• Paul showed his commitment to the gospel by separating from any worldview that ran counter to its
  truth. Can you provide an example of when Paul did this? What are some elements of our culture’s
  current worldview that we need to separate from as Christians? Pray for the faith required to stay
  committed to Christ.
• Peter commented in II Peter 1:1 that he found his faith in Christ to be precious. What does this mean?
  What elements of your faith do you find precious? Pray that your faith will become even more precious
  to you in the days ahead.
• James recognized that all things truly do come together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28).
  Therefore, it was possible for him to count it all joy. What does the word “all” refer to? Describe
  situations that cover the spectrum of all types of experiences that God both allows you to walk through
  and walks with you through. Have you been able to find joy and to keep serving Him through your
  recent experiences? Pray for the faith required to find the joy of your salvation through all experiences.
• Paul exclaimed in Titus 1:1-2 that serving God was worth it because it was because of God that he had
  hope of eternal life. What characteristic of God did Paul hold on to as a promise of the fact that God
  would give him eternal life because of his faith? Name other promises of God that you can also have
  hope in because of this characteristic of God.
• This message covered four characteristics of a biblical servant. Summarize these four characteristics.
  What other characteristics of biblical servanthood can you think of? Provide a proof-text for each
  characteristic discussed.

Listen to the sermon here.

• In Mark 10:42 Jesus describes two characteristics of the typical secular leader. Explain what these two
  characteristics were. If possible, provide at least one example each of a biblical, historical, and modern-
  day leader that seemed or seems to struggle with these typical secular leadership issues.
• In Mark 10:43-44 Jesus describes two characteristics of a biblical leader. Explain what these two
  characteristics were. If possible, provide at least one example each of a biblical, historical, and modern-
  day leader that has demonstrated at least one of these biblical leadership characteristics.
• Jesus, of course, is the greatest example of biblical leadership. In Mark 10:45 Jesus explains to His
  disciples that He came to be a biblical leader and not a secular leader. Provide multiple examples from
  Jesus’ ministry of how He showed true biblical leadership.
• I John 1:9 reminds Christians that when they confess their faults to God that He is faithful and just to
  forgive them. Have you been acting more like a secular leader than a biblical leader lately? Are there
  any areas of your leadership that you need to confess before Him?
• I John 2:6 urges Christians to walk just like Christ walked. What are some ways that you can grow to
  lead in ways that follow Christ’s example of ministering rather than being ministered unto?

Listen to the sermon here.

• What are 2 or 3 ways in which modern-day American culture and customs are similar to the self-sufficiency and pride of ancient Laodicea?
• If Jesus evaluated your spiritual well-being today, do you think He would find you hot (spiritually healing/stimulating), cold (spiritually refreshing) or lukewarm (spiritually stagnant)?
• Monetary wealth characterized the Laodiceans. It also characterizes middle-class, 21st-century Americans. What practical steps can we take to make sure our relative monetary wealth doesn't foster a sense of spiritual self-sufficiency?
• The imagery of "eating with Jesus" (v. 20) conveys the idea of fellowship. What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure you are spending quality time in fellowship with Jesus Christ regularly?
• What problem(s) are you currently trying to overcome in your own strength? What steps can you take to increase your dependence on Jesus Christ in these areas or issues?

• Why would God lead His people to the brink of death by dehydration and then bring them to the bitter waters of Marah?
• Can you think of instances at work or in your past where there was some problem, but the people turned on the leader instead of really focusing on a solution to the problem?  (Personal question for private reflection: Have you done that in the body of Christ, or are you doing that?)
• What other occasions arose in the wilderness wanderings or later in Israel's history where they failed to turn to the Lord, did not heed His Word, and therefore suffered the consequences?
• How do we know that God's purpose was not just that His people would never suffer sickness or ailments, despite what Ex. 15:26 appears to indicate that?  Does this apply to us today?
• How did God confirm His care and provision for the multitude of His people that He brought out of Egypt at the end of this episode (see v. 27)?

• Do you have a God-centered outlook on life?
• Do you faithfully use your gifts to glorify God by serving others?
• How much control does the Holy Spirit have over your life?
• How is the Holy Spirit seeking to use you in your church, family and community relationships?
• What hinders you from following His leading in your life?

• God is reiterating the continuity of His promise to Joshua (Joshua 1:3, 5, 6).  Why might Joshua have deeply needed this reminder at that time?
• What is something unexpected in your life that you are facing right now and in need of God's presence and power?
• What is God's plan for success for us (Joshua 1:8)?  In what ways do you live like that is true?
• Joshua had seen much of Israel's failure and much of God's power, but God turns Joshua's focus to Him by promising His presence (Joshua 1:5).  How do human limitations and past failures discourage you, and how can you turn your focus back to God?
• Is God's presence just cliché to patch our problems?  Why is this a struggle, and how is God's presence truly encouraging?

Listen to the sermon here.

• How would the risk of arrest influence your faith, church involvement, and witness?  What does that show you about how much you value Jesus?  Is this reflected in your priorities now?
• How did Paul's circumstances influence his joy?  What things or circumstances hinder your joy in the Lord?
• Would you rather have others' pity, or others' prayers?  Why do we struggle with wanting pity?
• Pastor Blades reminded us how easy it is to get fleshly minded and forget that, "for me, to live is Christ" (v.21).  Examine yourself: what defines and drives your life?  "For me, to live is __________?"
• What would it take for you to quit pursuing God's will, or to quit the faith?  How can we endure, and how can we help one another endure?

Listen to the sermon here.

• Dr. Gadson gave statistics of many people who own a Bible but never read it.  God told Joshua not to let it depart from them.  Why is the Bible so easy to neglect?  How can we take action to keep it a priority?
• What are some patterns you use to have regular time reading and thinking about God's Word?
• Rather than describing the path to prosperity and success, Joshua 1:7-9 defines prosperity and success.  What does that look like?
• God's Word is central to success, and ought to shape our training others for success.  How can we miss that in our parenting and even our discipleship?
• God's Word directs our paths.  What are some things that we clearly know to do from God's Word?  How does that help us as we seek to know God's will for our lives?
• 2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."  How does regular examination of our thoughts by God's Word help train us to live rightly?

Listen to the sermon here.

• Like Martha in Luke 10:38-42, we are often too busy serving to be like Mary and sit at the feet of Jesus. Yet, the 24 elders in Revelation 4:4 are never seen serving. They are seen sitting and worshipping at the feet of God. How often do you take time sit and worship at the feet of our Father?
• I Corinthians 9:25-27 calls us to be so in control of our bodies, wills, and emotions that we are able to do all things well for Christ. In what areas of your life do you need to practice more self-control?
• Paul reminds us in both I Timothy 6:12 and II Timothy 4:7 to fight a good fight. In what ways do you need to improve your biblical offensive and defensive strategies?
• In James 1:2 and 12 we are commanded to endure God’s trials with joy. List a trial that God has recently put you through for His glory.
• I Peter 5:2-4 tells us to feed the flock of God by being an example of the believers. Give an example of someone who has recently helped to feed you by being a proper example of Christ.
• I Thessalonians 2:19-20 should encourage us to be a witness for Christ in our Jerusalem and around the world. Our joy is fulfilled by seeing others come to Christ! Write the name or a description of someone you witnessed to this week.
• Just like the 24 elders in Revelation 4, we will be rewarded with crowns for the good deeds that we have truly done for Christ. And, like the 24 elders, we shouldn’t bring glory to ourselves with these deeds or crowns. We should cast our crowns before Him because He alone is worthy to receive the glory. What crowns in your life do you still need to cast before the feet of Jesus?

Listen to the sermon here.

• Do you ever feel out-of-place in this world?  Should we work to fit in or stand out?  What does that look like?
• If you listed 5 things you wanted in a church, how many of the traits of verse 8 would make your list?
• Which trait stands out to you as something you need to work on most?  How will you do that?
• What are your first thoughts and feelings toward someone who hurts you?
• Why is it hard to respond well to “enemies” (those who hurt us), and how must we learn to trust God?
• What is the “good life,” and how does that contrast with the American dream and what we might initially picture?
• Why is developing our character such a difficult struggle?

Listen to the sermon here.