Bethany Community Church

Preached on Sunday, May 31st.

Teacher: Richard Dahlstrom

In the book of Jonah, we find a prophet of God reluctant to embrace the heart that God has for the people of Ninevah, and he runs the opposite direction.  Fortunately God pursues him and uses him to bring this community of people to repentance.

Preached on March 24th.

Teacher: Nick Steinloski

Discussion Questions:

• Can you think of a time when you sensed God calling you to do something and “went the other way”?  What happened?  Did you eventually do it or walk away permanently?  How do you see that experience now, in retrospect?
• What keeps you from stepping out?
• Have you ever had a “belly of the whale” experience, when your choices have ended in a very dark place with a sense of nowhere to go?  What happened?  How did you respond to God during this time?
• If you were to make time in your life for solitude with God, what might he want to say to you?  What do you want to hear from him?
• How has the growth at Bethany affected you?  Does it excite you? Alarm you?
• What do you see as your role in the growth and nurture of your co-worshipers here?
• What sacrifice would it take for you to reach out in Christ’s love to those around you on Sunday or during the week?

In our text this morning, Amos asks the question: Why do we look for life in ways that won’t provide it?  His answer: Because of our resistance to revelation, which alone leads to transformation.

Preached on Sunday, March 17th.

Teacher: Richard Dahlstrom

Discussion Questions:

• Can you think of a time in your life when you went through the motions of doing something but your heart wasn’t in it?
• Can you think of a time when you were hoping for one thing and received something less? If so, how did you handle it?
• The Bible is full of stories that speak of people who are going through the motions of love and devotion to God, with no motivation from the heart. Can you think of an example in your own life when this has been the case? How did you deal with it?
• How does your relationship with Christ impact what you do? How does it impact the spirit in which you do it?
• Can you think of an example in your life where you had a desire for something and tried to fill it with something less? What were your reasons for filling it with something less?
• In what way would you say you are seeking contentment now? What brings you the most contentment and for how long?
• How do you see Christ’s life-providing contentment? What are the barriers to you for finding contentment in Him?
• Read Romans 7: 15-20. What discourages you about your transformation? How do you respond when you don’t see change in your life?
• How have you seen transformation in your history? Does that help you in your current desire for transformation? If so, how?
• In Amos 5:4, 6, & 14, God commands the people to “Seek me and live.” What does that mean to you where you are right now?

On April 13th at about noon I received a phone call.  The person on the other line asked me if I was the one who adopted the Jackson children, to which I replied yes.  She then informed me that “they had another one” and she “was wondering if you would like to take this one as well.”  I was shocked.  So I asked, “Really?” At this point the question becomes what do we do, be content in our family or follow the vision that God has given Karmin and me in regards to our family.  So I told the caseworker, “Well I haven’t talked with my wife, but sure”.  Are you kidding me?  In a two minute conversation I just signed myself up for spit up, dirty diapers, and 3 am feedings.  Karmin and I had our plans of having two boys and God gave us Kaleb and Becky.  Karmin and I had our plans of having older kids, but God gave us a one week old.  Every time I think that I have a plan in place and know what is going to happen God changes everything up.  God reveled to us the next level of his vision for us.  Jacob Theodore William is now six pounds 8 ounces, and full of energy.  Kaleb and Becky love being older siblings and always want to change the diaper, hold him and feed him.  He has been a wonderful addition to our family.  Thank you to all of you who have brought over clothing, baby accessories, food and thank you to all of you for your prayers.  It is appreciated.

Pastor Brian Hallberg

Preached on Sunday, May 10th.

This week, we are looking at the book of Amos and identifying places in our lives where complacency and distraction have kept us from making the character of God visible. Amos came to the children of Israel to challenge them to worship God not just on Sunday with their rituals but throughout their week in obedience to him.

Teacher: Richard Dahlstrom

Discussion Questions:

• How has the current economic upheaval affected you? Has it impacted the way you look at your resources? The resources of the United States? How has it impacted your way of life?
• Amos was calling the people out for worshiping on Sabbath yet failing to let it transform their lives Sunday through Friday so that His character would be visible through them. How does worship on Sunday impact your lifestyle and choices throughout the rest of the week?
• What activities do you use to distract you from what God might be trying to say to you?
• When has God used uncomfortable circumstances to shake you out of complacency?
• What criteria might you use to disqualify a current day “fig farmer” from speaking to you?
• How are you at building brides between your faith and those around you? What are the barriers for you? Why is it important for us to let our light shine?
• Scan Deuteronomy 28. Can you name blessings that you have received from God?
• “God, I want to learn everything you have to teach me in the midst of this trial… give me ears to hear and a heart to respond.” How open are you to making this your prayer to God? What causes you to resist it?
• What is the log that you may be ignoring in your own eye? What steps do you need to take this week to remove it?