The Future Tribes

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 49:1-28

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The Future Tribes — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 49:1-28
Sermon Series: Genesis
January 26, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does this theme of blessing in chapter 49 bring us back to creation? What does this tell us about God’s larger plan through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
2.   Why do Reuben, Simeon, and Levi receive such hard words of rebuke? How can this be part of a “blessing” (v. 28)?
3.   Why should Jacob’s words to the first three sons encourage us to take sin more seriously?
4.   How are vv. 8-12 a prophecy of Christ? How does this passage characterize him and his coming?|
5.   What does the prospering of Jacob’s sons, especially Joseph, teach us about God’s dealings with his people? How does this grow our faith in him?

References: Hebrews 11:21; Genesis 1:28; 35:22; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2; Genesis 34; 38:26; 44:33; Daniel 7:14; Psalm 2:8; Revelation 5:5, 9; John 2:1-11; Matthew 28:18; Romans 1:5; Ephesians 1:3.

The Blessing of the Adopted Sons

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 48:1-22

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The Blessing of the Adopted Sons — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 48:1-22
Sermon Series: Genesis
January 19, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How have the narratives of Genesis changed or informed your understanding of faith? How does Hebrews 11 in particular aid our reading of these stories?
2.   What is the significance of the interchange of “Jacob” and “Israel” in v. 2?
3.   Why does Jacob begin his dialogue with Joseph by quoting God’s words from chapter 35?
4.   What makes Joseph’s desire to bring his sons to Jacob so remarkable given his position in Egypt? What does this teach us about worldly attainments?
5.   Discuss how faithfulness and faith are woven together in vv. 8-16. How does Jacob’s pronouncement of blessing over the two sons (vv. 15-16) provide insight into the Christian life?
6.   Why does God choose to carry his blessing forward by means of the younger son throughout Genesis?

References: Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:18-22; Hebrews 11:1, 13; Genesis 35:11-12; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2; Genesis 5:24; 6:9; Hebrews 11:21.

A New Home

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 47:1-31

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A New Home — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 47:1-31
Sermon Series: Genesis
January 12, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does God settle his people in Egypt? How does this set the stage for the storyline of Scripture?
2.   Why is it important that this new settlement be official, based on Pharaoh’s command?
3.   Why is it significant that Jacob blesses Pharaoh? What is the immediate effect of this blessing in the narrative?
4.   Discuss the contrast between Jacob’s household and the people of Canaan and Egypt. How does this illustrate the contrast between believers and unbelievers?
5.   Why is Jacob so insistent that he be buried in Canaan rather than Egypt?

References: Genesis 17:8; 15:13-14, 16; 12:2-3; Hebrews 7:7; Genesis 46:4; 24:1-9; John 14:1-3; Philippians 3:20-21.

The God of Jacob

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 28:1-22

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The God of Jacob — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 28:1-22
Sermon Series: Genesis
June 9, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What are some names of God in the Bible that have most impacted you?  Why do you think God chooses to be known as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
2.  How would you describe Isaac’s mindset at the beginning of chapter 28? How should this affect our attitude towards the past?
3.  What does the image of the ladder communicate to Jacob? How does Christ appropriate this imagery in John 1:51?
4.  How does this passage increase our understanding of the role of angels in our lives?
5.  What are the major elements of God’s promise to Jacob? How have we seen these promises play out in the lives of Abraham and Isaac?
6.  Discuss Jacob’s response. Would you characterize it as one of faith?

References: Genesis 16:13; 17:1; 22:14; 26:24; Exodus 3:15; Acts 3:13; Psalm 46:7; 75:9; 81:1; Isaiah 2:3; 2 Samuel 23:1; Genesis 27:33; 17:1; 12:2; 1:28; 24:7; Hebrews 1:14; Jude 24; John 1:51.

The Next Recipient Of The Blessing

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 26:34-27:46

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The Next Recipient of the Blessing — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 26:34 - 27:46
Sermon Series: Genesis
June 2, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Discuss how Rebekah and Jacob carried out their deception. How would you characterize the sins of each, and how have you seen these same sins play out in your life?
2.  In what sense did the actions of Rebekah and Jacob derive from faith?
3.  What does this passage suggest about Isaac’s mindset? How have you experienced the blinding effect of your own passions and preferences?
4.  How does this passage fill out our view of Esau as an earthly-minded man? What clues are there that he cares little for God’s promises to Abraham?
5.  What consequences do Rebekah and Jacob have to face as a result of their deceitful act? What does this teach us about our choices?
6.  How does this story remind us that there is only one Hero and there will be no “greats” in heaven?

References: Genesis 25:23, 34; Numbers 24:9; Hebrews 12:16-17; Genesis 4:19; Psalm 51.

A Finale of Faithfulness

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 25:1-18

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A Finale Of Faith — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 25:1-18
Sermon Series: Genesis
April 28, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Discuss the many ways we’ve seen God’s faithfulness demonstrated in the story of Abraham. What has stood out the most to you?
2.  How do the many earthly nations that came from Abraham point to us?
3.  How is Isaac contrasted with the other sons of Abraham in this passage? What does that tell us about God’s plan?
4.  How has the theme of the Seed, as it has played out so far, deepened your faith in Christ?
5.  How does Abraham’s burial show God’s faithfulness to the land promises? What does it say about Abraham’s faith?
6.  What does it mean to say that Abraham’s inheritance is our inheritance, that his story is our story?

References: Genesis 12:4; 24:27; 17:4-6, 20; Romans 4:20-21; Revelation 7:9-10; Genesis 3:15; 21:12; 22:17-18; 35:28-29; 15:15; 23:17; 12:1, 7; 13:14-15; Luke 16:22; Matthew 22:32; 5:5; 8:11; Hebrews 11:13; Revelation 21:1-4.

Offspring for Abram? Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 16:1-16

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Offspring for Abram? Part 2 — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 16:1-16
25 November 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Discuss the failures of major biblical characters.  What role do these play in pointing us to the Savior?
2.  Discuss the identity of the angel of the LORD.  What are some of the various ways we see Christ at work and referred to in the Old Testament?
3.  Why does God tell Hagar to return?
4.  What does this story teach us about God’s attitude towards people?
5.  How do you think Hagar’s report of this encounter would have affected Abram and Sarai?

References: Romans 11:32; Ephesians 2:7; Exodus 3:2, 4; Genesis 31:11, 13; Deuteronomy 32:10; Isaiah 32:14; Jeremiah 14:6; Ezekiel 33:11.

The Blessed Man, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 14:17-24

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The Blessed Man, Part 2 — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 14:17-24
28 October 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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1.  How is Abram’s life a picture of our lives as Christians?
2.  What makes Melchizedek Abram’s superior? How does he serve as a type of Christ?
3.  How are Abram’s faith and strength of character demonstrated in his response to Melchizedek?
4.  What temptation does Abram face in this narrative, and what support does God give him?
5.  How does Abram uphold God’s glory, live by faith, and act as a witness? How does this affect our view of theChristian life?

References: Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 7; Psalm 110; Hebrews 2:18.

The Faithful God & The Feeble Faith

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 12:10-20

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The Faithful God & The Feeble Faith -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 12:10-20
7 October 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How are the “heroes” of the Old Testament useful to us as Christians? How do they always point us to Christ?
2.  How would you summarize Abram’s stumbling in verses 10-13? What do you think was going through his mind?
3.  In times of difficulty or danger, what does it look like for us to go into survival mode rather than seeking mode? Describe a time when you have done this.
4.  How would you summarize God’s faithfulness in this passage? How does it show God’s care on both a macro and a micro level?
5.  How does this passage prefigure later events? How would this have encouraged the first readers of Genesis?

References: Hebrews 11:8-12, 17-19; Galatians 3:9; Genesis 20:1-18; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 3:22; 11:6-8; 2 Timothy 2:13; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9.

The Faithful God & The Father of Faith

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 12:1-9

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The Faithful God & The Father of Faith -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 12:1-9
30 September 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Why do we refer to Abram as the father of faith?
2.  Why would God’s command in v. 1 not have been easy to embrace?
3.  What does it mean to say that God’s word to Abram begins with command but is dominated by promise? What does this tell us about the Lord and how he relates to people?
4.  How would you summarize God’s promises to Abram? What is the significance of the last promise in v. 3, and why does Paul say that this was the gospel being preached to Abram?
5.  How would you characterize Abram’s response to God’s word? How does this challenge comfortable Christianity, selective obedience, and competing priorities?
6.  What is the purpose of God’s appearance to Abram, and what does this tell us about God’s character?
7.  What is the symbolism conveyed by Abram’s worship and altar building as he moves through the land?

References: Genesis 17:5; Galatians 3:9, 29; Romans 4:11; Acts 7:2-3; Hebrews 11:8-10; Exodus 20:2; John 14:1-3; Exodus 1:7-9; Genesis 24:34-35; Galatians 3:8; Genesis 6:22; 7:9; Matthew 10:37.

Our Ancient Ancestry

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 10:1-32

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Our Ancient Ancestry -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 10:1-32
2 September 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Is there anything that you find particularly intriguing or surprising about this genealogy?
2.  How does this text further contribute to our understanding of the character of God?
3.  How does this passage help us fight against racism and better love our neighbor?
4.  Where do we see human corruption in these verses? How does this genealogy prepare the reader for the Tower of Babel?
5.  Discuss how these genealogies in Genesis 1-11 are moving towards Abraham and ultimately Christ. How does this increase your trust in God?

References: Genesis 2:4; 5:1; 6:9; 9:1; Ephesians 1:3; Acts 17:26; Genesis 4:17; 6:4; Romans 1:18-32; Genesis 3:15; Revelation 7:9-10; Genesis 12:3.

After the Ark, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 9:1-17

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After the Ark, Part 1 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 9:1-17
19 August 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  In what ways do vv. 1-7 echo Genesis 1?  How do the differences remind us of the Fall?
2.  How does this passage speak to issues like the treatment of animals and the death penalty?
3.  What is God’s attitude towards creation in general and life in particular?  What are some of the implications for us?
4.  What is a covenant, and what are some characteristics of the covenant that God established in Genesis 9?
5.  Why do you think God chose to mark this covenant with a rainbow?  How might this passage influence the way you view rainbows in the future?
6.  How does the fact that God is a covenant-maker and covenant-keeper affect the way we relate to him in our Christian lives?

References: Genesis 1:26-29; Romans 13:1-5; Romans 8:19-22; Revelation 21:1; Ezekiel 1:28; Revelation 4:3; Titus 1:2; Romans 3:25; Luke 22:20. 

The Hopeful Line

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 5

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The Hopeful Line -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 5
08 July 2018

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What has been your attitude towards biblical genealogies? What are some ways in which they can be profitable for us?
2.  How do the verses leading up to chapter 5 prepare us for the hopeful nature of the genealogy itself?
3.  What does the creation language in the opening verses communicate about this line, and what effect should this have on the reader?
4.  What is the significance of Enoch in this genealogy? What does it mean to say that chapter 5 gives us the “line of life”?
5.  What does it look like to walk with God? How would you describe your own experience of walking with him?
6.  In what ways does the glory of Christ shine through this genealogy? 

References: Luke 3:23-38; 2 Kings 2:11; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 11:5; Jude 14-15; Genesis 3:17-19; 6:9.

Days 4-6: Fullness Towards Dominion, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 1:14-25

Days 4-6: Fullness Towards Dominion, Part 1 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series:  Genesis
Genesis 1:14-25
11 February 2018

Deep Sheet Questions - 2/11/2018 - Days 4-6: Fullness Towards Dominion, Pt 1 - Genesis 1:14-25

1. What are the various ways in which Genesis 1 points us to Christ? How does the New Testament describe his role in creation?

2. Why do you think God waited until Day 4 to make the sun, moon, and stars?

3. What amazes you most about creation? Why is it tempting to replace the Creator with the created, and what are some ways we do this today?

4. How does Psalm 8 direct us towards a proper response to what we observe in the heavens?

5. Why is God’s account of the creation of animals incompatible with Darwinian evolution?

References: 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:16; Deuteronomy 4:19; Psalm 19:1; Psalm 8; Job 41:1; Psalm 104:24-25.