The New Heights Church Podcast

Gains of the Godly and the Greedy // 1 Timothy 6:6-10 // 05.31.26

In 1 Timothy 6:6–10, Pastor Dave Bechtel contrasts the gains of the godly with the gains of the greedy. While the world pursues wealth and possessions, Scripture teaches that true gain is found in godliness with contentment. This message explores the dangers of loving money and challenges believers to train their hearts to treasure Christ above earthly riches. When Jesus becomes our greatest desire, the temptation of greed loses its grip.SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS: - Have you had any personal or media experiences with those who promote a false interpretation of “godliness is a means of gain”? If so, could you share about that?- What are some of the “great gains” of real godliness?- What is contentment? What are some of its benefits?- How are the mind and heart connected to each other and us becoming content?- What is our responsibility toward our minds? Toward our hearts?- What is the potential downward sequence of wanting to get rich? Can you think of any biblical examples of this?- What does it mean that those who love money can be led to “wander away from the faith”?- What practical applications can we take from this passage?

Congregational Arsonists // 1 Timothy 6:3-5 // 05.24.26

Pastor Dave Bechtel opens 1 Timothy 6:3–5 with a sobering warning about the kind of people who quietly ignite division within the church. In “Congregational Arsonists,” we’ll examine how pride, unhealthy controversy, gossip, and selfish ambition can spread like wildfire through a congregation when left unchecked. Paul calls believers to reject quarrelsome attitudes and guard the unity Christ died to create. This message is both a warning and a challenge: Christians are not called to fuel destructive fires, but to confront them with truth, humility, and godly love before they consume the body of Christ. SERMON QUESTIONS: - Anyone in the group who, as a young person, loved to play with fire? Any "bad experiences" with fire? - Has anyone in the group been personally exposed to false teaching? If so, what "different doctrine" was proclaimed? Did it include a rejection of biblical truth? If so, what truth was rejected? - What were the three descriptors Paul provided of the truths the false teachers rejected (verse 3)? Consequently, what are the three "H's" by which we can evaluate spiritual teaching? - What are the four methods by which false teachers can attempt to reject biblical truth (as given in the sermon)? Have you personally witnessed any of those? - Paul identifies four motivations or inner characteristics of false teachers (verses 4 and 5). What are they? Have you personally encountered any of those? - What is the progressive sequence of congregational "fires" Paul discloses? How can we as church members be used of the Lord to prevent or extinguish church fires?

God's Ways Are Better // Genesis 16:1-4a // 05.17.26

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS: - Read 2 Corinthians 4:16–18. When you first believed in Jesus, or started taking your faith seriously, what did you assume the Christian life would be like? How has reality matched what you expected, and where has it diverged? Where did those expectations come from in the first place? - Read Romans 8:18-25. Christians aren’t exempt from the natural consequences of living in a fallen world. Do you think you’ve been quietly holding on to any assumptions about the kind of life God “owes” you? - Read Colossians 3:1-5. Even good things — a spouse, a child, a healing, a career — can become idols when we put all our hope in them rather than in God. Has a good thing ever become an idol in your life? How do we tell the difference between a strong, godly desire and an idol? - Many Christians try to find a way to please God and people. Do you think this is possible when God and people hold opposite opinions (e.g., homosexuality)? What are the dangers of trying to please both God and people? - Before you pray, ask if anyone has things they are waiting on the Lord for. Pray for patience, faith, and peace as they wait.

The Covenant Maker & Keeper // Genesis 15:7-21 // 05.10.26

In Genesis 15, God doesn't meet Abram halfway—He walks through the bloody covenant alone, taking on Himself the consequences of every breach by either side. This message traces that picture from Abram's vision all the way to the Cross, where Jesus paid for the half of the covenant we could never keep. If you've ever feared you could blow it and lose your salvation, this one's for you. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS: - Read Genesis 15:7-21. Was there anything about the text that you didn’t understand? Did it raise any questions for you? What sticks out to you? - Read Lamentations 3:22–26. Share about a time you had to wait a long time for God to answer a prayer or fulfill a promise. Looking back, what did the waiting produce in you that you wouldn't have learned any other way? - Read 2 Timothy 2:11–13 and John 10:27–30. Have you ever feared losing your salvation? What did that fear sound like in your head? How do these two passages speak to that fear? - Jeff shared that his mom “never let go of the rope” and prayed him into the kingdom. Who are you holding the rope for right now, in prayer? Pray for each name as a group.

Do Not Be Afraid // Genesis 15:1-6 // 05.03.26

As God comes to Abram while he's wrestling with fear and doubt, we are given a lesson on God's character and how believers are to approach wrestling with these powerful enemies. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS: - Read Genesis 15:1-6. Have you ever experienced fear or doubt shortly after stepping out in faith, and how did God meet you in that moment? - How does the secular world (culture, medicine, psychiatry, pop psychology, etc.) approach dealing with fear and anxiety? What approaches are compatible with Scripture, and what approaches are contrary to Scripture? - Read Philippians 4:6-7. If/When you have followed Paul’s instructions while wrestling with fear and/or anxiety, how did these practices affect you? - Read 1 Peter 5:6-7. What does it look like practically to cast all your cares on God while still acknowledging the genuine pain and difficulty of your circumstances? - In what ways might fear and anxiety become an identity or a form of self-absorption that prevents us from serving others and obeying God's commands?