Got Questions? – Fork Christian Church

Got Questions? – Why Does the Church Talk About Money?

April 28, 2024

Description:

Everyone has questions, and so do you. Over the past year, we have surveyed you through social media and in person and chosen the top questions you want answered from the Bible. This week, why does the church talk about money? Am I supposed to tithe? Is tithing an Old Testament thing?

Dig In Questions

In light of this week’s message, we encourage you to consider these questions and dig in a little deeper with your personal study, with your family, or with your small group.

*If in a group: The study of finances and the church can be very personal. Please be gracious and considerate as you navigate different opinions and preferences on this topic.

Dig-In Questions:

Get to know you/icebreaker question: what from your childhood has most impacted your perspective on money? (ex. Did you grow up poor? “Pinching pennies?” was your Mom or Dad the spender?)
If an investigator could only investigate your bank account, savings, and spending, what would they say are the most important things in your life? Would they say you love God first and foremost? Why or why not?
To answer today’s question, “Why does the Church talk about money?” We have to realize the goal of the body of believers is to make fully devoted followers of God. Read Matt. 6:19-24). Discuss why Jesus spoke about money.
The Bible speaks a lot about money. Let’s look at three reasons why this topic is worthy of serious discussion.
1. God has always wanted first and best – Read: Gen. 4:1-4, Ex. 13:1-2, Deut. 14:23, Matt. 6:24, 33
2. God asks for all of the first – Read: Malachi 3:8-10, Matt. 23:23
3. Give because God gave first – Read: John 3:16, 1 John 4:19
Given these three reasons why the topic of giving is so foundational in scripture, it’s essential to remember 2 Cor. 9:6-7. Read and discuss this, given the other passages.
Billy Graham once said on tithe, “We have found in our own home, as have thousands of others, that God’s blessing upon the nine-tenths when we tithe, helps it to go farther than ten-tenths without His blessing.” Would you say that was true for you? Take time to pray and consider your next step in giving to God.

Got Questions? – What About the End Times?

April 21, 2024

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Everyone has questions, and so do you. Over the past year, we have surveyed you through social media and in person and chosen the top questions you want answered from the Bible. Have you ever wondered if we are in the end times? What should we look for, and what should we do?

Dig In Questions

In light of this week’s message, we encourage you to consider these questions and dig in a little deeper with your personal study, with your family, or with your small group.

*If in a group: The study of end times, also known as eschatology, is a fascinating study for many but also can cause division. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 says, 23 Again, I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. So, let’s be patient and non-argumentative on this topic.

Dig-In Questions:

Get to know you/icebreaker question: What is the closest near-death experience you have ever had? How did that affect you in the days to come?
How would you change your life if you knew for sure that Jesus would return sometime in 2025?
Read the following and discuss the “signs” of the end of the world from Jesus, Paul, and Peter.
1. Jesus: Matt. 24:3-14
2. Paul: 2 Tim. 3:1-5
3. Peter: 2 Peter 3:10-13
4. How many of these signs are you seeing in our world today?
The Bible assigns many actions for us to take in view of the approaching end times. Read the following and discuss which of these four urgent calls to action must be taken the most seriously.
1. Urgent Cleaning – Colossians 3:4-8
2. Urgent Courage – 1 John 2:28
3. Urgent Care – 1 Thes. 3:12-13
4. Urgent Calling – Matt. 28:18-20, Rev. 7:9, and Acts 22:16
Whether Jesus is coming back soon or you are going to Jesus soon, we should have hope of His salvation and urgency in our actions. Pray for one another to take the calling on our lives seriously and consider what of these four urgent actions God is leading us to take.

Got Questions? – What About Politics?

April 14, 2024

Description:

Everyone has questions, and so do you. Over the past year, we have surveyed you through social media and in person and chosen the top questions you want answered from the Bible. Have you ever wondered, “What are Christians supposed to do with politics?” “Is it okay to vote for any candidate?” “What do I do if politics has taken over my family and caused so much division?”

Dig In Questions

In light of this week’s message, we encourage you to consider these questions and dig in a little deeper with your personal study, with your family, or with your small group.

**Due to the nature of this topic, we encourage extreme caution during the discussion. Col. 4:6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.**

Dig-In Questions:

Get to know you/icebreaker question: Do you have any friends who passionately disagree with you about an important issue? How do you maintain friendships with people you disagree with?
For many, politics is an area of great passion; is that true for you?
Idolatry is defined as the worship of idols or excessive devotion to or reverence for some person or thing. When would you be able to know when politics (a person or a party) has become an idol in your life?
Our culture has created expectations of excessive devotion in politics, while God has written expectations of proper devotion and perspective. If in a group, each person take a point and read the scripture assigned to it. Then, discuss the implication of the biblical truth and how this truth should impact how you would handle something like politics differently than the rest of the world.
1. The world says your identity is found in your political, ethnic, national, or other earthly identities, but God says your identity and location are in the kingdom of Christ, not any kingdom on earth.
  1. Read Col. 3:1-4 and Phil. 3:20 and discuss.
2. The world says to have passion for your preference, but God says to submit to my selection.
  1. Read Rom. 13:1-2 and discuss.
3. The world says other people are the problem, but God says other people are the mission.
  1. Read Luke 19:10, 1 Cor. 9:19-23 and discuss.
4. The world says to speak your mind, but God says to mind your speech.
  1. Read Eph. 4:29-30 and discuss.
Which of these four do you need to focus on to avoid letting politics or any other earthly identity become an idol in your life? Pray for one another to see Jesus as King of Kings and for our primary objective to be to win as many people as possible for His kingdom.

Got Questions? – What is Worship?

April 7, 2024

Description:

Everyone has questions, and so do you. Over the past year, we have surveyed you through social media and in person and have chosen the top questions you want answered from the Bible. Have you ever wondered, “What is the point of worship? Why do some people raise their hands when they sing? Is music really what worship is all about?”

Dig In Questions

In light of this week’s message, we encourage you to consider these questions and dig in a little deeper with your personal study, with your family, or with your small group.

Get to know you/icebreaker question: What team, hobby, or musician are you most passionate about? In what ways have you seen fans “worship” their favorite team, hobby, or musician?
If someone were to ask you, what is worship? How would you respond?
Read Psalm 115:1-8. This psalm concludes by saying, “Those who make idols are just like them.” How do you see people who worship things other than God begin to adapt and become more and more like what they worship?
We defined true worship as the holistic (fully) external expression of a holistic inward recognition that shows your true value of our Holy God above all things. What are some practical examples of how you can show your value to God and worship him in action?
1. Holistic & Authentic: Read John 4:23-24 and Matt. 15:8-9.
2. Holistic & Sacrificial: Read Rom. 12:1-2
3. Holistic Corporate Worship: Col. 3:16
4. Holistic Listening & Responding: Deut. 31:12
5. Holistic Prayer: Acts 1:14
6. Holistic Giving: 1 Cor. 16:2 & Matt. 23:23
7. Holistic Communion: 1 Cor. 11:25
There are many examples, but let’s review seven biblical ways to show true worship as defined above (a Holistic response to a Holy God). If you are in a group, split these verses among your group, and each person should take one to read and discuss.
Which of these examples do you feel like you are holding back from truly worshiping God in your words, attitudes, and actions? Pray for one another to worship God this week in the area you have been holding back.