1. This summer we will focus on spiritual disciplines, or habits of relating to God. Have you ever had a positive experience of relating to God through spiritual disciplines? Alternately, have you had a negative experience where spiritual disciplines were used to try to achieve some other aim (earning favor, self-righteousness, etc.)? Share your experience with the group.

2. Read Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15. Identify all the instances of celebration in vv1-4; to where is the author drawing our attention? What is the result of a lifetime of paying attention to the goodness of God (vv12-15)?

3. Read Psalm 92:5-7, 9-11. These verses contrast attention toward God with the ‘stupid man’ who only pays attention to himself. What words in these verses directly contrast with words from the previous verses? Why is it so important to pay attention to God rather than ourselves?

4. Read Psalm 92:8. This is the heart of the psalm, the ‘bullseye’ of the chiastic structure. How does the eternal kingly reign of the LORD affect our capacity for rest and joy as Christians?

5. Look over the Navigators Discipleship Wheel. These are the spiritual disciplines we will cover together this summer. Which of these habits are already in place in your life? Which would you like to start this summer? Spend time turning your attention to God, celebrating his good work, and praying for one another.

1. Have you ever celebrated Pentecost with your family or another church? What did you do, and what did you think of it? Why do you think this holiday is subdued in many Western Evangelical churches?

2. Read Acts 2:1-4, 13-17. Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit Outpouring. How would this event have looked different if the Holy Spirit didn’t empower the people for ministry? How does the Holy Spirit empower us today?
   * If time permits, take a look at 50 Things the Holy Spirit Does

3. Read Acts 2:5-12, 41. Pentecost celebrates the Birth of the Global Church. How does this story help fulfill Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8? How is this promise still being fulfilled today?

4. Read Acts 2:32-36. Pentecost celebrates the Exaltation of Christ. According to Peter, what is the connection between people speaking different languages and Jesus’ exaltation in the heavens? Why is the exaltation of Jesus important for our faith?

5. Read Acts 2:37-39. How should we respond to the realities of Christ’s Exaltation, the Holy Spirit’s Outpouring, and the birth of the Global Church? What does it mean to repent?

1. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you like to argue? Do you like conflict, or do you try to avoid it?

2. Read Titus 3:8. What is the trustworthy saying Paul is referring to here in this verse? What effect does this saying have on us as a community?

3. Read Titus 3:9-11. In his book Finding the Right Hill to Die On, Gavin Ortlund argues for using theological triage in disagreements as a strategy for maintaining unity. Just as a hospital staff might prioritize which patients to treat based on the severity of an injury, so we must prioritize how we respond to disagreements based on the severity of the perceived error. For example, a disagreement about whether or not Jesus is God would be a more severe injury than a disagreement over the millennium. Dr. Ortlund offers these four questions to help diagnose the error:

   1. How clear is the Bible on this doctrine?

   2. What is this doctrine’s importance to the gospel?

   3. What is the testimony of the historical church concerning this doctrine?

   4. What is this doctrine’s effect upon the church today?

   What do you think about this idea of theological triage? How can we disagree well according to this passage?

4. Read Titus 3:12-15. In his commentary on these verses, Bill Mounce writes, “As a result of God’s gracious work, believers are obligated to be intent on performing good works, not in order to earn salvation but as the necessary consequence of being recipients of God’s graciousness.” What do you notice about the people and tasks Paul is giving to Titus? What role does God’s grace play in that?

5. Read John 17:20-21. What does Jesus pray for in these verses? Take some time together as a group to pray for these things with him.

6. What is one practical step you can take as a group to apply this week’s sermon?

1. How do you think Christians ought to engage with politics & civic affairs? When you think of Christians in the public sphere, what positive examples do you think of? What about negative examples?

2. Read Titus 3:1-2. What are the seven instructions listed for the church in these verses? Which of the seven do you think most embodies your own engagement as a citizen? Which is most challenging for you?

3. Read Titus 3:3-7. What is the primary focus of these verses? How do these verses relate to verses 1-2?

4. Read Titus 2:1, 2:6, 2:15, 3:1, 3:8. Consider having each verse assigned to a different person in your group to read aloud. What instruction does Paul have for Titus in these verses? Why are these instructions vital to the life & wellbeing of the church?

5. How has this passage challenged you personally? Discuss as a group which ‘layer’ is most challenging for you personally, and what steps you might take this week to grow. Spend time praying for one another and worshiping the Lord together.

   • vv1-2 - Engaging as a Christian in civic affairs.

   • vv3-7 - Remembering the gospel in all things.

   • vv1, 8 - Engaging in Word Ministry by connecting the gospel to various aspects of life.

1. Share a time when you or someone you love experienced hopelessness. How did that hopelessness impact those around them?

2. Read Titus 2:1-10. Paul instructs Titus to teach gospel culture–practical patterns of relationships. What are the practical, relational patterns in accordance with (v. 1)?

3. How does gospel culture impact someone’s experience of God and his word (v. 5, 8, 10)? As a specific example of that, how has the culture of your family shaped your understanding of God and his gospel?

4. Read Titus 2:11-14. What is gospel hope directed toward? How does Paul connect gospel hope to our beliefs and our relationships?

5. Why do gospel doctrine and gospel culture only make sense in light of gospel hope? How do specific instructions from 2:1-10 make sense in light of the hope of 2:11-14?

6. To lead into your time of prayer, share how you need the hope of Jesus to transform your life and your relationships.

1. Split into groups of 2-3 people to debrief this week’s sermon. What stood out to you? What questions did you have? Do you have any takeaways?

2. Read Titus 1:5-16. What are the different sections in this chapter? How does Paul contrast the elders and the “talkers”?

3. Look closely at the list of qualifications in verses 6-9. Which of these virtues or attributes seems especially important? Are there any attributes which are surprising to you?

4. Have you ever rebuked someone? Have you ever been on the receiving end of rebuke? Share about your experience and how the conflict was (or wasn’t) restored.

5. Read John 14:25-26. How do we see Jesus teaching his disciples during his life, death, and resurrection? How should we expect his Spirit to give us instruction today?

6. Robb mentioned two practical applications from this week’s passage: (1) Honor your elders and (2) Hold firm to the trustworthy word, together! As a group, discuss and commit to one way you will do each of these things this coming week.

1. Take a few minutes to debrief this week’s sermon in groups of 2-3. What stood out to you from the sermon? What questions did you have? Do you have any takeaways already coming into our discussion tonight? Come back together and share briefly with the whole group.

2. Read Titus 1:1-5. Are there any major sub-sections or breaks in this passage? Are there any key connecting words that help you follow the argument?

3. What can you learn about Titus or the church in Crete from this passage?

4. What does this passage teach you about God’s character?

5. Read John 4:39-42. How do we see Jesus as Savior in this passage? What does it mean to you that Jesus Saves?

6. What is one practical application you can make this week to apply this passage?

1. Break into groups of 2-3 people to debrief this week’s sermon. What were the highlights? Did you have any questions about the passage? What takeaways do you have? Come back together as a group and share.

2. Read Acts 2:32-36. How familiar were these people with the events of Jesus’ life? Do you think they are aware of the empty tomb? Given that, why does Peter emphasize the resurrection?

3. Read Acts 2:24, 30-31. What are the implications of the resurrection and ascension for Jesus? For the people? What would it mean to the people that Jesus is the Messiah?

4. Read Psalm 110. How does this psalm help you to understand what Peter is saying here?

5. Read Acts 2:29. What facts about Jesus would be key for non-believers to understand from Peter’s sermon?

6. Have you made an initial commitment to Christ? If so, share about that experience. If not, what has kept you from making that commitment, and how can we as a group come alongside you?

*Questions are adapted from Serendipity Bible, 10th Anniversary Edition: New International Versions, Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI, 1531-1532.

1. Take a minute to debrief the sermon. What highlights did you have from Robb’s sermon? Did anyone in your group have any questions? What were the main takeaways?

2. Read Acts 2:22-24. What is Peter saying in these verses?

3. Read Acts 2:37-41. What do these verses reveal as Peter’s main point in the sermon? How does verses 22-24 lead to this response?

4. Read Luke 22:54-62. What has happened to Peter between this story and the sermon we’re discussing in Acts 2? Have you experienced that kind of transformation in your life?

5. What is one practical step you can take this week to apply this text?

1. When have you experienced tension with an authority figure? Why is a distrust of authority so prevalent in our society?

2. Read Matthew 7:28-29. What astonishes people about Jesus’ teaching? What are some specific examples from the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) of Jesus teaching with authority?

3. Scan the whole of Matthew 8. On the heels of the Sermon on the Mount, how does Jesus utilize his authority in this chapter? For help, see Matt 8:16-17.

4. Read Matthew 21:1-27. Trace the theme of Jesus’ authority through these verses. What does Matthew tell us about the scope of Jesus’ authority, and about how people respond to it?

5. Read John 10:17-18, and Phil 2:5-11. What does Jesus’ death and resurrection have to do with his authority over our lives today? Do you find it easy or difficult to trust Jesus’ authority? Why? Spend time praying for one another in light of Jesus’ authority.

1. Have you ever had to deal with ‘foundation issues’ on a home? If so, share your story with the group. What was the issue, and how costly was the fix? What did your experience teach you about the importance of a solid foundation?

2. Read Matthew 7:24-27. In this familiar story, what does Jesus mean when he calls the one builder wise and the other foolish? What makes each deserving of the title Jesus gives?

3. Read Luke 6:47-49. What details does Luke record differently in this story? What does it mean that the wise man ‘dug down deep’, and how does that detail relate to how we understand discipleship with Jesus?

4. Compare vv25 and 27. What does the storm represent, and what effect does it have on each of the houses? If you were explaining the meaning of this parable to a non-churched friend, how would you say it in plain language?

5. In Matthew 7, the sermon ends abruptly in v27, but the story of Jesus continues. How is your understanding of these verses affected by the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection?

1. When a matter is unclear or unsettled, we look to judgment to reveal the truth. Share a time in your life when you looked for judgment to reveal the truth. Whose judgment did you seek? (Examples: went to court before a judge or jury, asked a friend to help you sort through an issue, submitted a dispute to a church elder, sought the wisdom of an online guru, posted an issue to social media for the input of the masses, did some soul searching to find truth within.) What truth was revealed?

2. Read Matthew 7:21-23. What does it seem like Jesus cares about most? The faith we profess, the works we achieve, or something else?

3. Sometimes it’s helpful to hear the same idea in someone else’s words. Read James 1:22-25. How are Matthew 7:21-23 and James 1:22-25 similar?

4. God’s judgment exposes who we really are. God isn’t deceived about who we are, and he doesn’t want us to be deceived either. How does someone examine themselves? What are they looking for on the inside? What role does God have in our own self-examination?

5. It is good news that Jesus is our divine judge. What does it mean that God’s judgment embraces who we truly are, without any claim? What can’t we claim before God? Is there anything or anyone we can claim?

6. Read Psalm 139:23-24. How do you need God to do these things for you? What vulnerability do you feel about willing exposing yourself to God, to hear who he says you are? Share and pray for one another.

1)        Read Psalm 1. Note the characteristics of a healthy tree. What are the wicked compared to here?

2)        If you encouraged someone to be a fruit inspector of Christ, what verses might you share with them? How is Christ still bearing fruit?

3)        How is it beneficial to be a fruit inspector of your own fruit? What fruit from your words and actions have blessed God and others recently?

4)        How can the message of coming to Christ for salvation be truncated?

5)        What has been your experience with ‘fire and brimstone’ messages? How could a loving God send people to hell?

6)        Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What is the test? (See also John 15:1-6)

7)        Where are you at in living by faith? High or low? Spend time praying for each other!

1. Who is the quintessential “wolf in sheep’s clothing”? Name a character from fiction or history who embodies this saying to you. What specifically made you think of that person?

2. Read Matthew 7:13-15. What commands does Jesus issue in these verses? How are the commands related to one another?

3. What does it mean to ‘beware’? The imagery of “sheep’s clothing” means the person identifies as part of the faith community. How do you imagine such a person would look, act, and talk? The imagery of ‘ravenous wolves’ points to the life-threatening danger of false prophets. Why does Jesus consider them so dangerous?

4. “Pseudo-prophets always advance a pseudo-gospel.” In the sermon, Robb identified two categories of pseudo-gospel: Jesus-Light and Jesus-Plus. What does each of these terms mean, and what would such a pseudo-gospel look like in our context?

5. In the sermon today, Robb offered four practical applications to this verse. Which stands out to you in this season of your own life? Spend time praying for one another and our church family.

   1. Beware your own itching ears (Jeremiah 5:30)

   2. Beware the witch-hunters (Matthew 7:1-5)

   3. Lean on the elders (Hebrews 13:17)

   4. Fill your vision with the glory of Jesus as BOTH Lord and Savior (2 Pet 3:18)

1. Can you remember a season of relinquishing control of your whole life to Jesus? What circumstances, people, or scriptures led you to that moment? How did the decision to surrender affect your life?

2. Read Matthew 7:13-14. In this story, Jesus introduces two gates / ways to his hearers. What does each gate represent? What kind of person might you meet walking through the wide gate? What kind of person might you meet walking through the narrow gate?

3. The two gates lead to two fates. What are the two fates Jesus names? What is counterintuitive about the gate/fate pairings?

4. Jesus commands his hearers to ‘enter by the narrow gate.’ If someone unfamiliar with Christianity asked you what it means to ‘enter,’ how would you explain it to them? (Hint: In today’s sermon we looked at this command in parallel with Mark 1:15)

5. How does this simple story prepare people for final judgment? Is there a truth from this scripture that you may want to share with a particular person this week? Pray as a group for those specific people and conversations.

• To read F B Meyer’s message on ‘the golden ring’, click here.

1. As we prepare for the season of Lent, share your memories of the Lenten season with one another. Did you or your family observe Lent when you were young? How did the season affect you, and how has your posture toward it changed over time?

2. Read Matthew 7:12. If there are children present, have one of them explain the verse to the group. What sorts of situations can you think of where the ‘Golden Rule’ applies?

3. In the sermon today, we saw how Matthew 7 can be roughly divided into two halves. How does the Golden Rule relate to each of these halves?

   • Our Judgment - Matthew 7:1-11

     • vv1-2 Judge not that you be not judged.

     • vv3-5 Why do you seek the speck but not notice the log?

     • v6 Do not give dogs what is holy.

     • vv7-11 An antidote to the judgmental heart: Ask, seek & knock.

   • God’s Judgment - Matthew 7:13-27

     • vv13-14 Wide & Narrow Gates

     • vv15-20 False prophets are diseased trees who will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

     • vv21-23 Those who cry “Lord Lord” will hear, “I never knew you.”

     • vv24-27 The wise & foolish builders

4. The “So” at the beginning of v12 ties Jesus’ teaching here to the first half of the chapter. Why is it important that Jesus gives the Golden Rule in the context of judgment?

5. Jesus equates the Golden Rule with the entire Old Testament Law; and just like the Law, we fail to meet its standard. How does the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection relate to our practice of the Golden Rule?

This resource was used on Feb 12th at Missions Night. Links to each video clip are below.

History of Bible Translation

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb6ceumPOh4)

1. What stands out to you from this video? 

2. Explain the significance for you to have the Scriptures in English.

3. What strategy did William Carey use to help with his mission?

4. How long was/is a single translation project?

Who Could You Be in the Next Story

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsOZR5rMQPA)

1. VBCC committed to the Isnag Bible translation project for decades. Explain the significance for a church to partner to help reach a specific people group with the gospel?

2. The video mentions several different roles that contribute to reaching a people group with the gospel. List those here:

3. Discuss any experiences you’ve had in filling one of these roles.

Why Millions Are Still Unreached by the Gospel

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33uwuIf-uvo&list=PLPWYBBat7NTnQV97d0o5Z06nxpW-sciZR&index=17)

1. What is the difference between an ‘Unreached People Group’ (UPG) and ‘lost people’?

2. List some challenges that make reaching the unreached difficult.

3. What does the video mean by ‘Cultural Christianity is easy’?

4. The video talked about ‘return on investment’ being easier to see in reached places. What does success mean in missions?

1. What value do you place on Scripture? How does that show up in your life?

2. Read 2 Timothy 3:14. Paul points Timothy to people, not stories. Who has been your “from whom’s”? Who has personally taught you Scripture? For whom do you have the opportunity to be their “from whom”?

3. Read 2 Timothy 3:15. God’s Word guides us to a relationship with Jesus. When has Scripture guided you to Jesus?

4. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. God’s Spirit speaks for our good throughout all Scripture. How do you need to depend on God’s sufficiency for you as revealed in the Scriptures?

5. Consider this statement from the sermon: “Bible translation makes possible the transformation of families, churches, and entire communities through God’s Word that we seek to experience here through VBCC’s Youth & Family Ministry (and all VBCC ministries).” How does supporting the work of Bible translation affirm the value of Scripture for ourselves and for the world?

1. Can you recall a moment in your life when the Scripture came to life for you? Tell the story to the group. What was the scripture? How did you experience it? What effect did that experience have in your life?

2. Read Nehemiah 8:5-12. In the sermon we reviewed the fact that this passage narrates the first public reading of scripture in Jerusalem after the return from exile. What role did the Levites play in this important corporate worship event (vv7-8)?

3. In verse 8 it says the people “understood the reading.” What does the response of v9 tell us about the power of understanding the Bible? How have you seen the Bible affect people on both individual and societal levels?

4. In vv10-12, Ezra and the Levites encourage the people to rejoice rather than mourn. What is the place of joy in the work of Bible translation? What sorts of things can we do to step into the joy of God together as a church family?

5. There were many references to outside resources in the sermon this morning. Take a moment to explore these links and learn more about Vision 2025 & Joy Ridderhof. Share with each other how you see God leading you to participate in his global work, and pray for one another.

1. Choose one word to describe your experience of your earthly father. How has that relationship informed the way you relate to God as a heavenly Father?

2. Read Matthew 7:9-11. Jesus employs a ‘how much more’ argument (sometimes known as the kal va-chomer, or “lesser to greater” argument). What does the argument tell us about the heart of God the Father for his children?

3. Read John 3:16, Luke 11:13, and Romans 8:14. What gift does God the Father give in each of these verses? How do these gifts reflect his heart of generosity?

4. Read John 1:12-13. Who has the right to be children of God? What does it mean to ‘receive’ and ‘believe’ in Jesus?

5. Take a few moments to review Jesus’ 17 references to the Father in the Sermon on the Mount listed below. If you are meeting as a group, consider each person reading one verse and continuing until all verses are read aloud as an act of corporate worship. As you consider these verses, what stands out to you? What do we learn about God as Father from this sermon? Spend time praying and worshiping together.

   Mat_5:16  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

   Mat_5:45  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

   Mat_5:48  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

   Mat_6:1  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

   Mat_6:4  so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

   Mat_6:6  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

   Mat_6:8  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

   Mat_6:9  Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

   Mat_6:14  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

   Mat_6:15  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

   Mat_6:18  that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

   Mat_6:26  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

   Mat_6:32  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

   Mat_7:11  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

   Mat_7:21  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.