Grand Lake Church

Go Deeper This Week Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. 1. What is “the day of the Lord” Paul refers to in this passage? Why do you think he was focused on this? Do you think the church today focuses on this in the same way? Why/why not? 2. How will the day of the Lord be different for believers and unbelievers? 3. In verse 3 Paul says, “While people are...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read Joshua 24:14-15. 1. When Joshua says in verse 15, “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,” what choices is he giving them? What does this mean for us today? What are our choices? How often must we choose? 2. When Joshua speaks of the “gods of your ancestors,” we know he’s referring to false gods. How do false gods look different i...

All Saints Day Prayer As you meditate on this All Saints Day Prayer... 1. I encourage you to take time and reflect on the saints that have touched and maybe even changed your life. 2. Think of the beautiful memories of these saints that truly blessed your life. 3. Take a moment and thank God for each of the saints in your life. 4. Are you living a life that reflects examples of faith, dedication,...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. 1. Pastor Mick began with a review form last week referring to the movie “The Sixth Sense.” How does the famous line from that movie (“I see dead people; they’re everywhere.”) relate to the D.L. Moody story? How should this impact the way we live our lives? 2. In verse 2 Paul discusses how they “had previously suffered...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 5:13-20. 1. In verses 13 and 14, James lists three situations and gives us advice regarding what we should do in each. What are the three situations and what does he tell us to do in each? How are the responses different for each situation? How are they similar? 2. When someone is sick, why is it important for them to “call the elders of...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 5:7-12. 1. Today James talks a lot about patience. According to verse 7, what did the people need to be patient about? What do we need to be patient about today? 2. What analogy does James use in verse 7 to help the people understand patience? Do you find that analogy helpful? 3. What are some things in your life that you have to wait fo...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 5:1-6 1. Pastor Mick used The Message translation of “arrogant rich” as a description of the people to whom James is writing. Why is the word “arrogant” an important adjective for understanding this verse? 2. What were the “arrogant rich” doing that has James so upset? Do these kinds of practices still occur today? If so, how and where?...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 4:13-17. 1. What does today’s passage teach us about human plans compared with God’s will? 2. Is James saying we shouldn’t even bother planning? If not, what is he saying? 3. James says, “you boast in your arrogant schemes.” What does he mean by that? How might what seems to be a good plan actually be an arrogant scheme without us even r...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 4:1-12. 1. In this week’s video on Right Now Media, Francis Chan is speaking to us from Alcatraz. Why do you think he chose that location? How does that location connect with today’s passage? 2. The leader guide from Francis Chan says, “This is a violent, ugly, selfish section.” What do you think he means by that? Do you agree? Why / why...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 3:13-18. 1. What are the two kinds of wisdom James discusses in this passage? What is the difference between them? 2. What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? 3. James says that those who are wise and understanding “show it by their good life, by deed done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” Based on that, how would you...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 3:1-12. 1. Pastor Mick talked about the “power and perils” of speech. What did he mean by that? In what way is speech powerful? What are some perils? 2. Why does James say that teachers will be “judged more strictly”? What teachers is he talking about? Who are these kinds of teachers in our lives today? 3. In Matthew 18:6, Jesus discusse...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 2:14-26. 1. In this week’s passage, James builds on what he said about “hearing and doing” in Chapter 1. In this passage, he takes it to another level by saying, “Faith without deeds is useless/dead.” What do you think he means by this? Do you agree? 2. Read Matthew 7:21. How does this passage support what James is saying? 3. One of Wesl...

Sermon:“Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement” Scripture:James 2:1-13 Speaker:Pastor Mick Whistler Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 2:1-13. 1. In this week’s passage, James speaks against favoritism. What does favoritism mean to you? Why is it bad and how can it be detrimental within the church? 2. James uses the specific example of showing favoritism to the rich. Do we still d...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: 1. As we continue our sermons series on the Book of James...have you been able to utilize the past two sermon topics to help you deal with the trials and temptations you face on a daily basis? What changes are you making in your life to achieve the strength to better handle tough situations in your life? 2. Read James 1:19-27. What three things doe...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 1:13-18. 1. Last week we talked about trials and troubles and this week we’re talking about temptation. What is the difference between trials and temptations? 2. Where do our temptations come from? Where do they not come from? 3. Pastor Mick discussed how temptations are a form of lust, which he defined as “disordered passions.” Do you a...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read James 1:1-12. 1. How does James identify himself at the beginning of his letter? Why do you think he identifies himself this way rather than telling everyone he is Jesus’ ½ brother? 2. To whom does James say he is writing? (Hint:“scattered”) Who does he mean by this? How are we included in his audience as well? (Hint:New Covenant) 3. How might...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read Luke 8:42b-48. 1. So far in this “8:46” sermon series, we’ve looked at passages that involve conflict. I Kings addressed the impending split of Israel into the northern and southern kingdoms and John addressed the conflict between Jesus and the leaders of the Jewish tradition. How is today’s passage from Luke similar? (Hint:think about clean/u...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read John 8:42-47. 1. As we continue with our brief series “8:46,” what did you think about Jesus being at The Feast of Tabernacles in this week’s passage, just like Solomon was in last week’s passage? Is that mere coincidence, or do you think God is using “8:46” to get our attention? 2. How might Jesus’ disagreement/debate with the Jewish leaders...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read 1 Kings 8:46-51. 1. What did you think about the way Pastor Mick selected this sermon series (8:46)? Do you believe God still uses signs to get our attention? What signs have you experienced in your life? 2. What do you think about the Bishop’s admonition to “Dare to believe that God might use us like leaven in the loaf”? What do you think he...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: This morning we conclude our sermon series “Transformed by Trouble.” Over the past 4 weeks we’ve been sharing that not only do we live in a broken and sinful world...but that each of us are sinful and broken as well. We have issues, sinful issues and these issues will always be around. The good news? We are transformed by the love of Jesus Christ a...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read Romans 12:1-2. 1. Rick Warren says, “My thoughts control my life.” Do you agree with this? What spiritual implications does this have for us? 2. Pastor Warren tells us that our minds are the battlegrounds for sin. What does he mean by this? Do you agree? How does this play itself out in your life? 3. Pastor Warren says, “My mind is the key to...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Jesus’ power pulls us through all the times of our lives. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. THINK through these five things that we can do to help us take captive our thoughts and to make them obedient to Christ. T – Test Every Thought  Read Psalm 139:23-24.  Ask God to search and test your thoughts. Don’t believe everything you think!  What thoughts d...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: 1. This morning we are continuing our sermon series titled “Transformed by Trouble” based on the sermon series “Hope” by Rick Warren. Have you ever truly thought about, talked about and prayed about the troubles in your life? How have you dealt with them? What were the results? 2. Read Psalm 139:14. What does this Scripture text mean to you? How do...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11. 1. Pastor Mick (ala Rick Warren) described our current situation in the world like Whack-a-Mole; every time we think one problem is solved, another one pops up. Do you agree with this? How is your personal life sometimes like this as well? 2. In today’s passage, Paul describes all of the troubles he’s experienced, even to...

Scripture and questions for study and reflection: Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-13. 1. What was the primary problem Paul was addressing in this part of his letter? 2. Does the modern-day church still have the same problem(s) as the Corinthian church? If so, in what ways? 3. Why do you think Paul was so emphatic in telling the Corinthians that the Spirit distributes gifts to each of them as the Spirit de...