Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness", focusing this week on Joshua.  SERMON QUESTIONS: 1. Was there a dream or goal you had as a youth that you worked toward? What was it and what did you do? 2. Read Numbers 11:28, Exodus 24:12-13 and 33:7-11. Pay special attention to what is said about Joshua. What do you learn about him from these passages? How do you think this impacted and prepared him for God’s calling to lead? 3. Read Joshua 5:13-15. Who do you think was the mysterious commander of the Lord’s army? Why? 4. Why do you think God ordained an encounter like this with Joshua right before Joshua went into battle? What lessons can we learn from this?

 Pastor Tim Richards will continue the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness", focusing this week on Kadesh Barnea.  Sermon Notes: 1. Have you made any  big geographical moves? How did you prepare for the move? What excited or intimidated you about the move? 2. Read Deuteronomy 1:22 & 28. What was the difference between what the spies were supposed to do vs what they actually did? 3. Read Deuteronomy 1:26, 34-35 & 41-44. Why wasn’t God pleased when the people went to battle like he had told them to? 4. Has there been or is there a place in your life you could identify as a Kadesh Barnea – a place where God has asked you to do something that was beyond your ability without his help? How did you respond? What did you learn?

This Sunday, Pastor Lance Lewis will continue the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness", focusing this week on the Golden Calf. SERMON QUESTIONS: 1. In your opinion, what makes an idol? 2. What do you think about Calvin's quote that “the human heart is a perpetual idol factory?” 3. Which of the surface idols do you/have you struggled with? What about the deeper idols in our hearts? 4. What do you think of the remedies to idolatry? Which stand out to you and why?

Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness," focusing this week on Amalek.  SERMON QUESTIONS: 1. Has there ever been something you assumed to be true only to find out later it wasn’t what you thought? If so, what was it, and what changed your mind? 2. Carefully read the account of Israel’s battle against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16) What do you think was the significance of Moses holding his staff overhead during the battle? 3. Why do you think Moses specifically made a record of his own tiredness and the help he received from Aaron & Hur? 4. What lessons does this story have for us? Do you agree with Pastor Tim’s interpretation? Why or why not?

Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness", focusing this week on Water From a Rock. SERMON QUESTIONS: 1. Read Exodus 17:1-7. Massah & Merebah mean Test & Argue in Hebrew. Why do you think Moses named the place in recognition of the people’s arguing  rather than the Lord’s miracle? Where are the places in your life where you tend to argue or complain? 2. Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-4. Why do you think Paul chose the rock in the wilderness as a figure representing Jesus? 3. Israel’s physical thirst can be a good parallel for spiritual thirst. In what sorts of things do people try to find soul satisfaction? How can those things leave us still thirsty? What is it about Jesus that is better? 4. What are things you have found helpful in keeping your soul satisfied in Jesus? What gets you distracted, fearful or angry?  Don’t forget to keep reading and writing in your Travel Log!

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards will continue the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness", focusing this week on Manna. SERMON QUESTIONS: 1. What was something you ate often growing up? Did you love it, hate it or other? 2. Read Exodus 16:17-18. What lessons do you learn from the equal shares of manna all received? 3. Why do you think some people tried to keep manna left-overs (Exodus 16:19-20) or collect it on the Sabbath when God had told them not to (Exodus 16:22-23)? In what ways can we be like them? 4. Are there any lessons you take from this story of the miracle manna that apply to your daily walk with God?

Pastor Pastor Lance Lewis continues the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness", focusing this week on Bitter Waters.   SERMON QUESTIONS: 1.How do you understand the wilderness in your own life? Have you spent time there? 2. What does it mean to live by grace in the wilderness of life? 3. How is living a life of obedience to God true freedom? BTW, don’t forget the Travel Log project Pastor Tim challenged us to keep as we journey with Israel

Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness", focusing this week on Cloud and Fire.   SERMON QUESTIONS: 1. Do you use GPS when traveling? If so, which do you find most helpful – A) reading the on-screen turn directions, B) looking at the map graphic, or C) listening to voice prompts? 2. Israel didn’t have GPS, but they did have a fiery cloud leading them on their journey. Why do you think God chose to lead them in this way? What did the fiery cloud symbolically communicate to them? 3. When the cloud moved, the people moved. When the cloud rested, the people stayed where they were (Numbers 9:18-23). What means does the Holy Spirit use today to lead us? 4. When it comes to knowing if the Holy Spirit is leading you to stay where you are, how do you distinguish between a heart attitude that is patient as opposed to passive? BTW, don’t forget the Travel Log project Pastor Tim challenged us to keep as we journey with Israel

Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness", focusing this week on Crossing the Red Sea.   SERMON QUESTIONS 1. How and why did Israel end up stranded by the Red Sea (read Exodus 13:17-18 and 14:1-4)? 2. Israel had just experienced a whole series of miracles (the plagues on Egypt) that had won their release. Why do you think they so quickly started complaining (read Exodus 14:10-12)? Have you ever found yourself acting in a similar way? What happened? What changed your attitude? 3. What part of the Christian experience would you compare the crossing of the Red Sea to? Why? 4. If you are a follower of Jesus, what was your own “crossing over” experience like? Share it with your group. BTW, don’t forget the Travel Log project Pastor Tim challenged us to keep as we journey with Israel

Pastor Tim Richards begins the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness," focusing this week on Passover.  SERMON QUESTIONS: 1. What is the longest journey you have ever taken? Did you go alone or with someone? Which do you prefer and why? 2. Read Exodus 12:1-14. Which of the instructions given stand out to you and why?  3. Thinking about the instruction(s) that impressed you in this passage, how might you connect them to the Christian life? What parallels or lessons do you see? 4. What step(s) of personal application do you draw from this story?

Pastor Lance Lewis concludes the series "Forgotten Prophets," looking at Malachi.    SERMON QUESTIONS 1. How do you personally seek to honor the Lord in all aspects of your life? 2. Have you brought hard questions to God? What was the result? 3. How have you been guilty of 'half-hearted' obedience in your past? How can you encourage others in their obedience? 4. What areas of your life need to honor God more fully? How have you identified those areas? 5. How does the promise of God's justice give you both pause and cause for worship?

Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Forgotten Prophets," looking at Zechariah.   SERMON QUESTIONS: Try comparing Zechariah, chapters 1-8 to Haggai. How many connections can you find between the two? Zechariah has a series of visions. Some of the imagery can be hard to understand but take a look at the vision in Zechariah 2:1-13. What does it mean? How would this have been encouraging to conquered people who were trying to rebuild their ruined city? Zechariah is quoted numerous times in the New Testament. Read Zechariah 9:9. What New Testament event is seen as a fulfillment of this? What is the significance of King entering a city on a donkey instead of a war horse (a good study Bible or commentary may give some added insight)? What does this tell you about Jesus? In Zechariah 4:8-10 the people are told that those who despised the day of small things will one day rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. What does that mean (again a good study Bible or commentary may help)? Thinking about your own life, are there any small things that may seem discouraging now that you recognize God may be using for something greater in the future?

Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Forgotten Prophets," looking at Haggai.  SERMON QUESTIONS 1. Have you ever had a project that hit problems, got delayed, then procrastinated on and eventually forgotten? What was it? Did you ever get it finished? 2. To understand Haggai’s prophetic challenge, you need to understand what had happened prior to his time. Read Ezra 3:8-4:5. In your own words, how would you describe the challenges encountered in rebuilding the temple? 3. What is the Lord’s criticism of the people (Haggai 1:2-6)? What is his promise if they will resume rebuilding the temple (Haggai 1:12-13)? 4. Have there been or are there currently things in your own life where you have felt God stirring you up and calling you to action? What are they? How have you responded?

Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Forgotten Prophets" looking at Zephaniah.  SERMON QUESTIONS 1. Zephaniah ministered during the reign of King Josiah. Read 2 Kings 22:8-13. What does this tell you about the spiritual environment of Israel in the days of Zephaniah? 2. Read Zephaniah 1:4-5. What more does this tell you about the spiritual condition of Isreal in the days of Zephaniah? Can you think of any situations in our current time that might be similar? 3. Compare Zephaniah 2:3 and Micah 6:8. What common themes are there? Thinking of your own life, what does it look like for you to be this kind of person? Where do you find it challenging? 4. Read Zephaniah 1:17. What insights does this give you into the character of God and his relationship to us? Is it surprising to find a verse like this in a book that is full of warnings about God’s judgment?

Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Forgotten Prophets," looking at Habakkuk. SERMON QUESTIONS 1. If you’ve spent any time around kids, you’ve probably heard some funny “why” questions. Which ones do you recall (or any other really hard to answer questions you’ve heard kids pose). 2. Habakkuk finds himself in a dialog with God. It begins with Habakkuk asking God some hard questions (Habakkuk 1:1-4). How would sum up his questions in your own words? Do any of those resonate with you? If so, which ones and why? 3. God’s answer is not the one Habakkuk wants to hear. He says he is going to use a fierce & godless enemy to punish his people. What is Habakkuk’s response (Habakkuk 2:1). Take a look at King David’s words in Psalm 37:7-9. What connections can you make between Habakkuk & David’s responses? 4. Read James 1:3-4. In what ways does waiting & steadfastness bring about a perfecting & completion in a believer’s life? Is there a trial in your life right now that is demanding steadfastness? Someplace where you are waiting on God? Share with your group and pray together. #Sermon #sundaymorning #WorshipService #worship #prophets

This Sunday, Pastor Tim Richards continues the series "Forgotten Prophets," looking at Nahum.  SERMON QUESTIONS 1. Both Jonah and Nahum are prophetic words directed to Ninevah. What can you find in common between them? 2. What differences do you find between Jonah & Nahum? 3. What encouragement for God’s people is there within the prophetic words of Nahum? 4. What encouragement can you draw from Nahum’s message? #Sermon  #sundaymorning #WorshipService #worship #prophets

Pastor Tim Richards continues his series "Forgotten Prophets," looking at Micah.  SERMON QUESTIONS 1. Micah’s prophecy is one of coming judgment because of the evils that have taken root in the social fabric of Israel. Take a look at the following passages and come up with a list of the evils Micah specifies (Micah 1:1-2, 8-9; Micah 3:9-11; Micah 6:10-12) 2. Read Micah 5:2-5. Why is this prophecy so important? Can you find where Micah’s prophecy is quoted in the New Testament? What aspects of this prophecy stand out to you and why? 3. Read Micah 6:6-8. What is the difference between what the people thought God wanted from them versus what he really wanted? If Micah were speaking to us today, how might he word it differently for our context? 4. Thinking about the three things God says he desires in Micah 6:8, what are some specific areas of your life where you have been challenged to apply those? #Sermon  #sundaymorning #WorshipService #worship #prophets

Pastor Tim Richards continues the series, "Forgotten Prophets" looking at Jonah.   SERMON QUESTIONS 1. The prophet Jonah is famous for his encounter with a whale. That was only necessary because Jonah was trying to run away from what God wanted him to do. Have you ever tried to run away from something you knew God wanted you to do? If so, what was it that turned you around? 2. Jonah wanted nothing to do with the pagan, violent people of Ninevah. If Jonah were living today, who do you think he might want nothing to do with? 3. The story of Jonah ends with an object lesson involving a dead plant (Jonah 4:6-11). What was God trying to teach Jonah? Why do you think the story ends on God’s question but no answer from Jonah? 4. Jesus referred to himself as a type of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-41) but said he was a greater Jonah. How does Jesus compare to Jonah and in what way(s) is he a greater Jonah? #Sermon #sundaymorning #WorshipService #worship #prophets

Our Family Ministries Pastor, Josh Deshazer, brings a message on Rest, from Mark 2:23-3:6.   SERMON QUESTIONS 1. When you think of Sabbath, what comes to mind? 2. Read Mark 2:23-3:6. What does Jesus say about the Sabbath? How does that influence our understanding of the Sabbath? 3. If you could take inventory of your pace of life, is it conducive to loving God and loving others? How might knowing that we have found rest in Jesus impact the way we schedule or plan our lives? 4. What could it look like to trust God more with our time? What would that look like in your life? How might a practice of rest, like Sabbath a day of rest, support that? #Sermon #sundaymorning #WorshipService #worship