08-02-2020

08-02-2020
Eric Stewart and Pastor Efrain Silva
Week 3 of the Sermon Series: Too-gether Time: Staying Friends While Staying Home
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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 through on your own, or discuss them with your spouse, family, or small group.

1.    Eric was vulnerable in sharing his cookie story.  If you’re willing, share about a time when you dug in your heels and made a big deal of something that you later realized wasn’t worth fighting about.

2.    Last week, Pastor Dale talked about the power of our mouths. How have you done this past week with regard to managing your speech, whether directly from your mouth or in writing on social media? 

3.    Read Colossians 3:12-17:
     “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

     15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  

What insights or questions come to your mind as you read this passage?

4.    What does Paul mean when he says to “bear with each other”?  How do we actually do that?

5.    Read Proverbs 19:11: “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

What is the point of this proverb?  Are there exceptions to this general principle?

6.    Some people are conflict avoiders.  What’s the danger of avoiding conflict, particularly in our closest relationships, like our family? 

7.    Because we’re human and fallen, even in good families and good churches, there will be conflicts at times.  Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:15 about how to handle conflict well: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”

Talk through some things we can learn from Jesus’s word here about how to handle conflict well.

8.    Eric said that in the midst of conflict we should “remember who we are fighting for.”  What did he mean, and why is this important?  

Some things that will help us handle conflict better...

Preparation

9.    What can a person do to prepare themselves to be better at handling conflicts in the future?

Practice

10. People aren’t likely to be great at handling conflict the first time they do it, but we can get better with practice.  What are some things you’ve learned over the years as you’ve grown in your ability to handle conflict well?

11. Dale taught us a couple weeks ago that family is where life can start over. We all fail at times.  What helps a person develop the ability to offer others a fresh start after their failure?   

Preference

12. What does it mean to “prefer the other” in your relationships?

Prayer

13. How can prayer play a role in helping you deal with conflicts in your family and other relationships?

Ready for your next step?

If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as giving your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.

News and Announcements:

·      If you’re new to Community of Hope, text “Hello” to 561-264-6079 to let us know who you are. 

·      COVID19 Update:  We have decided we will not be worshiping in-person through the month of August. This is part of how we are loving the 561!  Even though we’re not worshiping person, we invite you to take part in the many other ways we’re offering to stay connected to our church. 

·      Drive-In Worship, Friday, August 14 @ 6pm:  Join us outdoors on our West Campus as our musical teams lead us in worshipping our God safely and socially distant from our own vehicles. You must register to attend, and to keep our event safe and in line with CDC guidelines, we can only allow the first 75 registered cars, so sign up soon!  https://communityofhope.church/events/drive-in-worship

·      Join us for Hope University Online on Tuesdays at 7pm. This Tuesday, August 4th is our last session.  Learn tips for how to better understand the New Testament from our own Dr. Victor Copan, Professor of Ministry Leadership and Biblical Studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University.  Be sure to register in advance at https://communityofhope.church/hopeuniversity

·      Our Date Night Challenge is postponed to Saturday, August 8th so you can still sign up!  Grow your relationship with your spouse by taking part in our Summer Date Night Challenge! Pick up a fun free Date Pack on either campus from 4:30-6:30pm with all the instructions you need for a fun night out, plus some surprises!  Be sure to register at https://communityofhope.church/events/summerdatenightchallenge2020

·      The Community of Hope App is serving as our Connect Folder in this time.  Download it to watch our services, register for events, and to stay connected with what’s going on in our church. 

·      Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to our community!  To give to Community of Hope, go to https://communityofhope.church/give.