Church on a Mission

Main Thought

While ascending into Heaven, Jesus declared: “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me.” If we believe in Jesus, then we need to believe in His authority too. Jesus told us to go and make disciples! Disciples follow God, fish for others by sharing Jesus with them, and fellowship with other believers. It’s our mission to do this and to help others do it too. This is challenging, and might make us uncomfortable. But Jesus made a promise. If we believe that He has all authority and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded, then He will be with us always. God will be with us when we go.

Main Passages

16 “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:16-20

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

- Matthew 4:19

Discussion Questions

1. What’s the most challenging or uncomfortable part of following Jesus, or helping others follow Jesus?

2. Have you ever experienced God’s presence or power when you stepped out in faith? What happened?

3. What can you do this week to grow as a disciple, or to help someone else become or grow as a disciple?

Family Questions

1. Have you ever thought of inviting one of your friends to church? Who is it? How can your family help you?

A Problem with Love?

Main Thought

A lot of people are familiar with the famous “Love Chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13. It’s read at weddings and written on greeting cards. Unfortunately, the love we see around us - in the real world - doesn’t measure up to the standard of love portrayed by 1 Corinthians. Is there a problem with love? We, as people, fail to meet the high standard set by this famous text. But God’s love sets the standard! He chose to love us, even when He knew we’d fall short. We can receive God’s love and learn from it, so that our love (for God and others) can continue to grow and mature.

Main Passages

“4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

- 1 John 4:9-10

11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

- 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

Discussion Questions

1. Look at the qualities of love listed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Have you failed to exhibit any of those qualities recently? What negative effects might that have had on you, or on those around you?

2. Has learning more about God’s love for you ever impacted the way you love God, or the way you love other people?

3. How can you practically demonstrate love for God or others this week?

Family Questions

1. What is love? How would you describe it?

2. What does it mean when someone says, “God loves you”?

Game-Changing Gifts

Warm-Up Question

Have you ever received a gift that changed your life in a significant and/or positive way? 

Main Thought

Some gifts have the power to change lives. They’re “game-changing gifts,” and God wants us to have them! He empowers us with “spiritual gifts.” Spiritual gifts are God-given abilities, whether natural or supernatural, that produce miraculous results. These gifts give us access to God’s purpose and power. We should desire these gifts! But we must always operate in them with an intent to love and build people up. We’ll also stay on a path of healthy Spirit Empowerment when we avoid “the Ditch of the Dead” (an absence of the Holy Spirit’s presence due to fear or misunderstanding), and “the Ditch of the Weird” (caused by a pursuit of spiritual experience rather than a pursuit of love). If we can do this, then our God-given spiritual gifts will truly change the game for us and for others.

Main Passages

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

- 1 Corinthians 4:20

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts

- 1 Corinthians 14:1

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

- 1 Corinthians 14:12

39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.

- 1 Corinthians 14:39-40

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to be led by love, and a desire to build people up, when operating in spiritual gifts?

2. Do you think you lean more toward the “Ditch of the Dead,” or the “Ditch of the Weird?”

3. We can act on our desire for spiritual gifts and activate them by 1) asking in faith, 2) being in the right atmosphere, and 3) attempting to use our gifts in faith. What can you do next to activate or grow in your own spiritual gifts?

All Hands on Deck

Main Thought

God loves to give His people gifts. If you believe in Him, then YOU are gifted too! God has given us “spiritual gifts”: abilities that lead to miraculous results, either in a natural or a supernatural way. We often discover our spiritual gifts when we consider the ways in which we are able or excited to serve. We “see the room” through our gifts. What can be improved? How do you want to contribute? Community forms as each member of God’s church finds their place and gets involved. We wind up in a position to love God by loving others practically.

Main Passages

1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed… 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 NIV

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 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. 14 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. 15 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. 16 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

Discussion Questions

1. Has anyone ever used a spiritual gift in a way that positively impacted your life? Who was it, and what happened?

2. What are your spiritual gifts? If you aren’t sure, then what do you think those gifts might be? (For those who don’t know, be sure to sign up for our Equip class in the future!)

3. How are you using your spiritual gifts right now, or how can you use them regularly in the near future?

Family Questions

1. What are you good at? Can you use that to bless someone, encourage them, or make them happy this week?

The Immeasurable Value of a Mother

Main Thought

Many times, mothers are under-appreciated. It’s nice to have a day specifically dedicated to honoring these amazing women! Scripture describes a virtuous mother as irreplaceable and unique. They are to be highly valued. Mothers often demonstrate a willingness to love, even when personal sacrifices need to be made. Jesus honored his own mother even as he prepared to take his last breath on the cross. We - like Christ - should honor the mothers around us as much as possible while we can. 

Main Passages

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

- Proverbs 31:25-30 NLT

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

- John 15:13 NLT

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. Jesus knew that his mission was now finished

- John 19:25-28a

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you from last week’s sermon or the Main Passages above?

2. Are there any valuable lessons you’ve learned from your mother, or a mother-figure, in your life? If so, share one of them with your group.

3. Did you celebrate Mother’s Day this year? If so, how? Is there a way in which you can honor a mother or mother-figure in your life?

H.E.A.R. Journal: 1 Corinthians 13-16

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

- 1 Corinthians 1:18

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 in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from 1 Corinthians, chapters 13-16. 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. 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.

If you’ve been following our 1 Corinthians Reading Plan, feel free to share something you’ve learned and journaled over the past week! If you haven’t been able to follow along with us, then try applying the four steps of the H.E.A.R. method to one of the Main Passage from Pastor Matt’s last in-person message.

“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.”

- 1 Corinthians 8:1

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

- 1 Corinthians 8:7-12

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

- 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

Share your responses with your group! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

H.E.A.R. Journal: 1 Corinthians 9-12

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

- 1 Corinthians 1:18

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 in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from 1 Corinthians, chapters 9-12. 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. 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.

If you’ve been following our 1 Corinthians Reading Plan, feel free to share something you’ve learned and journaled over the past week! If you haven’t been able to follow along with us, then try applying the four steps of the H.E.A.R. method to one of the Main Passage from Pastor Roland’s last in-person message.

2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people. 

- 2 Timothy 3:2-5 (CSB)

The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to him: 17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, 19 a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers. 

- Proverbs 6:16-19 (CSB)

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. 13 And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace. 

- Romans 6:12-4 (ESV)

Share your responses with your group! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

H.E.A.R. Journal: 1 Corinthians 2

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

- 1 Corinthians 1:18

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 in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from 1 Corinthians 2. 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. 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.

If you’ve been following our 1 Corinthians Reading Plan, feel free to share something you’ve learned and journaled over the past week! If you haven’t been able to follow along with us, then try applying the four steps of the H.E.A.R. method to one of the Main Passage from Pastor Roland’s last in-person message.

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

- 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

- 2 Timothy 2:15

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

Share your responses with your group! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

H.E.A.R. Journal: 1 Corinthians 1

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

- 1 Corinthians 1:18

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 in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from 1 Corinthians 1. 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. 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.

If you’ve been following our 1 Corinthians Reading Plan, feel free to share something you’ve learned and journaled over the past week! If you haven’t been able to follow along with us, then try applying the four steps of the H.E.A.R. method to one of the Main Passages from Pastor Matt’s last in-person message.

“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours…”

- 1 Corinthians 1:2

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

- Matthew 4:19-20

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

- John 17:17

Share your responses with your group! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

Raised to Life

Main Thought

Everyone gets desperate at some point. Sometimes, we get the positive results that we want. At other times, our desperation turns into disappointment. Some disappointments are mild. Some are heartbreaking, like the ultimate disappointment: death. God didn’t intend for disappointment and death to be routines in this world. They exist because of sin, which separates us from God. But we can’t give up on God! Jesus intervened by paying for sin on the Cross, thereby defusing the cause of disappointment and death. The resurrection of Christ on Easter proves that we can look forward to eternal life with God - one without sin, disappointment, or death. Until then, we can confidently follow Jesus and entrust our disappointments to Him along the way.

Main Passages

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

- Mark 5:35-42

2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.

- Mark 16:2-6

Discussion Questions

1. Are you currently facing anything that’s causing desperation or disappointment in your life? If so, would you call it mild, severe, or something in between?

2. Does disappointment cause you to run from God, or to run toward Him?

3. Do you believe that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, and rose again three days later? How can eternal assurance affect the way we live on earth today?

Family Questions

1. Who is Jesus? What do you know about Him? What questions do you have about Him?

Joy for the Journey

Main Thought

Explorers of old used the North Star, “Polaris,” to navigate their journeys. It was a stabilizing force that could be trusted because it never moved. What is the stabilizing force of your life? God wants His joy and peace to be guiding, stabilizing forces in our lives! We must strive to be joyful at all times. The joy of God helps us to be peacemakers in a divisive world. The Bible teaches us to take anxiety captive by turning to prayer, and taking our requests to God. Then, we allow God to make us whole while we surrender everything outside our control to Him. If we’re willing to apply these steps, then we’ll learn to walk in God’s joy and peace perpetually.

Main Passages

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4:4-7

Discussion Questions

1. Joy and peace in God go hand-in-hand. Do you have God’s peace in your life?

2. Think about the actions put forth by the Main Passages and Main Thought. Which one of those things are you good at doing?

3. Which one of the aforementioned steps can you improve at doing?

Family Questions

1. Prayer helps us find peace when we’re upset, worried, or even scared. Let’s pray about something that upsets you.

Adjusting for Joy

Main Thought

God wants us to have joy! God’s joy exceeds expectations, and God’s joy endures. How do we begin to experience this kind of joy for ourselves? We need more than religious routines to experience God’s joy! Important activities - like reading the Bible, prayer, service, or Life Group - lose their power when our faith is absent from them. God wants more than our actions; He wants our attitudes, too! We find joy when we “practice the presence of God.” This happens when our actions and attitudes are led by faith, believing that God will reward us for seeking Him regardless of how we feel. Joy also comes from living with God’s value system. We should treasure Christ, because the love and joy we find in Him are unlimited and unconditional.

Main Passages

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…

- Philippians 3:1-8

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

- John 14:15-17

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

- John 15:11

Discussion Questions

1. God wants to give us a joy that exceeds expectations in any given situation, and a joy that endures. Have you ever experienced this “joy of Jesus”? Do you have this joy in your life now?

2. Does God have your:

   • Actions (the things you do);

   • Attitude (your reason for doing them);

   • Both, or;

   • Neither?

3. Are there any adjustments you can make to experience the joy of Jesus? Perhaps you can start practicing God’s presence (by living a life that welcomes God’s Spirit), or adjusting to God’s value system. 

Family Questions

1. What do you think it means to be “joyful”? Do you have joy in your life?

Joy in Unity

Main Thought

Things happen that can rob our joy. Sometimes, people rob our joy! God calls us to walk in unity with others - especially with others in His Body, the Church. Is that truly possible? According to the Apostle Paul, unity is possible because of our shared experiences in Christ. We need to focus on our internal similarities with each other: Christ has encouraged us, comforted us in love, fellowshipped with us and given us compassion. But unity still requires humility! Jesus Christ stands as the ultimate example of humility. Jesus emptied Himself of His divine nature and privileges when He became flesh. He served people, without a need for applause. These things are seen in His death on the Cross. God exalted Jesus after He humbled himself; we can also find joy if we’re willing to humble ourselves before God too.

Main Passages

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

- Philippians 2:1-4

Who, being in very nature 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…

- Philippians 2:6-9

Discussion Questions

1. What are some “opponents” you face that seek to steal your joy from you?

2. What keeps us from humbling ourselves before God and others?

3. Paul encourages us to have the same mind or attitude of Jesus. The goal is not merely to do the actions of Jesus, but to possess his mind and attitude in us. How does having the mind of Christ and putting the needs of others first impact our daily lives?

Family Questions

1. How can you put others first and help them this week?

Unexpected Joy

Main Thought

Have you ever been in a situation that didn’t meet your expectations? How do you react when things don’t go your way? Paul found himself in this type of situation. Yet he responded with joy! Paul learned that true joy isn’t centered on us; it’s centered around God. Paul’s joy came from the fact that God used difficult circumstances to work in Paul, and through him to advance the gospel. This kind of joy is a witness to unbelievers. It empowers other believers. It also inspires others who are also facing difficulty.

Main Passages

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

- Philippians 1:6

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. 14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.

- Philippians 1:12-18

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. 

- Galatians 5:22

Discussion Questions

1. How does Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:6 bring hope to you for your life and others? What is a particular area of your life right now that this truth about God can bring hope and joy to?

2. Despite challenging circumstances and his prison chains, Paul rejoices that God has used evil things for the good of the gospel. When we encounter the troubles of everyday life, how can we choose joy?

3. How can you encourage, inspire, or be a witness to those around you as you choose joy?

Family Questions

1. How do you react when things don’t go your way? What do you think it means to be joyful?

Before the Relationship

Warm-Up Question

If you watched this week’s online service, what stood out to you? (Perhaps those who watched the sermon can try to recap for those who missed it.)

Main Thought

Whenever we enter into any kind of partnership, we need to make sure that it’s with the right person. It doesn’t matter if it’s a business relationship, a friendship, or a romantic relationship. God wants us to be with the right people! But God wants us to be the right people before we start looking for the right person or people to partner with. God prepares us to “be the right person” in any relationship by establishing a few key things. “Before the relationship,” God:

• God desires to give you a “place.”

• God desires to give you a purpose.

• God’s purpose will lead to provision.

• God wants to define your identity.

• God desires to give you parameters.

Main Passages

8 The Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he placed the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God caused to grow out of the ground every tree pleasing in appearance and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden, as well as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

- Genesis 2:8-9

15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.”

- Genesis 2:15-18

Discussion Questions

1. Think about the five things God wants to do in us “before the relationship” in order to prepare us. Which is most relevant for you?

2. What changes can you make in order to participate with God’s process of preparation in your life?

Family Questions

1. Have you ever partnered with someone for things like school or sports? What makes a good partner?

Love Your Enemy

Main Thought

Loving our enemy is a totally foreign concept. The words “Love” and “enemy” are so far apart. But Jesus did. So what did Jesus mean when he said “love your enemy”? Jesus is calling us to demonstrate the highest standard of love: the Greek word for this is “agape” love. It’s the kind of love Jesus demonstrated for us on the Cross. Agape love expresses itself when we choose to live by a higher standard of conduct. We don;t retaliate, and we respond to cursing with blessing. This sounds impossible. How can we do this? For Christians, this is possible when we trust in God’s higher judgement and purpose. God works on our behalf, and He will bring judgement one day. But He also works through us when we love our enemies. Loving our enemies serves as a radical testimony of God’s grace.

Main Passages

27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

-Luke 6:27-30

To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.

- Romans 12:20

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Discussion Questions

1. Why is loving our enemies so hard?

2. How does knowing that we were once enemies of God change your perspective on loving your enemies?

3. What steps can you take to love an enemy this week?

Family Questions

1. Why might it be important to be nice to people, even if they’re mean to us?

Contract vs. Covenant

Main Thought

The modern definition and standard of friendship in our world can leave us wanting more. This is largely due to the fact that our society often teaches us to treat friendship as a contract: a conditional exchange of value. If someone doesn’t give or receive the “value” they expect , then the “friendship contract” is terminated. In contrast, the Bible presents the idea of friendship as a covenant. Covenants carry more spiritual and moral weight than contracts. We can learn a lot about covenant friendship in the Book of 1 Samuel’s account of the friendship between Jonathan and David. Covenant friendships are unique because they’re built on a shared mission and a shared standard. Covenant friendship is committed. It is intentional, and it is sacrificial. Jesus Christ embodied those three standards! As Christians, we should strive to do the same.

Main Passages

18 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.

- 1 Samuel 18: 1, 3

4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

- 1 Samuel 18:4

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

- Philippians 2:4-8

Discussion Questions

1. What kind of “value” do people expect in a contract friendship? Have you ever experienced the fallout of that kind of friendship?

2. Do you think you have any “covenant friends” in your life right now? What makes you say that?

3. Covenant friendships are committed, intentional, and sacrificial. Which of those three qualities can you improve on in order to grow as a covenant friend for others?

Family Questions

1. What makes a good friend? Are you a good friend to others?

Close, But Not Close Enough

Main Thought

Everyone wants love. According to Jesus, the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. That’s a lot of love! These two commands alone require a great deal of effort on our part. They impact our priorities and our activities. How do we muster up all this love? It all starts with experiencing God’s love for ourselves. Finding it in God’s Word, and in times of prayer and worship whether it be privately or publicly. We need to receive it; then, we can reciprocate it! We love God back. We then demonstrate God’s love to our “neighbors” (which includes anyone and everyone) by treating them with care.

Main Passages

28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

- Mark 12:28-34

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us…

- 1 John 4: 15-17a

Discussion Questions

1. How do you typically experience God’s love? How often do you do it?

2. How do you typically reciprocate your love to God?

3. How can you begin to love the neighbors around you, or in your immediate sphere of influence?

Family Question

1. Did you know that God loves you? How does God show his love to you?

Yeshua - God's Salvation

Main Thought

What do you do when you try an amazing new dish or restaurant? A lot of us share our experience with friends; in person, through text, or on social media. Experiencing Jesus is very similar. The name Jesus is translated from the Hebrew Yeshua, or Yehoshua, which means “God saves” or “God’s salvation.” We experience God’s salvation because of His grace. It’s extended to us freely, even though we could never earn it. Experiencing this great gift moves us to share it with others. God promises to empower us as we do so. He wants to do amazing things in us and through us that we could never do on our own.

Main Passages

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

- Luke 1:26–35

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! 

- Psalm 90:17

Discussion Questions

1. Has God saved you? What has God saved you from?

2. What’s one aspect of your life that reveals God’s grace working in you or around you?

3. What’s one thing you’d like to believe God to do through your life? Share with your group, and ask God to empower you in your personal prayer time.

Main Thought

1. What’s one good thing God has done for you? What’s one good thing you can do for someone else?

El Shaddai: God Almighty

Main Thought

Life can be messy sometimes. Our choices can make a mess. We can find ourselves in a mess because of someone else’s decisions, or because we live in a world broken by sin. Regardless, God wants to meet us in our mess! As God walks with us through the messy situations of our lives, we learn to recognize and remove our idols. An idol (in a functional sense) is anything other than God that we trust to meet our deepest needs. Idols like power, approval, comfort, and control fail to meet our spiritual needs - but God does not! God is El Shaddai: a Hebrew phrase that can be translated to God Almighty, or the All-Sufficient One. God is sufficient for our personal needs, and He is sufficient for us to fulfill our purpose. If we’ll remove the idols from our lives, then we’ll be able to truly rely on God.

Main Passages

God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments.

- Genesis 35:1-2

9 God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. 11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty. be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body.

- Genesis 35:9-11

Discussion Questions

Reflect on the four functional “idols” listed below, and the characteristics that might help us identify them.

• If your idol is Power: your greatest nightmare is humiliation, your problem emotion is anger, and the people around you can feel used.

• If your idol is Approval: your greatest nightmare is rejection, your problem emotion is cowardice (for fear of being rejected), and the people around you can feel smothered.

• If your idol is Comfort: your greatest nightmare is stress or demands, your problem emotion is boredom, and the people around you can feel neglected.

• If your idol is Control: your greatest nightmare is uncertainty, your problem emotion is worry, and the people around you can feel condemned.

1. Which, if any, do you think you might be a struggle for you in this season of your life? Why?

2. Think about some God-given purpose you feel called to fulfill. How might one of these idols interfere with your ability to fulfill that purpose for God’s glory?

3. How can God replace that idol in your life?