Foundation Church

Sin has many effects on all that is around us, but it’s biggest effect is what happens inside of us. The root of so much suffering in our lives lies in the effects of sin inside of us. This plays out in the feelings of shame and guilt that control our thoughts, actions and rob us of true freedom. Discipleship Questions: 1. Of the three internal effects of sin, which has affected you the most? 2. Right now how are you being affected by Shame or Guilt? 3. Do you believe that God cares about your feelings? 4. In your own words explain your understanding of the atonement. 5. Which aspect of the atonement speaks to you the loudest? Why?

When anyone abandons the good and god given roles for their lives it brings pain and suffering to those they have left. It happens far too often and many of us struggle with the wounds for years and years. How can God bring healing and hope to those who have been abandoned and bring forgiveness to those who have abdicated their responsibilities? Discipleship Questions: 1. Have you been abandoned by someone? 2. How did it affect you and your family? 3. In what ways is God working to bring you healing? 4. Do you need to forgive the one who abandoned you? 5. Pray for the person who has wronged you.

The statistics surrounding abuse are horrifying, so many of us have had our lives shattered by being abused. It is deeply traumatic and painful, it is something that we carry for the rest of our lives. The wounds are real and healing can be difficult, but in Jesus and his grace, there is hope. Discipleship Questions: 1. Have you suffered abuse in your past? 2. How does Jesus’ life and death connect with your experience of abuse? 3. Do you believe Jesus can heal your pain? 4. What steps do you need to take to heal from the wounds abuse left you with? 5. Are you an abuser? What steps do you need to take to repent for your sin?

Death is a reality that we treat like a negotiable. All of us have been touched by it in one way or another, but it is usually absent from our thoughts and our conversations. How could something so certain be left out of our lives, and what do we do when it rears its ugly head in our lives? Discipleship Questions: 1. Whose death has impacted you the most? 2. Do you feel like you have grieved that loss well? 3. In what ways did you distract yourself from the grieving process? 4. What are the major differences between grieving the death of christians/non-christians? 5. Read Exodus 34:6-7, how do you feel after reading God’s revelation of himself?

Of all the topics that can be contained under the subject of pain and suffering, abortion is one of the most difficult to talk about. This shouldn’t be a shock to us as it is such a significant and weighty issue, both for those who have had an abortion and for those who have not. We are all affected by it and need to come to a place of healing through Jesus Christ together. Discipleship Questions: 1. How have you been affected by abortion? 2. How does the gospel of Jesus Christ apply to the affects of abortion in your life? 3. What next steps do you need to take to heal from the effect of abortion?

Synopsis Suffering is a universal human reality, but for the most part, we choose to keep our sufferings bottled up inside and out of public view when in all reality it is doing us much harm. In this sermon we study the root of suffering, the reality of brokenness and give hope for those who are currently, have previously, or will suffer. Discipleship Questions 1. How does understanding Genesis 3:1-19 help you make sense of the brokenness all around you? 2. In what ways have you tried to inoculate yourself from suffering and pain, but to no avail? 3. Have you tried to hold pain and suffering inside yourself? What happened? 4. How do you hope that God will use this sermon series in your life? 5. Why does our rejoicing in suffering bring glory to God?

Discipleship Questions: 1. How much have you paid attention to the lyrics of the Christmas carols? Are you surprised at the amount of scripture found in the carols? 2. Does the reminder of our invitation to meet (or know) the true King of all kings still evoke an emotion from you? Describe your emotion? 3. How do you worship Christ? 4. Are you living your life in a joyful and triumphant manner? Why or why not? 5. What does incarnation mean? When's the last time you described it to someone? As you described it were you touched by the meaning of the story?

Do you find yourself singing the words of your favorite Christmas Carol without even thinking about the words and what they mean? We all do. “What Child is This?” is a classic Christmas carol written by William Chatterton Dix. He was an insurance salesman and a poet. He fell sick at 29, and in the midst of sickness and depression, wrote this song of worship to his Savior. This sermon explores why Jesus came to earth and specifically why he came in weakness as a Baby. God in his wisdom chose weakness to identify with us, to help us. God chose to redeem our sin and weakness and use the effects of it to draw us back to Himself in relationship. There’s hope for us this Christmas as we are all weak and broken sinners in need of a savior. 1. Can you explain the essence of what sin is and why it’s so devastating? 2. What are some reasons why Jesus came to earth as a baby? 3. Do you struggle with the wisdom of God as He chooses to work through our weakness? 4. Where are you struggling right now? Wher

God always work in ways that wouldn’t expect. Imagine you had the greatest announcement in all history to make, surely you and I would call King’s, rulers and powerful people together to tell them this great news. But that is not how God works, he shows that everyone of his image bearers have great value by choosing to make the announcement of jesus’ birth to those who the culture had no regard for, and in His actions we can find great truth for ourselves. 1. Why is it important to know the reliability of the source when finding out news? 2. Why do you think God chose to share the good news of Jesus’ birth with shepherds? 3. Who are the ‘shepherds’ of our day? 4. How does the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-11 motivate you to share the gospel? 5. When we sing “Glory to God in the highest” what do you feel?

One of the all time favorite carols has to be O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. This great hymn has an ancient background not only in its lyrics but also in the role it has played in the church over a millennia. How does the old testament promise of the coming messiah find its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus and why is this great hymn filled with strange titles for Jesus and even stranger promises of what will happen when he comes? 1. Why do you think there are many different Old Testament titles used to describe the coming messiah? 2. Which verse of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is your favorite, why? 3. Why is it important to understand the right balance of the ‘Already/Not Yet’ of the Kingdom of God? 4. The title Emmanuel means ‘God with Us’. What does that mean to you? 5. In what ways do you rejoice knowing that Emmanuel (Jesus) will come to redeem his people?

Giving thanks is a biblical command. But many of us forget to give God the thanks and praise that he deserves. Instead, we lose focus on God and only see the cracks in our own lives. How can we refocus and find thanksgiving in the work of God — even through hard times? 1. Why is God’s discipline of his people actually an act of love for them? 2. How does God get glory through his action of putting his people back together again? 3. What caused you to see that you needed God to redeem you? 4. Where is God currently redeeming you? 5. Share the things you are most thankful to God for.

Why do we take holy communion at church? If you think about it, it really is kind of a strange thing that Christians do. But if you dig back into the significance of the communion meal then you will reminded of something powerful and amazing. 1. Why is the passage we are studying so radical? 2. Why is the passover meal important not only to Jewish people but to Christians too? 3. How do you understand Jesus’ sacrifice better in light of the passover meal? 4. Have you ever been told something about communion that wasn’t true? 5. How does taking communion in light of its true significance make you feel?

At the passover meal Jesus exercises his complete control over every detail, including his betrayal. This kind of control and sovereignty can often be used to paint God as unloving, or at worst, outright evil. This is far from the truth, for to truly understand Jesus’ control over all things should increase our confidence in every detail of our lives. Discipleship Questions: 1. Why was The Passover the most important festival on the Jewish calendar? 2. Does Jesus’ control over the details of his final meal raise any thoughts for you? 3. How can Jesus be so calm about his impending betrayal and arrest? 4. When have you had to trust God’s sovereignty in the details of your life? 5. Read Romans 8:28-30, how does this verse make you feel?

For the last 499 years we have been a part of a movement called the reformation. This movement was sparked somewhat unwittingly by a small town monk called Martin Luther, his actions on October 31st 1517 created a movement that has seen countless millions of people come to faith. Discipleship Questions: 1. What was your understanding of the reformation before listening to the sermon? 2. Why do you believe the early church was persecuted so violently for three centuries? 3. Have you ever thought about church history? Why or why not? 4. Read Romans 4:4-5, explain what you think this verse means. 5. Why was preaching the grace of God such a radical message in the time of the reformation?

At a celebratory dinner, Jesus is shown a powerful and significant act of devotion, but his disciples bristle at what has happened. Why do they see no value in this spectacular act of devotion and what can we learn from the devotion of this woman? Discipleship Questions 1. In your opinion, why is this passage so significant? 2. When have you been indignant at someone for how they worshipped God? 3. Where might you be showing value rather than honor? 4. Who do you need to honor? 5. What is God calling you to give without holding back?

The whole of Mark 13 is challenging for those of us who seek to interpret Jesus’ words, and there still remains much mystery in the discourse. Above all, one thing stands clear, and that is Jesus command to remain faithful to him through any future events — no matter how difficult they might be. Discipleship Questions: 1. Why is this passage difficult for theologians and Christians to understand? 2. Why do you think Jesus uses so much Old Testament imagery in this discourse? 3. How does this passage encourage you to present faithfulness? 4. Read Revelation 19:11-16. If this is true, what effect should it have on your day-to-day life? 5. Do you trust God with your future? Why or Why not?

As the disciples marvel at the greatness of the temple Jesus responds to their wonder with a direct and difficult discussion surrounding its destruction. In what has been turned into an interpretive circus in recent years we must dig deeper into Jesus exhortation to faithfulness and discipleship in the present and his promises of support and care for all who suffer for His sake. Discipleship Questions: 1. Why was Jesus’ pronouncement against the temple so shocking? 2. Have you ever focussed too much on a certain secondary faith issue? How did God right your thinking? 3. Have you ever been lead astray by false teaching? Explain what happened 4. Is Jesus and his mission currently at the center of your life? Why or why not? 5. What do you need to do to re-focus on Jesus and live for him?

After being subject to multiple attacks and questioning, Jesus now goes on the offensive and points out a deep truth that cut’s the scribes perceived holiness down to size. In doing so Jesus shows us what part of our life God truly desires in our obedience to him. Discipleship Questions: 1. When was the last time you had to correct your theological assumptions? How did you respond to being shown your previous error? 2. Have you ever been accused of being arrogant in your faith? What happened? 3. Why do you think God is concerned with the motivations of our hearts? 4. What part of your life do you need to repent of and surrender to God fully? 5. Where is God growing you in generosity?

After proving himself wise and understanding, Jesus is approached by a scribe and asked a simple question about the law of God. Jesus’ answer stands as the perfect summation of the law, but behind his perfect answer lies a bigger question surrounding who might ever be able to gain entry into the Kingdom of God. Discipleship Questions: 1. Why do you think Jesus’ response to the scribes question was so profound? 2. Do you delight in the law of God? Why or why not? 3. Have you been like the scribe before? Close to God but not in the Kingdom? 4. Explain in your own words how Jesus allows us entry to the Kingdom of God 5. Read Ephesians 2:8-9, what is most impactful about that passage?