Stretched Out

Stretched Out

In a surprising twist of events, the widow to whom Elijah was sent finds her son near to death, and blames Elijah! Elijah moves in faith and prayer and puts his life on the line to give life to the widow’s son. How can we go to the places where death is currently reigning, and stretch out like Elijah to bring life and wholeness? How does the gospel empower us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Read 1 Kings 17:17-24

Watch the  "3 Commands of Jesus" video together.

1. Consider Elijah’s actions in the face of death. What is his response to the suffering woman and her son?

2. What areas of the brokenness all around us are you most unsettled by, and why?

3. What resources have we been entrusted with as a community? For what purpose?

4. How will we as a community stand in the gap and contribute to the restoration of shalom? Is there a way we all can serve together once a month? (The key is to think sustainable and simple and start small. For example, you could learn about a particular need in your community).

Apr 21, 2024 - Jon Schuler

Sent In Weakness

Sent In Weakness

Elijah is called out of "Babylon”, but also sent back in, on mission. God sends him to a widow's house, in weakness and vulnerability. As he steps out in faith, God does a miracle. This isn't a one-off, it's a pattern for how God wants us to live. We're sent into Babylon, on mission, in weakness and vulnerability, and it's in this context that God will supply the bread.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Read 1 Kings 17:8-16

Community Conversations: A Common Allegiance

1. What was the relationship between Elijah and Israel? In what ways is it different than our situation today?

2. What does it mean to be called out of Babylon, and sent back into Babylon? Where are you in that journey?

3. Who is God calling you to? Are there people or places we can draw near to together as a community?

   (Where does your calling overlap? - Constellation Video)

   (Equipping for Gospel conversations)

   (Commit to praying as a community)

4. What does it look like to go to them without bread? Why would Jesus do that, and direct his disciples to do the same?

5. Finally, read the Allegiance Prayer together, and do so whenever you gather.

Apr 14, 2024 - Matt Deisen

The Call of Elijah

The Call of Elijah

Elijah found himself in the middle of one of the worst national apostasies in Israel’s history and yet was determined to be faithful to YHWH. Elijah is willing to be out of step with his cultural moment in order to be faithful to God and the Covenant He’s made with Israel. And that makes him a Trouble Maker (1 Kings 18:17). In this series, we’ll consider 7 Practices that help anchor our allegiance to Jesus and his Kingdom in the midst of our own cultural moment.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Read 1 Kings 16:29-17:7

Community Conversations: A Common Allegiance

1. How do you perceive the cultural moment we're living in, compared to Elijah's time?

2. What most distracts you from being attentive to God, his voice, and his Kingdom priorities?

3. Discuss the Digital Detox. How will we engage it together as a community?

4. Review the Daily Bread process (BREAD). When and how will you engage the process?

5. Preview the daily readings from the Sermon on the Mount. On Sundays, read from 1 Kings.

6. Finally, read the Allegiance Prayer together, and do so whenever you gather.

Apr 7, 2024 - Steve Hart

Easter: Rejoice! Jesus Is Better!

Easter: Rejoice! Jesus Is Better!

Our study in Hebrews comes to a close with an incredible one-sentence summary of the entire book: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Over 13 chapters, the author of Hebrews has shown us the sufficiency and uniqueness of Jesus, urging us to leave behind all the substitutes and distractions and to press on in faith and obedience. In this Easter message, we celebrate all Jesus has done in history, his personal presence with us today, and his future renewal of all things. Because Jesus alone is "yesterday and today and forever," we can trust him completely and worship him unceasingly!

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Read Hebrews 13:8

1. Memorize Hebrews 13.8!

2. Who is Jesus yesterday, in his life and death?

3. Who is Jesus today, in his victory over death?

4. Who is Jesus forever, in his future eternal reign?

Mar 31, 2024 - Steve Hart

Bear the Reproach!

Bear the Reproach!

This Palm Sunday, we look at a savior who entered the holy city, only to leave it again. The shouts of the crowds and the bustle of the elite's religion didn't entice Jesus to stick around. Jesus was compelled by a deep compassion for all people, especially the lost. Jesus was constantly finding his way to the margins. He constantly drifted toward the outsiders on the edges of society. Hebrews 13 tells us that he "suffered outside the gate to sanctify the people through his own blood." Likewise, we should go to him outside the camp, bear the reproach he endured, and there find our hearts encouraged by his grace.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Read Hebrews 13:1-9

1. Read all of Hebrews 13

2. What makes you weary? How has trying to keep up with the culture expended your energy?

3. What risk do you need to take to love the outsiders? What broken part of the world do you feel drawn toward?

4. What keeps you from it? What do you need to repent of?

Mar 24, 2024 - Gabe Shippam

Run With Endurance!

Run With Endurance!

Hebrews 11 is a long list of biblical figures who “by faith” conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, quenched the power of fire, and were tortured unto death. They were made strong out of weakness, because of the one in whom they placed their faith. Hebrews 12 turns the corner and says “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Chapter 12 is a call to keep our eyes on Jesus, keep our faith in Jesus, and repent of our desire to quit and drop out of the race. We all face hardships, we all struggle with sin, we’re all disciplined by the Lord for our good, and as a result, we’ll all be tempted to quit at some point along the way. The challenge of Hebrews 12 is to repent of that desire to quit: “lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,” consider Jesus and the opposition he faced, consider the great cloud of witnesses around him, and carry on in God’s strength.

Derek Redmond: Father Helps Him Finish After a Mid-Race Injury | Barcelona 1992 Olympics

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Read Hebrews 11-12

1. How does the author define “faith” and what difference does faith make?

2. Hebrews 11 is a long list of biblical figures who exercised faith. What effect does that list have on you? Which examples stir you the most?

3. Hebrews 12:1-17. Which of the following discourages you the most in your “race”?

• Carrying unnecessary weight (verse 1)

• Persistent sin that “clings so closely” (verse 1)

• Opposition from the world / ungodly people (verse 3)

• The loving discipline of the Father (verses 5-11)

4. What does it look like for you to “fix your eyes on Jesus”? (verse 2) What does that mean and what effect does it have?

5. PRAY for one another, that God would relieve burdens, renew strength, and give fresh endurance as we fix our eyes on Him. As you pray, personally confess and repent of any desire or temptation you have to quit your race, and ask for God’s help.

Mar 17, 2024 - Matt Deisen

Draw Near!

Draw Near!

Hebrews 8-10 is a rich exposition of the supremacy of Jesus and his sacrifice over the sacrificial system and high priests of Judaism. The old system was a mixed bag: God gave his people a way to deal with the sin problem, but it actually served to continuously remind them of the sin problem. It was simply insufficient, unable to really cleanse the conscience of the worshipper, and sin's guilty weight remained. But Jesus, by means of his self-offering, has done perfectly and in reality what the priests could only do imperfectly and figuratively. By offering himself as a perfect sacrifice, through the shedding of his own sinless blood, Jesus removed sin's weight and condemnation, and opened full, free, and unfettered access to God! Therefore, we can draw near to God with assurance and we can stir one another to love and good deeds.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Read Hebrews 8-10

1. Read all of Hebrews 8-10 this week. What seems to be the author's main concerns?

2. What does Hebrews 10:19-21 tell us about Jesus and his work? How is it better than the OT system?

3. Consider the commands in v.22-25. How can we be this kind of church together:

• Draw Near: What factors or beliefs contribute to your hesitancy in fully approaching God's presence?

• Hold Fast: How can you personally and as a community fight to keep Jesus our main thing?

• Consider One Another: How can you help build the kind of community described in v.24-25?

4. What is the warning in v.26-31, and to whom does it apply? How is it the opposite of v.19-25?

Mar 10, 2024 - Steve Hart

Go on to Maturity!

Go on to Maturity!

Hebrews 5-7 contains one of the strongest warnings in the entire New Testament, a text that has been a cause of anxious concern for disciples across the ages. On one hand, the authors are befuddled at the ongoing immaturity of the church, and are challenging the seeming passivity: They are like nursing infants when they should be mature adults helping to feed others. On the other hand, they know this church is capable of love, service, and persevering faith. The call is to grow up, becoming a people solidly grounded in the basics of faith and fully equipped for everyday lives of service and ministry. In the middle, the authors warn that what starts as a refusal to grow up can become an inability to grow up, where our hearts become hard and we sever ties with Jesus altogether. There's only one solution: Go forward, in faith and patience, having the full assurance of hope in Jesus!

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Read Hebrews 5-7

1. What seems to be the author's main concerns?

2. What problem is the author addressing in 5.11-14? What does this kind of immaturity look like?

3. What is the solution in 6.1-3? How well have you laid this foundation in your own life?

4. How can we avoid becoming the people described in 6.4-9?

5. In what ways are you content with immaturity? What does it look like to repent from that?

Mar 3, 2024 - Steve Hart