Evangelism in Motion: Living the Great Commission

Main Thought

Most Christians have heard the Great Commission: “Go, and make disciples of all nations.” The Greek word for “go” in that instance implies a continuous journey. Therefore, we should carry Jesus - and His message - wherever we go. God wants the people around us to have an opportunity to meet Jesus through us. In order for that to happen, we should strive to live life in a way that matches our faith. We don’t need to be perfect; however, choosing to follow Jesus should cause us to be distinct in a way that honors God. A change that happens in us can create opportunities for change to happen around us. With God’s help, we can make disciples and inspire people to seek Good in our daily encounters.

Main Passages

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

- Matthew 28:19-20

14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

- Acts 16:11-15

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think it means to “live a life that matches your faith”? Do you think your life aligns with your faith?

2. Is there space in your calendar for you to share God’s love with others?

3. Think of where you spend your workdays or school days. Is there a way for you to share your faith there respectfully?

Can You Hear Me Now?

Main Thought

A lot of Christians want to be equipped as effective evangelists. That’s very important. But what if we already have access to one of the most powerful evangelistic tools out there? When sharing Christ, one of the greatest things we can do is listen. We can listen to God, who leads us by His Spirit. He may nudge us - through a thought, a picture, a name, etc. - to connect with someone. We can look to build genuine, caring relationships with people. Once there, we can listen to them with the goal of understanding them. Slowing down in our conversations and asking meaningful questions can help us understand. Listening to people often causes them to be open to a response. “Modern Day evangelists” listen for these precious opportunities. God can change lives if we take them in faith. 

Main Passages

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him

- Acts 8:26-30

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 37 And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

- Acts 8:35-38

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…

- James 1:19

Discussion Questions

1. What makes someone a “good listener”? Do you consider yourself a good listener? 

2. How can being a good listener become a powerful tool in evangelism?

3. How can we hear God? What will you do in an effort to hear from God (with a focus on engaging people who don’t know Him) this week?

Making Room: Building a Dwelling Place for God

Main Thought

It has always been God’s desire to dwell among His people. But do we have a place for Him? Demands and distractions are abundant. Our schedules are full, and we have plenty of commitments. We might not have any time or space for God left - and our hearts feel His absence. We need to make room for God. We can make room for God when we surrender our hearts in worship, and when we surrender our hands to serve. We can offer our resources, like our time and treasure, to Him. If we make room for God, then He’ll come to dwell with us. He will reveal Himself to us and through us.

Main Passages

44 I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. 45 I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. 46 And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.
- Exodus 29:44-46

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- John 1:14

“You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
- 1 Peter 2:5,9

Discussion Questions

1. What are the benefits of having adequate time or space for God in our lives? What are potential consequences of not having enough time or space for God?

2. Do you feel that you have adequate, consistent time and/or space in your life for God? Why do you feel that way?

3. Is there anything you can offer to God in order to make more room for Him? How can you do that practically?

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal: John 21

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal

Weekly Reading: John 21

'Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.' - John 21:25

An easy, memorable way to learn how to read and process the Bible is through the H.E.A.R. journaling method. This process helps us read God’s Word with the goal of understanding it and applying it to our lives. The letters stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from John 21. Highlight this verse or write down the Book, chapter, and verse number.

• Explain the context: By asking some simple questions with the help of God’s Spirit, we can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. The following questions can help us understand the context of a passage: What’s happening in the story? Why was this written, and to whom? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? What does God intend to communicate through this text?

• Apply it to your life: Application is the heart of the process! Answering a series of questions can help us uncover the meaning of these verses to us on a personal level. What is God saying to me? How can this help me? What does this mean today? How would applying this look in my life?

• Respond with action: This is the last part of the H.E.A.R. Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You can describe how you’ll be different because of what God said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you’re going to do because of what you have learned. You can even respond by writing out a prayer to God.

We’ll write our responses and share them with our group. (If you journal some other way, feel free to do that!) Pay special to the Apply and Respond steps; that’s where God’s Word comes to life! 

Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word!

From Darkness to Destiny - The Journey of Mary Magdalene

Main Thought

Jesus Christ transformed countless lives through the power of His death on the Cross and His resurrection. The clearest example of His life-changing power in the gospels might be the story of Mary Magdelene. Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary when they met. From that moment on, Mary’s past did not define her. She followed Jesus; she sat at His feet; she annointed Jesus’s feet before His death. She was even present when Jesus was crucified, when most of Jesus’s disciples had run away. Mary received an incredible reward for her faithfulness: she was one of the women who discovered the empty tomb, and she was the first recorded person to speak to Jesus after His resurrection.

Christ wants to transform our lives, just like He transformed Mary’s life. We can go from being bound to being free. We can go from deep despair to joy. We can discover purpose, when we go from being a witness to a messenger. If we want these things to happen in our lives, then we should follow Mary’s example. We can stay close to Jesus; share our stories; and, walk in our God-given identities.

Main Passages

'Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”'

- Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)

'Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). '

- John 20:15-16 (ESV)

'Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. '

- John 20:17-18 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

1. What part of Mary’s story resonates with you most? Why?

2. What do you think it means to “stay close to Jesus”?

3. Take a moment to reflect on your own journey with Jesus. Think about…

   1. What your life was like before Christ.

   2. How you were introduced to Jesus, Christianity, etc.

   3. How your life has changed for the better since then.

   Next, do your best to share your story (either with your whole group or in pairs) in two minutes or less. (This is called a two-minute miracle.)

From Passivity to Mission

Main Thought

Joseph of Arimatheia had a lot going for him. He was a good person. He had achieved great success. Yet he was longing for something more. His search for the Kingdom of God inspired him to become a follower of Jesus - even if he was a secret one. Yet Jesus gave his life for us in a public way. Seeing Jesus surrender His life on the Cross inspired Joseph of Arimatheia to fully surrender himself to God. Joseph went from passive faith to passionate action.

What did this look like? Joseph took a mission-driven, faith-filled risk. He asked to bury Jesus even if it wasn’t “his responsibility.” Typically, that responsibility should have fallen to Jesus’s family or disciples - but Joseph rose to the occasion anyway. This risk was a costly one. He could have lost his place as a member of the Sanhedrin, and he identified himself with a Man that the Romans considered a criminal. Joseph took this risk even if it seemed late. Ultimately, Joseph’s faith was honored when the tomb he gave to Jesus became the site of the Resurrection.

Main Passages

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 

- Mark 15:42-46 (ESV)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

- Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV)

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

- Matthew 16:25-26 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. Why can it be tempting to have a passive faith at times? 

3. What’s one thing you can do to take a mission-driven, faith-filled risk for God?

Convinced by the Cross - From Skeptic to Believer

Main Thought

A Roman Centurion was present at the crucifixion of Jesus. This man probably oversaw dozens of executions. Perhaps he became desensitized to the pain and suffering. But this one was different. Darkness came. Then the earth quaked as the ground split and rocks cracked. All the while, Jesus responded with love to those who lashed out against Him - even praying that His Father would forgive them. Eventually, this Centurion made a profound confession. According to Matthew and Mark, he exclaimed, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Like the Centurion, many of us have witnessed things or learned things that have led us to believe that Jesus truly is the Son of God. This confession of faith should lead to commitments we make in faith. These commitments include: 1) moving from passive to active faith; 2) confronting our own hidden skepticism (questioning and examining our doubts); 3) living our confession out daily, and; 4) stepping into bold witness. The Roman Centurion had an opportunity to learn about Jesus - and the Centurion’s proclamation made him known. Through the Cross and His resurrection, Jesus made a way for us to know Him and make Him known too.

Main Passages

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

- Matthew 27:50-54, ESV

“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!’”

- Luke 23:44-47, ESV

“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

- Luke 24:45-48, ESV

Discussion Questions

1. Think of the four commitments (mentioned near the end of the Main Thought) we can make when we confess Christ as Lord. Which one stands out most to you, and why?

2. What’s the biggest obstacle you face that keeps you from knowing God more, and following Him? Think about how you can overcome that obstacle.

3. What’s the biggest obstacle you face that keeps you from making God known, and fishing for Men? (Matthew 4:19.) Again, think about how you can overcome that obstacle.

The (Other) Man Who Carried the Cross

Main Thought

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Simon of Cyrene, the (other) man who carried the cross of Christ. But the brief glimpse we get at Simon’s life is enough to remind us that life isn’t fair. Simon was forced to bear a burden that didn’t belong to him - and we don’t know why. In a similar way, we might not know why unfair things happen to us or other people. Yet we can find comfort in the fact that Jesus, who was treated unfairly to a degree that’s impossible for us to comprehend, understands and wants to help us. His death on the cross addressed the root cause of the world’s unfairness - sin - and secures an eternal future in which sin, suffering, and unfair things are eliminated. Until then, He invites us to confidently seek Him for compassion and help.

Jesus can also show us a way forward in spite of the difficulty we face. If we want to follow Him forward, then we’ll need to carry our own crosses too. Carrying our crosses can be summarized by three things: 1) we deny sin, temptation, negative mindsets, harmful impulses; 2) we desire God and pursue new life in Christ; and, 3) we endure by continuing in that direction. If we carry our crosses with endurance, God will carry us. We’ll experience impactful lives on earth on our way to life in eternity.

Main Passages

'And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.'

- Luke 23:26

'For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.'

- Hebrews 4:15-16

'Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

- Matthew 16:24-25

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. Think about the three things that summarize a lifestyle of “carrying our crosses.” Which of those things speak to you most right now? Why?

3. Are there any difficult or unfair situations in your life, or in the life of someone you love, right now? Pray for one another, forming groups in whatever way is most appropriate for you.

The Cross That Cleared the Crowd

Main Thought

Have you ever heard of a Cost Benefit Analysis? A cost benefit analysis is a process of weighing the costs and benefits of a decision or policy against each other, in order to determine whether or not an opportunity should be pursued. This process is often applied in business and political contexts, but people also apply these principles to pursuing Jesus - whether they realize it or not. Thousands of people were following Jesus by the time the events of John 6 occurred. They benefited from excitement, food, miracles, and more. But they left when they began to understand how much following Jesus would cost. It would cost them their convenience, comfort, and potentially their lives. Why would anyone follow Jesus when the cost is so high? Jesus showed us what happens after we pay the cost and pick up our cross. Resurrection power and victory are available to us! Eternal life and earthly impact await, too. The benefits of following Jesus outweigh the costs in an immeasurable way. With that in mind, we should reject the temptation of fickle faith and become faithful followers of Christ. We’ll experience life in a way that is truly satisfying, impactful, and eternal when we do.

Main Passages

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 

- John 6:60-66

67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

- John 6:67-69

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

- John 21:15-19

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or the Main Passages above?

2. In what ways might your faith be fickle at times? Why do you think that might be the case?

3. Are there any changes that you could make (in your words, thoughts, deeds, etc.) to help you follow Jesus more faithfully? How could you being to act on those changes in the next 24-48 hours?

No Discussion Guide This Week

There will be no Discussion Guide this week.

In place of our normal Discussion Guide, we suggest meeting with your Life Group to pray, attending one of our Prayer Nights, or discussing the Every Nation Devotional Guide together.

Let’s thank God for The Cross!

From Expectation to Transformation

Main Thought

The birth of Jesus Christ was a historical event. Like many other events, it mandates a response of some kind. We can try to ignore Him; run from Him; or, we can pursue Him. Pursuing Jesus brings peace and perspective to our lives (just like it did for Simeon after the birth of Jesus). We pursue Jesus when we put His presence and priorities first. In doing so, we can come to know God’s will for our lives.

Main Passages

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said. 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

- Luke 2:25-32

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

- Luke 2:33-35

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

- Romans 12:1-2

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in 2024? Do you feel that God used that challenge to teach you something? If so, what?

3. What practical changes can you make to treasure God’s presence and priorities in 2025?

The Real, Not Ideal Christmas

Main Thought

A lot of people think of Christmas as “the most wonderful time of the year.” But a real Christmas typically isn’t an ideal Christmas. Surprisingly, this can be a great way to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The advent (or arrival) of Jesus was far from perfect too. God used imperfect people as a part of His perfect plan. Joseph and Mary were betrothed, though not fully married. This likely created major issues for them. Christ’s birth was chaotic, not comfortable. Mary conceived as a Virgin. Then, Joseph and Mary needed to travel about 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem for a census - just before Mary gave birth. Jesus didn’t come to live in a comfortable palace and issue commands from a distance. He was born to provide salvation through His own suffering. In spite of all of this, Jesus fully complete everything He set out to do. We can find completion and fullness in Jesus, even when life - or Christmas - isn’t ideal.

Main Passages

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

- Matthew 1:18-19

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:20-21

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

- Matthew 1:22-25

Discussion Questions

1. Share one thing that stood out to you from the Main Thought, Main Passages, or the devotional reading from this week.

2. Is there anything keeping your Christmas celebrations from being ideal this year? What is it?

3. The first-ever Christmas was far from perfect, but great joy came through Jesus anyway. How can God help you find joy in Him?

Small is Big

Main Thought

We remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus during the Christmas season. Jesus was born small, but His birth was one of the most significant events in human history. Small things can be very big in God’s Kingdom! God sees and loves people that society might classify as “small” or insignificant. He even sent an angel to announce the birth of His Son to shepherds - who were of low social status in the eyes of their culture. If we ever feel small or insignificant, we can take courage in knowing that God sees us and that He can use us.

God values humility and faithfulness over fame and power. King David, one of the Bible’s most famous shepherds, lived with this faithfulness and humility. He led sheep with consistency and care before God called Him to lead a Kingdom. He did “small” things with excellence and integrity. Still, when the time was right, David used his weapon. David used a simple sling to slay a giant. We can use the gifts, talents, and passions that God gave us too. David threw a stone to slay Goliath - but he also “threw” the name of God. God’s name carries His authority and power. When we pray in the name of Jesus, God can answer in big ways. Let us be faithful in the small things, like David. God sees it all, and He will reward those who faithfully complete the task in front of them.

Main Passages

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

- Luke 2:8-12 NIV

“He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”

- Psalm 78: 70-72 NIV

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

- 1 Samuel 17:45 NIV

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Main Passages above?

2. God consistently used “small” people, roles, acts of faith, and more to accomplish big things. (Think of Jesus being born as a baby, David starting out as a shepherd, or small lunches being multiplied and used to feed multitudes.) Why do you think He operates this way?

3. What task (or tasks) did the Lord assign to you in this season of your life? What does successfully continuing or completing that task look like to you?

Christmas Fears

Main Thought

There are a lot of cheerful things present during the Christmas season: trees, lights, gifts, Christmas music, parties, and more. But fear is present too. Fear was even present prior to the advent (or arrival) of Christ. Joseph, the husband of Mary and adopted father of Christ on earth, wrestled with different fears after discovering Mary was pregnant. We might find ourselves in a similar situation. Christmas cheer doesn’t make our fear disappear.

But God gave us a solution to the problem of fear. He gave us the gift of His love; He can make our fear leave. God cares for us and He’s capable of helping us. This is proven by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s love requires something from us before we can fully experience and enjoy it though (just like a gift that requires batteries before use). The gift of God’s love requires our trust. We trust in God when we follow His lead and rest in His love. Our experience of His love grows when we trust Him, and it can keep growing until it overwhelms our fears.

Main Passages

'Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.'

- Matthew 1:18-25

'There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. '

- 1 John 4:18

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

- ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Discussion Questions

1. Are there any fears you’re facing in this season? Please share them with your group, if you’re able to do so.

2. How can God’s love be a solution to our fears?

3. We exercise our trust in God when we follow His lead (doing things His way) and rest in His love. Which of those two things has been a bigger challenge for you recently? How can you grow in that area practically?

The First Promise

Main Thought

Promises are important. Do you know who made the first promise? The first promise ever made came from God Himself! God made a promise as a direct response to mankind’s sin. He promised that He’d send His Son, Jesus, to repair the damage created by our sin. This would reconcile us to God, and give us the opportunity to be restored to a relationship with Him. We celebrate the coming of Christ, and the fulfillment of the first promise ever made, on Christmas.

Main Passages

“The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.””

- Genesis 3:14-15 ESV

““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

John 3:16-17 ESV

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,”

Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. Share one thing that stood out to you from the Main Thought, Main Passages, or the devotional reading from this week.

2. What do you think can be found in and through a relationship with God?

3. God keeps His promises, and that’s is forever proven by the advent - or the arrival of- of Jesus Christ. How can knowing this truth affect the way you live your life in this season?

The Ripple Effect of Giving

Main Thought

God has given us more than we might realize, and more than we might be able to imagine. He gave because He loves us. What’s the appropriate response to God’s giving and love toward us? Three words that can describe an appropriate response to God are remember, return, and rejoice. We remember God’s faithfulness to us. Moments of reflection, gratitude, and thanksgiving can help us do that. We can also return to God what belongs to Him. Our resources ultimately came from God; why not return a portion to express our love for Him? Finally, we can rejoice in God’s overflowing love and provision. God has given us more than enough for us to experience His love and live for Him. That’s worth celebrating.

Main Passages

“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. 3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ 4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God. 5 “And you shall make response before the Lord your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. - Deuteronomy 26:1-6

7 Then we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord your God and worship before the Lord your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.

- Deuteronomy 26:7-11

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

- 2 Corinthians 8:1-2

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Main Passages above?

2. Can you think of one gift from God that’s worth remembering and rejoicing over? If so, share with your group.

3. Deuteronomy 26:10 says (in part): “And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.” Why do you think God established a biblical pattern of worship in which we return some of the things He’s blessed us with to Him through giving? What might that look like in your life?

The Math of More than Enough

Main Thought

Math can help us solve a lot of problems, but can it help us solve a problematic lack of content and true satisfaction? The “Math of More than Enough” can! God wants to help us find true satisfaction in Him in ways that simply pursuing “more” (more money, possessions, experiences, etc.) never can. According to the Math of More than Enough:

Godliness + Contentment = Great Gain

Godliness is an inside-out devotion to God. It’s loving God more and living like Christ. We can grow in godliness when we give God our attention and when we give God our actions. Contentment comes from being happy with what we have, and deciding that we have enough. Giving can teach us to be content because it requires us to decide that we have enough. Other people are blessed when we make this decision too. If we want to increase our “great gain,” the true satisfaction and happiness that everyone wants, then we should look to grow in godliness and contentment.

Main Passages

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.“

- 1 Timothy 6:6-8

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

- 1 Timothy 6:9-10

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

- 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Discussion Questions

1. Do you think you have found “great gain,” true satisfaction or happiness, in God? Why or why not?

2. How do you think the godliness contributes to the satisfaction we find in God? Is there anything you can do to grow in godliness?

3. How do you think contentment contributes to the satisfaction we find in God? Is there anything you can do to grow in godliness?

A Surprising Way to Get Closer to God

Main Thought

A lot of people want to get closer to God. We often use this language intuitively, but what do we really mean by that? To be closer to God is to experience more of His love, and to love Him more in response. In order to love God more, we need to give Him our hearts. But our hearts are pulled in many other directions. We need to move our hearts toward God. This is something that tends to happen gradually.

Jesus taught us an effective - and surprising - way to gradually move our hearts toward God in Matthew 6:19-24. Giving money to God can help us give our hearts to Him. In doing so, we make the willful decision to value God and His Kingdom more. We give to God when our money goes toward things that facilitate the worship of God, and when we help make a way for others to know Him. Moving our finances toward God moves our focus toward God. When we focus on God, our awareness of Him and His love grows. We get closer to Him.

Main Passages

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

- Matthew 6:19-21

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.'

- Matthew 6:22-24

'And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. '

- Matthew 22:37-38

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or the Main Passages above?

2. Think about the statement Jesus makes in Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What do you think that means? How would you rephrase that statement in your own words?

3. Have you ever thought about giving as a means to get closer to God? Has giving to God ever helped you feel closer to Him, or do you think it could?

Ignite the Flame: Enthusiastic Faith in Witness and Worship

Main Thought

God wants to empower us through His Holy Spirit! In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he lists three things that come together to characterize enthusiastic faith for God. God wants to give us power to shine, and not shrink back. Light stands out in darkness. If we walk in God’s power, then we should shine in the midst of the dark world around us. God also wants to give us a love that’s expressive and not evasive. Jesus went to the Cross as the ultimate act of love. Followers of Jesus should also be unafraid of acting in love, because clear acts of love are an opportunity to point people to Christ. Finally, God wants to give us the freedom and self-control to move in faith as He leads us. Responding to God, rejecting fear, and renouncing temptation all require self-control. If we’ll live with this enthusiastic faith, we’ll see God do incredible things in us and through us.

Main Passages

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

- 2 Timothy 1:5-7

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

- Acts 1:8

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

- 1 John 4:18

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Main Passages above?

2. Paul lists three things we can gain through the Holy Spirit: power, love, and freedom through self-control. Which of these three things do you need most in this season of your life?

3. God gives us power to be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:8). Can you think of one or two people who are far from God that you could engage on behalf of Christ by the end of the year? (We engage people when we share the gospel, share our testimonies, invite them to church, etc.) Pray for these people by name.

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Main Thought

We’re all looking for something real. We want real love, joy, peace, power, etc. It’s difficult to find these things because we’re distance from God by default. As a result of this distance, we try to find satisfaction in anything that we can get our hands on. Different, “created things” - things like possessions and people that we find here on earth - can become like functional idols to us. We dedicate our time, energy, ambition, focus, and more to these idols to such an extent that we’re practically worshiping them. Yet these functional idols are powerless to fulfill their promise to satisfy our desire for something real.

We can find what we’re looking for in God. A real God does real things. Jesus really came to earth, and He really rose again. God has transformed so many of our lives in real ways. He also moves in real power through the Holy Spirit. God can speak to us; He can reveal things to us; He can even answer our prayers in power, performing miracles when He chooses. How can we start to experience these things for ourselves? We can start by believing in Jesus. We can also be bold in prayer, asking God to do real things in and through us.

Main Passages

25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

- Romans 1:25

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

- Romans 3:23-24

18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”

- Romans 15:18-21

Discussion Questions

1. Think about the following statement, which is inspired by Romans 1:25. “Sin is the worship or exaltation of a created thing instead of, or in place of, the Creator.” What does this statement mean to you?

2. Have you ever seen God “move in power” by the Holy Spirit? If so, how?

3. Are you currently believing for God to move in power in and through your life? How? Share with your group if you’re able and pray with each other.