Foundation Church

Sadly wisdom literature is often overlooked in our theological development. It seems to be one type of scripture that is used only for coffee mugs or as cover verses for a greeting card. This is a sad reality that leaves many of us underdeveloped in our walk with Jesus. I hope that this can change through our study of the Proverbs and Psalms. Discipleship Questions 1. What has been your exposure to the wisdom literature in the bible? How do you feel about studying the Proverbs and Psalms this summer? 2. Have you considered ‘wisdom’ as a characteristic of God? How does this characteristic affect your understanding of God? 3. Where in the gospel accounts do you see Jesus speaking wisdom? Share it with the group. 4. What does it look like to trust in Jesus for wisdom? 5. Where do you need to grow in Holy Spirit sanctified wisdom?

God has chosen to bring his kingdom to bear in his world through his church. We often have a good understanding of the mission he has given to us, but lack understanding of the communal way that God works through his church. What does a local church do that makes it the instrument of God and what does that mean for Foundation Church? Discipleship Questions 1. In the past how have you explained Foundation Church to your friends or family? 2. How do you feel when you think about the church being like a body? 3. Why do you think Jesus is the head of the church? And what does it mean for us that he is? 4. Go through your five senses and answer the question ‘What does Foundation Church ____ like to you?’ 5. Spend some time giving thanks to God and praying for our church over the next twelve months.

Generosity is often compelled out of guilt or pressure, but if those are the reasons for giving doesn't that make the very act of giving out of compulsion and not out of generosity? There is a much better reason for giving and a much greater motivation that brings joy to both the giver and the receiver. Discipleship Questions When have you made decisions in a reactive way, rather than a proactive way? How do the two feel different? Why do you think Paul closes his letter to Timothy with an exhortation to rich people? How do you feel when you think about the idea of storing up treasure? Of the four commands in 1 Tim 6:18 which one stirs your heart the most? Why? Why do you think there is such a clear comparison between generosity and taking hold of life in Christ?

In the final chapter of Ruth we find the ending we all wished for. One that sees a future and a hope given to Ruth and Naomi. But even more than the hope given to these two ladies we see God weaving a far greater story of redemption through their legacy. Discipleship Questions: 1. Have you ever been in a situation that seemed hopeless? How did God bring hope to you in the midst of it? 2. In what ways has God’s sovereignty been expressed in your life? 3. How do you feel when you reflect on how God used Boaz and Ruth to bring forth Jesus? 4. How do you express thanks to God for his hand in your life? 5. What part of the story of Ruth was the most impactful for you? Why?

Love stories capture our minds and hearts like no other. They are deeply human, hopeful and speak to some of the deepest hopes of our hearts. The book of Ruth is one of these stories, it is rich with hope and above all the desire for Boaz to redeem poor Ruth. In the 3rd chapter we see the redemption of Ruth begin and learn much about God’s love for his people as a result. Discipleship Questions: 1. What’s your favorite love story? What are the parallels between it and the book of Ruth? 2. Share with the group your concept of ‘Kinsman-Redeemer’. 3. What does Boaz’ reaction to Ruth teach you about honor? 4. Read Galatians 4:4-7, in your own words, explain how Jesus is our redeemer. 5. How have you been changed by Jesus’ loving redemption?

Ruth and Naomi do not have a hopeful future and to even have the possibility of getting enough to eat Ruth must put herself at great risk to gather food. But in this dire situation the providence of God leads her to receive the kindness of Boaz. From this passage we can glean much about our God that can help serve us in our own dire situation. 1. Why do you think God created provision for the poor and sojourner in the law? 2. Where have you seen God’s hand of providence in your life? 3. How has God shown his kindness to you? 4. Do you struggle to see your sinfulness? Why do you think that’s the case? 5. How are Boaz’ actions in this passage a foreshadowing of Jesus’ actions on the cross?

After tragedy and trauma we are all left changed and shaped by our experiences. We are all able to choose how to respond. Do we harden ourselves against further pain, do we get angry and bitter or might there be a better, more redemptive way the God offers us, one that doesn't lessen the significance of pain but harnesses it for our ultimate good. Discipleship Questions: 1. What have been the tragedies in your life that have shaped you the most? 2. How have you responded to pain and suffering in the past? 3. Why do you think Ruth responds the ways she does? And what do you learn from her response? 4. In the bible it is clear that God uses suffering for his redeeming purposes. What do you think about that? 5. How does the cross of Jesus bring you hope in your pain?

We are introduced to the book of Ruth with a difficult story of loss. Far away from the promised land Naomi, one of God’s people, is left with nothing but two daughters in law who don’t know her God. Things don’t look good right now, what can we learn about tragedy through the introduction to this story? 1. What has been your exposure to the book of Ruth? 2. Why do you think the story of Ruth holds so much significance in the greater story of the bible? 3. Have you been tempted to leave the security of God’s people before? Share about that time. 4. In your life what good has come from enduring through tough times in the church? 5. Who might God be calling you to bring into the church? Pray for them and take steps to reach out.

Paul Gilbert from Sojourn Network joined us to preach from Daniel chapter 1.

We hold the bible in the highest authority over our lives, but how do we know that we can trust it? Especially in light of passages within the scriptures that have questions surrounding them like the ending of Mark. Where can we go and what do we do when confronted with these passages? Discipleship Questions: 1. Have you ever wrestled with the bible? Talk about what happened. 2. What stands out to you from Mark 16:9-20? 3. Why do you think that Mark’s additional ending was added? 4. How does the wealth of biblical manuscripts we have increase our trust in the bible? 5. What steps do you need to take to dig deeper into the bible?

We show honor and respect in direct correlation with the power of the person we are in contact with. But what if we forgot or mistook the identity of someone who had great power as someone we could mock and ridicule? What a terrible thing, to think about. But it is something that we often fall prey to, How might we find hope in our failures and see how God brings hope to those who have mocked and failed him. Discipleship Questions: 1. What is your gut reaction to reading the passage (Mark 15:16-20)? 2. How have you been guilty of mocking God? Do you need to repent? 3. Have you been mocked before? How does Jesus sufferings bring you hope? 4. Tell a story of how God has transformed you from mocker to worshipper. 5. Do you believe that God can reach those furthest from him? Pray for someone far from God, ask him to meet them and transform them.

What had begun with temple guards in the dark of night escalates in the daytime when Jesus is brought before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. In the scenes that unfold in this passage Jesus’ trial continues to devolve into mob rule. What could possible be gleaned from such chaos? Only Christ’s power can bring us hope in the face of such a farce. 1. What stands out to you in this passage? 2. How have you traditionally thought of Pilate? How do you feel about him now? 3. What can we learn from the actions of the crowd? 4. Why is Barabbas so important in our understanding of Jesus’ work? 5. Can you see Jesus’ power in his suffering? What does that mean for your life?

The ones we look up to are the biggest,strongest and fastest. No kid ever grew up wanting to be strong like Danny DeVito, it was Arnold Schwarzenegger that people aspired to be like. Peter is the strong disciple, the bold disciple, but in this passage all his strength and boldness fails him. What does it mean to be strong in the Kingdom of God and how can we have hope if even Peter falls and fails? Discipleship Questions 1. What are your strengths? List them off. How have you been praised for them in your life? 2. Why do you think Peter failed to keep his word to Jesus? 3. Have you ever trusted in your own strength and failed? What happened? 4. How does Peter’s response to his failure (v.72) bring you hope? 5. Where do you need to embrace weakness so you might be strong?

After years of conflict and butting heads, the religious leaders have Jesus on trial for his life. He is being accused and attacked by many different people but he does not open his mouth to defend himself. It is only after being asked directly who he is that he opens his mouth and leaves us with a claim that we must reckon in our own understanding before we can hope to come to terms with Jesus Christ. Discipleship Questions 1. In what ways have you simplified God to make him more palatable to you? 2. How have you been shocked by Jesus’ words or actions in the past? 3. When confronted by Jesus’ self-revelation (Mark 14:61-62), how do you feel? 4 . What do you need to repent of so that you might lay down your life for Christ? 5. Spend some time praying for each other, asking God to help us honor Jesus as Lord.

In this section of Mark, Jesus is betrayed and arrested. We find out that Judas, a close friend and disciple was the betrayer. How could Judas betray Jesus? Was evil winning in this grievous act? Jesus’ calm response is helpful for us - “let the scriptures be fulfilled”. Nothing about Jesus’ betrayal and arrest was out of control for Jesus. Jesus willingly submitted to the Sovereign purposes of God. We find God’s glory revealed most fully as we consider this magnificent plan. Discipleship Questions: 1. What do you feel when you see injustice? 2. How did the disciples respond in the face of injustice? How did Jesus respond? 3. When you hear Jesus say “let the scriptures be fulfilled”, what comes to mind? 4. In what ways has God given you a better understanding of His sovereignty? Be specific. 5. In what ways do you object or struggle with Biblical teaching on Human Responsibility and God’s Sovereignty? How will you wrestle with these objections and learn more? 6. Name a specific way that see

Jesus spends the final moments before his arrest in a garden praying, this time is a picture of the powerful and often difficult relationship we can have with God’s sovereign plan and our own will. Jesus provides for us a the perfect example of obedience and wisdom through his distress in the garden. Discipleship Questions 1. How does seeing the humanity of Jesus in the garden make you feel? 2. Explain a time when you have had to surrender your will to God? 3. When have you placed too much confidence in your own strength? What happened? 4. What does it mean for you to walk forward with resolve in what God has called you to? 5. Is God calling you to change direction in your life? Take some time to seek him.

We are all addicts in one way or another. Some hide their addictions better than others, some addictions wreak more physical havoc in our lives than others but the same issue lies at the root of both. That issue is idolatry, our worship of the creation rather than the creator brings destruction to us. How can we right our addictions? Only through the power of the gospel. Discipleship Questions: What have you been addicted to in your life? What was at the root of your addiction? What desire were you hoping to fill? Have you confessed and repented of your sinful idolatry through addiction? If not repent to God. How does God give us our deepest desires, and how are they better than our addictions? What are your current struggles and where do you need help overcoming temptation? (Invite God’s people into your struggles)

The darkness of mental anguish and illness touches many of us in significant ways. It cannot simply be explained away simply or brushed over by sentiments of shallow hope. It must be given the weight it deserves in our churches and in our relationships. What hope can be found in the darkest pit of depression and anxiety? There is only One. Discipleship Questions: 1. Have you suffered from depression or anxiety? 2. In what way does reading Psalm 88 affect you? 3. Where can you find hope in the midst of mental anguish and suffering? 4. How does Jesus’ life, death and resurrection speak to your suffering? 5. Have you mishandled caring for someone who has suffered from mental illness? What does repentance look like for you?