This week Joe shared the story of Joseph. Genesis 37-50 will serve as the primary scripture text. The following is a list of OIA questions based on this message.
(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation
1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding the listed passages?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passages of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?
4. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in this passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
5. If you had to sum up this large portion of scripture in a few sentences, what would they be?

Interpretation
1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out (if any)? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on the listed passage and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)

Application
1.How does looking at the full story of Joseph (12 chapters) in one sermon give a different perspective and understanding than just looking at small portions of the story?
2.What specific portion of the story of Joseph was most power to you? Why? Share.
3.How does this story help one in fully understanding the sovereignty of God? How could this portion of scripture be useful in ministering to a “hurting” brother or sister?
4.Where are you at personally with your acceptance of God’s sovereignty? Do you still struggle with it? Why? Share AND encourage.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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This week Joe gave the Easter Sunday message. There was not a primary text used, so Luke 24 will serve as the primary text for this weeks questions. (Note: Luke 24 is also the chapter that disscusses the Road to Emmaus story, which our church is named after.) The following is a list of OIA questions based on this message.

(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation

1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding the listed passages?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?
4. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in this passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
5. If you had to sum up all five of theses passages of scripture in one sentence, what would it be?

Interpretation

1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on the listed passage and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)

Application

1. What is the background and origin of Easter? Where did it come from and why do we call it Easter? Do some research.
2. Discuss the background and importance of the Road to Emmaus passage. How does this story impact/encourage/challenge you? Share with your group?
3. How can Luke 24 help in an evangelism setting? And what are some of the physical, tangible, and scientific evidences for the ressurection? (Biola has done some extensive work in this area.)

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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This week Joe (Abraham) gave his second part of a two part narrative of Genesis 16-22. The following is a list of OIA questions based on this narrative.

(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation

1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding the listed passages?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?
4. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in this passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
5. If you had to sum up all five of theses passages of scripture in one sentence, what would it be?

Interpretation

1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on the listed passage and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)

Application

1. How did hearing this portion of scripture in the first person give you new insight? What? Share.
2. What are 3 characteristics that you observe about Abraham in this portion of scripture? How/why are they important?
3. What other characters (from Gen 11-22) did you find interesting or intriguing? Who? Why?
4. Spend time discussing in your group the overall theme of Gen chapters 11-22.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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This week Joe (Abraham) gave a narrative of Genesis 11:27-15:21. The following is a list of OIA questions based on this narrative.

(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation

1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding the listed passages?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?
4. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in this passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
5. If you had to sum up all five of theses passages of scripture in one sentence, what would it be?

Interpretation

1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on the listed passage and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)

Application

1. How did hearing this portion of scripture in the first person give you new insight? What? Share.
2. What are 3 characteristics that you observe about Abraham in this portion of scripture? How/why are they important?

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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This week the sermon discussed God’s unfolding story of redemption. The sermon text is primarily based on Genesis 4-11. The following is a list of OIA questions based on Genesis 4-11.(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation
1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding the listed passages?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?
4. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in this passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
5. If you had to sum up all 8 chapters of scripture in one sentence, what would it be?

Interpretation
1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on the listed passage and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)

Application
1. If a non believer were to ask the question “Why did God create mankind and what is my purpose in life?’ how would you respond based on the information found in scripture?
2. If a believer were to ask the question “Why would God create man if he knew he was going to sin”? how would you respond based on the information found in scripture?
3. What does Genesis 1-11 tell us about God’s character and person? Spend time sharing and discussing God’s tangible attributes found in this portion of scripture.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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This week the sermon discussed redemption and the doctrine of election. The doctrine of election is essential in fully understanding the doctrine of God, man, and redemption. The following is a list of OIA questions based on Ephesians 1:3-14.

(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation

1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding the listed passage?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?
4. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in this passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
5. If you had to sum up all five of theses passages of scripture in one sentence, what would it be?

Interpretation

1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on the listed passage and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)

Application

1. In the sermon, Joe stated the question “what is the end for which God has created all things?” How would you answer this question? Share.
2. Scripture is abundantly clear that our salvation fully rests on God’s grace and will. How would you respond to a fellow Christian who was open to accepting the doctrine of election, but didn’t understand how other verses such a John 3:16 could harmonize with this doctrine? Share.
3. When you come/came to discover the comforting truth that God chose you and you are forever secure in Him, how does/did this truth change you as a Christian? (i.e. more confident, more secure, less anxious, etc.)
4. As many of us have seen first hand, the doctrine of election can spark high emotions amongst fellow Believers. Share some thoughts with your group on how one can avoid conflict in sharing with other believers (or non-believers) about the doctrine of election, while still remaining true to the scriptures.

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This week the sermon discussed baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The primary scriptures that we will use for these two topics will be 1 Cor 11:17-34 & Acts 2:38.

(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation

1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding any of the listed passage?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?
4. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in this passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
5. If you had to sum up all five of theses passages of scripture in one sentence, what would it be?

Interpretation

1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on your chosen 3 passages and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)

Application

1. What is the connection between the Lord’s Supper and the Passover? (Do some research)
2. Why is it so important to involve fellowship with the Lord’s Supper? In other words, why is the Lord’s Supper a public event, not a private one.
3. Share your baptism story with your group? When, where, why, how you felt, etc.
4. When should one become baptized? As soon as they accept Christ? As soon as they become convicted? Share.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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This week the sermon discussed God’s involvement with the fall of man. The questions of “Where is God in all the suffering” is a question that has troubled Christians for centuries. The following is a list of OIA questions in the attempt to bring consensus to this difficult question. (Note that several passages of scripture were used in this sermon, so several verses should be included in answering the following questions.)

(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation

1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding any of the listed passage?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?

Interpretation

1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on your chosen 3 passages and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)

Application

1. How does/should the truth that God is completely Omniscient affect/effect how you live every day? How should this truth affect the amount of how much you worry or have anxiety? Why? Explain.
2.Why is the truth that nothing in life is meaningless or without purpose important in the every day life of believer? How would you minister to a hurting Christian, who perhaps recently experienced the death of a loved one, if they asked the question “why would God allow this to happen?” (I know this is a difficult question to address, but you should discuss this question in your groups as it is very likely someone will ask you this question in the near future.)
3. Ponder (really ponder) on the truth that Nothing, Nothing, Nothing is outside of Gods control. What thoughts, feelings, or ideas come to mind? Share.
4. The Bible teaches that God works all things to good for those who love him (Rom 8:28) Though we cannot always see this truth in everything, we can often see how God has worked seemingly “bad things” into “good things” in our lives. Share with your group some experiences in which God worked something bad into good.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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