The heart of our desire at VCC is to study the Bible because it is the living word of God and has the power to change lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This year, we want to provide an opportunity for our church to join together in regular bible study (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

1. A deeper dive into Sunday sermons. (Questions Below)

• We will have discussion questions in the bulletin each week that pertain to the sermon. You can use these for further study and reflection throughout the week.
• For those who miss a Sunday, the sermon & these discussion questions can also be found on our website.

2. New Testament reading plan.

• As a church, we will begin a New Testament reading plan that will take us through the New Testament, chronologically, in 18 weeks. We will plan for 5 days/week of reading 1-3 chapters a day.
• The plan we are using is the Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble. For each day’s bible text reading, the Bible Recap also offers a summary of key points. These can be accessed in a number of different ways, depending on your preference.

Click here for Dive Deep Brochure.

Click here for reading schedule.

Sunday April 14, 2024 - 03 1 Samuel 4-6

1. Consider the contrast between Samuel's virtue and the decadence of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Discuss the importance of personal integrity and righteousness in leadership based on 1 Samuel 2:12-17 and 1 Samuel 3:19-20. How do these passages encourage us to cultivate these qualities in our own lives?

2. Reflect on the Israelites' defeat by the Philistines and their subsequent misuse of the Ark of the Covenant. What does this story teach us about the dangers of idolatry and the proper understanding of sacred symbols? Refer to 1 Samuel 4:3-11 and discuss how we might avoid similar mistakes in our own spiritual lives.

3. The Philistines suffered consequences for capturing the Ark, as described in 1 Samuel 5:1-12. What lessons can we learn about the sovereignty of God and the futility of placing other 'gods' before Him? How does this passage challenge us to examine what idols we may need to remove from our lives?

4. Discuss the concept of God's guidance and how it can influence the direction of our lives. Based on the sermon's reflection on Samuel's obedience and dedication, consider how Proverbs 3:5-6 can be applied when seeking divine direction. What practical steps can we take to align our decisions with God's will?

5. In the sermon, there is a call to recognize and forsake false idols, drawing inspiration from the figure of Samuel. How can we identify the 'arks' or idols in our lives that we may be mistakenly placing our trust in? Discuss the implications of Exodus 20:3-5 in relation to idolatry and the pursuit of a faithful relationship with God.

6. Considering the sermon's emphasis on aligning our lives with God's will, explore the concept of discerning God's will amidst life's challenges. How can the story of Samuel guide us in making decisions that honor God? Share insights from Romans 12:1-2 on presenting ourselves as living sacrifices and renewing our minds to discern God's will.

Click Below for Study Questions Download

03 1 Samuel - STUDY QUESTIONS

02 1 Samuel - STUDY QUESTIONS

01 Intro to 1 Samuel - STUDY QUESTIONS

18 PHILIPPIANS 4:1-5 STUDY QUESTIONS

17 PHILIPPIANS 3:16-21 STUDY QUESTIONS

16 PHILIPPIANS 3:12-16 STUDY QUESTIONS

15 PHILIPPIANS 3:10-16 STUDY QUESTIONS

14 PHILIPPIANS 3:1-11 STUDY QUESTIONS

HOW THE BIBLE RELATES TO US STUDY QUESTIONS

13 PHILIPPIANS 2:17-3:6 STUDY QUESTIONS