Message Title: What’s Your Purpose in Life?

Series: Reasons for God

 

Key verses:

1 Timothy 1:13-14, Rom 8:28-29, Philippians 3:12-14, Hebrews 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Luke 9:23-26

 

Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:

Icebreaker Question:

What is the most memorable conversion testimony that stands out in your mind? Please share.

 

Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, what was the most memorable part of the McBride’s testimony last Sunday?

 

Digging Deeper:

1. Read 1 Timothy 1:13-14. Contrast Paul’s life before he became an apostle and after. Why is change an essential part in following Jesus?
2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. What does it mean to be a new creation? How would you describe the process of being a new creation?
3. Romans 8:28-29. What is the one thing you remember God changed in your life when you first became a follower of Jesus? How did that change come about? Why is that change so significant?
4. Philippians 3:12-14. Hebrews 12:1-2. The Christian life is a work in progress, and it’s hard work. From your experience what are the things that can hinder your spiritual growth? Explain.
5. Luke 9:23-26. Following Jesus costs something? What was your hesitation before becoming a Christian? What convinced you that it was worth the cost?

 

Taking it Home:

What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?

 

Prayer request:

Please pray that this message series will challenge our congregation to share their conversion testimony to their neighbors and friends.

Message Title: Science and Nature Glorify God

Series: Reasons for God

 

Key verses:

Romans 1:16, 20

 

Sermon Notes:

Follow up test from Sunday’s message:

Growth Group leader has the answers.

 

1. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? ___________________________________________
2. Do you love the story of the Garden of Eden? ________________________________________
3. Everyone’s goal should be: T____________________________________________________
4. What are these?      _______________________________________
5. Regarding the drawings, what should the schools be teaching? _____________________ ______________________________________________.
6. Why do evolutionists only show D_______ as evidence for evolution instead of P__________?
7. What is the most powerful weapon of atheists and evolutionists against God? S_________.
8. Romans 1:16. ___________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________
9. What is the most important part of science? O_______________________________.
10. Evolutionists teach that humans have ancestors that were: B_________________ M__________ P_____________ A_____________________________ etc.
11. Great answer when asked,“What about Evolution?” : I believe ___________________ __________________________________________________________________________.
12. Creationists believe apes make apes and people make people; this is not R_________, it is G_________ and B_______________.
13. Which one of the following examples is micro-evolution and which one is macro-evolution: You can breed dogs (micro or macro evolution)?  Dogs have bacterium ancestors (micro or macro evolution?)
14. Evolutionists “know” dogs, sharks and dinosaurs evolved, they just don’t know: W______ _____________________________________________________.
15. Why do you believe in God? D_____________________________________________
16. If God used evolution to create, ask this: What did God _____________________________ _________________________________________________________________?
17. God does not make things….God makes: S_____________________.

 

Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:

 

Getting to Know You:

What is one of your favorite foods that you like to make?

Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, what was the most memorable part of Bills message for you on Sunday?

Digging Deeper:

 

1. Is it reasonable to believe that humans have bacterium ancestors? Why do you think people believe that humans have bacterium ancestors?  Is it because of science? Anger?  Not wanting to abide by the Bible’s rules?  Peer pressure?  It is the only thing they have been taught?
2. Does it make much more sense and is it better science to believer people can only make people as opposed to believing humans have ape-like ancestors?
3. Bill, from an engineering perspective, argued that he sees design in the human body and the world around us. Do you believe his arguments are reasonable?  Why or why not?
4. When you consider the body that you are living in, what do you think is some of the most amazing designs to it?
5. When you consider the world that you are living in, what do you think is some of the most amazing designs to it?
6. Read Romans 1:19-20. The Apostle Paul argues that we can learn a lot about God from looking at what He has created around us.  What do you learn about God from the creation of the world?

 

Taking it Home:

What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?

 

Prayer request:

Please pray that this message series will impact people’s lives especially our brothers and sisters attending or soon to be attending college.

 

 

Answers to be sent out to the G.G. leaders

Discussion Questions; Creation vs. Evolution (Answer Sheet)

Key Verses:  Romans 1:16 and Romans 1:20

 

1. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Two chickens, one male, one female, instantly created – just like the Garden of Eden teaching.
2. Do you love the story of the Garden of Eden? It is a TEACHING from God, not a story.
3. Everyone’s goal should be: Truth
4. What are these?      Cartoon drawings.
5. Regarding the drawings, what should the schools be teaching? What the actual fossils were.
6. Why do evolutionists only show Drawings as evidence for evolution instead of Photographs.
7. What is the most powerful weapon of atheists and evolutionists against God? Shaming.
8. Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…
9. What is the most important part of science? Observation.
10. Evolutionists teach that humans have ancestors that were: Bacterium, Mushrooms, Pine Trees, Apes etc.
11. Great answer when asked,“What about Evolution?” : I believe apes make apes, people make people, penguins make penguins and lady bugs make lady bugs.
12. Believing apes make apes and people make people is not Religious, it is Genetics and Biochemistry.
13. Breeding dogs is micro-evolution (they are still dogs) and is true; believing dogs have bacterium ancestors is macroevolution and is anti-science.
14. Evolutionists “know” dogs, sharks and dinosaurs evolved, they just don’t know: what they evolved from.
15. Why do you believe in God? Design, I believe shoes are designs and I believe feet are designs…if they are designs there has to be a designer.
16. If God used evolution to create, as this: What did he create first…hearts or lungs?
17. God does not make things….God makes: Systems.

 

If you or a relative or friend have any question on Creation vs. Evolution, please call Bill Morgan at 714 898-8331.

Message Title: The Gift Goes On

 

Key verses:

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

 

Sermon Notes:

Are you making a difference in the lives of people?

1. God is blessing us so we can be a blessing to others.
2. As we faithfully give to others, God will continuously bless
3. Our generosity gives glory to God.

 

How are you making a difference in the lives of people?

 

Strengthening families in the Lord

Encouraging Pastors in crisis

Bringing hope to orphans

Tiling floors in a pre-school

Building a road in a remote village

Painting a house

Sharing God’s love to the marginalized

Providing a Sabbatical to a weary pastor

Providing free medical care to the poor

Feeding over 700 children every week

Providing Food packages for the needy

Encouraging fellow Christian workers

Providing education to the underprivileged

Providing a home for the homeless child

Providing clothes and school supplies for children

 

Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:

Quick Review:

Looking back at your notes from this week’s message, was there anything you heard that stood out in your mind and touched your heart?

Digging Deeper:

1. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-9. Why is it important to God that we be generous to other people?
2. Read vs. 10-11. What are the blessings that come with being generous?
3. Growing up, who was the most generous person to you? How have you benefited from this person’s generosity?
4. How has the goodness and generosity of other people touched your life? Changed your life?
5. Who has benefitted from your generosity? How?
6. Read vs. 12-14. What is the connection between receiving gifts from others and giving gifts to others?

 

Taking it Home:

What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message?

Message Title: Robbing God

Series: Messengers

Key verses:

Malachi 3:8-12

 

Sermon Notes:

1. Levites were the spiritual workers of the nation.
2. Stealing isn’t only taking what isn’t yours, but also keeping back for yourself what belongs to someone else.
3. Tithes and offerings are God’s design for worshiping Him and providing for the spiritual care of His people.
4. The people of God are called to support the ministry of God.
5. Tithing ultimately isn’t about the money, it is about trusting God.

 

Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:

Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

Digging Deeper:

1. Read Malachi 1:6. Have you ever had to confront someone that you love? God likens Himself to a forceful father having to dish out “tough love” to His children.  What do you think is the hardest part in doing this?
2. Read Malachi 3:8-12. Do you know what it is like to have someone steal from you?  What does it feel like?  What do you think it would feel like to have your children steal from you?
3. What happened to God’s children because of their “robbing” God?
4. What was God’s challenge to His people? Why do you think it is so difficult to trust God with our money?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 9:5-12. What principles do you see about giving that are in this section of Scripture?
6. Read Matthew 23:23. What do you think is Jesus’ point in this verse?

Taking it Home:

What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message?

Message Title: Another Wake-Up Call

Series: Messengers

Key verses:

Malachi 2:1-16

 

Sermon Notes:

1. In the Religious Realm. Failure of the priests and Levites
   The Warning v. 1-6
   Failure to render glory to God would result in a curse upon them
   What God expected of the priests vs 7-9
   They were to be men of integrity and devotion with a strong influence on the lives of others
2. In the Social Realm – failure of the people
   The main complaint God has with His people is that they have been unfaithful in fulfilling their vows to him.
   Faithless is a word that dominates this passage- it appears five times.
   Someone once asked: “what in the world has got into the church?”
   The answer: The world has got into the church.

 

Digging Deeper:

1. Did you ever refuse to do what someone in authority asked? What happened to you?
2. Why is the Lord so tough on the priests? What was the effect of their actions on others?
3. Has anyone ever stumbled in their faith due to what you did or did not do? Describe how you felt and what did you do to change that?
4. Were you ever jilted by anyone while dating? What made you jealous or hurt?
5. What are some of the things God points out in this passage that displease Him?
6. What do you need to put right with God so that you may receive His blessings?