We are continuing in our Paradox series! This week, Ryan gives us some insight on how he dives deeper into Scripture and the encouragement from Paul to be a disciple that is discipling! Ryan has two points:

1. Progress in the Gospel
2. Model Christ as you wait for Christ

Discussion Questions:

1. How confident are you in your ability to read and understand the Bible on your own?

2. When looking back at your life this time last year is there an obvious growth in your relationship with Christ? Why or why not?

3. What does it mean to live as a citizen of heaven? Who in your life demonstrates this well?

We are continuing in our Paradox series! This week, Ryan is taking us through Paul's accomplishments and how, by the world's standards, they meant everything, but by God's standards, they meant nothing. Ryan has three points:

1. Demonstrate Your Doctrine.
2. Cancel Your Confidence.
3. Pursue His Presence.

Discussion Questions:

- When you're listening to a sermon at church, which do you prefer: the preacher explaining how the text tells you how to think or how the text tells you how to live?

- If you had to fall into one of two camps would you say you would wrongly think 1. God is lucky to have me or 2. God is mad at me.

- What are some practical ways that you seek to deepen your relationship with God?

We are continuing in our third week of the Paradox sermon series. We have a special guest, Ryan Hughes, the associate pastor at Rosendale Christian Church. He is covering Philippians 2, working through questions of Humility.

Discussion Questions:

1. What was the reason for the path you chose in life?
2. When you walk into a room of people, are you thinking about what they think of you, or are you thinking about them?
3. If you ask a favor of someone that will cost them something, do you expect them to help? or when someone asks you for a favor that will cost you, do you help?
4. Do you ever plan how you are going to intentionally help others?

We are continuing in our Paradox series! This week, Ryan is taking us through Paul's encouragement and leaning on how "to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Ryan has three points:

1. Proclaim Christ in Life or Death
2. Practice Living Consistent to the Gospel.
3. Perceive Suffering as a Privilege.

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways does Paul's mindset on life and death differ from the world's? (Phil 1:21)

2. Do you consider your day to day actions to be consistent with the gospel? How about when making big life decisions, what factor does the gospel play in that?

3. How might suffering look different for the believer in the 21st century church as compared to the 1st century Philippian church? How can we ensure that we suffer well as Christians?

We are kicking off our next sermon series: Paradox! Van is leading us off through Philippians 1!

Van will walk through Paul’s situation under arrest, showing how—even in hardship—his focus stayed rooted in Christ. This message challenges us to examine where our attention goes in both the highs and lows of life, and what it looks like to stay grounded no matter the circumstances.

Discussion Questions:

• If you wrote a letter to fellow believers from a prison cell, what would you say?
• Does your life reflect a joyous life in Christ, regardless of your circumstances?
• Where do you focus during the toughest moments of your life?

We are wrapping up our Written in Stone series. This week, Preston looks to cover the greatest commandment, said by Jesus in Matthew 22.

Preston has three points:

- Love for God is the Top Priority for a Faithful Follower of Christ

- A Heart for the Father is Revealed by Love for His Children

- The Law was Given to Teach us How to Love

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does Jesus place love for God above all other Commandments? Why is love for our neighbor listed second?

2. What does it look like to love God, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength? What does it look like to love our neighbor as ourselves?

3. What is the ultimate purpose of the Commandments? How can we live a life at honor’s God through our obedience?

We are continuing through our Written in Stone series. This week, Ryan looks to cover the last 5 commandments listed in Exodus 20. We ultimately want to communicate how we can see the relevance of the 10 commandments and how we live them out on this side of the Cross.

Ryan has three points:

- Refine Your Heart

- Revere Your God

- Reach for your Redeemer

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you find it hard to follow the commandments 5-10 after Jesus clarifies that each of those sins (murder, adultery, theft, etc) begin at the heart level?

2. How does Jesus' fulfillment of the Old Testament law impact the way we view the law?

3. Have you had conversations with proclaiming Christians that struggle to answer the 2 questions that Ryan asked in his sermon? What advice to do you have for them?

We are jumping into our third week of our Written in Stone series! Ryan is taking us through the fifth commandment in Exodus 20:12

Ryan is looking to encourage us to recognize a biblical framework for nuanced family dynamics while also correctly submitting to God's fifth commandment to His people in the Old Testament.

1., Family is the Primary Plan for Discipleship.

2. Honor to Parents Does Not Mean Agreement.

3. Honor to Parents Means Care and Respect.

Discussion Questions:

- What does honor mean in Exodus 20:12 when it says to honor your parents?

- How can you still show respect to your parents when disagreeing with them?

- How would you encourage someone who has a difficult relationship with their parents to still honor them in young adulthood?

- In what ways is God being our Heavenly Father a comfort for those whose parents were either absent or abusive?