« Back to Beyond the Message

How to use it: After watching/listening to this week’s message, from May 8, 2022, use the questions to go deeper into the message, with your group…or on your own. The questions will introduce you to the topic, reflect content from the sermon, go ‘Beyond the Message’, & get you thinking about practical applications for your life.

1. Discerning if someone really received a message from God.

   1. Have you ever had someone use a “God told me...” statement with you?  How did you respond, was the person proven right? How did you know?

   2. In Jeremiah 28, the prophets Jeremiah and Hananiah claim to have different messages from God regarding their exile to Babylon. Read v. 1-9 making note of how Jeremiah’s message matches the steps of discernment mentioned by Pastor Mark (i.e. agrees with Scripture, open to discussion, character, motivation, comes true).

2. The difference between denominations.

   1. What different types of churches have you attended? What differences have you noticed compared to West Meadows (i.e. style, expression, leadership model, theology)?

   2. How can we practically apply Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-22 to inter-denominational cooperation?

   3. In what cases should we be willing to cooperate with other churches, and in what instances should we not?

3. The gifts of “singleness” and “marriage.”

   1. If you are married, share with the group how you and your spouse met?

   2. Did you, or do you think you would have, used a dating app?

   3. What do you see to be the benefits of the gift of “singleness” and the gift of marriage?”  What are the challenges?

   4. Read Ecc 4:9-12. If the “cord” (v.12) refers to marriage, who are the “three strands” and what benefit do they provide to the relationship?

   5. What do you think is the foundation of a relationship that reflects Ecc 4:9-12? Commit to discuss this privately with your partner (if you have that gift).