Check here each week for information to prepare your heart for the upcoming sermon and follow-up questions you can use after the sermon to dig deeper and disciple your family!
Praise God for Saving Us!
Praise God for saving us! – 1 Peter 1:3-5
Notes:
1) Grounds of our salvation – v3a
2) Guarantee of our salvation – vv3b-5
- Why can we be certain that our salvation is secure? When will we receive our final salvation (inheritance)?
- How does having hope give us an opportunity to point others to Jesus (see Eph 2:14; 1 Th 4:12; 1 Pt 3:15)
- As you think about your salvation, what attributes of God do you want to praise Him for?
- How should knowing that we have a future incorruptible inheritance affect a Christian’s view of money and possessions?
- How has this passage both excited you about where you are heading, and increased your confidence that you’ll get there?
Other passages to consider:
Ex 34:6; Matt 5:5; 6:19-21; Jn 3:1-6; Rom 8:12-25; 1 Cor 15:50-58; Eph 1:16-18; 2:1-7; Col 3:4; Titus 2:13; 1 Pet 1:3-9,13,23; Rev 21:1-5
I am an adopted son of God
I am an adopted son of God- Romans 8:12-17
Notes:
Why are Christian men and women both called “sons of God”?
What is the Christian’s inheritance? When will we receive it? In what way do we already have part of our inheritance?
How does knowing that God is your Heavenly Father help you in your Christian life?
Other passages to consider:
Ps 103:13; Mt 6:9-15,25-34; 7:7-11; Gal 3:25-4:7; Eph 1:4-5; 1 Pt 1:3-4; 1 Jn 3:1.
Promised Inheritance
Promised Inheritance – Joshua 13-19
Notes:
Digging Deeper:
-How does listing the cities and borders demonstrate the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises?
-What is the Christian’s inheritance? How did we receive it? How is the Holy Spirit a down payment?
-How can we already be enjoying our inheritance?
Other passages to consider:
Gen 12:1-3; 15:13-21; Ps 16; 73:25-26; 142:5; Lam 3:24; Eph 1:11-14; 3:14-19; Heb 11:10; 1 Pet 1:3-5; Rev 21:1-22:5.
Blessed are the Mourners and the Meek
Blessed are the Mourners and the Meek – Matthew 5:4-5
Sermon Notes:
v4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
v5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Digging Deeper:
- What is sin? How can we remember how serious sin is?
- Why should Christians be grieved over sin?
- How does Jesus provide comfort to those mourning over sin?
- What does it look like to be meek? Does that describe you today?
- How can you cultivate regular grief over your sin?
Other Passages to Consider:
Ps 37:7-11; 51:1-17; Isa 42:2-3; 57:14-21; 61:1-3; Mt 11:28-30; Jam 4:7-10; Rev 7:17; 21:4
Living as a Stranger on the Earth
Living as a Stranger on the Earth - Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16
Sermon Notes:
1)
2)
3)
Discussion Questions:
- How is God’s call of Abraham a picture of God’s sovereign grace?
- What is significant about Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob living in tents throughout their lives?
- In what ways do we tend to forget that we are strangers in this world?
- What can fuel our faith and longing to be with God?
Other Passages to Consider:
Gen 12:1-3; Josh 24:2; John 15:18-19; 17:15-18; Phil 3:20; 1 Pet 1:17-19; 2:11-12; Heb 12:28; 13:14; 1 Jn 2:15-17; Rev 21:1-7
Persevere for the Prize
Persevere for the Prize – Hebrews 10:32-39
Sermon Notes:
1) Remember your ____________________ - vv32-34
2) ______________to receive your ___________________ - vv35-39
Digging Deeper:
- How does Hebrews 11:1-12:2 relate to what is being taught her in 10:32-39?
- Share about times from your past when God gave you grace to endure difficulties. What did God teach you through these trials?
- How does thinking about our future inheritance help us persevere through trials?
- How can you cultivate more of a longing for your future inheritance?
Other Passages to Consider:
Ps 9:1-10; Matt 10:22; Phil 1:6; Titus 2:11-13; Heb 12:1-4; 1 Pet 1:3-9; Rev 21:1-8
Joy in the Midst of Pain
Joy in the Midst of Pain – 1 Peter 1:6-9
Reason #1 – The grounds for our joy is our ______________________.
Reason #2 – God has a __________________ for our temporary pain.
Purpose #1 – Assuring us of our ______________ of our salvation/inheritance
(proving the genuineness of our faith)
Purpose #2 – Increasing our ________________ of our salvation.
(purifying the quality of our faith)
Digging Deeper:
- What is the danger of tying our joy to our circumstances?
- Why is the joy of the Christian unshakable – even in the midst of pain?
- How does God use trials in our lives?
- Do you tend to grow closer to God in times of difficulty? Why?
- What (or better, who) is our ultimate inheritance? (see Rom 8:17, Matt 5:8)
Other Passages to Consider:
Matt 5:10-12; John 16:33; 20:29; Rom 8:16-18; Phil 3:10-11; Jam 1:2-4; 1 Pet 4:12-13)
Love Doesn’t Give Up: Loving in light of the power and promise of God
Love Doesn’t Give Up: Loving in light of the power and promise of God -1 Corinthians 13:7
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What does it look like to love according to v7?
- How could v7 be misunderstood or misapplied?
- How can I possibly love like this?
Other passages to consider: Ps 103; Rom 5:1-8; 8:22-39; 1 Cor 13:1-7; Phil 1:9-11; 2 Tim 2:8-10; 1 Pet 1:3-9; 1 John 4:7-12
Digging Deeper:
- How does God’s providence help you patiently love those around you?
- As a believer in Christ, what is your inheritance? How does this living hope empower you to take risks in loving others?
- Who in your life are you tempted to give up loving? What can you do to help you persevere in love?
- How does this kind of love in v7 bring glory to God?