Central Speaks

Revelation 2:12-17 Discussion Questions What do think “worldly compromise” means? In what ways might a church group compromise with the culture around it? How does the Lord Jesus introduce Himself to the church at Pergamum (2:12)? How does this differ from His introduction to the churches in Ephesus (2:1) and Smyrna (2:8). Why does the Lord use the illustration of the “sharp two edged sword” (2:12...

The full Virtual Church programme is available on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/0Y_qKQp2Zio   Discussion Questions:   1. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is really quite short. Read it aloud from beginning to the end. If you are in a bubble, or arrange a zoom meeting with others, take turns to read it together. Make a list of the main ideas (words) that stand out to you.  2....

Discussion Questions: In your own words say what it is for you to; “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”. As Paul introduces the idea of being in the same mindset as Christ Jesus in verse 5, he prefaces it with; “In your relationships with one another ….”. What does it mean to have the mindset of Christ in our relationships with each other? Philippians 2:6-11 is a clear description of Christ Jes...

1.Smyrna, modern Izmir, was an ancient city possibly dating back 3000 years, and located 56kms north of Ephesus. What do we know about the birth of the church in Smyrna? Where does the city and church in Smyrna feature in the book of Acts? How might the church possibly have been planted (Acts 19:10)? All we know about the city and church are written in Rev. 2:8-11. 2.What do you think the Lord Jes...

Discussion Questions:   1. In verse 4 the Lord Jesus tells the Ephesian church, “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” What happens when that first-love fades?   2. What do you think the Lord meant by, “Remember the height from which you have fallen?”   3. In verse 6 the Ephesian believers were commended for hating the practices of the Nicolait...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 25th July 2021) Revelation 2:1-7 Introduction: In chapters 2-3 the seven churches of Asia Minor were actual historical churches. They represent the types of churches that have existed right down through the church age. 1.Who wrote the letter to the Ephesians (v.1)? The seven stars is the same Greek word as messengers. What was the message they were carr...

Why would anyone want to take their family to live in a dangerous country on the other side of the world? Hear from Jono and Michele Pound as they share how God is calling them to serve and how you can support them in this awesome adventure.  If you wish to partner with the Pound family please email Mandy at the MAF office mclayton@maf.org.nz  For more information contact Jonathan direct...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 11th July 2021) Revelation 1:9-20 1.Share what you imagine it might be like to be separated from family, friends, and Believers, and to be imprisoned on a rocky island with other prisoners? How did John view his imprisonment in verse 9? 2.What did John’s isolation give him time to do (v.10)? How did God use John’s terrible situation for His divine purpo...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 4th July 2021) Revelation 1:9-20 1.Why was John on Patmos? What do we know about his assignment there? 2.What four characteristics (v.9) did John have in common with his believing readers? 3.Skim verses 9-20; what hints do we have concerning John’s spiritual condition? What does this tell you considering he was on an island prison? 4.Close your eyes and...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 27th June 2021) Revelation 1:4-8 1. Why is it so important to read the “Read This First” instructions before using a new purchase? Can you relay a story of what happened when you didn’t follow the instructions before using a new purchase? 2. In what ways is Revelation 1 a “Read This First” chapter? In relation to the larger context of Revelation, why wo...

Discussion Questions Revelation 1:1-3 1.How many of you have read Revelation right through? What are your opinions of the book? Why do you think so many Christians avoid reading it? 2.What does “Revelation” mean? In ch. 1:1, who is being revealed? For what purpose? 3.Who is John? Who are the recipient churches in verses 4 and 11? 4.What is significant about the references to God in verses 4 and 8?...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 13th June 2021) 1. What was Deborah’s role among the Israelites? What were her duties?   2. At the beginning of Judges Chapter 4, when Ehud the last major Judge had died, what was the nature of Israel’s relationship with God?   3. Why did Deborah send for Barak in verse 6? How did he respond to her request? And how would you describe his attit...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 6th June 2021) This I Believe: God is Sovereign Over His Earth Psalm 24 Read Psalm 24 aloud. What lines of this Psalm indicate a precession into Jerusalem? What were the Sons of Kohath, David and the Israelites carrying into the city (1Chron. 15:25-16:4)? What does David claim about God in verses 1-2? Explain why this truth is so comforting for the beli...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 30th May 2021) Isaiah 14:12-15 Quickly skim over Isaiah 14:1-23. What is the dominating theme of the chapter? What important, though morbid, principle is brought out in verses 9-11? How does this differ for the believer in Christ? What common refrain is repeated in verses 12-15? Who might these verses be possibly referring to? (Daniel 10:13, 20-21; Luke...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 23rd May 2021) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 The believer who is cleansed from sin, sanctified, and justified by God’s grace, is set free from the bondage of sin. What had the Corinthian believers done with that freedom, that Paul had warned the Galatian believers not to do (Gal. 5:13)? How did the Corinthian believers rationalise sexual immorality (1Cor. 6:12-...

Discussion Questions:   Matthew 20:1-16 1. What is God’s Kingdom like?    2. How might comparing ourselves with others impact our relationship with God?   3. How does the parable of the vineyard workers challenge the way you think about others with greater needs than you?   4. How would you describe the difference between Child-like faith and blind faith?    5. W...

Discussion Questions Luke 9:27-36 Why did Jesus take Peter, James, and John up on the mountain (28-29a, cf.9:19)? What did Jesus do on the mountain (28-29a)? Do you notice a theme here? Why do you think Luke emphasised this? What can we learn from this? What connection, if any, is there to verse 27? What happened to Jesus as He was praying (29)? Who appeared with Jesus on the mountain? What did th...

Discusion Questions 1.Why would the Lord Jesus be interested in an opinion poll on who the crowds thought He was? Why do you think Jesus asked the follow-up question in verse 20? 2.What do you think was the reason for the Lord’s stern command not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah? 3.How might the disciples have felt about verse 22? 4.Look at verse 23. What attitudes or activities are key to f...

Discussion Questions How were the disciples of the Lord Jesus to show love to each other (John 13:34)? How are they to show love to the Lord Jesus (14:15)? Why do you think this command is repeated four times (14:15, 21, 23-24)? Why do you think the Holy Spirit is called the “Spirit of Truth” (14:17, 26)? What do you think Jesus meant when He told His disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans (J...

Discussion Questions   1Peter 1:22-25;  2Timothy 3:16-17   1. What is the meaning or understanding behind the claim that the Bible is intellectually perfect (1Peter 1:23)?    2. What did Paul mean when he said that “All Scripture is inspired by God” (2Tim. 3:16-17)? Notice that Paul states how the Bible should be used in these verses. Can you share an experience of using t...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 11th April 2021) John 21 Going Fishing Jesus called the disciple away from their trades to follow him, what has God called you away from to follow him? Had you been in the boat, how would you have respond to the call of Jesus to throw the net over to the other side? The call of Jesus to love our neighbours carried a price, what has it cost you? Having p...

(Week commencing Sunday 4th April 2021) The Undeniable Evidence of the Resurrection John 20:1-18 1. When something really upsets you, who is the first person you tell? 2. Put yourself in the place of Mary Magdalene. What is your emotional state two days after the crucifixion? Why would you visit the tomb so early Sunday morning? How would you react if you found the tomb open? 3. How did Peter and...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 28th March 2021) Daniel 9 Part 3 Whose handwriting do we find near impossible to decipher? What does this enigma imply about God’s “answering service” (vv.22-23)? What six events happen within the “seventy sevens” (v.24)? Which of these events refer to Jesus as the Anointed One? Which events seem to be still in the future? What do the “seven sevens,” “6...

Discussion Questions (Week commencing Sunday 21st March 2021) Daniel 9:20-26 1. Two thirds of Daniel 9 is devoted to Daniel’s prayer. Only one third gives a glimpse into the future. What might this suggest to us? 2. What was so significant about the timing of the Angel Gabriel’s arrival in Daniel’s room? What/who does the evening sacrifice ultimately point to? 3. Why do you think the time period o...

Daniel 9:1-19  Sunday 14th March 2021  Discussion Questions:   How important is prayer to you? Do you make prayer a priority in your walk with God? Give some examples (personal, or someone you know or have read about) of what a vibrant prayer life might look like.   Where was Daniel living when he wrote the book of Daniel? How did he end up there? How important do you think pra...