04-19-2020
Dr. E. Dale Locke and Pastor Efrain Silva
Sermon Series: “Amazed! A Closer Look At One Amazing Life”
Week 1 – His Amazing Teaching
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Each week, our Sermon Discussion Questions are here to help the sermon go deeper into your life. You can think these questions through on your own, or discuss them with your spouse, family, or small group.
1. Easter was different this year, and we sure missed being together at church! Share something about Easter this year that was positive or special for you personally, despite the circumstances.
2. In our Easter sermon, we looked at the Apostle John’s account of Jesus’ resurrection. In John 20:9, John admitted about himself and Peter that, “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.” It’s good to admit when we don’t fully understand something in our faith. What’s one aspect of the Christian faith that you’ve found challenging to understand?
3. Early church tradition identified the author of Mark’s Gospel as John Mark, cousin of Barnabas, and son of Mary, who was a prominent woman in the church in Jerusalem. The early church father Papias said that Mark worked closely with Peter and was giving Peter’s version of Jesus’ life story in his Gospel. Peter’s bold and dynamic personality is reflected in Mark’s writing style. For example, 21 times Mark uses some form of the word “amazed” as he tells about Jesus and people’s reactions to Him. Share something about Jesus that you find amazing.
4. Read our theme verse for this sermon series together out loud as a group to begin to memorize it. Mark 7:37a: “People were overwhelmed with amazement. ‘He [Jesus] has done everything well,’ they said.”
5. “Like him or not, serve him or not, believe in him or not, say what you will - the only thing we cannot do is forget or ignore Jesus, because Jesus Christ has been the central figure dominating human history for the past 2,000 years.” Name some ways that Jesus has impacted human history.
6. Condoleeza Rice, who served as the U.S. Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, and is a committed Christ-follower, said that it was the life and teachings of Jesus Christ that gave us the idea that every single life is worthy before God and that all men are created equal. What aspects of Jesus’ life and teachings lead to that conclusion?
7. The first appearance of the word “amazed” comes in Mark 1:21-28:
“They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’
25 ‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.’ 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.”
What do you notice in this passage, or what questions come to your mind as you read it?
8. One of the first things people noticed that was different and amazing about Jesus is that he spoke and taught with authority. What does the word “authority” mean in this context?
9. Many people have become jaded about authority figures in our modern world. Why is that?
10. Pastor Dale said that “Jesus spoke as one who had been there.” What did he mean by that?
11. Tell about a time in your life when you got helpful advice from someone who already had experience in an area that was new for you.
12. The most important question is whether Jesus is your personal authority. Name some things that begin to change in a person’s life when they allow Jesus to become their authority.
13. After His resurrection, and just before Jesus left the earth, He told his disciples in Matthew 28:18: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Why does Jesus deserve all authority?
14. Name some ways that Jesus’ teachings are different from that of other religions and philosophies in our world.
Ready for your next step?
If you would like more information about how to take a next step in your faith journey, such as becoming a follower of Jesus, recommitting your life to him, or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we will contact you.
News and Announcements:
• If you’re new to Community of Hope, text “Hello” to 561-264-6079 to let us know who you are.
• Go to communityofhope.church/coronavirus for updates on how COH is responding to this crisis. This is also the place to let us know if you need help, or if you are available to offer help to others.
• If you’re not in a COH small group, we want to give you an opportunity to get connected with a circle of people, so you can experience community and spiritual encouragement during this time of social distancing. You’ll get to build some new friendships and support each other as you discuss our upcoming “Amazed!” sermon series online together once a week. It’s only a 7-week commitment, so it’s a perfect low-risk time to give small groups a try! Sign up by April 19th at communityofhope.church/groups.
• We invite you to donate food for us to distribute to the homeless in our area. Bring items like pop-top containers of meat, soup, spaghetti, or fruit; peanut butter; crackers; granola bars; Gatorade or water to either of our campuses. Get details at communityofhope.church/food.
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