Long Story Short

Summer 2021


Sep 5, 2021
“S2 Episode 4: Epilogue”
Questions for small groups or personal study. Season 2 Episode 4: Epilogue  #LongStoryShort  September 5, 2021
  1. Summarize and talk through the whole story of the Bible by walking through our series from beginning to end. Talk through the plot, flow, movements, high points and low points. —Season 1— Creation, Fallout, Abraham, Israel , Moses, Joshua, David, Divided Kingdom, Prophets , Intermission —Season 2— Messiah, Gospel, Church, Epilogue.
  2. What are the present implications for our living today when we consider our eternal destination in light of a “new heaven and new earth” versus thinking only about heaven? What do you think the new heaven and new earth will be like? Why is the Bible communicate with these terms of new heavens and earth? What do we have to look forward? (Isa. 65: 17, Isa. 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13)
  3. Compare the beginning of the Bible and the end of the Bible. How are they similar and what has changed? Gen. 1:1 and Rev. 21:1 / Gen. 2:9 and Rev. 22:1-2.
  4. What is the purpose of the book of Revelation? What are your current thoughts and reactions to the book of Revelation? What misconceptions do you think we have when reading and interpreting Revelation?
  5. How does Revelation 22:20 encourage and motivate you today?
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
  • Sep 5, 2021“S2 Episode 4: Epilogue”
    Sep 5, 2021
    “S2 Episode 4: Epilogue”
    Questions for small groups or personal study. Season 2 Episode 4: Epilogue  #LongStoryShort  September 5, 2021
    1. Summarize and talk through the whole story of the Bible by walking through our series from beginning to end. Talk through the plot, flow, movements, high points and low points. —Season 1— Creation, Fallout, Abraham, Israel , Moses, Joshua, David, Divided Kingdom, Prophets , Intermission —Season 2— Messiah, Gospel, Church, Epilogue.
    2. What are the present implications for our living today when we consider our eternal destination in light of a “new heaven and new earth” versus thinking only about heaven? What do you think the new heaven and new earth will be like? Why is the Bible communicate with these terms of new heavens and earth? What do we have to look forward? (Isa. 65: 17, Isa. 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13)
    3. Compare the beginning of the Bible and the end of the Bible. How are they similar and what has changed? Gen. 1:1 and Rev. 21:1 / Gen. 2:9 and Rev. 22:1-2.
    4. What is the purpose of the book of Revelation? What are your current thoughts and reactions to the book of Revelation? What misconceptions do you think we have when reading and interpreting Revelation?
    5. How does Revelation 22:20 encourage and motivate you today?
  • Aug 29, 2021“S2 Episode 3: Church” Josh Prather
    Aug 29, 2021
    “S2 Episode 3: Church” Josh Prather
  • Aug 22, 2021“S2 Episode 2: Gospel”
    Aug 22, 2021
    “S2 Episode 2: Gospel”
    Questions for small groups or personal study. Season 2 Episode 2: Gospel #LongStoryShort  August 22, 2021
    1. Look at the Great Commission and discuss the implications for all of us today? Break down and discuss each facet of the commission. How is the church the vehicle for this? Matt. 28:19-20
    2. What is the gospel? What parts of the gospel message are absolutely vital for it to remain the gospel? What are modern distortions of it? 
    3. How is Acts a continuation of the mission and message of Jesus? Discuss the foundation of the church and the role the Holy Spirit plays through Acts.
    4. How is Acts transitional in the greater timeline and storyline of the Bible?
    5. Discuss the expansion of the gospel as it follows the directions given in Acts 1:8. (Expansion to the Jewish believers and the coming of the Spirit in Acts 2 and the inclusion of the Samaritans Acts 8 and the inclusion of the Gentiles in Acts 10.)
     
  • Aug 15, 2021“S2 Episode 1: Messiah”
    Aug 15, 2021
    “S2 Episode 1: Messiah”
    Questions for small groups or personal study.  Season 2 Episode 1: Messiah  #LongStoryShort August 15, 2021
    1. Discuss the flow and plot line of the Bible using Freytag’s pyramid (slide/diagram can be found online). Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution. Where do we find ourselves on this diagram today? 
    2. What does Jesus’ name mean? What does Christ mean? How is the concept of anointing related to prophets, priests, and kings in the OT and how is this significant in relation to Jesus Christ? 
    3. How does Jesus fulfill the office of prophet, priest and king? (places to start: prophet: Mark 1:14-15; Priest: Heb. 9:11-15; 7:22-28; King: John 19:1-3, Rev. 19:16) 
    4. What does the Messiah actually accomplish for us through his life, death and resurrection? List everything Jesus does from these following passages: (example: Jesus forgives, Jesus redeems… etc.) You may use any number of these passages: (
  • Aug 8, 2021“S1 Episode 10- Intermission”
    Aug 8, 2021
    “S1 Episode 10- Intermission”
  • Aug 1, 2021“S1 Episode 9- Prophets”
    Aug 1, 2021
    “S1 Episode 9- Prophets”
    Questions for small groups or personal deeper study.  S1 Episode 9: Prophets  #LongStoryShort August 1, 2021
    1. How familiar are you with the major and minor prophets? What do you find intriguing about them? What do you find difficult and confusing about this type of literature and part of the Bible?
    2. How is reading Prophecy and the Prophets different than other parts of scripture? How do we navigate the near and far fulfillment of some the messages preached? 
    3. Take some time and explore some of the prophets. Pick two or three books. Locate and identify the pattern “Repent - Return - Warning - Hope” in a few of the minor prophets of your choosing. (You can skim a few of them and identify chapter headings to get a gist of the message and flow. Joel and Amos are good places to start).
    4. What do we learn about God from these verses: Joel 2:25-29; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Hosea 2:19-23; Zeph. 3:17; Micah 7:18-20. Do these passages change your conception or misconception of God?  
    5. What is the role of the prophets in the meta-narrative/grand story of the Bible?
  • Jul 25, 2021“S1 Episode 8: “A Kingdom Divided” Josh Prather
    Jul 25, 2021
    “S1 Episode 8: “A Kingdom Divided” Josh Prather
    v SERMON QUESTIONS:
    • King Solomon became distracted and fell in love with the things God hates. What distractions (even good things) might be winning over our affections? (1 Kings 11:9-13)
    • What can we learn about the importance of our personal walk with God along with our influence of others from the example of Jeroboam and David?
    • One of Ahab’s biggest criticisms was his acceptance of sin and denial of God. What sins has our culture deemed acceptable? What sins do we overlook/excuse in our own lives? How might we turn from our sin and follow after God?
    • God makes it clear that His people were to follow Him alone. While we don’t typically struggle with idol worship like they did in the Old Testament, what are some things we can elevate above God in our lives? What might help draw our hearts back to God?
    • Israel was to be the light of God to the nations that surrounded them. How can we, as the church, be the light of Jesus to our communities, neighbors, coworkers, and families?
  • Jul 18, 2021S1 Episode 7: David-1Samuel-2 Chronicles
    Jul 18, 2021
    S1 Episode 7: David-1Samuel-2 Chronicles
    Questions for small groups or personal deeper study. S1 Episode 7: David 1 Samuel - 2 Chronicles #LongStoryShort
    1. Examine the prayer of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2. What themes do you draw from it? In what ways is verse 9 almost like a prophetic microcosm of the rest of Israel’s history?
    2. Compare and contrast the characters: Hannah, Eli, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon.
    3. Read 1 Samuel 3:1-3. What is the state of the nation at that time?
    4. Man looks on the outward but God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). How does God demonstrate this truth through Hannah, Samuel, Saul and David?
    5. Trace the significance of the temple location through these three passages. Gen. 22:1-2, 1 Chron. 21:18-23; 2 Chron. 3:1-3.
    6. Read through Ephesians 2:12-22. What Temple/tabernacle metaphors and pictures is Paul using to describe the new relationship we have through Jesus as the church. How is the church like a temple?
  • Jul 11, 2021“S1 Episode 6: Joshua”
    Jul 11, 2021
    “S1 Episode 6: Joshua”
    Joshua 5:13-15 Joshua 1:10-15 Hebrews 4:8-11 Judges 1:6-10
    Questions for small groups or personal study. S1 Episode 6: Joshua (Joshua, Judges, Ruth) #LongStoryShortOutline Overview:
    1. Victorious Rest - Joshua
    2. Cyclical Rebellion- Judges
    3. Hopeful Redemption - Ruth
    Survey Overview: As a group, give a survey of what you know about Joshua, Judges and Ruth. (Major plots, figures, and events.)
    1. Joshua 1:10-15 speaks of rest. Hebrews 4:8-11 speaks of rest. Compare and contrast these two passages. What kind of rest is being described?
    2. Discuss God’s judgment and mercy here with Jericho and Rahab. (Joshua 2:11-14 and Hebrews 11:30)
    3. Judges 2:6-10 describes the failure to train up the next generation. How can we avoid this today? Look at Deut. 6:1-15 for the explicit warnings and commands the people ended up ignoring in Judges.
    4. What is redemption? How is redemption pictured in the story of Ruth?
    5. What is so significant about the ending of Ruth? Ruth 4:18-22 (extra credit: who is Perez in verse 18? Why is he significant? Also, check out Matt. 1:2-6)
  • Jul 4, 2021“S1 Episode 5: Moses/Exodus
    Jul 4, 2021
    “S1 Episode 5: Moses/Exodus
    Questions for small groups or personal deeper study. S1 Episode 5: Moses (Exodus) #LongStoryShort1. Why do you think God uses the 10 plagues and the parting of the Red Sea to liberate his people? Why this way?2. Why did God give Israel the law? What purposes do we see in the Law? What does Galatians 3:24 have to say about this? 3. What is meant by Jesus when he says he has not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it? 4. Read Hebrews 7:23-28. (Melchizedek comes up again in this chapter;) But what is so significant about Jesus being our eternal priest and sacrifice? Why is this actually better than Old Testament priests and sacrifices? 5. Describe the tabernacle and its contents. What do you think is represented by the furniture and items inside it and it’s construction. (Exodus 25-31) 6. Read Exodus 24 and imagine what it would have been like to behold God upon the mountain in all his glory? Discuss his glory. His holiness. His power. His personal relationship with Israel and Moses. Now describe our relationship and view of God today. 7. What is meant by Jesus being our Passover Lamb? (1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Peter 1:18-20; John 1:29)
  • Jun 27, 2021“Season 1 Episode 4 -Israel”
    Jun 27, 2021
    “Season 1 Episode 4 -Israel”
    Questions for small groups or personal deeper study. S1 Episode 4 Israel (Genesis 25-Exodus 3) #LongStoryShortHere are the passages from the major movements from the sermon:Genesis 25:21-28 - Birth of Jacob and Esau (Gen. 50:20-21 - God works it out for good) Genesis 27:18 - Jacob’s deception for the birthright Genesis 28:12-16 - Jacobs ladder Genesis 32:24-31 -  Jacob/Israel wrestles Gen. 50:24-25 - Joseph’s bones Exodus 1:8 - King didn’t know Joseph. Exodus 3:13-15 - God’s name Exodus 3:7-8 - God comes down1. Talk through the movements as they are listed above from the sermon. What story stuck out to you? How does it fit in to the meta narrative of the Bible? Does it point us to Jesus in anyway? 2. Often, God chose the younger instead of the older/firstborn to receive his blessing. Why do you think this is? What do we learn from this pattern? 3. Think of as many stories in the Bible where God works in unexpected ways that is contrary to the prevailing wisdom of man. (David and Goliath example #1, Jacob chosen instead of Esau example #2) 4. Why is John 1:50-51 so significant and what is Jesus saying here? 5. Why do you think God changes Jacob’s name to Israel? Why do you think this took place in the manner and sequence that it did and why a wrestling match of all things? What do you think is being communicated here through this story? 6. Discuss the significance of God revealing his name as “I AM WHO I AM” 7. Extra credit: Genesis 50:24-26 — Joshua 24:32. How cool are these verses?
  • Jun 20, 2021” S1 Episode 3: Abraham”
    Jun 20, 2021
    ” S1 Episode 3: Abraham”
    Questions for small groups S1 Episode 3: Abraham (Genesis 12-22) #LongStoryShort1.Recap the major movements in each chapter leading up to the call of Abraham in Genesis 12. Where does Abraham come from what seed or family line does he come from? Why is this significant?2.Look at Gen. 12:8. Bethel means “house of God” and Ai means “heap of ruin.” Why or why not is it significant for Abraham to pitch his tent and build an altar between the two? What New Testament connection can we find to Jesus through this?3a. Who is Melchizedek? Why is he being the King of Salem so important and especially as he is contrasted with King of Sodom? Genesis 14:183b. Check out other passages mentioning Melchizedek: Psalm 110:4 , Hebrew 7:1-10, 15, 17; Hebrews 5:6-10. How does this mysterious priest/King and his blessing on Abraham help us understand the story of the Bible and the purpose of Jesus’ coming? (Note: Melchizedek is one of the most complicated and debated figures in all of scripture but it’s good to stretch our understanding and rely on the Holy Spirit to help us understand).4.Compare our study of Abraham so far in Gen. 12-15 and 22 with Hebrews 11:8-19. How does the author of Hebrews help summarize and explain the significance of Father Abraham and his faith to us today?5.What does the usage of Hebrew word “hineni” or “here I am” in Genesis 22:1, 7, 11 communicate to you?
  • Jun 13, 2021“S1 Episode 2-Fallout”
    Jun 13, 2021
    “S1 Episode 2-Fallout”
    Small group questions season 1 episode 2: Fallout Genesis 3-11Feel free to use these questions in your small group, family group, friends group, or even your own personal Bible study. We hope this blesses you and enriches your study of God’s Word and deepens your relationship with God. You can catch the sermon video on our website or Facebook. And if you only want the audio of the sermon just search for our church anywhere you listen to podcasts.1. How can the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood help us build a framework for the storyline of the Bible? (Sender, agent, task, receiver, complication, helper) 2. Why  do you think God would put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden? 3. Talk through the temptation in Genesis 3. In what ways is conversation between the snake and Eve similar to temptations we face everyday? 4. Trace the fallout of sin from Genesis 3 to chapter 11. What do we learn about God and ourselves from each development in the narrative? (Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, Babel) 5. What makes Genesis 3:15 the first mention of the gospel? 6. Genesis 4:10 and Hebrews 12:24. Compare and contrast the blood of Abel and the blood of Jesus.
  • Jun 6, 2021“S1 Episode 1-Pilot/Creation”
    Jun 6, 2021
    “S1 Episode 1-Pilot/Creation”