• What are some barriers in your life that prevent you from experiencing wholeness and completeness (biblical idea of peace)?
• What does Jesus’ cleansing of the temple reveal about what matters most to him? If he were to “enter the temple” of your life, what might he confront or overturn?
• In what ways are you tempted to look to Jesus to simply change your circumstances rather than change your heart?
• How does Jesus’ promise to make all things right at his return give you hope in the middle of difficult circumstances?

• Where in your life right now do you feel dryness, restlessness, or spiritual fatigue?
• In what ways do you try to find satisfaction apart from God? Why do those things ultimately fall short?
• What practical rhythms could help you seek God “early” and “through the night”?

• Where do you tend to “count your fighting men”? In other words, what numbers, achievements, or forms of security (money, success, reputation, influence) do you rely on instead of trusting God?
• What is the difference between being “conscience-stricken” and “consequence-stricken”? How can we tell whether our repentance is truly about the sin itself rather than just the consequences we are facing?
• The passage reveals God as both holy and compassionate. Why is it important not to reduce God to only one of these attributes, and how might our view of God shape the way we treat and relate to others?

• Where do you feel the tension between mercy and justice in your life right now?
• Where are you quick to demand strict justice for others, yet hope for grace or “gentle justice” for yourself or those you love?
• How does seeing yourself as a “welcomed rebel” shape the way you approach God when you fail?

• Was your response to run from others or move toward a good friend?
• Were you questioning God or submitting to his loving hand?
• Was your response to pray or to get revenge?
• Did you act wisely or become passive?

• Where might your anger at sin stop short of action, allowing silence to become complicity?
• Tamar is the only one who names the evil in this passage. What does that reveal about courage?
• What does the cross reveal about how seriously God takes injustice, and how is Jesus fundamentally different from every man in this chapter?

• Where are you most tempted to live as if acceptance comes from performance, even spiritually?
• Which “put on” virtue feels most difficult for you right now (compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, love)? What is one concrete way you can “put it on” this week, even if you don’t feel it yet?
• Paul repeats “thankful/thanks” three times in Colossians 3:15–17. What is the difference between gratitude as a feeling and gratitude as a practice in your daily life?

• What are the primary influences that are actively forming the thoughts, attitudes and desires of your heart right now? Are these forming you into the likeness of Christ?
• What unhelpful habit or practice of your “old self” is God calling you to put off today as an act of faith?
• If none of your habits and loves change, who are you likely to become five years from now? Is that the person you believe God is calling you to be?

• Where are you waiting on the Lord’s comfort and deliverance in your life? Why is waiting so difficult?
• What does it look like to live faithfully during a time of waiting?
• Which promises of God do you most cling to and how do they give you hope to press on?
• Is there an area of your life that you have not fully surrendered to the Lord?

• What has God been teaching you through a season of silence, waiting, or limitation, even if nothing has changed yet?
• When prayers are answered or blessings arrive, what helps you remain oriented toward God rather than becoming preoccupied with the gift itself?
• Where do you currently need hope, clarity, or peace, and how does seeing Jesus as the Sunrise from on high reshape the way you wait, suffer well, or repent?

• What are a few things that bring you joy?
• How does your joy in God compare with other joys?
• In what ways can you foster more joy in God?

• Can you name a time when God’s plan did not make sense in the moment, but later you could see his goodness?
• Mary said yes to God, knowing it would cost her. Where has God called you in the past, or where is he calling you now, to an obedience that may come with a cost?
• What would it look like, practically, to say, “Let it be to me according to your word,” in a specific area of your life this week?

The King Has Come

This Advent, we turn from David, the shepherd-king who stumbled, to Jesus, the Shepherd-King who stood faithful. We look at Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon, and their responses of faith, trust, and joy. Through the songs and announcements in Luke’s Gospel, we see how God fulfills his promises to David by sending his Son, the true King. In him we find hope, peace, joy, and love.

• Based on our study of David’s life so far, how would you explain what it means to be “After God’s Heart?”
• What does this passage show you about God’s grace? Does his grace move you as it did David (2 Sam 7:18-22)? Why or why not?
• Do you ever feel like a failure because you’re not “doing enough for God?” How does this passage speak to this fear?
• Create a list of all the promises that God has made to you through Christ in the New Covenant. Which ones encourage your heart the most today?

• What part of this story surprised or challenged you the most, and why?
• What helps you move toward God again after a moment of fear, failure, or conviction?
• David danced before the Lord with freedom, while Michal stayed trapped in dignity and resentment. Which one do you resonate with more, and why?

• Why is the human default to try to live independent of God? Where do you see that in your own life?
• When trials come in your life, what do you most often “strengthen yourself” in? How do you strengthen yourself in the Lord?
• When do you most often “inquire of the Lord?” When are you most tempted to lean on your own understanding?

1 Samuel 27:1-12

• How is repentance different from confession? Is there an area of your life where you might be confessing your sin but not fully repenting of it? Ask the Lord to reveal this to you.
• Since it is not enough to just turn away from sin, what does it look like to turn toward God?
• What reminders (Ebenezer stones) do you have in your life reminding you of God’s faithfulness and encouraging gratitude, worship and repentance?

• What does David’s restraint teach us about trusting God’s timing?
• Why do we often confuse justice with revenge?
• How does remembering God’s mercy toward you shape the way you respond to people who wrong you?

• How do you respond to injustice? hopeless, helpless, enraged?
• What kind of court do you hold for the people around you? Who is your counsel?
• How can you rest in the finished work of the perfect son of Jesse this week knowing he is bringing and will bring perfect justice?

• Where do you most often see envy surfacing in your own life? How does it distort the way you see yourself and others?
• How can recognizing God’s sovereignty help free you when you feel overlooked or jealous of someone else’s success?
• What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate praise and gratitude instead of envy when others succeed?

• From our study in 1 Samuel so far, what does it mean to be “after God’s heart?”
• Jonathan surrendered his robe and weapons to David as the rightful king. What areas of your life do you need to surrender to King Jesus?
• What would it look like in your life this week to put aside rivalry or jealousy and instead to lovingly “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21)?

• How does the truth that God looks on your heart affect your life?
• What went wrong when you let appearance guide you wrongly about someone’s heart?
• What are two things you can do to cultivate a heart more after God’s heart?

• When you are under pressure, what usually comes out of your heart: fear, frustration, control, or trust in God?
• God’s timing often feels late. Can you think of a time when you felt God delayed, but looking back you saw His perfect timing?
• Saul was more concerned with people’s opinions than with God’s. In what areas of life are you tempted to value human approval over God’s approval?

• What has this study of Ecclesiastes shown you about God, yourself and the world?
• How has the wisdom of Ecclesiastes brought greater delight and joy in your life? How has it brought you discomfort or pain?
• "God will bring every deed into judgment." What emotion does this evoke in you? How should this truth shape the way we live, even in hidden or ordinary moments?
• How does the rest of the Scripture, specifically the person of Jesus Christ, continue and complete the story of Ecclesiastes?

• In what ways do we try to delay, stop, or hide our fleeting age?
• How does our culture prize youthfulness?
• How can you both rejoice in the gifts God is giving you and be thankful for the ones He has given you in the past?
• How have you seen the promise of eternal life shaping the way you live now in relation to aging?

• Where has your own foolishness, even just a “little folly,” proved costly in your life?
• How has behavior modification worked in suppressing folly in your life? Why does it continue to fail?
• If our attitudes, words and actions all flow from the heart, how do we gain a heart of wisdom?

• What would your life say if it ended today?
• How does Ecclesiastes 9 challenge or comfort you in light of your current priorities?
• Do you find yourself avoiding thoughts of death? Why or why not? How could remembering your mortality actually shape your life for good?

• How do you feel and act when you disagree with a governmental law?
• What’s a recent example of something that happened outside of your control and your response?
• Why should you find joy in God’s gifts when you’re not feeling joyful but frustrated?

• Why do we find it so difficult to accept the limitations in our lives?
• What ways are you tempted to attempt to escape from even the thought of death and limitations?
• What will others say about you at your funeral? Is that what you want to be known for?
• Where have you seen the benefits of wise living in your own life?
• How can you intentionally grow in wisdom?

Sermon Passage: Ecclesiastes 6:1-12

Speaker: Jin Lee

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/IWjQRS83cHw

• Imagine that you’ve been given two million dollars: how would your life change?
• When you think of money, does it usually give you anxiety or joy?
• How do you think about your job - as a gift from God or as a duty?
• What are two ways you can purposefully use some money that will bring joy to others?

• Where in your life do you most feel the reality of hevel: fleetingness, frustration, or futility?
• Are there habits or heart-postures that keep you from enjoying God’s good gifts—like food, laughter, family, work, or rest?
• How can you practice joy as obedience this week? What "ordinary" gift do you need to receive with gratitude?

• How would you explain what the "Fear of the Lord" is?
• Which aspect of the Fear of the Lord (Reverential Awe, Loving Delight, Humble Obedience) do you most often neglect? Pause and ask the Lord to grow you in this area. 
• What is the connection between listening and obedience? 
• What are some ways that we try to manipulate God to bring about another “end?”

• Give a few stories from your life of injustice, rivalry, isolation, or fickle popularity. 
• What are some ways to offset the vanity of the four examples above?
• How does the gospel give you hope to counteract the effects of life’s vanity?

• What season of life are you currently in? How are you resisting or receiving that season?
• What longing in your heart points to your deeper desire for eternity?
• What practices help you live joyfully and gratefully in the present, even while waiting for God to make all things right?

Sermon Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26

Speaker: Jon Shepherd

Sermon Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Speaker: Jin Lee

Sermon Passage: Romans 11:33-36

Speaker: Alfred Muli

Sermon Passage: Romans 16:1-27

Speaker: Jon Shepherd

• What do you currently “glory” in, and how might God be inviting you to see evangelism or discipleship as a joyful offering to Him?
• Are there ways you're serving others that feel more like a duty than a delight? What might help shift your heart to see it as a joyful opportunity?
• What is one simple way you could embody the gospel in your relationships this week, through either words or actions?

• Have you ever tried to change someone’s mind about a secondary matter? If so, what was your attitude?
• How can you encourage someone that you naturally want to avoid?
• Why does remembering how Christ welcomes you influence how you welcome someone else?

• In what secondary areas of faith do you see stronger and weaker believers? 
• If you consider yourself a "stronger" believer over one of those matters, what is your priority: enjoying your freedom, or giving it up to serve another Christian?
• How can you look like Jesus by laying aside your freedom for another believer this week?

• Where are you most tempted to believe Jesus is absent when He might actually be near?
• What would change if you stopped looking inward to find your purpose and started looking at the Risen Jesus?
• When has doubt led you closer to God instead of farther away?

• What does it mean that “whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life?” (John 12:25)
• What is the path to glory according to Jesus? And how does that compare to our personal and cultural paths to glory?
• This week, how might you follow Jesus into a death like his?

• What are some disputable matters in our church today that can lead to division?
• What experiences, beliefs, or habits from your upbringing or past church background influence the way you respond to gray areas or non-essential issues in your spiritual life today?
• Have you ever held a strong conviction or belief and expressed it in a way that ended up hurting someone or causing division, even though you believed you were right? What happened, and what did you learn from it?

• Why does Paul say that we “owe” love to others?
• How can you show love to someone that needs it this week?
• How does understanding the present time motivate you to live holy?

• How much does your attitude toward governing authorities match God’s command in Romans 13:1-7?
• Is your view too high or too low of God-ordained authorities?
• Is your first instinct to criticize or pray for your governing authorities?
• How can you actively give respect and honor to those in positions of authority?

• How do you struggle with giving or receiving loving correction, and what might help you grow in this area?
• Why is it often harder to rejoice with others than to weep with them, and how can you cultivate a heart that truly celebrates others?
• How does this passage challenge your attitude toward those who oppose or mistreat you, and what practical steps can you take to respond in a Christlike way?

• How does Romans 12:1-2 define true worship? What are the implications for every single area and moment of your life?  
• How does Paul connect the theology of Romans 1-11 with practical living in Romans 12-16?
• Where are you most tempted to be conformed to a godless worldview? Ask the Lord to reveal the subtle ways you are being conformed.  
• How can you actively renew your mind and participate in your transformation?

Discussion Questions

• How does Romans 11:25-27 fit into Paul's argument in chapter 11, chapters 9-11, and the book of Romans as a whole?
• To whom does Paul refer when he speaks of all Israel in v. 26? 
• How and when will Israel be saved? 
• In what ways is all the promise of all Israel being saved connected to the second coming of Christ.

• Why is there so much in the Bible about Israel, the Jewish people?
• How is God’s faithfulness to the Jews a reflection of his promises to you?
• How are some ways that you would you talk about Jesus to a Jewish person?

• Paul says the Israelites had “zeal without knowledge” (Romans 10:2). How can religious fervor sometimes blind people to the gospel?
• Why do you think salvation by faith alone is often so difficult for people to accept?
• Romans 10:14-15 emphasizes the necessity of preaching the gospel. What does that look like practically for you?

• Paul was deeply grieved for those who rejected Christ. Who in your life do you feel this kind of burden for, and how does this passage challenge or encourage your prayers for them?
• How does the doctrine of election humble us and challenge our sense of fairness?
• Romans 9 emphasizes that salvation is based on God’s mercy, not our merit. How does this shape your view of salvation and evangelism?

• How would you retell the Gospel from Romans 1-8 to someone else?
• Where is faith in Jesus bringing about glad obedience to his commands in your life? Encourage someone else by telling them where you see this happening in their lives.
• How does remembering who you are (“dead to sin and alive to God”), lead to greater obedience from the heart?
• In what ways is the Gospel for both believers and unbelievers?

• How can you practice being fully present with those around you this week—in your family, workplace, or community?
• In what ways has God "salted" (gifted) you uniquely to preserve, enhance, and bring life to your sphere of influence? How can you use those gifts intentionally?
• How can your community group or close friends collaborate to declare and display Christ in both words and actions?

• In your life, what role has sharing a meal with someone played in building and strengthening relationships?
• Why do you think sharing a meal with someone creates the opportunity for deep connection?
• How will you plan to intentionally share meals to make connections with old friends and new friends in 2025?

• Who has been your spiritual friend(s) and in what ways have they changed your life?
• Who has been your spiritual friend(s) and in what ways have you helped change their life?
• Who might God want you to reach out to be a friend?

• How can you set your mind on things above and make worship part of your daily life?
• How can you foster a spirit of unity and thankfulness in your interactions with fellow believers?
• How is God calling you to share the gospel and live out your faith in your community this week?

• How has God shown you his love this past year?
• How can you perfect God's love to you by showing that love to someone else this week?
• What people in your life do you find hard to love? How does the love of God in Christ help you in your weakness?

• How does Romans 8:31-39 help you trust that God's plan is greater than your sins, failures, and uncertainties?
• What barriers prevent you from fully believing in God’s love for you?
• In what ways does the Holy Spirit reassure you of God’s love, and how can you grow in recognizing His work in your life?

• Where are you experiencing suffering in your life? How does this passage (Rom 8:26-30) help you to wait patiently for the redemption of all things?
• When have you experienced feeling too weak or confused to pray with words? How does the Holy Spirit’s intercession (8:26-27) encourage you?
• Where in your life is God’s promise that “all things work together for good” (8:28) difficult to believe?
• What aspect of the “chain of salvation” (8:29-30) is most difficult to understand or believe? Which are you most grateful for today?

• How does the truth of being able to call God "Abba, Father" impact the way you approach Him in prayer and daily life?
• What areas of your life might God be using as discipline to draw you closer to Him and make you more like Christ?
• In what ways can you point others to the hope found in Christ, even as the world groans under brokenness?

• When you feel like God condemns you, what should you think and say out loud?
• What do you see in your life that shows that God’s Spirit has been changing you?
• What can you do to develop a mindset that reflects God?

• Where do you see evidence of your own struggle with sin, and how do you lean on Christ in those moments?
• What does it mean for you to "live in the victory already won"? How does this change your perspective on daily battles?
• How can recognizing your "wretchedness" lead to deeper gratitude and dependence on Christ?

• What are some “masters” you’ve been tempted to follow besides God? How have they impacted your life?
• What does it mean to you to be “free in Christ”? How does that change how you see yourself?
• What is one way you can “present yourself as a slave to righteousness” this week?

• What does it mean that Christians have “died to sin?”
• How is baptism a personalized retelling of the Gospel story?
• Are there any sins that you have grown tolerant toward?
• In an area of sin that you struggle against, what would it look like to offer your body to righteousness?

• Sin's effects are so deep. Identify 3 ways you see it in your life.
• Think back to when you first received God’s free gift of Christ. Why is it good to do that?
• How can knowing your spiritual genealogy help you share the good news with someone?

• How has surrendering to Jesus in the past brought unexpected joy and hope, and where might God be calling you to surrender now?
• In what ways can suffering strip away distractions and help you focus on the hope that only God can give? Can you provide a real-life example?
• How can your experiences of peace with God and the peace of God help you share the hope of Jesus with those who struggle with doubt and fear?

• What religious traditions or practices do you tend to rely on for a sense of spiritual validation, and how does embracing faith alone challenge and transform those habits?
• Abraham’s faith wavered at times, but he ultimately held fast to God’s promises. How can you use his example to strengthen your faith during moments of doubt or uncertainty?
• How can you help others recognize that their true worth comes from God’s forgiveness, especially when they are struggling with feelings of unworthiness?

• Explain in one minute how someone can be made right with God.
• Do you tend to forget that God is just (and that sin is a horrific offense to his holiness) or that he is the one who justifies (and that through faith in Christ you are actually righteous)?
• How does the Gospel of Christ destroy pride? What area of pride needs to be put to death in your life?

• In what ways have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life, even when you were unfaithful?
• How does recognizing our inability to earn or deserve God's favor change the way we approach our relationship with Him?
• How can the truth that God's plan is unshakable, bring you comfort during difficult times?

• What marks you as a Christian? Are you trusting in that more than Christ?
• Why do you think it’s easy to justify yourself when you feel the need to?
• How can you help a friend understand the difference between self-justification and Christ-justification?

• When do you most often find yourself judging others, and what does this reveal about your own heart?
• How can we resist the temptation to feel morally superior to others, and how does grace help us in this?
• In what areas of your life have you misunderstood God's patience, and how is his kindness calling you to repentance?

• Do you see the truths of these verses in your own life before coming to Christ? And do you see fragments of this in your life now?
• Where are you tempted to choose the creation over the Creator? 
• How will you intentionally honor and give thanks to God this week?

• In what areas of your life do you feel divided from others, and how can the gospel bring unity?
• How does the gospel challenge the idea that our value comes from what we accomplish? In what ways does the truth of God's grace offer freedom from performance-based living?
• How can you live out the gospel as a present power shaping your daily life, not just a past event?

• What are your Pinterest fails? Where do you fail to look like Jesus in your life?
• How are you looking more like Jesus today than you did yesterday? Last week? Last year?
• How can you look like Jesus this week?

• How can you intentionally seek the welfare of the city or community where God has placed you?
• What opportunities for spiritual multiplication might you be overlooking in your current life?
• How do fears or feelings of inadequacy hinder you from sharing the gospel or making disciples in the context where God has called you?

• What fears, lies or idols keep you from living a more generous life?
• Meditate on God’s generosity toward you. Share that with someone else.
• How can you “test God” (Malachi 3:10) in the area of generosity?

• Is there a chasm between your current view of work and the biblical perspective we learned today, and what needs to change to bridge that gap?
• Reflect on a time when you found joy and fulfillment in your work. What factors contributed to that experience, and how can you cultivate those factors in your current situation?
• Discuss how you can help others see the value and dignity in their work, regardless of the nature of their job. How can you encourage and support those around you in their vocational callings?

• What group at Chelten would you call your community?
• Who could you seek out to be a friend who is not one now?
• How can you spend quality time with a friend this week?

• Reflect on a time when you have seen singleness used for the benefit of the community or church. How did it impact you?
• What are some common misconceptions about singleness in the church today?
• How can the church create an environment that affirms and celebrates the goodness of singleness?

Sermon Passages: Gen 3:14-19; Col 3:18-19

Speaker: Bill Krewson

• In what ways can you and your spouse better embody the concept of "one flesh" in your relationship?
• How can you prioritize friendship and companionship in your marriage to reflect the biblical ideal, and what steps can you take to ensure your spouse is your closest friend and confidant?
• How does mutual submission play a role in your marriage, and how can you practice it more humbly?

• Paul emphasizes that physical oneness should be accompanied by whole-life oneness. How can this principle shape your approach to relationships and marriage?
• Discuss how different generations within the church might view sex and sexuality. How can we foster healthy conversations about godly sexuality across generational lines?
• Paul calls us to glorify God with our bodies. What are some ways you can honor God with your physical health and actions? Are there areas where you struggle to do this?

• What messages do you regularly hear regarding gender and identity? Where do they align with God's good design and where do they distort it? 
• In what areas are you tempted to rely on yourself as the ultimate source of authority, knowledge, and trustworthiness instead of God? 
• What does it look like to walk in continual repentance?
• Personally and as a church, how can our posture towards fellow sinners match that of Christ's posture while not compromising our position?

• What emotions rise in you when you think about dying?
• What plans should you make to die well?
• How can Jesus’ own death and resurrection give you hope?

• How does acknowledging and accepting your limitations impact your relationship with God and your dependence on Him?
• How does the idea of extending grace to yourself challenge or encourage you, and in what ways can you be more gracious to yourself when you fall short of your own expectations?
• How does spiritual rest catalyze other forms of rest (physical, emotional, mental), and how does your spiritual state influence your overall well-being?

• Which one of these four ways of interacting with God (Over God – Under God – From God – For God) are you most tempted to live from? and how do you experience them in your life?
• How does “Life With God” transform each of these approaches?
• What does it look like to prioritize your relationship with God through the regular rhythms of your life?

• What does it mean to you personally to be created in the image of God? How does this shape your self-worth and identity?
• In what ways can recognizing the divine likeness in others change the way we treat them? In other words, how can we cultivate a community that truly respects and reflects the image of God in every individual, regardless of their background or status?
• How does the understanding that all humans are made in God's image shape our approach to evangelism and missions?

• As you pray about decisions you face, are you more desirous of God giving you wisdom so you can make the decision or of God's showing you which decision to make? Why do you think this is?
• What is your reaction to the idea that you don't have to find God's will for your life where God's will refers to a specific prescribed path that you must discover so you can obey
• When it comes to decision making, we tend to err on the side of presumptuousness or paralysis. Which are you more inclined to and how might this teaching help correct that?

• How can we discern when to focus on detailed understanding versus the broader message in biblical texts?
• Discuss examples from history or current events that show the cyclical nature of kingdoms rising and falling, both on a broader scale and personally.
• Why is it challenging to see evil prosper when we yearn for good to prevail? How can we maintain our sense of justice and hope in our personal lives during these times?

• How does knowing you are loved by God change your perspective during uncertain times?
• Reflect on a time you faced a conflict with deeper spiritual implications. How did you respond, what was the outcome, and why is awareness of these spiritual battles important for Christians?
• Discuss how understanding God’s sovereignty over history, as demonstrated through prophecies in Daniel, can provide comfort during current global or personal crises.

• How does knowing that God deeply loves you motivate you to pray?
• When prophecy about the future confuses you, how can you have hope in God’s promises?
• How should you react when you hold beliefs about the Bible that other Christians see differently?

• Have you experienced someone interceding in prayer for you, and if so, how did it affect your situation or your heart regarding the circumstances you were facing?
• Daniel's prayer was deeply rooted in the promises and character of God as revealed in Scripture. How can we more effectively incorporate Scripture into our own prayer lives?
• How does interceding for broader communal or societal issues challenge or change us personally?

• • • Discussion Questions

• Where did you personally connect with something shared in one of the baptism testimonies?
• What does it look like for you to publicly identify with Christ through your words and actions in the places you live? Work? Play?
• Where are you tempted to shrink back?
• How does the Gospel enable and empower you to be a bold witness for Christ?

• How does leaning on the sovereignty of Jesus help you in your suffering?
• Do you find yourself getting sucked into the idea that you need more control? How can you look like Jesus in those moments?
• Do we recognize our pride for what it really is? How have you excused your own pride in the past? What does it look like to surrender your pride to Jesus this week?
• How has God both humbled and exalted you recently?

• Reflect on a time of failed hope and its impact on you. How does this align with the idea that we are "hope-shaped creatures"?
• What narrative do you often find yourself sharing about your life? Is it a success story, a discovery story, a self-martyr story, or a story of hope and grace?
• What are some ways you can demonstrate and live out the hope of resurrection through your love for others?

Sermon Passage: Daniel 7:13-14; Mark 10:32-45

Speaker: Jon Shepherd

Sermon Passage: Daniel 7:1-18

Speaker: Bill Krewson

Sermon Passage: Daniel 5:13-31

Speaker: Jin Lee

• • •

• How is pride connected to all other sin?
• What areas of life are you tempted to believe and live as if you have control over?
• When has God humbled you? How did you respond?
• How does life with Jesus free us from the pride and the need for control?

• How can we effectively communicate the unique claims of Christianity while also respecting differing perspectives?
• How does the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego challenge our understanding of suffering and deliverance?
• How do we reconcile the reality that God may not always deliver us from earthly suffering with the promise of ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ?

Discussion Questions

• In what direction are your emotions taking you now: anger, fear, joy, peace?
• How can you specifically pray for our nation, its leaders, and the coming election?
• What are you doing to build God’s kingdom that will outlast all nations?

• How can we learn from Daniel's refusal to compromise on certain issues and identify the non-negotiable aspects of our lives, avoiding both rigidity and legalism?
• Considering Daniel's wisdom in engaging with culture while maintaining his distinct identity, how can we cultivate spiritual discernment to navigate the complexities of cultural engagement in our present-day context?
• When making decisions about education, career, social interactions, and friendships, how can we apply the principles seen in Daniel's life? What biblical guidelines can guide us in making wise and faithful decisions in these areas?

• How can we honor and value the contributions of those who may feel unnoticed or less significant? Share examples of how the church, as a body, can ensure that every member feels valued.
• Discuss the historical impact of Christians serving others. How can the church today continue this legacy of impactful service beyond its walls?
• How can your church community prioritize love over individual preferences and gifts?

• How can you cultivate the gifts and talents God has given you in order to better serve others?
• As you interact with others this week, how can you help them identify and cultivate their gifts? 
• How does fear keep you from using your spiritual gifts and talents? Now preach the gospel to that fear.

• Describe how you have been impacted by someone's spiritual gift.
• How would you describe your own spiritual gift?
• Think of three of your Christian friends. Now try to identify their spiritual gifts.

• How has the favor of God transformed your relationship with him?
• How has the favor of God transformed your relationship with others?
• How has Jesus blessed you to be a blessing for someone else in 2024?

• • •

Discussion Questions

• What “tree" of false hope has been cut down?
• How has Jesus, "the Branch,” brought you hope when you needed it?

• "Waiting is a wall that reveals the heart." What anxieties or strengths have been revealed within you during your current season of waiting?
• Imagine the day Jesus' promise of light is fully realized. What emotions do you anticipate experiencing, and what might these emotions reveal about you?
• Think of someone in your life who is currently struggling with uncertainty or despair. How can you share your story of hope with them in a way that feels authentic and encouraging?

• What are some unexpected ways you have been comforted in times of difficulty or pain?
• How can we cultivate patience and trust in God's timing, even when it seems slow or uncertain?
• What's your perspective on God working through individuals deemed unworthy or flawed? How can we overcome our judgments and prejudices against them?

• Where is your life out of control?
• Where are you feeling disappointed, fearful, or anxious?
• What does it look like for you to trust in God in the middle of this situation?
• What created thing or person are you tempted to put your functional hope in?
• How does Immanuel (“God with us”) bring you greater hope than anyone or anything else?

• • •

• Can you summarize the gospel in a few sentences?
• How do you feel when someone rejects Jesus? What should be your response?
• When you think about what excites Christians, is it the gospel or something else?

• How have you personally witnessed the power of a shared mission within the church, fostering a sense of belonging and friendships that surpass individual differences?
• When faced with conflicts similar to those Paul experienced among his friends, how can we maintain unity and love despite disagreements?
• Reflect on the notion that friendships are not chance occurrences but are ordained by God. How does this perspective influence the way we value and nurture friendships?

• • •

• How can we balance living out the gospel versus explicitly proclaiming it? What situations might call for a more explicit proclamation of the gospel message?
• Have you or others you know felt a pressure to create or adopt a "single, one-size-fits-all gospel presentation that should be used everywhere"? What is the appeal of this? What are the risks?
• Consider a recent conversation you had about your faith. What elements of Paul's approach could you have applied in that conversation?

• • •

• Can you summarize your own conversion in three minutes?
• Name at least two people whom you can pray for their conversion (and do it).
• Name at least one person with whom you can talk about the gospel (and do it).

• Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Can I really change?" What prompted this question in your life, and what are some areas in which you've desired change or personal growth?
• The story of Saul's conversion illustrates the idea that when you have no way out of your blindness, God pursues you. Have you ever felt pursued by God? What was that experience like for you?
• How does God's choice of Ananias, an ordinary believer, to play a pivotal role in Saul's conversion teach us about God's use of everyday individuals for His purposes?"

• What is necessary to be saved? What is the gospel?
• Having been saved by faith in Jesus, how should a Christian think about obedience?
• What have you seen be added to the gospel and how would you respond to that teaching?

• • •

• How do you personally make sense of suffering in the world, and how has your understanding evolved over time?
• Have you personally witnessed or experienced situations where suffering led to a positive outcome or growth in faith? If so, please share those experiences.
• In what ways does your highest love and source of tranquility influence the way you respond to suffering and adversity?

• Think about two ways that someone has served you either physically or spiritually. How was your life changed?
• What way of serving others brings you the most joy?
• Identify someone or some way that you can serve this week.

• Is prayer typically your initial response in challenging situations, or do you tend to react differently? If so, why?
• Can you recall any specific instances in your life where prayer resulted in a significant transformation of both your heart and your circumstances?
• How can we nurture a culture of prayer within our church community and within our personal lives, whether it be during moments of crisis, joy, or thanksgiving?

• Since what we talk the most about reflects what we love the most, what are the deepest desires of your heart?
• What have you “seen and heard” God doing in your life?
• How often do you boldly speak of the goodness of God in everyday conversations?
• What are some of the barriers that prevent you from speaking boldly about Jesus?
• What regular rhythms can you build into your life to spend time with Jesus?

• Have you ever experienced a moment when the message of the gospel deeply convicted your heart? What was that experience like, and how did it impact you?
• The early Christian community was marked by sacrificial generosity and frequent gatherings. How can we practice radical unselfishness and prioritize regular fellowship in our church community today?
• How can you actively contribute to building a more unified and loving Christian community within your church or fellowship?

• Reflect on the foundation of the church as described in Acts 1:1–2. How does the fact that the church is about what Jesus has done, rather than what we have done, both humble and embolden you?
• Share a personal story of how being part of a church community has changed your life or the lives of those around you. What makes the people of the church beautiful to you?
• Discuss the concept of the church as a movement of people rather than just an institution. What does it mean to be part of this movement in your local context and beyond?

Discussion Questions

• In what ways do you improperly view the body and blood of Christ?
• In what ways can you properly view the body and blood of Christ?
• If you have a child (or children), how can you guide them to participate in the Lord’s Supper?

• Do you actually believe that God can heal a sickness if it’s his will?
• Name some Christians to whom you are close enough to confess a sin and ask for prayer.
• What specific changes will you make so that you will pray more intentionally for others?

• How does the metaphor of a farmer waiting for the rains resonate with your own experiences of waiting and hoping in your life?
• How might impatience expose a deficiency in trusting God's timing and sovereignty, and what steps can you take to nurture a stronger sense of trust and patience within your relationship with God?
• How does the hope of Christ's second coming influence your perspective on suffering and waiting in this world?

Read James 5:1–6

• • •

Discussion Questions

• Why is it challenging to openly discuss struggles with money and greed, and how can we foster a safe environment for these discussions in our community?
• How does our obsession with money and possessions affect our relationships, and how can we maintain healthy, loving relationships with others?
• How can the anticipation of eternity shape our perspective on money and wealth in our present life?

• Reflect on your own life. How can you cultivate a life that reflects wisdom in your actions and cultivates humility?
• Consider the life of Jesus. How do His life and actions demonstrate the embodiment of wisdom?
• Reflect on the relationships in your life. How can you actively promote peace and harmony in your relationships and community?

• What are some signs of an empty faith lacking genuine manifestation in one's life?
• How does James connect mercy with true faith?
• How can we become more intentional about practicing acts of mercy to genuinely care for others?
• What can we learn from the stories of Abraham and Rabab about putting our faith into practice, even when faced with challenging circumstances and uncertainties?

Right after witnessing Jesus feed a hillside crowd of over 5000 people with just a few loaves of bread and fish, his disciples witness him perform an equally shocking miracle amidst a stormy sea. In this sermon pastor Bill unpacks this story to show why seeing Jesus in the middle of our storms is much more important than his ending them.

God created us with the ability to imagine a world outside of reality. Satan tapped into this ability when he tempted Adam and Eve. Rejecting God’s wisdom, they followed their own path of folly led by Satan whose initial jealousy of God led him astray. In this sermon Pastor Bill walks us through select Proverbs and other scripture passages that warn us of the dangers of jealousy, how to resist it with gospel power.

God gave humanity the good gift of sexuality even before sin entered the world. Yet how is it that a gift capable of bringing us such pleasure and intimacy can also imprison us in such shame, silence, darkness and isolation? In this honest conversation on sexuality and lust, Pastor Shep walks us through 23 verses in Proverbs 5 to uncover some answers and the hope found in Christ for sexual sinners and sufferers.

Dinner invitations from people with the power and influence to make a positive difference in your life are eagerly accepted with great anticipation. In this sermon, pastor Jin informs you of two actual dinner invitations you have received from two powerful ladies in high places that will change your life forever. You must choose one or the other. Which one will you choose? How will you choose? The consequences of your decision will be life or death.

If you’ve ever played hide and seek with toddlers you’ll know that they’re not very good at hiding. They can’t wait. Excitement overtakes them and they pop out of their hiding spots before you get there. For toddlers it’s more of a game of seek and seek. Lady wisdom is not very good at hide and seek either, for the same reason. And, that’s really, really good news for us. In this sermon pastor Shep explains why.

Each day we must make a multitude of decisions. Some are binary—black and white, right or wrong. But, oh, those tricky, complex, gray ones. They require wisdom from outside of ourselves. In this introductory sermon to our series on the book of Proverbs pastor Jin gives us a birds-eye view of the morality, mystery and mastery of biblical wisdom.

As inflation in the U.S. surges to a 40-year high, so does our level of worry and anxiety. Worrying is natural, but not helpful. Why do we do it? Is it possible not to? In this video pastor Shep shows how a conversation Jesus had with disciples answers these questions and uncovers the possibility of maintaining a generous life during lean times. 

Through generosity God gives us the privilege of participating with him in the building of his kingdom. But sometimes generosity is hard to muster and greediness gets in the way. Why? What’s hindering us from being the generous people God intends us to be? In this sermon pastor Jin walks us through some answers.

As a defendant, imagine how you’d feel walking into a courtroom knowing that the plaintiff is both judge and jury. This is the case for Israel in Micah 6. As plaintiff, judge and jury God presents his verdict. To be consistent with his justice God must hold us accountable for our sins without being inconsistent with his mercy. In this sermon pastor Shep unravels this seemingly irreconcilable conundrum to reveal a dazzling hope that takes sin seriously and throws shame out the window.

“Lord, just show me what you want me to do.” All of us have asked God this same question many times. According to Micah 6, God has shown us. He wants us mortals to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with him. In this sermon pastor Jin explores how we can discern what this means for us by listening to God, by remembering what he has done and by worshipping him holistically.

As difficult circumstances and relationships drag on in our lives a multitude of voices clamor for our attention, offering answers and promising hope. In this sermon pastor Bill encourages us to resist giving our allegiance to worldly chatter and place our faith in the very same hope Micah promised centuries ago. We must live our promised future inside the struggles of the present. We live in the “until.”

It’s not a question of if we will face struggles in our lives, but when. Periods of brokenness are a part of life. Working through Micah 4 and examining the life of Jacob, pastor Jin explores how God often restores us from brokenness by walking with us through it.

> For three chapters Micah has confronted Judah’s and Israel’s leaders with their idolatry, greed and injustice. Now in chapter four, after calling them to self-examination, humility and repentance, the prophet promises a future filled with hope and restoration, not just for Israel but for all nations. In this sermon Pastor Shep unpacks what all of this means for us and how we can live the life of our promised future in the ruins of our present. 

Micah’s called out the political and religious leaders for not treating their people justly. Sound familiar? Justice is certainly a hot topic these days. But just what is it? Is my definition of justice the same as yours? In this sermon pastor Jin shows us how biblical justice is able to encompass and reconcile our diverse and complex views to reveal not only what it means to be truly just, but how Jesus’ death and resurrection produces hope for justice to be truly realized.

God’s warning to the people of Jerusalem and Samaria through Micah was simple. “LOOK! The Lord is coming.” For too long they had allowed idols to coexist with God in their hearts and lives. Now, judgment was at hand. But the people are not left without hope. Micah reminds them that God is slow to anger, loving and compassionate to those who repent.

In this first sermon of the series, pastor Jin challenges us to identity the idols we allow to coexist with God in our own lives; encourages us to repent of our sins and weep for the sins of others; and reminds us of our ultimate hope for restoration, Christ alone.

How can we live wisely as followers of Christ? What does it mean for us to put off our old selves and put on our new ones? In this sermon pastor Jin explores our metamorphosis as believers from lives of ruthless and aggressive self-seeking to ones marked by self-donation as we become our true redeemed selves.

The Pivot to Practice | Ephesians 3:14-21 As the apostle pivots his letter from the precepts of who we are in Christ to the practice of growing in maturity to his likeness, Paul pauses to pray for his readers. Guest speaker, Dr. John Currie unpacks this essential and moving prayer to reveal three things we need in order to pivot: passion for maturity, power for maturity and to know the path to maturity.

You know how weight-loss commercials and ads include those before and after images? Well, in chapter two the author of Ephesians gives us just that, a before-Christ image and an after-Christ image. The “before” image shows us as dead in our sin; dead in a secular culture that blurs right and wrong and dead in a pervasive self-centeredness that pollutes even the good we do with a curve inward. As appalling as our before-Christ image is, our after-Christ image is beautiful beyond description. God gave us dead people life. Now Christ lives in us, straightening, sometimes painfully, our curve inward. Such remarkable grace leads us to faith, and faith leads us to good works driven by love, not fear.

Paul wrote this letter to a group of gentile believers in Ephesus who recently left a of cult emperor worship to become followers of Christ. In chapters 1-2 Paul presents foundational truths about who we are in Christ and the riches of our new relationship with God and each other. In Christ God created us into one new humanity, one church. Walls that divided us no longer stand. In chapters 4-6 Paul gives us very practical instructions about living as one humanity, not just for ourselves, but for each other. In this first sermon of the series pastor Jin encourages us with the reminder that God has a master plan for our lives that fills our deep longings for affirmation, redemption and security. Fully believing and accepting who are in Christ frees from having to live for ourselves and releases us to live for others. 

For the last nine Sundays our pastors have surrounded us with examples of men and women whose faith moved them to obedience. In a sense, these witnesses have urged and cheered for us to run the races of faith that God marked out for each of us. In this final sermon in the series pastor Bill breaks down our faith marathon strategies into three points: preparation, perseverance and focus. Whether we're poised at the starting line, experiencing a runner’s high on mile 19 or have the finish line in view, Paul’s exhortation in Hebrews 12 will motivate and encourage us to focus on Jesus and keep on running.

In the sermon series, Faith that Moves, our pastors examine the men and women of faith highlighted in Hebrews 11. How did faith mobilize and enable them to fulfill God’s calling? How does faith do the same for us? Inevitably, our journeys of faith include seasons trials and seasons triumphs. Inward, self-centered responses to trials and triumphs wreak havoc on our lives. In this video pastor Jin exhorts to respond to these seasons wisely by understanding and embracing them as from the Lord, waiting patiently for him to fulfill his promise for something much better.

In the sermon series, Faith that Moves, our pastors examine the men and women of faith highlighted in Hebrews 11. How did faith mobilize and enable them to fulfill God’s calling? How does faith do the same for us? In this sermon pastor Shep highlights a unique member of Hebrews hall of fame; a woman, a gentile, and a prostitute. Why is Rahab included? Her response to the Hebrew spies revealed a “good fear” of God that both trembled at his power and depended on his mercy. Rahab's fear was faith that moved her.

In the sermon series, Faith that Moves, our pastors examine the men and women of faith highlighted in Hebrews 11. How did faith mobilize and enable them to fulfill God’s calling? How does faith do the same for us? The Israelites showed their faith in God by attacking Jericho in a most unusual way. Learn how we can begin to defeat our walled cities by fighting them with faith in Christ’s promises. Walled cities are opportunities to replace Jericho with the New Jerusalem.

In the sermon series, Faith that Moves, our pastors examine the men and women of faith highlighted in Hebrews 11. How did faith mobilize and enable them to fulfill God’s calling? How does faith do the same for us?

Joseph did some commendable things. He ran from sexual temptation. He interpreted dreams and saved thousands of people from starvation, including the brothers who sold him into slavery. But when the author of the Book of Hebrews commended Joseph in Hebrews 11 it was not for any of these, it was for his funeral arrangements. What’s up with that? Listen as Youth Ministry Director Jake Fairfield challenges us to let what we believe about our “promised land,” and the promise maker, shape how we experience our present “Egypt.”

In the sermon series, Faith that Moves, our pastors examine the men and women of faith highlighted in Hebrews 11. How did faith mobilize and enable them to fulfill God’s calling? How does faith do the same for us?

Strength, independence and self-sufficiency are icons of America’s stand-on-your-own-two-feet culture. But in today’s message pastor Shep uses the life of Jacob to show us an icon of faith that is quite the opposite, and that coming to grips with our weakness is the best news ever.

In our sermon series, "Chelten’s DNA," we explore who we are as a church and why it matters. We don’t exist for ourselves. We exist to worship the Triune God (upward), to nurture each other in truth and love (inward), and to share the good news of Jesus Christ (outward).

Turning to 2 Corinthians, Pastor Bill speaks about Chelten’s mission of nurturing God’s family. The Apostle Paul told the church in Corinth that God is the God of all comfort. For all of our troubles, pain, and suffering, God gives true comfort, encouragement, and care. With the comfort and encouragement we receive from him, we are then equipped to do the same for others. Only when we have experienced God’s comfort can we encourage someone else. This three dimensional display of comfort is part of our DNA as Christians.

In our sermon series, Chelten’s DNA, we explore who we are as a church and why it matters. We don’t exist for ourselves. We exist to worship the triune God (Upward), to care and nurture each other in truth and love (Inward), and to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world (Outward).

Through the parable of the Good Samaritan pastor Jin addresses Chelten’s outward calling as a church to share the good news of Jesus with the world. Like the expert in the Law in Luke 10, a chasm often exists between the beliefs we profess and the actions we take, or fail to take. When the rubber meets the road, a sense of religious duty is not enough. Our calling requires a change of heart that begins when we realize that we are the half-dead man lying on the side of the road, and Jesus is our good Samaritan. To the measure we grasp what Jesus did for us, we will be compelled to do for others.

In our sermon series, Chelten’s DNA, we explore who we are as a church and why it matters. We don’t exist for ourselves. We exist to worship the triune God (Upward), to care and nurture each other in truth and love (Inward), and to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world (Outward).

In this sermon pastor Jin focuses on the second and inward part of Chelten’s mission, nurture. In Acts 2 we see three characteristics of a gospel-transformed community. People in the early church were DEVOTED TO THE GOSPEL AND TO EACH OTHER. They were MARKED BY FREQUENT GATHERING AND MUCH CARING. And they were DEEPLY COMMITTED TO UNITY AND PEACEMAKING. Centered on belief in a crucified and resurrected messiah, this diverse covenant community had grown together to form a flourishing “us” that enjoyed the favor of all people.

In this fourth message of our Advent series, "Fear Not," pastor Jin explores the birth narrative of Jesus from the perspectives of the magi and King Herod.

The magi and King Herod responded to news of Jesus’ birth in opposite ways. Fearing the loss of power and position, King Herod grasped for control of this developing new threat through the ruthless and violent taking of lives. But for the magi, finding Jesus was the culmination of a year-long search. They responded by giving costly gifts and bowing before this new king in utter worship. How do you respond to fearful threats in your life? Do you grasp for control or do look to Jesus? The ultimate cure to your chronic fear is worshiping Jesus.

Jesus changes our thinking and choices, and through these changes, your family, community, nation and world can make and share these changes with others. These changes renew our minds and deeds so that they might do the same for others. Light always changes what we see!

(1 Peter 3:8-14) Guest Speaker: Jerome David

1 Peter 3:8-14 sums up the duties of God’s covenant community to all men. In this passage, Peter lays down the believers’ responsibilities to the brethren (v. 8) and to those who oppress, vilify, and despise them (vv. 9-11). The attitudes and actions that the apostle emphasized should characterize our practice in every situation and relationship of our lives. If we act in these ways, we can expect to live well, enjoy God’s favor, and exalt Christ – our model par excellence.

In a day and age where the institutions of marriage and family are being challenged, God calls the witness of a godly family to be a light in a dark world. Come learn how the upside down values of the Kingdom shape marriages and families to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth with His glory.

Scripture Passage - Exodus 18: 1-12

Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her 3 and her two sons. One son was named Gershom,for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; 4 and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.” 5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.” 7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them. 9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” 12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.