ERCC Sermons

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) True devotion means showing up consistently regardless of how we feel, whether that's in marriage, family, or faith. In what area of your life do you find it most difficult to remain devoted when you don't feel like it? 3) The early church devoted themselves to four practices: Scripture, fellowship...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Peter told his audience that they were living in the "last days," even though many signs had not yet been fulfilled. How does the awareness that we are living in the end times change the way you approach your daily decisions and priorities? 3) When the crowd heard Peter's message, they were describ...

Discussion Questions Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? We often evaluate churches by visible metrics like attendance, programs, and facilities, yet the early church began simply with the Spirit filling ordinary believers. What would change in how you view your own spiritual life if you measured it by dependence on the Spirit rather than by what you produce or...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) The sermon described Christmas as God loving His enemies, not His friends. How does that idea change the way you see the incarnation? 3) Where do you see the contrast between “safe” human love and the risky, costly love God shows in Jesus? 4) Jesus says God sends His light on both the righteous and...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Scripture says that God rejoices over us, delights in us, and even sings over us. How does your picture of how God sees you compare to the image of a parent looking at their child with complete affection? 3) The call to rejoice in Zephaniah came during one of the darkest seasons in Israel's history...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) We often pursue peace by avoiding conflict or finding a middle ground where everyone gets something they want. Can you think of a time when this kind of "peace through compromise" turned out to be only temporary? 3) God's love is described as uncompromising, meaning he loves us completely without g...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Sometimes we avoid naming the hard things in our lives because we think faith requires positivity. What darkness in your life have you been reluctant to bring honestly before God? 3) True hope is not about circumstances changing but about a person entering our lives. How would your daily outlook sh...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Transparent community requires us to be honest about our struggles and confess our sins to one another, even though this opens us up to the possibility of rejection. What specific fears keep you from being more transparent with others in your life, and how have those fears shaped the depth of your...

Discussion Questions: 1. Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2. We often become impatient with God when His timeline doesn't match our expectations for how quickly things should happen in our lives. In what area of your life are you currently struggling to wait patiently on God's timing? 3. When we're impatient with God, that impatience tends to spill over into...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) We know the right answer is to trust God, yet our actions reveal where our security actually lies. When you face financial uncertainty or unexpected expenses, what is your gut reaction, and what does that reveal about where you find security? 3) The morality of money says that whatever helps you ga...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) We often come to worship with expectations about what we'll receive rather than focusing on what we can give to God. What does it look like in your daily life when you shift from asking "what do I get out of this?" to simply submitting to God's will? 3) The devil's primary strategy is convincing us...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Conflicts often arise when we don't get what we want or feel we're losing control of a situation. Can you share about a recent conflict in your life and what you were really wanting in that moment? 3) Many of us struggle with trusting that God is writing our story and the stories of those around us...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Earthly wisdom often leads us to pursue recognition and personal glory. In what areas of your life are you most tempted to seek glory for yourself rather than pointing to God? 3) True wisdom shows itself through humility and good conduct rather than impressive knowledge. Can you think of someone in...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) We often feel deeply hurt when others speak harshly to us, yet we minimize the impact when we say hurtful things to others. Can you think of a time when you dismissed your own words as "not a big deal" even though you knew they caused pain? 3) James compares the tongue to a small spark that can set...

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: I. God’s Love for Man 1) Identity & Nature: The sermon stated, “God loves because He is love — a lion roars, a dog barks, and God loves.” How does knowing that God’s love flows from His nature, rather than your worthiness, change the way you relate to Him? 2) Evidence & Assurance: We heard that God’s love shows up in creation, providence, redemption, His presence, discipline,...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) We naturally feel more comfortable around people who share our background, values, or economic status. Who are the people you find it most difficult to welcome or extend kindness to, and what do you think drives that hesitation? 3) James argues that showing favoritism in how we treat people is actu...

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: PSALM 119:1 – 8 Dean’s message on September 21, 2025 was centered on Psalm 119:1 – 8 and was titled, “A Blessed Life in Prayer”. The sermon’s main thought was spawned when the Holy Spirit nudged Dean to honor God’s word. Dean felt he already knew and did this, but his sermon preparation reinforced the thought that Biblical facts and data are just the beginning in...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Many of us naturally compare our spiritual lives to others around us. When do you find yourself most tempted to measure your faith against someone else's, and what drives that comparison? 3) True service involves knowing names and sharing in people's struggles rather than just meeting physical need...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Many believers experience spiritual lethargy despite claiming transformation through faith. What areas of your life remain unchanged even though you believe God has given you new life? 3) James says even demons believe the facts about Jesus, but what separates their belief from saving faith is reco...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) We often pursue happiness through circumstances we can control, but joy comes from something deeper. What's one area of your life where you've been chasing happiness instead of resting in the joy that comes from knowing God loves you regardless of outcomes? 3) Trials have a way of stripping away th...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Scripture acts like a mirror that shows us both our brokenness and God's love for us. What area of your life have you been avoiding looking at honestly, and what might God be wanting to show you about it? 3) We often make plans for the next 5 or 10 years while God operates on an eternal timeline. H...

Discussion Questions: 1. Paul was changed from a zealous Pharisee to a humble man who suffered and died for Jesus. His change started with an encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Dean contends all followers of Christ are changed people. Share a short testimony on how you have been changed by Jesus. The change can be in the past, recent, or on-going.  2. Dean referred to Genesis...

Discussion Guide: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) When life is going well, we naturally praise God, but trials reveal a different depth of worship. How has a difficult season in your life changed the way you relate to God? 3) We often try to fix our problems through our own strength rather than surrendering them to God. What area of your life are you...

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) When we truly believe that everything good in our lives comes from God, it changes how we view giving. What area of your life do you find hardest to see as a gift from God rather than a result of your own efforts? 3) Abel gave his first and best animals before knowing if his flock would produce mor...

Discussion Questions: 1. What story do your actions tell? Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:20). When you reflect on your consistent daily behavior, how you treat others, how you speak, what you prioritize, what story do your actions tell you about your heart and your faith? What kind of “fruit” do you think others see in your life? 2. Why do you think it’s easier to say th...