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!
Some People Just Don't Get It
Some People Just Don't Get It - 2 Chronicles 28:1-7, 16-27
Sermon Notes:
Introduction: The story of King Ahaz
The Pattern
In the New Testament, we see that ____________________ is a priority for ____________________.
A ____________________ for unbelievers.
Conclusion
Persistently Praying to Grow
Persistently Praying to Grow – Matthew 7:7-11
Digging Deeper:
- How should we pray? In other words, what traits should characterize our prayers?
- What in this text gives us confidence to pray?
- What hinders you from praying? How does this passage help you with that?
Other Passages to Consider:
Prov 2:1-10; Jer 29:13; Matt 5:3; 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8; Jn 14:13-14; 15:7; Jam 4:2-3; 5:16.
Seek and Serve the Lord in Secret
Seek and Serve the Lord in Secret – Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Sermon Notes:
Hypocrites practice acts of righteousness…
- Before others
- In order to be seen by them
- Reward = praise of men (no reward from God)
We should practice acts of righteousness…
- In __________
- __________ sees
- Our Father will __________
Digging Deeper:
- Do you pray more with others or alone?
- What should our motive be in pursuing acts of righteousness?
- Do you tend to draw attention to your worship or how much you serve?
- Do you have a regular time of personally seeking the Lord? If not, establish a time, place, and plan for spending time with the Father.
Other Passages to Consider:
Deut 15:11; Ps 41:1; 63:1-8; Prov 19:17; Matt 5:20; 6:7-15;Lk 18:1-8; Rom 2:28-29
Focused on the Lord
Focused on the Lord – Matthew 5:8
Sermon Notes:
Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Digging Deeper:
- What sins are clouding your vision of the Lord? Confess those sins and ask God to help you put them to death by the Spirit.
- Are there other things (maybe not sinful things) that are getting in the way of your devotion to Christ? How can you keep Jesus as the primary focus of your life?
- What do you see when you gaze upon the beauty of the Lord? What attributes of God are especially meaningful to you right now?
- How does this verse make you thankful for the finished work of Jesus Christ?
Other Passages to Consider:
1 Sam 16:7; Ps 24:3-4; 51:10; 86:11; Prov 4:23; Ezek 36:25-26; Matt 12:34; 15:18-20; 23:27; 1 John 3:1-3; Rev 22:1-5
Man of Sorrows
Man of Sorrows – Matthew 26:36-46
Sermon Notes:
1) The ____________________ of Christ’s Sufferings
2) Christ’s ____________________ His Sufferings
3) Christ’s ____________________ His Sufferings
Discussion Questions:
- What does this passage reveal about Christ’s sufferings?
- How was Jesus helped by praying to the Father?
- How does this text remind us of Christ’s humanity?
- How did the disciples’ failure to pray affect them? (see Matt 26:30-35, 56, 69-75)
- Why is prayer vital in our battle against sin?
- As you consider what Jesus went through to save us, what is your response?
Other Passages to Consider:
Isa 51:17; Jer 25:15, 17; Matt 6:9-13; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 6:10-20; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; 1 Pet 2:24;
Pray with Confident Desperation
Pray with Confident Desperation – Ps 27:7-14
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What is David’s tone in vv7-12? Why?
- What is David asking for in his prayer?
- What effect did David’s prayer have on him?
Other passages to consider: Ps 25:4-5; Isa 40:25-31; Luke 18:1-8; Eph 3:14-21; 6:18; Phil 4:4-7; Heb 4:14-16; Jam 5:13-18
Digging Deeper:
- Why don’t we pray?
- How should knowing God is for us motivate us to pray?
- Are you ever desperate in your prayers? Why or why not?
- What is God asking you to wait for in your life? What truths can you preach to yourself while you wait?