Going Deeper
We believe that personal study time is one of the most important ways for us to grow more connected and close to our God. To help support you in that, each week we’ll be providing a study to go deeper into the scripture that was preached on Sunday. Come back each week as we go deeper into scripture.
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Going Deeper • Philippians 1:12-20 • JoyFull

Posted on Jun 26, 2020 in Going Deeper |

Read through Philippians 1:12-20 before each Going Deeper Study, then look at the specific verses being emphasized for “Going Deeper”.
 
Going Deeper #1 – Prayer  
Read verse 19 of Philippians 1. Paul says that the sum of two separate forces is going to bring about his deliverance. Now it’s not shocking for Paul to say that prayer has power, but notice how much power He says it has. Look at the two clauses that Paul speaks of that will work together to bring about His deliverance. Doesn’t it seem that the help of the Spirit of Jesus would be enough to bring about Paul’s deliverance? If the being who has all authority and power in the universe is going to help you get your car started, does it matter if your uncle who is good with cars is helping? That’s a little what it seems like here, Jesus is working for Paul’s benefit, but so is the Philippians prayers. This might seem to lower Jesus’ power in our minds, while in Paul’s mind it elevates the power of prayer.
What area of your life have you been limiting the power of prayer? If you’re like me, that’s regretfully probably a lengthy list.
 
Going Deeper #2 – Proclaim Christ
Paul’s joy in this passage comes from the fact that Christ is being proclaimed and honored in his circumstance. If prison is not a bad circumstance, then what is a bad circumstance for Paul? Read Colossians 4:2-4. Colossians is another Prison epistle (a letter written from Prison), and Paul directs his readers to pray in a certain direction. What Paul thinks he needs prayer for in verse 4 is a window into what he wants to avoid. A bad circumstance for Paul is one in which Christ is not being proclaimed. How does this differ from circumstances that you and I want to avoid?
 
Going Deeper #3 – For Christ
Read the last few words of Philippians 1:13. In the ESV, the last two words are “for Christ”. I’m not sure how it works in the real world, but in movies about prison that I remember watching (Shawshank Redemption, Green Mile, The Longest Yard etc. )when prisoners are talking, they often ask each other the question “what are you in here for?”. It’s one thing for Paul to be able to say “I’m in here for Christ”, but imagine his guards saying, “that guy is in here for murder, the one next to him for insurrection, oh and that guy in the middle, he’s in here for His Savior, Jesus Christ”. His attitude must have been 180 degree’s different from his fellow prisoners. His fellow prisoners were responding to the situation and letting the situation control them, but Paul USED his situation and didn’t let it ruin Him because His hope was not ruined simply because His freedom was taken away. How can you use the hard circumstances in your life today, right now, to honor Christ?
 
Going Deeper #4 – Attitude Wildfire
Recently during the COVID-19 pandemic, prisons around the world were put in a difficult place because of how quickly a virus can spread in a dense population such as a prison system. It seems from verses 14-17 of Philippians 1 that a similar situation was happening in Paul’s prison, just not with a virus, but with an attitude and a hope. Paul’s attitude spread like wildfire through the population. The way Paul saw his imprisonment as an opportunity rather than a death sentence, changed how his fellow believers in prison saw their situation. What did this result in? Not only that joy rate in the prison, but eternity was impacted. Christ was proclaimed by many of the prisoners because one man lit the match of hope, and watched the fire spread.
 
Are there any situations that God might be calling you to change your attitude and perspective. Have your attitudes been negatively affecting believers around you when God could be using you to ignite hope and change in those around you if you chose to see the situation the way He does?

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Going Deeper • Philippians 1:9-11 • JoyFull

Posted on Jun 12, 2020 in Going Deeper |

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Read through Philippians 1:9-11 before each Going Deeper Study, then look at the specific verses being emphasized for “Going Deeper”.

Going Deeper #1 –  

To start our Going Deeper study this week read through the prayer that Paul shared in Philippians 1:9-11. It’s just 3 short verses but there is a lot in there for us. Read through it in a few other translations as well (NLT, CSB, ESV, ASV, CEV NIV). What do you see as you read these other translations? Does something new stand out to you? Write out your own summary/version to make this your own prayer and take time to pray that to God as we start this week. 

Going Deeper #2 – Love

Read Philippians 1:9-11, let’s focus on verse 9. 

Let’s look at love this week. Go to www.blueletterbible.org and look up Philippians 1:9. Look up the word love: What type of love is this? What does it mean for this to be something that God wants us to grow more and more in? Look at 1 Cor 13:4-7. What does it mean to grow in love in these specific ways? If you picked out 3 from the list of things love is from 1 Corinthians 13, which three do you think you need God to help you grow in more? Take some time to pray, asking God to help you grow and abound in those three more this week and show how you can do that walking with him.

Going Deeper #3 – Love God and Each Other

Read Philippians 1:9-11.

Take time to pray this verse for yourself before we start to Go Deeper. 

Read 1 John 4:7-21. This is a big section of scriptures. Read it through a few times, maybe in a few different translations. As we are praying Paul’s verse what do you see God setting for us as a standard of love? Why do you think this is important to know and understand? Read Matthew 22:34-40 as well.  Is there a fellow believer that you are struggling to love in the way God is calling us to in these verses. Take time to confess that struggle to love like God commands us to and ask him to help you love them the way he calls us to. 

Going Deeper #4 – Love Your Enemy

Read Philippians 1:9-11.

Take time to pray this verse for yourself before we start to Go Deeper. 

Read Matthew 5:43-48. It’s one thing to think about loving those that are in our family or church family, it’s another when God commands us to love our enemy. What do you think it looks like to love your enemy? Often in our struggle to love others, we find the root problem is driven by how we think about them. What does verse 45 say about what God does to those who don’t love him and how he thinks about them? How does that impact how you see them, knowing how God sees them and gives to them?

Going Deeper #5 – Blameless and Pure

Read Philippians 1:9-11. Focus on verse 10-11

Read Matthew 5:43-48 again today. This time focus on the last verse, verse 48. How does this compare to what Paul says at the end of his prayer in verse 10 and 11? What do these standards communicate to us about how God sees his standard and call to us to make love our first focus as we grow in other areas?

Maybe you feel like you can’t meet this standard. Read  2 Corinthians 12:9 and Philippians 1:6. How do these verses speak to what you feel you can not do? Confess your own weaknesses to God first, then ask him to help you in your weakness to work in on your heart and show you how to surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit to bring transformation to your heart and life.


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Going Deeper • JoyFull • Philippians 1:1-8

Posted on Jun 5, 2020 in Going Deeper |

Download PDF Read through Philippians 1:2-9 before each Going Deeper Study, then look at the specific verses being emphasized for “Going Deeper”.
 
Going Deeper #1 –  Joy/Rejoice
As we start this week in a new series going through the book of Philippians, Take this first Going Deeper time and read through the whole book of Philippians. It’s a short book so it won’t take you too long. As you read through it circle or mark every time Paul talks about Joy or Rejoice. 
Do you see a theme in each of these times he uses it? What do you think that tells you about what God is calling us to in Joy and Rejoicing?
 
Going Deeper #2 – Rejoice In the Lord
Read Philippians 1:1-8, read again just verse 6.
Paul uses the phrase “Rejoice in the Lord” in Philippians, but it’s a phrase we see echoed in many other places in the Bible. Read Philippians 3:1, 4:4, Psalm 32:11, Isaiah 61:10, Romans 12:12, Habakkuk 3:18. In light of Philippians 1:6, what do you think these verses mean when they say “rejoice in the Lord”? What is God inviting us to and how do you think you can walk that with him?
 
Going Deeper #3 – Count It All Joy
Read Philippians 1:1-8, read again just verse 6.
Read James 1:2-8. James uses the Phrase “count it all Joy” or “consider it pure joy”. What do you think that phrase means? Is there anything else in that section that might give us an idea of what he is calling us to? Why do you think he mentions that call specifically for suffering? How does Philippians 1:6 give us an understanding of this all in our lives from God? Is there something God is calling you to in light of this?
 
Going Deeper #4 – The Joy of The Lord Is Your Strength
Read Philippians 1:1-8, read again just verse 6.
Read as short Story from Nehemiah 8:1-12
In this story the people of God are gathered, finally coming back to their land and are about to read the Law of God. They had been living in sin, and their families before them and they were now coming to hear what God was asking of them. There is a phrase in verse 10, look for the phrase “For The Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength”.  Take time to read it and focus on this line in light of the whole story.
After reading this: Why did the Levites (the spiritual and worship leaders) tell the people this phrase? What did they want them to see about God and Joy? What is God telling you through that about Joy and your relationship with him? What might God be asking of you as you study this story more? How do you think Philippians 1:6 reflects this as well?

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Going Deeper • Psalm 82 • Through The Valley

Posted on May 29, 2020 in Going Deeper |

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Read through Psalm 82 before each Going Deeper Study, then look at the specific verses being emphasized for “Going Deeper”.
 
Going Deeper #1 –  God’s Desire For Justice
Read Psalm 82, let’s start with focusing on verses 2-4. 
David’s prayer is that God will “give justice”, read Micah 6:8.
How significant is it that this is what God requires of us? What does it mean he requires us to do justice? Look up some verse were God talks about Justice to help answer this question. Do word search or even a google search on BIble verses where God talks about justice. What is God telling us? 
 
Going Deeper #2 – God’s Desire for Mercy/Kindness
Read Psalm 82, let’s start with focusing on verses 2-4. 
David’s prayer is that God will “rescue the weak”, read Micah 6:8 again.
How significant is it that this is what God requires of us? What does it mean he requires us to love or show kindness/mercy? Look up some verse were God talks about mercy and kindness to help answer this question (1 Cor 13:4, Col, 3:12, Eph 4:32, Mat 7:12, Matt 5:7, Luke 6:35, Romans 11:22, Romans 2:3-4). What is God telling us?
 
Going Deeper #3 – God’s Desire for Humility
Read Psalm 82, let’s start with focusing on verses 4-8.
David’s prayer is that God will “judge the earth”, read Micah 6:8 one more time.
How significant is it that this is what God requires of us? What does it mean he requires us to walk humbly with Him? Look up some verse were God talks about humility to help answer this question (Col 3:12, Ephe 4:1-2, James 4:6-10, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Luke 14:11, Proverbs 3:34, Proverbs 15:33, Psalm 25:9, Philippians 2:3-4 ). What is God telling us? 

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Going Deeper • Psalm 11 • Going Deeper

Posted on May 22, 2020 in Going Deeper |

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Going Deeper #1 –  The Eyes of The Lord

Read Gen 1:10, 2 Chronicles 16:9, and Psalm 11:4-7.

Think about the correlation between what God looks for in Creation and what He looks for after the fall of man. Remember how trustworthy God’s eyes are when he “saw that his creation was good” compared to those of Adam and Eve when they “saw that the fruit was pleasing to the eye”. God continues to watch man, but not as a spectator, but as a judge watching a defendant, He is watching man. What is He looking for?

Going Deeper #2 – The Eyes of Man

Notice how verse 7 ends this psalm. We are back on the concept of “eyes”, but this time it is referencing man seeing God’s face. How can this be? Read Exodus 33:20 and you’ll find our verse in Psalm 11 to be a very confusing sentence. Think about what God is looking for from our question above, and how that relates to the person who will see His face. There is something that God see’s that first qualifies certain humans to be able to see God in return.

Going Deeper #3 – God’s Throne, Part 1

Read Isaiah 6:1-7, Ezekiel 1:26-28, and Revelation 4:1-6

How do these other passages depicting the throne of God, bring more clarity to why David is so confident that God is in control?

Going Deeper #4 – God’s Throne, Part 2

Considering verse four of Psalm 11, read the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 focusing on verse 9. How does how Jesus taught us to begin our prayers relate to how David thinks about God in the midst of chaos?


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Going Deeper • Psalm 23 • Through The Valley

Posted on May 15, 2020 in Going Deeper |

Read through Psalm 23 before each Going Deeper Study, then look at the specific verses being emphasized for “Going Deeper”.
Going Deeper #1 –  The Shepherd
Read Psalm 23, let’s start with focusing on verse 1. 
What does it mean when David says “The Lord is my Shepherd”? Read these verses where God describes himself as the Shepherd. 
Psalm 95:6-9, Isaiah 40:10-11, 
What does he say comes with him being our shepherd and our role in responding as sheep? What does this tell you about God? Why do you think God used this picture to describe himself to his church? How does this affect how you see and respond to God and circumstances in your life right now?
 
Going Deeper #2 – The Good Shepherd
Read Psalm 23, look at the closing words of verse 6
Read John 10:1-15
Jesus takes the idea of the Shepherd and expounds on it, as he tells us so much about who he is as the shepherd. Make a list of everything you see Jesus tells you about himself that makes him the good shepherd in John 10. What role do you see Jesus takes on as the Shepherd? What stands out to you the most and why? Turn to prayer and begin to thank Jesus for the things he does as the shepherd. Use your list as your starting point. 
 
Going Deeper #3 – The Lost Sheep
Read Psalm 23
Read Matthew 18:10-14 and Luke 15:1-7
What do these stories tell you about the type of Shepherd Jesus is. If you are honest, does this story surprise you? Do you find anything that you struggle with this story? Why? What is your favorite part of this story and why? What does this tell you about the love the Shepherd feels for the sheep? What does this tell you about what Jesus feels for you and does for you?
Spend some time in prayer right now ask Jesus to help you see, feel, and understand this type of love. 
 
Going Deeper #4 – The Sheep
Read Psalm 23
Get ready to read John 10:1-15 again.
Before when we read John 10 we focused on who Jesus showed himself to be as the good shepherd. Right now as you read it again, read it to see what Jesus says about you as his sheep. What does he say his sheep do? What do his sheep not do? Ask yourself, how you are responding to the shepherd in your life right now, what is one way you feel you can respond to what Jesus might be asking you today. Spend some time sharing that with God and asking for his help. 

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Going Deeper • 1 Peter 5:10-14

Posted on May 8, 2020 in Going Deeper |

Download PDF Read through 1 Peter 5:8-9 before each Going Deeper Study, then look at the specific verses being emphasized for “Going Deeper”.

Going Deeper #1 –  Suffering

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:10-14

Read Romans 5:1-5. Before Paul talks about suffering, what does he first say we have? How do those things affect how we respond to suffering according to Paul? Why do you think Paul celebrates suffering like this? Whats is motivation? What’s yours and how does that affect how you see suffering?

Going Deeper #2 – God’s Promises

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:10-11, 14

Do you have any of God’s promises memorized from the Bible? Before we dig deeper into some specific promises from 1 Peter, write down the verses of your favorite promises from God for you and His Church? Write them down word for word, and as you write them down think of what they are saying, who they are being said to, and what this means for you (Pick at least three). Then spend some time in prayer thanking God for them. 

Going Deeper #3 – God’s Promises Part 2

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:10-11, 14

Read Romans 8:31-39. There is a lot here. Go verse by verse: What’s the first encouraging promise you see? What other promises are there? How do these promises fit into suffering? (Remember Peter connected suffering and God’s promises as well in 1 Peter 5:10-11). What do you find comforting in the middle of these promises and suffering?

Going Deeper #4 – Our Part In God’s Promises

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:10-11, 14

Have you ever thought about if we have a part in experiencing some of God’s promise or in responding to God’s promises? Although not all are, some of God’s promises are also inviting us to join with God so we can receive them. Check out these verses and reflect on what God is calling you to do as a part of these promises. Are there any actions you struggle with doing more than others?

1 John 1:9, Romans 8:28, Psalm 9:9-10, Proverbs 1:5-6, Matthew 6:31-33

Going Deeper #5 – Suffering Part 2

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:10-14

We started off talking about suffering, then went to God’s promises, and now we are back to suffering. Read John 16: 33 and James 1:2-4. How do you feel about the command God gives us in James 1:2 in light of what Jesus said in John 16? How do you do that? Reflect on the other ways you dug deeper into God’s promises, how can God’s promises affect how we respond to suffering? 

How are you doing right now responding to troubles or suffering you might be experiencing? How can what you have been doing in going deeper help you respond as God invites us to? – Be willing to share your struggle with someone and ask them to pray with you.


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Going Deeper • 1 Peter 5:8-9

Posted on May 1, 2020 in Going Deeper |

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Read through 1 Peter 5:8-9 before each Going Deeper Study, then look at the specific verses being emphasized for “Going Deeper”.

Going Deeper #1 – Spiritual Battle Part 1

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:6-10, focus on verses 8-9 (The Enemy)

Take time to slowly read Ephesians 6:10-18. This is one of the most popular scriptures about spiritual warfare. You might have read this verse many times, or you are finding it for the first time with this week’s message. Consider each of the pieces of Armor we are given. How do you think you can use them to “Resist” the enemy.

Going Deeper #2 – Spiritual Batte Part 2

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:6-10, focus on verses 8-9 (Resist)

Take time to read Ephesians 6:10-18, this time focus on verses 17 and 18. The focus is on the Sword of the Spirit and Praying in the Spirit. What do you think it looks like to bring the Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God/Bible) together in prayer as a weapon to resist? How would that practically look in your life?

Going Deeper #3 – Fighting Temptation Part 1

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:8-10  focus on verse 9 (Resist)

Read Matthew 4:1-11. How does what Jesus does reflect what you read and studied more from Ephesians 6:17-18? Could you do what Jesus did? What is Jesus’ example challenging you with for how you need to be prepared to resist when the temptation to sin comes?

Going Deeper #4 – Fighting Temptation Part 2

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:8-10  focus on verse 9 (Firm In Your Faith)

Read James 1:12-14. What do these verses tell you about temptation? Is that how you have thought about temptation in the past. Can you reflect on the last time you were tempted to sin or did sin, how was this process lived out? Reflecting on that, what might these verses be teaching you that helps you take a new strategy when tempted. What do you think it means to be “steadfast” compared to “firm in your faith”?

Going Deeper #5 – The Battle of The Mind

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:6-10  focus on verses 8-9

Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. Take all that you have been reading through the other Going Deeper times; how do these verses bring all those things together? What does it tell you about your weapons and what they do?
What does it tell you about fighting sin? How can you do what verse 5 says and how does that help you resist sin? Why did God write this verse for you
to read today?


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Going Deeper • 1 Peter 1:22-3:2

Posted on Apr 23, 2020 in Going Deeper |

Download PDFRead through 1 Peter 1:22-3:2 before each Going Deeper Study, then look at the specific verses being emphasized for “Going Deeper”.

 

Going Deeper #1 • Born Again

  • Re-read 1 Peter 1:22-25 and John 3:1-15 especially verses 1-5. Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 & Ezekiel 37:1-14

  • Peter was taught about the topic of spiritual re-birth from Jesus Himself, but Jesus didn’t invent the idea. The idea of re-birth and new life was spoken of in the Old Testament. How does being “born again” relate to the Old Testament passages referenced above?

 

Going Deeper #2 • Re-birth and Trees

  • Isn’t it interesting how often scripture compares our spiritual life with that of trees/vines? Check out: Psalm 1; Matthew 13:1-33; John 15:1-11; and Galatians 5:16-24. Then reread 1 Peter 1:23-25. What connections stand out to you?

 

Going Deeper #3 • Agape Love

  • Read 1 John 4:7-12 especially verse 8, Romans 5:5, and then reread 1 Peter 1:22-23. The brotherly love mentioned first in 1 Peter 1:22 is philadelphia love, but all the other loves mentioned in the other passages including the second time love is mentioned in the 1 Peter passage, the Bible uses the word Agape.

  • Think about the relationship between the Agape love we give to others, and where and how we attain that Agape love. Does anything strike you about how the Bible says we come to attain this unnatural love?


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Going Deeper • 1 Peter 5:17

Posted on Apr 17, 2020 in Going Deeper |

Read through 1 Peter 5:1-7 before each Going Deeper Study, then look at the specific verses being emphasized for “Going Deeper”.

Going Deeper #1 – Humility Part 1

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:1-7, focus on verses 5-7:
 
What is it we are being called to?  Here are a few short verses to start with; read Micah 6:8 and Psalm 25:8-9.
 
How would you define living in humility each day? Why do you think this matters so much to God? Read James 4:6-10 and Matthew 23:10-12. Mediate on these sections, maybe go back and read them again. What stands out the 2nd time that tells us about God’s call to us to live in humility?
 
Going Deeper #2 – Humility Part 2
Re-Read 1 Peter 5:1-7, focus on verses 1-6:
 
Peter saw humility lived out through the actions of Jesus. What does Jesus show us? Read this story found in John 13:1-17
 
Dig a little deeper by reading the example from Jesus. What did Peter hear from what Jesus said about humility? What did Peter see Jesus do that reinforced this? Read Philippians 2:3-8.
 
How does this impact our response to the call to live in humility, especially in leadership? How can you practice what Jesus did and said?
 

Going Deeper #3 – Anxious/Worry Part 1

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:1-7, focus on verses 6-7:
 
Start out reading Psalm 94:17-19. The word “anxious” is not used but put your self in the shoes of the author, what do you think might have been his emotions that he needed God consolidation? What does that mean for God to do that?
 
Let’s look at what Jesus said. Before you read it, imagine being there that day as Jesus looked out over the crowd. Imagine if he had made eye contact with you as he said these words. Read what  Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34.
 
How do you think trust and anxiety battle against each other as you read the words of Jesus? Hearing the words of Jesus, how does trust help or not help?
 
Going Deeper #4 – Anxious/Worry Part 2
Re-Read 1 Peter 5:1-7, focus on verses 6-7:
 
Building from the last “Going Deeper”. Take time to slowly read and look at Philippians 4:6-9. Go verse by verse and line by line. There are so many things that Paul writes about and says in those few verses; how do they help us battle being anxious? Pick the top three things that God might be asking you to practice in your life. How can you practice them?

Going Deeper #5 – Fear

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:1-7, focus on verses 5-7:

Think about this: How do you think fear and being anxious are related to each other? Start with reading John 14:27,  Hebrew 13:6, and Psalm 56:3. 
 
Look at even how Peter battled fear? Read Matthew 14:22-31 and Luke 22:54-62
 
Finish with reading Psalm 23. Why would the author say “your rod and your staff give me comfort”? How can this challenge fear and being anxious?
 
Consider memorizing this short Psalm as something you can bring to your mind and heart every day. 

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