Bethel Sermons

Scripture: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). **Discussion Questions** > 1. Do you see science and faith as rivals or compatible partners in the quest for truth? Why? > 2. Read and respond to Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” > 3. Pastor Dave referenced Francis Bacon’s “two books of God”. The book of God’s Word (scripture) and the book of God’s Work (nature, the material world). Do you have a habit of engaging with these books in an intentional way? If so, what is that habit/practice? > 4. How do faith and reason find their perfect fulfillment in Christ? (maybe read 1 Corinthians 1:21-24 again)

(Due to an audio issue, we are uploading a new version of the sermon video. Thanks for your patience.) Scripture: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). **Discussion Questions** > 1. From what you heard in scripture today, what is the heart of God for the foreigner? > 2. Do you actively or often think of yourself as an “alien” or “stranger” in this world whose citizenship is in heaven? > a. If so, how have you been able to cultivate that? > b. If not, what gets in the way of that? > 3. What would be a good way to reach out to the people of the world who come here to the United States? Have you seen any good examples of this? > 4. Meditate on this verse: Philippians 3:20 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."

Scripture: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4). **Discussion Questions** > 1. Pastor Dave mentioned that people with different perspectives on LGBTQ are listening to the sermon. From what perspective do you approach the subject? How close to home is this subject for you and your family? > 2. With Proverbs 3:3,4 in mind, imagine that someone close to you said that they are struggling with same-sex attraction, would it be harder for your to respond with “chesed” (goodness, kindness, lovingkindness) or “ve e met” (firmness, faithfulness, truth)? > 3. Why do you think the LGBTQ community largely feels unwelcome at church? > 4. What would it take for LGBTW people to want to “gather” with us at Bethel as they were drawn to Jesus? (see Luke 15:1,2)

Scripture: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). **Discussion Questions** > 1. How would you answer the question, “Are women’s rights human rights?” What support would you give for your answer? > 2. How do you feel about your answer now? > 3. Pastor Rich said people can load a good phrase with things that we do not agree with. Have you seen this to be true in your life? > 4. How might you make a difference this week in helping someone understand their worth and dignity as one who is made in God’s image? > 5. How did Jody’s testimony encourage you to speak up for the most vulnerable of individuals, the unborn children?

Scripture: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). **Discussion Questions** > 1. How would you answer the question “Do black lives matter?” What support for your answer would you give? > 2. Have you had a mostly positive or mostly negative opinion of the BLM movement? > 3. How do you feel about them now? > 4. Pastor Dave said that “BLM offers a theologically flawed and unbiblical understanding of WHO we are, WHAT the problem is, and HOW to fix it.” Try to recall how BLM and the Bible differ on each point. > 5. How might you make a difference this week in helping someone understand their intrinsic value and dignity as one made in God’s image?

This fall, we'll be talking about lies that Christians believe and tell. Today, we address the phrase, "You just need to have more faith."

This fall, we'll be talking about lies that Christians believe and tell. Today, we address the phrase, "You don't have to go to church to be a Christian."

This fall, we'll be talking about lies that Christians believe and tell. Today, we address the phrase, "Just follow your heart" and "God must be punishing me."

This fall, we'll be talking about lies that Christians believe and tell. Today, we address the phrase, "Just follow your heart" and "Have a peace about it."

This fall, we'll be talking about lies that Christians believe and tell. Today, we address the phrase, "Heaven gained another angel today."

This fall, we'll be talking about lies that Christians believe and tell. Today, we address the phrase, "God won't give you more than you can handle."

Series: We Don't Talk About That (2018) Topic: "Glass Ceilings in the Church" (Role of Women in the Church)

Series: We Don't Talk About That (2018) Topic: "Divorce" (Part 2)

Series: We Don't Talk About That (2018) Topic: "Divorce" (Part 1) Speaker: Pastor Dave Foss

What does the Bible teach about discipline in the church? Series: We Don't Talk About That (2018) Topic: "Kicked Out of the Church"

What does the Bible teach about racism? How does that apply to us today? Series: We Don't Talk About That (2017) Speaker: Pastor Dave Foss

What does the Bible say about dinosaurs? How does that fit with science and faith? Series: We Don't Talk About That Speaker: Pastor Dave Foss

Can we trust the Bible? How does the Bible apply to our life today? Why is it so important to us as followers of Jesus? Where does its authority come from? Series: We Don't Talk About That Speaker: Pastor Dave Foss

What is baptism? How does it work? Why do we do it? Series: We Don't Talk About That (2017) Speaker: Pastor Dave Foss

No matter which presidential candidate wins, God is still in control and he is our leader.