Why We Don't Have to Fear Death

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-18
Series: —

1. Jesus Came to Destroy
2. Jesus Came to Deliver

A God-Centered Prayer

Speaker: Pastor Tim Bruns
Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14
Series: —

1. The Reason for the Prayer
2. The Request of the Prayer
3. The Result from the Prayer
4. Epilogue: All Because of the Rescue

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Briefly describe a person, book, or event that has impacted your prayer life.

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Paul says in Colossians 1:19 that “for this reason” he prays for the church at Colosse. What was (were) the reason(s)?
2. The Scriptures urge God’s people to “pray continually.” (See 1 Samuel 12:23; Luke 18:1-8; Acts 10:1-10, 12:5; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; and 2 Thessalonians 1:11.) Certainly the Lord can answer a prayer after the first time it is uttered (Daniel 9:23), so what is the purpose of, what are we to learn from, or what is the value for Christians being diligent in praying?
3. It appears that some in the Colossian church were following after false knowledge (Colossians 2:8, 18, 21-23). Paul sought to combat that with the teaching them the right kind of knowledge (1:25-27, 2:2-3). What are some of the human commands and teachings that the church faces today? How do we fight against them? Discuss. Then also read Romans 12:2 and Hebrews 5:14.
4. Look at the following verses for what Jesus Christ has done for believers through His finished work on the cross—Colossians 1:12-14, 22-23; 2:9-14. Which of these speaks most powerfully to your own heart at this stage of your Christian life?
5. In this prayer, Paul says Christians share in the inheritance of the saints. Look at Romans 8:16-18, Galatians 4:4-7, 1 Peter 1:3-5, and 1 John 3:1-3. Discuss the further implications of our inheritance in Christ Jesus.

APPLICATION

Many of the recorded prayers in Scripture are God-centered prayers. A great way to help us keep our own prayers focused on the Lord is to use verses from His Word. Develop a list of at least a dozen Bible passages that will help guide your prayer life. Use two or three of them this week as you pray for yourself, those closest to you, and for our church. Here are some suggestions to get you started; come up with more as a group:

• John 15:5, 8, 10
• Romans 16:5-6, 13
• 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, 10:11-13
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
• Galatians 6:9-10

• Ephesians 1:17-19
• Philippians 1:9-11
• 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7, 3:12-13
• 1 Timothy 4:12
• James 1:2-5

The Significance of Baptism

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 1:9-13
Series: —

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Have you been baptized by immersion? As an infant?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Matthew 28:16-20. What role does baptism play with making disciples?
2. Read Acts 9:1-19. How was Paul saved? When was he baptized? Discuss the sequence.
3. The word “baptize” in Greek means “to cover, dip, or immerse.” Discuss the significance.
4. Why is baptism by immersion important? Is it a matter of obedience for a Christian? Why?
5. Read Matthew 3:13-17. Describe Jesus’ baptism. Where and how was He baptized?
6. Read Acts 2:29-39. Discuss the sequence of “Repent and be baptized.” Why is baptism second?
7. Read Acts 8:26-40. Where was the Ethiopian baptized? How was he baptized?
8. Is there any record of toddlers or infants being baptized in the New Testament?
9. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Is baptism necessary to be saved? Why or why not?

APPLICATION

Have you been saved according to the Bible? Have you been baptized by immersion? If not, when?

Compassion on the Hurting

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Luke 10
Series: —

Sermon Notes

1. The Call to Compassion
2. Religion Can Get in the Way
3. Even My Enemy Is My Neighbor

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Describe a time when you were hurting deeply and someone encouraged you.hen did you first learn about the Gospel—of Jesus living and dying for us?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Luke 10:25-37. What were the main points of the sermon?
2. How can religion get in the way of genuine compassion? Discuss.
3. How is the concept of compassion rooted in a Judeo-Christian worldview? Discuss.
4. Read Genesis 1:27. How does this impact the role of compassion? Why?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-12. When is it appropriate to be tough on the hurting? Why? How?
6. Read Romans 15:1-4. How are we to treat those who are hurting? Practical suggestions?
7. Read Matthew 25:31-46. Discuss the role of compassion in light of the final judgment.
8. Read 1 John 4:6-7. What is the “mark of a Christian”? How does love behave?

APPLICATION

Who is someone who is currently hurting that you could minister to? When will you do it?

Follow. Connect. Make.

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: —
Series: —

Sermon Notes

1. Follow
2. Connect
3. Make

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

When did you first learn about the Gospel—of Jesus living and dying for us?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Matthew 4:18-25. Who was called to follow Jesus? How were they called?
2. Read John 15:15-17. When a person comes to Christ, who really chose whom? Why?.
3. Read Romans 10:9-10. How is a person saved according to the Bible? Specifically?
4. Read Acts 3:19. What does it mean to repent?
5. Read Acts 2:4. What is the first act of obedience after repentance? What is baptism?
6. Read 1 John 2:3-6. What is the proof that a person is truly saved?
7. Read Hebrews 10:25. Why is connecting with other believers regularly so important?
8. Discuss: What is the difference between a “Bible study” and a Church?
9. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7. What are the qualifications for leaders in a local church?
10. Read Matthew 28:16-20. What does it mean to make disciples? How did Jesus do this?

APPLICATION

• Have you been saved according to the Bible? Have you been baptized by immersion? If not, when?
• When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone?

Why the Church Has a Future

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20
Series: Special Services

The Elders have recommended Pastor Jay Childs as a candidate to be our next Senior Pastor, and today we welcome him to share with us from Matthew 16. Pastor Jay grew up in Southern California and then in Northern Michigan. His wife, Becky, grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Jay and Becky have three young adult children: Ben (married to Ellie), Stacy, and Heidi. Before joining with Midland Evangelical Free Church in 1990, Jay and Becky pastored a church in rural Minnesota for three years.

Besides their passion for the local church, Jay and Becky love to walk, travel, rollerblade, and read. They also have a burden for encouraging workers in the mission field. They have both traveled to a variety of countries in this endeavor. Some favorite countries they’ve visited: Bosnia, India, Malaysia, Italy, Ireland, China, and Egypt. To hear more of Pastor Jay’s sermons, please visit www.mefchurch.org/sermons.html. We also invite you to stay after services today to enjoy a box lunch ($5/person, $20/family) with Pastor Jay and Becky, followed by time for questions and answers.

1. The Church is ________ by Christ.
2. The Church __________ to Christ.
3. The Church is ________ by Christ.

Resurrection: A Story That Demands a Response

​Speaker:​ Pastor Marty Voltz
Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10
Series: Special Services (Easter Sunday)

Only rarely do we hear a story that demands a response—a story so compelling it will forever alter our existence. The story of Christ’s resurrection from the dead is just such a story.

How shall we respond to it?

• Come, fear!
• Come, believe!
• Come, rejoice!
• Come, worship!
• Go, tell!
  

The resurrected Christ may be found wherever men call upon His Name!

The Day the King Came to Town

Speaker:​ Pastor Marty Voltz
Scripture: Mark 11:1-11
Series: Special Services (Palm Sunday)

Before the betrayal
Before the bloodletting
Before the cross . . .

• He came to them as the _______ _____ _______ (v. 9a, John 12:17-18).
• He came to them as the _______ _____ ________ (v. 2).
• He came to them as the _______ _____ ____________ (vv. 9-10).
• He came to them as the _______ _____ ________________ (v. 11, Matthew 11:15).
• He came to them as the _______ _____ _______ (Luke 19:41ff).

What shall we do with the King?

Seek God for the City

Speaker:​ Mark Revell
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-7
Series: Special Services (EFCA Hungary Summit)