Jonah: Week 1

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-30, Jonah 1:1-2 
Sermon: Rev. Matt Kennedy (Pride and Prejudice)

1.  In the light of God’s grace and mercy, why is it important for Christians to interact and love people who are not like us? 

2.  (1 Cor 1:26-30) How do we get to be Christians?  And how do we define ourselves?

3.  (1 Cor 1:26-30) How are Christians able to “do good” in the world?

4.  When we are not carrying out God’s will, how does God bring us back obedience?  How does God lead us back into acts of mercy, generosity and grace for others?

5.  How can God use blessings (as opposed to trials and sufferings) to call us back to repentance?

6.  Why does God choose people as the main way to spread the Gospel message?

7.  (Jonah 1:1-2) As an Israelite, Jonah probably sees Assyria (Nineveh) as evil, and Israel as a holy and God fearing nation.  God has a very different view on both cultures.  What makes a culture good or evil?  Is there a culture (past or present) that best exemplifies holiness and goodness?  

8.  (Jonah 1:1-2) Jonah is being called by God to do something that is very much against his culture.  When was the last time you had to do something uncomfortable or outside your level of expectation?  Briefly describe what it was and your feelings about it.

Questions about Slavery: Part 2

Text: Colossians 3:22-4:1, Ephesians 6:5-9, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, 1 Timothy 1:10, Philemon 1

Sermon: Rev. Matt Kennedy

1.   Even today there are still a large number of slaves (even in America).  Although some forms of slavery are obvious, some are not.  Discuss how different forms of slavery exist in the world today.

2.  Although owning slaves is permissible by God, it is not in God’s ultimate design.  Can you think of other human conditions and systems where this might be true?

3.  Using the two weeks combined, how could you better defend the Bible in regards to slavery?  In other words, what important and critical facts did you learn that you had not known before?

4. Slavery is often misunderstood and sections of Scripture have been misused for evil intent.  Give an example of when you have encountered someone misusing Scripture.

5. How could you respectfully correct a person who misuses Scripture?

6. Try reading the book of Philemon.  (You can do it; it’s only 25 verses!)  What do you notice about Paul’s language?

7. Share what you think is particularly interesting or special about the book of Philemon.  What to do you think its purpose is in the Bible?

FOR MORE INFORMATION about slavery in America and around the world, click here or here.