The sermon study is currently on a two-week break. The next session of sermon-based small groups will resume on the week starting on 4/12, based on the sermon from the weekend of 4/10-11.
If you have a minute, we would love to hear back from you regarding how the sermon-based small group has been going for you. What worked? What didn't work? How can we make it better for our new session? Please write me at insoo.kim@vineyardcolumbus.org. Thank you!
March 29, 2010
March 21, 2010
How a Slave Becomes a Son (Galatians 3:19–4:7)
Click here to download the Study Guide in PDF
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
“What, then, is the purpose of the law?” In Galatians 3:19–4:7, Paul teaches that the purpose of the law was to reveal sin in us. It was also a prison that enslaved us as a temporary guardian until Christ came. And when the set time had come, God sent Jesus to redeem us, he sent his Holy Spirit to live in us, and he adopted us as his sons and daughters. Now, we who were formerly slaves can call God, “Abba, Father.”
GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTEDThese questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.
1. Have you ever had dinner where a friend or someone else picked up your tab? Did you feel like you had to pay for at least part of the bill? Did you feel an urge to invite this person to dessert? Was it hard to simply receive this gift?
2. Have you ever had an experience in which you felt like you did all the right things, yet the final result was not at all what you expected? Have you ever worked hard towards a goal just to realize the goal was pointless? Briefly share your experience.
3. In your own words, define “sin.”
4. In your own words, define “grace.”
5. When you hear the expression that, in Christ, we are sons and daughters of God, how do you feel? Do you feel like you are able to relate to God as his son or daughter? Why or why not? Briefly explain.
6. In your opinion, what would a perfect father look like? Would you have to prove yourself to him? Or would he accept and love you as you are? What would your interaction with him look like?
INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
2. Read Luke 15:11-31:
• In verses 11-12 we read about a young man asking his father for his share of the family inheritance. What reasons would lead you to do something like this? What does this tell you of his relationship with his father? How do you think this made his father feel?
• It did not take long for the son to squander everything and find himself in need (v. 14). Have you ever found yourself in a situation where, because of your own pride, you made a wrong turn in your life? Briefly share your experience.
• How do you respond when you receive a gift from the Lord? If you asked and received something, do you feel like the Lord gave it to you because you deserved it? Do you feel responsibility towards the Lord regarding the way you use this gift?
• Have you ever had an “I know better than God” attitude towards making decisions? Briefly share your experience.
• In verse 20, we read that as soon as the father saw his son returning, he was filled with compassion and ran to him and embraced him. What does this tell you of God’s heart for the sinner? As a small group, are we following God’s example of loving sinners despite of their sin and welcoming them into community? Do we run out to them, or do we expect them to come to us?
• What is your understanding of grace? Expand on both sons’ view of their father’s grace towards them, (one embittered by working for but never feeling he received his father’s generosity, while the other one felt he had used it all up). What was each son focusing on? Did either of their approaches show a good knowledge of their Father? How do we receive approval from God?
• The father in the story was generous to his son at the beginning of the story as well at the end of the story. What does this tell you of the father’s character? What does this say about God’s reasons for giving? What does this tell you of God’s faithfulness?
• Are you more like the older or the younger son in the story? How would you describe your current relationship with God? Compared to a year ago, are you closer or further away from God today? Why might that be?
3. In your small group this week, please consider setting aside time to share with one another and pray for each other.
• In what areas of your life are you still living like a “slave” rather than a “son” or a “daughter”?
• If you are not able to relate to God as Father, why might that be?
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
“What, then, is the purpose of the law?” In Galatians 3:19–4:7, Paul teaches that the purpose of the law was to reveal sin in us. It was also a prison that enslaved us as a temporary guardian until Christ came. And when the set time had come, God sent Jesus to redeem us, he sent his Holy Spirit to live in us, and he adopted us as his sons and daughters. Now, we who were formerly slaves can call God, “Abba, Father.”
GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTEDThese questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.
1. Have you ever had dinner where a friend or someone else picked up your tab? Did you feel like you had to pay for at least part of the bill? Did you feel an urge to invite this person to dessert? Was it hard to simply receive this gift?
2. Have you ever had an experience in which you felt like you did all the right things, yet the final result was not at all what you expected? Have you ever worked hard towards a goal just to realize the goal was pointless? Briefly share your experience.
3. In your own words, define “sin.”
4. In your own words, define “grace.”
5. When you hear the expression that, in Christ, we are sons and daughters of God, how do you feel? Do you feel like you are able to relate to God as his son or daughter? Why or why not? Briefly explain.
6. In your opinion, what would a perfect father look like? Would you have to prove yourself to him? Or would he accept and love you as you are? What would your interaction with him look like?
INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
2. Read Luke 15:11-31:
11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' 20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31 "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
• In verses 11-12 we read about a young man asking his father for his share of the family inheritance. What reasons would lead you to do something like this? What does this tell you of his relationship with his father? How do you think this made his father feel?
• It did not take long for the son to squander everything and find himself in need (v. 14). Have you ever found yourself in a situation where, because of your own pride, you made a wrong turn in your life? Briefly share your experience.
• How do you respond when you receive a gift from the Lord? If you asked and received something, do you feel like the Lord gave it to you because you deserved it? Do you feel responsibility towards the Lord regarding the way you use this gift?
• Have you ever had an “I know better than God” attitude towards making decisions? Briefly share your experience.
• In verse 20, we read that as soon as the father saw his son returning, he was filled with compassion and ran to him and embraced him. What does this tell you of God’s heart for the sinner? As a small group, are we following God’s example of loving sinners despite of their sin and welcoming them into community? Do we run out to them, or do we expect them to come to us?
• What is your understanding of grace? Expand on both sons’ view of their father’s grace towards them, (one embittered by working for but never feeling he received his father’s generosity, while the other one felt he had used it all up). What was each son focusing on? Did either of their approaches show a good knowledge of their Father? How do we receive approval from God?
• The father in the story was generous to his son at the beginning of the story as well at the end of the story. What does this tell you of the father’s character? What does this say about God’s reasons for giving? What does this tell you of God’s faithfulness?
• Are you more like the older or the younger son in the story? How would you describe your current relationship with God? Compared to a year ago, are you closer or further away from God today? Why might that be?
3. In your small group this week, please consider setting aside time to share with one another and pray for each other.
• In what areas of your life are you still living like a “slave” rather than a “son” or a “daughter”?
• If you are not able to relate to God as Father, why might that be?
March 14, 2010
God’s Plan for Human Equality (Galatians 3:26-29)
Click here to download the Study Guide in PDF
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
The Bible teaches that God is creating a new human family out of the multitude of races. And yet, the Christian church in America betrays the gospel by its lack of intentionality and repentance regarding all of the divisions around the communion table. In this famous passage in the book of Galatians, we learn God’s plan for racial, social, and gender equality in the body of Christ, because everyone who has faith receives the full rights as sons, is baptized into Christ, and is valued equally in the church.
GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.
1. In your own words, define “stereotype.”
2. Have you ever personally experienced prejudice because of your race, social status, or gender? Where and how did this occur? How did you feel? How did you respond? Briefly explain.
3. Has there been a recent incident where you caught yourself judging someone because of their race, social status, or gender? Briefly explain.
4. Besides race, social status, and gender, what are some other ways that we tend to divide and categorize people?
5. In regards to ethnic diversity, how would you describe your personal experience at Vineyard Columbus? Have there been experiences that were uncomfortable for you? Briefly explain.
6. In his sermon, Rich talked about God’s plan for racial, social, and gender equality. Which of these three do you feel most passionate about? Why?
INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Briefly explain.
2. Read John 17:20-23
• Who is Jesus praying for in this passage? (v. 20)
• What is it that Jesus is praying specifically for in this passage? What do you think it means to be “one” as Jesus prays to the Father, “just as you are in me and I am in you”? (v. 21)
• What do you think Jesus meant when he prayed, “May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me”? (v. 21)
• According to verse 22, what did Jesus give us? What is “glory”? (find other instances of the word in chapter 17) Why did Jesus give this to us? (vv. 22-23)
• According to verse 23, what is it that the world will know?
• Why do you think unity is such a powerful witness?
• According to this passage, what is the key to Christian unity?
3. In his sermon, Rich made the following statement:
• Have you found this to be true in your own life?
• Is this true of your small group?
• Would you say that your small group is “intentional” about being an inclusive group? Why or why not?
• How might your small group be used by God to bring about racial, social, and gender equality?
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
The Bible teaches that God is creating a new human family out of the multitude of races. And yet, the Christian church in America betrays the gospel by its lack of intentionality and repentance regarding all of the divisions around the communion table. In this famous passage in the book of Galatians, we learn God’s plan for racial, social, and gender equality in the body of Christ, because everyone who has faith receives the full rights as sons, is baptized into Christ, and is valued equally in the church.
GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.
1. In your own words, define “stereotype.”
2. Have you ever personally experienced prejudice because of your race, social status, or gender? Where and how did this occur? How did you feel? How did you respond? Briefly explain.
3. Has there been a recent incident where you caught yourself judging someone because of their race, social status, or gender? Briefly explain.
4. Besides race, social status, and gender, what are some other ways that we tend to divide and categorize people?
5. In regards to ethnic diversity, how would you describe your personal experience at Vineyard Columbus? Have there been experiences that were uncomfortable for you? Briefly explain.
6. In his sermon, Rich talked about God’s plan for racial, social, and gender equality. Which of these three do you feel most passionate about? Why?
INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Briefly explain.
2. Read John 17:20-23
20 “My [Jesus] prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”• What is the setting of this passage? (see chapters 16 and 18)
• Who is Jesus praying for in this passage? (v. 20)
• What is it that Jesus is praying specifically for in this passage? What do you think it means to be “one” as Jesus prays to the Father, “just as you are in me and I am in you”? (v. 21)
• What do you think Jesus meant when he prayed, “May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me”? (v. 21)
• According to verse 22, what did Jesus give us? What is “glory”? (find other instances of the word in chapter 17) Why did Jesus give this to us? (vv. 22-23)
• According to verse 23, what is it that the world will know?
• Why do you think unity is such a powerful witness?
• According to this passage, what is the key to Christian unity?
3. In his sermon, Rich made the following statement:
“Almost everyone in the 21st century says that they want to build an inclusive church that welcomes people across races, has different classes, is open to folks to be used according to their gifts and not based on their gender, or their class. Most of the time, what I observe in people is that what they mean by welcoming is that other folks are welcome to join their church as long as they do things their way. ‘You can come, but don’t bring your culture. Don’t try to change us. We have a certain way of doing things here. You can come and worship with us; you can even come and join our groups, be part of our leadership, so long as you don’t make us change.’”• Do you agree with Rich’s statement?
• Have you found this to be true in your own life?
• Is this true of your small group?
• Would you say that your small group is “intentional” about being an inclusive group? Why or why not?
• How might your small group be used by God to bring about racial, social, and gender equality?
March 7, 2010
The Story of the Bible (Galatians 3:6-18)
Click here to download the Study Guide in PDF
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
We believe that the Holy Spirit inspired the human authors of the Bible. And we receive the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments as our final authority for faith and practice. The whole Bible speaks about Christ and his amazing grace, and about substitution as the way of salvation. And as such, the whole Bible must be believed and embraced, and it is to be read through the story of Abraham.
GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.
1. What are some of your favorite passages in the Bible? Why?
2. How have you grown in your appreciation and understanding of the Bible over the years?
3. What are some books, other resources, or practices that have been helpful in your personal study of the Bible?
4. If someone were to ask you what the Bible is about, how would you answer that person?
INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Briefly explain.
2. Read Luke 24:13-49
• What is the setting of this passage? (see vv. 1-12)
• Why were they going to Emmaus? (v. 13)
• In verse 16, we read that when Jesus walked up these two men, “they were kept from recognizing him.” How might this have happened? Why might this have happened? What are some things that might keep people from recognizing Jesus today?
• When Jesus asked them what they were talking about, what was their response? (vv. 17-24) What are some things that stand out to you about their description of what had just happened?
• How does Jesus explain to these men what had just happened? (vv. 25-27) How is Jesus’ explanation different from the two men’s explanation? Have you ever had an experience where your personal view about some issue was different from, or even opposed to, the teachings of the Bible? Briefly explain.
• We read in verse 31, that the eyes of these two men were “opened” and “they recognized him.” Where were they when this happened? What were they doing when this happened?
• We read in verse 32, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Have you ever had an encounter with the Bible like that? Briefly explain. (see also verse 45)
• Briefly explain the encounter with Jesus found in verses 36-43. What stands out to you about this encounter?
• Read verses 44-47. How does Jesus explain the events that have just transpired? What does he use as the foundation for his explanation?
• What are the promises and commands of Jesus found in verses 48-49?
3. In his sermon, Rich made the following statement:
• In light of this statement, would you consider yourself to be a “serious follower of Jesus Christ?”
• What are some of the parts of the Bible that you don’t like? Parts you struggle with? Parts that cause you tension? Why might this be?
• Consider setting aside time during small group to pray that God would open eyes and minds so that we would encounter Jesus in the Scriptures, and for grace to embrace and submit to the whole Bible.
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
We believe that the Holy Spirit inspired the human authors of the Bible. And we receive the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments as our final authority for faith and practice. The whole Bible speaks about Christ and his amazing grace, and about substitution as the way of salvation. And as such, the whole Bible must be believed and embraced, and it is to be read through the story of Abraham.
GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.
1. What are some of your favorite passages in the Bible? Why?
2. How have you grown in your appreciation and understanding of the Bible over the years?
3. What are some books, other resources, or practices that have been helpful in your personal study of the Bible?
4. If someone were to ask you what the Bible is about, how would you answer that person?
INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Briefly explain.
2. Read Luke 24:13-49
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
• What is the setting of this passage? (see vv. 1-12)
• Why were they going to Emmaus? (v. 13)
• In verse 16, we read that when Jesus walked up these two men, “they were kept from recognizing him.” How might this have happened? Why might this have happened? What are some things that might keep people from recognizing Jesus today?
• When Jesus asked them what they were talking about, what was their response? (vv. 17-24) What are some things that stand out to you about their description of what had just happened?
• How does Jesus explain to these men what had just happened? (vv. 25-27) How is Jesus’ explanation different from the two men’s explanation? Have you ever had an experience where your personal view about some issue was different from, or even opposed to, the teachings of the Bible? Briefly explain.
• We read in verse 31, that the eyes of these two men were “opened” and “they recognized him.” Where were they when this happened? What were they doing when this happened?
• We read in verse 32, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Have you ever had an encounter with the Bible like that? Briefly explain. (see also verse 45)
• Briefly explain the encounter with Jesus found in verses 36-43. What stands out to you about this encounter?
• Read verses 44-47. How does Jesus explain the events that have just transpired? What does he use as the foundation for his explanation?
• What are the promises and commands of Jesus found in verses 48-49?
3. In his sermon, Rich made the following statement:
“To be a serious follower of Jesus Christ means that you take the entire Bible seriously as your guide for life. And I mean all of Scripture – the parts you like and the parts you don’t like. The parts you agree with and the parts that you struggle with, or cause you tension. Christian spirituality is marked by believing and embracing and submitting to the whole Bible.”
• In light of this statement, would you consider yourself to be a “serious follower of Jesus Christ?”
• What are some of the parts of the Bible that you don’t like? Parts you struggle with? Parts that cause you tension? Why might this be?
• Consider setting aside time during small group to pray that God would open eyes and minds so that we would encounter Jesus in the Scriptures, and for grace to embrace and submit to the whole Bible.
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