Mental Transformation is possible! We must push past the lies we believe to have a renewing of our mind.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation…
Why are lies so much easier to believe than truth?
Which of the “lies,” Vance mentioned, do you tend to believe? Can you see how those lies are negatively affecting your life?
What do you fill your thoughts with?
Who influences your thoughts?
How are you filling your mind with spiritual truth? Is it sufficient to combat the lies?
Pastor Sheryl looks at physical Transformation and how we can use our bodies to glorify God.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation…
Is your body a sacred space?
How will you glorify God with your body?
Pastor Vance kicks off our new church-wide study, Transformed, with a message on spiritual transformation.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
What seems to get in the way of your spiritual growth?
Which of the “tools of discipleship” do you currently utilize? Which
ones would you consider trying?
What has caused the most spiritual growth in your life?
Reflect on the image of spiritual growth as a form apprenticeship. Are
you still an apprentice, a novice, or becoming a master?
Reflect on the Bonhoeffer quote. Do you agree or disagree?
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
How has/is following Christ transformed/transforming you?
In what ways are your values more shaped by the world, or more
shaped by following Christ?
In what ways is your spiritual life a “form of godliness, denying it’s
power?”
What is one small goal you could set and pursue for the next seven
weeks, in each of the seven areas of transformation:
Your Spiritual Health:
Your Physical Health:
Your Mental Health:
Your Emotional Health:
Your Relational Health:
Your Financial Health:
Your Vocational Health:
Have you signed up for a small group, yet?
Do you want to be transformed?
Have you lived out your Christian journey in a contract rather than in covenant? Pastor Sheryl explains the difference.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
What now?
At the end of the Journey through Exodus, how have you come to
understand God more fully?
Do you, honestly, yearn to know God more fully?
Reflect on Aaron’s leadership . . . how have we chosen to persuade our
leaders to do what we want rather than what God asks of them?
What changes do you have to make in order to more intentionally favor
God’s presence rather than God’s provision?
What was the most challenging thing you heard in today’s sermon?
Why is it challenging and what will you do about it? How will it strengthen your walk with the Lord?
There is no fence between us and God. There is a Savior between us and God.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
How do you understand the meaning of animal sacrifice?
How do you understand the difference between the offering of animal
sacraments in the Tabernacle and the monetary offerings we present in
the offering plate?
Why didn’t animal sacrifices work?
If we lived during the times of the Exodus, what sin would you need to
sacrifice an animal for?
What does Hebrews 10:19 (we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus) mean?
What makes a space holy? Join Pastor Vance as he looks at how the Christian sanctuary has evolved.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
Where are some places you have experienced the presence of Christ?
Why do people of faith seem to be drawn to sacred places?
All of the Israelites, in some way, contributed to the creation of the
Tabernacle. What are some ways you contribute to the worship of God
at First Church?
What does it mean to worship God in “Spirit and in Truth?”
Are we stuck in a place, or are we ready to “GO” when God moves?
Faithfulness and obedience. Law and freedom. We don't usually think of these as being cohesive. But, according to God's word, they are. Pastor Vance takes a look at the Ten Commandments and how we can interpret them with a fresh perspective.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
Before Sunday, could you name all Ten Commandments?
Which of the Ten Commandments is hardest for you to keep? What are
you going to do about it?
What is the relationship between law and liberty?
Why do we need law?
What is the relationship between faith and obedience?
What is the relationship of Law (the Ten Commandments) and love (The
Great Commandments?)
How do you understand the “New Covenant?”
Moses couldn't do it alone, and neither can we. We all get sick, weak. We all have limits and need help. Join Pastor Vance as he takes us through two stories out of Exodus 17 and 18.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
When you think of great teams, who comes to mind?
When have you attempted to do something, without help, and failed,
or at least suffered under the weight of responsibility?
What great teams have you been part of? What made them great?
Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?
How are you currently serving on “God’s team?”
After fleeing through the Red Sea, the complaining of the Israelites revealed the faithfulness and trustworthiness of God. Pastor Sheryl brings us this message out of Exodus 15:22-17:7.
Is there something you have that you consider insignificant? Throughout the Bible, God used seemingly insignificant items for his greater purpose. In this message, Pastor Vance looks at the simple shepherds staff and how Moses used it to perform miraculous things.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
What abilities, skills, training, education, resources do you have, that
could be used by God?
Do you believe that EVERYTHING comes from God, to be used for God’s
purposes? Why or why not?
When have you felt “stuck?” How did you react?
Do you believe you are part of God’s plan? Why or why not?
What’s in your hands? What are your going to do with it, for God?
God displayed great power when he released the ten plagues in Egypt. Join Pastor Vance as he looks at this story out of Exodus.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
Have you ever felt like God has claimed you as his own? If so, when and
how?
Do you ever resist listening to God’s word?
When/how have you seen God’s power displayed?
How do you react to the 10 plagues? How do the plagues affect your
view/understanding of God?
Is your heart ever hard, like Pharaoh’s?
Why doesn’t God move in power, like the 10 plagues, today?
How is the cross God’s ultimate display of power?
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Pastor Vance reveals the answer as we continue our journey into Exodus.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
When have you encountered an “immovable” obstacle? What was it?
What did you do?
What causes you to become spiritually discouraged?
Jesus seems to say that his followers WILL (not may) face oppositions in
this life. How do you feel about that?
What mountains are you facing?
Have you ever experienced faith moving a mountain in your life?
Do you have a mustard seed of faith?
Join Pastor Vance as he walks us through the story of Moses and the burning bush.
Questions for Further Reflection and Conversation...
Have you ever felt the presence of God in an unexpected time or place?
Have you ever avoided a call? If so, what, and why?
What excuses have you used for not responding to a call?
If you could go back in time? Have there been missed opportunities to
serve God that you wish you had responded to differently?
When you think about the world’s needs, and your unique gifts and
abilities, what are some ways you could make a difference?
If someone asked you who your God is, what would you say?
When have you experienced God move?
Has God ever seemed absent?
Have you, like Moses, ever run away?
Have you ever asked, “Will the Lord reject me forever?”
How do you need God to move in your life, right now? How will you
know he does?
Pastor Sheryl delivers this message reminding us that our children are always watching what we do and say.
Pastor Vance delivers this message on having faith in what we cannot see.
Pastor Sheryl Marks-Williams brings us a powerful message on the Holy Spirit.
Who is the Holy Spirit? Are you aware of the Holy Spirit “in” you? Join Pastor Vance as he delivers this year's sermon on Pentecost Sunday.
Pastor Vance brings us the final message in our series "50 Days of Joy".
