"Finding & Following God's Will" - Tim Richards - 'Discernment" [AUDIO]

"Book of Smoke // Lessons From Ecclesiastes" WEEK 2 - Tim Richards - [AUDIO]

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards continues his series on Ecclesiastes entitled, "The Book of Smoke," looking this week at chapter 1:12-18.    SERMON QUESTIONS    1. Read Ecclesiastes 1:12-18. How would you describe the “Preacher”? 2. God rarely makes an appearance in Ecclesiastes, but he does show up briefly in verse 13. Compare this to Genesis 3:17-19. What connections do you see between these two passages? Do you think those connections are intentional or coincidental?  3. Have you ever devoted a lot of time to a project that, in the end, appeared to be completely pointless? What was the project? How did you deal with the aftermath once you realized it had all been for nothing? 4. Read John 1:1-4. What difference does Jesus make to the business of life compared to the frustrating picture we find in Ecclesiastes 1:12-18? Are there specific ways you have found that to be true in your own life journey?

"Book of Smoke // Lessons From Ecclesiastes" - Tim Richards - [AUDIO]

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards begins his new series on Ecclesiastes entitled, "The Book of Smoke."  SERMON QUESTIONS: 1. Have you ever read the book of Ecclesiastes? If so, what did you like? What did you not like? What did you find confusing? 2. Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-11. In verse 8 the Preacher says, “All things are full of weariness…” What does he mean by that? 3. Have there been or are there places in your own life where you have had that treadmill kind of feeling? 4. What difference does being a follower of Jesus bring to life?

"Finding & Following God's Will" - Tim Richards - 'Discernment" [AUDIO]

Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Finding and Following God's Will," looking this week at "Discernment."   SERMON QUESTIONS 1. Read Acts 15:1-2, 6-29. How important do you think it was that those involved in this debate accurately discerned God’s will? 2. What factors seem to have guided them in their decision? 3. In writing about their decision, they said “…it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord…”. Does that language sound less “spiritual” than you might have expected? What does this teach about the importance of seeking counsel? 4. Are there any really important decisions you are facing at present where you could benefit from good, godly counsel?

"Finding & Following God's Will" - Tim Richards - 'Walking in the Spirit" [AUDIO]

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards will be continuing the series "Finding and Following God's Will," looking this week at 'Walking in the Spirit".   SERMON QUESTIONS 1. Have you ever been in a situation where doing the thing you believed God wanted you to do meant doing something you really didn’t enjoy? What was it? What did you believe God wanted you to do? What led you to that conclusion? 2. Read 1 Peter 2:18-21. In the case of an ancient slave, what counsel did Peter give for finding and following God’s will? Does this mean Peter thought slavery was a good idea? 3. Read Galatians 5:13-25. What does it mean to keep in step with the Spirit? How do you do that? 4. Do you agree with Pastor Tim’s statement that God is more concerned with who you are than what you do? How does that square with the various commands God gives regarding things Christians should or should not do? How does it relate to the topic of finding and following God’s will?

"Finding & Following God's Will" - Tim Richards - "Hearing The Spirit" [AUDIO]

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards will be continuing the series "Finding and Following God's Will," looking this week at "Hearing the Spirit".    SERMON QUESTIONS :   The topic of hearing God speak is one that has often caused debate among Christians. Scripture is clear that God can and does speak, but it also recognizes the potential for false messengers and wrong conclusions. The following should help you explore this topic.  1. Read Acts 13:2. Have you ever had an experience where you felt God directly communicated something to you? What happened? How did you know it was God? 2. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21. If someone says they have a word from God for us, should we  A) categorically ignore it as a hoax, B) fully embrace it as a true revelation, C) listen with reservations D) other?  3. Read Act 21:10-14. In this account a man named Agabus gives Paul a prophetic message about what will happen to him if he goes to Rome. Note how Paul’s friends respond vs how Paul responds. What does this tell us when it comes to making decisions based on such supernatural words of knowledge?