Bethel Sermons

Discussion Questions: 1. What “issues” do you see with technology in your life/home? 2. Why do you think technology has idol potential? 3. What connection do you see between the needs one seeks to have met through technology, and what Jesus offers? 4. Perhaps offer this as your prayer today: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord’” (Jonah 2:8-9).

Discussion Questions: 1. Before today’s message, what picture did you have in your mind of power? 2. What does Jesus’ example teach you about true power and how to use it? 3. If God is near the weak (powerless), then what might you tell yourself next time you feel weak? 4. “All you need is need”, Keller says. What is your reaction to that? (Is that all you have?) 5. Think of someone you know who is “on the bathroom floor”. How is God leading you to bring them hope?

Series: We Don't Talk About That Topic: Everyday Idols: Sex Speaker: Pastor Dave Foss

Vote for the fourth idol! The scheduled idols for this series are: Money, Sex and Power. The people of Bethel will vote on the fourth idol. Click the link on this page to submit your vote. Discussion Questions: 1. In what ways have you seen “good” things become “ultimate” things that when lost led to despair? 2. Money and possessions can be idols. As such, they insist that in some way we love, trust and obey them. Think of an idol(s) that vies for your love, trust and obedience. What is it? 3. Read Philippians 3:7-8. What of Paul’s testimony here would you like to have as your’s too?

Discussion Questions: 1. Think fast! When I say “Idolatry”, what comes to mind? 2. In the message it was noted that we never break commandments 2-10 without breaking the 1st. How do you respond to that statement? 3. In Colossians 3:1-5 Paul calls us to set our hearts and minds on things above. Do you have any habits or practices that help you do that in everyday life? 4. Share your reaction to Tim Keller’s statement, “Like Abraham, you could take a walk up into the mountains. You could say, ‘I see that you may be calling me to live my life without something I never thought I could live without. But if I have you, I have the only wealth, health, love, honor and security I really need and cannot lose.”

Scripture: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Psalm 95:6). **Discussion Questions** > 1. Share how your faith informs: > - Why you vote > - For whom you vote > - How you respond when your candidate doesn’t win > 2. What is your faith-inspired vision for America? And how do you think Jesus is leading you to be part of achieving that? > 3. What are a few concrete ways we could help unify our community after the election results are announced?

Scripture: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). **Discussion Questions** > 1. Do you see science and faith as rivals or compatible partners in the quest for truth? Why? > 2. Read and respond to Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” > 3. Pastor Dave referenced Francis Bacon’s “two books of God”. The book of God’s Word (scripture) and the book of God’s Work (nature, the material world). Do you have a habit of engaging with these books in an intentional way? If so, what is that habit/practice? > 4. How do faith and reason find their perfect fulfillment in Christ? (maybe read 1 Corinthians 1:21-24 again)

(Due to an audio issue, we are uploading a new version of the sermon video. Thanks for your patience.) Scripture: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). **Discussion Questions** > 1. From what you heard in scripture today, what is the heart of God for the foreigner? > 2. Do you actively or often think of yourself as an “alien” or “stranger” in this world whose citizenship is in heaven? > a. If so, how have you been able to cultivate that? > b. If not, what gets in the way of that? > 3. What would be a good way to reach out to the people of the world who come here to the United States? Have you seen any good examples of this? > 4. Meditate on this verse: Philippians 3:20 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."

Scripture: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4). **Discussion Questions** > 1. Pastor Dave mentioned that people with different perspectives on LGBTQ are listening to the sermon. From what perspective do you approach the subject? How close to home is this subject for you and your family? > 2. With Proverbs 3:3,4 in mind, imagine that someone close to you said that they are struggling with same-sex attraction, would it be harder for your to respond with “chesed” (goodness, kindness, lovingkindness) or “ve e met” (firmness, faithfulness, truth)? > 3. Why do you think the LGBTQ community largely feels unwelcome at church? > 4. What would it take for LGBTW people to want to “gather” with us at Bethel as they were drawn to Jesus? (see Luke 15:1,2)