Christ is What You Truly Want and Need | Colossians 2:16-23

Sermon Description

  1. In Colossians 2, Paul and Timothy directly address the false teaching that threatens to derail the Colossian church. This false teaching has elements of traditionalism, mysticism, and legalism—but all of these fall short of the gospel. At the end of the day, Jesus is truly all that we want and all that we need.

    Discussion Questions

  1. As you read through this passage, what are the good parts of each of these beliefs and practices? How do they become spiritually harmful when untethered from Jesus?

  2. Do you tend more toward the traditionalist, the mystic, or the disciplined? Ask those in your group for their perspective. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each?

  3. How does each element—Sabbath, festivals, angels, visions, and even rules—point us to Jesus? What harm comes when we elevate one of these things over Jesus?

  4. What—if any—of these elements do the non-Christians in your life focus on? How does this clarity help you to share the gospel with them?

    Prayer Points

  1. Pray that no matter your natural disposition or what things tend to grab your attention, you would approach those things with Jesus as central in your life.

  2. Pray that the Spirit would help you to grow in your ability to share the gospel with people in your life who are focused/fixated on various things in life.

Your Christ Isn't Big Enough | Colossians 2:6-15

Sermon Description

In Colossians 2, Paul and Timothy come to the heart of why they wrote this letter: addressing certain false teaching that threatens the spiritual well-being of this church. By forgetting how truly amazing Jesus is, these Colossian Christians were prone to seek out truth and security in other sources. This only can happen when we forget that Christ can’t be overestimated or overstated.

Discussion Questions

  1. Ask those in your group who know you what is “big” in your life? What do you often talk about? What do you most often share on social media? Relatedly, what keeps you up at night? Where do you seek security? What feels like “true” knowledge?

  2. What does it mean that “the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ”? What are the implications of the truth that Christ still exists in a (resurrected, perfected) body?

  3. Jesus’ work at the cross operates at three levels: individual regeneration, corporate debt forgiveness, spiritual victory over the forces of evil. Which one do you tend to think of most often? How are all three levels connected?

  4. As you think of the non-Christians in your life, what things tend to be “big” in their hearts and minds? How can you help them to see that Christ is more loving, more secure, more true?

Prayer Points

  1. Spend some time in personal silent prayer this week (Psalm 131) and see where your mind starts to wonder? Ask Jesus to help your heart focus less on those things and more on him.

  2. As a group, pray that our church would keep our focus on Jesus over and above any other thing.

  3. Pray that God would help you share with the non-Christians in your life how Jesus is the absolute greatest.

For Further Study

  • Selection (ch. 37) from “The Unseen Realm” from Dr. Michael Heiser

The Mystery of Christ | Colossians 1:24-2:5

Paul tells the Church at Colossae that he is striving and struggling for their edification in the knowledge of the Mystery of God revealed.  He also explains that his suffering is helping to complete a part lacking in the sufferings of Christ.

 Discussion Questions

  1. In what ways do we take for granted the gospel-serving suffering of the saints on whose shoulders we stand?  How can we honor their legacy through our faith put into action?

  2. Jesus is the Mystery of God revealed, the Savior of the World!  Who in my life or circle of influence needs to see this mystery revealed before them through my bold and consistent witness?

  3. What Kingdom fruit do I see from my own present or past times of suffering for the gospel?  How can I catch a vision of God’s work in order to stay motivated to persevere in striving to proclaim the Gospel?

  4. In what ways do you give up on Gospel efforts when you encounter challenges beyond your own strength?  How can you grow toward greater dependence on God’s power to work through you?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that God will create in us an abiding and compelling passion for proclaiming the mystery of Christ to the world near and far.

  2. Pray for the Persecuted Church and the saints around the world who are currently pouring out  their lives for the Gospel and the Church.   

For Further Reading

All About the Gospel | Colossians 1:15-23

Before Paul and Timothy begin to address the false teaching that threatens to harm the Colossian church, they want to firmly establish their teaching about the gospel. In this passage of Colossians, we see that while the gospel is for us, it is primarily not about us, but about Jesus.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the implications of the truth that Christ is both fully human and fully God? Where do untruths creep into our modern thinking, and how can we address them with the truth of Scripture?

  2. What other things might contend for primacy over the gospel in the life of a church? What about in your own life?

  3. The gospel requires honesty, change, and grit. Which of these is God most stirring in your heart as something that needs to be addressed? How does his grace empower you to make the necessary changes?

  4. As you consider the quote from Elliot Clark (and the long list of NT verses), how might you need to shift from “sharing” the gospel to “proclaiming” the gospel?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that God would help us and individuals and as a church community to be all about the gospel of Jesus.

  2. Pray for boldness to “proclaim” the gospel of Jesus in both word and deed with those in your life who have yet to believe in him.

For Further Reading

  • Evangelism as Exiles by Elliot Clark | There are still free copies available if you don’t have one, inquire at the connect desk.

Christ Loves His Church | Colossians 1:1-14

Sermon Description

Paul and Timothy have deep affection for the church in the city of Colossae. This affection is not arbitrary, but it is a direct reflection of the kind of love that Jesus has for his church. This leaves us with the question: do we love the church that Jesus loves?

Discussion Questions

  1. Read John 15:1-17. How does this teaching from Jesus undergird everything we see from Paul and Timothy in Colossians ch. 1? What words or phrases strike you as similar? How does this contribute to Paul and Timothy’s joy over the church in Colossae?

  2. Share with your group if there have been times where you’ve been hurt by “the church.” If appropriate, make it more specific and less general (e.g. this specific person hurt me). Is there follow up that should happen so you can experience healing and grace? How can your group or the elders of Sound City help you in that process?

  3. Similarly, share with your group if there have been times where you’ve been loved well by “the church.” Again, be specific and give thanks to God for those people.

  4. How does God want you to grow as an individual so that Sound City can be the most loving, fruitful, and Christ-like church that we can be? 

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that we would be deeply connected to God’s love as individuals and as a local church. Pray that this love would help us to love each other better.

  2. Pray that we would be a fruitful church, one that is compelled by the love of Jesus to proclaim the gospel with people in our lives who don’t yet know his love.

Stand Firm and Take Action | Daniel 11:32

Sermon Description

As we pause to celebrate five years as a church family, we look back on his grace to us and look ahead as to where God is leading us. The words of Daniel 11:32 serve to remind us that we are to walk closely with our God, to stand firm on the truth of his Word, and take action toward the goals God has called us to.

Discussion Questions

  1. How can you see God’s hand of grace upon Sound City Bible Church? Share what you are thankful for with others in your group?

  2. Are you more of a “hold firm” person or a “take action” person? How does God want to grow you in both? Who in your life is stronger in the opposite side than you?

  3. What practical steps do you need to take in order to more closely “know” your God? What needs to give? What habits or practices do you need to commit to?

  4. What are you excited about as we head into this next year as a church? What are you excited about as an individual or a family? What area of ministry is God calling you to?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray and give thanks to God for his faithfulness on us as a church family. 

  2. Pray that he would increase our dependence upon him, as we seek to hold firm and take action.

  3. Pray that many people would come to know Jesus and that many lives would be changed through God’s work in us as a church community.

Mary | Luke 1:46-55

When Mary receives the news that she will give birth to the promised Messiah, she breaks out in joyous song. Through this song, we see that her deepest joy is found in God’s plan of salvation. We also see that God is a God who keeps his promises, including one very unique promise to use “the woman” in a special way to usher in the plan of salvation.

Ruth | Ruth 1-4

In the book of Ruth we find a story of disobedience to God, and the tragedy & suffering that so often follows such disobedience. But we also find people of godly character living lives of loyalty, devotion, empathy, and faith. Finally, if we know where to look, Ruth also shows us a foreshadowing glimpse of the advent of Jesus…our great Redeemer & Savior.

Discussion Questions

  1. If obedience to God brings blessing, and grows us in holiness, then why do we have such are hard time staying the course? What is God asking you personally to do about your own struggles with disobedience to him? What do you need to repent about before him and others?

  2. What do we do in those lonely and difficult times of suffering in our lives when we can be tempted to believe that God is far off, or worse that he’s abandoned us. Do you every feel that way? How might we fight feelings like that, that rob our joy in Christ? How do the Scriptures encourage us to respond to such feelings? Make a list of all the promises of God that might encourage you to really embody this truth in your daily life, and then share it with others.

  3. What are the truths about Jesus that are foreshadowed in Boaz? List the ways you can think of, and how Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of each one of them. 

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that God would increase our obedience to him, for his glory and for our good.

  2. Pray that God would protect us from the schemes of the enemy, who would have us believe God has abandoned us. Pray that God would daily remind us through his Word, and through his people, that he is indeed with us, and that nothing can separate him from us. 

  3. Pray with thanksgiving that Jesus is our kinsman redeemer, and pray that he would redeem a great many others in and through each one of us who is part of the Sound City Bible Church family.

Bathsheba | 2 Samuel 11-12 (Suffering)

Sermon Description

The story of Bathsheba is a story of incredible sin on the part of a powerful ruler, King David. His sin has devastating effects on the lives of everyone around him, not least of all Bathsheba. But when we see the grace of God revealed in Bathsheba’s descendent, Jesus, we see that the “second David” perfectly did what the first David failed to do: lay down his life for his bride.

Discussion Questions

This week, due to the sensitive nature of the content presented, consider having the men and women meet separately for a frank discussion of sexual sin, sexual abuse, and freedom in Christ.

  1. If you have been the victim of sexual assault or misconduct, please pause to consider before simply bringing it up in your community group. Maybe reach out to the leaders first, or ask to meet with one of the pastors.

  2. If you are trapped in sexual sin, go to members of your group (men with men, women with women) and confess immediately. 

  3. Consider and discuss the idea that David’s sin in 2 Samuel 11-12 broke all ten commandments. If this is true, how so?

  4. How does Christ take our shame upon himself and wash us clean? What other verses in the Bible about cleansing/washing/etc. have been  encouraging to you? Share with your group.

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that we would individually and corporately put sexual sin to death by God’s grace.

  2. Pray that our church community would be a safe place for people to heal from the wounds of sexual abuse.

Rahab | Joshua 2, 6

Sermon Description

In Matthew 1, Rahab the prostitute is listed as one of the ancestors of Jesus. Her story, which is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua, is a story of remarkable faith and trust in the God of Israel. From her story, we see that God delights in showing his goodness through the faith of people who are deemed weak and outcast by society.


Discussion Questions

  1. What is the connection between true faith and action? How can this connection be misunderstood or misconstrued?

  2. How can success and prosperity be an inhibitor to genuine faith? How might your own faith be negatively affected at times due to success and prosperity?

  3. What sorts of things are you prone to put your trust in over-and-above God? How do those things ultimately fail us? How can we help each other see those areas of misplaced trust?

  4. Why does God prefer to show his grace and glory through the down-and-out, the weak, and the despised? Why is it such good news that Jesus came in weakness and humility?


Prayer Points

  1. Pray that God would increase our faith, causing us to trust in him at a deeper and deeper level.

  2. Pray for deeper humility and a willingness, like Jesus, to be associated with the outcast.

  3. Pray for faith to believe that God would save people in your life who have yet to come to know Jesus.

Tamar | Genesis 38:1-30

Sermon Description

The genealogy of Matthew chapter 1 raises many important questions, questions like “why are these women included in the lineage of the Messiah?” As the story of Tamar demonstrates, God’s grace is bigger than our sin or the mess that we find ourselves in.

Discussion Questions

  1. The Bible is an incredibly honest record of the people of God. Do you practice total honesty with trustworthy people in your life? Why or why not?

  2. Why is Tamar commended in Scripture? Despite her clearly immoral choices, what can we learn from her example?

  3. Where do you feel like you’re facing an impossible choice? How can you be assured of God’s grace in your situation?

  4. If Jesus’ grace is greater than our sin, how does this inspire you to pursue the mission of Jesus and sharing the gospel with non-Christians?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that God would give you grace and wisdom in the messes of life.

  2. Pray that God would open opportunities to share the gospel with friends and family who are far away from God and feel caught in the middle of the mess.

How Does It End? | Daniel 12:1-13

The final chapter of the book of Daniel continues to point its readers forward to a day when God acts decisively to put an end to evil and suffering. By trusting in God’s sovereign control, Daniel’s readers are able to persevere, even in difficult circumstances, because they know that their ultimate vindication awaits: the resurrection from the dead.

Discussion Questions

  1. Looking back through this series in Daniel, what truths have most stood out to you? Where have you been challenged or experienced growth?

  2. Where are you currently experiencing hardship or suffering? How does a trust in God’s sovereignty help you to know that your suffering is never in vain?

  3. Which side of the tension do you naturally lean toward: mercy or justice? How does God want to grow you to hold both in tension? How do we see both in the cross?

  4. How does a right belief in God’s sovereignty actually empower us toward action? How does it fuel us to share the gospel, to live holy lives, and to persevere?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that God would help us to trust his sovereignty in all of life’s ups and downs.

  2. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel, even as you seek to live a pure and godly life before him.


Christ vs. AntiChrist | Daniel 11:2-45

Sermon Description

There are few subjects in the Christian faith that generate as much controversy as “the antichrist.” And Daniel ch. 11 is one of the main biblical passages that contributes to the discussion. But as Christians, our call is to be wise about evil, but spend more time focusing on the perfect Messiah who has defeated the forces of evil.


Discussion Questions

  1. How does Daniel 11 help you have confidence in the trustworthiness of the Scripture? How do these historical events increase your trust in God and his Word?

  2. Read Romans 16:17-20. Are you someone who is wise about good and innocent of evil? Where might you be cavalier in your interactions with evil and darkness?

  3. Where does the antichrist show up in your own heart? How is Jesus calling you to put these desires to death by the power of his Spirit?

  4. How does God want you to focus on the real enemy and less on the enemies that capture your attention and imagination?


Prayer Points

  1. Pray against the forces of evil that are alive and well in our world. Pray that God would give us wisdom to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy.

  2. Pray for those in your life who have been captured by the “spirit of antichrist.” Pray that God would use you to break through their objections so they could come to know the love of the Messiah.


Spiritual Warfare | Daniel 10:1-11:1

Sermon Description

Apocalyptic literature gives us a peek behind the curtain, a look at the spiritual realities that are happening all around us at all times—realities that we are largely unaware of. In Daniel 10, we are made aware of spiritual battles that are always raging. But in Christ, the victory has been won.


Discussion Questions

  1. Read Genesis 11:1-9, Deuteronomy 32:8, and Psalm 82. How are “the nations” and the “gods” of this world connected? How does this perspective help you view the world differently?

  2. Why should we take the realities of spiritual warfare seriously? Conversely, where could we go wrong with a focus on spirits and spiritual warfare.

  3. How is Jesus our only hope against the forces of darkness? How can we live in the tension of his “already” defeat of evil but the “not yet” of his final victory?

  4. How do passages like Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Timothy 2:26 help us to view our non-Christian friends and neighbors? How do these truths help us to have grace and love for them even when we disagree?


Prayer Points

  1. Pray against the forces of spiritual darkness in your own life, your family, our church community, our neighborhoods, cities, nation, and world.

  2. Pray for those non-Christian friends and neighbors in your life, that Jesus would deliver them from the kingdom of darkness and bring them into the kingdom of light.

  3. Pray for Jesus to return soon and bring his victory to its final culmination.


Seventy Sevens | Daniel 9:20-27

The “seventy sevens” passage in Daniel 9 is considered by most scholars to be the single most difficult section of Scripture to understand and interpret. With its complex series of dates and cryptic language, it leaves most people scratching their heads. But when considered in light of Torah instruction regarding Sabbath and the explanation of 2 Chronicles 36, the point becomes much more clear: God cares deeply that we obey his command and invitation to rest.

Discussion Questions

  1. How do you deal with the tension that God discloses divine secrets to us, yet also leaves us with mystery in the details of life?

  2. Why do so many of us find it so hard to rest?

  3. Share with your group your regular practices of rest: daily, weekly, and beyond. Where do you need to make changes to have rest that is intentional, regular, and Christ-focused?

  4. Do you truly believe that, like Daniel, you are “greatly loved” by God? If not, what wrong beliefs or hurtful experiences may be affecting your ability to accept that reality?

Prayer Points

  1. Take time on your own this week to practice silent, restful prayer. Start with 5 or 10 minutes, and simply meditate on one particular aspect of God’s character or the gospel. Don’t be discouraged when you find that your mind will wander all over the place. Simply come back to that thought and ask God to help you focus on his presence.

  2. Pray for people in your life who don’t know Jesus and are running from one thing to another seeking fulfillment and meaning, when they could have it in Jesus.

Daniel’s Prayer | Daniel 9:1-19

Sermon Description

As Daniel reads the Word of the Lord given through the prophet Jeremiah, he is moved to prayer and repentance. Repentance is considered by many in our culture to be a dirty word. But when correctly understood, it is a gift from God to draw us closer to him and to free us from our burdens.

Discussion Questions

  1. How healthy is your prayer life? What aspects of prayer are strengths for you? What aspects need to grow?

  2. How does Scripture help us in our prayer? Is it possible that you struggle in prayer because of a lack of engagement in God’s Word?

  3. Do you sit over culture as a “judge” or a “servant”? How is prayer connected to this proper perspective?

  4. How does God use prayer to transform us to be more like Jesus? How is Jesus’ prayer our greatest hope?

Prayer Points

  1. Spend more time than usual in group this week praying. Take time for repentance, and pray for the needs of each other. Pray for our cities, state, and nation, that we would turn to Jesus for grace. Pray for people in your life who have yet to meet Jesus.

The Ram and the Goat | Daniel 8:1-27

In chapter 8, Daniel receives another vision of the future regarding hardships that the people of Israel will endure. And while he receives an explanation from the angel Gabriel, the explanation is only partial, leaving other questions unanswered. When we suffer, we want answers, and yet what we most often receive is the gracious offer of God’s presence with us.

Discussion Questions

  1. Who in your life have you watched endure hardship in a really good way? What was it about their example that was inspiring?

  2. Why do we want answers—information, dates, results—when we are suffering? Why do we think it will always help? What if it doesn’t?

  3. Where are you currently facing hardship? How does Jesus’ suffering bring you peace?

  4. Of the non-Christians that you know, who is currently suffering? Is there something specific God wants you to do for them to show them God’s love and presence?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray for those in your group, your family, your neighborhood, our church community, who are currently going through a period of suffering. Pray for relief from their hardship, and pray for them to know that God is near as they endure.

  2. Pray that we would be the kind of disciple who would trust God even when we don’t have all the answers.

Son Of Man | Daniel 7:1-28

Sermon Description

It is not an overstatement to say that Daniel 7 may be the most influential chapter in the Hebrew Scriptures when it comes to the life and work of Jesus. As we approach this challenging section of apocalyptic Scripture, there is great hope to be had in trusting Jesus, even as the nations rage.


Discussion Questions

  1. What are the different genres of literature in the Bible? How does each genre contribute something to the overall collection? Why is “apocalyptic” important?

  2. What fears do you have when it comes to understanding the Bible? How can we help each other have confidence as we search the Scriptures for truth?

  3. Why might Daniel 7 be the most important section of the Hebrew Bible when it comes to understanding the life and ministry of Jesus? Consult the PDF of “Son of Man” references for understanding how important this is to the life and teaching of Jesus.

  4. Where are you currently experiencing stress, worry, fear, and confusion? How does Jesus step in and help us in that state?


Prayer Points

  1. Pray that Sound City Bible Church would be the kind of church who diligently searches the Scripture for truth, guidance, and comfort in a harsh and sinful world.

  2. Pray for opportunities to share the Son of Man with those who have yet to come to faith and are experiencing the hardships of this fallen world.

Man and Animal

From Nebuchadnezzar’s madness to prophetic visions of goats, rams, and lions, the book of Daniel is chock-full of references to animals. When we understand that the central hero of the book is one like a “son of man,” we can better live out our true vocation  as God’s image-bearers in the world.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why is it important to define “image bearer” not as some ability that we possess but as what it means to be human? What are the implications of being an “image bearer”?

  2. Why does pride and sin make us act like animals? How do we see this lived out in our world? How do you see it play out in your own life?

  3. Why is it important that Jesus is the perfect image-bearer of God? How is it good news for us that he perfectly lived in that space between angels and animals?

  4. What does it mean for us to be good stewards as followers of Jesus in the north Puget Sound suburbs? How can we work while we await the final return of Jesus?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that God would continue to restore his image in you, “from one degree of glory to another” as you grow in sanctification.

  2. Pray for opportunities to go into the world and exercise God’s wise and loving rule. Pray for opportunities to share about Jesus, the one who is the perfect “image of the invisible God.”