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 Money Monster

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 10:17-31
Series: God & Money

1. The Power of the Monster
2. Killing the Monster

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

If you could give away one million dollars, what cause would you give it to?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Matthew 6:19-24. Summarize what Jesus says here about money. Why such strong language?
2. What does Jesus mean, “You cannot serve both God and money”? Be specific.
3. Read 1 Timothy 6:3-10. What does Paul say here about money? What is his point? Have you seen this?
4. What is “the love of money”? Describe this as specifically as you can.
5. Read Matthew 19:24. Why would Jesus say this? What does He mean? Does this offend people?
6. Why are so many churches hesitant to talk about tithing?
7. Read Luke 12:15. How can we “be on our guard against greed”? What steps need to be taken?
8. How does our culture promote the love of money? How should the church address this?
9. Read Proverbs 11:24-25. Why does God call us to be generous with our money? Be specific.
10. How do our giving habits reveal what we really think about God?

APPLICATION

In what areas does ‘the Money Monster’ most attack you? How are you fighting this?

The Last Battle

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Daniel 10-12
Series: Daniel: Finding Hope in Our Faithful God

1. The Messenger (ch. 10)
2. The Message (ch. 11)
3. The Mandate (ch. 12)

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

What do you like most about the book of Daniel? How have you been encouraged?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Daniel 10:1-6. Who was this messenger? Why did he come? Does God still send angels today?
2. Where are other angelic visitations in the Bible? What happened in some of these instances?
3. Since Mormonism and Islam both began with “angelic visitations,” how are we to discern if an angel is good or evil? Read Galatians 1:6-9.
4. Skim through Daniel 10. What were Daniel’s physical reactions to seeing this angel?
5. What do we learn about spiritual warfare in chapter 10? Have you ever sensed being in a spiritual war?
6. Read Daniel 11:1-9. What was the angel’s first role (verse 1), and what does that reveal? What would happen in Persia (v. 2) and then in Greece (vv. 3-4)? What will be the sequence of events in the south (Egypt) and north (Syria)?
7. Compare Daniel 11 and Revelation 16. What similarities do you see regarding the Last Battle?
8. In Daniel 11:14-19, what tactics will the king of the north use to get his way (v. 17)? How will he treat the “beautiful land” of Israel (v. 16)? In verses 20-28, who will seize power next (v. 21), and how will he do it (vv. 21, 23)? Who will his heart be set against (v. 28)?
9. Discuss how the narrative seems to shift in 11:36ff. Who is now being discussed? Why? What is said about this person? What will he do? What else do we know about him from Scripture?
10. In Daniel 12:1, what time is now being referred to? Why? (cf. Matthew 24:21ff)
11. What is the mandate Daniel is given? How does this apply to us today?

APPLICATION

Discuss how Daniel 10-12 ties into the theme of God’s faithfulness in Daniel’s book.

Praying Who You Know God to Be

Speaker: Dave Garda
Scripture: Daniel 9
Series: Daniel: Finding Hope in Our Faithful God

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

WARM-UP

• Who is the most prayerful person you know? How has observing and knowing that person affected the way you pray?
  
• Daniel was not a professional clergy but rather a national leader who had a very demanding job. What does it say about his relationship with God and his ability to prioritize time with God regardless of his other life responsibilities? How have you learned to prioritize prayer regardless of your daily pressures?
  

GETTING OUR ARMS AROUND THE PASSAGE

1. Read Daniel 9:1-3. If you had never met Daniel before this moment and you read these three verses, what insights would you gain about him?
2. What could you learn from Daniel by linking together the following two observations?
   • A national leadership transition takes place.
   • We find Daniel studying Scripture and praying.
3. Read Daniel 9:4-6. Who does Daniel know God to be in verse 4? Can you agree and share a testimony of how you’ve come to agree with Daniel about who God is?
4. Why do you believe Daniel enters into a confession of his and his people’s sin in verses 5 and 6?
5. Read Daniel 9:7-11a. Can you think of any other Bible verses that would agree with Daniel’s observation about God in verse 9?
6. Verses 7-8 and 10-11a focus on people, but verse 9 focuses on God. What can you learn from the contrast Daniel makes?
7. Read Daniel 9:11b-14. Dave Garda remembers learning the quote from his mother (a history teacher), “One thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history.” How would you apply this quote to this section of Daniel’s prayer?
8. Read Daniel 9:15-16. How is Daniel demonstrating that he did learn from history—especially when it comes to applying who God is to the current situation he and his people find themselves in?
9. Read Daniel 9:17-19. What do you think Daniel means when he says, “Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary” (v. 17, NLT)?
10. Daniel apparently studied and still studies God’s Scriptures to discover God and to apply who He learns God to be to his own life. List a few of the truths about God that you have discovered by studying Scripture. How did reviewing who God is daily change how Daniel dealt with life? How could doing the same thing affect your life personally? Your family? Your friendships? Your relationship with your work and coworkers?
11. In verse 19, Daniel is begging God to bring about the end of the 70 years of captivity as He promised He would. Why would he be praying for what God had already promised?
12. Read Daniel 9:20-23. How do you picture or relate to verse 20? What is something that you pray for as intensely as Daniel is praying in verse 20?
13. How do verses 21-23 give us a glimpse of God’s attentiveness to Daniel’s prayers? Do you believe God is equally attentive to your prayers? Why or why not?
14. How do you personally know it to be true that you are precious to God the way Gabriel assures Daniel that he is precious to God? Do you believe you are precious to God? Why or why not?

OWNING THE PASSAGE

Take a moment to pray back to God what you’ve learned about Him from Daniel’s prayer. Include the declaration found in verse 23, “for you are very precious to God” (NLT).

A Reason for Hope in Confusing Times

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Daniel 8
Series: Daniel: Finding Hope in Our Faithful God

1. The Vision (vv. 1-14)
2. The Interpretation (vv. 15-27)

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

How and why did you choose EFCCL to be your home church?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Daniel 8 out loud as a group. Discuss initial impressions of this unusual chapter.
2. What are some characteristics of “apocalyptic” literature? What is the piont of apocalyptic?
3. How are apocalyptic portions of the Bible misused in our day?
4. How is the vision in chapter 8 tied to the visions in chapters 2 and 7?
5. Read Daniel 5:30, 6:1, 7:1, and 8:1. Are these chapters chronological? Why or why not? Why write this way?
6. How was this vision fulfilled in the reign of Antiochus Epiphanies IV (ruled 175-164 BC)?
7. Some see Daniel 8 as a reference only to Antiochus—others to both Antiochus and the Antichrist. Discuss.
8. Read Daniel 8:23-27. Is Antiochus Epiphanies a foreshadowing of the Antichrist?
9. Read Revelation 13:11-18. How is the Antichrist described in these verses? Draw parallels.
10. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Summarize what Paul says here about the Antichrist.

APPLICATION

• Why should prophecy be a source of hope for Christians? Be specific.
• What specific aspects of prophecy give you the most hope?

Divine Graffiti

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Daniel 5
Series: Daniel: Finding Hope in Our Faithful God

1. A Night of Revelry (vv. 1-4)
2. A Night of Revelation (vv. 5-29)
3. A Night of Retribution (vv. 30-31)

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

• Whom do you know that you consider truly humble? Describe them to your Community Group.
• Pride is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. What are the other six? Why do you think these seven are lumped together so often?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Daniel 5:1-12. Who is Belshazzar? Why, specifically, is he so terrified?
2. Read Daniel 5:17-24. Describe Daniel’s approach here, prior to interpreting the “divine graffiti.”
3. Read Daniel 5:25-31. What is the divine interpretation of these three different Aramaic nouns?
4. In what areas are you most tempted to be proud (e.g., children, career, income, looks, etc.)?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. What do you think Paul’s “thorn” was? How was it a gift from God? Have you had a similar gift from God? What was it? How did you respond?
6. Read John 13:1-17. How many lessons can you find in this section on serving others?
7. Read Isaiah 31:1-16. Describe the rebuke given here. Why was it given? What is the warning?
8. Read 2 Kings 5:1-12. Discuss how Namaan’s pride almost sabotaged his healing from God. Can you think of an example of pride interfering with God’s blessing on your life?
9. Read Psalm 139:13-18. How is this an antidote for pride? What are some other helpful Psalms?
10. Read Nahum 3:1-7. Discuss how Ninevah’s pride in its military strength brought it down.
11. Read Mark 9:33-37. How do we do what Jesus is saying here (i.e., make ourselves last)?

APPLICATION

• Read Mark 10:35-45. Describe the pride displayed in this passage—and Jesus’ response.
• What are some ways you can kill pride in your life?

Magnifying the Greatness of Our God

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Daniel 4
Series: Daniel: Finding Hope in Our Faithful God

1. God Is Great in His Warnings (vv. 1-18)
2. God Is Great in His Wrath (vv. 19-33)
3. God Is Great in All His Mercy (vv. 34-37)

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

• Pride. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear this word? Is it positive or negative?
• Humility. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear this word? What does our current culture say about pride and humility?
• Do you think you struggle with pride? Share with your group: why or why not?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Daniel 4:1-18. What is the specific warning here?
2. What is your definition of pride?
3. Read 1 Corinthians 4 (the entire chapter). What is Paul rebuking them for? Be specific.
4. Read Isaiah 14:12-15. Whom is God speaking to? Clues? What is being said? Why?
5. Read Ezekiel 28:14-19 and answer the above questions.
6. Read Philippians 2:1-11. Discuss the lessons of Jesus’ humility.
7. Read Mark 10:45. What are the implications for us? Where are you others?
8. What are the subtle disguises of pride in our lives? Be creative.
9. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. How is this an antidote for pride? Be specific.
10. Read Isaiah 40:21-25 and answer the same question.

APPLICATION

Discuss this quote from The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis. It is a senior demon writing a fictitious letter to his nephew—a younger, inexperienced demon.

You must therefore conceal from the believer the true end of humility. Let him think of it not as self-forgetfulness but as a certain kind of opinion (namely, a low opinion) of his own talents and character . . . By this method thousands of humans have been brought to think that humility means pretty women trying to believe they are ugly and clever men trying to believe they are fools. And since what they are trying to believe may, in some cases, be manifest nonsense, they cannot succeed in believing it and we have the chance of keeping their minds endlessly revolving on themselves in an effort to achieve the impossible. To anticipate the Enemy’s strategy (i.e. God), we must consider His aims. The Enemy wants to bring the man to a state of mind in which he could design the best cathedral in the world, and know it to be the best, and rejoice in the, fact, without being any more (or less) or otherwise glad at having done it than he would be if it had been done by another.
— LETTER #14

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?

No Compromise

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Daniel 3, 6
Series: Daniel: Finding Hope in Our Faithful God

1. No Compromise in Our Worship (ch. 3)
2. No Compromise in Our Obedience (ch. 6)

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Have you had the opportunity to stand firm for your faith? Please share with the group. What happened? Did you stand firm or back away? How has this affected your life since that time?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Recap the main points of the sermon.
2. Read Daniel 3:1-6, 16-18. Discuss the response of these three men.
3. Read Daniel 6:1-10. Discuss Daniel’s response. What happened?
4. Why were these men able to face death with confidence? Why are Americans afraid of death?
5. Does God always deliver us in times of physical danger? If not, is He still loving?
6. Read Psalm 119:161-168. What does David say about obeying God’s commands?
7. Read Psalm 119:97-104 (slowly). How is obedience described here?
8. Read 1 John 1:5-7, 2:3-6.
   • What does obedience (or lack of) tell about us?
   • Why are so many so casual about obedience issues?
   • What are ways we try to justify our disobedience?
9. Read 1 John 5:3. Why are God’s commands not a burden for true believers?
10. Read 1 Samuel 15:22-23. What is Samuel saying here?

APPLICATION

What are some of the blessings of obedience? Any examples from your life?

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?