1. How has your experience and perspective on marriage over time? How did you think about it as a child, a teen, a single adult? Was it a wonderful thing to pursue, or a horrible thing to avoid? How do you think about it now?

2. Read Matthew 5:27-32. In Jesus’ day, adultery was understood legally to be the violation of another Israelite man’s marriage. Divorce could be initiated by the man at any time, and with no obligation to care for the woman besides giving her a certificate of divorce. How does Jesus’ teaching differ from that tradition? How does his teaching differ from our own culture’s norms?

3. When Jesus says, “Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart,” who does he have in mind? Why is he going out of his way to condemn as many as possible? How is that loving? (if you need help, see Galatians 3:22)

4. Read Romans 1:22-25. In the sermon today, Robb said that adulterous behavior is a symptom of spiritual adultery (idolatry) in the heart. Why do you think the Bible uses adultery as a common imagery to describe idolatry? What is the connection between idolatry and adultery?

5. Read Matthew 5:29-30 again. Jesus is speaking hyperbolically here about radical repentance. What does radical repentance look like concretely?

6. Read James 5:16. What two commands does James give us for healing? Why are these often so challenging?

7. Spend some time praying for one another. Depending on the makeup of the group, you may want to break into sex-separated subgroups to practice confession and repentance within the group.

1. Today’s Core Value is “Teaching God’s Word.” How have you personally witnessed this value fleshed out in the life of our community at VBCC? Why is it important?

2. Read Matthew 5:17-20. Why might Jesus have to explain his position on the Law and the prophets? How does he ‘fulfill’ them?

3. How does the righteousness of the Pharisees contrast with that described in verses 3-11? How do we obtain this ‘surpassing righteousness’?

4. This morning, Robb spoke about the “Ladder Loophole” (legalism) and the “Salad Bar Loophole” (licentiousness). How do these approaches to the Law work? Which loophole are you more inclined toward (or maybe there is some other option not mentioned in the sermon)? What does Jesus have to say about these loopholes (vv19-20)?

5. Read Matthew 5:21-26. How does Jesus’ teaching in vv17-20 get applied in these verses? How can we adopt Jesus’ posture toward the Law in our own lives so that we can be “do them and teach them”?

6. This Mothers’ Day, take some time to hear from each woman in your group about the significance of the day to her. Spend time in prayer for one another and thanksgiving to God for the gift of motherhood.

*Some questions adapted from Serendipity Bible for Study Groups.

1. When have you struggled with contentment in your life? Alternately, when have you sensed an overwhelming sense of contentment and joy? Either way, what factors do you think led to your experience?

2. Read Philippians 4:10-23. In this passage, Paul offers a three-fold thanksgiving for the Philippian gift sent by Epaphroditus. What specifically does he acknowledge in verses 10, 14 and 18?How do the verses that follow each acknowledgement serve to elaborate or offer caveats?

3. Read Philippians 4:13. In the sermon this morning, Robb ‘retranslated’ this verse so that it read, “I can be content in all circumstances in him who strengthens me.” How does this rendering differ with the translation in your Bible? How do you respond to this ‘translation’ personally?

4. What does it mean to be “In Christ”? How does our union with Christ affect our capacity for contentment?

5. In v12, Paul says he has ‘learned the secret’ of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. The term he uses means ‘to undergo initiation.’ In what way was Paul initiated into a life of contentment? In what ways are you currently experiencing the Lord’s initiation? How does it change the experience to know that his purpose for you is fullness of joy?

6. Read again Philippians 4:14-18. The Philippian church went out of their way to love Paul well as an extension of their own family. Is there a missional partner that your group can bless with a point of contact and support? Consider sending a group selfie video, a care package, or a financial gift to one of our VBCC mission partners. They will ‘rejoice greatly in the Lord!’

1. What symptoms of despair or hopelessness do you see in your daily life? Work? Commute? Family dinner conversations?

2. Read Philippians 4:1-9. What are the commands that Paul gives in this exhortation section of his letter to the Philippians?

3. Read Philippians 4:2-9. What does Paul mean when he says “the Lord is at hand” (v. 5)? How is that connected to the “peace of God” (v. 7)?

4. Read Philippians 4:6-7. What anxieties are you facing right now? As a group, practice praying for one another and giving these anxieties to God.

5. Houston spoke about spiritual numbness as the root of despair and hopelessness. Dream with your group about what life would be like if you were really engaged with God in a practical way. What excites you about the possibilities?

6. What are some of the obstacles you face to engaging with God daily? Are there any fears you face with making adjustments to these things?

7. Read Luke 24:25-32. How does Jesus meet the hopelessness of his disciples on the road to Emmaus? What impact does this have on them? What is a practical step you can take this week to encounter Jesus similarly?

1. Look at your schedule, what do your daily and weekly schedules show to be things you are pressing on to attain? Does this inventory reflect that you are pressing on to know Christ? What’s one thing you could do personally and communally to press on to know Christ?

2. How is your personal and communal bible reading? What do you find to be barriers to the daily discipline of “taking part in the feast” of God Word? How does the truth of the gospel speak to these barriers? Is there something you can do, or others around you can do, to help in this area?

3. Who do you follow or look to in our congregation? What about them do you want to model in your own walk with Christ? If you don’t look to someone in our congregation, what’s a step you could take to make that connection?

4. Is there someone who you see walking according to Paul’s example that you can encourage/recognize? How might you do that?

5. Are you tempted to have gospel and biblical resources available through technology to have a greater influence on your walk than the people in our congregation? What are the benefits and pitfalls of relying more on technology resources vs in person fellowship?

6. How do you react to know that the one you are pressing on to know is also pressing on, with greater energy, to bring you home with Him?

Today, Matt mentioned this free online commentary resource from The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/

1. Read Philippians 3:1-2. What commands does Paul give to the church in these verses? How are ‘rejoice’ and ‘look out’ related to one another?

2. Read Philippians 3:3-4. What does Paul mean by ‘confidence in the flesh’? Is this a good confidence or a bad confidence in Paul’s view? Why?

3. Historical Background: Paul is warning the church about the Circumcision Party (Acts 11:2, Gal 2:12, Titus 1:10). These people believed that Jesus was Messiah, but insisted his followers must follow the Law of Moses, including circumcision for Gentile converts (Acts 11:2, Gal 2:12, Titus 1:10). Paul considered this a form of legalism - a mindset that focuses on behavior instead of the heart.

4. While most of us aren’t overly concerned with Jewish ritual law, self-reliance and behavior-modification approach to life is prevalent in our era. What are some specific ways you or your peers are tempted to legalism? Why is legalism antithetical to the command in 3:1, “Rejoice in the Lord.”?

5. In the sermon today, Robb mentioned Bryan Chapell’s “Deadly Be’s”: Be-LIKE, Be-GOOD, Be-DISCIPLINED. Review these ideas together. What does each mean? Why are they ‘deadly’? How can we tell if we are entertaining these Deadly Be’s in our own spiritual lives?

6. Read Philippians 3:5-7. How does Paul describe his own experience with legalistic righteousness? What is his conclusion?

7. Is “counting [things] loss for the sake of Christ” a one-time thing or a habitual practice? How can we help one another to live in grace and not in a legalistic mindset?

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. Nearly 30 million Americans say they have faith in God, but are ‘done with church.’ What do you think leads some people to conclude that church is not for them? Have you ever wondered that for yourself? Why or why not?

2. Read Philippians 2:12-13. In these verses, the instruction is plural: “Y’all work out y’all’s salvation.” What does it mean to work out our salvation? What difference does it make if you think about it as a corporate rather than individual activity?

3. What is the relationship between God’s work (v13) and our work (v12) in the church? How have you seen this dynamic play out in your own spiritual community?

4. Read Philippians 2:14-16. What is the relationship between our communal life (vv12-14) and the church’s Gospel Witness? How does grumbling and disputing disrupt the work God is doing in us? In whose eyes will we appear ‘blameless and innocent’ if we abstain from complaint?

5. If you have artistic people in your group (kids or adults), ask them to sketch one of the images from these verses: innocent children in the midst of a crooked and twisted crowd, or lights shining in the (dark) world. What do these images conjure in your mind? How do they make you feel about your identity as part of the church?

6. Read Philippians 2:17-18. Where else in this chapter does Paul speak about joy? What is the impetus for joy in each of the verses you find? Take some time to pray for one another to have joy in the specific circumstances you find yourselves in.

1. Read Philippians 1:27 and then 2:1-4. What themes from 1:27 re-emerge in chapter 2 after Paul’s short teaching on fear (1:28-30)?

2. Christ is our POWER.
   Review once more the ‘any’ statements of v1. Which of these gifts of grace have been most precious to you in your walk with Christ? Which seems most foreign? How does our experience of v1 affect our capacity to follow vv2-4?

3. Christ is our MODEL. Read Philippians 2:5-8. How would you describe Jesus’ model or mindset? What elements in these verses are most challenging for you personally?

4. With the phrase ‘even the death of the cross’ (2:8), Paul indicates the special nature of Jesus’ crucifixion. What made the death of Jesus special? Read Galatians 3:13; Romans 5:6–8; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24. Read Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 for amazingly detailed prophecies of the cross of Christ. What do these prophecies teach about the nature of Christ’s death?

5. Christ is our HOPE. Read Philippians 2:9-11. What is the relationship between vv6-8 and vv9-11? How do these verses bring hope to suffering Christians? To you personally?

   Consider memorizing Philippians 2:5-11 together as a group - just 2 verses a week and you’ll be done before Easter!

   • Question 4 taken from Roger Ellsworth, Opening up Philippians, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2004), 40.

1. Have you ever felt threatened or intimidated for your faith? What led to that experience, and how did it end?

2. Read Phil 1:27. In v27 Paul commands, “Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel.” In the original language, the phrase “let your manner of life be” carried the connotation, “live as a citizen.” What comes to mind when you think about citizenship? What does Paul mean to communicate with this command?

3. Read Phil 1:28. According to this verse, one component of kingdom citizenship is being ‘not frightened in anything by your opponents.’ Here, the word used for ‘frightened’ comes from the equestrian world, describing what happens when a horse is ‘spooked’ or startled. Why is this an important part of kingdom citizenship? Why might Christians find this sort of unflinching faith difficult to achieve?

4. In what way is fearlessness a ‘sign’? Can you think of an example of this verse in action? How do we embody this posture of fearlessness as we ‘engage in the same conflict’ (v30) of spiritual warfare in our context?

5. Read Phil 1:29. According to this verse, why does God allow Christians suffer? How does this verse help us in the midst of our own suffering?

6. Today we read in Act 16 about the gospel moving as Christians stayed anchored in Christ in the aftermath of an earthquake.

1. What’s the happiest moment in your life that you can remember? Is there anything that makes that moment bittersweet now as you look back on it?

2. Read Philippians 1:12-26. What is Paul’s tone throughout this passage?

3. In Philippians 1:18-21, what does it mean that “to die is gain”? What does it mean that “to live is Christ” (compare with Galatians 2:20)?

4. Why does it matter in verse 18 when Paul writes, “whether in pretense or truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice”? Does Paul not care about heart motives?

5. How might you summarize what Paul is saying in Philippians 1:12-26 in one or two sentences?

6. Do you find your happiness in any of the things Houston mentioned in the sermon: pleasure, success, or stuff? What are the vulnerabilities of those things? Does Christ have those same vulnerabilities? What is keeping you from putting your joy in him?

1. Can you remember the first time you really heard and understood the gospel story? How did you respond to the gospel back then? How has your understanding or your response changed since then?

2. Read Philippians 1:1-11. How would you describe the tone or emotional quality of these opening remarks? What language does Paul use to convey such a tone/emotion?

3. In v5, Paul talks about the Philippians “partnership in the Gospel from the first day.” This is the very first church ever planted in Europe. Read Acts 16:9-40, the story of Paul’s first visit to Philippi. Who from this story might have been in the congregation that first received Paul’s letter? How does the history from Acts affect your reading of Philippians?

4. The Gospel is a major theme of Philippians. In the sermon today, Robb said, “for Paul, the gospel is the whole story of Jesus.” What do we learn about the gospel from Phi 1:1-11? From Phi 2:6-11?

5. Another major theme discussed in the sermon this morning is ‘participation’ or 'koinonia.’ What does Paul mean when he speaks of ‘partnership in the gospel’ (v5) and being ‘partakers with me of grace’ (v7)? (See also Phi 3:10-11).

6. The final theme discussed in the sermon this morning is joy. What is the relationship between gospel, koinonia, and joy? In what ways might we be tempted to compromise the gospel, or compromise our commitment/participation? How does that affect our joy in Christ?

1. What is your experience so far with global missions? Would you say those experiences have been good? Why or why not?

2. In Romans 15:23-29, what does Paul say about his travel itinerary? As a group, but his travel plan into chronological order.

3. In Romans 15:27, what does Paul mean when he says that since “the Gentiles have come to share in [the Jews’] spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings”? What are the spiritual blessings he’s talking about?

4. Why does this mutual partnership between the Greek, Roman, and Jerusalem Church matter for us today? Does it change how we approach cross-cultural missions?

5. In Romans 15: 27, Paul says that we participate in the global church because it is our duty and our joy. What does this look like in the life of a 21st century American Christian?

6. Though missions is something that we talk a lot about, a minority of Christians in Virginia Beach are meaningfully engaged in cross-cultural missions. What are the major obstacles you face to engaging in partnering with churches in other cultures? 

7. Read Ephesians 2:13-17. How does the work of Christ on the cross change these dynamics?

1. Play cultural bingo with your group. Check your belongings for the place of manufacture (phone, sweater, shoes, car, etc.). Whoever can identify 5 nations first wins! Then answer the question: What aspect of our ‘globally enriched lives’ do you enjoy most?

2. Read Isaiah 60 in its entirety. What is the tone of this chapter? How does it compare with Chapter 59 in tone and content? What do you think Isaiah was feeling as he wrote the song in chapter 60? What does the emotion of the song communicate about the heart of God?

3. In the sermon today, we explored two aspects of this prophecy. The first is the GATHERING of the nations. How many places are mentioned in this chapter? To what are they drawn?

4. How has this prophecy been fulfilled in Christ (see Luke 1:78-79, John 1:14)? How has it yet to be fulfilled (Revelation 21:21-26)?

5. The second aspect of prophetic fulfillment discussed this morning was the GLORY of the nations. What specific glory (or gifts) are brought by the nations in Isaiah 60:6-13? What cultural ‘glories’ have you personally witnessed being contributed to God’s global church?

6. We live in the era of prophetic fulfillment. How can we participate in the exciting work of God around the world? List a few ways you have seen people participate. Then pray together and ask the Lord what he would have YOU do. What step of faith and obedience could you take this month?

1. Read Ephesians 3:14-21. What part of Paul’s prayer most challenges you? How have you seen God answer this prayer in your own experience?

2. Read Acts 6:1-2. Review some of the historic background detail from the sermon today. Who are the Hellenists and the Hebrews? Why are the Hellenists’ widows being neglected? Why did Robb say we should consider this a “good problem”? Do you agree or disagree?

3. What is the “great wisdom” given to the church (vv3, 5)? How did the Apostles balance their responsibility as overseers with the freedom of the church to choose leaders from among themselves?

4. Luke lists the Seven as men with Greek names, which means they are probably Hellenistic (though many Hebraic Jews also had Greek names). Why is representative leadership critical to the church’s growth? How have you witnessed the value of representative leadership in the church?

5. The story of the overlooked widows is followed by 4 chapters of explosive evangelistic ministry by Hellenistic Jews - Stephen, Philip & Saul (Paul). What advantages might these Hellenists have had over the Hebraic leadership that commissioned them? What was the result for the church (Acts 9:31)?

Opportunities to celebrate MLK Day with the churches in Hampton Roads

• 7PM TONIGHT @ Calvary Revival Church: Concert with the VA Symphony

• 12PM TOMORROW @ New Life Norfolk: MLK Day Prayer for Unity

1. Have you ever been given a gift that made you feel especially loved? What was it about the gift or the giver that made it special?

2. In the sermon today, we explored the idea of love as a choice between two alternatives. Review Gen 29:30-31 and Malachi 1:2-3. In these passages, how are the words ‘love’ and ‘hate’ used? What language might you use to communicate a similar context in modern parlance?

3. Read John 3:16-21. In this passage, Jesus tells two love stories. Tell each story in your own words. For each love story, identify who is the lover, and what is the choice set before them?

4. What does Jesus mean when he says people love darkness and hate the light? Can you think of a real life example? What causes a person to love darkness? How can a person change?

5. In v16, what does the gift tell us about the Giver? To whom does he give the gift? What can we know about him based on that gift?

6. In vv17-18, Jesus appears to be pushing back against the notion that he was sent into the world to bring judgment and condemnation. Why might Nicodemus (or others in his day) assume that would be his role? Why do people today associate Christianity with judgment and condemnation?

7. In verse 21, Jesus speaks of “whoever does what is true.” This phrase is only used one other time in the Bible, in 1 John 1:6. Read 1 John 1:5-10. Based on this passage, what does it mean to ‘do what is true’ (or ‘practice the truth’ as it is translated in 1 John 1:6)?

8. Pray together as a group, thanking God for his love and mercy shown to us in Jesus. Pray by name for people you know who are in need of Christ this Christmas.

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).

1. Do you love or hate hanging lights at Christmastime? Why?

2. Read John 1:1-14. As you read, mark words that have a close association with the imagery of light in the passage. (For instance, in v4 the word ‘life’ is closely associated with ‘light’.) What words did you mark? Based on these associations, what would you say is the meaning of ‘light’ in this passage?

3. Read John 8:12. How would you describe “Light of the World” to a 5 year old?

4. Jesus’ statement in John 8:12 occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles, a commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness. During the feast, great lights commemorated the Presence, Revelation, and Salvation of God in Exodus. Review the verses below and place each reference under the heading of Presence, Revelation, or Salvation.

   • Exodus 3:2

   • Exodus 13:21

   • Exodus 14:19-20

   • Exodus 24:17-18

   • Exodus 34:29-35

   • Exodus 40:34, 38

5. What do you think it means to ‘walk in darkness’? To ‘have the light of life’?

6. Why is following Jesus (“whoever follows me”) critical to the process of transitioning from darkness to light? What role does Jesus play?

7. Spend time praying for those who may be walking in darkness this Advent season. Ask God to break into that darkness and bring light.

1. What is it about the season of Advent that stands out to you as special or especially enjoyable? What Advent traditions do you enjoy most, or what would you like to try this year?

2. Read Isaiah 59:9-11. What do the terms ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ represent in the passage? What does it mean to ‘hope for light’? Can you think of a time in your life that relates to this passage?

3. Read Isaiah 59:1-8. How did the people get themselves into this ‘darkness’ in the first place?

4. Pick one of the word pictures from Isa 59:1-11 that is most powerful to you. Explain to the group what it means, and why you selected it.

5. Read Isaiah 59:12-21. What do the people confess in vv12-13? How does God respond in the following verses? Make a list of the things God does for the people who confess and turn from their sins.

6. Spend some time together in prayer for your own hearts and the people you will spend time with this Christmas season. Thank God for the gift of his light at Christmas time, and ask him to deliver those who still sit in darkness.

1. Read Matthew 5:1-16. How does this passage explain the nature of the kingdom? How are the Beatitudes related to being a city and a lamp (vv. 14-16)? How are Christians to interact with the world?

2. Why do good works glorify God the Father? Where do good works come from?

3. Who do you know (in real life, not online) whose life clearly shows the character of Jesus in the beatitudes? What about their life stands out to you?

4. Jesus says to his disciples, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jn 13:35). What do your relationships with other Christians communicate to non-Christians in your life? Is there anywhere you need to change?

5. Can you think of an example where a Christian community did not show the light of Christ? How did it affect their work and witness?

6. Consider your witness in different parts of society: Family, Economics (ie, science, technology, business), Government, Religion, Education, Media, and Celebration (ie, art, entertainment, sports). How might the beatitudes reshape your relationships in these spheres?