Scripture: Romans 8:5-11; 2 Chronicles 15:5-6; Hosea 2:14-15

These are the discussion questions mentioned in the sermon today. This is another one of those times when a concrete, tangible application of the information we’ve studied needs to be our primary focus.

Selah question #1 (Introduction Questions) — First question—what does God want us to learn from this moment? I pray that question about everything I’m faced with—"God, what do you want to teach me at this moment?” —I’m convinced that when we get back to “normal,” God will show us that some things will be different—What do you think some of those differences might be? Second question—This is a “what if” question, and I like praying “what if” questions because sometimes God wants us to be open to new possibilities—SO—What if God wants to use our current crisis to bring renewal to his church? What if God wants to use our current restrictions and limitations to renew his church to really be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world? —Remember Laurelle’s story? —God HAS placed restrictions on us—limitations that many of us are kicking against—but what if as a result of these limitations—God is working to accomplish something of eternal significance? What if God IS using our current restrictions and limitations as a church to renew us and to move toward one another and out into the world in a new way—in an eternally significant way?

Selah question #2 (based on Romans 8:5-11 and Tony Evans quote)—Read Romans 8:5-11 and then read the quote from Tony Evans—If you are only seeing the virus, you don't see all that's taking place right now, and what’s taking place right now is a divine disruption. I want to tell you what's really going on—the principle of how the world works. Everything visible and physical is preceded by that which is invisible and spiritual. So, if you want to address that which is visible and physical, you must identify the cause and the cure to what is invisible and spiritual. Or to put it another way, if all you see is what you see, you do not see all there is to be seen. Something else is afoot here. And it is attached to the spiritual realm. Even though what Tony said here did not come from the context of Romans 8, still, how are the two related? What does it mean to have your mindset on the things of the Spirit during this coronavirus crisis? How does having your mindset on the things of the Spirit give you eyes to see how God might be working behind the scenes? What does 1 Corinthians 2:14 teach us about spiritual discernment? 

Selah question #3 (2 Chronicles 15:5-6 and Hosea 2:14-15 ) —What was your biggest “aha” or “take-away” from what was drawn out of these two passages? James says—“Confess your sins to one another that you may be healed”(5:16)—be honest—Is your love for God still as fervent as it was when you first trusted Jesus as your Savior? Have other things—other loves—money, getting ahead, career, education, entertainment, sports, your family—a hobby, a relationship—comfort, the security of your IRA—have any of those things become your first love? How might God be using this crisis to call you back to himself? Now think about the big “C” Church in this country today. What if God is allowing us as his church to go through a time of trouble like this because he’s calling us back to himself as our first and ultimate love? What might it look like for the Church to return to God as our first love? 

Spend some time praying for one another—What needs do you have? What needs does your family have? ALSO—Who do you know that needs God’s help, your help? —pray for them by name—Pray for your elders and leaders and staff who are watching and seeking and listening for how God is leading us in these days.

*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.