4.19.15 | The Art of Loving: Hopes & Expectations

Dr. Jeff Holmes | Genesis 2 & 3

How do our hopes, dreams and ideas of relationship turn into expectations? When we elevate ourselves over the other person in our relationship, expectations steal away choice and intimacy. "I know better, I deserve more, I should have..." The reality of this is expectations are the acid of intimacy.

Download or listen to Hopes & Expectations to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. Describe a time you learned something important about relationships through a friend, relative, boyfriend or girlfriend, spouse, etc.
2. Read Genesis 1:26-27. What do you think it means that we are created in God's image? Why do you think God uses a plural pronoun in verse 26 to refer to Himself? What does this imply about us and relationship?
3. Read Ephesians 5:1-2. What are some examples of God demonstrating His love? Have you ever imitated God's love intentionally or inadvertently? What happened?
4. Read Romans 1:18-23. What does sin do to the possibility of imitating God's love? Verse 23 speaks of "great" exchange. How does this apply to our relationships?
5. Can you share a desire that moved into the "expectation box?"
6. Have you ever experienced expectations as an acid to intimacy? What are ways you have seen this?
7. Read Romans 5:8. What would this kind of love look like if you actively lived it out? (make this personal for you specifically and not people in general)
8. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

4.12.15 | The Art of Loving: The First Marriage

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Genesis 2:18-25

There is an art to loving. In the first chapters of Genesis, God gave us marriage to shape and fulfill us. Often, however, we take what God designed and make our relationships personal idols. We lose sight of the reality that God needs to be our first priority.

Download or listen to The First Marriage to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. What do Genesis 1:26-29 and 2:7-25 teach about our original nature and character? Our purpose and tasks? Our likeness to the animals? To God?
3. Male and female jointly express God's image... what does that mean?
4. God is often described as a "helper" (e.g., Hosea 13:9; Psalm 115:9-11). What can a wife learn from this in her role (vv. 18, 20)?
5. How would you characterize the relationship between Adam and Eve? Between them and God? What makes this kind of relationship possible?
6. What about the intimacy and openness experienced in this chapter seems normal to you? What seems abnormal in your experience?
7. How would you describe you relationship with God? More like a distant relative, a divine lover, or a perfect stranger? How might you draw closer to Him?
8. Is there a relationship in your life that has become an idol for you? If so, how has that expressed itself?
9. What steps can you take to give Jesus Christ His rightful place in your life?
10. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

4.5.15 | Empty Tomb (Easter)

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 15:40-16:8

When you get to know Jesus, there are going to be some things you do not like. He is a threat to us because believing in Him means we lose control. You need a God who is not a product of your needs, but one who you can believe in not because He meets your needs, but because He is true. Though, because He is true, He will meet your needs.

Download or listen to Empty Tomb to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. Why do you think the women go to the tomb at the time they do? What does this say about them?
3. What potential problem looms ahead? What do they find instead? What do they fear? Seeing the empty tomb and the man sitting beside it, what thoughts are racing through their heads?
4. Do you think they believed the man? How do their actions support your answer?
5. Why do you think the angel asked them specifically to speak to Peter? What does this tell you about Jesus' attitude, concern and plans for Peter?
6. Would you have had trouble believing the angel's words? Why or why not?
7. Who did Jesus send to tell you that He has risen? Did you/do you have trouble believing that person?
8. What are your obstacles to believing in the resurrection of Jesus? Since Christianity rests completely on the resurrection of Jesus, would you be willing to explore this further? (We'd be happy to have a conversation). What steps could you take this week?
9. If you are convinced, what convinced you? To whom is Jesus sending you with this message? What steps will you take to share this good news?
10. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you though this study and what steps in response that He might want you to take.

3.29.15 | Jesus' Death

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 15:33-39

Our judgment day occurred on the cross. Jesus endured all the shame, pain and loss we deserved. He experienced ultimate separation from God on the cross so that we would never know the wrenching pain of being abandoned. It was a day of great darkness... disorienting and disintegrating. As long as we continue to put something else in the center of our lives to bring us identity, purpose and intimacy, we will continue to walk in darkness.

Download or listen to Jesus' Death to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. What ironies do you see in the places occupied by the robbers (see 10:37)? In the call for Jesus to save himself by coming down from the cross? In the officially posted reason for Jesus' death?
3. What aspect of the crucifixion do you think was worst for Jesus? Physical pain? Being forsaken by God? Why?
4. How can 2 Corinthians 5:21 help us to understand this darkness and forsaking of Jesus by God?
5. How are the cry of Jesus (v. 34; Psalm 22:1), the tearing of the temple curtain (v. 38; Hebrews 10:19-22), and the faith of the centurion (v. 39) all related?
6. What do you learn about Joseph (vv. 43-46)? What risks does a man of his status take by this action?
7. What is significant about the centurion's confirmation of Jesus' death? About the eyewitnesses of His burial (Matthew 28:11-15)?
8. Read Isaiah 53:12. How would you paraphrase it to explain what Jesus' death was all about?
9. What curtain do you feel still separates you from God? How does Jesus' death relate to that?
10. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

3.22.15 | Mocking Jesus

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 15:16-32

The mocking of Jesus reveals how we are hostile to the claims of Christ. You either completely adore Him or you completely despise Him. But God works in the midst of weakness. The world is looking for control and weakness, but Jesus transforms and redeems weakness. Through shame and weakness, Jesus gives us a new hope and a new name.

Download or listen to Mocking Jesus to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. What mental, physical and emotional brutality do the soldiers inflict on Jesus? Why? Does their mockery stem from fear, anger, unbelief, or...?
3. Why is Simon needed to carry Jesus' cross (see 14:65; 15:15, 19)? How might that affect him?
4. What kinds of people were usually crucified (v. 27)? How is Jesus like them?
5. What further insults are added to injury (vv. 29-32)?
6. Why did Jesus go through this trial and torture when He could easily have used His great power and escaped? How does that make you feel?
7. Reflect on Hebrews 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. What do we learn about Jesus? Ourselves? Our response?
8. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

3.15.15 | Are You The King?

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 15:1-15

Sin is when we substitute ourselves for God. In our arrogance, we demand that God come and pay for our sins; that He come and be judged for the crimes we've committed. If we truly believe that Jesus was the Judge that was judged for you and me, we wouldn't have to live like we're always on trial.

Download or listen to Are You the King? to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. What insights into Pilate's and Jesus' character does this story offer? Why is Jesus silent?
3. Why do the people, after witnessing Jesus' miracles, hearing His teaching and praising Him with hosannas, now demand that Jesus be crucified?
4. Why does Pilate grant their request?
5. What insights to the gospel do you see in the release of Barabbas in exchange for Jesus (see Mark 8:37; 10:45)?
6. What do you think you would have done in Pilate's place? In Barabbas' place? In the soldier's place?
7. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

3.8.15 | The Trial

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 14:53-72

The story of God's Word is a story of redemption. God is actively using our failures and transforming them when we bring them to His grace. We don't have to defend ourselves when we go to trial. Jesus does that. He is our advocate, our defense attorney; He has already interceded on our behalf.

Download or listen to The Trial to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

1. What is your take away from this message?
2. What can you infer about the fact that Peter was following Jesus, but at a distance? He is brave enough to follow Jesus to the high priest's house. Why does he now deny Christ?
3. How ere the three denials similar? Different? In retrospect (see 14:29-31), how does Peter feel?
4. What evidence do the chief priests initially seek against Jesus? Why do you think that Jesus, for the most part, remains silent?
5. On what evidence is the final decision against Jesus based? Why would the chief priests see Jesus as a blasphemer?
6. What is the significance of Jesus' messianic acknowledgement, the first direct confession recorded in Mark (see v. 62, Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13)?
7. How seriously would a charge of blasphemy by taken by the Roman authorities (see 15:14)? How does this present a problem to the Jewish authorities?
8. How does Jesus' behavior differ from that of the priests, elders and teachers?
9. When, if ever, have you felt that your failures had made it impossible for Jesus Christ to use you again? What "rooster" reminds you of a failure and guilt? How does the story of Christ's death and resurrection apply to Peter? To you?
10. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.