The Stream at Riverside

JayWill continues our sermon series on exploring the church’s values.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) Paul tells us in this passage that the God behind the world is not only fundamentally good, but loves us and has purposed our everlasting good in Christ. This means that, no matter how unsettling or hard things become in this life, we have every reason as believers to be at peace, deeply grateful and wildly hopeful. How do you relate to this implication? ...

Sermon by Josh Parks.

Sermon Discussion Questions Have you ever felt abandoned by someone who was supposed to love you and care for you?  How have you responded to that abandonment? How does Jesus’ suffering abandonment at the cross  for you (both “in your place” and in order to set a pattern you can follow) heal you in your abandonment? Martin Luther famously declared  that we often fail to see Chr...

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) Growing up, how did you experience being mocked? When was “ribbing” in good fun, and felt safe to you? When did it cross the line and felt shaming? Was there any one mock that was particularly hurtful?  2) Among your circle of friends or within your family, who - within or outside that circle - do you mock on occasion? When does it cross the line into deri...

Sermon Discussion Questions 1) Dan Allendar says scapegoating is "so much more than blame-shifting. We’re talking about the reality that we not only want to blame, we not only project, we not only identify somebody else as the fault, but  we want them to suffer .” What scapegoats do conservatives often identify and lambast? What scapegoats do progressives typically target and defame? What sca...

Sermon Discussion Questions  1. In Mark 14:26-28 we see the disciples go to Mount Olive with Jesus to sing praises after communion and right after they finish singing of the Glory of God Jesus informs them, they will fall away. Showing that the same ones whose lips sung of His Glory would also, due to fear abandon Him with their lips. How have you who also sing of his glory turned and abandon...

A special collaboration between The Stream at Riverside and Riverside members Wayne and Felicia Penn from the podcast Marriage at Golgotha ( https://marriageatgolgotha.com ) and special guest Dr. Gabe Fluher from First Presbyterian Church.  A discussion on the church's response to racial injustice in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and widespread protests.  Josh Parks, James Wald...

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) "The Son of man came eating and drinking.” Explain this phrase from Jesus in the context of his ministry and teachings. What might Jesus’ radical "table fellowship" look like today? How does yours compare? What next step can you take in becoming more hospitable?  2) Jesus doesn’t only offer us a seat at his table - as incredible as that is. He offers us Hi...

Sermon Discussion Questions 1) Throughout the surprising events “on the night that he was betrayed,” Jesus remains “in the know” and in control. From the detailed preparations for the Passover, to his arrest and abandonment by the Twelve, Jesus has total command of the situation ... as unknown, unsettling and upsetting as it was to others. If Jesus is just as sovereign in your life now as He was a...

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) We have all, to some extent, wasted portions of our life  against Christ. How or in what ways are you willing to share with the group? How has or how might  God redeem these wasted aspects? 2) As Christians, we have decided to “waste” ourselves, that is, to spend our lives, to pour ourselves out for Jesus. He is worth it…right? How is Jesus worth it for yo...

In this sermon, we step aside from our sermon series in Mark's Gospel to consider our hearts and attitudes about regathering as a church family. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) Read 1 Timothy 1:5. This is the goal of all of our instruction: love from a pure heart, a clear conscience and a sincere faith. In what areas do you think you tend to have a weakened faith or particularly delicate conscienc...

For a deeper dive into the Olivet Discourse, check out this blog post . Sermon Discussion Questions  1) Because we know that the Word of God is true and surely won’t pass away, Christ the King will certainly return. What could be preventing you from believing this taught? How can seeking the truth push you closer in having faith in Christ?  2) While Christ didn’t reject his disciples for...

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) In Mark 13:5-11 Jesus warns us that scary times will shake the whole earth before the end (“these are the beginning of the birth pangs,” v.8). Our role in this time of global tribulation is to bear witness (vv.9-13). How does this challenge you during the COVID-19 pandemic?  2) The prophecy of Daniel regarding the “abomination of desolation” apparently inv...

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) Do you feel overwhelmed by all the things we’re “supposed to do”? Discuss our exhaustion, and how it leads us to despair or even resignation. How is Jesus’ distillation of all the Law and Prophets into two, simple commandments liberating? To quote St. Augustine: "Our precept is this: love, and do what you will.” Where does it feel even harder?  2) How does...

Landon Jones, Josh Parks, James Walden and JayWill Wilson tackle all of the sermon questions that weren't answered on Sundays after the services. Recorded on 4/23/20.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) Re-read Mark 12:13-17. Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees and Herodians implies that the government - even an aggressive, pagan empire like Rome - has a legitimate place in the lives of the faithful that is to be appropriately honored as God’s ordained governing agency for the present moment. Besides paying our taxes, how else do we render honor to governing author...

In this week's sermon, Pastor James Walden takes us through another exchange between Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Sermon Discussion Questions  1. Re-read Mark 11:27-33. The indecision of the religious leadership in answering Jesus’ direct and simple question wasn’t an instance of human ignorance. It was the evil repression of truth. Where have you experienced this? Discuss a...

In this week's sermon, Pastor Landon Jones walks us through Jesus' teachings about faith that can move mountains. Sermon Discussion Questions  1) Christ gives a strong command to have faith in God, without having any doubt. Yet, we know there is a place for doubt, as Jude writes in his epistle, “Have mercy on those who doubt.” (Look at Jude 17-22). What is the difference between doubting in f...

In this Easter sermon, Pastor James Walden walks us through the story of the resurrection of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark.   Sermon Discussion Questions   1) Holding to a high view of the Bible and yet acknowledging the imperfect copies and translations we have available to us has always been part of the church’s attempt to read Scripture faithfully. Read and discuss Augustine’s comment...

Landon Jones and Josh Parks discuss how to steward our stimulus checks (and our money in general) to take care of our brothers and sisters and support the community.  Recorded on 4/7/20.

Landon Jones, Josh Parks, James Walden and JayWill Wilson discuss the unique challenges and opportunities a church of small groups has during a pandemic crisis and how we engage with our church family during this time.  Recorded on 4/1/20.

Landon Jones, Josh Parks, James Walden and JayWill Wilson discuss the challenges of the weekly churchwide gathering--and if such a thing can even occur--during a period of social distance.  Recorded on 4/1/20.

Landon Jones, Josh Parks, James Walden and JayWill Wilson talk with Greg Willson, a church planter in Chorlton, England about the particular opportunities and struggles that come with planting a church in a pandemic.  Recorded on 4/5/20.

Chris Eckert, Landon Jones, Erik Kimrey, Josh Parks, and James Walden discuss the pandemic crisis and how the church can respond to this historic and scary moment.  Recorded on 3/18/20.