Sermon Application Questions
1. What comes to your mind when you think of yourself or others being 'in the image of God'? Is there anything in Genesis 1:26-27 or the surrounding verses that help you understand what that phrase means?
2. In the sermon it was said that being made in the image of God is the central and defining truth about our identity. Do you agree with that? What other things that define your identity might you be tempted to elevate to the primary position?
3. How is the truth that sin takes particular aim at distorting and destroying the equality of worth among humans showing up in your life? Where are you having to fight that effect of sin?
4. How is the truth that God is aiming his redemption at restoring his image in us and restoring the equality between people showing up in your life? Where are you able to rejoice in this redemptive work?
In the Image of God
September 13, 2020 • Mike Bullmore
"Let Us Make a Name for Ourselves"
November 1, 2020 • Mike Bullmore
Sermon Application Questions - 11/1/20 1. The account of the Tower of Babel is a very carefully written and constructed account. What parts stand out to you most in communicating the point of the story? 2 What are ways you are tempted to 'make a name for yourself'? Are there ways you are seeking to do that currently? 3. How do you distinguish the good and godly effort to do good work and accomplish things from the prideful seeking to make a name for yourself? 4. The sermon referenced the following words from C.S. Lewis: 'In God you come up against something which is in every respect immeasurably superior to yourself. Unless you know God as that you do not know God at all. As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.' What needs to be in our lives in order for what Lewis is encouraging to happen?
"A Righteous Man"
October 25, 2020 • Mike Bullmore
Sermon Application Questions 1. Do you think personal righteousness is a 'foundational issue' like the other key issues that we’ve been considering? How is it like the others? How is it different? 2. How do each of the forces opposing your righteousness—the world, the flesh, and the devil—show up in your life? Which of them are you most aware of in your current circumstances? 3. Think of the things God has provided as allied forces in our pursuit of righteousness. What is most helpful to you in your pursuit of personal righteousness these days? Bonus Question: How do you square the statement 'Noah was a righteous man' (Gen. 6:9) with the statement 'there is none righteous' (Romans 3:10)? Look up Hebrews 11:7 to see if there is any help there.
"Am I My Brother's Keeper?"
October 18, 2020 • Brett Wendle
Sermon Application Questions 1. Cain’s murder of his brother started with pride, a feeling that he deserved God’s approval. Why is pride so dangerous, and why is it so hard to see in ourselves? 2. Can you identify any areas of your life in which you struggle with anger towards others? How might that anger be a manifestation of pride? 3. God has called his people to love their neighbors as they love themselves. Describe what it would look like to love another human being the way you love yourself—what would you want to make sure happened for them? As you consider what love ought to look like, can you think of any opportunities before you right now to show that kind of love? 4. How does knowing and trusting what Jesus has done shape us increasingly into people of love? How do you want the truth of the gospel to help you in your struggle from question 2?