Matthew 7: 13-29For Further DiscussionWhat might “good fruit” look like in someone’s life? What about “bad fruit”? (vs 17-20)Verses 21 – 23 can be quite alarming. How should we navigate this section?How can we build our house on the strong foundation? (vs. 24-27)What aspects of the Sermon on the Mount stand out to you?…

Matthew 7: 7-12For Further DiscussionWhy is it difficult to ask for help from others? Is it difficult to ask for help from God?What do Jesus’ illustrations indicate about God as our ultimate Father? (vs. 9-11)How does the Golden Rule (7:12) sum up the Law and Prophets?What seems easy about the Golden Rule? What seems hard?…

Matthew 7: 1-6For Further DiscussionIs a follower of Jesus ever called to judge? Why or why not?In a culture that often views the Church as increasingly judgmental, how can a follower of Jesus interact with others while holding fast to the truth?Give an example (positive or negative) of an instance when you have seen the difference between judgment…

Matthew 6: 25-34For Further DiscussionWhat are some things you find yourself worrying about?What really comes out of worrying?How do you understand Jesus’ case for not worrying? What can we learn from birds and flowers?What should we do instead of worry? What does it mean to “seek first His Kingdom?”How do worry, anxiety and fear relate to our trus…

Matthew 6: 9-15For Further DiscussionWhat does “holy” mean? How can we encourage God’s namebeing recognized as holy?Why would anyone be resistant to God’s Kingdom (rule, reign)coming?Is it difficult to pray just for daily provision? What does this suggestabout our relationship with God?Why is it hard for us to forgive others when we know how muchGo…

Matthew 6: 9-15For Further DiscussionWhat does “holy” mean? How can we encourage God’s namebeing recognized as holy?Why would anyone be resistant to God’s Kingdom (rule, reign)coming?Is it difficult to pray just for daily provision? What does this suggestabout our relationship with God?Why is it hard for us to forgive others when we know how muchGo…

Matthew 6: 9-15For Further DiscussionWhat does “holy” mean? How can we encourage God’s namebeing recognized as holy?Why would anyone be resistant to God’s Kingdom (rule, reign)coming?Is it difficult to pray just for daily provision? What does this suggestabout our relationship with God?Why is it hard for us to forgive others when we know how muchGo…

Matthew 6: 1-18For Further DiscussionWhy are we often pulled toward acting as hypocrites orpretenders, especially in “righteous” practices? Do you believe thatpretty much everyone is looking for approval from others?What do you think Jesus is referring to when He mentions“rewards”?What compels a Kingdom dweller to practice these acts ofrighteousnes…

Matthew 5: 33-48For Further DiscussionWhy are we compelled to use things like oaths? Why is itbetter to just leave them out?How should a Kingdom dweller understand “eye for an eye…”?Do unresistant people seem like “door mats”? Why or whynot?What does it really mean to love our enemies or those thatare annoying, tiresome, mean, unpleasant…?…

Matthew 5: 21-32For Further DiscussionWhy do you think Jesus would begin this section of theSermon on the Mount talking about anger and lust?How is lustful intent similar to anger? How do these show non-righteous living?Why do you think Jesus used such provocative language about cutting off body parts?How do Jesus’ comments about divorce raise the …

Matthew 5: 17-20For Further DiscussionWhy would people think that Jesus was interested in doingaway with the Law & Prophets (Hebrew Scriptures)? What seems to be His true view of scriptures?What are some ways that Jesus fulfills Hebrew Scriptures?What does the term “righteousness” mean? Can it have negative connotations?How can we help each other b…

Matthew 5: 3-16For Further DiscussionHow should we understand this Kingdom that Jesus ispreaching about?What do you think it means to be “blessed”?Which of these blessings is most encouraging? Mostsurprising?Why is it significant that Jesus indicates that blessed peoplemay not look like his audience imagined they should?What does it mean to be salt…

Matthew 5 - 7For Further DiscussionIf you are familiar with it, what comes to mind when youhear “Sermon on the Mount?”Does it seem that our culture is becoming less and lessamicable to Christian ideas and living? If so, how should wereact to that?How does it make you feel that Jesus was intentionallyaddressing ordinary (i.e. not particularly specia…

For Further DiscussionConsidering all 5 chapters of 1 Peter, what sticks out to you most (Leaders: bewilling to expand on this and let it take your discussion wherever it mightgo. This may be the only question you get to during your time!)?What must happen in your life for you to be “done with sin?” (4:1) Discuss what alife that is done with sin wo…

For Further DiscussionDoes a regular quiet time seem important or not tooimportant?What do you think it means to “abide” in Jesus?Why do we struggle with intentional, alone time with Godon a regular basis?What are some things that would help with your quiettime?Av Curt Vogt

We are blessed by your presence with us! We do not believe your visit to our church was by chance, so we pray that you would experience God's blessing as we worship, learn, grow, and encourage one another.Av Curt Vogt

We are blessed by your presence with us! We do not believe your visit to our church was by chance, so we pray that you would experience God's blessing as we worship, learn, grow, and encourage one another.Av Curt Vogt

We are blessed by your presence with us! We do not believe your visit to our church was by chance, so we pray that you would experience God's blessing as we worship, learn, grow, and encourage one another.Av Curt Vogt

We are blessed by your presence with us! We do not believe your visit to our church was by chance, so we pray that you would experience God's blessing as we worship, learn, grow, and encourage one another.Av Curt Vogt

NEW MEMBERS - being BaptizedAddyson DickAdeline FranklinJon Schroeder NEW MEMBERS - by TestimonyTegan MeadorsRyan SchmidtAv Curt Vogt

NEW MEMBERS - being BaptizedAddyson DickAdeline FranklinJon Schroeder NEW MEMBERS - by TestimonyTegan MeadorsRyan SchmidtAv Curt Vogt

Psalm 57For Further DiscussionWhat comes to mind when you hear the word “exalted”?What are some other ways to express: “Be exalted, O God”?What attributes or characteristics of God do you see in this Psalm?How do we typically react to being at a very low point (“in a cave”)?What does Psalm 57 teach us about how to react to those low places?…

Romans 8:16“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”I Am LovedStory: Luke 15: 11 – 24Parable of the Lost SonVerse: 1 John 3:1“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should becalled children of God! And that is what we are!”I Am ForgivenStory: Luke 5: 17 – 26Paralyzed Man is Forgiven and HealedVer…

We are blessed by your presence with us! We do not believe your visit to our church was by chance, so we pray that you would experience God's blessing as we worship, learn, grow, and encourage one another.Av Curt Vogt

saiah 25: 6 – 8; Revelation 19: 9; Matthew 22: 1 - 14For Further DiscussionWhy do you think eternity with Jesus is depicted as a feast (dinner)?What do you think it means to be “invited” to the banquet?What do you think it might mean for us to not be “properly clothed”?Why do you think Jesus said, “Many are called but few are chosen”?…

Luke 7: 36-50For Further DiscussionDo you find yourself comparing your sinfulness with others?What do you think makes us want to compare ourselves with others this way?How can we encourage one another to not be judgmental of others?Is it difficult to approach Jesus when we come face to face with our sinfulness?In what ways can we be like the woman …

For Further DiscussionWas it important for Jesus to give warnings about abetrayer, a denier and difficult times ahead at this dinner?What about His brief lesson on greatness?What do you think of when you hear the word “covenant”?What are the significant aspects of the new covenant?What can we learn about God as He establishescovenants?How does part…

Luke 5: 27-32For Further DiscussionWhat are some positive things about sharing a meal with others?Why do you think so many people were drawn to this meal at Levi’s house?Who might be the equivalent of “tax collectors and sinners” for us today?Is it difficult to have relationships (share a meal) with people who we may perceive as different or even “…

Psalm 51For Further DiscussionThis is a powerful psalm. What stands out to you about Psalm 51?How does Psalm 51 help in our understanding of sin? …of confession? …of repentance? …of forgiveness?What does it mean to have a “broken spirit” and “contrite heart?”What does Psalm 51 teach us about our relationship with God? How can this psalm help your w…

1 Peter 5:5-11For Further Discussion• How might starting from an attitude of humility affect the way you interact with obstacles andsuffering in the world?• Discuss the difference between how the world responds to anxiety and how followers of Jesus arecalled to respond. Why could a follower of Jesus’ response to a stressful situation look different…

For Further StudyDoes it seem good to you to periodically have church services emphasizing worship?What sorts of things (i.e. elements, aspects) are worshipfulto you when we gather for corporate worship? Are there different things for personal/individual worship?Why is it important to share the Lord’s Supper in corporateworship? Is it important to …

For Further StudyHow has Jesus changed your life?Where in your life do you need freedom and healing?How would you like to see Jesus transform someone you love?What would it take for Jesus to transform our society or community?Av Bill Franklin

1 John 4: 7-12For Further StudyHow would you define “love” – especially as it applies to loving others?Do you ever find it difficult to express love to others? If so, why might that be?How do we love others who are hard to love (conflicts, disagreements, tension)?Why is it important for us to love others well?…

Luke 24: 13-35Av Curt Vogt

For Further StudyWhich Jesus story (or stories) stood out to you? Did any ofthe Jesus stories influence your daily walk with Jesus?Did you notice any connections or common threads in theJesus stories? Was there any story that had somethingnew or surprising to you?How could you use the Jesus stories to show Jesus to non-believers?What story did you …

Acts 2:24Av Curt Vogt

We are blessed by your presence with us! We do not believe your visit to our church was by chance, so we pray that you would experience God's blessing as we worship, learn, grow, and encourage one another.Av Curt Vogt

Matthew 21: 1 – 11; Mark 11: 1 – 11;Luke 19: 28 – 44; John 12: 12 - 19For Further StudyIs this a story you are familiar with? What stands about this story?Is the triumphal entry a sign pointing to Jesus – who He is?How do the Jesus stories reflect His kingship?How might this story impact your walk with Jesus?…

John 11: 1-44For Further StudyIs this a story you are familiar with?What stands out to you about this story?How might this story impact your walk with Jesus?Av Curt Vogt

Matthew 14: 22 - 33; Mark 6: 45 - 52; John 6: 16 - 21For Further DiscussionIs this a story you are familiar with?What stands out to you about this story?Discuss the relationship of fear vs. faith. What are some things that you are fearful of that can deter your faith in Jesus?How might this story impact your walk with Jesus?…

John 6: 1-15; Mark 6: 30-44For Further DiscussionIs this a story you are familiar with?What stands out to you about this story?Do you ever find yourself emphasizing what God can do for you, what you can get out of Him?What do you think was the purpose of this sign (miracle)?How might this story impact your walk with Jesus?…

2 Corinthians 5:17For Further DiscussionWhat does it mean to be a new creation?Are there aspects of “new creation” that are on-going (recurring) or is this just a one-time situation?How can your group/class encourage James as Buhler MB’s new staff member?Av Russ Claassen

Mark 5: 21 – 43 (Matthew 9: 18 – 26; Luke 8: 41 – 56)For Further DiscussionIs this a story you are familiar with?What stands out to you about this story?What would it look like for you to have the faith of the woman or Jairus?How might this story impact your walk with Jesus?Av Curt Vogt

John 2: 1 - 11For Further DiscussionIs this a story you are familiar with?What stands out to you about this story?Does turning water into wine at a wedding seem like anappropriate first “sign” for Jesus to do? Why or why not?How might this story impact your walk with Jesus?Av Curt Vogt

Matthew 4: 1 - 11; Luke 4: 1 - 13For Further DiscussionIs this a story you are familiar with?What stands out to you about this story?Why was it important that Jesus be tempted but not succumb?How might this story impact your walk with Jesus?Av Curt Vogt

Matthew 3: 13–17(Mark 1: 9–11; Luke 3: 21 & 22; John 1: 31–34)For Further DiscussionIs this a story you are familiar with?What stands out to you about this story?Why was it important that Jesus be baptized?How might this story impact your walk with Jesus?Av Curt Vogt

Luke 2: 41-52For Further DiscussionIs this a story you are familiar with?What stands out to you about this story?Is it important for us to have some grasp of Jesus beingboth fully God and fully man? Why or why not?How might this story impact your walk with Jesus?Av Curt Vogt

Psalm 50For Further DiscussionWhy does God have the right to speak against and rebukesuperficial, ingenuine worshipers?How does a person’s life show or reflect a true, sincererelationship with God?Why might we be tempted to pare down our Godrelationship to routine and rote rituals?What are some ritualistic practices today that peoplemight do but ma…

Psalm 105: 5-7; Philippians 3: 10-14; Hebrews 12: 1-3For Further DiscussionHow have you seen God work over the past year?What are some things you would like to see in the next year?How can we encourage one another to keep focused on Jesus this year?Av Curt Vogt

We are blessed by your presence with us! We do not believe your visit to our church was by chance, so we pray that you would experience God's blessing as we worship, learn, grow, and encourage one another.Av Curt Vogt