DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 12TH

AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

In this week's message Pastor Cheryl spoke from Genesis 15 about how Abraham fell into a deep sleep, and then God walked through the animals (the covenant ceremony) in a way to show that the responsibility to fulfill the covenant promise to bless us rests on His shoulders and not ours. This is a central aspect of the Gospel message, that Jesus died for our sins and it is through his perfect life that we will be accepted by God, and not based on our good works.

1. This is the Gospel that all believers understand when first coming to the faith -Jesus is our savior. But as we live out our christian lives it is very easy to feel like the blessing rests on our shoulders, and it is our behavior that is ultimately going to "make or break'' us. In what ways do you need to be reminded of this Gospel message? In what ways do you find yourself trying to be your own savior instead of resting in what he did?

2. What are things we can be doing to help us remember that Jesus is our savior, and that God himself bears the responsibility to fulfill his promise to bless us in Him?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 5TH

AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

In this week's sermon, we looked at Genesis 15:6 as it is expounded upon in the New Testament chapter of Romans 4. Pastor Charlie described what it means to have this special relationship with God, by which we are "credited with righteousness."

1. As Christians we regularly, and correctly, hear this message of the Gospel being a "free gift" that is not by works." And while we are quick to say we believe this, it can be very hard to accept in its entirety. Is it really possible to have a "special relationship" where God doesn't count your sins against you? Can it be that Chritians are really not under the law? Why do you think this is hard to accept?

2. The Apostle makes very important points in showing that a gift cannot be earned, and a promise cannot be revoked. When you think of your own life and whether you are in a good relationship with God, and whether he is pleased with you, do you find yourself thinking in terms of your behavior and performance? or in terms of God's gifts and promises?

3. What are things we can do to help us rest on the gift and promise of forgiveness and life in Christ, and not fall into the trap of relying on our performance or behavior?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 28th

AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. Genesis 15 begins with Abraham giving his complaints to God. Pastor Charlie referred to this as "wrestling with God." We see similar expressions given to God by other well known characters in the scriptures such as Jacob, Moses, David, and even Jesus. Does this strike you as strange? Why is this important? Have you ever found yourself in a circumstance where you had to "wrestle with God?"

2. After God told Abraham that he would receive the land, Abraham asked how he would know this was true. As discussed in the sermon, Abraham was looking for a sense of felt assurance in God's promise. He wanted to feel God's love and faithfulness towards him. It is very common for believers, like Abraham, to have faith while at the same time longing for the feelings of assurance of God's love and faithfulness. Can you relate to Abraham in this way? What should we do when we feel this same longing that Abraham felt to know that the promises will be ours?

3. The Holy Spirit is described in the Scriptures to be our "down payment" or "deposit" that "guarantees" our future inheritance. In other words, the Holy Spirit is given to us to help us have the assurance that Abraham longed for. What can we do when we long to experience this felt assurance? How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit? (If you need help with this question, together look at Luke 11:5-13 for guidance.)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 21ST

AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

In this week’s sermon Basil began the conversation on Genesis chapter 15. One of his main points was that Abraham's promise included both a promise for this present life, and for the life to come. This is true for us as well, God has made promises for our life here, and the time to come when the dead in Christ are raised. 

1. Abraham had to be reminded of the promises of God. As you meet together, discuss what promises of God we need to be reminded of. What are the truths that we so easily forget?

2. One of the passages Basil quoted was from Philippians 2, which begins like this:

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."

When you keep reading this passage there are various commands for us to live this Christian life with humility and love. How do God's promises for both the here and now and for eternity free us to live humble and loving lives? In what way does belief in God's promises change us in the midst of our daily pursuits?

3. In what way do God‘s promises help us in our daily struggles and hardships?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 14TH

AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

This week Pastor Charlie spoke about a passage in scripture that some may quickly gloss over, thinking it unimportant. The irony of this is that the perceived “unimportance” of much of the historical details given in this passage is actually the point of the text! Here we see that great kings and all their “news worthy” endeavours simply don’t matter in time. However there is one King in this story who does matter, and Abraham has an incredible encounter with him after rescuing his nephew Lot. 

1. What are some current “news worthy” issues in our world today that may be vying for our attention that compared to Christ don’t actually matter?

2. What are the things we fight for? What do we tend to make our whole lives about that don’t actually stand the test of time? What can we do in this life that actually does matter? (Take a look at what Jesus says about how we should live in Matthew 6:19-34)

3. How is King Melchizedek different from the other kings? How is the way of Jesus different from the way of this world?

4. Who do you think King Melchizedek is? What does it mean that Jesus is our High Priest?

5. Are we ever tempted when things go well for us to (like the king of Sodom) just keep moving rather than stop to give God the glory He’s due? How can we have the heart of Abraham here that longs to give back to God in thankful worship and tithing what He has so graciously given to us?

6. Why do we experience discomfort with the idea of “quarrelling” or “wrestling” with God?

7. What are some practical ways we can acknowledge Jesus as King this week?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 7TH

AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

This week Chris McCooeye spoke about Abraham living a life on the move as he looked forward to the reward God had promised him. 

1. What do you think about this idea that the Christian life is one that is focused on promised rewards? How does this effect our view of living a sacrificial life?

2. In what ways does this play out in the life of the Christian? Have you ever experienced something like this before, where, like Abraham, God called you to leave or sacrifice something for a greater reward?

3. One of the rewards that Abraham was waiting for was humanly speaking, impossible. The things that God wants from us (good works that flow from a heart of love) are also impossible for sinners to do with human effort. How is the story of Abraham and Sarah having a child in their old age an encouragement to us who struggle with sin?

4. Consider Matthew 13:44. How does this short parable speak to this topic?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 31st

AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

In this week's sermon we looked at Genesis chapter 13 alongside 1 Corinthians 3. Here we see a contrast between the faith of Abraham and the misdirected focus of his nephew Lot. Abraham was willing to lay down his life for the sake of unity, trusting that ultimately God would be taking care of him. Lot was not considering the Lord, but rather just his own self interest. And Lot's decision would ultimately lead to him wasting much of his life. This is spoken about in 1 Corinthians 3 in terms of those who are focused on building up the family of God, and those who are not.

1. Very few of us are called to full-time vocational ministry. Yet all of us are called to be full-time missionaries in our day-to-day lives. What are some ways we can keep ourselves focused on this mission and not fall into the trap of Lot where we are only chasing what our eyes can see?

2. What are some practical ways we can live out this mission in our day-to-day lives? How does this apply to where God has you in life?

2. One of the biggest enemies of the church is the spirit and attitudes that cause disunity. How can we be on guard against this? And how can we strengthen our unity even with those in Christ we may disagree with? And why is unity so very important?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 24TH

AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. In this week's sermon Pastor Charlie spoke about the call of Gideon. Gideon was a man who was filled with fear, yet God called him a "mighty warrior." Throughout the story God strengthens Gideon's faith as Gideon continually finds it difficult to trust God. Gideon had a promise from God that he would be victorious and overcome his oppressors. In the same way we have a promise in Romans 8 that we are "more than conquerers through him who loves us," and that he "works out all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose." This promise to work out "all things" for our good does indeed mean all things. In what ways do you, like Gideon, struggle to believe that? In what areas of your life do you feel you are lacking faith? Where are you not feeling like a "mighty warrior"?

2. It is tempting to think that in the face of adversity and hardship, what is needed is strength of resolve and will power. However, God tells us that His power is made perfect through weakness. What does that mean to you? How does this truth change how we confront the troubles in our lives? 

3. Gideon was continually asking God to increase his faith, and the Lord was happy to do so. As we are going through our days this week, let's make a special focus of praying that the Lord would increase our faith in the areas where we struggle to trust him. Pray for one another now in regards to things discussed.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 17TH

AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. One of the big themes lately at Westview is the hope that we would all begin to see our daily lives as missionary work, as we have been sent out by Him with His Spirit. What things can we do to keep ourselves mindful of this mission?

2. In this weeks' sermon Andy Smits spoke about being sent as Jesus was sent. One of the main points was that we should look for the ways God is already at work and join him in that. Where do you see the Lord working in your places of influence? In your family? In your workplace? In your neighborhood? How can you be a part of that? Discuss!

3. Andy challenged us to look for points of connection and ways that God is already at work in people who do not yet know Jesus as Saviour. What are things we can do to better perceive how He is at work in the lives of the people around us?

Discussion Questions for the week of October 10th

As you meet with each other this week, consider these questions:

1. During this week's sermon Pastor Charlie walked through John chapter 4, "The Woman at the Well." (Take a moment to read the passage before proceeding)

2. One of the most important points of that chapter is the concept of "Living Water." Jesus made the point that the water of this world will only make you thirsty again, but the living water that he gives will be a well inside of us. The woman asked for this living water, and Jesus went on to bring up the fact that she has had 5 husbands and the man living with her was not her husband. It is easy to see that the subtle point being made is that the "water" that she had been trying to drink, the water that was not satisfying her, was her pursuit of romantic relationships. In the sermon Pastor Charlie made the point that this is the essence of sin, trying to drink the "water of the world" and thinking it will satisfy what only God can satisfy. How have you seen this play out in your life? Discuss. (note for leaders: you may have to go first to set the tone as this is a question that requires some vulnerability).

3. Jesus tells his disciples that he has food that they don't know about and his food is "to do the will of him who sent me." He says this right after his encounter with the woman at the well, showing that his ministry to her was a source of spiritual nourishment for himself. It was his food. Have you experienced this nourishment? Or have you been feeling spiritually malnourished by not doing his will in this way. Discuss and pray for one another in this regard.

4. The woman put down her water jar and she went to be a witness to her people. And here we have a model of what we too are called to do. How has our pursuit of the "water of this world" hindered our focus on the mission? How can we do the things in this life (jobs, marriage, parenting, leisure) while keeping his mission the top priority?