observe about mercy?
- Compare & contrast the different prayers in the verses above. What are the similarities? What are the differences?
- How would you describe your prayer life? Do your prayers reflect a desperate need for God? Why or why not?
- How should knowing our need and being confident in God’s character affect our prayers?
- Have you ever prayed for mercy? Share what happened.
- How can praying for mercy align our hearts with God’s?
- Discuss the following quote from Tim Keller. Have you found it to be true? What does it mean and how can you apply it? To the degree you can shed the ‘unreality’ of self-sufficiency, to that degree your prayer life will become richer and deeper.
- Spend some time as a group praying through Psalm 51. Thank God for His great mercy in Jesus Christ and ask Him to help you see your desperate need for Him.
Sunday Rewind | 5.3.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Charlie Hall (Passion)
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (Psalm 27:1) – Let The Future Begin by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
God You Lifted Me Out (Psalm 30:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation 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
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong
TEACHING: Grace Given, Grace Received – Part 2
Grace empowers talent to do what talent could never do alone.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- How is grace “the power to live the Christian life” and “an instructor”?
- Read and discuss 1 Peter 4:7-11 and Romans 12:1-8. What do you see about the nature of man? What do you note about the nature of God? What do these passages tell us about grace? About gifts?
- What is the difference between a talent and a gift?
- What gifts or talents do you have? (Evaluation questions: What tends to frustrate you? What are you passionate about? What do people around you say that you are good at?)
- Why does God give His people gifts? Do you feel you are using your gifts for His purposes? Why or why not?
- What are some specific ways you can use your gifts for the kingdom of God?
- Spend some time in prayer asking thanking God for the gifts He gives His people. Ask Him to empower your talents with His grace and use you to further His kingdom.
From the Field: Haiti Family Mission Update
Over Spring Break, a team of 21 parents and Jr. High students flew to Pignon, Haiti to serve with RBC-supported national pastor, Francois Romelus (featured here in a previous From the Field). While adults from RBC had visited before, it was the first trip that included students, and it was amazing to see the way the Lord used them.
Pastor Francois runs an orphanage of 50+ children, and it was such a blessing to see the ways that our students could play and interact with them, despite the language barrier. Our students were really able to open up the children there and practically show the love of Christ. On top of playing games of soccer, teaching them to skateboard, braiding hair, and hanging out, we also had several special opportunities with them.
We set up Easter Egg hunt with them and talked with them about the resurrection of Christ. We treated them to s’mores cooked over an open fire, after which everyone licked clean their sticky fingers. We had English classes as they taught us some Creole. And we took the oldest ~20 students to a beach a few hours away. Most of them had never been to the ocean and didn’t know how to swim. It was a treat for them, and a blessing to have fun with them.
We also had the blessing of helping the local church run a VBS-style children’s program. While it was a bit chaotic at times with almost 400 children who couldn’t speak English, it was an amazing blessing to serve the community. Our theme for the week was “Mwen Se Trésor Bondye” or “I am a Treasure of God’s”.
We had a great opportunity to play and do crafts with the children and act out Bible stories, as the national pastors taught God’s Word. At the end of each day, each the church provided a meal of rice, beans, and a little chicken for the children, and it was humbling to see how so little meant so much to them. Please pray for the children to understand that they are God’s Treasure.
Finally, we were blessed with many opportunities to connect with and encourage the local church. Eric Smith, the chairman of RBC’s elders, taught a marriage class. We were able to hear the testimonies of and pray for all of the national pastors and elders of the church in Pignon. Please continue to pray for them as they face many hardships and persecution to lead the church.
Thank you to the many who prayed for this team. We definitely saw the answers to many of your prayers. Please continue to pray for Pastor Francois’ children and their futures, as there are very few career opportunities for them.
**Thanks to all who attended the team review on Wednesday, 4/29 in the Jr. High Room. Please continue to pray for Pastor Francois and the ministry there.
Sunday Rewind | 4.26.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Come Thou Fount (Psalm 16:11) – Original Arrangement
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
TEACHING: Grace Given, Grace Received – Part 1
Grace is not just for salvation – we need it in every ongoing aspect of our lives. Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- What comes to mind when you think of the word “grace”? How would you define grace?
- Read and discuss Ephesians 2:1-9 and Romans 5:6-20. What do you see about the nature of man? What do you note about the nature of God? What do these passages tell us about grace?
- In what ways do we tend to “shelve” grace? What are the results?
- How does biblical grace address sin, pride and self-pity? Which of these three do you tend toward? Why?
- In what ways have you received grace? In what ways have you given grace?
- How can you “drink more deeply from the well of grace”?
- Is there a specific area or situation in your life where you need to give or receive grace? What would it look like in practical terms for you to do that? Spend some time praying about this.
Take 5: Examples from Jonah, Part 24
The marvelous revelation of God’s grace and His redemptive plan through Christ is woven within every book of the Bible.
This is our final Take 5 (for now!) We hope these have been encouraging and helpful for those who teach the Word of God. These videos will remain archived here: vimeo.com/channels/minter.