Message Title: Conquerors That Are Still Fighting, Part 2

 

Key verses:

Eph 6:10-17

 

Sermon Notes:

The Spiritual Armor for victory.

1. The “helmet of salvation“.
2. The “sword of the Spirit“ (Word of God)
   1. This refers to speaking God’s Word.

What does Jesus teach us about his time in the wilderness?

3. There is power in speaking God’s Word into our life
4. Our lives are first spiritual and then physical.

 

Follow-up Questions from Sunday:

 

Getting to Know You:

What is the longest you have ever gone without eating?  How does hunger affects you?

 

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:

 

1. Read Ephesians 6:10-17. What piece of spiritual armor has been the most critical for your life lately and why?
2. Read John 10:27-30. How do these verses relate to the importance of the “helmet of salvation”?
3. According to these verses who protects our salvation in Christ? When you read these verses how do they make you feel and why?
4. Read Mt 4:1-11. How does Jesus inspire you in this section of Scripture?

 

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: More Than A Survivor: Be Strong and Courageous

Series: Romans 8

 

 

Key verses:

Joshua 1:1-9

 

Sermon Notes

1. What is Christian Courage?
   1. It’s the willingness to say and do the right thing regardless of the earthly cost.
   2. It’s the God-given ability to take risks with the knowledge of God’s abiding presence.
2. When will we need this Courage?
   1. Human Opposition
   2. Spiritual Oppression
3. How do we get this Courage?
   1. Obedience – the Courageous Christian is the one who walks in obedience to God’s Word
   2. Daily Meditation – it’s the disciplined and prayerful reading, understanding reflection and applying God’s Word in all of life’s situations
4. What is the secret to be more than a survivor?
   1. Remaining or Abiding in Christ

 

Getting to Know You:

What challenging situations are you dealing with at present that require courage to obey God?

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:

1. Have you meditated on God’s Word today? What is God saying to you in your circumstance?
2. Why does meditation on God’s Word play such an important role in your life?
3. Do you agree that most people have some kind of fear? What about you? Name one or two things in your life that make you fearful. How does that affect your decision-making?
4. Why do you think the Lord so strongly emphasized the commandment “be strong and courageous?”
5. How does God help us not to be fearful or intimidated? What difference does mentioning His presence make?
6. How can you encourage others to courageously obey God despite the difficult circumstances in their lives?

 

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: Momentary Suffering and Eternal Glory

Series: Romans 8

 

 

Key verses:
Romans 8:18-25

 

Sermon Notes

For the followers of Jesus:

1. Suffering and glory are promised. (Rom 8:18, 2Tim 3:12)
2. Our present sufferings and future glory aren’t worth comparing. (Rom 8:18)
3. The magnificence of God’s eternal glory will greatly surpass our present sufferings. (Rom  8:18-19)
4. Sufferings and future glory concern both God’s creation and God’s children. (Rom 8)
5. In glory, we will have a new, glorified body like Jesus’. (Rom 8:23, Phil 3:20-21)

 

Follow-up Questions from Sunday:

Getting to Know You:
What is the newest model of something you just bought and why is it better than the old one?

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:

1. Read Romans 8:18-25. What makes more sense to you about these verses after Sunday’s message?
2. Read Isaiah 11:1-11. The “branch” is the Messiah Jesus that came 700 years after this was written.  When you read these descriptions of Christ in these verses which ones are most meaningful to you?
3. When you think about eternity and the “age of future glory”, what do you think about? What are you most looking forward to?
4. Read 2 Cor 11:24-28, Mt 5:11-12, 2 Tim 3:12. What were some of the most painful times of harsh treatment you have endured because you follow Christ Jesus?  How does the reality of eternity help you in dealing with these moments?

 

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: Life in the Spirit

Series: Romans 8

 

 

Key verses:
Romans 8:1-11

 

Sermon Notes

 

1.  The first blessing of salvation is no condemnation. (Rom 8:1)
2.  The second blessing of salvation is liberation. (Rom 8:2-4)
3.  Jesus did not bring us to a new set of rules, but access to a new relationship.
4.  Jesus paid it all for us on the cross and paved the way for the Holy Spirit to dwell inside us! (Rom 8:2-4)
5.  Life in the Spirit is about focus. (Rom 8:5-8)
6.  Life in the Spirit is not about earning, but learning and it takes effort.

 

 

Follow-up Questions from Sunday:

 

Getting to Know You:

Who would you say is the most influential person you have ever met?

 

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:
  

1.  Read Romans 8.  As you read this chapter, what positive things do you see come from our life in Jesus?
2.  From verses 1-4, how would you explain the Gospel to someone who feels they are not “good enough” for God?
3.  In verses 5-11, what does Paul say about the options Christians have in living their life?
4.  Read Col 3:1-5.  Why do you think it is so important to God that we set our heart and mind on things above?  What practical benefit is there?
5. How have you seen the benefits of this play out 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?

Message Title: Abba Father

Key verse:
Ephesians 1:3-5, John 1:12, Matthew 6:9

 

Sermon Notes

1.  In-between the O.T. and the N.T. the relationship between God and His people was at an all-time low.
2.  When Jesus came, He acted differently than any other prophet.
3.  When Jesus prayed, He called God “Father”.
4.  Jesus came to restore us to God in a new relationship.

 

Follow-up Questions from Sunday:

Getting to Know You:

Name a movie or T.V. show where Hollywood portrays a positive father role model.

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:
  

1.  When you think of fathers in the Bible, who do you think were the best ones and why?
2.  Read Joshua 24:15, Prov. 23:24, Psalm 103:13, Eph 6:14, Col 3:21, 1 Tim 5:8, Heb 12:9.   From these verses, list the Biblical role and responsibility of a father physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  How does this prompt you to pray for dads?
3.  Knowing from the Scriptures that no earthly father is perfect, how does your relationship with your Heavenly Father provide healing for the weak areas of your earthly father?
4. Read Eph 1:1-10.  Who do you know who has been adopted?  What difference has it made in your life knowing that you are adopted into God’s family?  How do you think this should affect your view of yourself and God?
5.  From this Eph. passage, which of these spiritual blessings in Christ are the most meaningful to you? 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?