Sermon Cloud

October 1, 2006-Community Group Questions & Reflections

The point of an open mind, like having an open mouth, is to close it on something solid.
~G.K. Chesterton

Measure not God's love and favour by your own feeling. The sun shines as clearly in the darkest day as it does in the brightest. The difference is not in the sun, but in some clouds which hinder the manifestation of the light thereof.
~Richard Sibbes

Love should cast out terror, but not awe. True love must include awe. This is one of the great truths about sex and marriage that our age has tragically forgotten. . . . God is love. But love is not love. Love is a fire, storm, earthquake, volcano, lightning and hurricane. Love banged out the Big Bang and endured the hell of the cross. . . . Next time you hear "All you need is luv," think of the captain of the Titanic singing it to his passengers. As for me, I'd rather have a lifeboat.
~Peter Kreeft in "New Covenant (July 1993)

We can decide to live in response to the abundance of God, and not under the dictatorship of our poor needs...We can decide to center ourselves in the God who generously gives and not in our own egos which so greedily grab. One of the certain consequences of such a life is joy...
~Eugene H. Peterson in "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction"


1. Begin tonight's group with a round of High-low. You play high-low by sharing a high point in your last week and a low point as well. Then spend a few minutes praying for each other.

Read Judges 2: 10-23

2. Describe the "Judges Cycle" and how with the gospel at the center our failure actually becomes a way that we grow deeper in our love for God?

3. Take some time to discuss how Jesus ultimately solves the problem that rages during the Period of the Judges. The problem: 1) establishing peace with God, and 2) changing the inclinations of our hearts.

4. In this past week's sermon entitled: "The Combustion Cycle That Empowers Our Faith" what was most striking to you, raised questions or gave you a new insight into the world in which we live, your life or what it means to follow Jesus?

5. Where do you see your need for the gospel from this passage? Where do you see your need for the perfect life of Jesus lived for you and his death for you in this text?

6. What one thing from our discussion has been impressed upon you most during our Community Group? Where have you fallen short of Jesus' requirements and need the gospel once again in your own life? Share and pray for one another.