Perry’s Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers

Open

Please share your response to one of the following:

• Tell the Group of a significant accomplishment in your life?
• What is one thing that gives you satisfaction?
• What is one thing you are good at? How did you get that skill?

Study

Read the following verses and share your responses to the questions below:

Psalm 19.1-6

• In what ways has creation reminded you of the presence of the Creator?

Colossians 1.16-17

• With these verses in mind, what image of Jesus do you have?
• Knowing that the universe is so immense, what does that say about our God (Jesus)?

1 Kings 8.22-26

• In what ways do you see God as being “unique”?

2 Samuel 22.1-3

• How is God your: rock; fortress; deliverer; shield; horn of falvation; stronghold?

John 20.27-29

• Why do you think Thomas wanted to touch Jesus’ nail prints and side?
• When he encountered Jesus, why do you think he used the word, “MY” in his expression?

Deuteronomy 6.4

• Why is it important to remember that God is OUR God, not just A God; The God; or My God?

Apply

• How has your view of God changed over the years?
• Which attribute(s) of God are most appealing to you now?
• Why do you think understanding the history of a culture (such as Israel) is helpful to the present? To the future?
• What does it take to grasp an understanding of who God is and what he wants us to do?

Open

Please discuss your responses to one of the following:

• What is the most powerful storm you have witnessed? How did you feel?
• As a teenager, what did you not like about yourself that you changed?

Study

Read Romans 1.16-17 and discuss the following

• Why do you think the FACTS of the gospel are important as in 1 Corinthians 15.3-4?
• How do: Facts-Understanding-Action interrelate?
• How does Paul express his personal transformation by saying, “I am not ashamed of the gospel?”
• In what ways does the gospel “Re-Form” us – even after we are believers in Jesus?
• In what ways is the gospel good news? In what ways could it be bad news?
• How would you explain verse 17 to someone who does not speak “Christian-ese”?

Apply

• How have you seen the gospel change people?
• How has the gospel changed you? How is this change a process? How is it instantaneous?
• What failure in your life can you look back on and NOW see good from?

Open

Please share your response to one of the following:

1. What is the hardest “good-bye” you have had to make? What made it hard?
2. If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?

Study

Please read 1 Corinthians 15.3-11 and discuss the following with your group:

1. How would you describe the facts of the gospel?
2. Why do you think the scriptures were at the center of Jesus’ proofs of his resurrection?
3. What is so important about so many eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection?
4. Which people in Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances are most significant to you?
5. What makes you think this was not a hoax?
6. Why does Paul emphasize “grace” in verses 9-11?

Apply

1. If you had been an advisor to Jesus during the 40 days he spent with his disciples after the resurrection, what things would you have encouraged him to teach? Why?
2. If you had been one of the people who had literally seen Jesus after the resurrection, how do you think you would have reacted?
3. Knowing Jesus is alive, how do you react?
4. When hearing the accounts and evidences of Jesus’ resurrection, how do you respond?
5. If you were to explain the gospel to an interested friend, what would you say?

Open

Share your response to one of the following:

1. What is your idea of a great party?
2. Tell of a tradition in your family and what it means to you.

Study

Please Read 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 and discuss the following

1. In what ways do you see the ancient feasts of God (Leviticus 23) as pointing to Jesus?
2. What is significant in the Passover about Jesus? What parallels do you see in the original purpose of Passover and its symbolism in Jesus?
3. What is significant in the Feast of Unleavened Bread? How does this speak to the body of Jesus?
4. What is significant in the Feast of First Fruits?
5. Why do you think the resurrection of Jesus is so important?

Apply

Read Romans 6.1-4 – what is the result of following Jesus?

1. In what ways are you like a chameleon? In what ways are you different?
2. How can you encourage your fellow believers to “stand out” in the crowd as disciples of Jesus?

Matthew 21.1-9; Mark 11.1-10; Luke 19.28-44; John 12.12-16

Open

Please share your answer to ONE of the following:

1. What do you like best about parades? Least?
2. When purchasing an important item, what is your criterion for selection?
3. What makes you cry?

Study

Please read John 12.12-16 (or another selection from above) and discuss the following with your Group:

1. In what ways do you see this as Jesus’ “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem?
2. How does this scene depict God’s selection for HIS Passover sacrifice?
3. How do you think this Passover impacted the Father? The Son?
4. What do you think is the significance of the “Hosannas” that the crowd was shouting?
5. Jesus expressed great emotions (as weeping over Jerusalem; anger in clearing the temple), which one(s) surprise(s) you?
6. What is significant about the Donkey on which he rode? (see also Zechariah 9.9)

Apply

1. What kind of reception would Jesus get if he came to our town?
2. How has Jesus ridden into your life?
3. In addition to sin, what areas of your life do you need him to step in and save?
4. How do you envision the NEXT coming of Jesus? What is significant about Philippians 2.9-11?

Open

Discuss one of the following with your Group:

• How do you feel when someone asks you to keep a secret? Can you tell of a time that keeping the secret was especially difficult?
• Who is your favorite fictional detective? What is special about him/her?

Study

Read Romans 16.25-27 and discuss the following with your Group:

• How would you summarize the “Gospel” to someone? Would you emphasize the facts, commands, or promises? Why?
• In what ways do you think the gospel is more than just about heaven?
• In what ways can you say the gospel is, “My Gospel”?
• In Luke 24.13-35, Jesus meets two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus. Why do you think they do not recognize him at first? What caused them to finally know it was the Lord? What was significant about their actions once they realized they had been with Jesus?
• Why do you think it was a surprise to bring Gentiles into the church?
• How do you think obeying God brings him glory?
• How would you define “glory”?

Apply

• What are the best ways for you to show the gospel in your life? What are positive things you do and negative things you avoid?
• Aside from heaven, what is your favorite promise of the gospel? How does your life reflect this promise?
• How do you stay focused on the big picture of the gospel?

Open

Please share your response to ONE of the following with your Group:

1. If we surveyed your friends from High School, what two adjectives would they use to describe you?
2. Tell us something you have learned about yourself this year.
3. What is the greatest peer pressure you felt as a teen? As an adult? How did/are you handling it?

Study

Please read Matthew 16.13-20 and discuss the following with your Group:

1. If you were to describe Jesus in one or two words, what would you say?
2. Why do you think Jesus asked what others were saying about him?
3. What is the significance of the list of individuals that people thought Jesus might be?
4. What is significant about Peter’s confession?
5. How do you think the Father revealed this to Peter?
6. What is/are the rock(s) on which Jesus would build his church?
7. How is the church a spiritual temple? How are we living stones in that temple?
8. Please respond to this quote: “We should attempt things so great that they are doomed to failure unless God intervenes.” (Henry Blackaby)

Apply

1. What is good or bad about hearing what others say about Jesus?
2. In what ways is this inconsequential?
3. Who is Jesus to you?
4. Having answered the above question, what does this imply for your life? (Stewardship; Scripture-based Judgments)

Open

Share your answer to ONE of the following:

1. Which is taller this week – your IN box or your OUT box?
2. What is your ideal job?
3. What three barriers keep you from reaching your full potential? What would help you overcome these barriers?

Study

Please read Exodus 18:13-23 and discuss the following with your Group:

1. From your knowledge of Moses, what do you infer was his job description from God?
2. How do you think Moses and his father-in-law got along? Why would Moses listen to him?
3. What were the key elements to Jethro’s plan? In what ways was he “on target”?
4. Why do you think Moses might have had a hard time with this idea? Why would he adopt it?
5. What is a key role of church leaders today (Ephesians 4:11-13)?
6. Why do you think church leaders may get off track from their calling?

Apply

1.  On a church level:

• How can you help our church leaders’ stress levels?
• What criteria will you use to select our next elders? Which is biblical and which is personal?

2.  On a Personal Level:

• As a Group, create a list of your top 5 Stresses.
• Now, help each other deal with your top stresses.

Open

Please share your response to one of the following with your Group:

• When are you the most happy? Do other people play into this happiness? Why or Why Not?
• How can people tell if you are angry? Is it usually easy or hard to tell?

Study

Please read Jeremiah 29:10-14 and share your responses to the following:

1. What seems to be the reason for the exile?
2. How do you think the goodness of God is attractive to people?
3. Do you think people are attracted to God to avoid his wrath?
4. What do you see as God’s primary purpose for us? What are some examples?
5. Why is it important that we do not procrastinate when it comes to following God? (James 4:13-14)
6. Why do you think God demands whole-hearted effort from us?

Apply

• Do you think God uses evil to accomplish good? Why? Why Not?
• When have you seen God bring good out of a bad situation?
• Is there an easy way to learn our lessons?
• Why do you think it takes 100% effort on our part to seek and find God?
• How do you KNOW God has your best in mind?
• What do you think it takes to find God?

Open

Please share your response to one of the following:

• What do you want to be remembered for?
• Are you comfortable going to dinner or a movie alone? How about a vacation? Why or why not?

Study

This study will come from Acts 7.17-44 and Exodus 3-4. Please refer to the appropriate texts as you discuss the following with your Group:

• How do you think Moses was viewed by others (Acts 7.20-22)? By God; His parents; etc.
• How do you envision his self-image before he left Egypt?
• What significance do you see with the burning bush? Why do you think it was represented in the Hebrews lamp (Menorah) in the tabernacle and temple?
• Which of Moses’ excuses (Exodus 3.10-4.13) seemed the lamest to you? The best?
• Why do you think God makes compromises for Moses and allows him to use Aaron (Exodus 4.14-17)?

Apply

• How might we imitate the bad example of Moses taking matters into his own hands?
• Do the ends ever justify the means?
• What typically happens when we do not do things God’s way?
• Why do you think God does not operate by a democratic process?
• In what ways does Moses effectively pursue God? How does this apply to us as a church? To you as a follower of Jesus?
• Since God does not ask you to be anything you are not, what do you need to do to be the person God made you?