How are Christians supposed to think about issues related to ethnicity? In this study, we dive into some of the most controversial issues of our day, including immigration, crime, racism, discrimination, and more. And what we'll discover is that the Bible does not divide the world by ethnicity, but by culture. We'll also take some time to delve into the attributes of Yahweh that make Him absolutely unique among all the other gods/elohim.SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:- What biblical values do you see most prominently clashing with the culture today?- Why do societies based on God’s laws and values tend to prosper?- Are there any specific cycles of brokenness in your family or cultural heritage that God has freed you from?- When someone is a new or young believer, how can we call and encourage them to obey Christ without overwhelming them with a long list of things that need to change?- When we were studying Yahweh’s unique attributes, what stuck out to you?

In this message, Pastor Phil Paulsen discusses the Magi that visited Jesus after his birth. We dive into who these men might have been, the significance of the gifts they brought Jesus, and what their journey might have looked like.

Something else MASSIVE happened at the Tower of Babel, and it's not documented in Genesis 11. It's found in Deuteronomy 32, and it takes us on a journey through the Scriptures into the Divine Council, the gods of the nations, Christ's triumph over them on the Cross, and more.SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:- How does understanding more of the reality of the spiritual realm affect your perception of prayer and its efficacy?- God’s desire for His faithful children is that they join Him on the Divine Council. Does the prospect of such eternal rewards affect the way you live day to day? Why or why not?- Does understanding the reality that there are spiritual forces at work among the nations change the way you perceive political events?- Read Ephesians 6:12. How should this verse impact how we deal with interpersonal conflict?- Read Colossians 2:15. What are the implications of Christ disarming and disgracing the rulers and authorities at the Cross? How does this victory impact your daily spiritual battles?

In this study, we'll continue peeling back the layers surrounding events at the Tower of Babel, including what the Bible says about "gods," the parallels between Nimrod and the coming antichrist, one-world government, and God's good plans to bless His children.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- Read Jesus’ Great High Priestly Prayer in John 17:20-26. What kind of things does Jesus want believers to be united around? What types of things should divide professing Christians?

- Does the knowledge that those who are saved are temples of God’s Spirit change the way you think about God’s presence in your life? How?

- How can patience and remembering God’s promises help us in our struggle against sin?

- Does thinking about things like the New Jerusalem—the city God has prepared for His people—cause you to “check out” in this present life, or does it make you more engaged in living for Christ? Why?

- When you look at current global unification efforts (i.e., attempts to create a “borderless world”), do you see good or bad fruit?

At the Tower of Babel, God divided humanity into languages, creating different cultures and ethnicities. But why was God's reaction to a city and a tower so weighty? What was the big deal? In this study, we'll sift through the clues in Scripture and history to discover the disturbing picture that emerges.SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:- Why do you think humanity was so quick to rebel against God after witnessing the devastating judgment of the Flood just a century or two earlier?- Do you know anyone who has “deconstructed” their Christian faith? What did you notice about their process, motivations, actions, etc.?- Do you see any parallels between our world today and the events at the Tower of Babel?- What do you think determines the spiritual “atmosphere” in a location? How about in your own home?- Jeff suggested that our flesh is the most dangerous false teacher we encounter. What specific areas of Scripture do you find yourself most tempted to reinterpret to accommodate your desires?

In this study of 1 Timothy 4:6–10, Pastor Phil clarifies what godliness is not before showing us what true biblical godliness really looks like. Centered on the question, “How does a follower of Christ become godly?”, the message walks through Paul’s instructions to Timothy and invites each of us to take an honest look at our own walk with the Lord. Pastor Phil closes by returning to the question he began with: Are you a godly man or a godly woman?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- Have you ever thought of this description for your life? What makes you feel uncomfortable about this description?

- When you see a "godly man or woman," what do you see?

- What role does God's Word have in someone becoming godly? What are we doing as a church to train one another to become "godly?" Could we do more? What would that look like?

- Read the poem "Only One Life." What convicts you about this poem? How does this change the way we live? Why do we hesitaté to do this?

- Godly men and women know how to "renounce" sin. What does it mean to renounce something?

- There is only one answer to our sin and our eternal destination.
Why do people tend to think that there are many roads to God?

- Pray for one another to become "godly." Pray for the church to be filled with godly men.

In this continuation of last week’s message on 1 Timothy 4:11–16, we learn how Paul’s charge to Timothy should shape both our character and our influence. We see how our words can become instruments of godliness when they are rooted in truth and love, and we’re reminded to steward our spiritual gifts with intentionality and humility. Finally, we learn how setting a consistent, Christlike example has a sanctifying effect on the people around us—showing that faithful obedience doesn’t just transform our own lives, but also helps shape the spiritual growth of our entire community.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- (Review) This past week, did you catch yourself using some words that were less than godly? Care to share? Want to be held accountable by the group?

- Can you recall and share with the group a time when someone spoke an "apt" word to you, just what you needed to hear at just the right time?

- Which of the "worthy words" would the Lord have you focus on at this time in your spiritual walk?- Review the list of the seven spiritual gifts in Romans 12. Is there one you believe that you have? How can the Lord use your gift among His people? How could you "neglect" it?

- Is there someone or some people whom you are "following" spiritually? Who are some of the people who are probably following you? If they are, what can you do to make sure that you and they are heading toward salvation?

In this week's study of 1 Timothy 4:11-12, we look at Paul's encouragement to Timothy to not let other believer's look down on him for his youth, but to set an example for other believer's in godliness. In this message, Pastor Dave focuses on how we can walk in godliness with our speech.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- Can you as a group recall or identify at least one Bible passage which reveals a plan God has?- Have you had a recent plan of yours get squashed? Care to share about that?

- In the sermon, what were the three biblical responses to changed plans? Can you come up with some references?

- How does someone's speech provide insight into their spiritual maturity? Can you give an example?

- What is one category of "worldly words" that you personally need to"upgrade"? What can you replace that category with?