Grace Place Sermon Questions

Icebreaker: Have you ever borrowed something and not returned it? What was it? Why didn’t you return it? Overview: Our lives are an accumulation of all the people, places and things we have experienced. I like to say we are “Just making memories” but the truth is we are also accumulating stuff. The stuff is not necessarily good or bad. It is how we use the stuff that matters. Are we accumulating to make our lives and the lives of others better or are we accumulating stuff so we can have more than someone else? It is not all about us. Don’t let selfishness put out God’s fire. Discussion: One Heart and Soul Read Acts 4:32-5:1-11. What was life like for those living with one heart and soul? What was the common perspective they shared? Describe life based on money and things. Describe life living by power and grace. Selfless and Selfish Living What is the danger of partial surrender? What role does money play in your life goals? Are you controlling money or is money c...

Icebreaker: How did you spend the last weekend of summer? Overview: Pastor Ben used the illustration of how when we point a finger at someone, we have three fingers pointing back at ourselves. We may have good intentions in pointing a finger at someone. Perhaps we are discontented with the current situation and would like to see changes made for the better. Those three fingers pointing back at us remind us that we also have a part to play in the situation. By having a holy discontentment, God can use us to be part of the solution. Discussion: Holy Contentment Read Exodus 15:1-3. What was the source of the people of Israel’s holy contentment? What brings us holy contentment? Unholy Discontentment Read Exodus 17:1-3. What was the source of the people of Israel’s unholy discontentment? Unholy Contentment Read Exodus 32:1-6. What was the source of the people of Israel’s unholy contentment? Read Matthew 7:1-5. What brings us unho...

Icebreaker: How do you feel about milk? Lover or hater? What is your favorite ice cream? Overview: I have never been a milk lover. I can’t remember ever drinking a whole glass of the stuff. I used only enough milk to wet the cereal in the bowl. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with a cow’s milk allergy. There is nothing that will make you want something more than not being able to have it. A tall, frosty glass of chocolate milk, a solid chunk of sharp Cheddar, a double scoop of cookies and cream ice cream or a long string of mozzarella. . .these are the things of which my dreams are made. Why is it that we are surrounded by the Spirit of God, but we have little desire for the warmth of His Fire within us? We are spoiled children who are satisfied with milk. Our lack of hunger is fighting God’s fire. Discussion: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 ESV. Infants Need Milk Like newborn infants...

Icebreaker: How has your life been affected by fire? (home, forest, community, work, school, etc.) Overview: I faced a life-threatening illness in June of 2000 when my head exploded with pain from a brain hemorrhage. The only prayer I could manage was, “God, you’ve got to help me.” And He did. I walked out of the hospital a week later a little singed but alive. God had saved me from something that takes most. He continues to be right beside me when in the dark of the long nights the evil one whispers, “Did God really heal you? If it happened once, it could happen again. You won’t be so lucky next time.” Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said to the king, I say in reply, “I have no need to answer you. The God I serve is able to deliver me!”     Discussion: Read Daniel 3:16-30. The Faithful understand the power of God for deliverance. What did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego know about God that the king did not? How did they respond to the king’s threa...

Icebreaker: What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you? What is the nicest thing you have ever done for someone? Overview: I saw a billboard on a church that read: “Do for one person what you wish you could do for everyone.” I may not be able to give everyone a gift or shower everyone with love, but I can do it for one person. The Apostle Paul instructed Titus that we should be ready for “every good work” and “show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Division and discord are breaking out all around us trying to snuff out the fire of the Spirit! To keep the blaze of the Holy Spirit burning, we need to treat others with the goodness and loving kindness of God, even if we start small. Discussion: Read Titus 3:1-11. Causes of division and discord: Quetta’s testimony:   A few years ago, I suffered a fractured relationship with another person in our church because of an action they took in which they felt justified. I felt justified as well and o...

Icebreaker: What are examples of places where excitement is contagious? How do people respond to the excitement? Overview: Excitement is contagious. Sales organizations use the excitement of rewarding a few superstars with plaques and trips as a way to motivate all the sales team. When surrounded by cheering, successful sales people, everyone catches the vision of what is possible. When we are living a life set on fire for Christ, it is impossible for the flame not to spread to those around us. Discussion: Read Acts 4:1-22. Formula for Fire What were Peter and John doing that got them thrown in jail? What gave Peter the boldness to speak so plainly to the rulers? Fueled by Boldness How did the fire of the Holy Spirit help spread the gospel? Why were the religious rulers in such a difficult position? What did they command Peter and John NOT to do? You can’t stop it! What was Peter’s response to the command? How is the gospel spread? When hav...

Icebreaker: What is the most valuable thing you have ever lost? What did you do to try and find the lost item? Overview: When our daughter was three, she became lost in a shopping mall. It was a terrifying half-hour as every available person searched the crowded mall for the little girl in green. Finally, the word came over the walkie-talkie that she had been found by a customer at the other end of the mall. We were so grateful to see her again that we did not scold her for running away from the family. Our loving Heavenly Father is waiting with welcoming arms to receive the lost sheep that has wandered away. May we be like that heaven-sent customer years ago and help the lost find their way home. Set our hearts ablaze for lost people. Discussion: Read Luke 15:1-7; 19:1-10. Jesus’ Passion & Purpose What was Jesus’ purpose on Earth? How was His approach different from other religious leaders of the day? How far was He willing to go to fulfill His purpos...

Icebreaker: What do/did you like most about going back to school? What do/did you like least about going back to school? Overview: The love of Jesus naturally creates a love of others in us. We need the love of other human beings to survive. As Christians, a loving connection with other believers is vitally important to our spiritual development and well-being. Jesus prayed to the Father that we would love, connect and depend on each other. His prayer is that we are one in a spirit of unity with other Christians just as He is One with the Father. Set our hearts ablaze with a desire for unity! Discussion: Read John 17:1-26. Knowing Him Connects Us: How do you feel when you first meet another Christian? Why does knowing Jesus connect us? He Is Glorified In Us: How did Jesus glorify God? How do we glorify God? How does having unity with other believers glorify God? Unity: What does unity with other believers mean? How do we handle differing opinions? ...

Icebreaker: What food do you crave in the summer? What is your favorite homemade ice cream flavor? Overview: The story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus is one we usually only read at Easter and, even then, not often enough. It is a human-interest story, one where we can imagine ourselves as one of Jesus’s followers. To hear Jesus explain the scriptures that referred to the Lord Himself must have been amazing! But it was challenging to hear the stranger rebuke them for not having enough faith in the scriptures and realize later they were in the presence of Jesus. When we experience Jesus’s presence, we crave more. Discussion: Read Luke 24:13-35. What was the mood of the two followers as they walked home? Why did Jesus hide His identity from them? What did Jesus use to explain the crucifixion to them? What prompted them (perhaps husband and wife or siblings) to invite Jesus home with them? What caused the fire they felt within their hearts as they talked with Je...

The news in April of 2019 that Notre Dame was on fire came as quite a shock. Maybe they meant Notre Dame, the university in Indiana. Surely Notre Dame in Paris, the historic, Gothic cathedral from the 12 th century, was not on fire. That Notre Dame would have fire suppression. It is too precious to risk loss in a fire. Sadly, the beautiful, iconic church caught fire due to an electrical short-circuit and, in order to preserve its original design, the attic was not equipped with firewalls or sprinkler systems. This week there is a new concern for a collapse of the remaining structure due to extreme summer heat. [1] The visual image of a church on fire is disturbing whether it is a priceless cathedral like Notre Dame or small, neighborhood church down the street. Probably more disturbing should be a church that is NOT on fire. We want to see the Holy Spirit’s flaming power moving in our midst. The entire church met God in the fire. On the day of Pentecost, they were covered with ...