Countdown to Christmas
Luke 2:35
Mary, a sword will pierce through your own soul – Luke 2:35
Whangarei Central Baptist Church
19th Dec 2021 – Dr. Steve Dunn – The Visit of the Shepherds
Countdown to Christmas
Luke 2:1-7
The Visit of the Shepherds – Luke 2:8-20
12th Dec 2021 – Dr. Steve Dunn – The Birth of Jesus
Countdown to Christmas
Luke 2:1-7
The Birth of Jesus – Luke 2:1-7
5th Dec 2021 – Dr. Steve Dunn – Jumping for Joy!
Countdown to Christmas
Luke 1:39-56
Mary meets Elizabeth -Luke 1:39-56
Discussion Questions
1) Why did Mary visit Elizabeth? List some possible motives and reasons you think they are valid.
2) We can understand Elizabeth being filled with the Holy Spirit but what about John being filled with the Spirit while still in the womb? Luke 1:15 cf 1:41.
3) How do Luke 1:15, 31,35,41-44 inform the Christian view on abortion? See also Psalm 139:13-16.
4) For major events in Israel’s history a song was written and sung, usually one per major event. The Magnificat is one of the 4 songs celebrating Christmas which shows how significant an event it is. Do you know the other 3? Do you know their Latin names? If you scan through from this passage to chapter 2:35 you will find the other 3 (a sort of “where is Wally). Some seem more like a speech than a song. If all else fails, try Google or a Bible dictionary or phone a friend.
5) The Magnificat is Latin for magnify the Lord. How can we make the Lord Jesus bigger in the perceptions of people, in our church services and in our own lives?
6) Throughout the story of Christmas the words “Joy” and “rejoicing” pop up repeatedly. Why does Christmas bring joy and what things can turn our Christmas into a joyless holiday?
21st Nov 2021 – Dr. Steve Dunn – Gabriel Announces Jesus’ Birth
Countdown to Christmas
Luke 1:26-38
The Angel Gabriel visits Zecharias -Luke 1:26-38
Discussion Questions
1. Many modern people have problems with miracles. List the reasons you think are responsible for this mind-set.
2. Moderns also have problems believing in Angels and heaven. Do the large number of well-documented near-death experiences have any
bearing on the issue?
3. On what basis was Mary selected to be the mother of the baby Jesus? (Luke 1:30-31)
4. Why is the virgin birth of Christ pivotal to the Christian faith? If we take it out of Christianity, what is left of our faith?
5. Is the gospel of Luke reliable? Can you state some reasons for this? (Luke 1:1-4)
6. Does the statement “for with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37) mean that if we believe we can do anything we want to do?
7. What difference does the fact that Jesus, the word became flesh and lived among us make to you?
14th Nov 2021 – Dr. Steve Dunn – Gabriel visits Zecharias
Countdown to Christmas
Luke 1:1-25
The Angel Gabriel visits Zecharias -Luke 1:1-25
Discussion Questions
1. How do we maintain our faith when the culture around us is not conducive to our faith?
2. What are some of the reasons that God does not seem to answer the prayers of good sincere Christians who have prayed for years?
3. Rejection is a difficult burden to bear. What are some ways you have found helpful in dealing with it?
4. When Alexander the Great made Greek the official language of the world, God used it to prepare the way for the spread of the gospel. How else did God prepare the ancient world for the coming of Jesus?
5. What made John the Baptist great in the eyes of the Lord? Matthew 11:7. John 1:22-28.
6. Age is one reason for cutting back on the work of the Lord. Can you list other reasons why we may be reluctant to attempt things for God?
7th Nov 2021 – Dr. Steve Dunn – Prepare the Way for the Great God
Countdown to Christmas
Isaiah 40:1-17
Prepare the Way for the Great God – Isaiah 40:1-17
Discussion Questions
1. God is the God of all comfort, the father of mercies. Are you personally in need of comfort this week? In what practical ways can we be like Him and bring comfort to others?
2. Read 1 corinthians 14:3 “those who prophesy speak to other people building them up, and giving them encouragement and comfort.” How can we use our speech to build others up, encourage them and comfort them? Before we speak, could we ask ourselves the question: “does what I have to say build up, encourage or comfort the other person”? Could this be our motto in our buildup to Christmas?
3. In verse 2 God comforts Jerusalem by acknowledging they have had a hard time, forgiving their sins and seeing they have suffered enough. Can we do the same with people who have hurt us?
4. How can we prepare the way for the Lord in our own lives and in the church? (Verses 3-5)
5. How do verses 6-8 help us set our priorities as we make daily decisions or set goals for the future?
6. Why has the Bible survived intact after 2000 years of bad treatment? (Verse 8)
7. Can you remember specific examples in your life when you found Jesus to be your shepherd? (Verses 9-11)
8. Verses 12-15 show God as the all-powerful, all-wise creator and sustainer of all things. How has God spoken to you through his creation? Have you found it a source of comfort?
31st Oct 2021 – Pastor Dr. Brian Krum – The Secret to Contentment
In/Joy Life
Philippians 4:10-20
The Secret to Contentment – Philippians 4:10-20
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you usually respond to others when they express concern for you? How does Paul respond?
2. Why is Paul so glad that the Philippians gave and looked out for his needs?
3. Paul has been quite affectionate toward the Philippians throughout this letter. What do you see in this passage that might explain some of the feeling of intimacy and affection?
4. Can you tell of a time when giving was both beneficial to the receiver and the giver? How has giving and receiving affected your relationships in the past?
5. Paul, in prison, is still rejoicing, and is content in the most trying of circumstances and states of need. What is his secret to contentment? [Reference back to 4:6-9, as well as verses 13 & 19.]
6. What circumstances most control or undo contentment? What would it be like to practice and know contentment even when life is hard? What step could you take towards contentment today?
7. Paul knew what it meant to be in need. Would you share about a time when you experienced neediness? What was the result?
Life Application:
Please be sensitive to feelings that might have arisen from past needs that were not met. Do healing and/or forgiveness need to take place?
Are there needs within the group today? Pray over them, and explore whether the group might be able to help meet those needs. Or, is there another need you all know of that you can help meet?
24th Oct 2021 – Dr. Steve Dunn – Replacing Anxiety With Peace
In/Joy Life
Philippians 4:4-8
Replacing Anxiety with Peace
Introduction
“What is the difference between happiness and joy? When is a time in your life that you experienced true joy?”
Discussing the Text
In verses 4-7, Paul gives the fix for the problem that existed between these two people in conflict in the church in Philippi.
1. How can rejoicing (in the Lord) help resolve a stressful situation? Can someone who is really full of joy continue to fight with people?
2. How can your gentleness be evident to all? Would you rather be treated justly or gently? How can your gentleness be used to dissolve disputes between people?
3. Paul tells the Philippian church to not be anxious about anything. What kind of negative results come from being anxious? How can eliminating anxiety or worry from our lives help us to get along with each other?
4. What should be the role of prayer in our lives? How does this help resolve conflict and strife between believers?
5. In verse 7, what result does Paul promise to the Philippian church? How is this something that you would like to see in your life?
6. What is the peace of God? How does it guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus? Does the peace of God help you to resolve conflicts with others in your life? Is having the peace of God important in your life?
7. Think about verse 8. How can thinking about these things help to prevent us from being involved in conflicts with others and divisions in the church?
8. Paul says to think about excellent or praiseworthy things. What does thinking about these things do in your life?
9. What are some things that are opposite of this list? What does thinking about these things cause us to do? Is this helpful in living the Christian life?
10. What do you find yourself thinking about most often? Why is it important for us to focus our minds on true and excellent things? (Phil 1:10; Col 3:1-3; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
17th Oct 2021 – Pastor Dr. Brian Krum – Reducing Conflict with Others
In/Joy Life
Philippians 4:1-3
Reducing Conflict With Others – Philippians 4:1-3
Introduction
1. We all have conflict and strife in our lives, and we all struggle with knowing how to handle disputes that arise between people, as a result of the conflict.
a. How do you tend to deal with disputes that come between you and other people?
b. Have you ever allowed a dispute to ruin a relationship that you once valued? What was the hardest part about losing that relationship?
c. Have you ever salvaged a relationship that was affected by a dispute? What was the reward of choosing to salvage that relationship?
d. How much does the fact that you are a Christian give you extra incentive to work hard to resolve disputes and maintain relationships with people?
Discussion Questions
2. In verse 2, Paul pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to “agree with each other,” or “be of the same mind” in the Lord. Why is this an important command? Reconsider the other times Paul wrote this command in his letter to the Philippian church? (Phil 2:2 & 2:5)
a. What effect do you think their broken relationship was having on the rest of the church?
b. What does it mean to “agree in the Lord” or “be of the same mind in the Lord”? What would that look like in your life?
c. Does this mean that we can’t disagree? Is there room in the church for different opinions?
d. How should we respond to disagreements within our church or small group?
3. What was the role of the “loyal yokefellow,” Clement, and the rest of Paul’s fellow workers in this dispute between these women?
a. Have you ever been involved in helping others work through a disagreement? What was the most difficult part of being a “peacemaker”?
b. How important is it that we strive to be peacemakers in our homes, at work, and in our church?
c. Is this ability to help others work through a dispute something that everyone is called to do in their life? Is this something that can be learned, or is it a “spiritual gift”?