Grace Place Sermon Questions

Icebreaker: What was your favorite gift this Christmas? What gift are you returning? Overview: We caught a bit of Dolly Parton’s “Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love,” on TV this week. Based on Dolly’s life, it tells the story of a particularly hard winter and a special Christmas gift. Spoiler Alert!) Dolly still believes she was visited by her guardian angel that Christmas. Perhaps we miss receiving the best gifts because we are not waiting and watching for them. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. -- Matthew 2:10b-11 ESV. No matter who we are – wise man, country music icon or a humble writer – we are born to worship and bring glory to Him through the gifts we give. Discussion: Read Matthew 2:1-12. What made the wise men (and the shepherds) so determined? When has God pursued you? W...

Icebreakers: How did you test the boundaries set by your parents? Where did you travel when celebrating Christmas with family? Overview: In the hysterically funny, Christmas movie, “Elf,” Buddy realizes he is not like the other elves and leaves the North Pole and Papa Elf in search of his real father. His father tries to turn Buddy into a corporate businessman like himself. In return, Buddy teaches his father how to love. “I planned out our whole day. First, we make snow angels for two hours, and then we’ll go ice skating, and then we’ll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookie Dough as fast as we can, and then to finish, we’ll snuggle.” –  Buddy Jesus left Heaven and His Father to come to earth as a human baby to learn from Joseph, His earthly father. The story of the adolescent Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem to remain in the temple shows us that Jesus had to learn how to be a human boy through obedience to his earthly parents. The balancing act we ...

Icebreaker: What is your favorite Christmas movie? What is your favorite Christmas movie quote? Overview: In the Christmas classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” angel Clarence Odbody is forced to lovingly deliver some tough love when George wishes he had never been born. Clarence grants his wish lamenting that there must be an easier way to get his wings. After George has a frightening experience of what life would have been like had he never been born, Clarence says, “ Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” In the end, George realizes how wonderful his life truly is despite its difficulties. Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.   -- Warren W. Wiersbe God loved us so much that He sent His Son as the Baby Jesus to redeem us. He has placed preachers, teachers and a church in our lives to give us direction so we can mature in our faith. He disciplines us wi...

Icebreaker: Who was in charge at your childhood home? Mom? Dad? Grandma? How are chores divided in your home? Overview: In the movie, The Santa Clause,” actor Tim Allen dons a Santa suit and magically appears at the North Pole. He asks the elves, “Who’s in charge here?” and they reply, “You are!” The new Santa is totally overwhelmed by his expanding responsibilities and waistline. The true measure of leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less. – John Maxwell Mary’s betrothed, Joseph, found himself in an extremely difficult situation. After careful consideration, he decided on a plan to quietly break his engagement to Mary and let her deal with the unexpected pregnancy alone. God had a different plan for Joseph. An angel appeared in a dream to tell Joseph he was in charge and what his responsibilities would be concerning his new wife and son. When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. – Matthew 1:24 ESV Discussi...

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached by Pastor Tommy Dove at the Grace Place on Sunday, December 25, 2016.  To get the most from these questions, go to http://www.nashvillechurch.com and click on “Media” to either stream the current service or listen to a previous sermon. These questions can be used in your private Bible study during the week or as the topic for a small group study.  For more information on participating in a small group study, contact Pastor Owen Snyder. Fellowship: Icebreaker: What is the best news you have ever received? How do you like to share good news? What kind of good news have you shared? Scripture: Luke 2:8-12 Lesson: We have heard the Christmas story so many times that we hurry through some parts so we can get to the wise men brought gifts part.  This time let’s focus in on the “He is Christ, the Lord” part.  It was, and still is, the best part of the whole story....

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached by Rev Tommy Dove at the Grace Place on Sunday, December 21, 2014. To get the most from these questions, go to http://www.graceplace.us and click on “Streaming.”  From there you can watch or listen to the service first. These questions can be used in your private Bible study during the week or as the topic for a small group study. For more information on hosting or leading a small group study, click on "GP Small Groups" under "GP Ministries" at www.graceplace.us. Fellowship: (Break bread with your community, share life from last week, announcements for next week) Icebreaker: (Get to know your fellow believers a little bit better using this week’s topic How long did a year feel when you were a child waiting for Christmas? What is your excitement now for Christmas?  Gifts?  Time off?  Family? What is one gift you are wishing for? Scripture: (Read the word together – u...

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached by Pastor Tommy Dove at the Grace Place on Sunday, December 22, 2013. To get the most from these questions, go to https://soundcloud.com/#graceplacehermitage and listen to the service first. These questions can be used in your private Bible study during the week or as the topic for a small group study. For more information on hosting or leading a small group study, click on "GP Small Groups" under "GP Ministries" at www.graceplace.us. Fellowship: (Break bread with your community, share life from last week, announcements for next week) What are some of your Christmas traditions? What is your favorite Christmas movie? How do you plan to spend Christmas Eve? Icebreaker: (Get to know your fellow believers a little bit better using this week’s topic) Worship: (Optional for communities who have the time and talent) “Silent Night” Scripture: (Read the word together – ...

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached by Pastor Tommy Dove at the Grace Place on Sunday, November 24, 2013. To get the most from these questions, go to https://soundcloud.com/#graceplacehermitage and listen to the service first. These questions can be used in your private Bible study during the week or as the topic for a small group study. For more information on hosting or leading a small group study, click on "GP Small Groups" under "GP Ministries" at www.graceplace.us. Fellowship: (Break bread with your community, share life from last week, announcements for next week) Icebreaker: (Get to know your fellow believers a little bit better using this week’s topic) How do you feel about Christmas shopping?   Grinch or Who? What percentage of your shopping is finished?   Wrapped? What one thing gets you into the Christmas spirit? Worship: (Optional for communities who have the time and talent) “Christmas ...

T he following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached at the Grace Place on Sunday, December 4, 2011, by Pastor Tommy Dove. To get the most from these questions, go to www.graceplaceonline.us and listen to the sermon first. These questions can be used in your private Bible study during the week or as a basis for a small group study. For more information on hosting or leading a small group study, click on "GP Small Groups" under "GP Ministries" at www.graceplace.us . Explore: Did your grandparents or other relatives ever live with you? Who? When? Why? Tell about a time when you visited someone and stayed overnight. What is it like to live in someone else's home? How do you make overnight visitors feel welcome in your home? Scripture Reference: John 1:14, 18 Excavate: Why does God care about how we feel? What kind of example was Jesus? How does Jesus show His love for us? Extract: ...

T he following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached at the Grace Place on Sunday, December 4, 2011, by Pastor Tommy Dove. To get the most from these questions, go to www.graceplaceonline.us and listen to the sermon first. These questions can be used in your private Bible study during the week or as a basis for a small group study. For more information on hosting or leading a small group study, click on "GP Small Groups" under "GP Ministries" at www.graceplace.us . Explore: Created in God’s image, we all share in His creative attribute. How is your creativity expressed?   (Drawing, teaching, woodwork, puzzles, cooking, etc. – No cop outs!) How do you use your creativity in your spiritual gifts? Adam was creative.   He got to name all the animals. If you had been at creation, what would your job have been? Scripture Reference: John 1:2-13 Excavate: What was it like for God to make everything from nothi...