Southlands Church Brea: Recent Episodes
Southlands Church
Ryan MacDonald // Matthew 11: 28-30
Community Group Questions....
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How do you pursue rest in your life?
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What ways have you felt let down by the false promises of self-care and self-denial?
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How does the picture of Adam and Even in the garden of Eden help us understand the importance of abiding in and obeying God?
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Read Matthew 11:28-30 aloud. Once at a regular speed. And a second time slowly.
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How are you currently finding life by abiding and obeying Jesus?
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What is God inviting you to do in response to this passage?
Kevin Meisch // John 12 : 37-50
Questions for Community Groups -
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What signs have you seen God perform in your life that have led you to believe in Jesus?
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John 12:40 says some people did not believe in the signs Jesus performed because God "has blinded their eye and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” What thoughts, feelings and emotions come up for you when you read this passage?
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How do we reconcile God blinding people so they can't believe Jesus with the truth that Jesus "did not come to judge the world but to save the world" (12:47)?
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Believing in Jesus is a public action. How is Jesus calling you to live out your faith in public this week?
Ryan MacDonald // John 12 : 1-11
Community Group Questions:
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What is your reaction to Mary's extravagant act of worship?
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When people observe your life is it evident that you love and cherish Jesus?
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How has Jesus taken you - like Lazarus - from death to life?
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How is Jesus calling you into deeper devotion and relationship with Him?
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How can you adore and show gratitude to Jesus this week?
Alan Frow // John 10
Sermon Questions:
Jesus is the good shepherd. All who come to the Father through him will receive his love and care. Jesus knows us, providing what we need. Jesus guides us, keeping us safe from the enemy's plans to separate us from God's love and salvation. Jesus leads us, even when we can't make sense of our circumstances. And Jesus lays down his life on the cross, bringing us into a joyful relationship with the Father.
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How has Jesus led you through trial and danger?
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How are you taking time to listen to Jesus our shepherd's voice in daily life?
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In what ways are you straying for the path of Jesus your shepherd?
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What other sheep outside the faith is Jesus calling you to remember?
Alan Frow // John 9
Spiritual blindness is hard to detect. It's difficult to see your blind spots. Thankfully the healing of the blind man in John 9 shows us that Jesus can give us the spiritual sight we need to believe in his name. Once we believe, we can also grow in seeing more clearly by testifying about God's goodness and worshiping his holy name.
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How have you seen God reveal himself in your suffering and where might God be calling you to partner in his work through hardship in your life?
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Testify to one another about God’s goodness and power in your life!
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Where have you carried blame or shame in your suffering?
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Where do you want to grow in your “spiritual eyesight” as you mature in your faith?
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How has worship been a way for you to adjust the posture of your heart and understanding of Jesus?
Alan Frow // John 8 : 12-59
In John 8:12-59 we encounter a group of people who love Jesus' claim to be the "light of the world," yet try to kill him when he claims to be preexistent like Yahweh. The passage serves as both a warning and an invitation. The warning is against only believing in the parts of Jesus you like. The invitation is to accept Jesus as he reveals himself so that you can be delivered from the kingdom of darkness and welcomed into the kingdom of light - no longer living as a slave, but adopted into the family of God.
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How has Jesus, the light of the world, helped you navigate the darkness you have encountered in your life?
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What part of Jesus' character is hard for you to accept?
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Why do you think this group of Jews so quickly moved from believing in Jesus (8:30) to attempting to kill him (8:59)?
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How is God inviting you to live more like a son and less like a slave (8:31-38)?
Ryan MacDonald // John 6
Sermon Questions:
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What temporary satisfaction are you most prone to pursue?
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How have you experienced Jesus as someone who feeds and protects?
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Can you relate to the disciples, exhausted and rowing in the storm at night? What is/was that season like for you?
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When are you most tempted to grumble and complain?
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How is God calling you to feast and abide with Jesus this week?
Alan Frow // John 5: 16-29
Sermon Questions:
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In this passage Jesus calls God "My Father" which is a statement that would eventually get him crucified as a blasphemer. Jesus is not just an important religious leader, a great healer, a moral teacher, or a prophet, he is God and must be honored as God. How does this change the way you see Jesus? How does this make him distinct from all other religions? We don't want anyone to be forced to choose Jesus, so how would you describe Jesus to a world of tolerance?
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Jesus' life is a life of a u-curve. Jesus was exalted as God but he also humbled and emptied himself to bring himself low, and was honored again as he was resurrected and ascended into heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father. If we want to follow Jesus, our lives will look the same, like a u-curve. Can you describe a time when you had to go low and humble yourself but in doing so, God met you in that place and you felt his pleasure in doing so? Can you remember a time in your life when you had to say, "Not my will be done, but your will be done Jesus?"
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Jesus is exalted as the justifying judge, Scripture says that Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son. In life, we hate to be judged but as sinners, when we plead for mercy from the only true and righteous judge, Jesus, we are set free. The perfect judge takes off his judge's robes, stands in our place, declares us righteous, and gives us true life, that is the beautiful doctrine of justification. We stand justified, just as if we have never sinned and as if we have always obeyed. How has the doctrine of justification impacted you and the way you live your life? Pray for one another that this truth would settle into the depths of your hearts so you can truly live free!
Kevin Meisch // John 4:1-26
Sermon Questions:
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Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to publically debate with him, he wanted to be known and seen. The Samaritan woman comes to the well in the heat of the day, alone and full of shame, because she didn't want to be seen. Describe a time in your life when you have wanted to hide or felt like you were unseen? How does the truth that Jesus sees you and desires to have a relationship with you change the way you feel regarding your loneliness or feeling of being unseen?
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Nicodemus probably found satisfaction and worth in his status, power, education, wealth, and religion. The Samaritan woman seemingly tried to find her satisfaction and worth through relationships with men. Both Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman looked for satisfaction in worldly, temporal things. What are the ways that you have tried to find satisfaction in your life? How does Jesus, who offers you living water, change your perspective on the only thing that can truly satisfy you? What does this satisfaction look like for you?
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In this passage Jesus says, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth." What are some of the truths about God that have been revealed to you that bring you to a place of worship? What are some of the truths about God that need to move from your head to your heart so you can truly worship him in Spirit and in truth?
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The Samaritan woman knew that the Messiah was coming and would explain everything to them. Jesus explained to her that he was the Messiah, so the Samaritan woman went back and "gossiped" the gospel to her town. The gossip of the town became "the gossiper" of the town! Pray for one another that you would be bold "gossipers" of the good news about Jesus Christ.
Sermon Questions
Joel Baker // Ephesians 2 : 1-10
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Ephesians 2 tells us that we are no longer dead in our sins and trespasses if we have chosen to follow Jesus. What is one area of sin that God has freed you from?
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How does the truth that we cannot earn salvation or the approval of God cause you to rejoice in the good news of God's grace and challenge you in your efforts to do it on your own?
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What is one good work that you feel that God is calling to to step into in this season?
Joel Baker // Genesis 27:1-40
Sermon Questions....
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How should the truth that our older brother, Jesus, has given us his righteousness change how you are approach God?
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Our father is not blind to us but sees us fully as we approach him. How have you been trying to hide parts of your heart from God?
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Share areas of your life where God has recently given you spiritual blessings. Celebrate those things as a group.
Alan Frow // Genesis 25:19-34
Compare the way in which Isaac and Rebekah show favoritism towards their sons with the way in which God shows favor? How is this a glimpse of the gospel of grace for us? How can it free us from trying to earn God’s unmerited favor? 2. Read 1 Cor 1:27-29) Tell how a willingness on your part admit our weakness and foolishness has enabled you to receive the God’s grace. 3. One implication of God’s disruptive, unmerited favor, is that we are freed to inquire of God in prayer about things that make no sense, like Rebekah did. What is this for you right now? 4. Another implication of valuing God’s favor is that we are able to defer gratification, knowing we have a good Inheritance in Christ. What is the ‘bowl of lentils’ in your life that tempts you to give up long term inheritance for momentary pleasure? pray for each other in this regard.
Alan Frow // Genesis 24:1-28
In this passage we see Abraham’s urgency before his death to find a wife for his son, Isaac. He calls his chief servant totravel back to his homeland in Mesopotamia to find a wife, thus ensuring that God’s promise of a faith family that blesses all nations would be fulfilled. God’s steadfast love is mentioned three times. Th word in Hebrew is ‘heed’ which means lovingkindness. God is watching over his covenant with loving kindness to fulfill it and it is fulfilled in minute detail. We see a glimpse of the way's in which God builds his family.
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Radical Servanthood. Abraham’s servant and Rebekah are examples of radical servanthood in this passage. Remind one another of the length he went to, to find Rebekah and the lengths she went to, to water his casmels. We don’t realize that our inheritance is closely connected to our willing ness to serve those that cannot serve us back. Talk about a time you did this. What did you learn?
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Disctinctive Presence Isaac’s wife was to be found from Abraham’s household. They were to live in Canaan but not intermarry with the Canaaninites. This is reminiscent of Jesus prayer in John 17 for his disciples to be in the world but not of the world. What would this look like practically in our lives, if we were in the world but not of it?
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Prayerful Expectation The servant prays an expectant prayer that God answers before he is even finished speaking. Essentially, God is building his faith family at a well with a sudden answer to prayer. On Pentecost Sunday, the theme of God's faith family by suddenly refreshing His people with the Spirit is an enduring one. Read John 7:37-39 to see Jesus referring to this. Acts 2 is also an account of a sudden answer to prayer bye the outpouring of the Spirit.
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In John 4 Jesus speaks to another woman at a well. She is a Samaritan who has had five husbands and is now living with a man she is not married to. Unlike Rebekah, she is neither pure nor from the family of faith. She is viewed as defiled and stint from God’s people,e. She also has no way to get Jesus a drink, but he tells he that through faith, she can be included in God's family. This is a reminder of the gospel. What qualifies us to join his family is our need, and simple faith in his grace, because he was rejected and defiled on the cross for our sin and shame. This is ultimately how God builds his family. Pray that those who feel distant and defiled would put their faith in Jesus saving work.
Joel & Shannon Baker // Acts 2:42-47
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What aspect of hospitality is more difficult for you? Hospitality of heart or hospitality of resources?
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Share about a time where you received biblical hospitality and it made an impact on you.
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Brainstorm easy and unconventional ways you as a group could be hospitable to your neighbors.
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Where might God be inviting you to extend hospitality? Consider those within your household, your neighborhood and beyond.
Alan Frow // Acts 21:8-14
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Philip the evangelist and his daughters used their family stability to offer gracious hospitality to strangers - the controversial Paul, the unknown Luke and mysterious Agabus. Talk about how this connects with Jesus teaching on enemy and neighbor love in Matthew 5 and how He might be calling you to offer hospitality to either strangers or those with whom you are estranged.
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Agabus the prophet brought a foreboding prophetic drama
About Paul being imprisoned if he went to Jerusalem. Everyone except Paul interpreted this as the Spirit saying that he shouldn’t go. Talk about the power and complexity of the prophetic, why it’s vital and yet difficult to interpret and apply. What are some wise Biblical ways of weighing up the prophetic. (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20)
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As parents we need to recognize the transitions we need to make in our approach as our children get older. This means that we allow other followers of the Way to help shape our children. Philip was wisely allowing both Paul and Agabus to shape his daughters view of the prophetic and mission of Christ. Talk about who else shapes your children in helpful ways and thank God for them.
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Once Paul had spoken about his willingness to follow the Lord Jesus
to imprisonment and even death, his companions stopped trying to persuade him to stay, saying”let the will go the Lord be done.” How can we be a community that encourages one another to follow Jesus as Lord more?
Kevin Meisch // Acts 7:54-8:1, 9:1-18
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Forgiveness is a difficult thing to grasp when we haven't fully grasped what it means to be forgiven by God. How has the scandalous truth of you being forgiven by God changed the way you understand forgiveness?
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As you have had time to sit with this sermon and allowed the Holy Spirit to do work within you, what has been the most freeing aspect of the sermon to you? What has been the most difficult aspect of the sermon to you?
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We all know that forgiveness is hard but hopefully understand it's biblical. Who in your life, past or present, have you thoroughly and deliberately chosen to forgive? Share with your Community Group how that changed you. Have you felt peace and contentment when you put the situation into the hands of the Lord?
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Has there been a time that someone has embodied the forgiveness of God to you? How did that change, if any, the way you viewed God's forgiveness?
Alan Frow // Genesis 21
Sermon Questions:
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Because of disappointment and delay, Abraham and Sarah laughed with skepticism at God’s promise of a child in Genesis 17 and 18. Skepticism protects us from the vulnerability of hope but it is a shallow kind of joy. Talk about your struggle with skepticism and how we can be a community that helps one another to keep hoping in God, even though this makes us vulnerable to disappointment.
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God is faithful and he gave the good gift of Isaac as he promised. However, very quickly Isaac became an idol to his parents, and Ishmael’s mocking laughter in Genesis 21 revealed this. Keller says that an idol is often a good thing that becomes an ultimate thing. Talk about how God’s good gifts can become idols in your life and how this makes your joy fragile.
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God’s joy is abiding because it rests upon his faithfulness rather than ours.
Reflect on the joy of justification, (Romans 4) the wonder of transformation (2 Cor 5:17) and the thrill of obedience (Luke 10:12 -17) which of these sources of joy do you most need right now? Ask for the joy of the Holy Spirit.
How honest are your prayers with God?
How have you seen God work through delay?
Do you find it comforting that God's "no" to you maybe God's "yes" to someone else?
How is God currently calling you to trust Him through delay and disappointment?
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All of us have mixed emotions and different experiences with church leadership, what has been your experience with past and present church leadership?
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Even though we all have different experiences with church leadership, in your own words, how have you experienced biblical, church leadership as a gift to you?
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What is hard for you to hear as you listen to (or read) the script that is written to you by God, for how you should live your life regarding biblical, church leadership?
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Elders are called to create a culture of care in the life of the church. How can you practically continue to help cultivate this culture of care in your sphere of influence or together as a Community Group?
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How is the Holy Spirit leading you to pray for the elders of Southlands?
Community Group Questions for the 8:30am sermon:
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When we put our faith in Jesus we are declared righteous and receive the peace of God, what are some of the other blessings we receive in Jesus?
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Do you have a hard time receiving the blessing of God and living freely? Please explain to the group why you think it's hard to receive His blessing.
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Do you feel at peace with God right now? If not, can you identify some reasons why you may feel that way? Pray for one another.
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What happens in your heart when the church speaks on tithing or giving? After speaking about vulnerability in week 2 of our Meaningful Community packets, are you willing to be vulnerable and let the group know how they can pray for you in the area of giving?
Where does the chaos of our world feel overwhelming to you right now?
Where are you experiencing the intervening mercy of God right now? Do you see ways in which God is patiently walking with you?
What is the chaos in your life right now that is keeping you from living into the purpose that God has for you? What is the specific purpose you feel God calling you into?
- What does it look like for man and woman to be image bearers of God in both marriage and singleness?
- Keller, ”We accept and yet struggle with the gendered “otherness” of our spouse, and in the process, we grow and flourish in ways otherwise impossible. Because, as Genesis says, male and female are “like-opposite”each other - both radically different and yet incomplete without each other” What are some ways husbands and wives complement each other?
- Tim Chester says that after the fall, The wife resists authority, The husband abuses authority How do you see the fall affect marriages?
- Let’s talk about ways we tend to communicate singleness as a deficiency. Discuss some practical ways we can be a community where both singles and marrieds are celebrated and can flourish.
1) In what ways have you noticed things getting “worse” as culture moves away from God? (Jon mentioned “God doesn’t make sense”, “family strife”, “distorted attempts at justice”) 2) What do you love about God in the story of Cain and Abel? (What appeals to you about the way he treats the people in this story?) 3) What hope does God offer and provide as we move closer to him? 4) How practically can you move closer to God right now?
- While Genesis 2 talks about the wonder and wisdom of God‘s creation, Genesis 3 talks about what is wrong with the world. It opens with the crafty serpent, who is Satan, tempting Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. From doubting God‘s word, he tempts her to believe that she can know better than the difference between good and evil. This is how he tempts us today - to trust ourselves more than to trust our Creator's word. The result is wreckage in the world. In what ways are you tempted to do this ?
- The fruit of Adam and Eves sin is not only separation from God, it is a shame. They hide from God and from each other because of their shame. While God does not scold or shame them in their sin, He comes asking searching questions about what they have done. He wants them to understand their shame in order to heal it. Discuss the difference between misplaced shame that we need to reject, and appropriate shame that can lead to repentance and healing
- Like Adam and Eve, we tend to try and sew fig leaves to cover our own shame. These attempts prove futile. Be vulnerable with the group and talking about the ways in which you attempt to cover shame.
- God‘s mercy is clearly on display in this chapter as he covers Adam and Eve with skins. This is a Gospel glimpse of Christ’s saving work, in which he was uncovered and shamed on the cross in order to cover our sin and shame with robes of righteousness. Not only that, but His blood cleanses us from the stains of shame. Pray for each other that you would run to Christ for cover and cleansing from your shame. Romans 4:7-8
Small Group Questions:
- What has impacted you the most as we have taught through Genesis 1-2?
- How have you thought about obedience to God's commands in the past?
- Do you love to obey God's commands? And why is this an essential part of following Jesus?
- How are you currently making disciples who love to obey God's word?
- What does it look like to work from a place of rest?
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God demonstrates his purpose to dwell with us by creating the Garden of Eden as the first temple. Discuss the reasons given in the sermon why this is the case. What are the implications for us? . Here is a link to G.K. Beale’s theory on the garden/temple https://derekzrishmawy.com/2012/12/07/9-reasons-the-garden-of-eden-was-a-temple/
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The Bible tells the story of priests rebelling against God’s rules for dwelling in the temple and experiencing exile from God’s presence the garden, the tabernacle and the temple. How is this true in your own life?
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How does Jesus life and death restore God’s presence back to us as temples of the presence of God. What does that mean that the presence of Good in dwells us as people?
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We are not called to got back to Eden, but rather, we are commissioned to go into ‘dustbowls planted with Eden potential,’ like Adam in Genesis 2 . What are the seemingly barren places that God has sent you into to cultivate life? Pray for one another, that God’s presence would empower you there.
Joel Baker // Genesis 1:26-31 1. Joel listed 6 components of what it means to be made in the image of God, Which components were new to you? 2. What areas in your life is God asking you to change to better reflect that all people carry dignity as image bearers of God? 3. What is an area where you are currently trusting that God will grow you in your pursuit of being like Him?
Discussion Questions: 1. Where do You see discontentment working in your life most at present?
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What are some of the practices of contentment Alan spoke of that you want to adopt?
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How is Christ strengthening you towards contentment for the sake of generosity?
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How might we stand upon these two great promises again now that we see them in their context?
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What are the things that rob you of joy, and how does the Spirit help you to overcome it?
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How have you shared in Christ's sufferings? What lessons did you learn from these sufferings?
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C.S. Lewis says, “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” What are the things that God has removed from you so you can hear his shouts?
Discussion Questions:
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How has the Christian community carried your burdens and increased your joy?
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How has God called you to remain on mission during this season?
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What “ordinary faithfulness” is God calling you to persevere in?