Life Group Discussion Guides

"Draw Near to God" by Ed Scheuerman

Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Ablaze: Life and Scripture Meet Sermon Series
Draw Near to God by Dr. Ed Scheuerman
Choose the best question(s) for your group

July 8, 2018
Discussion questions by Dr. Ed Scheuerman
Contact Pastor Ric with questions,  

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon. 

Text: Hebrews 10:19-25. 

1. Have you ever taken that initial step of thanking Jesus for His making access to God possible?
   
   a. Look at Ephesians 2:8-10
   
   i. What do verses 8-9 say about what it means to be "saved?
   
   ii. What is the significance of verse 10 coming after verses 8-9?  In other words, what is the role of "good works" as it relates to salvation? 
   
   
2. Read Hebrews 4:14-16. How does it make you feel that God knows our temptations?
   
   
3. What draws me near to God? How do I personally feel close to God?
   
   
4. List as many attributes (characteristics) of God (e.g. love, mercy, omnipotence, etc.) as you can.
   
   a. Which one is most precious to you today? Why?
   
   b. How do your prayers reflect this? Or how COULD your prayers reflect this?
   
   
5. How do I rob myself of the blessing of fellowship with other believers?
   
   
6. How can I help draw others to God and encourage them in their relationship with God and others?
   
   
7. What does I Peter 3:15 say to us about telling others about our relationship with God?
   
   a. What keeps me from doing this?
   b. How does this relate to LEFC’s focus on oikos ministry?

God is a Missionary God

Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Love Revealed Sermon Series
Our God is a Missionary God by Dr. Ed Scheuerman
Choose the best question(s) for your group

April 15, 2018
Questions:  Contact Pastor Ric, 

Texts: Psalm 29:2; Psalm 96:3; Revelation 7:9; Genesis 12:1-4; Genesis 22:15-18; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 28:14; Romans 4:16-18; Galatians 3:7-9; Psalm 67; Joshua 2:8-11; Psalm 46:10

1. How do you feel about God’s wanting glory for Himself? Why is it okay for God to be self-centered?

2. Read Genesis 12:1-3. If you were Abram (soon to be called Abraham), what emotions would you be feeling? What challenges do you think the nation of Israel faced with the knowledge that God chose them to be His chosen nation?

3. Psalm 67 is often referred to as a missionary psalm. What do you see in this psalm that indicates that God’s purpose for Israel was not for themselves but for Him?

4. Todd Ahrend (in his book the Abrahamic Revolution) builds off of John Piper’s illustration (found in his book Let the Nations be Glad!):

a. There are 5 sinking ships, each 5 miles further out from the coast than the other
b. With limited resources, how do we prioritize, strategize our rescue efforts?

i. If our goal is the greatest number, we focus on Boat 1 and then Boat 2, knowing that most of Boat 3 will die and probably all of those on Boats 4 and 5 will die.

ii. If our goal is to save at least some from every boat, we will mobilize rescue efforts to head out to those with the least opportunity to save themselves.
If you have the ability to watch a YouTube clip, here’s a link that will help with this discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIDraNUGerE It’s called “Reaching the Unreached.”

c. How does an understanding of God help define a rescue strategy? And how does this apply to missions efforts around the world?

5. When you think of God’s heart for the world, which of His attributes come to bear?