Introducing the letter of Paul to the church at Ephesus, by David Camera.

Application questions:

• How would you describe yourself to someone you did not know?
• What impact does our identity have on the way we live?
• Read Acts 19:1-20:41. Summarize Paul’s ministry in Ephesus in your own words.
• How does Paul describe himself? Why is this important?
• How does Paul describe the Christians in Ephesus?
• Paul begins and ends this letter in similar fashion. What words or phrases are repeated?
• According to 1:1-2 and 6:21-24, who is the source of grace, peace, love and who are those that receive these blessings?
• What are some implications of your answers to question 7?
• How would your life be different if you understood that your primary identity was a saint and child of God?

A sermon on the qualifications for ordained leadership in the church by Rev. David Camera.

Application questions

• Review the list of character qualifications in this passage. What sorts of categories do they include?
• Why does Paul include these and not others that modern leadership gurus might include (like 'visionary leader' or 'efficient' or 'charismatic speaker')?
• Why must an elder/deacon be able to lead his household well?
• Why is character more important over the long term than skill?

A sermon on remembering God's faithfulness and offering prayerful praise by pastoral intern Daniel Turner.

Application questions:

• What does Paul offer thanks for?
• Why is it important to thank God for what you see in others (and not just yourself)?
• What are you thankful for as you head into 2026?

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com.

A sermon on the last verse in the Johannine prologue by David Camera.

Application questions:

• We often hear the phrase, “seeing is believing.” What do we mean by it, and it is true in relationship to believing in Jesus?
• If someone said to you, God has revealed himself to many people, throughout history, Jesus is only one of them. How would you respond in light of John 1:1-18?
• What is faith according to the Bible?
• How is faith normally created in a person?
• What therefore can we do to sustain our faith?
• What are you most looking forward to about seeing Jesus one day?

A Christmas Eve homily by Pastor David Camera.

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com

A sermon on the "the Word became flesh" in John 1:14-17 by Greg Lanier.

Application questions:

• Reflect on this claim: “‘The Word became flesh,’ as part of the bigger picture of the Triune God, is the deepest and boldest claim imaginable.” Why might this be true?
• Read Exod 25:5; 29:46; Lev 26:11-12; Ezek 11:20; 2 Cor 6:16; Rev 21:3. How do these passages show that the core theme of the Bible is that God would “dwell with us”?
• Discuss the connection made between “we have seen his glory” and the glory that Isaiah “saw” in John 12:41 (including Isaiah 6 and Isaiah 53). What do these passages teach about the (a) preexistent glory of Christ and (b) suffering-glory of Christ?
• Why is being a child of God—based on the Sonship that Jesus himself has—so important to the Christian life?
• Here are some suggestions on books you can read in 2026 that can help you grow in knowing God in Christ more:
  • Knowing God (J.I. Packer)
  • Knowing Christ (Mark Jones)
  • The Deep Things of God (Fred Sanders)
  • The Trinity: An Introduction (Scott Swain)
  • Simply Trinity (Matthew Barrett)

A sermon on John 1:6-13 by Pastor Cody Brobst.

Application questions:

• Review the prologue (John 1:1-18) together and notice what concepts repeat.
• Why is Christianity incompatible with other worldviews (hint: John 14:6)?
• How is the Light revealed through witnesses?
• What makes John the Baptist’s witness unique specifically?
• What are ways you most enjoy revealing the Light (witnessing) to others?
• Where are you most tempted to believe that you can do what only God can do?
• How might life look if we reminded ourselves that “I am not the Christ”?
• In verse 9, when we read that the true Light was coming into the world & giving light to everyone, in what sense is the Light given to everyone?
• Why do people reject Jesus and not believe?
• In verse 10, what are the different definitions given for “the world”?
• How does this inform how we read John 3:16?
• What do vv. 12-13 say about how someone is & is not “born again”?
• How might that debunk the whole “seeing is definitey believing” idea?
• As children of God, what are ways we can simply enjoy God more this Christmas? What habit(s) could help you slow down & enjoy His free gift of adoption more?

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com.

An advent sermon on John 1:1-5 by David Camera.

Application questions:

• Do you put up Christmas lights? If so why?
• Read Genesis 1:3-5. How did God create all things? What was the first thing He created?
• John starts with "In the beginning” to connect the coming of Jesus to Genesis 1. What is John teaching us by doing this?
• Summarize in your own words what we learn about the “Word” in these verses? So who actually did the “creating” in Genesis 1?
• What is light a metaphor of in the Bible? (cr. Psalm 27:1)
• Where is salvation to be found according to these verses?
• What reasons do we have for hope in the passage?
• How has this passage expanded your view of the importance of Christmas?

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com.