Grace Place Sermon Questions

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 is the most talented person you know? What is the difference between talent and gifting? Overview: A young couple fell in love while attending a Christian college. The young man was studying for the ministry while the young woman worked toward a degree in elementary education. By the time they graduated, they were married and headed to their first pastorate at a small, rural church. They were excited and full of plans for their new congregation. There was only one, small problem – the young woman did not play the piano and could not carry a tune in the proverbial bucket. These were skills expected of a pastor wife and much needed in their small congregation. Start where you are, do anything you can do, and do everything you can do, until you find something you must do! That something is probably your spiritual gift. – Jim George She couldn’t play or sing but she could organize, plan, teach and love people into the Kingdom of God so that is what sh...

Icebreaker: What kinds of things make you angry? Overview: Have you ever been angry but didn’t know why? I have. My mother struggled with dementia for nine years including three years in hospice care. She was stuck somewhere between reality and fantasy. She was neither dead or alive and I was mad. I was a control freak dealing with a situation I couldn’t control. God had her (and me) in His loving arms but I still had some lessons to learn. He was teaching me patience and appreciation. Get rid of anger or, better yet, get rid of the source of anger. Let the Love of God renew your mind. Discussion: Read Ephesians 4:17-32. Where do we start in renewing our minds? Why is anger so destructive? When is anger justified? How do we control our anger? What are some ways to put our hands to work for good? How can we use our words to improve situations? Why do we put our emotions under God’s control? Prayer: Pray for wisdom when anger arises in our lives....

Icebreaker: Who is the most powerful person you know? What gives them their power? Overview: Read Ephesians 3:20-21. In his book, Do Something! Make Your Life Count , Miles McPherson says, “God has a desire to bless you with spiritual power from heaven — the authority, ability, and opportunity to do something beyond your imagination. Not only did Jesus promise we would do greater works than He did, He also prepared us with the tools necessary for us to do those works. One of those tools is spiritual power.” You can do more than you think you can with God’s power! Discussion: How are we limited by natural power? What does Jesus’ power provide? - Authority - Divine assignments - Purposeful power - Spiritual needs How does spiritual power apply to each? How can you use spiritual power to do something? Activities: What could we accomplish if we put God’s power to work? What situation in your life needs God’s power to solve? As a group, co...

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, September 18, 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, click on "Life Groups" at the top of www.nashvillechurch.com. Fellowship: Icebreaker: In which social media platforms do you participate? Do you post or just read everyone else’s posts? How do you feel about memes? Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-32 Lesson: One slightly annoying aspect of Facebook is the constant over sharing of memes.  You know, the jokes, stories, quotes and songs that pop up on your news feed.  The most annoying are the dessert recipes....

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, June 5, 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, click on "Life Groups" at the top of www.nashvillechurch.com. Fellowship: Icebreaker: Have you ever taken a self-defense class?  What kind? With which super hero do you most relate? What is your real super power? (wit, intelligence, strength, etc.) What is your super hero name? Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18 Lesson: Movies, TV shows and video games featuring Medieval warriors are numerous in current media.  We are fascinated by strong warriors dressed in suits...

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, February 7, 2016.  To get the most from these questions, view the service by going to http://www.nashvillechurch.com and clicking 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 participating in a small group study, click on "Life Groups" at the top of www.nashvillechurch.com. Fellowship: Icebreaker: What did you think of the Super Bowl? What is it about sports that draw us to a game? How does rooting together for a team unite us? Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-31 Lesson: The battle of the ages is going on right now.  No, not between the Broncos and the Panthers in Super Bowl 50.  The battle is between good and evil.  It is between the Church and the...

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, January 31, 2016.  To get the most from these questions, view the service by going to http://www.nashvillechurch.com and clicking 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 participating in a small group study, click on "Life Groups" at the top of www.nashvillechurch.com. Fellowship: Icebreaker: If you suddenly inherited one billion dollars, what would you do? What would you buy? Where would you go? Scripture: Matthew 19:26, Ephesians 3:20-21 Lesson: Most of the time, we live our lives like we are the children of the poorest family in town when in reality we should be living like our last name is “Gates,” “Walton” or “Zuckerberg.”  We live lives ful...

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, July 26, 2015.  To get the most from these questions, view the service at 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: Icebreaker: What is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? How did you feel about owning that thing? What is the best deal you have ever made? Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14 Lesson: Back in the ‘80’s I went with a young friend from work to buy a new car. I considered the car she was buying to be expensive considering the purchase price was more than the mortgage on my ho...

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, May 3, 2015.  To get the most from these questions, view the service at o 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) Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to their baby daughter on Saturday.  As we await her royal name, generate your own royal name. Your first name, grandparent’s first name, mother’s maiden n...

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, July 21, 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) Have you ever served on a jury? What type of case did you serve on? Have you ever been a witness in court? How did you feel about being a witness? Worship: (Optional for communities who have the time and talent) “We are one in the Spirit; We a...

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, June 30, 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) What is your hobby? What type of handiwork have you ever done? How do you feel about something you have made by hand?   Worship: (Optional for communities who have the time and talent) “It's Your Life” by Francesca Battistelli Scrip...

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached by Rev. Rich Tiner at the Grace Place on Sunday, May 19, 2013. To get the most from these questions, go to www.graceplaceonline.us and listen to the service 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. 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) In what type costume did you dress up as a child? What special clothes, equipment or tools are required in your job? What is your modern-day shield? (Defense – i.e. don’t speak to strangers, big purse) What is your modern-day sword? (Offense – i.e. hand sanitizer, money in...

T he following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached at the Grace Place on Sunday, October 16, 2011, by Pastor Kathy Tack. 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: Describe your favorite chair.   Why is it your favorite chair? What do you do while sitting in your favorite chair? Did you ever have to sit in the corner as a child?   How did it feel not being able to get up? Have you ever been confined to a bed due to illness?   How did you feel about it? Scripture Reference : Ephesians 1:3-12 and James 2:14-24   Excavate: We are blessed when we put our faith into action. ...