VBCC Sermons

PSALM 15 - UNSHAKEN Where do you go to find rest from the war? Where do you search for flourishing? Why does integrity take such a prominent place in the prayer of David? Of Israel? Of Christ? What is the connection between language, money, and sacrifice? Do you see these ideas present in other passages of Scripture? How does grace tie these things together? Why doesn’t grace undo the need for mor...

PSALM 62 - GOD ALONE Slowly read Psalm 62 aloud, pausing when you reach each Selah. After the reading, discuss your experience of the psalm as a reader/listener. As a work of art, how does this psalm affect your focus, emotions, desires, etc? Verse 1 begins “For God alone my soul waits in silence.” What does it mean to wait for God? What is the importance of the word ‘alone’? What disorienting cir...

PSALM 133: GOOD & PLEASANT Read Psalm 133 aloud. Read slowly and pause between phrases to take it in. After the reading, have each person share a single word to describe the feeling they had while the psalm was being read. Where does David lead us emotionally? Before Aaron was anointed with the holy anointing oil, he was dressed in the holy attire of the high priest. Part of that attire is a breas...

LUKE 24 - RESURRECTION: WORSHIP, CERTAINTY, WITNESS When you think about the Gospel message, do you include Jesus’ resurrection as an equal component with his death and burial? Often, the way we talk about the Gospel in evangelical circles makes it seem like Jesus is still in the grave, but that’s not the case; he’s resurrected! What does his resurrection say about the type of faith a Christian ha...

LUKE 23 - THE POWER OF INNOCENCE Read Luke 23:44-49. Luke records the centurion’s confession (v47) as the ‘final pronouncement’ on Jesus’ life. What do you think he witnessed that convinced him of Jesus’ innocence? Jesus’ innocence unmasks our sin. Read Luke 23:13-25 and list the characters mentioned. How does each contribute to the end result of an innocent man being killed? What underlying sins/...

LUKE 22 - MAKE YOUR CHOICE! Read Luke 22:3-6 and 22:54-57. Compare the betrayal of these two men. With which man do you identify? (No judgment!) Read Luke 22:22-23. Why would the other disciples discuss who would betray Jesus? In this week’s message, Zach encouraged four choices - commitment, listening to Jesus (the Word), awareness about Satan and your fleshly desires, and repentance. Did any of...

LUKE 21 - UNSIGNS & SIGNS In his sermon this morning, Robb spoke about two common unhealthy responses to COVID-19 stressors - “giving up” on the disciplines of daily life, or “giving in” to fear and anxiety. Which of these do you see more in your circles? In your own life? Read Luke 21:8-19. These ‘unsigns’ bear witness, not to the end, but to the current brokenness of the world. What instructions...

LUKE 20 - AUTHORITY When have you been blessed by someone else’s exercise of authority? When have you seen authority misused or abused? Contrast these experiences aloud with your group. What makes for good or bad uses of authority? Read Luke 20:1-8. Why is Jesus’ question difficult for his opponents? What does it reveal about the way they understand authority? Read Luke 20:9-18. When the villains...

ACCEPTANCE: Luke 19:1-10 1. What are some of the ways that the blind beggar (right before Zacchaeus) and Zacchaeus and himself could have justified feeling totally unworthy of Jesus’ attention? What are some of the things you would use to justify why you don’t think you are worthy of Jesus’ attention today? 2. What are some of the ways that the bling beggar and Zacchaeus had to overcome obstacles...

JUSTIFICATION When you go to God in prayer, what are your most common habits of thought and emotion? What might they tell you about how you relate to God? Read Luke 18:9-14. This parable contrasts two strategies for justification. What were the 3 contrasts mentioned in the sermon today? Are there any other contrasts you see? In Philip Eveson’s essay on the doctrine of justification, he introduces...

1. What are the contrasts to highlight the differences the rich and poor man experienced in life? 2. What are the contrasts after death? 3. What is the significance of Jesus mentioning Abraham in this story? 4. In the story, Jesus only seems to highlight that which the rich man failed to DO in life that led him to eternal suffering in hell. Is Jesus teaching a works-based salvation? 5. The name La...

Happy Easter! He is risen! What about ‘normal life’ are you missing most during this COVID-19 lock down? How do you find joy in the midst of this crisis (or any crisis)? Read Luke 15:1-7. To whom does Jesus direct his parable? Why did he tell it to them? Peruse Luke 15:8-32. Here, Jesus tells two more parables that mirror the first one about the sheep & the shepherd. Which words from the first par...

Sermon: The Humble Friend Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Sermon Discussion Questions What is the fanciest meal you’ve ever been to? How did it make you feel to attend? Read Luke 14:1-6. How would you describe the relationship between Jesus & the religious leaders in this story? Why do you think the lawyers and Pharisees fail...

Sermon: THE HOST & THE HEN Sermon Discussion Questions Take a moment to share about an area of life where you’ve experienced loss or disruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. How are you processing the disruption? Is there a silver lining? Read Luke 13:22-30. What question precipitated this dialog with Jesus (v23)? Why do you think Jesus chooses a banquet to illustrate salvation? Which char...

Discussion Questions 1. Share a moment when you did not believe the eventual would become the actual and you were “found out” by the future. 2. Which of the stories in this passage did you connect with most? (Rich man and barns, Good Servant, Unfaithful Servant, Fig Tree) 3. In the 4 Keys to discerning real followers, which was most convicting to you? 4. How would you answer the question, “What is...