Andrew Farley

I’m struggling with doubt and fear. I have questions about James 2 and faith and works. When Jesus returns, is it to take us to Heaven or establish a new Earth? How do I stop being judgmental of others? Should I be talking to my husband about past sexual experiences with other men?

Discussion Questions for Colossians 2: Read verse 8. What kinds of “empty deception” or worldly philosophies do you think people are most prone to today, and how do these ideas contrast with the message of Christ? Read verses 9-10. How does the fullness of Christ that Paul describes impact your sense of identity and completeness in Him? Read verse 11. How does this idea of “putting off the body of flesh” relate to the new life we have in Christ? Read verses 13-14. How do these verses emphasize the way God has dealt with our sins? What impact can this total forgiveness have on our daily lives and how we view ourselves? Read verse 15. How does the image of Christ disarming rulers and authorities give you a fresh perspective on the battles you face? What does His victory mean for you? Read verses 16-17. Paul talks about religious regulations as a “shadow of things to come.” How can we avoid lifeless religiosity and embrace the substance found in Christ? Read verses 20-21. Paul asks why believers submit to relig

My mother passed away a while ago, and her husband wants to put her on a Mormon list to be married eternally. Is that okay? What should we think about channeling and mediums? What about Halloween? And demon possession? Is the church replacing Israel? Is there a second blessing or second portion of the Spirit we receive later? Why did Absolom say he had no successors if he did indeed have children? Is mental illness different from demon possession?

What will happen at the final judgment? Will the Jews get a second chance after the rapture? Are we like Ezekiel the “watchman” in Ezekiel 33? Will we be held accountable for the souls of others? Do you believe in a pre-tribulation rapture?

Why did Jesus not abolish the Law but only fulfill it? Do Christians need to tithe 10% today? 1 Kings 8:7 talks about the cherubim spreading their wings over the ark. What is the significance of that? What does life after death look like?

Why did John the Baptist have to baptize Jesus? How did this event “fulfill all righteousness”? What does God allow in our lives? What about natural disasters like in Florida? Should we worry about having “graven images” of Jesus in our homes? Is it healthy for churches to preach about politics? What is the Scriptural justification for missionaries?

I have feelings for an old boyfriend who says he’s born again now. It hasn’t been very long, so what should I do? How do we get rid of idols in our lives and put God first? How do we know there’s a God at all? What could we tell an unbeliever about the benefits of being a Christian?

What is the neglected message of the cross? Am I part of a Korean cult? What does it mean to vote biblically? Why does Paul target sexual immorality as “sinning against your own body”? What does “the meek will inherit the earth” mean? 

After we come to know God’s grace, then what? For example, how would we deal with addiction? How did God rescue us from being dead in our sins? How can my daughter get closer to God? Should we get her water baptized? My son has been abused by his father, and no one will listen to our case. Please help me get these terms, straight: old self, flesh, sinful nature, sin, carnal mind.

Join us here for our morning service at The Grace Church. This morning, our pastor Andrew Farley presents the next message in our series, “EPIC: High-Impact Truths in the New Testament.” Below are discussion questions inspired by the message on Ephesians 2:   1. Read verses 1-2. What does “dead in your trespasses and sins” mean? How does this description help us understand our condition before and after knowing Christ? 2. Read verse 3. How were we “children of wrath” according to this verse? How does this contrast with our new identity in Christ? 3. Read verse 4. What is significant about the phrase “But God…”? How does God's mercy and love change everything in our story? 4. Read verse 5. Consider the words “alive” and “together” and comment on your closeness to God. How close are you? Why? 5. Read verses 6-7. What does it mean for us to be “raised up with Christ and seated with Him in the heavenly places”? How can this reality impact how we think daily? Why did God do this for us (Hint: See verse 7.)? 6. Rea

How do we define sin without the Law? How do we live the Christian life without depending on the Ten Commandments? Did Jesus have any fallenness about Him? Did Jesus restore us to a condition closer to that of Adam and Eve? Why are some people using Ecclesiastes 10:2 to talk about American politics? What is the context and takeaway from Paul’s Romans 7 struggle with jealousy?

What is the remedy for perfectionism and criticism of myself and others? Why does Matthew say those who endure will be saved? Why did Jesus say we would do greater works than Him? Can we just ask for anything in Jesus’s name and expect it? Can demons physically harm you?

How do I deepen my relationship with God? What about fear of an unknown future? How should we view 2 Chronicles 7:14 when it comes to our nations and our relationship with God? Why does Paul say, “if you are living according to the flesh, you must die” in Romans 8?

How do we reconcile Old Testament violence with the message of Jesus today? What does James 2 mean when it says three times that we are “justified by works”? (We can’t ignore the presence of this phrase, and we must wrestle with it.) Why does James 5 say we will come under judgment if we don’t keep our word? Aren’t Christians free from God’s judgment?

Is there a rapture? How many judgments will there be? Does all sickness come from the soul? Does committing a willful sin mean you’re not saved? How and when exactly are we saved? Should I separate from or divorce my husband? It’s been many years of struggle and abuse. If every knee will bow, then will everyone be saved? What did Jesus mean by the word “paradise”?

Discussion Questions for Galatians 5: Read verses 1-2. What does it mean to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given you, and how does that relate to your identity in Him? Read verses 3-4. How does trying to achieve righteousness through the Law affect a person’s relationship with Christ and their understanding of grace? Read verses 5-6. In these verses, faith expressing itself through love is emphasized. How does this align with walking by the Spirit and our union with Christ? Read verse 16. What does it look like in practical terms to walk by the Spirit in everyday life? How does this differ from law-based or rule-based living? Read verses 17-18. How do you experience the tension between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit? How does knowing your new identity in Christ help you in this battle? Read verses 19-21. How do these “deeds of the flesh” compare with the freedom we experience in Christ? How does focusing on our identity in Him help us avoid these attitudes and behaviors? Read ve

Should we be reciting the Lord’s Prayer? What is Sheol? Is it purgatory? Does God hold blessings back because we are struggling with sin?

Whom did God give over in Romans 1? Why? Is water baptism necessary to be saved? How do we know whether we are operating by the Spirit or by human effort?