We need to learn to manage our time on what matters most.
My schedule:
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Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
Read Psalm 90: 1-6. When was the last time you slowed down and pondered the journey of your life? What things did you think about?
What do you think are the biggest differences between God and people? Which do you think is the hardest to understand and accept?
Read James 4:13-14, Psalm 12. What do you think it is about numbering our days that gives us wisdom? How have you seen this practically played out in your life and in the lives of others?
Read Luke 12:16-21. What do you think Jesus meant when He said “rich towards God’? Would you say you are a good manager of your time? In what practical ways can you improve in order to be more “rich towards God”?
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?
John 14:27; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 12:18; Matthew 5:9
Sermon Notes:
True peace begins with you and your Creator. (Romans 5:1-2)
Peace with yourself happens from the inside (Ephesians 1:1-14)
Peace with ourselves originates from our understanding of who we are in Christ. (Ephesians 1:1-14)
Peace with ourselves happens when we forgive (Ephesians 4:31-32)
People at peace can help bring peace to others. (Romans 12:18, Mt 5:9)
Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
Read John 14:27. How do you think the peace of Jesus is different than the peace that the world brings?
Read 1 John 1:5; Habakkuk 1:13; Exodus 20:1-17; Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. When you ponder the holiness of God and what Jesus did for you on the cross, how does it make you feel?
Read Ephesians 1:1-14. When did you come to appreciate all that God has done for you in Christ Jesus? How does knowing that you are adopted by God change your view of yourself and God? When you read this list of blessings in your life, which ones are the most meaningful to you? Which one do you struggle the most with?
Read Ephesians 4:31-32. How much sin do you think God has forgiven you in your life? How does this help you in choosing to forgive others? Is there anybody in your life right now that you need to forgive? Say these verses out loud and tell God that you choose to forgive this person for what they have done to you. Ask God to help you find freedom from this event and find peace in Him.
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?
You resting is a big deal to God. (Exodus 20:8-11)
In the Bible, rest is not a suggestion, but a command with a blessing. (Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13-14)
To God, what does “sabbath” rest involve?
Sabbath is physical.
Sabbath is
Jesus is our rest.
Tips on how to approach a day of rest:
Greet God in the morning. (Psalm 5:3; Lamentations 3:22-23)
Seek a spirit of thankfulness. (Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Come to church. (Hebrews 10:25)
Be still. (Psalm 46:10; 37:7)
Focus your thoughts. (Colossians 3:1-2; Revelation 4:1-6)
Other_________.
Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
Read Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13-14. What captures your attention as you read these verses? What do you think God is trying to say to us about the importance and benefits of taking a day of rest?
What things distract you from making Sunday a day for you and Jesus to connect? How have you experienced Sunday being honorable and a delight to you?
Read Mark 6:30-31; Matthew 11:28-29. How do these verses describe the heart of Jesus to you? When was the last time you experienced Jesus giving you rest?
Read Colossians 3:1-2; Revelation 4:1-6. The Scriptures tell us that we need to keep our mind on things above where Jesus is. When you realize what the throne of Jesus looks like and picture yourself standing there in His presence…. how does it make you feel? What happens to your stresses and problems? How should this scene give us courage and strength to press on in the fight of life?
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?
Message Title: Following Jesus into Mission/Service
Series: Following Jesus into the Summer
Key verse:
Mark 10:35-45; Ezekiel 36:26
Sermon notes:
Why we don’t serve:
“We want you to do for us…” – We think life is about receiving.
“…whatever we ask” – We believe happiness comes from realizing our individual dreams.
“Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left” – We confuse success with worldly power and authority.
Ezekiel 36:26
“Not so with you” – A change of thinking for Jesus’s followers:
The journey to the life we need includes suffering.
Mark 10:39
Greatness is realized through service.
Mark 10:43-44
Significance is measured by the love we give others and the sacrifices we make on their behalf.
Mark 10:45
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Getting to Know You: Have you ever given someone a gift that you were happy and excited for them to receive? What was it?
Quick Review:
Looking back from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
Read Mark 10:35-45. Jesus has reorient his disciples’ thinking about the importance of service. Are you actively involved in service? What are the biggest challenges you face?
Read John 13:12-17. Jesus said he was giving us an example of how to serve one another. He meant much more than physically washing people’s feet. Describe the attitude, mindset and heart behind his behavior.
Read 1 John 3:16-18. The author of this book is John the son of Zebedee—the same person who asked Jesus to be seated at his right or left hand (Mark 10:37). John wrote this letter near the end of his life. Describe the growth in John’s understanding of his mission as a follower of Jesus between the time Jesus instructed him in Mark 10 and the time he wrote this letter.
Read James 2:14-17 and Matthew 25:40. What does the service we do for others reveal about our faith? What does it reveal about our love for Jesus?
Read Hebrews 13:15-16. The author mentions two specific sacrifices that we can offer God on a daily basis. Why do you think these sacrifices are pleasing to God? A sacrifice is something you offer up as an expression of something in your heart. Based on these verses, what are the qualities God wants to develop in your heart?
What are one or two major differences you would see in your family, workplace and/or circle of friends if everyone served each other with love and humility?
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?
Getting to Know You: What was your favorite comedy show growing up and why?
Quick Review:
Looking back from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Mark 12:28-34, John 21:15-17, John 3:16. When you ponder the truth that your Creator loves you and wants you to respond to His love more than anything else, what do you think about?
Why do you think God loves you? What are your biggest reasons why you love Him?
In Deuteronomy 6:4-7, God tells parents to tell their kids about Him and to impress on them the truth of His love for them and His desire for them to love Him back. What do you think are some of the best ways parents can do this?
How did your parents influence you in your relationship with God?
What do you think are the biggest challenges parents have in doing this today?
Read Luke 15:11-24. Why do you think prodigals walk away from God? How do you think this makes parents feel and what advice would you give parents who are going through this?
Jesus says in verse 17 that the prodigal came to his senses. What do you think this means and have you ever seen this happen?
What do you think are some of the best ways churches can come alongside parents in raising their kids?
It has been said that parenting isn’t for cowards. Do you believe this is a true statement? Why or why not?
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week? Spend some time praying for the civil servants–that God would continue to give them courage, strength, and peace in their hearts as they serve and protect us.
A mother of noble character prioritizes the needs of others. Proverbs 31:15-20
A mother of noble character finds her value in the Lord and is controlled by His opinion of her. Proverbs 31:30
A mother of noble character changes her children’s lives with her words. Proverbs 31:26; 18:21
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Getting to Know You: What is the funniest thing you remember your mother doing when you were growing up?
Quick Review:
Looking back from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
Read Proverbs 31:10-31. How do you define character and how do you think people acquire it?
Do you think the woman described in these verses is simply an ideal to be aspired to or an actual flesh and blood woman, or both?
As you read these verses, what abilities make this woman praiseworthy in the eyes of her husband? Her children? The village community? The poor and the needy?
As we reflect on these verses, we see that God first impacts the heart of a mother and then uses her life as the epicenter to influence her marriage, her family, and then out into the community and the world. Do you think this is an exaggeration of the influence of a godly mom or a powerful reality? Why or why not? Read 2 Timothy 1:1-5.
Read Romans 5:3-4. It has been said that you can’t take your career to heaven but only your character. Paul says that character emerges as we stay faithful when life is difficult. How has God developed character in your life by leading you through difficult times? What did you learn? How did it change you?
Read James 3:2. None of us is perfect, but James suggests that if we can control the way we speak, the rest of our lives will follow. What are some ways that God could work through your life if you used your words to bless and encourage people? Who can you encourage with your words this week?
Read Proverbs 18:20-21. Solomon tells us that our words can bring a harvest to us if we use them for life and not death. Those blessings become apparent when we reach the end of our lives and see the influence we’ve had on those we loved. Share something someone told you that helped you, changed you, or encouraged you.
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week? Spend some time praying for the civil servants–that God would continue to give them courage, strength, and peace in their hearts as they serve and protect us.
Getting to Know You: What is the most courageous thing you have ever done?
Quick Review:
Looking back from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper: 1. Read Romans 13:1-6. Why does Paul say we should submit to governing authorities?
Compare Romans 13 with Acts 5:27-32. What do you think is the difference between submitting to authorities and unconditionally obeying them? What aspects of government do you find most difficult to accept?
Share in your group your definition of justice and mercy.
Read Micah 6:8. How does this verse speak to your heart? What do you think it means to “act justly”, “love mercy”, and “walk humbly with your God”? How have you seen these character qualities developed in your life as you’ve been following Jesus? Of these three qualities, which one is the hardest for you to do?
Police officers, fire fighters, and people of the medical community are seen as professional servants of justice and mercy. As followers of Jesus, how can we value and encourage our civil servants as they continue to uphold justice and provide mercy in our communities?
How do you see God using you and this church as servants of His justice and mercy in this city and around the world?
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week? Spend some time praying for the civil servants–that God would continue to give them courage, strength, and peace in their hearts as they serve and protect us.
What did the two thieves have in common on Friday?
Notes:
They both had knowledge of Jesus.
They both had faith.
They both were gambling with their eternity on the person of Jesus.
Are you comfortable with your bet on Jesus? ______ (1 Corinthians 15:16-20)
Follow-up questions from Sunday’s Message:
Getting to Know You:
What was the worst bet you ever made in your life?
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
Read Hebrews 11:1. What things do you think people have faith in every day that they don’t even realize? Do you think it is possible for a person to not live by faith?
Read 1 Peter 1:6-9. What do these verses say about your faith in God? How valuable is your faith to God and what do you receive by your faith?
As you reflect back on your spiritual journey, what things have been the greatest influences for your faith in Jesus? What things are encouraging your faith today?
Read Isaiah 41:21-24, Isaiah 42: 8-9, Isaiah 44:6-8. What does the God of the Bible say that He can do that no other god can do?
Read Isaiah 53:1-12. Who in all of history could this person be?
Forsaken by his people? vs 3
Pierced through, scourged for the sins of others? vs 4
Silent during his trial before his accusers. vs 7
Assigned death with wicked men…yet he was with a rich man. vs 9
Who was called the “Righteous One”. No one in the Bible was called righteous…all called sinners, but this person is a Special person, sinless.
Bears the sins of many! vs 11
Died for others sins. vs 4
How does this prophecy fulfill what God said He could do in question 4?
Read 1 Corinthians 15:16-20. On a scale of one to ten with ten being the highest, how confident does the apostle Paul sound with his faith in Jesus? How confident are you with your faith in Jesus and why do you think that is?
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?
Is the broken fallen belief system of humanity that lives independent of God.
Is in rebellion towards the Creator and controlled by Satan.
Why does the world persecute Jesus and his followers?
The world is lost and has no proper concept of its Creator. (John 15:21; John 1:10)
We follow a different set of kingdom values. (John 15:22-25; John 3:19; John 7:7)
Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:
Getting to Know You:
What was your favorite band growing up?
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
Read John 15:18-25. What do you think Jesus was trying to teach His disciples here, the night before He went to the cross? How is He speaking to you in these verses?
What do you think it is about Jesus that the world hated back then? What do you think it is about Jesus that the world hates now?
Why do you think so many people hate Christians today? Have you ever been treated poorly for being a follower of Jesus? Why do you think that was? How did you handle it?
Do you remember a time in your Christian life when you first felt that you were inthe world, but not of the world? When was it and what was the circumstance?
Read 1 John 2:15-16. What do you think John means by “do not love the world?”
What does the “lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life” look like in our current generation/culture? Give examples.
Read James 4:1-4. Is James saying that it is wrong to have wants, needs, and desires? If not, then what is he referring to in this passage?
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?
