God Always Wins
Pray (5/10/2020)
May 10, 2020 • Ernie Jaurique
Questions: 1. Read verses 1-2. Do you believe that God hears your prayers? Why or why not? 2. How can we know that we are actually praying, as opposed to just thinking good thoughts about God or practicing self-help meditation? What elements of prayer are absolutely necessary? Explain. 3. Read the passage again. Why do you think prayer tends to consist of demands to change our circumstances, rather than requests for God to align our souls with Him? Which does this Psalm reflect? 4. Read verses 5-9. How does a conversation with the Living God encourage and strengthen us, even in the midst of our challenging circumstances? Explain. 5. How does the practice of prayer (true and honest conversation with God) strengthen our walk right here, right now? How does it lead others to Jesus?
Pursue (5/3/2020)
May 3, 2020 • Ernie Jaurique
Questions: 1. Read Colossians 3:1-4 and Psalm 119:9-16. What does it look like to “set your mind on things that are above”? 2. Why do you think it’s so hard for people to read God’s word? Explain. 3. Why do so many people allow “the preacher” to do all the heavy lifting of reading and understanding God’s Word? What problems does this create? 4. What is necessary for someone to become a student of God's word or even have interest in reading it continually? 5. What are some practical ways to make reading the Word a habit? What keeps you in the Word? What keeps you away?
Fully Alive (04/26/2020)
April 26, 2020 • Ernie Jaurique
Questions: 1. Read Verses 6-7. What does it mean to “Walk in Christ”? How can we be certain that we are IN Christ, not just around Him? 2. What does it look like to be “rooted”, “Built up”, and “Established” in your faith? Explain. 3. Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What are some ways we can evaluate ourselves to see if we are in the faith? 4. Read Verse 8. What are some worldly “philosophies” and “traditions” that are popular right now? How can we keep ourselves from being taken captive by these empty, worldly, and deceitful ways of thinking? 5. Read Verses 9-10. What does it mean to be “filled in Christ”? Explain.
Essentials (04/19/2020)
April 19, 2020 • Ernie Jaurique
Questions: 1. How must a person’s life, heart, mind, and soul be prepared to know God personally? 2. What do you think it means to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ? Why must we follow up with standing firm in it and how does that happen? 3. What do you think “vain belief” is and how is it contagious? 4. Read 2 Cor. 13:5. What is repentance and why do you think it is continually necessary in a life that pursues Jesus? 5. In a world that is constantly changing how can we truly “hold fast” to God’s word and what good can it really do?
God Always Wins (04/05/2020)
April 5, 2020 • Ernie Jaurique
Questions: 1. Read Isaiah 43:1-2 and Jeremiah 29:3-14. What makes these promises ours as well as Israel’s? 2. Read Jeremiah 29:3-14 again. How can we trust God’s promise of “welfare and a future” even when we can’t see any good in the present? 3. Read Hebrews 11:1. What is Faith? In what way(s) is faith continually being developed in us? 4. How does our everyday life of faith in God prepare us for times of trial and hardship? 5. Would you say your faith in God has increased, decreased, or been steady over the last few weeks? Explain. How can we better encourage you in this season?
Faith Not Foolishness (03/29/2020)
March 29, 2020 • Ernie Jaurique
Questions: 1. Read Luke 10:25-37. It’s easy to use this pandemic as an excuse to hide away and not get involved in other people’s lives. Do you think this is what God is calling His church to do? Why or why not? 2. Read Luke 10:30-35. What does it mean to be a good neighbor? Right now, what is the greatest challenge to being a good neighbor? 3. Read James 3:13-18. How can we continue to serve people while still being wise and reasonable? 4. How do you think Jesus would respond to our current situation? What would be different or unique? How can you truly challenge that question with personal responsibility to it? 5. What can YOU do to stay connected to the people around you this week?
theCHURCH (03/22/2020)
March 22, 2020 • Ernie Jaurique
Questions: 1. Read Acts 4:32-37. The church was born in adversity, yet there was not a needy person among them. How can/should our church respond in the midst of the Coronavirus adversity? 2. Right now, Today, what does it look like to be one heart and soul, having everything in common? 3. What do you think people need right now? 4. How can we as the church offer real practical help both spiritually and physically? 5. What is one way YOU can serve during this time? What is one thing YOU can give (supplies, money, resources, etc)?