Edgewood Bible Church

Main idea: Through the plagues in Egypt, the LORD shows Himself as the true God, mighty Creator, Holy Judge, and gracious Savior The LORD is the True God The LORD is the Mighty Creator The LORD is the Holy Judge The LORD is the Gracious Savior Discussion questions: 1. How does the story of Pharaoh challenge our understanding of religious pluralism in today’s culture? 2. Despite witnessing the plagues, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened. What does this teach us about human pride and resistance to God? 3. What are some modern “idols” (e.g., work, relationships, personal autonomy) that can lead to a similar “disintegration” of life if placed above God? 4. How does God’s Word act as both a guide and a safeguard against the natural progression of sin in our lives?

Big Idea: In the face of opposition, trust in God who faithfully stands with His dependent people. 1. Trust in God’s purpose: He tests faith through suffering (5:1-23) 2. Trust in God’s promise: He redeems His covenant people (6:1-9) 3. Trust in God’s timing: He works on His sovereign schedule (6:10-27) 4. Trust in God’s authority: He is mightier than man (7:1-7:7) Discussion Questions 1. How do Moses and the Israelites respond differently to opposition in Exodus 5? Who do they go to with their concerns? 2. In Exodus 6, God reminds Moses of His covenant with Israel. How does reflecting on God’s past faithfulness help us trust His promises, especially when His timing doesn’t meet our expectations? 3. Throughout Exodus, God redeems His people not just from suffering but through suffering. How does this truth challenge our perspective on trials, and how can it reshape our trust in God’s purpose? 4. In Exodus 7:1-7, Moses is made “like God” to Pharaoh, yet remains dependent on God’s power. What does this teach us about living as ambassadors of God today while acknowledging our own dependence on Him?

Text: Exodus 3-4 Big Idea: God displays the fire of His glory amist the smoldering wick of His people. 1. Look at the God who is (3:1-10) 2. Look at the God who calls (3:11-4:17) 3. Look at the God who qualifies (4:18-4:31) Discussion Questions: 1. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before being called by God at age 80. How can we trust that God is at work even when we feel like nothing is happening? 2. At the burning bush, God revealed Himself as “I AM,” emphasizing His self-existence and eternal nature. What does this reveal about who God is, and how should we respond? 3. Moses raised five objections to God’s call, questioning his worthiness and ability. How do we sometimes respond like Moses when God calls us to step out in faith? 4. The circumcision of Moses’ son emphasized the importance of obedience to God’s commands. How do faith and obedience work together in the life of a believer?

Main idea: A deliverer is set apart as God remembers his people Moses, the confused mediator Moses, the lost sojourner God, the faithful redeemer Discussion questions: 1. Moses was raised as an Egyptian prince but was also born into the Hebrew people. How does his identity crisis affect his actions? In what ways do you see him struggling to reconcile these two parts of himself? 2. Reflect on the idea that Moses was not called to merely “reform” his people, but to lead them to freedom. How does this distinction relate to our mission as Christians? Are we called to reform the world, or to rescue people through the Gospel? 3. In what ways might the Israelites have felt abandoned by God during this time? How can we relate to times in our own lives when God feels distant or when we wonder if He’s forgotten us? 4. How does this long period of waiting shape our understanding of God's timing? In what ways can we cultivate patience and trust in God’s perfect timing when we are in seasons of waiting?

Main idea: God’s promised redemption will come through suffering 1. Growth comes through Suffering (1:1-22) 2. Redemption comes through a baby (2:1-10) Discussion Questions: 1. What does Genesis 15:5 have to do with Exodus 1? How does the growth of the Israelite population, despite their suffering, demonstrate the faithfulness of God's promises? 2. How does the text highlight the importance of moral courage in the face of political or societal pressure? What role does the fear of God play in their decision-making? 3. Discuss the irony in the story—how does God use the very river that Pharaoh intended for death to be a source of deliverance for Moses? What other instances of irony can you identify in the text? 4. Discuss how Moses’ story parallels the concept of redemption in the New Testament, particularly in light of the parallels drawn between Moses and Jesus. How do both figures represent deliverers for God’s people?

Main idea: The Christian life is regularly growing in our giving, our serving, and our loving one another for the expansion of the church and the glory of God. 1. Money and the church of God (1-4) 2. Teachers and the mission of God (5-12) 3. Admonition and the love of God (13-14) 4. Maturity and the servants of God (15-18) 5. Vision and the grace of God (19-24) Discussion Questions: 1. Paul mentions Timothy and encourages the church to receive him warmly. What does this tell us about the importance of hospitality and support within the church? 2. Based on v.13, In what areas of life do you think Christians today need to be watchful? 3. What does it look like to stand firm in today’s world? 4. How does love serve as a foundation for the relationships among believers, according to this passage?

Main idea: Death is inevitable but it will be destroyed through the resurrection. 1. The Resurrection is the Gospel 2. The Resurrection is the Life 3. The Resurrection is our Future Reality Discussion questions 1. What are the essential aspects of the gospel message from this chapter? 2. How will our resurrection bodies be different than our natural bodies? 3. How should the reality of the resurrection change our lives?

Text: 3 John Main Idea: Doing spiritual Good to others testifies that we are walking in the truth I. Be like Gaius: live a testimony of the truth in love(v.5-8) II. Don’t be like Diotrephes: It is bad to put yourself first (9-10) III. Be like Demetrius: His testimony points to God (10-11) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What does it mean to "walk in the truth," and how does this look in our daily lives? 2. How can we, like Gaius, show love and hospitality to strangers or those working for the sake of the gospel? 3. What dangers do we face when we put ourselves first, as Diotrephes did, and how can we guard against this in our own lives? 4. What does it mean to “imitate good” (verse 11), and how can we follow the example of those with a good testimony like Demetrius? 5. How can we actively seek out examples of godly living and apply those examples to our own lives? Who in your life can you imitate as they follow Christ?

Main idea: Ordered worship results in peace. 1. Ordered liturgy 2. Ordered roles 3. Ordered submission Discussion Questions: 1. Do you think of the Holy Spirit’s work as being naturally more spontaneous or orderly? 2. What are some reasons Paul desires for the worship service to be ordered? 3. Describe what a Corinthians worship service may have looked like based on our time in all of chapter 14. 4. How can apply these verses to our church family in the coming weeks?

Main idea: Spiritual people pursue love by using their gifts to build others up more than themselves. 1. What is tongues? 2. What is prophecy? 3. What is best for the gathered church today? Discussion Questions 1. In what ways does the need for intelligible speech, as described in 1 Corinthians, apply to our current worship practices? 2. Paul indicates that tongues serve as a sign for unbelievers, emphasizing judgment. How does this concept challenge or affirm your views on the practice of speaking in tongues in the church today? 3. How can the command to “pursue love” reshape the way we think about using our spiritual gifts? In what ways can love be prioritized over personal expressions of spiritual gifts in a church setting?

Main idea: Nothing is more important than love. The Value of Love - v.1-3 The Virtues of Love - v.4-7 The Vastness of Love - v.8-13 Discussion Questions 1. What aspect of love from v.4-7 is the most difficult for you in this season of life? 2. Why is love greater than faith and hope? 3. Why was the Corinthians struggling to love in their church? What might cause us to not love faithfully at EBC?

Main idea: The Holy Spirit has gifted each Christian for the common good of the church family. 1. The Church is gifted for unity 2. The Church is gifted for dependence Discussion questions 1. How do we best find out what our spiritual gift is without taking a questionnaire? 2. What are some other challenges to unity and dependence for our church? 3. How would you handle a conversation with a church member who is considering leaving our church based on this chapter?

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:2-34 Theological Theme: Faithful God Anthropological theme: Obedience, Submission Main idea: Worshipping God on his terms brings honor and glory to Him. 1. Dysfunctional roles 2. Dysfunctional fellowship

2024_08_25 – 1 John 4:1-5:5 – 'God and Man' – Sermon by Trevor Ice – Text: 1 John 2:28-4:6 Big Idea: We can know we love God if we love brothers and sisters in Christ. Outline: God’s love in Christ powers us to love like God God’s love in Christ powers us to rest God’s love in Christ powers us to know where we stand God’s love in Christ powers us to overcome the world Discussion Questions: 1. The sermon mentioned that "God is love" and that He loves perfectly. How does understanding God’s perfect love impact the way we love others? 2. What does it mean to "abide" in God’s love, as described in the sermon? How does this concept of resting in God’s love challenge our understanding of what it means to live as Christians? 3. 1 John 5:4 states that everyone born of God overcomes the world. What does it look like to overcome the world through our faith in Jesus? In what areas of your life do you need to rely on God’s power to overcome temptations? 4. The apostle John argues that obedience is part of love, not just a fruit of it. How does this understanding change the way you view obedience to God’s commandments? In what areas of your life is God calling you to greater obedience by faith, and how can the local church support you in this? – EdgewoodBibleChurch.org

2024_08_18 – 1 John 2:28-3:24 – 'Truth and Lies' – Sermon by Trevor Ice – Text: 1 John 2:28-4:6 Big Idea: As children of God we find truth by looking up to our Father and His Son, and by looking out in love. Outline: I. Children of God look up to their father II. Children of God look out to others III. Children of God look to the son of God IV. Children of God look to the truth Discussion Questions: 1. Discuss how Christians know what is true. What are ways to counteract lies and deceit? 2. In 1 John 3:1-3, John emphasizes the love of God in calling us His children. How should this identity as children of God influence our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others? 3. 1 John 3:4-10 makes a strong distinction between practicing righteousness and practicing sin. How can we as believers ensure that our lives are marked by righteousness rather than sin? 4. John calls us to love not just in word or talk, but in deed and truth (1 John 3:16-18). What are some practical ways we can show this kind of love to others, especially within EBC? 5. 1 John 4:1-6 warns us to test the spirits to discern truth from error. What are some ways we can apply this today to avoid being misled by false teachings or influences? – EdgewoodBibleChurch.org

2024_08_04 – 1 John 1:1-2:6 – 'Light and Dark' – Sermon by Trevor Ice – Main Idea: If we know God then we live in the light. Outline: 1. See that God is light 2. Step into the light 3. Stay with your advocate – Discussion Questions: 1. Based on 1 John 1:6-7, what does it mean to walk in the light, and how does this impact our fellowship with God and one another? 2. How does regular confession and repentance help us stay in the light and maintain our fellowship with God? 3. Reflecting on 1 John 2:3-4, how can we ensure that our relationship with God is genuine and not just head knowledge? – EdgewoodBibleChurch.org

2024_07_028 – 1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1 – 'Fleeing Idolatry' – Sermon by Jeff Coulter – Main Idea: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Outline: Run don’t flirt - v.1-13 Flee don’t participate - v.14-22 All for the glory of God - v.23-11:1 – EdgewoodBibleChurch.org

2024_07_021 – 1 Corinthians 9 – 'Laying Down Rights' – Sermon by Jeff Coulter – Main Idea: The Gospel powers us to lay down our rights Outline: The rights of Paul - v.1-14 The sacrifice of Paul - v.15-23 The application for us - v.24-27 – EdgewoodBibleChurch.org

2024_07_14 – Hebrews 11:1-7 – 'The Power of Faith' – Sermon by Trevor Ice – Main Idea: Faith in God is powerful and it pleases Him Outline: I. Hope in the unseen by faith (1) II. Trust and please God by faith (2-6) III. Receive His righteousness by faith (7) – EdgewoodBibleChurch.org