Going Deeper: Questions to Ask Yourself
 Sunday’s sermons certainly get us thinking, and they inspire us to change in ways that move us closer to becoming like Jesus. Sometimes, however, we all could use some specific help in applying what we heard to how we live. That’s why we created this Going Deeper section of the website.
The application questions below relate to sermons by Pastor Phil and others. You might want to read or listen to the sermon, which you can do by clicking here. You can also print the sermon, as well as print this page by clicking on the printer icon in the upper right and then using your printer.
Question based on Steve Musser's sermon, Teach Me to Forgive 06.06.10
Make a four-column list:
- In the first column, put down the names of people you want to get back at.
- In the second column, write how you might do that.
- In the third column, record the likely consequences of getting back.
- In the fourth column, what wuld happen if you didn't collect on your anger?
Then talk with God about all of this.
Questions based on Steve Musser's sermon, Teach Me Faith 05.30.10
- What do you do when you’re afraid? If you pray, what do you pray for? What does your prayer say about your faith?
- Do you have a sense that you are trying to win God’s approval, to have God be proud of you, like Peter wanted. Is it, as Pastor Steve says, because of the guilt of sin? What might you do to rid yourself of that drive to please God for the wrong reasons? Think of Steve’s comment:
“It is not our infinite worth that led Jesus to suffer and die in our place, not our infinite worth, but rather God’s incomprehensible, amazing love. Our worth as people comes not from anything we possess, but rather because our amazing, holy and loving God simply chose to love us. We are valuable only because we are loved by Him.”
- Can you think of a time when you thought that you were living the faith but realized you had missed the point, as Steve Musser says? How did that experience change you?
- Do you act sometimes act like Peter at the transfiguration by trying to take care of the situation rather than simply listening to God speak to you?
- Take a few minutes and think about God's love for us despite the ways we disappoint Him.
Questions based on the sermon, Walk by the Spirit 04.25.10
- Think of a time when you were short of breath -- climbing a mountain, when you were ill – and remember how you got relief. Wasn’t it because you relaxed and let your body resume its natural activity?
Now think specifically and practically about how you can you relax and let God breath into you and for you? Read back on what Phil said in his sermon, particularly when he said,
“Breathe out the toxins, the waste, and the sin in your life. Confess them to God and send them away - your pride and selfishness, the lusts of your flesh, that spirit of independence that doesn’t need God. Then inhale. Breathe in. Consciously call out to the Spirit of God to give you life and strength.”
Also, consider what Phil also said about the spiritual disciplines as breathing exercises:
“Prayer is a form of spiritual breathing, confessing our sin and crying out to God for help.
Worship is spiritual breathing, too because it is praying in song and hymn and spiritual song.
Meditating on God’s word can be spiritual breathing, rejecting what is false, and breathing in God’s true word by the power of his Spirit.
Surrendering to God in the midst of our trials, what is that if it is not gasping for God?
- Washing someone’s feet might seem odd these days. What might be some equivalent acts that you could do that would demonstrate all that Jesus showed when he washed his disciples’ feet?
- List the ways you serve. Maybe you don’t realize how many ways you actually do serve. Pray that God would use those acts to glorify Himself and embolden you.
Questions based on the sermon, Prayer Continued (Our Father), 03.21.10
- As obvious as it sounds, the most important thing about prayer, says Pastor Phil in his sermon, is not us but God. But is that so obvious as we pray? Before you pray next time, first write out what you will be praying about. Then, ask yourself: Is this about God or about me?
- Phil also points out that, "if we truly enter into God’s presence, it changes everything." What does it mean to you to "enter into God's presence"? And what changes in your life as a result?
Questions based on the sermon, Prayer, 03.14.10
- Pastor Phil says in his sermon that "Scripture is overwhelmingly clear: Prayer is one of the keys to unlocking all the good things God has for us: wisdom and strength, healing and salvation, peace and patience, and all the fruit of the Spirit." So, to quote Phil, "why do we not use the key? Why do we pray so little and so late?"
- Ask yourself (write down the answer): What one factor in my life -- procrastination, fear, lack of understanding prayer, etc. -- is blocking me from praying regularly?
- Then ask, what will I do about it right now -- now, not tomorrow -- and begin a habit of prayer, a habit that I can maintain and one that will enrich my life in God?
Questions based on the sermon, Giving, 02.28.10
- The Israelites were not just commanded to stop working one day in seven, Pastor Phil pointed out. They also had to give their entire land a rest every seventh year, and produce no crops, harvest no grapes, and press no olives.
- How would your life change if you were to stop all work every seventh year – to stop your income?
- What would you do during that year? How would your life change then – and especially afterwards?
Write down your answers.
- What would you have to give up in your life if you were to give back to God:
- 5% of your income?
- 10% of your income?
- 20% of your income?
- 50% of your income?
Write down your answer for each percentage.
Questions based on the sermon, Sabbath, 02.21.10
- Pastor Phil told a story in his sermon about Satan’s strategy for keeping us distracted from Jesus by keeping us busy. Read the story here, and then ask yourself this question:
What one activity on Sunday will I give up starting this week in exchange for at least two hours spent alone or with my family reading Scripture, praying, meditating, fellowshipping, serving, or whatever else I might do to enjoy God?
Write it down.
- If you could spend 45 uninterrupted minutes with your family or friends next Sunday …
What would you talk about and ask that might help shape your relationship with God?
Write it down.
- What specific task or issue in your life makes you feel defeated, as if you are pushing a boulder uphill only to watch it roll down the other side – similar to the Sysiphus story Pastor Phil mentioned?
Would you be willing to give up control of that task or issue to God for one month and prayerfully listen to what he says to you about it? If so …
Write it down.
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