Duplain Church of Christ Sermons

In this sermon, Andy Goodrich reflects on the power of words, drawing parallels between the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the destructive potential of unrestrained speech. He references James 3:1-12 to emphasize that, much like a small flame can ignite a massive fire, careless words can cause great harm, whether in personal relationships, social discourse, or political conversations. While the to...

How does the metaphor of whitewater rafting relate to navigating culture? Why is it important to focus on the “internal culture war” rather than an external one? What does it mean that "love is not a power play"? How does this contrast with worldly methods of influence? In what ways does the church offer hope and light in a "turbulent world"? How does the emphasis on love relate to handling polari...

How does peer pressure influence our desire to fit in with the world, and how can it challenge our walk with Christ?   How can the experience of exile, such as the Jewish Exile in Babylon, be compared to modern-day Christian experiences of feeling marginalized?   What is the significance of building godly families and homes that stand as beacons of faith in contrast to the surrounding culture?   H...

How do the "acts of the flesh" (hatred, discord, selfish ambition, etc.) show up in our political culture? In what ways can political tribalism threaten the unity of the church? How can we avoid "biting and devouring" one another in political conversations? How can the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) transform our political interactions? What does it mean to put ou...

What does it mean to "follow the Lamb" in the context of political engagement, and how can Christians balance their faith with their political actions?   How was Israel's political structure designed to be different from other nations, and what lessons can we draw from this for how Christians should approach political leadership today?   What does Deuteronomy 17:16-20 reveal about th...

1.     What are the primary factors contributing to the polarization of our society today? 2.     How has the influence of Christianity in American culture changed over the past few decades? What are the implications of this shift for both believers and non-believers? 3.     How do feelings of worry, frustration, and anger manifest in people who feel their values are under threat? How can these em...

Does SMD (selective Memory Disorder) ever affect you?  In what context?  How does it impact your faith?  In what ways do you see fear acting as a deterrent to faith in your own life or the lives of those around you? How can we train ourselves to focus on faith and God’s promises rather than our fears and doubts when facing difficulties? How can we avoid the "Grasshopper mentality" that f...

Sermon Conversation Starters: 1. How does the concept of humanity reflecting God's image contrast with the current state of the world?   2. How does the story of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32-34 illustrate the consequences of sin and rebellion against God?   3. Why is Moses’ intercession for the people significant in the narrative? What does this tell us about the nature of God’s relationship w...

Here are the conversation starters for this week's sermon! 1. What are the main reasons given in the message for why the world is described as "messed up"? 2. In what ways does the message describe humanity's unique role in creation? How does sin mess this up? 3. What symbolism is associated with the Tabernacle, and how does it illustrate the separation between God and humanity?...

1. Why is it important to learn from history and past experiences? How does this emphasis relate to the quote, "Those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it"? 2. Discuss the significance of the joyful journey and subsequent disillusionment in the faith journey described in the text. 3. Have you ever faced a situation where joy gave way to disillusionment in your faith? ...

1. Reflect on a time when you found yourself in a difficult situation ("pickle"). Was it due to your own actions, external influences, or circumstances beyond your control? How did you navigate through it? 2. The Israelites were not ready to face adversity despite witnessing God's miracles. Why do you think people struggle with trust and fear when facing new challenges? 3. Have you e...

Sermon Conversation Starters What insights can we gain from the vision of the potter and the clay in Jeremiah regarding God's judgment and the role of human will? (For context, read Jeremiah 18:1-12).   How do you see the sin cycle (complacency, sin, warning, judgment, repentance, deliverance, blessing) manifesting in your own life or in the history of the church?   Romans 1:18-20 and Romans 6...

Discuss the parallels drawn between ancient cultures' worship of various gods and modern inclinations towards self-worship or worship of collective identities. How do these ideologies manifest in the culture?  What parallels can you draw between the confrontation with Pharaoh and contemporary struggles with idolatry?  How does Pharaoh's response to each plague reflect the complexities of h...

What significance do you find in the name "Yahweh" and its revelation to Moses in the context of Exodus 5?  How does Pharaoh's response to Moses' request to let the Israelites go reflect a lack of understanding or relationship with Yahweh?  Discuss the reaction of the Israelite overseers to Moses' actions and how it reflects their perception of God's involvement in their...

What do you think about Moses' initial response to God's call to go to Egypt? Why do you think he downplayed his encounter with God to Jethro? What lessons can we learn about the consequences of disobedience from Moses' story? How do you balance the concepts of God's grace and forgiveness with the importance of obedience in your faith journey? Do you think cultural influences impac...

1.     What is the distinction between God's macro will and micro will? How do you personally discern God's will in your life, especially when it comes to the more individual, day-to-day decisions?  2.     Have you ever wished for a clear sign from God, like how he spoke to Moses through the burning bush? How do you deal with wanting clear signs when God often communicates in subtler ways?...

How does the story of the discovery in the Wiltshire church tie into the concept of uncovering hidden treasures in our lives? How does the analogy of the School of the Wilderness illustrate the process of spiritual growth and self-discovery in individuals' lives? What parallels can be drawn between the experiences of characters like Abraham, Joseph, Jesus, and Moses in the wilderness and the c...