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!
The LORD is my strength and my shield
The LORD is my strength and my shield - Psalm 28
Digging Deeper:
- What happened when David trusted in the Lord? How are you blessed when you are able to trust God in your circumstances?
- What does the strength of the Lord enable His people to do? How do we receive (or tap into) that strength?
- Can we trust God? What makes Him trustworthy? What does it look like to trust Him?
Other Passages to consider:
Psalm 23; Prov 3:5-6; Matt 6:25-34; Jn 10:11-16; Eph 1:16-23; Phil 4:4-9; 1 Pet 5:7
Believing God’s Word Despite Unmet Expectations
Believing God’s Word Despite Unmet Expectations – Matthew 11:1-19
Sermon Notes:
1) ____________________ is the promised King – vv1-15
a. By responding to the doubts of John – vv1-6
b. By highlighting the ministry of John – vv7-15
2) ____________________ is the promised King – vv16-19
Digging Deeper:
- Why did John begin to doubt that Jesus was the Messiah? What was John expecting the Messiah to do?
- How was John the Baptist’s ministry unique? What does John’s ministry say about Jesus?
- Are there ways God has not met your expectations? How should you respond?
Other Passages to Consider:
Isa 26:19; 29:18-19; 35:5-6; 61:1: Mal 3:1-4; 4:4-6; 1 Pet 1:3-12.
No Greater Power
No Greater Power - Matthew 8:23-9:8
Digging Deeper:
- What is unique about Jesus Christ?
- In what ways has Jesus already displayed His power?
- Describe various reactions to Jesus’s power. How should believers respond?
- How will Christ demonstrate His power/authority at the end of time?
Other Passages to Consider:
Gen 3:15; Ps 65:5-8; John 1:1-5,9-18; Acts 17:30-31; Col 1:15-20; 2:15; Heb 2:14-15; Rev 20:10
The Danger of Being Critical and Judgmental
The Danger of Being Critical and Judgmental - Matthew 7:1-6
Digging Deeper:
- How do we want others & especially God to treat us?
- How is the person in vv3-5 being hypocritical?
- Should Christians ever point out wrong? When and How?
- When should a Christian “shake the dust of their feet” with regard to someone? What should be the Christian’s attitude toward that person when that happens?
Other Passages to Consider:
2 Sam 12:1-9; Matt 6:14-15; 10:14; 18:15-17; Acts 13:46; 18:6; Rom 14:10-13; Jam 2:13; 4:11-12; 5:9.
Disciples of Jesus Must Not Worry
Disciples of Jesus Must Not Worry - Matthew 6:25:34
Sermon Notes:
1)__________of God your Father.
2)__________of God your Father.
Digging Deeper:
- What is worry? How does it differ from proper concern, planning, and provision?
- Why is worry a sin? What is at the root of worry?
- What does Jesus tell us to do rather than worry? What other ways does the Bible teach us to overcome worry?
Other Passages to Consider:
Gen 1:26-27; Lam 3:22-24; Matt 13:22; Rom 8:31-39; 2 Cor 11:28; Gal 4:19; Phil 4:4-9; 1 Tim 5:8; Heb 13:5; Jam 4:13-15; 1 Pet 5:7.
Fear Not
Fear Not
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think the Bible so often exhorts us to not be afraid?
- What should we do when we are afraid?
- What from the sermon was most helpful to you?
Other Passages to Consider:
Ps 23; 56:3; Isa 43:1-7; Matt 6:25-34; 1 Pet 3:15
Trust in the Lord
Trust in the LORD - Proverbs 3:5-6
Sermon Notes:
How we are to trust God
Why we can trust God
Digging Deeper:
- What about God makes Him absolutely trustworthy?
- What happens when we don’t trust God? What blessings come from trusting in the Lord?
- What does it look like in your life to trust God on a daily basis?
- In what situations do you find it difficult to trust God? Admit that to God and ask for grace to trust Him more.
Other passages to consider:
Job 42:2; Ps 115:3; 147:5; Prov 21:1; Jer 17:5-8; Rom 8:28-39; 11:33-34; Phil 1:6; 4:4-9; 1 Jn 4:9-10
What Faith Is and Does
What Faith Is and Does – Hebrews 11:1-3
Sermon Notes:
Object of Faith –
Description of Faith – v1
1a – Faith is the ________________ of things hoped for.
1b – Faith __________________________________ of what God has promised.
2a – Faith is the _______________ of things not seen.
2b – Faith _______________ that what God promises will happen.
Result of Faith – _________________________ – v2
Outworking of Faith
Digging Deeper:
- Is biblical faith a blind faith? Explain your answer.
- What is our faith based on? How then can our faith be strengthened?
- What is the connection between faith and what God has promised?
- How does faith enable us to follow Christ in obedience?
Other Passages to Consider:
Gen 1-2; John 1:18; 14:1-3; Rom 1:16-20; 8:23-25; 2 Cor 5:1-7; Gal 2:20; Heb 1:1-3.
From Panic to Peace
From Panic to Peace – Psalm 4
Sermon Notes:
1) Truths in the Midst of Turmoil
a.
b.
c.
2) Focus in the Midst of Turmoil
3) Blessings in the Midst of Turmoil
Digging Deeper:
- How has David changed during the writing of this psalm? Why? Have his circumstances changed?
- What all should we do when we are anxious?
- Why can we have joy and peace in the midst of trouble?
- What can you do this week to pursue the presence of God?
Other Passages to Consider:
Num 6:22-26; Ps 16; 63:1-8; John 14:25-27; Rom 5:1-8; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 1:3-6; Phil 4:4-8
Staying Faithful to our God
Staying Faithful to our God - Psalm 115
Sermon Notes:
1) Our Focus - _________________ - vv1-2
2) Our Confidence - _________________ - vv3-8
3) Our Charge - _________________ - vv9-11
4) Our Assurance - _________________ - vv12-16
5) Our Commitment - _________________ - vv17-18
Digging Deeper:
- What attributes of God do you see in this psalm? Praise Him for that!
- How has God blessed us and remained faithful to us? How does He promise to bless us in the future?
- What does it look like to stay faithful to God? What are signs/indicators that a person’s faithfulness is waning?
- How does this psalm help you trust in the LORD?
- In what areas are you especially needing to trust God now? Take some time to express your trust in God and to ask for grace to trust Him more.
Other Passages to Consider:
Psalm 33:12-22; Isaiah 43:1-7; 44:9-20; 46:9-10; Hab 3:17-19; Eph 1:3-11; 1 John 4:8-10
From Fear to Faith
From Fear to Faith — Psalm 56
Sermon Notes:
1) Trials – vv1-2, 5-7
2) Truth – vv8-9
3) Trust – vv3-4, 10-13
Discussion Questions:
- Will Christians ever become afraid? What should we do when we are afraid?
- How does the Bible help us to trust God?
- What truths should I preach to myself when I am afraid?
- What fruit is evident in the life of a person who is trusting God?
Other Passages to Consider:
1 Samuel 21; Ps 34; 138:2; Prov 3:5-6; Isa 49:14-16; John 16:33; Rom 8:31-39; Heb 13:5-6; Matt 6:25-34; 10:28-31
Protection & Fulfillment
Protection & Fulfillment – Matthew 2:13-23
Digging Deeper:
- How does this chapter demonstrate God’s sovereignty over evil? In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of this?
- What did the exodus of God’s people from slavery in Egypt point to in the NT?
- How does seeing God’s word fulfilled encourage you?
- What truths about Jesus did this passage remind you of? How can you respond?
Other Passages to Consider:
Ex 1:1-2:10; Ps 22; 69; Isa 53; 51:9-11; Jer 16:14-15; 31:15-34 (Heb 8:8-13); Hos 11:1-11; Rom 6:1-14; 8:28-30; Col 1:13-14