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

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

1. Would you say that life is good or hard for you now? What works for you to keep your eyes on Jesus and not get distracted with the things of the world or doubt God’s goodness?
2. God speaks to our heart. So does the enemy (John 13:2). How do we learn to recognize who is talking to us? Do you have instances in your life where you can recall either God or the enemy speaking to your heart?
3. Did your parents do anything to help you understand and “own” your faith in Jesus? What have you found to be helpful in helping your children or grandchildren understand and know Jesus by faith?
4. How do we imitate the faith of spiritual leaders (Hebrews 13:7) without falling into the trap of “following” them rather than God?
5. The title of this message was “It’s Not About You.” The key lesson was: It’s about God with you. In what situation in your life right now can you apply this truth?
6. We have an enemy that is after us for a life time. The Bible tells us to run with endurance the race set before us. (Hebrews 12:1). How do we go about increasing our ability to sustain our focus on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), listen to His Spirit (Hebrews 3:7-8), and walk by faith (Galatians 5:16)?
7. We build our relationship with God through the Word, prayer, and fellowship. What are some ways to improve each of these areas in your life?

The post Character Studies: Gideon – It’s Not About You appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What stood out to you in this message?
2. When you hear the phrase, “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36), what comes to mind?
3. In what ways have you sought to steward or limit your freedoms related to one of the points given in the message?
4. How have you seen the shift in our cultural environment regarding sacrificing for others, impact the thinking of people even in the church?
5. How have you applied the notion of disciplining yourself for a greater goal—like a sports training experience—which illustrates the spiritual need to do the same?
6. What is your most meaningful take away from this message?

The post Freedom: The Heart of God, Part 2 – Limits to Freedom appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. The message contrasts law and grace. In what ways are Christians tempted today to drift back toward “works” instead of resting in justification by faith alone?
2. The Great Liberator Jesus, freed us from many spiritually connected problems. Which of those freedoms do you most need to remember right now and why?
3. Paul warns the Galatians not to submit again to a “yoke of slavery.” What are some modern yokes of slavery—spiritual, emotional, cultural, or religious—that believers can fall back into?
4. The sermon connects freedom with gospel impact, missions, generosity, and service. How should our freedom in Christ move us outward toward others rather than inward toward self-protection or comfort? What is a specific next step the Lord wants you to take?

The post Freedom: The Heart of God, Part 1 – God’s Grand Purpose appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. At the beginning of chapter 16, Paul lists a number of believers who have been great partners and influences in the gospel. Who would be on your “Romans 16” list of believers?
2. Why does Paul describe his ministry using Old Testament priestly language in 15:14-21? How does this imagery shape the way we think about our mission as Christians and as a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9)?
3. In 16:1-16, Paul lists a large number of sincere relationships that he has with the Roman Christians.
   • What keeps people from forming meaningful relationships in the church today?
   • What advice would you give to the person who is struggling to find meaningful relationships in the church?
4. What does it mean to be “wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil” in 16:19?
5. What are some subtle ways Christians can become undiscerning toward false teaching?

The post Rescued, Part 22: Marks of Gospel Ministry appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. Why does Paul call one group “weak” and the other “strong” in 14:1-2? What is he referring to?
2. What does Romans 14:6 teach us about the motivations of sincere believers who reach different conclusions?
3. How can we distinguish between a core biblical conviction that should be defended and a personal conviction that should not be imposed on others?
4. About what matters of conscience are you tempted to judge those who disagree with you?
5. Which is more difficult for you personally: not judging those with greater freedom, or not despising those with stricter convictions? Why?

The post Rescued, Part 21: Bearing with One Another When Consciences Differ appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What stood out to you most from this message on Romans 13?
2. What does it mean to submit to governing authorities?
3. How can we reconcile the command to submit to governing authorities with situations where these authorities may act unjustly?
4. In what ways does love fulfill the law?
5. How does Paul’s teaching on love challenge our current societal norms and personal habits?
6. How should the idea of the nearness of salvation influence your attitudes and actions?
7. How can you “clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ” as Paul advises?
8. How does the teaching in Romans 13 inspire you to live differently in the present day?

The post Rescued, Part 20: The Debts You Owe appeared first on Reston Bible Church.

1. What in the message most stood out to you?
2. How does having a correct evaluation of yourself affect your obedience to Paul’s instructions in relating to others?
3. How would you summarize all of Paul’s instructions in chapter 12?
4. What do you find most difficult in applying his teaching? In what areas do you struggle to obey?
5. Where have you experienced God’s blessing when you have obeyed His stated will for your life relating to others?
6. What’s your biggest takeaway from Romans chapter 12?

The post Rescued, Part 19: Evaluating Yourself appeared first on Reston Bible Church.