In the Religious Realm. Failure of the priests and Levites
The Warning v. 1-6
Failure to render glory to God would result in a curse upon them
What God expected of the priests vs 7-9
They were to be men of integrity and devotion with a strong influence on the lives of others
In the Social Realm – failure of the people
The main complaint God has with His people is that they have been unfaithful in fulfilling their vows to him. Faithless is a word that dominates this passage- it appears five times.
Someone once asked: “what in the world has got into the church?”
The answer: The world has got into the church.
Digging Deeper:
Did you ever refuse to do what someone in authority asked? What happened to you?
Why is the Lord so tough on the priests? What was the effect of their actions on others?
Has anyone ever stumbled in their faith due to what you did or did not do? Describe how you felt and what did you do to change that?
Were you ever jilted by anyone while dating? What made you jealous or hurt?
What are some of the things God points out in this passage that displease Him?
What do you need to put right with God so that you may receive His blessings?
Malachi is a book of God’s grievances to His people before He goes silent.
What can we learn from God in Malachi?
Be careful who your spiritual leaders are.
When we ignore and forget the faithfulness of God in our lives, He gets upset.
When we begin to blame God for all our problems, He gets upset!
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 Malachi 1. How would you describe the tone of God in this chapter? What would you say are some of the biggest mistakes that God’s people have made from reading this chapter? Have you made any of these mistakes in your life?
Have you ever had to sit someone down that you love and give them tough love? (speaking truth to them in a forceful tone regarding what they were doing wrong and what the consequences of their course would be?) If so, how was the outcome?
How would you say has God shown his love for you over the years of your life?
Read verses 6-8. When was the last time you felt disrespected? How do you think we dishonor and disrespect God today?
Read Isaiah 65:1-3. What do these verses tell you about the heart of God? How do you think we are guilty of this today as a people? Do you think God has ever felt this way about you? Please share.
Was there ever a time in your life when you blamed God for your problems instead of you? If yes, why do you think you did that?
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?
Tucked between the judgments in the book of Joel is the promise of a special age of the Holy Spirit falling on all mankind.
The age of the Holy Spirit is the age of the supernatural.
The greatest supernatural event is a changed
Are you one of those born-again Christians? ________
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 Joel 2:28-32. What do you think the Jewish people in the time of Jesus thought about this section of Scripture?
As a New Testament saint, what do you think about this section of Scripture? How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life?
Read Acts 2:1-13. If you were seeing this, how do you think you would have reacted?
Read Acts 2:14-36. How do you think Peter felt as he stood up to speak to this crowd?
When you read Peter’s first sermon, what impresses you the most?
Read Acts 2:37-39. How would you put Peter’s answer in your own words to explain what is involved to become a Christian?
Read Ephesians 1:13. When did this happen in your 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?
Key verses:
Joel 2:1-11; Psalm 2; Revelation 19:11-19
Sermon Notes:
The Prophets’ job description was twofold:
Forth-telling is to reveal God’s present thoughts, feelings, and will for His people.
Foretelling is to reveal future events before they come to pass.
Joel 1 is forth-telling as God speaks to the present judgment on His people by locusts.
Joel 2 is foretelling as God speaks to a future judgment of the nations as God Himself is at the head of a heavenly army.
Joel 3 is foretelling as God speaks to a future trial of the nations.
What does Joel teach us about God and the deeds of man?
God sees how we live our lives and He cares.
God will let evil go on for only so long.
In God’s timing, He will judge the evil of mankind.
God is patient with us because He loves
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 Joel 2:1-11; Psalm 2; Revelation 19:11-19. When you read these prophetic chapters of the last days and the 2nd coming of Jesus, what thoughts and emotions go through your mind?
Read 2 Peter 3:3-10. Peter says that in the “Last Days” the world will mock the idea of Jesus coming again to judge the world. Do you think this is happening today? Where and how?
What frustrations does God’s patience produce? How is God’s patience a benefit?
If you were in charge of creating, destroying, and redeeming the world, which one of these would you spend more time doing and why?
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?
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.
