"How Then Shall We Live?" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/how-then-shall-we-live-1tpnoolo9l Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1.) As terrifying and devastating as it will be, why should we “look forward to the day of God…” (vs. 12a)? 2.) Why is the call to live “holy and godly lives” the only appropriate response to the day of the Lord (vs. 11)? 3.) Why must we “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him” (vs. 14)? 4.) What might...
Oct 02, 2022•1 hr 21 min
"What IS the Day of the Lord??" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/what-is-the-day-of-the-lord Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. It is clear from the Old Testament that the Day of the Lord is a Day of Yahweh’s vengeance on the wicked. How does this picture of God’s justice and wrath toward sin impact you? 2. In what ways have we overemphasized, or deemphasized, this aspect of God’s character? 3. Jesus said there will be both a great falling away before He re...
Sep 25, 2022•1 hr 15 min
"The Day of the Lord" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/the-day-of-the-lord Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. How does knowing that the world as we know it will be destroyed by fire change your perspective? 2. In what ways is Peter seeking to stir us up to “wholesome thinking” and righteous living? 3. Why? (think through the themes of the whole book)...
Sep 18, 2022•1 hr 45 min
Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/discerning-false-teachers-week-2 Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. What fears or desires are in your heart that may soften you to listening to false prophecies? 2. What is the fruit of the pastors, teachers, and leaders I listen to? 3. How do they receive correction, do they accept it, or do I always feel like I’m in the wrong? 4. How can we remain in Truth as we live as “wheat among the tares?” (Matthew 13:24-30) 5. What i...
Sep 04, 2022•1 hr 22 min
Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/discerning-false-teachers-week-1 Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. In what ways are past and present Heresies/Heretics impacting the big “C” church today? How are they affecting our little “C” church? 2. Are there any areas that you struggle with about God, the Scriptures, or the Christian Faith? If so, how can you deal with them? 3. Consider the teachers you like to listen to. What is their motivation? Are they men of sinc...
Aug 28, 2022•1 hr 16 min
"Watch Out For Wolves" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/watch-out-for-wolves Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1.) Are you “planted” deeply in God’s Word right now? (see Psalm 1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) 2.) What are you tempted to go back to, like a dog to its vomit? What voices in your life may be encouraging you in that direction? 3.) Who are you listening to on a regular basis that holds influence over you? (e.g. blogger, musician, preacher, etc.) 4.) Evaluate ...
Aug 21, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/faith-received-faith-perceived Discussion Questions:: Are we knowing God through a working knowledge, or a walking knowledge? What are you furnishing your faith with? How can you help a neighbor build upon their faith to keep it increasing? Are you growing weary of the process of continuing to furnish the faith you have been given? Are you fighting any fears or doubts that you have been given what only God can provide?...
Aug 07, 2022•1 hr 21 min
Digital Bulletin https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/the-path-to-peace Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion: • If the enemy of God could sneak around and take you out, how might he do it? • What lie or deception could he use to sneak up behind you? • What idea or belief has greatly influenced you but you’ve never really tested it? • What causes you to have less joy and peace, or more fears and worries?...
Jul 31, 2022•1 hr 15 min
"Three Appeals" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/three-appeals Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion What does Peter base his appeal to the elders on? Why do you think? Why is the role of elders to the church so important? What makes the role of elders uniquely difficult? Describe the relationship between the elders and congregation. What attribute does Peter command us to have toward one another? Why is this so important?...
Jul 24, 2022•1 hr 18 min
Digital Bulletin-- Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. What attitude, perspective or expectation might you need to change in order to be ready to suffer well and even rejoice when you face suffering? 2. What changes in attitude and actions do you need to make in order to suffer well, remembering that God’s judgment will bring perfect justice in the end? 3. What changes in attitude and actions do you need to make in order to help those who don’t yet know Jesus come to know Him? ...
Jul 17, 2022•54 min
"This is Not the Time To..." Digital Bulletin-- Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. In what ways are you living today light of the fact that we may very well be “in the last few sentences of the last chapter” of world history? 2. Why do you think Peter stated that we need to be sober, alert, clear-minded, etc. in order to pray well? What are those things that would dull the heart and mind spiritually, emotionally, and physically? 3. On a scale from 1-10, how “deep” would say yo...
Jul 10, 2022•1 hr 14 min
"Suffering Like Jesus" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/suffering-like-jesus Personal Growth/Group Discussion Questions. To what attitude or mindset should we align our minds? How does Paul model one who suffers well? How are you personally suffering in the body? How does Jesus demonstrate how we should prepare ourselves to suffer? How can the believer have peace about justice that seems presently unserved? What can the believer look forward to after a life of suffering?...
Jul 03, 2022•1 hr 31 min
"Do Good... No Matter What" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/dont-stop-no-matter-what Personal Growth/Group Discussion Questions: 1. What are some of the traits that Peter highlights in the beginning of this section? What are some of the ways we apply these characteristics when faced with slander, persecution, etc? 2. How can we continue to express them when great trial and trouble comes? 3. For what reason have we been called to exhibit these characteristics and to keep show...
Jun 26, 2022•1 hr 21 min
"A Marriage That Honors" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/a-marriage-that-honors Questions for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion 1. Why is the idea of women being submissive to their husbands so controversial in our larger culture today? How might a godly example of biblical submission and mutual honor be both worship and witness? 2. What does inner beauty for women look like according to this passage? 3. How do we discern what is immodest or “sexy” in our culture toda...
Jun 19, 2022•1 hr 5 min
"You Want Me to Do What?!?" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/you-want-me-to-do-what Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. How does it strike you that enduring unjust suffering is a part of your “call” as a follower of Jesus? 2. Why should we be willing to endure suffering for doing good? 3. In what ways are you suffering (big or small) because of your faith? In reflecting on the example of Christ, how well are you enduring that currently? 4. Take some time to ...
Jun 12, 2022•4 min
"Be a Good Citizen" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/be-a-good-citizen-63csz5k92z Personal Growth/Group Discussion Questions In your own words describe why God has established government on the earth. How are followers of Christ supposed to respond to those in authority? How do we respond when we are being governed by people who are not godly? How do we respond when our government is forbidding what God commands, commanding what God forbids, or going beyond their sphere of au...
Jun 05, 2022•1 hr 53 min
"Be a Good Citizen" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/be-a-good-citizen Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. In your own words describe why God has established government on the earth. 2. How are followers of Christ supposed to respond to those in authority? 3. How do we respond when we are being governed by people who are not godly? 4. How do we respond when our government is forbidding what God commands, commanding what God forbids, or going beyond their sph...
May 29, 2022•45 min
Act Justly. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly. Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/act-justly-love-mercy-walk-humbly Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion What is one ongoing injustice that you are passionate about? If you’re not sure then ask God to help you understand His heart for at least one ongoing injustice. Then prayerfully work through the following questions: Act Justly • In what ways do you need to speak up for truth in this situation? • In what ways do you need to...
May 22, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Spring Missions Conference Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/spring-missions-conference James and Morgan Tumwesiigye www.milandila.org Barry and Kimberly Horst and Matt Durkee www.fiaintl.org
May 15, 2022•1 hr 23 min
"Reaching the Unreached in Thailand" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/travis-to-the-unreached-in-thailand Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. What do you think about the Great Unbalance? 2. How would you explain to someone about why God judges everyone the same, even the people who are seemingly in the middle of nowhere, in distant countries, without access to Jesus? 3. What is the greatest hindrance stopping you from "going to all the nations?"...
Apr 24, 2022•1 hr 24 min
Nov 14, 2021•1 hr 13 min
"Love One Another Deeply" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/love-one-another-deeply Personal Reflection/Discussion Questions 1.) Why do you think Scriptures call us to love one another deeply and daily? 2.) What do you think that might look for you to obey that more faithfully this week? 3.) Toward the end of the message, Pastor Jim outlined several different groups that may be present within the church. What group might you be apart of? Are there any steps of faith and obedie...
Sep 05, 2021•1 hr 4 min
"Love Your Enemy" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/love-your-enemy 1.) How is the example of God sending rain on the righteous and the unrighteous a powerful example of loving one's enemy (Matthew 5)? 2.) If it's true that we tend to hate (or strongly dislike/distrust) people in "groups", what are some groups that Evangelical Christians tend to consider their "enemy"? What groups tend to view Evangelicals as their enemy? 3.) Who are some people within your sphere of influence...
Aug 29, 2021•1 hr 18 min
Love the Overlooked and Outcast Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/love-the-overlooked-outcast 1.) Why do you think God's people are called to love mercy and do justice? (See Micah 6:8) 2.) What does it reveal about our God that He took such special interest in the poor, the widow, the fatherless, and the foreigner? 3.) In what ways do we see ministry to these four groups repeated in the New Testament? What are some of the other groups that are highlighted in the New Testament?...
Aug 22, 2021•1 hr 24 min
Sermon Title: Loving Your Neighbor-Neighbor Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/love-your-neighbor-neighbor Personal Reflection/Discussion Questions 1.) Why do you think it's a human tendency to be friends with people who are just like us? 2.) What is the danger of having our Lego-block completely full of family and church family? What might you do if you realize that's you right now? 3.) Take time to write down some names of your "neighbor-neighbors". That is, those who are phy...
Aug 15, 2021•1 hr 19 min
"The Call to Compassion" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/the-call-to-compassion Personal Reflection/Discussion Questions 1.) Why is true compassion (meaning to "suffer with someone") so difficult for us? 2.) How does physical and emotional distance from the poor, the stranger, the widow, the fatherless, our enemies, etc. make it more difficult to even feel, let alone demonstrate compassion to them? 3.) What might it look like for our church to begin demonstrating compassion ...
Aug 08, 2021•1 hr 10 min
"Live Upside Down" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/live-upside-down Personal Reflection/Discussion Questions 1.) What are some of the principles of this world that at first glance might seem to make sense, but we know are wrong? 2.) Review the "Blessed" statements in Matthew 5. Why are these statements seemingly so "upside down" to our ears as humans? 3.) Which are these statements are most difficult for you to grasp or to walk out on a daily basis? 4.) What steps can you ta...
Aug 01, 2021•1 hr 30 min
A Call to Good Citizenship Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/a-call-to-good-citizenship Personal Reflection/Discussion Questions 1.) Why are we to live very, very carefully before an unbelieving world? 2.) What is some of the ignorant talk of foolish people? What are some of the misconceptions that the world has against us? 3.) What is the good that we can intentionally do to silence this ignorant talk? 4.) Spend some time praying through 1 Peter 2:17--Honor everyone, love the...
Jul 18, 2021•1 hr 14 min
Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/be-beautiful Personal Reflection/Discussion Questions 1) Why do you think that Peter tied the idea of living good (beautiful) lives among the pagans with good deeds? 2.) How does our status as "foreigners" and "exiles" impact the importance of this command? 3.) What happens when believers are NOT rich in good deeds? 4.) Are YOU currently performing your good deeds in a way that is obvious to unbelievers? What unbelievers are your directly impa...
Jul 11, 2021•1 hr 26 min
Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/the-passing-pleasures-of-sin Personal Reflection/Discussion Questions 1) Do you actually believe that the Reproaches of Christ are greater than all the world has to offer? Take a moment to deeply think, are you living in a way where you are being reproached and suffering like Jesus? If not, what are ways God wants you to change your lifestyle to live in a way for Him that reproaches might happen to you? 2) Since sin is a Passing pleasure, what...
Jul 04, 2021•1 hr 21 min
