Discussion Questions from 02/28/2010 Sermons at WBC

The following questions are to accompany/enhance/promote discussion from the messages preached yesterday at WBC. You can watch, listen, and/or get the outlines here.

The AM sermon, taken from Luke 15:25-32, was entitled "A Scandalous Religion: A Picture of Hypocrisy."

1. What clues from the verses indicate that the older son literally hated his father?

2. According to verse 29 the older son always served and obeyed his father. If he hated him, why do you think he continued to serve and obey?

3. What characteristic(s) of the father do you see in these verses?

4. According to verses 31-32, what did the older son not understand?

5. Why did Jesus leave the story open-ended?

6. Can you identify areas in your own life where you treat God like the older son treated his father?

7. Are you a Christian because of what God will hopefully do for you here on earth; or are you a Christian because you have been freed to celebrate the goodness of who God is?

8. What brings you more joy and delight and satisfaction: your self-righteous works that you perform; or the fact that your sins are forgiven?

The PM sermon, taken from Romans 8:26-30, was entitled: "God's Commitment to Our Conformity" continued from 02/21/2010. The 'meat' of the message focused on Romans 8:28.

1. According to Romans 8:29, what is the ultimate purpose for the believer here on the earth?

2. How does that relate to what Paul says God will do for some in Romans 8:28?

3. What are the two qualifications one must meet prior to being able to claim the promise of Romans 8:28?

4. What does it mean to "love God" and to be "called according to His purpose"?

5. Bro. Matt mentioned several instances of this happening throughout Scripture (Abraham, Joseph, Esther, Ruth, Job, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Jesus). Can you think of others?

6. What are some things that have happened in your life that God has used to conform you into the image of Jesus?

7. How does the promise of Romans 8:28 free you to live a radical life for Christ, as opposed to a mediocre Christian life?