Pastor Tim Richards will begins a 4-week Advent series called "Consider the Star." This week's sermon is entitled "Christmas for Pagans".

SERMON QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever been someplace where you had a really good view of the Milky Way? Where were you and what was it like?

2. Does it surprise you that God orchestrated the universe in such a way that the Magi from the East were able to determine Christ had been born by studying the stars? What does that tell you about God’s bigger plan of salvation?

3. Read Numbers 24:15-17. What about Balaam’s prophecy do you think caused later Rabbi’s to believe it was about a future Messiah and not just a message for the immediate conflict between Israel and Moab?

4. Have you ever known someone who came to faith in Jesus in a very unconventional way? How did it happen? What does it tell you about God’s love for people?

Pastor Tim Richards completes the series "Long Journey Home", focusing this week on "Life in the Promised Land".

SERMON QUESTIONS: 1. Joshua 21:43-45 is a description of Israel settled in the promised land. What images come to mind when you hear the term “Promised Land”?

2. In what ways do you think Israel’s experience in the Promised Land does or does not compare to our idea of heaven?

3. It appears that life in the Promised Land is not always free of conflict – at least not for now. In your own journey, what have been some conflicts you have faced? How did you find victory?

4. Thinking back over the journey we have been on these past 12 weeks, are there any lessons or new understandings from Isreal’s journey that have stood out to you? Why?

Pastor Tim Richards will continue the series "Long Journey Home: Navigating the Wilderness", focusing this week on Caleb.

SERMON QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever met someone who struck you as incredibly impressive? What made them seem special?

2. Read Numbers 13:1-2, 6, 25-30. How many impressive traits can you detect in Caleb from this account?

3. Read Deuteronomy 1:36 and Joshua 14:7-14. What character trait of Caleb is repeatedly emphasized? What are the implications of that trait?

4. Read Matthew 16:24-25. How does the teaching of Jesus connect with the character of Caleb? What does it mean in your own life to develop that kind of character?