• Split into groups of 2-3 people. What highlights did you have from the sermon? What questions did you have? Did you have any takeaways? After a few minutes, come back together and share with the whole group.

• Read Matthew 7:3-6. What does Jesus say about our relationships in this passage? What kind of people is he talking to/about?

• What is the significance of the word “hypocrite” that Jesus used (cf, Mt 6:2, 5, 16)? What do you think is the “log” that we must take out of our eye?

• Matthew 7:6 is a difficult verse that misunderstood can undo the entirety of Jesus’ argument in this passage. Practically speaking, what is Jesus inviting us to do? How do we know whether or not to try to speak truth into somebody’s life?

• Read Matthew 27:39-44. What is Jesus’ attitude towards those who reject him?

• What is one practical step you can take this week in response to our passage?

1. Houston shared a story from Bob Goff’s book Love Does about Bob’s encounter with the sacrificial love shown by his Young Life leader, Randy. Do you have any people who have shown you that kind of love? What would you have done if you were in Randy’s shoes?

2. Read Matthew 1:18-25. What do you learn about Joseph from this passage? What is the angel’s message to Joseph? How does Joseph respond to the angel?

3. What does it mean that Joseph was “a just man” (v. 19)? What were Joseph’s options for responding to this situation (cf. Numbers 5, Deuteronomy 22:13-21 and Deuteronomy 24:1)? What were Mary’s options?

4. What is the significance of the angel calling Joseph “son of David” (v. 20)? How does Joseph taking in Mary fulfill the prophecy quoted from Isaiah 7 (vv. 22-23; cf. Isaiah 7:10-17)?

5. We see Joseph experience three more angelic dreams in Matthew (see Matthew 2:13-14, 19-23). What kind of example does Joseph set for us in his responses?

6. Read Matthew 27:39-50. How does the meaning of Jesus’ name (God Saves) help us to understand the significance of these encounters on the cross? How can you respond to the saving work of Jesus on the cross?

1. This morning we hosted Pastor Dean Woodward, pastor at Eastside Church and son of VBCC’s founding pastor, Dick Woodward. Dean preached on the theme of God’s grace in the Scriptures. When we talk about God’s grace, what story or experiences first come to mind? What is your story of God’s amazing grace to you?

2. Read Ephesians 1:1-2 & 6:23-24. Dean gave the definition that “Grace is a special manifestation of the kindness of God” and compared the power and hold of sin and grace. Why does it matter that grace is stronger than sin (cf. Rom. 5:20-21)?

3. Dean said, “The power of a good habit is far greater than the power of a bad habit.” Is this true? Do you have any examples of good or bad habits driving your decision making?

4. Read 2 Timothy 2:1. How can you know if you are being strengthened in grace? What are the real-world changes we can expect to see (cf. 1 Cor 15:10)?

5. Dean said, “God is so gracious that it is like the soil we can use to plant seeds.” What prayers, dreams, or hopes are you faithfully planting in this soil of God’s grace?

6. Take some time as a group in closing to share the prayers that are heaviest on your heart in this season (e.g., family, finances, freedom, etc.). After sharing, take some time praying for one another, that God would be abundantly gracious to us through Christ.

In this week’s sermon, Houston focused on the story of Hagar from Genesis 16. In our discussion this week, we will focus on the resolution of that story, as well as the renewal of vows in Genesis 17.

1. Read Genesis 16:7-14. What does the LORD say to Hagar? How does she respond to him?

2. Read Genesis 17:1-14. How does this passage connect to the previous chapter? What is the significance of the LORD’s greeting to Abram (vv. 1-2)? Why might God institute the practice of circumcision in this passage?

3. Read Genesis 17:15-21. Why does God give a new name to Sarai as well as Abram? In light of the previous chapter, we might be surprised that Sarai is included in this promise. Why does Abraham ask God to consider Ishmael as an alternative?

4. Read Genesis 17:22-27. What is the significance of Abraham’s action here? Does it matter how timely we are in our obedience of God? If so, how?

5. Read Galatians 3:16. How does God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 17 point to Jesus? How does that change how we might apply this passage?

6. What is one step of faith God might be inviting you into this week?

Genesis 14 begins with the epic clash of kings as they struggle over power and wealth. Abram enters the scene, and gets back everything that was taken by one of the kings. Read Genesis 14:17-24. How is Abraham's response to the king of Sodom an act of faith? How does it reveal what Abraham values?

Read Luke 10:17-20. How does Jesus redirect the joy of the disciples? How does it reveal what Jesus values?

Consider the person and work of Jesus Christ. What did he say and do? How did he demonstrate the value of our relationship with God?

Read 2 Peter 1:3. How does this verse point to the value of knowing God?

During the sermon, we highlighted God's faithfulness to and through our children/youth. Identify an important relationship in your life (doesn't have to be a child) for whom you value their relationship with God. How can you demonstrate that value to them? What would it look like for you to value your own relationship with God above all things?

1. What is your favorite treasure hunting story? Why do you think we tell stories about searching for buried treasure?

2. Read Matthew 6:19-24. What stands out to you in this passage? How are these verses connected to verse 1: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven”?

3. Jesus is using three different illustrations or metaphors (verses 19-21, 22-23, & 24) in this text. What do you think he is describing? How would you summarize what these three metaphors mean?

4. Jesus concludes this section by saying, “You cannot serve God and Money.” Besides Money, what are the alternative masters that compete with God for your service?

5. Read Matthew 13:44. What makes the Kingdom of Heaven like a buried treasure to you? Why is it an act of joy to sell everything and buy the field?

6. What is one action step you can take this week in order to apply this passage to your life? Pray for one another toward this step.

1. Take a few minutes to debrief this week’s sermon. What stood out to you? What questions did you have? Were there any takeaways you had?

2. Read Matthew 6:14-15. What is Jesus teaching in these two verses? How are these verses related to the Lord’s Prayer (see Matthew 6:9-13)? Does this mean that our salvation depends on whether or not we forgive others?

3. Read Matthew 18:21-22. Why does Jesus tell Peter to forgive seventy-seven times? How does this teaching help us understand Matthew 6:14-15?

4. Read Psalm 103:12. What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? How can you know whether or not you’ve forgiven someone when reconciliation hasn’t happened yet?

5. Think about a specific individual you are needing to forgive. What are the obstacles to forgiveness for you? How does the cross break down those obstacles?

6. Take a look at the practical helps below that Cron Gibson gave in the sermon. Which of these is the next step for you to practice this week?

   1. Confess your honest resistance to forgiving the other.

   2. Give thanks for the offender.

   3. Each time the offense comes to mind ask God to bless the offender.

   4. Each time the desire for justice comes upon you thank God for his mercy to you and ask God to enable you to show mercy rather than demand justice.

Remember to join us tomorrow night for our 2nd Hopewell Session. Register here.

1. Can you think of a time when you had something you felt that you couldn’t keep contained? Share with the group. Bonus points if it’s an embarrassing story.

2. Read Matthew 6:5-8. How would you summarize what Jesus is teaching in these verses? What examples of hypocritical or empty prayer have you seen?

3. Read Matthew 6:1. How does our passage illustrate what Jesus is teaching in this verse?

4. Read Matthew 6:6. What alternative does Jesus give to hypocritical prayer? How does praying in the “secret place” guard us from hypocrisy?

5. Read Matthew 6:9-15. What alternative does Jesus give to empty prayer? How does the Lord’s Prayer instruct us in our own prayer?

6. What is one step you can take this week to move toward increasing humility, gratitude, and honesty in your prayers this week?

1. In this week’s sermon, Pastor Houston talked about “One Things”, which are the main priorities in our lives (e.g., work, family, self-actualization). What is your One Thing?

2. Read Luke 1:46-55. What examples of God’s mercy do you see in this song, traditionally called “The Magnficat”?

3. Read 1 Samuel 1:10-11, 27-28. What parallels do you notice between Mary and Hannah? What do you think is the significance of these parallels?

4. Where do you see yourself in the Magnficat? Do you find your “spirit rejoicing in God your Savior”? Or are the “thoughts of your heart scattered”?

5. Read Luke 23:26-31. Why does Jesus tell the Daughters of Jerusalem not to mourn for him? How does he show them mercy in his death?

6. Recall the One Thing you mentioned at the start of our discussion. How is God calling you to surrender that thing to him?

1. Culture Shock is the experience of disorientation or confusion from being outside of familiar surroundings. Have you ever experienced culture shock from travelling, or a change in life circumstances? Share with the group.

2. Read Genesis 1-2. As you read these two creation accounts (1:1-2:4 & 2:5ff), what is similar between the two? What is different?

3. Why does the LORD prohibit the man from eating from the tree (2:16-17; cf. Pr. 16:25)?

4. We see the LORD provide a helper for the man in the form of a wife (2:18-25). Who has he brought into your life to serve as a helper?

5. Read Genesis 2:24-25 and Revelation 21:2-4. Why do you think the Bible begins and ends with a wedding? How does marriage point to Jesus and his role in that story (cf. Eph. 5:21-33)?

6. What is one thing you can do this week to see God’s design in creation and to join with him in your work?

• When you were a child, what was your parents’ strategy for raising you?

• Read Colossians 3:18-4:1. What practices for discipleship in the family does Paul give in this passage?

• Read Colossians 3:17. What is the significance of this verse coming right before the household rules of our passage?

• Read Colossians 3:1. What does it mean to be raised with Christ? Is that true for everyone? What is required for that to be true of us?

• Pastor Houston used the following definition for discipleship from last week’s sermon: “Discipleship is the life-long process of following Jesus.” What does discipleship look like for you in this season of life? How is your family living as missionaries in Virginia Beach? Do you have community with whom you are following Jesus? If not, we encourage you to find a community group at vbcc.church/communitygroups!

• What is one thing you can do this week to apply the sermon to your life?

• Conley White, our guest preacher on Sunday, invited a young man he is discipling to share his testimony to the church. Do you have anybody in your life who has discipled you? Have you ever discipled somebody like that?

• Read Matthew 28:16-20. Discipleship is the life-long process of following Jesus together with others. How does Jesus commands his followers to follow him in this passage?

• Read John 17:20-21. In this passage, Jesus prays for his disciples and for those who will become disciples through their message. What is the significance of this prayer for Jesus’ focus on the night of his betrayal?

• Read Luke 9:23-25. What does it mean to “pick up your cross daily”? What is the daily cross you’re being called to carry?

• In the sermon, Conley said, “Disciples are made through teaching, not with words only, but with the power of the always-present Lord Jesus Christ.” How do we make disciples in light of Jesus’ finished work on the cross and ongoing work through his Spirit?

• How is the Spirit leading you to apply this week’s sermon?

1) Come up with a few different examples of seeing Christ shed light on an Old Testament passage or story.

2) Do you remember a time when the gospel of Christ was a mystery to you? How did God's grace come into play?

3) If repentance is NOT clean-up-your-act and then come to Christ (works-based salvation), then when does our turning from sin begin?

4) How does music help you worship? How do you maintain a heart of worship?

5) In partnership with the Holy Spirit, how does a believer reveal salvation both near and far/locally and globally?

6) What is one thing you/your family can do to be outward focused (mission-minded) this week?

Share about a time in your life when you were particularly discouraged. How did you get out of it (if you did)?

1. Read Philippians 2:19-24. What does Paul say sets Timothy apart? Why didn’t Paul send Timothy to Philippi?

2. Read Philippians 2:25-30. Who is Epaphroditus? What does it mean to receive Epaphroditus with joy and to honor him?

3. How have you been blessed by the leaders God has brought into your life?

4. What makes it so difficult to honor our leaders?

5. What would change in your life if you showed honor to people before they earned it?

1. Do you like to get up early to see the sunrise? Are there any new things that you are anticipating in 2023?

2. Read Isaiah 9:1-7. From Isaiah 8:19-22, what do you think Isaiah meant by the “darkness” in which the people walk (v. 2)? What suffering had Zebulun and Naphtali (in Israel) experienced?

3. How does Isaiah describe the effects of the dawning light (vv. 3-5; Judges 7:19-25 for Midian’s defeat)? In the context of the Assyrian threat, what does this light mean (e.g., Isaiah 10:26-27)?

4. What will be the light? How is he defined in verses 6-7?

5. How does the New testament interpret what Isaiah is talking about (e.g., Matthew 4:12-17, Luke 1:32, John 8:12)? Of the titles given in verse 6, which fit Jesus as you know him?

6. How has he shattered “the yoke of [your] burden”  (v. 4)? What is one yoke that you wish he would shatter now?

Questions adapted from The NIV Serendipity Bible: 10th Anniversary Edition (1988, 1996 by Serendipity House).

• What’s your go-to strategy for managing conflict?

• Read Matthew 5:9 and Psalm 34:14. What parallels do you see in these verses? How does understanding peace as “solid and flourishing wholeness” form your approach to handling difficult relationships?

• Houston highlighted three ways the New Testament talks about applying the gospel to personal relationships: apologizing, forgiving others, and making peace between brothers. Are any of these harder for you than others? Do any come easily?

• Jesus is the Peacemaker who reconciles God with man and man with man. What takeaways do you have from this week’s passage?

1. Read Matthew 5:1-5. What does it mean to be meek? How does “meek” build on the beatitudes that came before? What is the blessing for the “meek”?

2. Houston argued in the sermon that “the meek are those who are disciplined in gentleness to receive all things as from God.” How is this different from how you thought about meekness before? Is there anything you would add or clarify?

3. Do you find it difficult to be meek before God? With others? Do you tend to be too compliant or to build up your own strength? How might this beatitude invite you toward Christ-likeness?

4. Read Matthew 11:28-29. This is the invitation from Jesus to his disciples. If he is the perfection of this virtue of meekness, how does that change your approach to growing in it?