08-09-2020
08-09-2020
Dr. E. Dale Locke and Pastor Efrain Silva
Week 4 of the Sermon Series: Too-gether Time: Staying Friends While Staying Home
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.
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. Icebreaker: Since we’re living in days of high anxiety, and since so many of our normal activities are cancelled, many of us are trying to do some form of “self-improvement.” In what areas are you trying to improve yourself in these days?
2. In any relationship there’s “me” and there’s “someone else” and each person has their own hopes and aspirations for the relationship. Think of an important relationship in your life – with your spouse, your best friend or some other significant person. What hopes and aspirations did you have in the early days of that relationship?
3. Pastor Dale said, “Our hopes for the relationship feel light to us, because they’re our hopes. But when we transfer them onto the other person, they don’t always feel light to them. They often feel heavy, because they comes across as expectations.” What did he mean by that?
4. In the movie Jerry Maguire, Jerry says to Dorothy, “You complete me.” That sounds good, but what’s the problem with that idea?
5. Relationships can easily develop a debt/debtor dynamic. Describe what we mean by that and how that dynamic impacts the relationship.
6. Read Romans 13:8-10: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
What is the point of this passage?
7. What are some things you can do to avoid a debt/debtor dynamic in your relationships?
8. What happens to the atmosphere of a relationship when suspicion starts to develop?
9. Read Philippians 4:8-9: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
What is Paul saying here, and how can we apply this to our relationships?
10. Why is trust so important in a relationship?
11. Why do you think there is so much mistrust in our society today?
12. What are some things we can do to increase the trust in our relationships?
13. In Jesus, God went first to repair the relationship with us. Read about this in 1 Timothy 2:5-6a: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people”.
What can we learn from Jesus’ model as our mediator between God and mankind?
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.
· 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.
· Drive-In Worship, Friday, August 14 @ 6pm filled up quickly! To keep safe and in line with CDC guidelines, we can only allow the first 75 registered cars, but if you would like to get on the wait list in case anyone cancels, register at https://communityofhope.church/events/drive-in-worship
· Groups Launch Season: If you’re not currently in a small group, we will help you find one! Our Groups Launch will look different this fall. We’re asking only for a short-term commitment – 4 to 12 weeks. Some groups will be exclusively online, others will be a hybrid of digital and in-person; so you can choose the format you feel comfortable with. We’re offering some great topics, or you can simply request a group of people to watch our weekend services with. All you have to do is fill out the form at https://communityofhope.church/groups/, and we will find a group that fits your situation. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience community during this time of disconnection. Life is better connected!
· Back to School Parade: Attention elementary and pre-school families! Come to church and celebrate the beginning of the new school year...Kids of Hope style!! We'll have special treats for kids AND parents, socially distanced love from your favorite volunteers, ice pops, Bibles for our new kindergarteners and Bridge kiddos, a photo spot and MORE! Decorate your car, and join in the fun! Register at https://communityofhope.church/backtoschool
And we invite our entire church family to come out with noise makers, signs, megaphones, or whatever you have to encourage and cheer on our young families and school-age kiddos. No need to register to be part of the cheering squad! Just come when you’re able to either campus and bring your enthusiasm!
WEST CAMPUS | Wednesday, August 26 | anytime between 5:30pm-7:30pm
EAST CAMPUS | Thursday, August 27 | anytime between 6:00pm-7:30pm
· 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.