Great Are You Lord

Main Thought

We live in a world that constantly demands our attention, pulls us in different directions, and leaves us searching for meaning, security, and something we can depend on. In the middle of it all, it's easy to lose sight of just how great God really is. But the Bible reveals a God who is greater than anything we face, yet closer than we might imagine. He is powerful enough to create the universe, personal enough to care about our everyday lives, and loving enough to invite us into a relationship with Him. The more we discover who God really is, the more it changes how we see ourselves, our circumstances, and the world around us.

Main Passages

22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

- Acts 17:22-25

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

- Acts 17:26-28

29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

- Acts 17:29-31

Discussion Questions

1. We often form our understanding of God through our upbringing, experiences, or what others have told us. How has your perception of God changed over time, and what has influenced that change?

2. Paul describes a God who created everything, yet is not far from any one of us. Why do you think people sometimes find it difficult to believe that such a great God could also be personally interested in their lives?

3. If we truly believed that God is both greater than our circumstances and closer than we realize, how might that change the way we approach our everyday challenges, decisions, or relationships?

The Blood Changed Everything!

Main Thought

When you stand before a judge in a court of law, your opinion of yourself doesn’t matter. What matters is the judge's verdict. Even the most highly trained and respected earthly judges are subject to human weakness and error. Contrast that with the Almighty God. When He judges you, He doesn't just look at the evidence - He reads your innermost thoughts and motives. Yet, knowing everything, He still declares you holy and blameless in His presence.

This is exactly what the Bible declares in Colossians 1:22: “...He has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.” The blood of Jesus didn’t just change your past; it fundamentally altered your standing before God and secured your future forever. Why, then, do we so often live as though we are still condemned? We must believe that the blood of Jesus has made us holy and blameless before God. The blood of Jesus changed everything!

Main Passages

“and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”

- Colossians 1:20-22 NLT

“For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.”

- Romans 3:25 NLT

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

- I John 2:1-2 NKJV

“With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.”

- Hebrews 9:12 NLT

Discussion Questions

1. Hebrews 9:12 reminds us that Jesus secured our redemption forever through His own blood. Why is the blood of Jesus more valuable and powerful than any human effort, good works, or any religious accomplishments? How should understanding its value change the way we live?

2. During the Passover, God instructed the Israelites to place blood on their doorposts so the Angel of death would pass over them. What does this teach us about salvation through Jesus Christ? Why is trusting in His blood more important than trusting in our own righteousness?

3. Colossians 1:20-22 declares that through Christ’s blood, we are reconciled to God and can stand before Him holy and blameless. How should this truth change the way we see ourselves, approach God, and deal with guilt and condemnation when we fall short?

Shock and Awe

Main Thought

Life has a way of bringing us face-to-face with situations that are bigger than us. Sometimes it's a financial struggle, a family situation, an unexpected setback, or simply the uncertainty of what comes next. When that happens, our natural response is to focus on what we don't have: enough money, enough strength, enough experience, or enough answers. Sometimes, we become so focused on what's going wrong that we lose sight of who God is. Our problems begin to shape our perspective of God rather than allowing who God is to shape our perspective of our problems.

In Exodus 15, Moses and the Israelites celebrated God's incredible deliverance from Egypt. What once seemed impossible became an opportunity to see God in a whole new way. They discovered that His power is unmatched, His holiness is unrivaled, and His love is unfailing. And while God doesn't promise that every battle in life will end the way we hope, through Jesus Christ, He has already secured our ultimate victory over sin and death. Maybe what we need most isn't simply a change in our circumstances, but a clearer perspective of the God who holds our ultimate victory.

Main Passages

30 That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. 31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

- Exodus 14:30-31 NLT

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord:

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him! 3 The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name!

- Exodus 15:1-3 NLT

Discussion Questions

1. When life becomes overwhelming, it's easy to focus on what we lack or what seems impossible. Can you share a time when focusing on a problem affected your perspective or attitude? Looking back, what might have helped you see the situation differently?

2. Exodus 15:11 describes God as unlike anyone or anything else. Why do you think we sometimes allow our circumstances, experiences, or expectations to shape how we see God? What might change if we allowed who God is to shape how we see our circumstances instead?

3. What’s one practical step you can take this week to help remind yourself of who God is and trust Him in that situation?

Amazing Grace

Main Thought

Almost everyone has heard the classic hymn Amazing Grace. God's grace is His unearned favor and kindness toward us. But what makes grace so amazing?

First, God's grace raises us from death to life. Apart from God, we're spiritually dead: God's life is absent from us, we cannot truly know Him, and we're helpless to change our spiritual condition on our own. By His grace, God makes us alive in Christ. We can be restored to a relationship with Him and experience the life we were created for.

Second, God's grace moves us from earning to receiving. Throughout human history, people have attempted to earn divine favor or prove their own goodness through good deeds. Yet we all fall short of God's holy and perfect standard. Rather than requiring us to earn His favor, God freely offers us salvation as a gift. This gift is made possible through Jesus Christ, who purchased it for us through His death on the cross and resurrection. We can respond to God with an attitude of gratitude instead of guilt.

Finally, God's grace liberates us from slavery to freedom. Apart from God's grace, we're under the power of sin and cannot free ourselves. But through Jesus, we're liberated from sin's dominion and empowered to live transformed lives. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. We’re free to love God, serve others, and walk in the purpose He has prepared for us.

Main Passage

'And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. '

- Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV

'But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.'

- Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV

'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.'

- Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. God’s grace raises us from death to life. In what ways should a life with God be different from a life without Him?

2. God’s grace moves us from earning to receiving. Think about your own relationship with God. Do you relate to Him more from a posture of earning His favor, or from one that has freely received His love? Why would you say so?

3. God’s grace moves us from slavery to sin and selfishness into freedom. How can you live more fully in the freedom that Christ has given you? How can you use that freedom to bless someone else?

3Ms: Mission-Driven, Multi-Ethnic, Multi-Generational Church

Main Thought

We have been saved for a reason. A big part of that reason is to live out the fullness of life that Christ gave to all who believe. Fullness of life is never experienced by simply living for one’s needs, wants, interests and ambitions. Rather, this God-given fullness of life is truly experienced when you extend beyond yourself and focus on blessing others. We at Every Nation believe we’re called to be Mission-Driven, Multi-Ethnic and Multi-Generational. When we do these things, we’ll be able to bless our city, the nations, and the next generation.

Main Passage

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”

Ephesians 4:11-12 NIV

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

Revelation 7:9 NIV

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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,”

Matthew 28:18-19 ESV

“One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.”

Psalms 145:4 NKJV

Discussion Questions

1. What is one practical step you could take this week to reach someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus and be more intentional about how you can serve others alongside God’s Church? 

2. What cultural, ethnic, or personal differences can make it difficult for us to connect with others, and how can we demonstrate Christ’s love across those boundaries?

3. What can we do as a Church to equip and empower the next generation to know Jesus, serve Him and carry His mission forward?

Better Together

Main Thought

We live in a world where we're more connected than ever, yet many people still feel alone. We can have hundreds of contacts, followers, and people around us, but being surrounded by people doesn't necessarily mean we're connected to them. We can know a lot of people without having anyone who really knows us.

God created us for connection, not isolation. The Bible describes the church as a body made up of different parts. Each part is unique, but every part belongs, every part matters, and every part needs the others. We weren't designed to do life alone. But authentic connection requires more than simply showing up. It means allowing ourselves to be known, recognizing our need for others, and discovering what we can contribute to their lives. We belong to each other, we need each other, and we serve each other. That's why we're better together.

Main Passages

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

- Ephesians 4:11-16

If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

- 1 Corinthians 12:19-21

…so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

- Romans 12:5

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think it's possible to be surrounded by people and still feel disconnected, and what helps turn casual relationships into meaningful connections?

2. The Bible describes us as different parts of one body, each needing the others. Why do you think it's sometimes difficult for us to admit that we need other people?

3. What's one practical way we can move beyond simply attending church or Life Group and begin making authentic and impactful connections in the lives of others?

We Can Give Cheerfully

Main Thought

God loves a cheerful giver. But it can be hard to give cheerfully sometimes. We might be tempted to hoard resources like our time, talent, and treasure. How can we be moved to give cheerfully, from the heart?

We can give cheerfully because we’ve received the precious life of Christ, God’s grace, and God’s love as free gifts. Giving honors God. We can make an eternal difference when we give, as people receive opportunities to follow Jesus. God uses giving and generosity to help us become more like Jesus. God blesses us with what we need to abound in every good work, and He teaches us contentment and satisfaction in the process. With all this in mind, we can give cheerfully because we’ve already received more than we could ever imagine.

Discussion Passages

'Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.'

- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV

'As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.'

- 2 Corinthians 9:9-11 NIV

'This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!'

- 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 NIV

Discussion Questions

1. What can make it difficult to give cheerfully? What barriers might we experience when giving our time, talent, or treasure?

2. God’s blessings can come in different shapes and sizes. They’re an expression of His grace, and they lead us to honor Him and bless others. How has God blessed you in a meaningful way? How might remembering what you’ve received from God shape the way you think about giving?

3. How have you personally benefited from someone else’s generosity toward God’s Kingdom? How did their generosity create an opportunity for you to experience God, grow in your faith, or be blessed in some way?

F-A-I-T-H! We do because we are!

Main Thought

Faithful, Available, Involved, Teachable, and Hungry are character traits that we at Every Nation Ministries Worldwide embrace.  Combined, they form the F.A.I.T.H. acronym. F.A.I.T.H. is a part of our core values. But why do we seek to emulate these qualities? Answering our Why is crucial in living out this core value not as a burden, but out of joy and gladness. F.A.I.T.H is imparted through God’s grace. It's summed up in this phrase: “We do, because we are.” That’s the essence of true Christianity. God’s presence dwelling in us becomes our “Why” in practicing F-A-I-T-H with gladness and joy.

Main Passages

“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

- 1 John 5:11-13 ESV

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

- John 10:10 ESV

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.”

- Psalm 67:1-2 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. According to 1 John 5:11-13, our identity and eternal life come from having Christ - not from what we do to earn God’s approval. How does knowing who we are in Christ change the way we practice F.A.I.T.H. (Faithful, Available, Involved, Teachable, Hungry)?

2. Psalm 67:1-2 shows that God blesses us so that His ways and saving power may be known among the nations. Which F.A.I.T.H. character trait is God currently challenging you to grow in, and how could practicing it become a blessing to the people around you?

3. Sometimes living out our values can feel like a responsibility or burden. What is the difference between practicing F.A.I.T.H. because we feel we “have to” and practicing F.A.I.T.H. because we know who we are in Christ? What would it look like to live out these 5 traits with greater joy this week?

Less of Me

Main Thought

We all want to know that we matter. We want our work to be appreciated, our contribution to be noticed, and our voice to be heard. There’s nothing wrong with recognition, accomplishment, or wanting to do something meaningful. But without realizing it, we can begin looking to those things to tell us who we are. When we feel overlooked, corrected, or when someone else gets the credit, suddenly “ME” has a way of moving to the center.

In Philippians 1–2, Paul shows us a different way to live. Jesus knew exactly who He was, so He didn’t need to prove Himself, protect His position, or chase recognition. His security allowed Him to humble Himself, serve others, and trust the Father with the outcome. Christ-like character grows when we become secure enough in who we are that we don’t need everything to be about us. “Less of me” doesn’t mean less confidence, ambition, leadership, or purpose. Less of me doesn’t mean less effort, it means less ego. As more of Jesus is formed in us, more of Jesus can be seen through us.

Main Passages

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel  - Philippians 1:27

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[b] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:3-11

Discussion Questions

1. Are you naturally more comfortable working in the background, or do you enjoy being out front and recognized for what you do? What do you like about that posture?

2. Think about a time you were overlooked, criticized, or someone else got the recognition you wanted. What did your reaction reveal about what was happening inside you?

3. Philippians 2 shows us that Jesus was secure in who He was, which freed Him to humble Himself and put others first. Where do you find yourself needing to prove, protect, or promote yourself and what is one specific way you can choose “less of me” in that area this week?

Life that Abides

Main Thought

Jesus commanded us to abide in Him. Abiding requires action. To help us abide, we can do things like read the Bible, pray, and obey God. Yet abiding in God is more than action. It includes our awareness of God in our lives. We can train our thoughts to return to an awareness of His presence. We can remember that He’s with us and that He’s moving in our lives.  

Our actions and awareness are united by our aim, or goal. Aiming to abide means learning to live in the love of God. When we learn to live in God's love, His life flows to us. Spiritual fruit grows in us and through us. When we abide in God's love, the life of God (which includes His love and joy) abides in us.

Main Passages

'“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. '

- John 15:1-5 ESV

'If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. '

- John 15:6-8 ESV

'As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ' - John 15:9-11 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. Think about the Main Passages above. What stands out to you most?

2. When do you find yourself to be most aware of God’s movement in your life?

3. Abiding in God requires action. What actions help you abide in God most? What can you do to abide in God this week?

This is How We Do It

Main Thought

A disciple is a student or follower of Jesus. Disciples follow God, fish for people (by sharing the good news about Jesus), and fellowship with the church while being formed into the image of Christ. In the Great Commission, Jesus tells his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations.” These were the last words from Jesus before he ascended into heaven. For this reason, the Every Nation family values making disciples.

How do we make disciples? We engage individuals, communities, and culture. We establish biblical foundations. We equip people with basic ministry skills. Lastly, we empower disciples to make disciples. Jesus promised to be with us - until the end of the age - as we make disciples. The Holy Spirit gives us comfort, courage, and the power to make disciples.

Main Passages

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 

- Matthew 7:24-27 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

- Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. Why is the Great Commission so important? What does participating in the Great Commission look like in your life?

2. If you are exploring the Christian faith, share one thing you have learned about Christianity. If you are already a disciple of Jesus, share your 2-minute miracle. 

1. Describe what your life was like before Jesus saved you.

2. Share how you came to know Jesus.

3. Describe what your life is like now that Jesus saved you.

3. What’s one step you can take this week to engage individuals, a community, or your culture? 

When Love Stops

Main Thought

Hebrews 13 begins with a simple command: “Let brotherly love continue.” Everyone agrees that love should continue. Yet love becomes difficult to sustain when our definition of love changes. Our culture increasingly approaches love with a consumeristic mindset. We want the benefits to outweigh the costs. Consumeristic love cares more about what it gets than what it gives. But biblical love is costly by nature. It can cost us our comfort, convenience, preferences, and more. Yet when love becomes too costly, we can be tempted to stop loving and replace it with something easier. Sometimes, that is when love stops.

As Christians, we have received a costly, sacrificial love from Christ. Jesus stepped into our place of reproach and rejection so that we could receive His love. His love changes the way we love others. We can look to Jesus, remember what we have received, and choose to let His love continue through us. This is the kind of love that carried the good news of Jesus across land, sea, air, and time. It is a love that can't be stopped.

Main Passages

'Let brotherly love continue.'

- Hebrews 13:1 ESV

'So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.’

- Hebrews 13:12-16 ESV

'Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. '

- Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. Jesus demonstrated costly love by giving His life for us on the cross. What does the way Jesus loved us teach you about the kind of love He wants us to show others?

2. Have you ever seen consumeristic love on display? Have you ever seen costly, sacrificial love on display? If you’re willing and able, consider sharing an example or story.

3. Who might God be asking you to love, serve, encourage, or introduce to Jesus? What is one practical step you can take this week?

The Race Marked Out for Us

Main Thought

The Christian life can be compared to a race marked out for us by God. At the starting line, we need to prepare ourselves to run. We do this by throwing off sin that entangles us and other weights or burdens that hinder our pursuit of Christ. Then, we fix our eyes on Jesus and run toward Him. God’s grace gives us the ability to stay on course and start again when we stumble, like a checkpoint. We will experience hardship along the way. But God can use these difficult seasons like training or discipline that brings out the best in us. Hardship reveals areas where we need to grow. At the same time, making hard, holy choices over time helps us grow.

The road is long, Where do we find the strength to continue? Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him - a joy that included redeeming us. In Christ, we are fully known and fully loved. We find the strength to continue when the right joy is set before us. Because of what Jesus has done, we have a finish line worth running toward.

Main Passages

'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'

- Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

'And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? '

- Hebrews 12:5-7 NIV

'But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. ' -

Hebrews 12:22-24 NIV

Discussion Questions

1. The race of the Christian life begins when we “fix our eyes on Jesus.” Why does Jesus tell us to focus on Him?

2. Hardship can reveal areas where we need to grow. Think about a recent difficult situation. What did your response reveal about your character, faith, or dependence on God?

3. Hebrews tells us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” What hinders your pursuit of Jesus? How is God calling you to pursue Him more freely?

Faith Moves

Main Thought

Faith is more than believing that God exists. Faith moves us toward God. Hebrews 11 shows us that people who trusted God responded to His voice, walked with Him, and acted on what He said - even when they could not see the outcome. Faith sometimes requires us to release things, reckon with what we know about God's character, and continue following Him while we wait for His promises to unfold.

Faith grows as we remain with God. We may not always understand what God is doing, but we can remember who He is. The more we know Him, the more we can trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more willing we become to obey Him. His goodness becomes the reason we respond with faith that moves.

Main Passages

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.”

- Hebrews 11:1–2 ESV

“But without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

- Hebrews 11:6 ESV

'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.'

- Hebrews 11:8-10 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think we need faith in order to please God?

2. We receive some of God's promises on earth, and we'll receive the rest of them in eternity. How might focusing on eternity shape your present life?

3. Faith moves. What is one practical step you can take this week to respond to God or live in faith?

A Faith that Pleases God

Main Thought

We want to grow in faith. There are times when our faith feels strong and vibrant. At other times, we wonder whether we have enough faith. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith which pleases God is not primarily focused on outcomes - it is focused on God Himself. We believe for a better outcome, but our hope is not anchored to changing circumstances. A faith that depends on circumstances will rise and fall with them.

Instead, our faith rests on the unchanging character of God. He has revealed Himself through creation, proven His love through the Cross, spoken through His Word, and promised to complete His plan. These truths remain constant even when our circumstances do not. As our confidence in God grows, we learn to see our circumstances through His goodness - rather than seeing His goodness through our circumstances. That is the kind of faith that pleases God.

Main Passages

'Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen... And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. '
- Hebrews 11:1, 6 ESV

'And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. '
- Hebrews 11:32-34 ESV

'Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. '
- Hebrews 11:35-38 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. What truths about God are constant, even when your circumstances change? How can those truths become the foundation of your faith?

2. Reflect on something difficult that's happened in your life recently. How might viewing that situation through God's goodness change your perspective? Consider questions like these:
   a. What might God be teaching you?
   b. How might He use this situation to help you grow?
   c. How could He use it for something greater?

3. Many of the people in Hebrews 11 obeyed God before they knew how their stories would unfold. What is one area of your life where God may be inviting you to trust or obey Him before you can see the outcome? What practical step of faith can you take this week?

Beyond the Curtain

Main Thought

Through His sacrifice, Jesus opened a new and living way into God's presence, making it possible for us to draw near with confidence. God doesn't simply invite us into His presence so that we can receive from Him; He invites us near so that He can transform us. As we draw near to Christ, He strengthens our faith and shapes our character.

God's work, however, was never meant to stop with us. As we abide in Christ, He produces spiritual fruit in us and works through us to bless others. We are called to stand firm in the hope He has given us, encourage one another toward love and good works, and help others experience the hope we have found in Christ. Behind the curtain, God changes us. Beyond the curtain, God moves through us.

Main Passages

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith... Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together... but encouraging one another..."

- Hebrews 10:19-25 ESV

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

- John 15:4-5 ESV

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

- John 13:34-35 ESV

Discussion Questions

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

2. Jesus calls us to abide in Him because He is the source of our spiritual life and fruitfulness. What practices or habits help you stay connected to Christ? Are there any distractions or obstacles that make it harder to abide in Him?

3. Hebrews encourages us to stir one another up to love and good works, while Jesus says our love for one another points people to Him. Who might God be calling you to encourage, serve, or invest in this week? What is one practical way you can help someone experience the hope you have found in Christ?

Finished. Forgiven. Being Formed.

Main Thought

Sin created a barrier between people and God. Year after year, priests offered the blood of animals as a temporary covering, but no amount of sacrifices could permanently remove that barrier. A greater sacrifice was still needed. Jesus entered the true heavenly sanctuary as our perfect High Priest, offering His own blood once for all. When He died, the temple curtain was torn in two, declaring that the barrier separating humanity from God had been removed. Because of Christ, we are invited to draw near to God with confidence.

But what does that look like practically? We are completely forgiven, though we remain flawed. The finished work of Christ continues to transform us. The same sacrifice that secured our forgiveness also began the lifelong work of making us more like Jesus. As we respond to and cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we learn to recognize our sin, renounce it, and return to God. This process is a big part of becoming the people that God made us to be.

Main Passages

'But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.'

- Hebrews 9:11-14 ESV

'But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. '

- Hebrews 10:12-14 ESV

'And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”’

- Hebrews 10:15-16 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. Hebrews teaches that Jesus offered Himself "once for all" and secured "eternal redemption." Why is it important to understand that Christ's work is complete? How does this truth change the way we approach God?

2. An idol can be more than a statue. It is anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts - anything we believe we must have in order to be okay. Who or what do you truly live for? What do you believe you need in order to be okay? How might your answers reveal a functional idol in your life?

3. This week, what is one practical step you can take to draw near to God with confidence and cooperate with the Holy Spirit's transforming work in your life? How can this group encourage or pray for you?

Patterns that Point to Christ

Main Thought

Throughout the Old Covenant, God established patterns through the tabernacle, priesthood, and sacrifices. These patterns revealed God's desire to dwell with His people, His holiness, the seriousness of sin, and humanity's need for a perfect sacrifice. They were never intended to be the final solution. They were God's blueprint for the greater work. Each of these patterns pointed beyond themselves to Jesus. He is our perfect High Priest, our perfect sacrifice, and the mediator of a better covenant. The way into God's presence has been opened: not because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has done. We can come to God with confidence because of Christ.

Main Passages

'For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”'

- Hebrews 8:3-5 ESV

'But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls... sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ... purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.'

- Hebrews 9:11-14 ESV

'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.'

- Matthew 27:50-51 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. One of the most important truths communicated by the tabernacle is the holiness of God. In your own words, how would you define the word holy? Why is the idea of holiness so important?

2. "Religion" begins with what we do for God, and our actions are primarily framed as responsibilities. Biblical Christianity begins with what God did for us, and our actions for God are viewed as a response to God’s grace. Which perspective describes your mindset more often? Why?

3. Hebrews says the way into God's presence has now been opened through Jesus. What does "drawing near to God" look like in life? Does anything keep you from approaching Him with confidence?

The Mystery of Melchizedek

Main Thought

The mystery of Melchizedek has captured the attention of Christians for ages. But it was never meant to satisfy our curiosity; it was meant to point us to Jesus Christ. As our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, Jesus accomplished what the Levitical priesthood could never accomplish. He offered Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice for sin, and He is able to save us completely. His priesthood is permanent and His work is finished. Our hope is anchored not in our own faithfulness, but in His. We can live with confidence, knowing that Jesus continues to minister on our behalf. The mystery that once invited questions ultimately leads us into the security of Christ.

Because Jesus is the true King of Righteousness, we no longer strive to earn God's approval through our own efforts. In Christ, we are declared righteous, and by the work of the Holy Spirit we are continually being transformed into people who reflect His character. Because Jesus is the true King of Peace, we have peace with God and can experience His shalom - His restoration, wholeness, and flourishing - in every area of life. Our identity is not defined by our past failures or our present struggles, but by our relationship with Christ. The mystery of Melchizedek ultimately reveals who we are in Christ: a people of righteousness, peace, and secure hope.

Main Passages

'We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'

- Hebrews 6:19-20 NIV

'This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.'

- Hebrews 7:1-3 NIV

'Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. '

- Hebrews 7:23-27 NIV

Discussion Questions

1. Melchizedek points us beyond himself to Jesus Christ. As you reflect on the Main Passages, what do they teach you about Jesus and His work as our eternal High Priest?

2. The author of Hebrews says our hope is "firm and secure" because Jesus continues to minister on our behalf. What does it look like to live with that kind of security rather than fear or uncertainty?

3. Jesus is the true King of Righteousness and the true King of Peace. Where do you most need His righteousness or His peace in your life today? What would it look like to trust Him more fully in that area?

Made for More: Growing in Spiritual Maturity

Main Thought

When we come to faith in Christ, we begin a new, spiritual life. We’re like spiritual infants. But God doesn’t intend for His people to remain this way. He invites us to continue growing into spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity includes things like growing in our love for God and others, developing Christlike character, perseverance, learning God’s Word, and discerning God’s will. Spiritual maturity is measured by more than what we know - it should be manifested in the way we live.

Spiritual maturity often parallels natural maturity. Over time, people generally learn to care for themselves. Eventually, they develop the ability to care for others. Mature Christians do more than grow for their own sake. They help others grow too, encouraging and discipling others so that the church is strengthened and God's Kingdom advances.

Main Passages

11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. 

- Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT

'Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’

- Hebrews 6:9-12 ESV

19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:20 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. How would you define or describe spiritual maturity? How do the Main Thought, the Main Passages, or last week’s sermon(s) influence your view of spiritual maturity?

2. Reflect on the measures or facets of spiritual maturity listed above. How might God be calling you to grow? What step(s) of faith can you take to participate in that process?

3. God calls us to help others grow in their faith too. Is there a person (or a group of people) God may be calling you to encourage, disciple, or invest in during this season? What might that look like?