May 31, 2017

Read: Jeremiah 29:4-7, John 17:13-18, John 14:6 

How does this passage from Jeremiah help us understand what it means to be in the world, but not of the world? 

Do you ever struggle with wanting to isolate (avoid the world) or assimilate (compromise with the world)? What one step could you take toward greater integration, as described by God in Jeremiah 29:4-7 and John 17:13-18? 

John 17:18 talks about being sanctified (set apart and purified) by the truth. How does dwelling on truth and knowing Christ as the Truth help us to integrate without isolating or assimilating?

May 30, 2017

Read:  Jeremiah 29:7, Genesis 12:1-3 

In Jeremiah 29:7, what specific things does the Lord instruct His people to do while in exile? 

What promises does the Lord give in Jeremiah 29:7 & Genesis 12:1-3? How does this impact your view of God and your hope for the future? 

Can you think of a time when you sought the welfare of another person and ended up being equally, perhaps even more, blessed than they were?

May 29, 2017

Read:  Jeremiah 29:4-7, 1 Peter 2:11-17 

How does Peter describe Christians in this passage? How does this help us understand the situation of God’s people in Jeremiah 29? 

In what ways does Peter instruct us to behave in order to honor God as “strangers and exiles”? 

What parallels do you see between these two passages and your own life today?

May 27, 2017

Read:  Matthew 22:36-40, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Acts 20:35 

Based on the Matthew 22 and Acts 20 passages, what should our response be? 

In the 2 Corinthians and 2 Thessalonians passages, what has God given us, and how should we respond? 

What is one specific thing you learned, put into practice, or saw God do based on this week’s study?

May 26, 2017

Read:  Philippians 2:1-5, 1 Peter 3:8-9, 5:5-7, Galatians 2:20, 5:24-26, Matthew 12:25 

How does Philippians 2:1-5 relate to Matthew 12:25? Why do you think unity is so important to God? 

According to the 1 Peter passages, what are the results from living/displaying the listed attributes? 

In the Galatians’ passages, what is the connection between Jesus and believers? And our response?

May 25, 2017

Read:  Phil. 2:1-11, 1 John 3:16-18, 4:9-11, 4:19-21, James 2:14-17, Matthew 16:24-25 

What are some common observations/themes from these passages? 

How do Philippians 2:5-11, 1 John 4:9-10 and Matthew 16:24-25 describe Jesus’ actions? 

According to 1 John 3:16-18, 4:19-21 and James 2:14-17, what should our actions be in response?

May 24, 2017

Read:  Phil. 2:3-5, Romans 12:3, 9-10, Ephesians 4:1-3, John 13:34-35, Mark 10:43-45 

How do all of these passages relate to Point #2? According to these, what should the “actions” look like? 

Have you put Point #2 into practice yet this week? If not, step in! If so, have you seen unity/humility build? 

What is something very practical & specific you can do today, taken directly from Philippians 2:3-5?

May 23, 2017

Read:  Philippians 2:1-2, Ephesians 2:4-10, 5:1-2, Romans 5:6-8, Colossians 3:12-15 

How do all of these passages relate to Point #1? From these, make a list of the things you receive from God. 

How does Point #1 relate to this week’s subtitle? What is the relationship between Phil. 2:1 & Phil. 2:2? 

How can you specifically step into Point #1 today/this week? What is it you think you need most from Him?

May 22, 2017

Read:  Philippians 2:1-5, Romans 15:5-7, 1 Corinthians 1:10, James 2:8, Psalm 133:1 

According to these passages, what is the main overarching goal? How does this relate to this week’s message? 

What are some of the unique/different ways that living out this goal can look like for you, and for the Church? 

What are some specific things you can do today/this week to build spiritual unity/humility around you?

May 20, 2017

Read: Matthew 15:28, Genesis 35:1-8, Psalm 23, Matthew 6:25-34, 28:20b 

Why is it always important for every parent to remember God’s faithfulness? How can this be a challenge? 

In what way are you struggling to trust that God will provide for your kids? What is God teaching you? 

How has today’s readings helped with stability? How can you use monuments, diaries, etc. to also help?

May 19, 2017

Read:  Matthew 15:21-28, Isaiah 40:29-31, 2 Peter 3:9 

Why will it always be a challenge to trust God and live by faith? (i.e. timing) Give an example. 

How hard is it for you to wait for God to do a work? What does this reveal about your faith? 

In what way can this apply to parenting? How do you need to trust God more for your kids? Be specific.

May 18, 2017

Read:  Matthew 15:21-28, Hebrews 11:1-12 

Explain how faith and patience interact in the Christian life. What does impatience highlight? 

How did the Canaanite mother apply this principle with her child? What was the result? 

How confident are you in God’s provision for your children? In what way do you need to adjust?

May 17, 2017

Read:  Matthew 15:21-25, 1 Samuel 1:1-28, Proverbs 16:3 

How did the Canaanite mother and Hannah share a similar experience in committing her child to God? 

What two components did their commitment include? (Hint: attitude and action) Why is this important? 

How does this motivate you to use the same approach with your kids? What specifically will you do?

May 16, 2017

Read:  Matthew 15:21-25, 7:7-11, Luke 18:1-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 

How many times did the Canaanite mother ask Jesus for help? How might you have initially responded? 

What does this imply about praying for your child? What does this also highlight about answered prayer? 

How does this challenge the way you’ve been devoted to praying for your kids? How will you change?

May 15, 2017

Read:  Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30, Psalm 127:3-5 

Compare and contrast the two accounts of the Canaanite mother and child. What is the same or different? 

In what way does this model how a mother can bring a child to Jesus? Be specific.

Explain why God loves a child more than a parent? How does this encourage you with your kids?

May 13, 2017

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, John 15:5-13 

How is the Christian life both individual and corporate? How did Jesus also highlight this truth in John 15? 

In what way will your spiritual growth or lack of growth impact Pacific Coast Church? Give an example. 

What does this imply about your responsibility as a PCCer? What steps will you take to be more responsible?

May 12, 2017

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 3:12-15, 2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4 

What specific point was Paul making by comparing a perishable wreath with an imperishable wreath? 

How should this be a motivator for your walk with Jesus? Give an example. 

What is implied about a spiritual work ethic? How do your spiritual work ethics need to change?

May 11, 2017

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 

Explain the overriding principle Paul was trying to teach the Corinthian church about the Christian life. 

What attributes are required to be a successful athlete? How does this relate to being a successful Christian? 

How does this challenge today’s consumer approach to Christianity? How does this challenge you?

May 10, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Acts 15, Galatians 2:7-14 

How did Paul’s approach to ministry challenge Jewish Christians in Acts 15? What was the resolve? 

How can this same issue be a challenge today? What areas of your life can you become inflexible? Why? 

How can this possibility limit your ability to live effectively for Jesus? How does God want you to change?

May 9, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Matthew 10:9-13, John 3:1-7, John 4:7-10 

Explain how Paul’s approach to Christian living also modeled a Jesus approach. Why is this important? 

What can happen if this isn’t intentionally addressed on both a personal level and a church level? 

Describe how this can have both a spiritual and a cultural application. What does this mean for you?

May 8, 2017

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Acts 16:3, 17:22-28, 18:18, 20:18-21, 21:17-24 

How did Paul “become” a Jew even though he was born a Jew? How did he also become a Gentile? 

In what way did this help Paul be more effective in ministering to others? Give an example. 

What does this highlight about effective Christian living today? How is this your responsibility?

May 6, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 9:15-18, Acts 8:18-24, 9:1-16, 1 Timothy 4:12-14 

What was the same or different about Paul’s and Timothy’s calling when compared to Simon the Magician? 

In what way is this a warning to all who feel called into ministry today? How can this get overlooked? 

What are some ways a “Simon perspective” can creep into churches today? How can it be kept in check?

May 5, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 9:15-18, 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 

Even though Paul didn’t take financial support from Corinth, how did he still hold the Corinthians accountable? 

In what way did he encourage them to have a godly perspective? How would this have been an adjustment? 

How do you typically feel when you think of tithes and offerings? How does an eternal focus help you?

May 4, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 9:15-18, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, Acts 18:1-4, Philippians 4:14-16 

What “right” did Paul forego in 1 Corinthians 9:15? Why? How did this impact the way he would make a living? 

What does this model to the local church when it comes to addressing practical and financial issues? 

Why is this an important perspective? What is at risk if this is lost? How does this adjust you? Be specific.

May 3, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 9:1-12, Acts 5:1-7 

Why did God discipline Annias and Sapharia? What primary message was being conveyed to the church? 

How were the Corinthians falling into this trap? (c.f. v. 12) What does this imply about selective giving? 

How can this happen to you? Give an example. What preventative steps will you take to avoid this trap?

May 2, 2017

Read:  1 Corinthians 9:3-9, 1 Timothy 5:17-18 

What was Paul trying to convey by relating a ministry leader to a soldier, shepherd, ox, etc.? 

How does this describe what will often take place when a church financially struggles? Why? 

In what way does this elevate your impact and role at PCC? How do you need to be more responsible?

May 1, 2017

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, Deuteronomy 18:1-5, Luke 10:1-7 

Who is responsible for the financial support of a local church? How does Deuteronomy 18 and Luke 10 relate? 

Why is this an important topic when it comes to success? How do you see this being avoided today? 

How does this challenge your current approach to financially supporting PCC? What needs to change?