Questions For Further Study

Just about every week we hear a sermon on topics that matter to us and our faith.  Why not do a bit more study on the topic during the week?  A number of our small groups do just that.  Here are the questions they use.

 NOTE:  All small groups are doing individual studies for the past number of months, so we have no new questions.

[If you would like questions from farther back, they may be in our archives.  Click here.]

Questions from "The Secret of Self-Control" 05.24.09

 

1. What are some of the things that you find easy to focus on? What are some of the things you feel like you should do that are difficult to do? What is the difference between the two?
 
2. Proverbs 25:28, Describe this passage. How do you compare a defenseless city with a person who lacks self control?
 
3. James 3:5-6, Do you agree with Pastor Bill that our mouths cause more trouble for us in relationships than just about anything else? If not, what do you think is of greater concern?
 
4. Proverbs 18:20, In what ways has someone else’s speech heavily influenced you (for good or bad)?
 
5. Proverbs 28:23, So how do you answer the question “Does this make me look fat?” Do people really appreciate honesty more than flattery? Explain.
 
6. Proverbs 12:18, Why do you think so many verses from this weeks study/sermon come from the book of Proverbs? (i.e. What do you know about the book of proverbs?)
 
7. Psalm 141:3, How do you think a relationship with Jesus affects how we speak?
 
8. Matthew 15:18, What does our speech say about our hearts? Have you ever been tempted to dismiss your speech as “That is not me?”
 
9. James 1:26, What is something that you need to say to your group today?

 

Questions from "The Secret of Gentleness" 05.17.09

 

  1. What images come to your mind when we use the word “Powerful?” Secondly, what comes to your mind with the word “Gentle?” Are there any images that are on both lists? 
 
  1. Philippians 4:5, Does this mean that followers of Jesus should not demonstrate power?
 
  1. John 14:4,  Why might gentle lives be so hard for many of us to lie?
 
  1. Philippians 2:4-5,  Is the Bible kidding? If we only worked for what other people wanted we would never have enough to meet those needs. Instead, the world would seem like a place that is competing over who is the most in need. That would be a sad world indeed. So once again, is the Bible serious about this, or is it saying something else here?
 
  1. James 3:16,  How does disorder and evil come from selfish ambition and envy?
 
  1. Ephesians 4:2 What is your most common response to the failure of others whom you are close to? Do you have a recent story (be careful here, not to embarrass or gossip about someone else)? 
 
  1. How do we make allowances for each other’s failings without encourage them to fail?
 
  1. 1 Timothy 6:11-12a, So how does Gentleness help you fight the good fight of faith?
 
  1. What ways has your gentleness been tested this week? How can we help one another to increase our gentleness?