Wrestling With God - Bible Studies Alex VanHouten

A teaching for "Mighty Men" - a student-lead organization at Greenbrier Middle School - on the parable of the talents with Coach Alex VanHouten from Better Daily.

"To whom much is given, much is required"
-Luke 12:48

Learn More About Better Daily community - https://betterdaily.live

Hard times make strong men
Strong men make good times
Good times make weak men
Weak men make hard times...

Is that the way it has to be?

You can be a part of the solution or you can be part of the problem.

Let's get into it.

A Testimony And Teaching From Alex VanHouten

Week 7 – Rotten Roots
Challenge: How’s your “foundation”? Are there any sandy spots?













Words To Hide In Your Heart This Week:
“He was pierced by our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was laid on him and by his stripes we are healed
-Isaiah 53:5

And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall.
-Matthew 7:26-27

From Last Week | For Next Week
Isaiah Chp. 40-43; 48-53Isaiah Chp. 54-61
2 Corinthians 5Matthew 7
Galatians 3Proverbs 16
1 Corinthians 10


The Chosen Episode 7, scriptural considerations (for further gospel study, if desired):
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/filmchat/2020/07/the-chosen-season-one-episode-six.html


Discussion Questions “The Chosen Lesson 7”
What did you HIGHLIGHT in your bible since last time? Why?

Faith and reasons are not opposites. However faith, not reason, invites us to move beyond our own finite levels of comprehension and control. Can you describe a time when your faith invited you to move beyond your own capacity to reason? (AKA – God moved you to do something and you didn’t know how or why, but it turned out greater than you could imagine.)



Isaiah 13, 43, and 47 show God using “wicked people” like Babylonians and Chaldeans to punish other wicked people (like disobedient Israelites). What do you think about that?



In what ways have you built your house on sand? Note even after we’ve decided to follow Jesus, we’re still capable of “sand dwelling”. (Matthew 7)



In Episode 7, Nicodemus quotes Psalms 2:12 and Jesus finishes the Psalm. What does it mean to take refuge in Jesus? How is that related to His teaching of building your life on a rock?



Simon was skeptical about Matthew becoming a Jesus-follower. Have you ever been like Simon thinking its your right/responsibility to judge other followers of Jesus?



Read Colossians 2:6-7 Explain the difference between being knowing about Jesus and being an established believer.


What prayers have been answered for you this week?

lSpring 2022 Bible Study Week 6
Challenge: What’s NEW about you compared to 5 years ago?













Words To Hide In Your Heart This Week:
“Because you have raged against me and I have seen your arrogance, I will put my hook in your nos and my bit in your mouth and I will turn you back on the right path”
-Isaiah 37:29

“If any man is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION. Old things have passed away – Behold – all things are becoming new”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17

From Last Week | For Next Week
Isaiah Chp. 32-39 ; 47Isaiah Chp. 40-43; 48-53
Acts Chp. 1-2 ; 7-92 Corinthians 5
Galatians 3


The Chosen Episode 6, scriptural considerations (for further gospel study, if desired):
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/filmchat/2020/06/the-chosen-season-one-episode-six.html


Discussion Questions “The Chosen Lesson 6”

What did you HIGHLIGHT in your bible since last time? Why?

Like the Leper in episode 6, those who come to Jesus experience change. What changes has He made in your life? What changes are you still hoping to come?



Read Psalms 103:10-12. For many, a new start is hard to imagine. What does this psalm tell us about God’s ability to forgive and begin again?



Which character’s transformation in the Chosen thus far do you relate with most? Why?



Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. What are some differences between pre-Jesus living and post-Jesus living regardless of our ongoing battle with Sin?



In Episode 6, Matthew says “Conquest is not simply conquering nations, but imposing a new way of life”. In what ways does this describe the people Jesus saves?



Read Isaiah 43:18-19 and Gal 3:25-29. How are these passages related?



What prayers have been answered for you this week?

Spring 2022 Bible Study Week 4
Challenge: When did you make the decision to follow Jesus?
How often do you reinforce that decision? How?





Words To Hide In Your Heart This Week:
“Friendship with the world is enmity with God. Whoever wishes to be a friend of this world becomes an enemy of God”
-James 4:4

“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heave, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
- Matthew 7:21

From Last Week | For Next Week
Isaiah Chp, 16-23 ; 45Isaiah Chp. 24-31 ; 46
Jeremiah 31James 4
Matthew Chp, 18 ; 25Deuteronomy Chp. 10 and 11
John 17Luke 5
Malachi Chp. 3 ; 4Matthew 7


The Chosen Episode 4, scriptural considerations (for further gospel study, if desired):
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/filmchat/2020/06/the-chosen-season-one-episode-four.html 
Discussion Questions “The Chosen Lesson 4”
What did you HIGHLIGHT in your bible since last time? Why?

What area of your life do you find is most difficult to relinquish control of? (Relationships, job, current events, pain/illness etc?) What does James 4:13-15 recommend instead?


Read Isaiah Chp. 8:11-13. In Isaiah Chp. 1-12, the prophet is speaking mostly to the current king, Ahaz, in the face of impending political and military invasion. God calls His people to repent and return. Instead of listening and desiring to maintain his sense of control, King Ahaz continues worshipping his idols and schemes with Assyria to take on Syria and Israel. The Assyrians did defeat the invasion but then took the land of Judah captive – costing the nation it’s freedom. Can you think of a time when you made things way worse by trying to make them better yourself instead of repenting from your sin?


Read Isaiah 43:5. Re-read Isaiah 8:12-13. Who does God tell us to fear? Is this a contradiction? Why/why not?


Read Deut 10:20-11:7. In your words, what is Moses’ given reason that Israel would do well to serve God in reverence and fear?


In the Chosen - Simon (Peter), Mary, and even Nicodemus are experiencing a “Come to Jesus” story. Do you have a “come to Jesus story” you’re willing to share?
I was ____________________ , But God ___________________ , And Now ____________________.


Read Luke 5:1-11. The moment Simon realized he was unworthy to be in Jesus’ presence is the same moment he decided to follow him. Explain the correlation.


Read Matthew 7:21-23. Explain in your own words why the salvation offered by Jesus is free, but following Him costs us everything. Is there any area of your life you need to leave behind to follow him more fully?


What prayers have been answered for you this week?