Remedy Podcast: Recent Episodes
Laurelglen Bible Church
Read Galatians 3:15-29
- What does it mean to have life? John 17:3; John 14:6,7; Galatians 2:19-20
- Who inherits life? Think of being an employee of Microsoft and Bill Gates. Galatians 3:26-29; 1 John 5:1-5; John 10:10; Romans 5:17
- Read Gal. 3:21 & Rom. 3:20. Why does the law not bring life?
- How does the law point to Jesus?
- Where are you? – Think of being under captivity, imprisoned by sin revealed by the law. • Under the law – Don’t know Jesus and trying to earn God’s favor • Freed but running back? – Struggling with identity in Christ, feelings of value and worth, trying to prove yourself, still trying to do good works to earn favor with God and man. • Are you sitting in a recliner under the law? You have given up even trying to do good or to follow Christ. You are living for the world and conforming to its image (Romans 12:1-2) • Free and following Christ
Read Galatians 3:1-14
- In this passage, Paul shows the Galatians that no one is saved by works of law. What is Paul’s point in using Abraham as an example in verses 6-9?
- Read v. 3. If a Christian doesn’t become spiritually mature by attempting to keep the Law, how do you think a believer becomes spiritually mature?
- Read Hebrews 11:1. What does it mean to have faith according to this scripture? What does faith in God look like practically? (give examples)
- How do you see Christians today “go back to the law” and try to earn God’s love or acceptance? What is so attractive or beneficial about this habit?
- Share a time when you struggled with believing God loves you. How did you overcome that struggle and if you haven’t, what’s keeping you from believing?
Read Galatians 2:11-21
- Peter as we saw, was condemned, and fell out of step with the gospel. How did this happen and how can we keep ourselves from doing this?
- Why is it essential to know the true gospel before we ever confront a false gospel?
- Why would someone think it could have been hard for Paul to confront Peter as he did? What can we learn from Paul’s courage through his confrontation with Peter?
- Justification, the main theological principle Paul is trying to get the Galatians to understand. What is justification? And how does it lead us to confronting false gospels with the true gospel?
- What is cruciformity? How does this keep us from being condemned like Peter and prepared like Paul?
- Review the 5 Solas of the Reformation and discuss why these are vital to us knowing the gospel and defending it against false gospels.
Read Galatians 1:1-10
- What do you think Christian freedom is? How would you define it?
- Why do you think Paul was so shocked by the news that the Galatians had turned to a different gospel? How have you or would you react to a friend who stopped believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ?
- Read Galatians 6:12-14. How did the false teachers in Galatia “distort” the gospel of Christ? How do you see other false teachers doing that today?
- Why do you think some Christians readily adopt man-made religious rules or regulations rather than accepting God’s Word as their final authority and living under grace?
- How can you protect yourself and the ones you love from these false gospels?
Read Matthew 18:21-35 1. What is Jesus's point with the contrast between the large money amount that was owed and the small amount that was owed? 2. If you are commanded to forgive always, does that mean you have to trust them too? Explain your reasoning. 3. Read 1 Corinthians 13:5. How will keeping a record of wrongs done to you hurt you overtime? 4. How does thankfulness for the gospel change the way you look at life and others? 5. How can you practice thankfulness and forgiveness this week?
Read Matthew 5:27-30 1. Why does Jesus address sin? 2. Why do we have to have a proper doctrine/understanding of sin? 3. What is exposed about sin in this passage? 4. Knowing the depth of sin in us, does it change the way you see the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? 5. How will this understanding of sin help you understand your own salvation? Your evangelism (proclaiming the gospel)? And your own sanctification (personal holiness)?
Read John 14:6 1. Christians believe that the Jesus of the bible is the only way to heaven. Why is this so offensive or controversial? 2. There are unfortunately a lot of Christians that are universalist or believe that everyone gets to go to heaven but to do this they have to really twist scripture. Why do you think they do this, and what are the dangers of this type of twisting of scripture? 3. Read John 14:1-6 and Acts 4:12 a. We are going to try to understand the opposing view to better understand our own. What are ways that people may try to explain away this text, so it fits what they want it to say instead of what it does? b. What does Jesus mean when he says he is the way? c. He also adds that He is the truth and the life. What does that mean and why do you think He adds this? 4. Why can’t “being good” ever be good enough for heaven? (Roman 3:10) 5. Belief leads to action. If we truly believe that Jesus is the only way, what actions does this truth inspire?
Read Romans 12:1-2 1. What obstacles have you faced in trying to change a behavior, attitude, reoccurring sin, etc.? 2. Paul writes to the Christians in Rome that the only proper response to the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rm. 1-11) is giving our entire lives to Him (v.1). Why would this sold-out mentality be necessary for letting God transform you into the image of Christ (Rm. 8:29)? 3. How would renewing your mind around God’s character and commands bring about spiritual transformation in your life? 4. A renewed mind can see God’s will much clearer because they have spent time knowing who God is. How would seeing God’s good will lived out in your own life encourage more spiritual growth? 5. What is one way this week you could pursue spiritual transformation in your life?
Scripture: Mark 1:16-20
Read Mark 1:16-20 1. Peter, Andrew, James, and John all left everything behind and followed Jesus immediately. Why is it important to not wait till tomorrow to follow Him? 2. What obstacles do you often face in following God? What encouragement does God’s Word have for overcoming such obstacles? 3. What is one way you can start following Jesus today that you had not before? 4. Jesus promised that if the disciples followed Him, He would transform them into fishers of men. How do you think Jesus transformed them? (think about the journey of Jesus & the Twelve) 5. What can you do today to allow God to work in you and through you? 6. Mark 1:17 reveals Jesus’s mission. Why is hard to prioritize His mission over our own sometimes? 7. How can you make Jesus’s mission your mission today? (think practical steps)
Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27
Impact Questions:
Read Matthew 7:24-27 1. What were some major “storms” in 2020 that challenged your faith? Do you feel stronger because of those challenges or has it revealed some areas to grow in? 2. According to Jesus’s words, what does the wise builder do differently than the foolish builder? 3. Read James 1:22-25. Can Christians have a genuine faith by hearing the Word of God only? What must they do to be genuine Christians? 4. What about sand makes it a bad idea to build a house on? 5. How is Jesus and His words like a rock? 6. What do you think a person’s life would look like if they built it on Jesus? How would they react to tragedies, hardships, trials? 7. How can you build your life on Jesus this week?
Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11
Impact Questions:
- Read Revelation 2:8-11. In verse 8, Jesus describes Himself as the one "who died and came to life". How would this description give encouragement to these Christians who were facing imprisonment and death?
- Is Jesus worth dying and suffering for? Why is this an important question for every Christian to ask themselves?
- Read v.9. Jesus acknowledges the churches physical poverty but affirms their spiritual wealth. What does it mean to be spiritually rich?
- Read v.10. How does being spiritually rich prepare you to face hardships in life such as pain, suffering, temptations, and persecution?
- Read 1 Cor. 10:13 & Rev. 2:10. How does 1 Corinthians 10:13 give us hope that we can be faithful to God in the hard moments?
- Read v.11. What is the second death and how do believers "conquer"? (read Rev. 20:14 & 1 John 5:4-5)
Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6
Impact Questions
- Read Revelation 3:1-6. What has caused the church of Sardis to become spiritually dead in the sight of Christ? How do we see this same thing today with our churches and the worldly culture?
- What does it mean that Jesus holds the Seven Spirits (Is. 11:2)? And why in Rev. 1:16 is it important to understand the seven spirits and the two-edged sword that is spoken of?
- Sardis compromised and conformed their teaching of Jesus to fit the culture and for their comfort and protection. How do we see this today as well? Why is this a scary thing to do?
- Compare Sardis and their spiritual state to Paul and how Paul taught Jesus Christ (Acts 17)?
- How do we know if Jesus Christ is being taught properly? And if he is not what demands does Christ give the church of Sardis and for us to obey today? (Rev. 3:2-3).
- For those who believe the true gospel and the true Christ what is the hope we hold to? (Rev. 3:4-5)
Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29; 1 John 4:1; Deut. 18:15-22; Deut. 13:1-3; Matt. 7:15-16; 1 Cor. 6:12-13; Gal. 1:9; 2 Pet. 2:19
Impact Questions:
1) Read Revelation 2:18-29. Why do you believe our society at large wants to devalue the belief that there is objective/absolute truth? 2) In verse 18, Jesus describes himself in his role as judge. This references back to Rev. 1:14-18. Why is it important to understand Jesus as loving/gracious but also as authority/judge? 3) How does an accurate view of Jesus help us live fruitful lives? 4) The false teacher "Jezebel" taught and seduced Christian's to believe that sexually immoral practices were okay. How is false teaching (lies) seductive and deceptive? 5) How can we identify false teachers or false teaching around us? 6) What is a common false teaching on sex that is in our society today and what makes it false? 7) How does the Bible teach us to defend against sexual immorality? (Gal. 5:16-17; Rom. 13:14; Matt. 5:27-30)
Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17; Numbers 25:1-3; James 4:4; John 10:10; Isaiah 5:20
Impact Questions:
1) Read Revelation 2:12-17. When you hear the word tolerance or intolerance, what does it make you think of? How has its meaning changed over the years? 2) Verse 13 reveals that Satan dwelled in Pergamum. What does that reveal about Satan's nature? 3) What was the church of Pergamum tolerating? 4) What is the teaching of Balaam (Nicolaitans) and why was it wrong? 5) How does tolerating sin hurt people? 6) How can the church repent of this tolerance? 7) How can we pray for one another in this area of tolerating sin?
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16; Matthew 10:34-39; Romans 5:1-11
Impact Questions: 1) What are some recent ways you've seen the world try to achieve peace and unity and how has it worked or not worked? 2) Read Ephesians 4:1-6. According to verses 1-4, how does the Church achieve unity and peace? 3) Why would it be difficult to achieve peace with others if you don't have peace (right relationship) with God? 4) What does it look like to bear with one another in love (v.2)? 5) Read Ephesians 4:15-16. What makes speaking the truth in love so hard? 6) Why is it more important that you speak the truth in love than to have "peace" with others? 7) How can we pray for one another in this area of peace and unity?