Watch Out for Erosion

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: 1 Kings 1-11
Series: The Life and Lessons of King Solomon

  1. Ignoring God's Will for Marriage
  2. A Focus on Money and Success
  3. Careless Sexual Habits
  4. Careless Spiritual Habits
Posted on May 3, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under King Solomon and tagged Jay Childs.

You'll Do Anything for the One You Love Most

Speaker: Chuck Beckler
Scripture: Luke 14:25-33
Series: —

Discussion Questions

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. How does the truth statement that salvation is by faith alone connect with the message of Luke 14:25-33?
  2. Please explain the three demands of Jesus in your own words (everyone should try). Luke 14:25-33 makes them very clear. Read the passage together again.
  3. What is the significance of the word “cannot” in the text? Why does Jesus emphasize that word?
  4. Is the word “disciple” synonymous with the term “Christian” in Luke 14-25-33? Explain.
  5. Take some time to find other texts in the Gospels that communicate a similar message from Jesus. Discuss how they compare to Luke 14:25-33. (I didn’t give the texts because I want you to dig.)
  6. How have the three demands of Jesus personally impacted your life? Which one is the most difficult for you?
  7. Can you be a disciple without being a Christian? Explain.
  8. Can you be a Christian without being a disciple? Explain. 
Posted on April 26, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under Special Services and tagged Chuck Beckler.

Investing for the Future

Speaker: Cal Hiebert
Scripture: Luke 12-13-34
Series: —

Sermon Notes

  1. A person's life does not consist in abundant possessions.
  2. God is in control of man's destiny. 
  3. God will provide for His own.
  4. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Discussion Questions

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Tell us about a treasure (other than family) that would be difficult to give up.

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Ecclesiastes 8:15. How does this differ from the “eat, drink, and be merry” in Luke 12:19?
  2. Read Colossians 3:1-2. How do you set your mind on heavenly things?
  3. Read Ecclesiastes 5:10. How does this complement Jesus’ teaching about possessions?
  4. Read 1 Timothy 6:9-10. Why do you think that desiring riches and loving money causes so many problems?
  5. Read Philippians 4:11-12. What was the secret Paul learned, and how can we learn it?
  6. Is there a difference between earthly and heavenly treasure? If so, what?
  7. Read Luke 12:33. How do we apply this verse to our lives today?
  8. Is it possible to have both earthly and heavenly treasure? Explain.
  9. We are told we must plan for retirement. Discuss how we can do that and at the same time please God.

APPLICATION

How are you investing in a heavenly future? 

Posted on April 19, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under Special Services and tagged Cal Hiebert.

The Man Who Had It All and Was Still Miserable

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: 1 Kings 1-11
Series: The Life and Lessons of King Solomon

Sermon Notes

  1. Solomon’s Wisdom (ch. 1-4)
  2. Solomon’s Wealth (ch. 5-10)
  3. Solomon’s Women (ch. 11)

Discussion Questions

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Describe someone you know who was wealthy but miserable. What did you learn from him/her?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read 1 Kings 3:1-15. Discuss how Solomon started out so well as King of Israel.
  2. Read 1 Kings 9:1-9. What was the choice put before Solomon? Why do our choices matter so much?
  3. Read 1 Kings 11:1-13. Discuss what went wrong in Solomon’s life. How does this happen to us?
  4. Read Matthew 6:19-24. Summarize what Jesus says here about money. Why such strong language?
  5. Why are so many churches hesitant to talk about tithing?
  6. What does Jesus mean when He says, “You cannot serve both God and money”? Be specific.
  7. Read Matthew 19:24. Why would Jesus say this? What does He mean? Does this offend people?
  8. Read Proverbs 11:24-25. Why does God call us to be generous with our money? Be specific.
  9. How do our giving habits reveal what we really think about God?

APPLICATION

Did you take the tithing challenge (or are you already tithing)? Share how it’s going.

Posted on April 12, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under King Solomon and tagged Jay Childs.

Resurrection or Reincarnation?

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 16
Series: The Gospel of Mark

Sermon Notes

  1. The Reality of Death
  2. The Reality of Resurrection

Discussion Questions

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

What most scares you about death? What most excites you about dying?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Mark 15:21-32. Describe the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion. Note specific details.
  2. Do you believe in reincarnation? Why? Why not?
  3. Read Mark 15:33-41. Why did Jesus cry out, quoting Psalm 22? Why did the temple curtain rip?
  4. Read Mark 16:1-8. What were the main points of the sermon?
  5. Does the existence of several endings to Mark shake our confidence in scripture? (cf. a commentary on Mark; see blog post from January 2 for suggestions: http://goo.gl/MxCQ9o)
  6. Read John 20:1-18. Note some additional information John adds about the resurrection.
  7. Read John 20:24-31. Why is this section so important? What is John’s point here?
  8. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. What is of “first importance”? Why is this so?
  9. Read Revelation 21:1-14. Describe the New Earth. How can we be sure to inherit eternal life?

APPLICATION

Who can summarize the gospel in 30 words or fewer? Offer loving critique of one another’s definitions.

Posted on April 5, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under The Gospel of Mark and tagged Jay Childs.

What Is Your Response to Jesus?

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 14-15
Series: The Gospel of Mark

Sermon Notes

  1. Worship (vv. 14:1-9)
  2. Betrayal (vv. 14:10-26)
  3. Desertion (vv. 14:27-52)
  4. Rejection (vv. 14:53-15:47)

Discussion Questions

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Describe some of the responses you’ve seen people have to Jesus.

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. What were the main points of the sermon? Discuss the different responses.
  2. Read Mark 14:1-11. Discuss why this story is so simple, yet so powerful. What can we learn?
  3. Read Mark 14:12-26. Notice verse 19.
    • Discuss the disciples’ surprise at Jesus’ statement.
    • If no one immediately suspected Judas of being the betrayer, how good of an impostor was he?
    • Why can counterfeit Christians look so authentic? What is the real test of saving faith?
  4. Read Mark 14:27-52, 66-72. Contrast Peter and Judas. Why was one saved and the other lost?
    • Have you known someone who professed faith in Jesus but was later proved to be a “false disciple”?
    • What are ways we abandon Jesus? Would anyone be willing to share of a time they did so?
    • How can we come back to Jesus if we’ve wandered? Does anyone need prayer right now?
  5. Read Mark 14:53-62 and Daniel 7:13-14. Discuss Jesus’ use of “Son of Man” as a title for Himself.
  6. Read John 1:1, 14. Who is Jesus according to John?
  7. Read Mark 15:1-20. Discuss Pilate’s complex response to Jesus—and his conflicting attitudes.
  8. Research ahead of time: Pilate’s relationship with the emperor, Tiberius. How was Pilate walking a tight rope between the Jews and Tiberius?
  9. Research ahead of time: What were the basic components of a Roman crucifixion?
  10. Read Mark 15:33-34. What was going on here? Why did Jesus say this? What was really happening?

APPLICATION

Have you asked your own children the question, “What is your response to Jesus?”
When is the last time you presented the gospel to someone? Discuss what happened.

 

Posted on March 29, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under The Gospel of Mark and tagged Jay Childs.