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SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:JesusisBetter
Hebrews5:1-10–ABetterHighPriestMarch5,2017–ToddNighswonger
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
______________________________________
1. Lastweek,Toddfinishedourseriesonmanhoodandwomanhood,whichcontinuallyfocusedonthetheideaofflourishing.Thisweek,wegotbackinthebookofHebrews.Fromthisweek’smessage,wheredoyoucontinuetoseetheideaof“flourishing”?Explain.
2. ThissectionofHebrewsreliesheavilyontheimageryofthehighpriestofIsrael,andhowhedealtwithhisownsinandthesinofthepeople.Theauthor’spointistoshowushowJesusisthebetter,eternalHighPriest.WhatstuckouttoyouthemostaboutJesusbeingthis“better”highpriest?ExplainsomeofthewaysthathewasbetterthanthehighpriestsofIsrael.Also,discusshowseeinghim“now”asthehighpriestiscrucialtoourconfidence.
3. Themainpointofthemessagewasfoundinverse9.ToddspentalotoftimeexplainingwhatitmeantforJesustobe“madeperfect”–thathewasvalidatedasqualifiedtofulfillthisamazingroletheFatherhadgiventohim.AndbecauseJesusisqualifiedtobethishighpriest,wecannow“withconfidencedrawneartothethroneofgrace,thatwemayreceivemercyandfindgracetohelpintimeofneed”(4:16)and“drawnearwithatrueheartinfullassuranceoffaith”(10:22).HowdoesJesusbeingqualifiedtofulfillhisrolegiveusconfidencetodrawneartoGod?Explain.
4. ThewriterofHebrewsinformedhisreadersthatJesus,asfullyvalidated,now“becamethesourceofeternalsalvationtoallwhoobeyhim”(v9).Whydoesn’thewrite“believehim”or“havefaithinhim”?Talkaboutthisasagroup.
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:Better-Part2
Hebrews5:11-6:3–GoontoMaturityMarch12,2017–JoshuaWalker
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses______________________________________
1.Whenyouconsiderhowlongyou’vebeenafollowerofJesus,doyouthinkyouare:a)asmatureasyououghttobe;b)lessmaturethanyououghttobe;orc)morematurethanyououghttobe?
2.Onwhatbasisdidyoumakeyourassessmentin#1?Doyouthinkthosewaysofassessingarebiblicalormaybeyougotsomeofthemfromadifferentsource?
3.Discusswaysthatweevaluatematuritythatarenotbiblicalandhowtheycanbedistractingordamagingtotruematurity.DosomeofthesepracticesorwaysofevaluatingmaturitylookmoreliketheOldCovenantthantheNewCovenant?
4.AkeyaspectofmaturityfromHebrewsisunderstandingouraccesstoGodandmakinguseofit.DiscusshowyoucanbetterpracticenearnessandaccesstoGodduringeveryday.
5.Whataresomeofthereasonsthatyoudon’ttakeadvantageofyouraccesstoGodthroughJesusChristourHighPriest?
6.JoshtalkedabouttheneedtogobeyondtheABCsofourfaithandwaysCornerstonecanhelpyoudothat.Ontheotherhand,somepeoplemayneedtolearntheABCs.IfyouareinterestedinwaysCornerstonecanhelpyougrow,[email protected].
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:Better-Part2Hebrews6:4-12–MakeYourHopeSureMarch19,2017–ChristianBurkhardt
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
______________________________________
1. Haveyoueverstruggledwithassuranceaboutyoursalvation?Areyoustrugglingwithitrightnow?Whydoyouthinkthatis/was?
• Is/wastheresininyourlifethatyouare/werestrugglingtoovercome?• Are/WerethereaspectsofChristiandoctrinethatyouare/werestrugglingtounderstandor
believe?
2. Wheredoyouturntoreassureyouofyoursalvation?Perhapsyouthinkbacktoaneventinyourpast:whenyoumadeadecision,prayedaprayer,orwerebaptized?PerhapsatimewhenGodworkedinyourlifeinaparticularlypowerfulway?Whileitisgoodandrighttolookbacktoourpast,wemustbecarefulnotto“liveonthefumesofthepast,”asJoshsaidlastweek.InsteadtheauthorofHebrewscallsusto“showthesameearnestnesstohavethefullassuranceofhopeuntiltheend,”toliveinthepresent,withboththepastandthefutureinmind.
3. Christianpointedustothreewaysto“makeourhopesure”fromHebrews:• Inheritance(Past):v.12–FaithfullyandpatientlylookingtoGodtofulfillwhathehas
promisedforus.AssuranceofSalvationhasmoretodowithconfidenceinGodthanconfidenceinourselves.DoyouknowwhatGodhaspromisedusinhisword?Doyoubelievethathewillmakegoodonthosepromises?
• Access(Presence):4:16-Whilewewaitforourinheritance,wehaveaccesstothe“throneofGrace”throughJesusrightnow,everyday!AssuranceofSalvationisnotjustaboutafutureinheavenorhell,it’saboutconfidencethatwecandrawneartoGod!HowareyoudrawingneartoGodrightnow?
• Pilgrimage(Future):13:14-Again,salvationisnotjustfireinsurance,ortheguaranteeofheavenwhenwedie.ItisthejourneywithJesustowardourpromisedinheritance:“thecitythatistocome”–theNewHeavenandEarth,whereGod’speoplewilllivewithhimforever(Rev.21-22).Doyouhaveasensethatthispresentworldisnotyourhome?DoyoulongforJesustoreturnandmakeallthingsnew?Doyoufindyourgriponthethingsofthispresentworldloosening?
4.Lastly,thewriterofHebrewssaysthatheisconfidentinthesalvationofhisreaders,becauseof“thelovethatyoushowedforhisnameinservingthesaints...”(v.10).Discussasagroup:HowisyourloveforGodmanifestingitselfinloveforoneanother?
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:Better-Part2
Hebrews6:13-20–AnAnchorfortheSoulMarch26,2017–ToddNighswonger
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
______________________________________
1.InTodd’smessage,hesaidthatGod’sinteractionswithAbraham(orAbram)inGenesis12-22wasoneofthegreatesteventsinthehistoryofGod’srescueofhumanity.Knowingwhatyouknowaboutthoseevents,whydoyousupposethatthismightbetrue?Howdotheseeventscause“strongencouragement”(Heb6:18)inourlivestoday?
2.HowdoesGodpromisingandswearinganoathtoAbraham(Heb6:13,17)cause“strongencouragement”inourlives?Addedtothat,itwashis“desire”(v.17).Howdoesthisbeinghis“desire”cause“strongencouragement”?
3.Peopleputtheirhopesinallkindsofthingsinthislife.Whataresomeofthethingsthatpeopleputtheirhopesin(focusonthethingsthatyouputyourhopeinbesidesJesus)?Whywillthisneverbringabout“strongencouragement”?Whatisdifferentaboutthe“hope”(Heb6:18,19)thatGodprovides?
4.Howdoesourhopeenter“intotheinnerplacebehindthecurtain”(Heb6:19)?Howisthis“asureandsteadfastanchorofthesoul”?
5.Thinkabout,anddiscuss,howJesustorethecurtainfromtheHolyPlacetotheHolyofHoliesasthe“forerunneronourbehalf”(Heb6:19).HeisrightnowintheverypresenceoftheFathergrantingusaccesstohim.Heisn’tliketheprieststhatfollowedAaron,butisa“forever”priest(Heb5:6)thatnever,everleavesGod’spresence.Howdoesthisgiveus“strongencouragement”evenintheroughestmomentsofourlives?Taketimetowrestlethroughthisasagroup.Makethesetruthspartofyourprayertime.
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:Better-Part2
Hebrews7:1-19–Melchizedek:HisGreatnessApril2,2017–ToddNighswonger
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses______________________________________
1. Themainpointofchapter7isfoundinverse25.Spendsometimeasagroupthinkingthroughanddiscussingthemanyimplicationsoftheverse.Don’tmovetooquicklypastthis!
2. In7:1-10,theauthorofHebrewswasseekingtohelptheJewishreadersunderstandthattherewasanotherpriesthoodbesidesthepriesthoodofAaronintheOldCovenant.Asagroup,discussallthedifferentwaysthatthewriterdescribedthispriesthoodofMelchizedeksharedbyJesus.AlsodiscusstherealitythatMelchizedek,likeJesus,wasapriest-king.Whyisthistypeofpriesthoodgreater?
3. Understandingverse11andthemeaningof“perfection”isveryimportant.Todddiscussedthatthismeant“toputsomeoneinthepositioninwhichheorshecancome,orstand,beforeGod.”TakesometimeasagrouptodiscusshowthismakesthepriesthoodofJesusbetterthanthepriesthoodofthehighpriestsofIsrael.Trytofocusonhow“perfection,”or“accesstoGod”,isthewriter’smotive.
4. Inverses15-17,thewritercontrastedthepriesthoodofAaronandthepriesthoodofJesus.ThepriestlycandidateundertheOldCovenanthadtobe:1)legitimate,2)aLevite(meaningthathismotherhadtobeanIsraeliteandhisfatherapriestbeforehim),and3)possessnophysicaldefects.Eachofthesewasexternalbynature.Jesus,however,hadonegrandqualification,whichwasnotexternalbutinternal—“thepowerofanindestructiblelife”(v16b).Whyisthisimportant?Whatimplicationdoesthishaveforus?
5. WhyisitsoimportantforthewriterofHebrewstofinishthissectionbystatingthat“abetterhopeisintroduced,throughwhichwedrawneartoGod”(v19)?WhydoeshekeepcomingbacktothisideaofdrawingneartoGod?Contrastthiswithmanygospelpresentationsthatareabout“avoidinghell”or“gettingtoheaven.”Useverse25inyourdiscussion.
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:Better-Part2
Hebrews7:20-28–Melchizedek:HisSufficiencyApril9,2017–ChristianBurkhardt
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses______________________________________
1.TalkaboutPalmSundayandhowJesuswasrejectedevenasHe“drewnear”toJerusalem.Haveyouever,orareyoucurrently,reluctanttodrawneartoGodforfearHewillinsomewayrejectyouordisappointyou?IsthereafearthatGodwillnotacceptyouorforgiveyou?Honestlysharewithoneanotheryourfearsandinsecurities.
2.ChristianmadethestatementthatdrawingneartoGodisnotaqualificationofsalvation,buttheverydefinitionofsalvation!Discussthis.HowdoesitimpactyourviewofwhatitmeanstobeafollowerofJesus?Howdoesitchangehowyouperceiveyour‘eternalsecurity’orthefactthatyou‘can’tloseyoursalvation’?
3.DiscussthetruththatJesusalwayslivestomakeintercessionforus.HowdoesitencourageyouthatJesusisconstantlyintercedingforyou?Howdoyouimaginethatlooks?DiscussasagroupwhatyouthinkitlookslikethatJesustakesyourneeds,yourrequests,yourlifeissues—andpresentsthemtotheFather.
4.Discusshowwecan‘drawnear’toGod.Talkaboutpracticalways,realthingsyoucandotodrawneartoGod.
5.Hebrews7:25saysthatJesussavesus‘totheuttermost.’Whatdoesthismean?HowdidChristianunpackthistruth?Howdoesitencourageyou?
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:Better-Part2
Hebrews8:1-13–HighPriestofaBetterCovenantApril23,2017–ChrisHay
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses______________________________________
1.TalkaboutdifferentwaysyoumightbelivingintheOldCovenant?Thesewayscanbesubtle,sothinkcarefully.Tossoutyourideasandthoughtstothegroupfordiscussionandfeedback.
2.Discussthiswholeconceptofaccess.Talkabouthowlimitedaccessisinourworld,withourfriendsandfamily,andcontrastitwiththeunlimitedaccesswehavetoGod.Howdoes,orhowshould,thischangethewaywerelatetoGod?
3.InwhatwaysisyourrelationshipwithGodbasedonfear?InwhatwaysisyourrelationshipwithGodbasedonunconditionallove?Discussasagrouphowyoucaneachgetridofthefear-basedaspectsofyourrelationshipandmoveclosertoalove-and-grace-basedrelationship.
4.ChrissaidthatGodforgaveoursinprimarilytohavearelationshipwithus,notprimarilytoremoveguilt.Ifthisistrue,whataretheimplicationsforhowyouviewyoursalvation?ForhowyouviewyourrelationshipwithGod?
5.DiscusspracticalwaysyoucandrawneartoGod.Sharethingsthatyoucurrentlydo,andbrainstormotherwaystodrawnear.
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:Better-Part2
Hebrews9:1-14–ACovenantofaNewConscienceApril30,2017–ChrisHay
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses______________________________________
1.GoaroundyourgroupandsharewaysthatJesushasrecentlyhelpedyou.UseitasatimetothankHimandworshipHim.
2.DiscusstheconceptthatyouaretheHolyofHolies.Whataretheimplicationsforhowyouliveyourdailylife?Whatthingsdoyouthinkyouneedtochangeinlightofthistruth?Read1Cor6:19-20.
3.Imagineyourconscienceasamoralcompass.Isitpointingtotruenorth?Wheredoyouthinkitmightbeoff?Whataresomestepsyoucantaketogetitrecalibrated?
4.Whydoyouthinkbloodwascriticaltopaythepriceforsin?Couldsomethingelsehavebeenused?ReadLeviticus17:10-12.Thisisanimportanttheologicaltruth.IfyouhaveaBibledictionaryorencyclopedia,lookup‘blood’.
5.DiscusstheideathateverythingwedoisanactofworshipandservicetoGod.Howdoyouseeyourdailyroutineasanactofworship?Ordoyou?Whatneedstochangesothatyoudoseeeachandeverytaskasanactofworshipandservice?Read1Cor10:31.
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:Better-Part2
Hebrews9:15-28–ACovenantofBloodMay7,2017–ToddNighswonger
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
______________________________________
1.OverthelastseveralweekswehavebeenlearninghowtheNewCovenantisbetterthantheOldCovenant.Reviewsomeofthemainbenefitsandsharewhichoftheseimpactsyouthemost:
• Access,theabilitytodrawnear.• ThefactthatwecanactuallyknowGodpersonally.• TherealitythatwearetheHolyofHolies.• Realizingthatoursiniscompletelyandforeverforgiven.• UnderstandingthattheHolySpiritiscontinuallyrecalibratingourmoralcompass.• AndthatallthissetsusuptoworshipandserveGodineveryareaoflife.
2.NowthispastweekwelearnedthatChrististhemediatorofthismuchbetterNewCovenantandhowimportantHisbloodisintheprocessofbringingintheNewCovenant.WhywasitsosignificantthatChristwasboththemediatorandthetestatoroftheNewCovenant?Taketimetodiscussthisandmakesurethatyoudon’tleaveyourdiscussionuntilyouhavethoughtthroughasmanyoftheimplicationsasyoucan.
3.Thenoun“blood”isusedsixtimesinverses18-22.WhatdoestheBibleteachusfromGenesistoRevelationaboutwhybloodissoimportanttoGod?Whatisthesignificanceinthispassage?Whydoyousupposewehavesuchahardtimeunderstandingthisinourtimeandculture?
4.TheDayofAtonementistheimagerythatthewriterusesinthispassagetoexplaintheworkofChrist(vv23-28).WhyisthecomparisonofthepriestintheHolyofHoliesandChristsosignificant?WhywasChrist’sworkbetterthanthatofthepriest?WhywasthepriestemergingfromtheHolyofHoliesandChristreturningfromtheliteralsanctuaryofGodsoimportant?Youmightwanttogobackandreadabouttheritualbeforeyoudiscussthisquestion(Lev16:1-34).
5.Theword“waiting”isverysignificant.Itisn’tlikewaitinginawaiting-roomandbidingyourtime,buthastheideaofbeingactiveineagernessforhisreturn.InlightofallthatwehavelearnedinHebrews,whatdoesactivewaitinglooklikeinourlives?HowdoesChristastheTestator,Mediator,Judge,andSavioraffectourwaiting?
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:Better-Part2
Hebrews10:1-18–ACovenantOnceandForAllMay14,2017–ToddNighswonger
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
______________________________________
1. Lastweek,ToddchallengedustomakethefollowingweekoneinwhichyoufocusedondrawingneartoGod.Asagroup,talkaboutwhetheryoudidordidn’t.Ifyoudid,whatwastheoutcomeofthatdrawingnear?Ifyoudidn’t,talkaboutwhatkeptyoufromdoingthis—andresolvetofocusondrawingnearthisweek!
2. Thisweek,ToddtalkedaboutoneoftherealitiesofdrawingneartoGod,oursin.Heexplainedsinnotjustasviolatingalaworprinciple,butviolatingacovenantrelationship.Heusedmarriageandcommittingadulteryashisexampleofviolatingacovenantrelationship.Howdoesthismakesinsomuchweightierthansimply“breakingtherules”?MaybeusePsalm51:3-4andthesinofDavidwithBathshebatoguideyourdiscussion.
3. ThemainverseusedthisweekendwasHebrews10:14:“Forbyasingleofferinghehasperfectedforalltimethosewhoarebeingsanctified.”ToddtalkedabouthowtheperfectingworkofJesuswasinregardstothesinyoujustdiscussed.HowdoesJesusperfectusthrough“asingleoffering…foralltime”?Whatisthesignificanceofthis?
4. Thosewhoare“perfected”are“thosewhoarebeingsanctified.”Whyisthissoimportant?Whatdoesitmean?HowdoesthisrelatetooursinandthecovenantGodmadewithusthroughJesusChrist?YoumightneedtoreadJeremiah31:31-34toguideyourdiscussion(seealsoHeb10:15-18).
5. ToddfinishedhismessagetalkingaboutwhyitisgoodthatwearecontinuallyconfrontedwithoursinfulnesswhenwedrawneartoGod.Whataresomeofthenon-gospelwaysinwhichyoutrytodealwithsinwhenyouareconfrontedwithit?Whatarethelong-termresultsofnotallowingthetruthofthegospeltodealwithsin?
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:MakingtheBetterReal-Part3
Hebrews10:19-25–FullAccess/FullLivingMay21,2017–ToddNighswonger
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses______________________________________
1.Talkaboutwhyitissoimportantthatweareincommunitywithotherbelievers.Howdo(orcan)otherbelievershelpusgrowinourwalkwithChrist?Whataretheblessingsandbenefitsofbeingincommunity?Whatarethe‘downsides’?
2.Shareanexample/storyofatimewhensomeone‘provoked’youtoloveandgoodworks?Didyouappreciateitinthemoment?Doyouappreciateitnow?
3.Toddshared3“Letus...”statementsfromHebrews10:• Letusdrawnear...• Letusholdfast...• Letusconsider...
DiscusshowyourGrouphelpsyoudoeachofthem.Talkaboutwhetheritiseasiertoaccomplishthemalone,orasagroup.Howcanyourgroupdoabetterjobofaccomplishingeachofthesethree?
4.Toddsharedhow“faith,hope,andlove”areinterwoveninwiththese3commands.Thinkabout,thentalkabout,howeachofthesecharacterqualitiesisrelatedtoeachofthe3commands.Forexample,youmightask:“Whydoesittakefaithtodrawnear?”or“Howdoesholdingfastprovidehope?”andsoon.Thiscouldbeagreatbrainstormingdiscussion!
5.Ifthispassagewasusedtoevaluatethehealthofyourgroup,howhealthyisyourgroup?Takeplentyoftimeonthisone.
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:MakingtheBetterReal-Part3
Hebrews10:26-31–Warning:EnduranceMattersMay28,2017–ToddNighswonger
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
______________________________________
1. Lastweek,Toddtalkedabouttheimportanceofbeinginthelivesofoneanotherincommunity.Whathaveyoudonethisweektopracticewhatwaspreached?
2. Thisweek,ToddopenedbytalkingaboutthewrathofGod.Whataspectsofthisstuckoutthemosttoyou?Why?
3. Whodoyouknowinyourlifethathaswalkedawayfromfellowshipwiththechurch?Inlightofthemessage,whatisthebestthingyoucandoinapproachingthem?Explain.
4. WhyisithealthyasagrouptotalkaboutthefuturejudgmentandwrathofGod?Howdoyouintendasagrouptokeepthisattheforefront?Whyisitalsogoodtoremindyourselfofyourpersonalescapefromthewrath?
5. Taketimeasagrouptoprayforthosethatyouknowwhohavewalkedawayfromthefellowshipofthechurch.
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:MakingtheBetterReal-Part3
Hebrews10:32-39–Warning:EnduranceMattersJune4,2017–ChrisHay
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
______________________________________
1.Probablyeveryoneinyourgrouphasbeenhurtordisappointedbythechurch,orbypeople,orbyotherbelievers.Don’trehashthosehurts!Butsharehowthosehurtscausedyoutopullback,todistanceyourselffrompeople,fromrelationships,fromCommunityGroups,fromthechurch.Inwhatwaysareyoushrinkingbacknow?
2.Realizinghowdangerousthis‘shrinkingback’canbe,nowdiscusswaystogetbackinthegame,toendure,topersevere,tonotneglectmeetingtogetheranymore.
3.Discusstheprinciple“NeverQuit.”Howdoesitapplytovariousareasoflife:marriage,parenting,singleness,spirituallife,health,prayer,work,church,Biblereading,andsomanymore?Whichoftheseareasmightyouneedtoapplythe“NeverQuit”principle?
4.Itisnotlostonusthatifyouareinagroup,discussingthesequestions,youareprobablyapersonwhoisdoingtheirbestto‘stayinthegame.’Sospendsometimeprayingforpeopleyouknowwhohaveseeminglycompletelyleftthechurch,leftthefaith,orarecompletelyneglectingmeetingtogether.Don’tletthisdescendintogossip,butratherloving,grievingprayerfortheirsouls.
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:MakingtheBetterReal-Part3
Hebrews11:1-12:2–Faith!June11,2017–ChrisHay
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhave
yourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:
http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
______________________________________
1.Lookingbackoveryourlifeatthispoint,whatareoneortwomajorcharacteristicsoftherace
coursethattheMasterhas‘setbefore’you?Obviously,youcanonlyhitthehighlights—give
everyoneachancetosharetheir‘oneortwo’!
2.Howhasfaithplayedapartinyounotgivingup,notquitting,notthrowinginthetowel?Howdo
youthinkfaithwillcontinuetoplayaroleinyoucontinuingtorunwell?
3.AreyouabsolutelycertainthatGodexistsandrewardsthosewhodrawneartoHim(seeHeb
11:6)?Afunexerciseistorateyourcertaintyonascaleof1to100,with100beingabsolutely
certain.Goaroundandhaveeachpersonratethemselves,thendiscusstheresults.
4.WhichoftheBiblecharactersinHeb11mostencourageyoutopressoninfaith?Why?
5.Whataresomeweightsorhindrancesinyourlifethatarepreventingyoufromrunningwell?
Howdothesethingsslowyoudownfromrunningwell?Howcanyourgrouphelpyougetridof
them?
6.TalkaboutwhatitmeanstokeepoureyesonJesus.Discusstheimplicationsofthisforeveryday
life.
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:MakingtheBetterReal-Part3
Hebrews12:3-11–TheDivineDisciplineofLoveJuly2,2017–ChrisHay
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses______________________________________
1.SharewitheachotherahardtimeinyourlifeandhowyouunderstanditnowasGod’shandofdiscipline.WhatwasHeteachingyou?Doyouthinkitwascorrectivedisciplineortrainingdiscipline?
2.HowcanwetellifwearebeinglovinglydisciplinedbyourHeavenlyFather,orsimplysufferingtheconsequencesofourownstupidity?Doesitmatter?
3.Discusswhatitlooksliketosubmittolife’shardships,understandingthemtobeGod’sdiscipline.
4.Sharewitheachotherhowyouarewearywithalifetrial.Thenencourageeachothertokeepongoing,toperseverethroughit.Howcanyouhelpeachotherkeeprunningtheraceoflifewell?
5.HowhaveyouseenthebenefitsofGod’sdisciplineinyourlife?Remember,Hisdisciplineisforourbenefit(12:10),HisdisciplineenablestoshareHisholiness(12:10),andHisdisciplineproducespeaceandrighteousness(12:11).
6.HowdoesitencourageyouthatGoddisciplinesyoubecauseHelovesyou...andthatlife’shardshipsprovethatyouareHisveryownchild?Oristhatdiscouragingtoyou?Thisisagreatplacetosharefromtheheart.Thenprayforoneanother.
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:MakingtheBetterReal-Part3
Hebrews12:12-17–Warning:FailingtoObtainGraceJuly9,2017–ChristianBurkhardt
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
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1. Inhismessage,ChristianexplainedhowtheauthorofHebrewsportraysthesalvationthatJesushasaccomplishedforusasa“newandgreaterExodus,”whichfollowsthesame3-stage
patternasthefirstExodus:• RESCUE:fromslaverytoSatan,sin,anddeath(Heb.2:14-15)• PILGRIMAGE:outsidethecamp,tothelastingcity(13:13-14)
• INHERITANCE:bringingmanysonstoglory(2:10),receivingakingdomthatcannotbe
shaken(12:28).Howdoesthischallengeorconfirmyourcurrentunderstandingofsalvation?Discussanynewinsightsorquestions.
2. Heb12:14callsusto“StriveforpeacewitheveryoneandtheholinesswithoutwhichnoonewillseeGod,”whicharetheverysamethingsthatGodisseekingtoforminusthroughhisfatherlydiscipline(v.10-11).Howisyourgroupcurrentlystrivingtogetherforpeaceandholiness?Discussthesequestionsandtaketheappropriateaction!
• Arethereconflictsthatneedtoberesolved?
• Sinthatneedstobeconfessed?
• Distancebetweenpeoplethatneedstobebridged?
3. Heb12:15-16remindusoftheneedto“watchoutforoneanother”...• ...thatnoone“failstoobtain”(forfeits,turnsfrom)thegraceofGod.• ...thatno“bitterroot”(ofstubbornnessandunfaithfulnesstoGod–Deut.29:18-19)
springsupandcausestrouble,defilingmany.• ...thatnooneis“sexuallyimmoralorunholy”,likeEsau–whomadeanextremelyshort-
sighteddecision,andshowedhowlittlehevaluedhisinheritancewhenhesolditforasinglemeal(Gen.25,27).
Discusswhatitlookslikeforyourgrouptowatchoutforeachother.Wheredoyouseethis“short-sightedness”inyourlife?WheredoyoustrugglewithvaluingyourinheritanceinChristlessthanthings(evengoodthings)inthispresentworld?
PRAY:AskGodtobindyourgrouptogetherasy’allseekto“runwithendurancetheracethatissetbeforeus.”(12:1)
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:MakingtheBetterReal-Part3
Hebrews12:18-29–ComingtoMountZionJuly16,2017–ToddNighswonger
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
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1. Lastweek,welearnedthatwehavethepotentialtosellour“birthrightforasinglemeal”(Heb.12:16).WhatdidChristiansaythatthismeansandwhataretheimplicationsforustoday?
2. ToddtalkedabouthowtheexhortationsinthissectionarenotwaysofgettingGodtoact,butwaysyoudoactwhenyoutrustthatGodisalreadyactingforyou.Thismeansthatright“knowing”isthekeyto,andthebasisfor,right“doing.”WhyisthistruthsoimportanttoourrelationshipwithJesus?
3. WhywasitsoimportantfortheauthorofHebrewstopresenttheinitialexperienceofIsraelatSinaiandtheinitialexperienceofChristiansatZion?Whatiscrucialaboutthistoourright“knowing”?....ourright“doing”?
4. Therewillcomeatimeinwhichallthingswillbeshaken.Theonlythingsthatwillremainwillbethosethatareunshakable,orthekingdomofGodandthosewhodwellinit.Whatiscrucialaboutthistoourright“knowing”?....ourright“doing”?
5. ToddreferencedMatthew24:7-8andtheideaof“thebeginningofthebirthpains.”HowdotragiceventsteachustoholdontothingsNOTofGod’skingdomloosely(seeHebrews11:10,12:28,and13:14asthemeansofhelping)?WhyshouldthiscauseustoworshipGod—aconsumingfire—“withreverenceandawe”?
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:MakingtheBetterReal-Part3
Hebrews12:28-13:19–SacrificesThatPleaseGod
July23,2017–ChristianBurkhardt
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhave
yourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:
http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
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Hebrews12:28saysthat“Sincewearereceivingakingdomthatcannotbeshaken,letusshowgratitude,”orliterally,“letushavegrace.”Inhismessage,Christianexplainedhowtheword“grace”isfundamentallyarelationalconcept.It’snotjustaboutthekindnessandgoodnessthat
Godshowsus,butthewayhiskindnesswelcomesusintoanongoingrelationshipwithHim.
Therefore,to“havegrace”towardGodmeanstoreciprocatethisrelationshipthroughgratitude,loyaltyandservice.
1. Theideaofgratitudeisn’tjustaprivatefeelingofthankfulnesstoGod,butpubliclydeclaringthegoodnesshehasshownus,asawayofenhancinghisreputationandbringinghimglory:
“thefruitoflipsthatconfesshisname”(13:15;seealso1Peter2:9).SpendsometimedeclaringtooneanotherthegoodnessGodhasshownyou.
2. Publicgratitudeisn’tjustaboutwhenwearewithbelievers,butalsowhenwearewithunbelievers.EvangelismismoreaboutdeclaringthegraceGodhasshownusthantryingto
arguepeopleintothekingdom.Canyoushareaboutatimewhenyousharedthegospelwith
someonefromapostureofpublicgratitudeforthegoodnessGodhasshownyou?Arethere
peopleinyourlifewhoneedtohearthisfromyou?Prayforopportunitiestodosothisweek!
3. Similarly,wearecalledtobeloyaltoGodasourPatron(theonewhomeetsourneeds).Abigpartofloyaltymeansnothavingcompetingallegianceswithotherthings/peoplethanGod.
Whatthings/peopleareyoutemptedtolooktoforyourprotectionandprovision,besides
God?DiscusstheconnectionbetweenloyaltytoGod,contentmentwithwhatheprovides,and
faithfulnessinmarriage(13:4-6).
4. Threetimesinthispassage,theauthortellsustoofferserviceandsacrificesthatare“well-pleasing”toGod(12:28;13:16;13:21).Yetmostoftheactionsthatwearetoldtodofocuson
howweserveandloveoneanother(brotherlylove,welcomingstrangersasguests,rememberingthoseinprisonandmistreated,faithfulnessinmarriage,doinggoodandsharing
whatwehave,andtrustingandsubmittingtoourleaders).Discussthesetogether,askingthe
question,“howarewedoingatlovingGodbylovingeachotherandtherestofthebodyin
theseways?”Whereisthereroomforgrowth,repentance,orrecommitment?
SermonBasedStudyGuide
Hebrews:MakingtheBetterReal-Part3
Hebrews13:7-25–WhyJesusIsBetter:TheFinaleJuly30,2017–ChristianBurkhardt
Leader’sGuide:DonotfeellikeyouneedtouseallthesequestionsforyourCGdiscussion.Pickandchoosewhatyouthinkwouldbebestforyourgroup.Afterlisteningtothesermon,youmayhaveyourownpointsfordiscussion.
HereisthelinktothesermonpodcastsandarchivesoftheseStudyGuides:http://cornerstonesimi.com/#/resourcesmediaclasses
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1.WehavebeenstudyingHebrewsfornearlyayear!Takesometimetoreflectonanddiscussthethingsthathavestoodoutinthisstudy.Whatweresomeofthehighlights?Whatnewthingsdidyoulearn?
2.InHebrews13:13-14,theauthorcallsusto“gotoJesusoutsidethecamp…Forherewehavenolastingcity,butweseekthecitythatistocome.”Inhismessage,Christianexplainedthatthismeansgivingupoursenseofbelongingand“at-home-ness”inoursociety,andembracingouridentityascitizensinGod’snowandcomingkingdom.
• Whatdoesthislooklikeinyourlife?• Howcanwehelpeachotherembraceourpilgrimidentity?• Whataretherisksofmakingourselvestoo“at-home”inthispresentworld?
3.Jesus“sufferedoutsidethegates”andborereproachnotasavictim,butasaSavior!Hesufferedforthesakeofthosewhocausedhissuffering.Inthesameway,ourcallingto“gooutsidethecampandbearthereproachthatheendured,”isacalltolivedistinctfromourcommunity,yetforthesakeofourcommunity:toserve,sacrificeandspeaktruthtothosearoundus,sothattheymightexperienceGod’slovethroughus.
• Canyoudescribeatimewhenyouhave“bornereproach”foryourtestimonyforJesus?HowdidyousucceedorfailatfollowingJesus’example(1Peter2:21-24)?
• Discussasagroupyouhowyoucanfindandseizeopportunitiestoserve,sacrifice,andspeaktruthtothosearoundyouwhodon’tknowJesus.
4.Hebrews13:7&17instructsustofollowJesusbyfollowingtheleadershehasgivenus:bothfollowingtheexampleofthosewhohavealreadyfinishedtheircourse,andfollowingthedirectionofthosewhoarepresently“keepingwatchoveroursouls.”
• Canyoushareaboutapastleaderinyourlifewhofinishedwell?Howareyouseekingto“imitatetheirfaith”?
• Whoarethecurrentleadersinyourlife:(elders,pastors,communitygroupleaders,parents,etc.)?Howareyouseekingtotrustthemandfollowtheirlead?Howareyouseekingtomaketheirtaskajoy?Howcanyouprayforandsupportthem?