The Vine Austin

In this first message within a three-part series, guest presenter, Gena Minnix shares from the well known parable of the Prodigal Son. In this message, we consider this story from the perspective of the parent. www.thevineaustin.org Luke 15:11-32 QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION: - What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? - How do you imagine God responding when you’re suffering...

In this final message of the series, Mark talks about unsubscribing from "more". Matthew 6:19-24 www.thevineaustin.org Questions for reflection and discussion: • What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? • Where do you see the obsession with “more” at work in our culture? In your life? • Respond to the Dallas Willard quote- “Desire is infinite because we are only at home in God. When we...

In this message, Mark talks about unsubscribing from noise and discovering the gift of silence. 1 Kings 19:1-13 For VineGroups and Discussion: • What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? • Good or bad, what is your relationship wish silence? • What thoughts do you have of Gordon Hempton’s definition of silence: “Silence is not an absence of sound. Silence is a particular presence to life...

We live in a culture with a general sense of hostility. So, this week, we explore unsubscribing from antagonism. 2 Kings 6:8-23 www.thevineaustin.org FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION • What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? • Mark defined antagonism as a general sense of hostility. Do we live in a culture of antagonism? Where do you see it? • Read 2 Kings 6:8-23. What thoughts/q...

In this week's sermon, Mark talks about unsubscribing from comparison. www.thevineaustin.org FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION - What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? - Why is comparison so toxic? - Mark shared that comparison can look different in each of our lives. How is comparison at work in your life? - Read John 3:22-30. What is remarkable about John’s response? - Mark sha...

UNSUBSCRIBE is our new Fall Sermon Series. In these messages, we consider how to unsubscribe from the influences and habits that hold us from experiencing the Way of Jesus and the life He offers. In this first message, we consider how to unsubscribe from the hurried life. www.thevineaustin.org Luke 10:38-42 FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION - What was a take-away or a question from the sermon...

Pastor Ted wraps up our series FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO by sharing a message on applying scripture to our lives. www.thevineaustin.org

The Vine continues our study on Scripture, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. This week, Pastor Mark shares on the nature of interpretation. www.thevineaustin.org FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION - What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? - What did you think about the opening experiment? - Between the two problems of interpretation, which might you struggle with? - Read Matthew 5:17-19....

This second message in the series FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO explore the idea that the Bible is actually telling one big story. Community member, Ron Ragsdale, shares this thoughtful message. Luke 1:67-79 www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. If you were to boil down the Bible to one message, what would it be? 2. How has your view of the Bible changed over the past? 3. Consider Luke 1:67-7...

In this 4 week-long series, we will explore the nature of Scripture and our relationship with it. In this first message, Mark talks about the complicated nature of Scripture and how we can re-enchant our relationship with it. John 1:1-14 2 Timothy 3:16 Discussion Questions: - What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? - How would you define your relationship with the Bible? - With the ill...

In the third and last movie of the AT THE MOVIES series, we discuss Captain Marvel. www.thevineaustin.org Discussion Questions: - What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? - How does the Genesis story makes sense of this world? - Do you think of spiritual warfare, and what do you think of? - Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. What is the relationship between power and weakness? How can we grow...

In this second week in our series, At the Movies, we take a look at the documentary on Fred Rogers, "Won't You Be My Neighbor". www.thevineaustin.org For Discussion and Reflection: What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? Why do you believe Fred Rogers has had such an enduring legacy? Read Matthew 18:1-3. How do we become more like a child? What does that mean? Read 1 John 4:7-12. Consi...

Powerful truths are found in our favorite movies. This is why we have the sermon series, AT THE MOVIES. In this first of three sermons, we consider the message of "Green Book". Series Promo Video https://vimeo.com/347216209 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? What makes racism a sin issue? Read Ephesians 2:13-16. How do you believe the Gospel addresses and con...

In this final sermon of the series, Mark shares on the beatitude- "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 5:10 www.thevineaustin.org For Discussion and Reflection: - What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? - How did Mark define “righteousness”. Share an example of how righteousness could lead to persecution? - Discus...

This week, Mark shares on on the beatitude, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:1-8 www.thevineaustin.org Discussion Questions: - What questions or thoughts stand out after listening to the message? - Mark defined "purity of heart" as a heart made up of one substance. - Read Proverbs 4:23 and react to the notion displayed in this proverb. - An affirmation from the Cov...

Guest preacher, Dieula Previlon, shares on the next beatitude, Blessed are the Peacemakers. Dieula is the associate pastor at Redeemer Covenant Church in Carrollton, Texas. She's a bivocational minister that also works part time as a licensed professional counselor. She's and her husband have been married 21 years and will be empty nesters as of July 7th, where their twin sons will begin their col...

Guest Preacher Gideon Tsang shares a meditation on Psalm 8 and explores the relationship between art and the artist. www.thevineaustin.org DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Reflection Questions: 1. What was a thought or question that stands out from the message? 2. Read Psalm 8. What phrase jumps out to you? 3. How can your experience of being loved drown out the unloving voices in your life 4. What thunderst...

Next in the series on the Beatitudes, Mark shares a reflection from "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy." www.thevineaustin.org Reflection and Discussion Questions: • What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? • Talk about the research done by Robert Kegan on how people change. • Read Luke 10:25-37. What does this story teach us about what matters to God? What does this...

Guest Preacher, Steve Wiens, shares on the beatitude, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness..." For more info on Steve, https://stevewiens.com DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? - What are 2-3 wrongs or injustices that consistently bother you or make you angry? - How do you react to the Lynn Hybels’ quote? “When we are overwhelmed with d...

The third beatitude is "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." In this message, Mark describes different ways of understanding the idea of meekness, and the blessed life it gives. www.thevineaustin.org Matthew 5:5 Discussion Questions: - What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? - Read Matthew 5:1-5. After listening to the sermon, how would you describe meekness? -Who is...

In the second Beatitude, we are taught, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4 www.thevineaustin.org Discussion Questions: What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? One of the prophecies about Jesus is found in Isaiah 61:1-3. How does this passage describe Jesus’ ministry? How did Inside Out depict the problem of withholding mourning? Out of the Four truth...

Jesus' most famous sermon, The Sermon on the Mount, begins with 8 Beatitudes or blessings. The Vine is beginning an 8-week series studying the beatitudes, one at a time. The first beatitude is "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. www.thevineaustin.org Discussion Questions: • What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? • When you think of the idea of “blesse...

In this last week of this abbreviated Eastertide series, Mark preaches on the story commonly referred to as "The Road to Emmaus." Luke 24:13-35 Discussion Questions: What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? Explain the concept of “liminal space” and why it is an important concept in the spiritual life? Read Luke 24:13-35. What stands out in this story today? How can placing our pain in...

Vine community member Andrew Fike preaches on the hope we have in the resurrection as seen in Jeremiah's letter to the Israelites in exile. Looking at the verses around the popular Jeremiah 29:11, we learn that God has given us a role, a resistance, and a new reality as we trust in him.

As The Vine begins a shorter Eastertide season, we consider the connection between Jesus' resurrection and our doubt. www.thevineaustin.org John 19:31 Discusion Questions: • What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? • Has doubt been allowed in your faith tradition? • Read John 20:19-29. Why do you think the disciples were still locked in fear only a week after seeing the resurrected Jesu...