At the Tower of Babel, God divided humanity into languages, creating different cultures and ethnicities. But why was God's reaction to a city and a tower so weighty? What was the big deal? In this study, we'll sift through the clues in Scripture and history to discover the disturbing picture that emerges.SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:- Why do you think humanity was so quick to rebel against God after witnessing the devastating judgment of the Flood just a century or two earlier?- Do you know anyone who has “deconstructed” their Christian faith? What did you notice about their process, motivations, actions, etc.?- Do you see any parallels between our world today and the events at the Tower of Babel?- What do you think determines the spiritual “atmosphere” in a location? How about in your own home?- Jeff suggested that our flesh is the most dangerous false teacher we encounter. What specific areas of Scripture do you find yourself most tempted to reinterpret to accommodate your desires?

In this study, we'll continue peeling back the layers surrounding events at the Tower of Babel, including what the Bible says about "gods," the parallels between Nimrod and the coming antichrist, one-world government, and God's good plans to bless His children.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- Read Jesus’ Great High Priestly Prayer in John 17:20-26. What kind of things does Jesus want believers to be united around? What types of things should divide professing Christians?

- Does the knowledge that those who are saved are temples of God’s Spirit change the way you think about God’s presence in your life? How?

- How can patience and remembering God’s promises help us in our struggle against sin?

- Does thinking about things like the New Jerusalem—the city God has prepared for His people—cause you to “check out” in this present life, or does it make you more engaged in living for Christ? Why?

- When you look at current global unification efforts (i.e., attempts to create a “borderless world”), do you see good or bad fruit?

In this study of 1 Timothy 4:6–10, Pastor Phil clarifies what godliness is not before showing us what true biblical godliness really looks like. Centered on the question, “How does a follower of Christ become godly?”, the message walks through Paul’s instructions to Timothy and invites each of us to take an honest look at our own walk with the Lord. Pastor Phil closes by returning to the question he began with: Are you a godly man or a godly woman?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- Have you ever thought of this description for your life? What makes you feel uncomfortable about this description?

- When you see a "godly man or woman," what do you see?

- What role does God's Word have in someone becoming godly? What are we doing as a church to train one another to become "godly?" Could we do more? What would that look like?

- Read the poem "Only One Life." What convicts you about this poem? How does this change the way we live? Why do we hesitaté to do this?

- Godly men and women know how to "renounce" sin. What does it mean to renounce something?

- There is only one answer to our sin and our eternal destination.
Why do people tend to think that there are many roads to God?

- Pray for one another to become "godly." Pray for the church to be filled with godly men.

In this continuation of last week’s message on 1 Timothy 4:11–16, we learn how Paul’s charge to Timothy should shape both our character and our influence. We see how our words can become instruments of godliness when they are rooted in truth and love, and we’re reminded to steward our spiritual gifts with intentionality and humility. Finally, we learn how setting a consistent, Christlike example has a sanctifying effect on the people around us—showing that faithful obedience doesn’t just transform our own lives, but also helps shape the spiritual growth of our entire community.SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:- (Review) This past week, did you catch yourself using some words that were less than godly? Care to share? Want to be held accountable by the group?- Can you recall and share with the group a time when someone spoke an "apt" word to you, just what you needed to hear at just the right time?- Which of the "worthy words" would the Lord have you focus on at this time in your spiritual walk?- Review the list of the seven spiritual gifts in Romans 12. Is there one you believe that you have? How can the Lord use your gift among His people? How could you "neglect" it?- Is there someone or some people whom you are "following" spiritually? Who are some of the people who are probably following you? If they are, what can you do to make sure that you and they are heading toward salvation?

In this week's study of 1 Timothy 4:11-12, we look at Paul's encouragement to Timothy to not let other believer's look down on him for his youth, but to set an example for other believer's in godliness. In this message, Pastor Dave focuses on how we can walk in godliness with our speech. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:- Can you as a group recall or identify at least one Bible passage which reveals a plan God has?- Have you had a recent plan of yours get squashed? Care to share about that?- In the sermon, what were the three biblical responses to changed plans? Can you come up with some references?- How does someone's speech provide insight into their spiritual maturity? Can you give an example?- What is one category of "worldly words" that you personally need to"upgrade"? What can you replace that category with?

In this chapter, we see how Noah's prophetic words spoken over his 3 sons played out over the subsequent centuries. We're also given a few insights into a strange character named Nimrod, who will be a key part of events at the Tower of Babel in Chapter 11.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- Can you think of any present-day examples of how charismatic leaders can, like Nimrod, draw people away from God?

- Do you feel the natural draw of the flesh to forget and neglect God due to the busyness of life? What practices and disciplines have you found helpful in fighting against this natural tendency?

- Even Christians can fall prey to false teachers. In fact, we see repeated warnings about this in the New Testament. How can Christians avoid being deceived by "Christian" false teachers?

- Read and discuss Romans 16:17-18, Galatians 1:6-9, Colossians 2:8, and Revelation 2:2.

- Read 1 John 4:1. What does it mean to "test the spirits"?

Strange behavior by Noah leads to dishonorable behavior by his son, Ham, and honorable behavior by his sons, Shem and Japheth. This bizarre incident reveals principles about the relationship between children and parents, the dangers of abusing alcohol, and the nature of generational curses.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- As an adult, what does it mean to honor your parents? What does it look like practically?

- Why do you think that in the Mosaic Law God places such severe consequences on dishonoring parents?

- Romans 14 addresses Christian freedom, honoring weaker brothers and sisters, and the heart attitude we should have toward one another in these things. Read the chapter together and share what sticks out to you.

- Have you ever had to make a conscious choice to walk in a different direction from how you were raised, in order to break a cycle of sin or brokenness in your family?

- What “seeds” have you sown in life that have borne the best fruit?

God gives Noah and his family promises, reassurances, and commands to guide them as they establish the human race on a new, post-Flood world. These include the establishment of the timeless command of capital punishment and the sign of a rainbow in the heavens.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- How should Christians reconcile God's command for capital punishment in Genesis 9 with Jesus' teachings on mercy, forgiveness, and turning the other cheek?

- What do you think a biblical perspective is on war, self-defense, and law enforcement? (Address one or all subjects individually.)

- If our society were to implement all the justice-related aspects of the Mosaic Law (e.g., the death penalty for murder, adultery, cursing one’s parents, witchcraft), do you think it would be a good or bad thing? Why?

- What does it look like for members of a church who don’t currently have young children to support marriages and families in a local church?

- When was the last time you felt overwhelmed by the grace of God?