1. What stood out to you in today’s message?
2. Discuss the point that we are sinners before we sin and therefore not essentially good? Why might this be a hard set of truths?
3. How would you help an unbeliever in Jesus come to grips with this reality?
4. Each day we assign value to people and things. How do you keep the world of comparison from invading the notion of “I am fallen but valued”?
5. Why do you believe it is difficult, after we are saved by grace, to then live each day by grace?
6. Discuss the reality that when offended we want justice, but when we offend we want grace. Why is it so difficult to give grace to others?

The post The Five Solas: Sola Gratia appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What stood out to you in this message?
2. What makes it difficult to find meaningful time reading the Bible?
3. When it comes to reading, studying, meditating on and memorizing Scripture, where do you see yourself doing well and what could use more attention?
4. What are key life verses or concepts that have guided your journey?
5. What is a matter in life about which you need guidance and what step could you take to engage the wisdom of the Bible?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Why is it important to believe in biblical inerrancy?
GotQuestions.org

How do we decide which books belong in the Bible since the Bible does not say which books belong in the Bible?
GotQuestions.org

The post The Five Solas: Sola Scriptura appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What is the most impressive natural sight that you’ve ever seen in person (Redwoods, Grand Canyon, etc.)?
2. Where does pride tend to rear its ugly head the most in your life?
3. How can success make pride more difficult to recognize?
4. David mentioned that “pride rejects God’s preventative grace.” What are some ways God might warn us before humbling us?
5. What is one practical step you can take this week to cultivate humility?

The post Character Studies: Nebuchadnezzar appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What stood out to you in this message?
2. Who is another biblical personality who experienced failure, restoration and mission? Discuss the distinctives of their journey.
3. Who is someone you know in life who has experienced failure, has been restored and is now on mission?
4. What are the critical disciplines and factors in maintaining a life that is resistant habitual failure? Read Romans 7:13-25 and Romans 8:1-8.
5. What steps could you take to create a more bullet proof journey against failure that sets you back spiritually?
6. How do you believe God is calling you to be on mission for Him? What might need to change in order to see this mission come to greater fruition?

The post Character Studies: Peter appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What stood out to you in the message?
2. Over the course of your journey, what has been your attitude toward Mary the mother of Jesus? Have you tended to over value her or under value her? Explain.
3. When you hear the word ‘submission’ what is conjured up in your mind and why?
4. Who in the Bible beside Mary do you see as having submitted to God at great personal cost? Discuss.
5. Have you ever felt that God has had a call on you that you didn’t really want to do? Explain.
6. What is something God is asking you to do right now that you are processing?

The post Character Studies: Mary appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What’s one thing that stood out to you in this message, and why?
2. How would you describe your life today as it relates to being surrendered to God for His glory and purpose?
3. As you fight the good fight (staying surrendered the Lord), what are some things that you battle against?
4. What advice would you give to a believer who is not fully surrendered to the Lord?

The post Character Studies: Timothy appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What were you most challenged about in this message?
2. What were you most encouraged about in this message?
3. What are some of the promises of God in his Word that you can count on, that serve to deal with doubts you might face?
4. Is there a time in your life you remember when you experienced doubt? How did you face those doubts? What did God use to help you face those doubts?
5. We’re all different and yet, in so many ways, alike. What are the kinds of doubt you have experienced in your spiritual journey?
6. Why are “feelings” a poor barometer of truth?

The post Character Studies: Thomas appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What are things you think were better in our country 30-40 years ago? How did Jeremiah see his world change between the start of his ministry in ~627 BC and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC?
2. While we may never openly admit we believe the prosperity gospel, what are ways we functionally live as if it were true (e.g., God is transactional, and since I have obeyed Him, He owes me this blessing)?
3. Read Jeremiah’s prayer in Jeremiah 20:7-18 after he was beaten and put in the stocks for obeying and preaching God’s Word. What emotions do you see in Jeremiah? What does he know is true about God? Have you ever been able to relate to Jeremiah and this level of pain and frustration?
4. Read Jeremiah’s prayer in Jeremiah 32:16-25 after he obeyed God and bought a field that would look foolish to everyone. What is Jeremiah trusting about God and His character?
5. Pastor Aaron pulled four truths from Jeremiah when facing the messes of this world: 1) Recognize life is hard, 2) God can handle our emotions, 3) Our emotions do not justify disobedience, 4) Just keep obeying. Which of these stuck out to you most? Why?
6. What do you think it looks like to bring our emotions to the Lord in a healthy way? Do you agree with Pastor Aaron’s statement that if we don’t take our emotions to the Lord in a healthy way they will have a negative impact on those closest to us? Where have you seen this in your life?
7. What are ways people use their poor emotions to justify their disobedience?
8. While God hasn’t commanded you to buy a field like He did to Jeremiah, what are clear commands of Scripture where you need to grow in your obedience? How does meditating on God’s character and promises help us obey?

The post Character Studies: Jeremiah appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What stood out to you in this message?
2. When you think of loyal people, who comes to mind and why?
3. How have you seen the quality of loyalty change in our world and in the church?
4. What makes it difficult to be loyal in the course of life?
5. In what area do you feel you have done well in a journey toward loyalty?
6. Who else in the Bible is an example of the things we’ve been talking about in this message?
7. Is there a way in which you feel the Lord is encouraging you to take a forward step in the area of loyalty in your life?

The post Character Studies: Ruth appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What stood out to you in this message?
2. Describe a particular test that you have had your life. How did you respond to the test, and what did you learn from it?
3. Why do you think it is so difficult at times to stay faithful in life’s difficulties?
4. Who is someone in your life who seems to be able to respond faithfully in life’s difficulties and tests? Why do you think they are able to do so?
5. Have you ever failed in some way and didn’t feel you could move forward from it? (No need to be specific.) How has God worked with you to move forward?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Living Faith, Part 1: A Biblical Theology of Suffering
Sermon by Pastor Jim Supp | February 12, 2023

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