Sofa Talk
This page is where every Sunday's Sofa Talk will be posted. Sofa Talk is a summary of questions that we talked about in our JH and HS small groups on Sunday mornings. These questions are designed to help you and your student talk about the Sunday morning service together in order to help conversations about God, faith, and life from the campus to the couch.
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Scriptures
ReplyDelete- James 2:14-20, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 John 3:17, Ephesians 2:8
Discussion Questions
- James 2:14-20- According to James, is all faith saving faith?
- What are two examples of faith that Brandon laid out for us in James that do not save us (James 2:17 and 2:19)?
- James 2:19- If the demons believe and fear God, yet they are not allowed in heaven, what does that mean about our faith? Is it enough to just say you believe in God? Why or why not?
- What saves us? Is it our works or our faith?
- Read Ephesians 2:8- According to this verse, what saves us? Then why does James say works are so important?
- What do our works show us about our faith?
- How can we be ready for God to do great things in our lives?
- Read 1 John 3:18- Does this verse imply that our faith is active or passive? Is it something that we just say or something that we live out?
- Talk about ways that you, as a family, and as individuals can live out your faith.
Scriptures
ReplyDelete- James 2:14-26, Joshua 2:1-16
Discussion Questions
- James 2:14-17- Why might it take faith for the Christians that James is writing to to give to a brother or sister in need? What situation are they in?
- James 2:21-24- What was the beginning of Abraham’s faith journey? What was the “mountain top” expression of his faith? How far apart were these two events?
- Did Abraham only have faith-wins in his life?
- What does that say about how our faith grows?
- James 2:25-26- Read Joshua 2:1-16- When Rahab housed the spies, what evidence did she have that God was going to save her?
- Why is it so hard for us to give of our time, money, or resources?
- How does giving of these require faith?
- How hard is it for us to endure through “faith losses” in our lives when we feel we have failed God?
- What kind of excuses do we come up with to excuse our lack of faith?
Scriptures
ReplyDelete- James 2:21-26, Joshua 2:8-14, Philippians 3:13-14
Discussion Questions
- James 2:21-24- What was the beginning of Abraham’s faith journey? What was the “mountain top” expression of his faith? How far apart were these two events? Did Abraham only have faith-wins in his life? What does that say about how our faith grows?
- James 2:25-26- Read Joshua 2:8-14- Rahab had heard the story about how 50 years ago, the God of the Israelites freed his people from slavery in Egypt. Based on her hearing that story, what did Rahab think the God of the Israelites could do for her?
- Why is it so hard to “get back up” when we have experienced a faith failure?
- Prostitution was illegal among the Israelites, yet Rahab, a prostitute was blessed to be in the lineage of Christ. How hard do you think it was for Rahab to overcome the image that people had of her? How can we be encouraged by understanding how God saw Rahab?
- Read Philippians 3:13-14- What is something in your past that you are afraid people judge you for? How has this held you back in your relationship with God and with others?
Scriptures
ReplyDelete- James 3:1-12, Psalm 1:1-3, Proverbs 18:21, Luke 6:45
Discussion Questions
- James 3:1-9- According to James, what power do your words have over yourself and others?
- James 3:3-6- How can such a small thing like our tongue bring so much destruction in our lives and the lives of others?
Give an example of someone in your life your words have an effect on.
- Give an example (positive or negative) of what your words can do to others.
- Read Psalm 1:1-3- Based on this verse, what could be one of the reasons we can’t control our mouths? In your own life, what is a negative influence that you need to get rid of?
- Luke 6:45- According to this verse, what is at the root of the problem?
What makes our hearts bad?
Can we change the condition of our hearts by our own power?
If not, then what do we need in order to make this change happen?
Scriptures
ReplyDelete- Mark 12:41-44, Matt 25:31-46, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Matt 6:1-4
Discussion Questions
- Both Mark 12 and Matt 25 portray the idea that Jesus is watching us when we give or don’t give. Why do you think he is watching us?Why is our offering so important to Christ? What might our giving say about our relationship with Christ?
- Matthew 6:1-4- What aspect/s of giving do you think Jesus is most concerned about? What are some wrong motives we can have to give?
- 2 Corinthians 9:7- What does it mean to be a cheerful giver? How can we be cheerful givers?
- How can our giving make us participants in the church?
- So if we give, does that mean that we don’t have to do anything else? Why or why not?
- Normally, what we give to shows what we think is important. Can our giving, whether it be to the church or to the needy, signify in a way, our relationship with Christ?
- Read Mk 12:41-44- Is the amount of money we give important?
Why or why not?
Scriptures
ReplyDelete- Ephesians 4:1-16
Discussion Questions
- Ephesians 4:1- What did Paul urge the Ephesians to do? Why do you think unity in the body of believers is so important to Paul?
- God told the Israelites to have their robes tucked in, sandals on, and staff in hand so they could leave at a moment’s notice. Why, then, would God tell the Israelites to make bread without yeast?
- Ephesians 4:2- What three virtues does Paul list that create unity?
How do these three virtues each help create unity?
- Ephesians 4:14-16- What will each of us eventually attain from this unity that Paul is talking about? According to Paul, is it possible to attain this by ourselves apart from the church? Why do you think that is? (look back to verses 11-12)
- Think back to Brandon’s story about the laser vs. the spotlight. How were they different?
How can the youth better be a part of the church so that we can work together for God’s glory?