Every Nation Vancouver

REVIEW: “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to the things you discussed last time.] "How did that go?” Sermon Summary: Miracles flow from mercy v blame. READ: John 9 Discussion Questions: Truth: Read John 9 (before the D-Group). Describe the attitude of Jesus' disciples in 9:1 and the Pharisees in 9:16, 41. In contrast, describe the blind man’s attitude in 9:7, 25, 38. Repentance: Describe the difference between viewing our life through eyes of blame versus eyes of mercy and faith. Give examples of both from your life. Faith: Where do you need a miracle in your life? What does mercy look like there? Pray toward that end. RESPOND. Ask God, how can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? Pray together. [Record responses and prayer requests.]

REVIEW: “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to the things you discussed last time.] "How did that go?” Sermon Summary: The miracle of Jesus walking on the water is a difficult one to understand. Other miracles more obviously reveal something about his message (ie. New Wine = The Holy Spirit, Feeding the 5000 = Provision for Needs etc.), but what does Jesus walking on water tell us about him? Genesis 1 gives us an image of the Spirit hovering over the dark chaotic waters and bringing form and purpose to the world. In the same way, Jesus is telling us that He (in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit in His baptism) is creating true order and purpose that is aligned with the Kingdom of heaven. Peter, also filled with the Spirit through his faith in Jesus, walks on water too conveying an even deeper message that we are restored to our original calling to steward creation unto God's original forms and purposes. The miracle is that God is recreating the world by giving His spirit to us through faith in Jesus. RE

REVIEW: “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to the things you discussed last time.] "How did that go?” Sermon Summary: In the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus wants us to know that He is God, Messiah, Lord, King, but also…better food. READ: John 5-14 Discussion Questions: Truth: When Jesus (moved with compassion) saw the people coming towards them, it says that Jesus asked Philip a question to test or prove him. What do you think was going on there? Why did Jesus call Philip to a bigger problem? If this has happened to you, what did that look like? Repentance: Why does it seem easier to disregard’s the miracles and ways of Jesus when in reality we need His ways and miracles? What thoughts come to mind when you read this quote? Humanism has changed the Twenty-third Psalm: They began - I am my shepherd. Then - Sheep are my shepherd. Then - Everything is my shepherd. Finally - Nothing is my shepherd.” - Francis Schaeffer Faith: At the end of the chapter we see thousands of people walking away upset

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: The gospel gives us better peace and joy (Acts 2:38) READ. Key Passage: John 2:1-11 Discussion Questions: Truth: What did wine in the Old Testament sacrificial system represent (see 1 John 1:7b)? Read John 2:1-11. What was Jesus' first sign? Repentance: When you struggle with guilt or sadness, to what might you turn? Why is that option(s) attractive? What does that option(s) cost you? Faith: Read Acts 2:38. How are the gifts of forgiveness and Spirit a better alternative? How do we create space to receive those gifts? RESPOND. Ask God, how can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? Pray together. [Record responses and prayer requests.]

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: In a powerful moment of insecurity and insignificance for the disciples following Jesus' Crucifixion and death, they huddled together, afraid, in a locked room. The resurrected Jesus met them in this moment of fear, bringing peace and purpose into their lives through his presence with them together, and through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus brought security and significance into their lives, so He brings belonging and meaning into our lives as we follow Him together in multiplying followers of Jesus who love God, one another, and the world. READ. Key Passage: John 20:19-22 Discussion Questions: Truth: Locked doors cannot keep Jesus from us (security), and He empowers us by His Spirit to be sent by the Father even as He was (significance). How does this truth speak to the belonging and meaning you experience in your own life? Repentance: In what ways

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: Jesus spent time advancing the Kingdom of Heaven on earth during his ministry, but then he left and gave the responsibility to his people to continue. This is because the plan was always to partner, even in the garden of Eden, and never to take over. The problem is, we can't accomplish this on our own. Jesus sacrifice allows those who believe in him to become vessels of God's presence: the Holy Spirit. It's the Holy Spirits power that allows us to continue the mission Jesus started. This is a culmination of all aspects of the covenant God made with humanity where we are both reconciled to God and He restores to our original edenic calling to expand his Kingdom. He calls these redeemed people His "church," and we too get to live a life that is reconciled with God - being filled with his empowering presences in order carry out His mission of sacrificial love towards others. READ. Key P

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: Jesus arrives as the fulfillment of the covenant God made with Abraham. Jesus conducts himself as a new Adam, rejecting the lies of enemy to cease blessing on his own. Jesus acts as a new Moses, who leads his people out of captivity from sin. Jesus is also a better David and has kingly authority over the powers of darkness. As the Royal Priest we need, Jesus is also becomes the perfect sacrifice we need to return from our exile and back into relationship with God. In our lives, we are tempted to use Jesus as a solution for our presenting problems like the Jews did in the case of Roman occupation. When we see Him as a means to our own ends we are prone to miss his real mission: To reconcile us to himself. Jesus invites us to trust God in the way that he did by forsaking our own lives for loves sake. His own resurrection gives a guarantee that those whose love completely only die to what is t

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ. Key Passage: Luk 1:11-17 RESPOND. Ask God, how can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? Pray together. [Record responses and prayer requests.]

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: Israel's journey into the promise land started off well, but eventually their society degraded into depravity despite having the law and the levitical priest system in place. The people's heart's weren't submitted to God, and therefore the mercy offered through the priesthood was squandered without just leadership. They cried for a human king despite the dubious nature of putting a flawed human in charge, but God used Israel's kings to give us a glimpse into another important dimension of who Jesus is. We need priests to exercise mercy, but we also need kings to lead us into righteousness. Believers can rest knowing that Jesus is the perfect King who rules with infinite power and justice through his victory on the cross. Believers are also comforted knowing Jesus is the perfect Priest who ministers with infinite mercy, never stops interceding on our behalf, and sympathizes with us in our

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Summary: Covenants are one of the primary ways God relates to humanity. Before the fall in Genesis 3, God made a covenant to bless humanity. Blessing is described as the result of humanity trusting God and therefore bearing His image. Humanity is "blessed" when God is able to share His ability to create new life through us and exercise His dominion through us. In contrast, a curse is described as the outcome of humanity seizing blessing for itself autonomously. Even after the fall, God remains faithful to this covenant knowing full well that justice will need to be paid to uphold justice and reverse the curse. We see in God's covenant to Abraham that salvation will come though Abraham's family, and the story of the (almost) sacrifice of Issac articulates how God does want to pay with his own blood, but He also desires our absolute trust and love because it's what ultimately saves us. God also demonstrates

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Summary: Our second week dealt with the creation story and and it’s subsequent de-creation through Adam and Eve’s failure to trust in God as the source of truth. Instead, they chose to believe the lie of the serpent that they could be gods as well, and that God’s motives behind his rules weren’t wholly good. Their autonomy required an exile from the overlap of heaven and earth that was Eden since that domain has only one true ruler. God initiates the beginnings of s rescue plan that promises a "new Adam" will one day crush the head of the serpent by trusting in God fully while also becoming a sacrifice that atones for those who did not trust. For now, Adam and Even are clothes with garments of skin as a sign of both their commissioning to work the earth despite the curse of sin, and as a foreshadowing of the blood that now needs to be spilled for full reinstatement. READ. Key Passage: Genesis 3 Discussion Qu

Sermon Summary: The Bible is often referred to as “the Word,” but in John 1 Jesus is also given this title. This is because the largely Hebrew authors of the Bible conceptualized truth as what is revealed by God to us personally. The Greek mind, however, abstracted truth to science and reason apart from personal knowledge spoken by our Creator. We live in the aftermath of this move towards secularism, and the Bible’s original intent to reveal truth in the person of Jesus has become more and more difficult to detect as we come to the bible with increasingly self-centered agendas. When we read the Bible with its original in mind, we see how this divine love story hopes is a personal encounter with the truth. The Bible is therefore a unified story that leads to Jesus, and we beginning a journey over the coming weeks on how we can see the fullest picture of truth as we read scripture with this meta-narrative in mind. READ. Key Passage: John 1:1-5, 9-14 Discussion Questions: Truth: What do you think about

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: What does it mean to be alive? Some would say it’s the quantity of life so live well, while others might say it’s the quality so do what is best for you. Wherever you might stand we see in John 10 that Jesus offers life, but not just life, but to have it abundantly. Our lives can often feel full but not of abundance, but rather pain, suffering, confusion and loneliness. So how do we actually live this abundant life? Is it possible? Please discuss the following questions below with your group. READ. Key Passage: John 10:1-10 Discussion Questions: Truth In the passage Jesus makes the distinction between His sheep who go through the sheep door, and anyone who goes another way is a robber. What do you think of that language and why do you think Jesus kept repeating it? Repentance Have someone in your group read John 10:3. What a powerful picture of Jesus speaking and His

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, is given an opportunity to be king of all Israel but he seeks to gain that position by seeking the counsel of those who stroke his ego, determining to serve only himself, and using power to control others. Israel revolts against his powerplay, and the kingdom is divided. In contrast to Rehoboam, we see how Jesus' rise to greatness was through contentment, servanthood, and obedience to His Father. READ. Key Passage: 1 Kings 12:4-11 Discussion Questions: Truth: What was Rehoboam’s (unsuccessful) path in trying to become king? Describe Jesus' path to greatness in Philippians 2:6-9. Repentance: Where is God calling you to grow in influence and authority? Faith: What does that path practically look like? RESPOND. Ask God, how can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? Pray tog

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: READ. Key Passage: Daniel 6:1-4 Discussion Questions: Truth: Repentance: Faith: RESPOND. Ask God, how can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? Pray together. [Record responses and prayer requests.]

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: Mordecai is a Jewish exile in Persia who raised his cousin Esther after her parents died. King Xerxes chose her to be queen after queen Vashti publicly shamed him. During that time, Mordecai told Esther of an assassination plot, and the king was saved. Later, because of his faith/ethnicity, Mordecai would not publicly honor an official named Haman. Insulted, Haman tried to kill not only Mordecai but all the Jews in the empire. Again, Mordecai informed Esther, and the king killed Haman and his family, honored Mordecai, and let the Jews defend themselves against their enemies. Jews still celebrate Purim in remembrance of that victory. Throughout this story we learn from Mordecai that influence comes from serving undeserving leaders, staying faithful to God, and making others great. Discussion Questions: Truth: Scripture is clear that we are not to befriend the world (James 4:4). How doe

Turning Points: Ruth by Every Nation Metro Vancouver

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: There is no more popular story in the Old Testament than David and Goliath. This turning point in David’s life is one of facing giants. At least two qualities characterize his defeat of Goliath. First, David made it about honoring God's name – self-serving motives seldom inspire us to face our giants. Second, David did not fight on the world’s terms; his primary weapon was faith in God – he trusted that what God did in the past, He was sure to do here. David’s honor of and confidence in God enabled him to liberate Israel from their enemy. READ. Key Passage: 1 Samuel 17 Discussion Questions: Truth: In 1 Samuel 17:45-47, what motivated David’s attack on Goliath? What does the contrast between Goliath’s battle attire and David’s lack thereof tell us about where David put his confidence (See 1 Samuel 17:47)? Repentance: What feels like a giant in your life, or what seems t

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: Achan kept some of the treasure that was devoted to the Lord when the people miraculously conquered Jericho. The presence of God departed from the people and they lost the next battle. Achan was routed out and harshly judged. We too are tempted to line our pockets on our own journey into the promise land with things that we think will be our actual provision instead of God. But god is committed to being our provider. When we repent from greed and self-provision, we allow Gods covenantal promises in His word to be our source of provision. When we do, he multiplies those resources miraculously to not only provide abundantly for us but also build his kingdom through us. READ. Key Passage: Joshua 7 Discussion Questions: Truth: Read Joshua 7. What do you think are the “Babylonian artifacts” in your life that you’re tempted to line your pockets with? Repentance: Read Ephesi

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: This series explores how our choices matter. Rather than live in the past or future; God invites us to live in faith and love today. By examining the choices various Bible characters made, we can discover the importance of our own decisions. This week, we looked at Abram, who left the safety and familiarity of his own circumstances, people, and resources, to embark on a journey of faith. That faith-decision was not just a turning point for himself, its impact is felt to this day. READ. Key Passage: Genesis 12:1-4 Discussion Questions: Truth: In Genesis 12:1-4, what was God calling Abram to do? What would be the result of obeying that call? According to Romans 4:13, upon what was that choice based? Repentance: What is the opposite of making choices based on faith? Where do faith-less choices lead us? Faith: What is a choice that are you struggling with ri