The Stream at Riverside

1) God calls Abram, a moon-worshipper from Ur (Joshua 24:2-3), to leave his homeland, his family network and ethnic heritage, and follow Him to only-God-knows-where to receive great blessing (12:1-3). How do you identify with Abram’s call and faith? (Hint: reflect on Galatians 3:5-9)  2) Abram claimed the promise land by faith - walking its breadth and length, building altars on it in the nam...

Stacy gives the children's sermon on Genesis 11:27 - 12:3.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) Paul urges the Galatians to not be conceited (5:26; 6:3-5), but, rather, bear one another’s burdens (6:2). What does conceit look like for you? How does it undercut our ability to serve others in love (5:13-15)?  2) Re-read 6:1. Have you had an experience like this, either as the one tangled in sin or the one “restoring” someone caught up in it? If so, how...

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) Jesus invites us to find rest under his yoke, learning from him (11:28-29). This might be called an "active rest." How have you experienced active rest in Christ?  2) Some of us need to step back and take a “rest" from serving in certain areas. Others need to find rest by stepping up to serve in Jesus’ name - even in their current fatigue. How can we know the d...

Nate gives the children's sermon on Matthew 11:25-30. 

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) There seems to be a misconception for many believers that the presence of conflict means the absence of unity. Why do you think this is? How does the truth of the gospel contradict this misconception?  2) Paul urges us in Ephesians 4:1-2 that we should "walk worthy" of our calling, "with "humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in...

Stacy gives the children's sermon on Ephesians 4:1-6. 

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) John tells us our prayers for brothers/sisters who are caught in a sin “not leading to death” will be answered, granting life to those for whom we intercede (5:16-17; compare James 5:15-16, 19- 20). How does this encourage you in your intercessory prayers for others?  2) John says not all sin leads to death (5:17). But aren’t the wages of all sin death (Ro...

Nate gives the children's sermon on 1 John 5:13-21.

Sermon Discussion Questions 1) Our confidence in prayer, John tells us (5:13-14), is an expression of our assurance of salvation. How have you experienced (or not experienced) confidence in your prayer life recently?  2) John says, "if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (5:14). How do you understand “anything according to his will”?  3) Read John 15:15-16 together. Since...

Alex gives the children's sermon on 1 John 5:13-15.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) John writes about a threefold witness to Jesus. Namely, Jesus’ public baptism and crucifixion, and the ongoing witness of the Holy Spirit (5:6) - a witness only made possible because of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (see John 16:7-8; 15:26). How do these three - water, blood and Spirit - continue to testify (5:7-8)?  2) John says God Himself testifies...

JayWil continues our 1 John sermon series.

Alex gives the children's sermon on 1 John 5:1-5.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) John says “God is love” (4:8, 16). What does that mean? How do we know that’s true?  2) As an apostle and eye-witness of Jesus, John writes “we have come to know and believe the love God has for us.” How have you personally "come to know and believe" the love God has for you in Christ? How or when do you doubt it?  3) "Perfect love casts out fear” (4:...

Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 4:7-21.

Landon continues our sermon series through 1 John. 

Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 4:1-6. 

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) If our hearts condemn us, we might have sins to confess in his presence (1Jn.1:8-2:2). Sometimes, however, our hearts still condemn us, even after we’ve confessed and received forgiveness. How then can we comfort our hearts before him? Read 1John 3:19-20 and discuss.  2) Our actions of loving one another “in deed and in truth” (3:17-18) provide a weighty c...

Nate gives the children's sermon on 1 John 3:11-24.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) John defines all sin as lawlessness (3:4) – a vicious revolt against God’s express will. What are ways you have sanitized or minimized your own sins?  2) The whole purpose of Christ’s first appearance was to wage war on sin and Satan (3:5, 8; see also Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus successfully conquered the power and penalty of our sin at the cross and empty tom...

Alex gives the children's sermon on 1 John 3:4-10.

Ant gives a sermon on John 6:1-13, 25-27, 35.

Stacy gives the children's sermon on John 6:1-13, 25-27, 35. 

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) How do you imagine the last day of history will be for you? Does seeing Jesus face to face fill you with dread or comfort?  2) What does it mean to you that, because you trust in His eternal Son, God now calls you His own, beloved child? How does this comfort you and give you confidence?  3) Hope is often understood as simply “wishful thinking,” like...