1. Can you remember the first time you really heard and understood the gospel story? How did you respond to the gospel back then? How has your understanding or your response changed since then?

2. Read Philippians 1:1-11. How would you describe the tone or emotional quality of these opening remarks? What language does Paul use to convey such a tone/emotion?

3. In v5, Paul talks about the Philippians “partnership in the Gospel from the first day.” This is the very first church ever planted in Europe. Read Acts 16:9-40, the story of Paul’s first visit to Philippi. Who from this story might have been in the congregation that first received Paul’s letter? How does the history from Acts affect your reading of Philippians?

4. The Gospel is a major theme of Philippians. In the sermon today, Robb said, “for Paul, the gospel is the whole story of Jesus.” What do we learn about the gospel from Phi 1:1-11? From Phi 2:6-11?

5. Another major theme discussed in the sermon this morning is ‘participation’ or 'koinonia.’ What does Paul mean when he speaks of ‘partnership in the gospel’ (v5) and being ‘partakers with me of grace’ (v7)? (See also Phi 3:10-11).

6. The final theme discussed in the sermon this morning is joy. What is the relationship between gospel, koinonia, and joy? In what ways might we be tempted to compromise the gospel, or compromise our commitment/participation? How does that affect our joy in Christ?

1. What is your experience so far with global missions? Would you say those experiences have been good? Why or why not?

2. In Romans 15:23-29, what does Paul say about his travel itinerary? As a group, but his travel plan into chronological order.

3. In Romans 15:27, what does Paul mean when he says that since “the Gentiles have come to share in [the Jews’] spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings”? What are the spiritual blessings he’s talking about?

4. Why does this mutual partnership between the Greek, Roman, and Jerusalem Church matter for us today? Does it change how we approach cross-cultural missions?

5. In Romans 15: 27, Paul says that we participate in the global church because it is our duty and our joy. What does this look like in the life of a 21st century American Christian?

6. Though missions is something that we talk a lot about, a minority of Christians in Virginia Beach are meaningfully engaged in cross-cultural missions. What are the major obstacles you face to engaging in partnering with churches in other cultures? 

7. Read Ephesians 2:13-17. How does the work of Christ on the cross change these dynamics?

1. Play cultural bingo with your group. Check your belongings for the place of manufacture (phone, sweater, shoes, car, etc.). Whoever can identify 5 nations first wins! Then answer the question: What aspect of our ‘globally enriched lives’ do you enjoy most?

2. Read Isaiah 60 in its entirety. What is the tone of this chapter? How does it compare with Chapter 59 in tone and content? What do you think Isaiah was feeling as he wrote the song in chapter 60? What does the emotion of the song communicate about the heart of God?

3. In the sermon today, we explored two aspects of this prophecy. The first is the GATHERING of the nations. How many places are mentioned in this chapter? To what are they drawn?

4. How has this prophecy been fulfilled in Christ (see Luke 1:78-79, John 1:14)? How has it yet to be fulfilled (Revelation 21:21-26)?

5. The second aspect of prophetic fulfillment discussed this morning was the GLORY of the nations. What specific glory (or gifts) are brought by the nations in Isaiah 60:6-13? What cultural ‘glories’ have you personally witnessed being contributed to God’s global church?

6. We live in the era of prophetic fulfillment. How can we participate in the exciting work of God around the world? List a few ways you have seen people participate. Then pray together and ask the Lord what he would have YOU do. What step of faith and obedience could you take this month?

1. Read Ephesians 3:14-21. What part of Paul’s prayer most challenges you? How have you seen God answer this prayer in your own experience?

2. Read Acts 6:1-2. Review some of the historic background detail from the sermon today. Who are the Hellenists and the Hebrews? Why are the Hellenists’ widows being neglected? Why did Robb say we should consider this a “good problem”? Do you agree or disagree?

3. What is the “great wisdom” given to the church (vv3, 5)? How did the Apostles balance their responsibility as overseers with the freedom of the church to choose leaders from among themselves?

4. Luke lists the Seven as men with Greek names, which means they are probably Hellenistic (though many Hebraic Jews also had Greek names). Why is representative leadership critical to the church’s growth? How have you witnessed the value of representative leadership in the church?

5. The story of the overlooked widows is followed by 4 chapters of explosive evangelistic ministry by Hellenistic Jews - Stephen, Philip & Saul (Paul). What advantages might these Hellenists have had over the Hebraic leadership that commissioned them? What was the result for the church (Acts 9:31)?

Opportunities to celebrate MLK Day with the churches in Hampton Roads

• 7PM TONIGHT @ Calvary Revival Church: Concert with the VA Symphony

• 12PM TOMORROW @ New Life Norfolk: MLK Day Prayer for Unity

1. Have you ever been given a gift that made you feel especially loved? What was it about the gift or the giver that made it special?

2. In the sermon today, we explored the idea of love as a choice between two alternatives. Review Gen 29:30-31 and Malachi 1:2-3. In these passages, how are the words ‘love’ and ‘hate’ used? What language might you use to communicate a similar context in modern parlance?

3. Read John 3:16-21. In this passage, Jesus tells two love stories. Tell each story in your own words. For each love story, identify who is the lover, and what is the choice set before them?

4. What does Jesus mean when he says people love darkness and hate the light? Can you think of a real life example? What causes a person to love darkness? How can a person change?

5. In v16, what does the gift tell us about the Giver? To whom does he give the gift? What can we know about him based on that gift?

6. In vv17-18, Jesus appears to be pushing back against the notion that he was sent into the world to bring judgment and condemnation. Why might Nicodemus (or others in his day) assume that would be his role? Why do people today associate Christianity with judgment and condemnation?

7. In verse 21, Jesus speaks of “whoever does what is true.” This phrase is only used one other time in the Bible, in 1 John 1:6. Read 1 John 1:5-10. Based on this passage, what does it mean to ‘do what is true’ (or ‘practice the truth’ as it is translated in 1 John 1:6)?

8. Pray together as a group, thanking God for his love and mercy shown to us in Jesus. Pray by name for people you know who are in need of Christ this Christmas.

1. Do you like to get up early to see the sunrise? Are there any new things that you are anticipating in 2023?

2. Read Isaiah 9:1-7. From Isaiah 8:19-22, what do you think Isaiah meant by the “darkness” in which the people walk (v. 2)? What suffering had Zebulun and Naphtali (in Israel) experienced?

3. How does Isaiah describe the effects of the dawning light (vv. 3-5; Judges 7:19-25 for Midian’s defeat)? In the context of the Assyrian threat, what does this light mean (e.g., Isaiah 10:26-27)?

4. What will be the light? How is he defined in verses 6-7?

5. How does the New testament interpret what Isaiah is talking about (e.g., Matthew 4:12-17, Luke 1:32, John 8:12)? Of the titles given in verse 6, which fit Jesus as you know him?

6. How has he shattered “the yoke of [your] burden”  (v. 4)? What is one yoke that you wish he would shatter now?

Questions adapted from The NIV Serendipity Bible: 10th Anniversary Edition (1988, 1996 by Serendipity House).

1. Do you love or hate hanging lights at Christmastime? Why?

2. Read John 1:1-14. As you read, mark words that have a close association with the imagery of light in the passage. (For instance, in v4 the word ‘life’ is closely associated with ‘light’.) What words did you mark? Based on these associations, what would you say is the meaning of ‘light’ in this passage?

3. Read John 8:12. How would you describe “Light of the World” to a 5 year old?

4. Jesus’ statement in John 8:12 occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles, a commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness. During the feast, great lights commemorated the Presence, Revelation, and Salvation of God in Exodus. Review the verses below and place each reference under the heading of Presence, Revelation, or Salvation.

   • Exodus 3:2

   • Exodus 13:21

   • Exodus 14:19-20

   • Exodus 24:17-18

   • Exodus 34:29-35

   • Exodus 40:34, 38

5. What do you think it means to ‘walk in darkness’? To ‘have the light of life’?

6. Why is following Jesus (“whoever follows me”) critical to the process of transitioning from darkness to light? What role does Jesus play?

7. Spend time praying for those who may be walking in darkness this Advent season. Ask God to break into that darkness and bring light.

1. What is it about the season of Advent that stands out to you as special or especially enjoyable? What Advent traditions do you enjoy most, or what would you like to try this year?

2. Read Isaiah 59:9-11. What do the terms ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ represent in the passage? What does it mean to ‘hope for light’? Can you think of a time in your life that relates to this passage?

3. Read Isaiah 59:1-8. How did the people get themselves into this ‘darkness’ in the first place?

4. Pick one of the word pictures from Isa 59:1-11 that is most powerful to you. Explain to the group what it means, and why you selected it.

5. Read Isaiah 59:12-21. What do the people confess in vv12-13? How does God respond in the following verses? Make a list of the things God does for the people who confess and turn from their sins.

6. Spend some time together in prayer for your own hearts and the people you will spend time with this Christmas season. Thank God for the gift of his light at Christmas time, and ask him to deliver those who still sit in darkness.

1. Read Matthew 5:1-16. How does this passage explain the nature of the kingdom? How are the Beatitudes related to being a city and a lamp (vv. 14-16)? How are Christians to interact with the world?

2. Why do good works glorify God the Father? Where do good works come from?

3. Who do you know (in real life, not online) whose life clearly shows the character of Jesus in the beatitudes? What about their life stands out to you?

4. Jesus says to his disciples, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jn 13:35). What do your relationships with other Christians communicate to non-Christians in your life? Is there anywhere you need to change?

5. Can you think of an example where a Christian community did not show the light of Christ? How did it affect their work and witness?

6. Consider your witness in different parts of society: Family, Economics (ie, science, technology, business), Government, Religion, Education, Media, and Celebration (ie, art, entertainment, sports). How might the beatitudes reshape your relationships in these spheres?

1. Who were the people involved in your coming to know Christ personally? How did the lives, actions and words of those specific people influence you?

2. Read Matthew 5:13-16. What are the basic metaphors Jesus utilizes here? Who is the ‘you’ in these verses? Who does Jesus mean by ‘the earth’ (v13) and ‘the world’ (v14)?

3. These punctuating metaphors are meant to set the beatitudes in context. How does that context inform the significance or meaning of the beatitudes for Christians?

4. In the sermon, we explored how the ‘salt of the earth’ metaphor encourages disciples to be incarnate as well as distinctive. Review these concepts together. What does it mean to be incarnate and distinctive? How are these aspects held in tension with one another?

5. The final warning in v13 is NOT about losing salvation, but rather about the church losing purpose and value in the world. Can you think of an example where a Christian or Christian community lost focus on being incarnate and/or distinctive? How did it affect their work and witness in the broader community?

6. Alternately, consider times when you’ve seen the church alive and “salty” - engaged and distinctive in the world. What is the fruit of that sort of community? How do people respond to a church like that?

1. Think of a time you experienced pressure, hostility, or exclusion because of Christ. How did you respond?

2. Read Matthew 5:10-12. What examples or types of persecution are mentioned here? Which of those have you experienced or personally seen happen? What other forms of persecution have you seen or heard about?

3. How does Jesus expect his disciples to react under persecution? What are other potential responses? How might you personally be tempted to respond to persecution?

4. Read Matthew 10:16-18. In the sermon today, we were encouraged to underline the words “sending you out” (v16), “for my sake” (v18) and “bear witness” (v18). What do these key phrases tell us about the role of persecution in the church and in the world?

5. What rewards does Jesus promise to those who experience persecution on account of him (for help, see Matt 5:10, 12; 10:22, 28-33)? What promise is most precious to you personally? Spend time worshipping Jesus together as a group, and praying for those who are experiencing persecution right now.

• You can learn more about the state of persecution at https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/

• Watch Jesus shift from '3rd person (Matt 5:10) to 2nd person (Matt 5:11) below:

• What’s your go-to strategy for managing conflict?

• Read Matthew 5:9 and Psalm 34:14. What parallels do you see in these verses? How does understanding peace as “solid and flourishing wholeness” form your approach to handling difficult relationships?

• Houston highlighted three ways the New Testament talks about applying the gospel to personal relationships: apologizing, forgiving others, and making peace between brothers. Are any of these harder for you than others? Do any come easily?

• Jesus is the Peacemaker who reconciles God with man and man with man. What takeaways do you have from this week’s passage?

1. When is it difficult for you to live out in your actions what you believe in your heart? Why the difficulty in those settings?

2. Read Matthew 5:3-8. In your own words, how does the 6th beatitude (v8) relate to the ones before it?

3. “Pure in heart’ may refer to an inward purity vs outward or ritual purity.
   Read Matt 23:25-28. What would it look like for these Pharisees and scribes to heed Jesus’ instruction? What does it look like for us? How can you tell if a person whose life is outwardly correct is truly pure in heart?

4. “Pure in heart” can also be thought of as righteous cleanliness vs sinful defilement, which affects our standing before a holy God.
   Read Psalm 24:3-4 and Hebrews 10:21-22. How do we get our hearts pure before God? What keeps people from drawing near to God?

5. A third way of thinking about the '“Pure in heart” is in terms of a singleness or integrity of devotion and desire.
   Read Psalm 86:11-12. How many times does David reference the Lord (by name or pronoun - ‘you, your,’ etc) in these two verses? What does that tell you about his focus? What does he mean by the prayer, “Unite my heart to fear your name”?

6. Think of someone you know who is pure in heart. What are the distinguishing marks of that person’s life?

7. Read 1 John 3:1-3. What do we learn in these verses about the promise of seeing God? What do we learn about the connection between that promise and personal purity?

1. Who has been an instrument of mercy in your life? What have been the effects of mercy in your experience?

2. Read Matthew 5:7, 6:9-15, and 7:1-2. Summarize Jesus’ teaching on mercy and forgiveness together as a group.

3. In his sermon, Robb mentioned two common ways of dealing with problematic people: Retreat (avoidance or capitulation) and Retaliation (combative confrontation, enmity). Where do you see these strategies playing out in society, or in your personal sphere of relationships? What alternative does Jesus offer us?

4. Read Matthew 18:21-35. What was Peter apparently looking for when he asked his question (v21)? What effect would Jesus’ answer have had on Peter?

5. What is difficult for you concerning Jesus’ teaching on mercy and forgiveness? What can your group be praying for you regarding the practice of mercy and forgiveness in your own life?

Click here to hear the song Thy Mercy My God

*Some questions taken & altered from John Stott’s The Beatitudes: Developing Spiritual Character

1. Read Matthew 5:3-6. In your own words, explain these first 4 beatitudes to one another. What does each mean? How do they relate to one another?

2. Why is self-righteousness unattractive? Why does unrighteousness lead to chronic dissatisfaction? Why are these alternatives to true righteousness so prevalent if we know how valueless they are?

3. In the sermon today, Robb described 3 aspects of Biblical Righteousness. Take a moment to review each one below and explain in your own words what they are. Which of the three did Robb say is Jesus’ focus in Matthew 5:6?

   • Legal standing (Phil 3:9)

   • Justice in society (Isa 1:7)

   • Personal practice (Matt 5:10, 6:1)

4. What does it look like to hunger and thirst for righteousness? How would you tell if this hunger were present in a person? In yourself?

5. Jesus was sinless, and yet he hungered and thirsted for righteousness. What did it look like in his life? (see John 4:32-34 for help)

6. Jesus promises that those who hunger and thirst will be satisfied. Read Revelation 19:6-9. What is the role of righteousness in these verses? What is the tone of the passage?

7. What keeps you from passionately pursuing righteousness in your own life? What needs to change for your own pursuit of righteousness to advance?
   
   Vote for Fat Bear Week! https://explore.org/fat-bear-week

1. Read Matthew 5:1-5. What does it mean to be meek? How does “meek” build on the beatitudes that came before? What is the blessing for the “meek”?

2. Houston argued in the sermon that “the meek are those who are disciplined in gentleness to receive all things as from God.” How is this different from how you thought about meekness before? Is there anything you would add or clarify?

3. Do you find it difficult to be meek before God? With others? Do you tend to be too compliant or to build up your own strength? How might this beatitude invite you toward Christ-likeness?

4. Read Matthew 11:28-29. This is the invitation from Jesus to his disciples. If he is the perfection of this virtue of meekness, how does that change your approach to growing in it?

1. Read Isaiah 6:1-7. What does this heavenly vision reveal about the nature and character of God? How does Isaiah respond to this revelation? What happens when he recognizes and mourns his ‘unclean lips’?

2. Read Matthew 5:4 and 2 Corinthians 7:10. How does Isaiah’s experience in the previous passage relate to Jesus’ second beatitude about mourning? How does it relate to Paul’s teaching on godly grief?

3. In the message today, Robb showed the ‘Growing Cross Diagram’ (below). Take a moment and review the diagram together. What is the relationship between our willingness to acknowledge faults and our capacity to see Jesus clearly?

4. In the message today, Robb mentioned a number of strategies we can implement to avoid mourning our sin: hiding, hustling, flaunting, accusing, and shrugging our shoulders. Can you think of any other strategies people use to ‘manage’ their sin, instead of confessing and repenting in godly sorrow? What is your own faulty sin-management strategy? What would happen if you stopped depending on faulty strategies?

5. Reflect on Jesus’ examples of mourning in John 11:35 and Luke 19:41. How does his grief over our sin and brokenness differ from the way we often respond when we encounter sin in others?

• Click here to see the article in Christianity Today that Robb mentioned in today’s sermon.

1. What’s your favorite ‘Rags to Riches’ story? Why do you think these stories are so popular in our culture? How does our love of ‘upward mobility’ affect the way we practice our faith?

2. Read Psalm 34:6, 40:17, and Isaiah 66:2. How do these OT texts inform our understanding of Jesus’ term ‘poor in spirit’ in Matthew 5:3? How would you define the term in your own words?

3. Martyn Lloyd Jones said, “There is no one in the kingdom of God who is not poor in spirit.” Why is it impossible to enter the kingdom without this character quality?

4. Read Luke 15:11-32. Which character illustrates ‘poor in spirit’? What actions help us to know? Which character illustrates the opposite attitude?

5. In what areas of your life are you inclined to ‘write your resume’ to prove you are self-made and self-promoting? What will repentance look like for you if you are going to be conformed to the character of Jesus?

1. Read Matthew 5:1-2. Who are the main characters in this scene? If you are in a group with children (or young-at-heart adults!) consider dividing up and acting out these two verses. Why do you think Jesus went up on the mountain? If you were there that day, which group would you be in and why?

2. “Discipleship happens in the context of the crowd.” In what way do you feel comfortable living out your faith in front of others? In what ways is it uncomfortable?

3. Read Matthew 5:3-12. Why do you think Jesus framed these Kingdom values as blessings? What does it reflect about the heart of God toward his people?

4. Take a moment to reflect on the character qualities and corresponding promises of each beatitude. Is there one that is particularly attractive to you? One that is particularly challenging or confusing? Share with the group.

5. How do we conform to the standard set in these verses? In Sunday’s sermon, Robb mentioned 3 ways. Which is most challenging for you personally?

   • Behold him and keep beholding. (1 John 3:2)

   • Repent and Believe (Mark 1:15)

   • Lean in to community (2 Corinthians 3:18)

6. “The beatitudes sketch out for us the character of Christ himself.” Spend time together as a group in worship, praising Jesus for the holy King we find him to be in these verses.

FOR FURTHER STUDY

• A NOTE ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN:
  ”Many scholars think that Matthew probably recalls Moses' revelation on Mount Sinai (Exo_19:3) here. If so, Jesus' superior revelation also makes him superior to those who "sit in Moses' seat" (Mat_23:2); the One greater than Moses, first encountered in Mat_2:13-20, has begun his mission.”
  © 1997 by Craig S. Keener, IVP New Testament Commentary.

• For a 41 day personal devotional on the Beatitudes: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/17207-love-god-greatly-beatitudes

1. Recall a time when you felt homesick, or when the blessings of home felt out of reach. What was going on in your life? What did you long for most? What do our longings tell us about ourselves?

2. John 1 refers to Jesus as ‘the Word’ in verses 1 and 14. If you knew nothing about the Bible, what would be your understanding of the Word from these opening verses of John’s gospel?

3. The word translated ‘dwelt’ in John 1:14 is a word that literally means, “pitch a tent.” Review the passages from this morning’s sermon about:

   • Tent (Exodus 33:7-10)

   • Tabernacle (Numbers 9:15-18)

   • Temple (2 Chronicles 7:1; Ezekiel 10:18-19).

   In what ways are these various structures distinct from one another? What do they have in common? What story do they tell about Jesus?

4. What is the significance of the Word becoming flesh? How does it make you feel when you think about God the Son identifying with exiles and outsiders?

5. John says, “we beheld his glory.” Read John 12:23-33. What do you think John means when he speaks of Jesus to be glorified? What does it mean to behold his glory? Take some time to worship Christ together as a group.