BULLETIN OUTLINE

I Have a Friend Whois Dying

05.25.14 Tom Oyler, Lead Pastor

We are all dying.
(Genesis 2:16-17; Psalms 90:3-10; Hebrews 9:27)

Death is both an enemy and a friend.
(Psalm 23:4; 1 Corinthians 15:26, 55; Philippians 1:23-24; Revelation 14:13)

The journey is certain, but unpredictable.
(2 Chronicles 18: 28-34, 21:19; Luke 12:20; Acts 12:23; James 4:14)

Grief is normal and comfort is needed.
(Genesis 37:34-35; John 11:35; 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 5:14; Hebrews 12:12; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4;
Revelation 21:4)

Without Christ, we are already dead.
(John 5:24; Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 2:1-9)

LOOKING BACK

I Have a Friend Whois Dying

It is fact that none of us really want to face. We are all going to die. All of our friends, family, and of course,
ourselves. There is a time be born and time to die Ecclesiastes 3:2 Death causes us to confront many
important issues and emotions that are otherwise masked. When a friend knows that death is closer than they
expected, we have an amazing opportunity to learn life lessons ourselves, as well as to be a comforting and
encouraging presence for them.

Thinking It Through
You may soon forget those with whom you have laughed, but you will never forget those with whom
you have wept. ~Readers Digest

Fear not that your life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall never have a beginning.
~Cardinal Newman

Life is to most of us a continuous process of getting used to things we hadnt expected.
~Unknown
I knew this was going to happen.
~Dustin Hoffman, words he wants on his tombstone

Working it Out
1. What is your experience with death?
2. What Scripture did you find challenging or comforting in the message?
3. How did message help equip you to help your dying friends?
LOOKING AHEAD

I Have a Friend WhoWants to Know Why

So do you most likely. Simply having the urge to ask is revealing. We all have an inner sense of what is right,
wrong, fair or unfair. So whom do we ask? God, of course. Why? Because, ultimately there is no one else to
ask. Dont believe in God? Then what other choices do we have? Lets explore a bit our desire to know why.

Looking It Up
1. What seems to be behind the serpents question in Genesis 3:1? Note the context in 2:16-17.



2. What is Moses struggling with in Exodus 5:19-23?



3. In Psalm 73, the writer is asking a very specific question. What is that question? Be specific- what is
bothering him according to verses 1-16?



4. What did it take to resolve his question? (vs. 17-28) List as many factors as you can.



5. What insight does Romans 5:1-8 and James 1:3-5 provide when we are asking the why question?