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...

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...

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 19, 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 your favorite salty food? What is your favorite sweet food? What is the best salty/sweet combo? Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16 Lesson: An acquaintance sent an email saying how much strength she had drawn from my sharing about my mother’s journey with dementia.  A few days later I dreamed that my mother was telling me, “Let your light shine.”   You are free ...

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon by Rev. Tommy Dove at the Grace Place on Sunday, November 9, 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 What do you see when you look in the mirror? Are you serious, fun-loving, shy or outgoing? Describe a perfect day. Scripture: (Read the word together – use different readers, different versions, just read it Psalm 139  (Anot...

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached at the Grace Place on Sunday, April 14, 2013, 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. 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 special talent do you have?   (Roll your tongue, cross your toes, etc.) Have you ever performed in a talent show? What was your talent? Worship: (Optional for communities who have the time and talent) “We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord,   We are ...

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached at the Grace Place on Sunday, April 14, 2013, 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. 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 special talent do you have?   (Roll your tongue, cross your toes, etc.) Have you ever performed in a talent show? What was your talent? Worship: (Optional for communities who have the time and talent) “We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord,   We are ...

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached at the Grace Place on Sunday, July 1, 2012, 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: What kind of relationship do you have with your neighbors? What activities does your community sponsor? What benefits do you gain from being a member of community? Scripture Reference:   Romans 12 Excavate: Who is in your community of love? How is a person transformed? What is your responsibility as a member of the community? Why do people have such different gifts and abilities? Extract: What does love in the community...

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...

T he following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached at the Grace Place on Sunday, August 21, 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: Tell about a time as a child when you had to give something you loved to someone else? What minor acts of kindness do you perform for others each day? When have you ever sacrificed for someone else? Scripture Reference: Romans 12:1-8 Excavate: H o w “reasonable” do you think it is to be asked to be a living sacrifice? In what way have you not conformed to the world this week? What are you doing on a regular basis to renew your mind? Extract: Which phrase...