Why People Reject Jesus

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: —
Series: —

1. Because of the Worries of Life
2. Ignorance of the Scriptures
3. Pride
4. Too Familiar with Him
5. A Refusal to Change Their Lifestyle
6. God Is Not Actively Drawing a Person

Roots

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17
Series: —

1. Protected Roots
2. Unexpected Roots
3. Rejected Roots

Friends Who Will Welcome You into Heaven

Speaker: Dr. Greg Livingstone
Scripture: Luke 16:9
Series: —

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Can you name two missionary families from EFCCL? Where do they serve?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Psalm 67. Describe God’s plan for the nations. How will this take place?
2. Why do Muslims need to be saved? What are their beliefs about Jesus?
3. Discuss some new facts you learned about Islam and Muslims.
4. Read John 15:18-25 and 2 Timothy 3:12. Why does the world hate Christians so much?
5. Read Luke 10:1-12. Discuss the phrase “the harvest is plentiful.” What does this mean exactly? What else does Jesus tell us to do in this passage? Discuss the relevance for us today.
6. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. What is the gospel? (Be as concise as possible.) What is the plan of salvation? (Be as concise as possible.) Discuss the difference between the gospel and the plan of salvation.
7. Since Jesus is the center of the gospel, discuss His claims in John 5:16-30.
8. Read John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. Why is Jesus the only way to heaven? Is this “fair”?
9. Read Revelation 20:15. What happens to those who reject Jesus?
10. Read Romans 10:9-15. What does this say about the need to share clearly with others? Why?

APPLICATION

• Will you commit, in your Community Group, to pray for one of our missionaries monthly?
• Who are you planning on sharing the gospel with next?

Can God Be Trusted?

Speaker: Pastor Tim Bruns
Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6
Series: —

Sermon Notes

1. God is there to encourage us when we are uncertain about life.
2. God is honored when we trust Him and graciously rewards our faith.
3. God will demonstrate that He is able to be trusted.

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Many times, after some big event in our lives, there can be a kind of letdown once it is over (graduation, wedding, birth of a child). The same can be true spiritually (ministry event, spiritual battle). Share an example with the group from your own life.

INTO THE BIBLE

1. In Genesis 15:1-6, we see God encouraging Abraham to not be afraid. Fear is a part of all of our lives. Look at these passages to see how God wants to help us in the midst of our fears: Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 10:28, 2 Timothy 1:7.
2. The Lord told Abraham that He would be his shield. Read the following verses to glean more on this powerful image: Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalm 3:1-4, 5:11-12; Proverbs 2:3, 30:5. Compare those verses with the spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:10-18.
3. Genesis 15:6 says that “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited to him as righteousness.” That verse is quoted in the following New Testament passages: Romans 3:28-4:8, Galatians 3:6-9, James 2:14-26. How and why do the human authors use the quote? Is there a contradiction between Paul (justified by faith) and James (righteous by what they do)? If not, how do you reconcile the passages? (Also look at Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 2:11-14.)
4. Abraham is an important figure in the biblical narrative—both as an example of faith (though not perfect!) and because it was through him that the Lord blessed the whole world by means of the salvation that was accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ. Read and discuss the New Testament “commentary” that sheds more light on the life of Abraham (Romans 4:18-25, Hebrews 11:8-19).
5. In our passage, God reaffirmed a promise He made to Abraham. The Bible contains many promises that the Lord has made. What do the following references say about the promise-making God: Joshua 21:45; Psalm 119:140, 148, 162; 2 Corinthians 1:20; 2 Peter 1:4? As a group, come up with a list of at least a dozen promises that are given to Christians.
6. In Hebrews 11, it says that faith pleases God and that the “saints of old” were commended for their faith. The following verses can be instructive for us to be people who live by faith: Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 2:16-20, 3:11; Hebrews 10:35-11:6, 11:32-38.

APPLICATION

Abraham was fearful, worried, and uncertain about the future. You may find yourself having those same feelings—because of a stressful job, a broken relationship, financial pressures, health concerns, discouragement, or overwhelming grief. Find one or more promises of God that speak particularly to your situation. Read and meditate on these; pray them back to God. Ask your group to also pray for you. 

Disciplemaking the Next Generation

Speaker: Pastor Ron Kirkeeng
Scripture: Psalm 78:1-8
Series: —

Sermon Notes

Christianity will only continue as we follow God’s calling to do disciplemaking to the next generation.

How?

Personal Application: How will you obey and be a part of God’s calling to do disciplemaking to the next generation?

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Share about a few people who have helped you learn to be a follower of Jesus.

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Psalm 71:5-8. How does the Psalmist describe his life and his relationship with God?
2. How would you describe your walk with God these days?
3. What are ways you can praise God for His work in your life from birth until now?
4. Read Psalm 71:16-18 and 78:1-8. How important is it to pass our faith down to the next generation? What happens if we miss passing the Gospel and truth to the next generation?
5. How can we be faithful to pass our faith on to the next generation?
6. Share about how you have seen faith being passed down in your family. Where and how did it start, and how many generations have followed Jesus?
7. Read 1 Corinthians 4:16. Paul made his life an example for others to follow. How did he do that? How can we do it in our world today?
8. Read Deuteronomy 6:1-4. How did the instruction of future generations in Israel proceed? Formally or informally? What does this say about disciplemaking in our context as we pass the Gospel on to the next generation?
9. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9. What does it look like for you to share life with someone who needs to learn to follow Jesus? 

Walking with God in Dark Times

Speaker: Pastor Steve Yeschek
Scripture: Psalm 23
Series: —

Four encouraging truths about God as our Good Shepherd:

1. The Benefits of Being One of His Sheep
2. He Restores His Sheep
3. He Guides His Sheep
4. He Sees His Sheep through the Dark Times

What truths about the Good Shepherd do you need to focus on? In what dark times do you still need the application of prayer and scriptural truth?

In the dark times, ask yourself: am I praying? Am I thinking right? Am I being thankful? Am I abiding in the truth? Am I abiding in love? Is my hope in God alone?

More and More

Speaker: Pastor Ron Kirkeeng
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:3
Series: —

"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing."

1. Keep Growing More and More
2. Keep Loving More and More

• How am I going to live this out in my life and the life of our community at EFCCL?
• How can I love and share the gospel with the people of Crystal Lake?

Why Be Baptized Under Water?

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 1
Series: —

On Sunday, August 10, we celebrated with many in our church family who decided to step forward in obedience and be baptized. Their testimonies are included in this week's audio/video files, along with Pastor Jay's sermon.

The King Who Stooped to Conquer

Speaker: Pastor Tim Bruns
Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11
Series: —

1. The Self-humbling of the Son
2. The Exaltation by the Father
3. The Response of Every Person

Hope in Times of Hopelessness

Speaker: Cal Hiebert
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Series: —

Introduction:

• We see hopelessness in society.
• We see hopelessness in the Bible.

Principles:

1. Our hope is anchored in a living God.
2. Our hope is not anchored in our past.
3. Our hope is anchored in God's past performance.
4. Our hope is anchored in God's good plan.
5. Our hope is anchored in faith.