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!
God’s Grace to Us in Christ
God’s Grace to Us in Christ
Notes:
1) Grace that __________________ – Romans 3:23-25
2) Grace that ___________________ – Titus 2:11-14
3) Grace that ______________________________ – 2 Cor 1:3-5
Digging Deeper:
*Does God love you more when you are doing well in the Christian life? What is the basis for how God treats us?
*Why is training usually not easy or comfortable? What all does God us to train us?
*What does it mean to preach the Gospel to Yourself? Why is it important for Christians to do that often?
Other passages to consider:
Rom 3:21-26; 5:18-6:2; 8:1; Eph 1:3-14; Heb 9:14; 10:19-23; 12:6; 2 Tim 2:1.
Responses to the Word – Matthew 13:1-23
Responses to the Word – Matthew 13:1-23
Notes:
Digging Deeper:
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
What do the different types of soils represent in this parable?
Why do some people profess faith, come to church, but then later fall away and quit following Christ?
How is anyone able to respond to the Word in persevering faith?
Other passages to consider:
Isa 6:1-10; Matt 10:22; Jn 3:1-8; 6:25-71; 2 Cor 2:14-17; Eph 2:1-10; 1 Pet 1:3-12; 1 Jn 2:19.
Tell others the good news of Jesus Christ
Tell others the good news of Jesus Christ –
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Notes:
Digging Deeper:
- What is the gospel?
- Why should we evangelize?
- What should our evangelism look like?
Other Passages to consider :
Matt 12:34; 28:18-20; Jn 13:34-35; Acts 8:1-4; 11:19-21; Rom 10:1-17; 1 Cor 15:3-5; 2 Cor 2:14-17; 5:10-21; Col 4:3-6; 1 Pet 3:15.
Grow in the grace and knowledge of Chris
Grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ- 2 Peter 3:18
Sermon Notes:
- What does it mean?
- Grow in your _____________ and _____________ of God’s favor toward you in Christ.
- Grow in your _____________ of and _____________ with Christ.
- How do we do it?
Digging Deeper:
- In order to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, what must first be true in your life?
- What is grace? What does it mean to grow in grace?
- How is knowing Christ experienced in your daily life? What habits could you form to know Christ more intimately?
Other Passages to Consider:
1 Cor 3:1-3; Eph 2:4; Phil 3:7-16; Heb 5:12-14; 1 Pet 1:22-2:3; 2 Pet 1:2-11.
Church Growth
Church Growth – Ephesians 4:11-16
Sermon Notes:
- Source – Our life & growth ____________________________________ - vv11,16.
- Goal – To grow up into ________________________________________ - vv13-14.
- Process
- Pastors/teachers _____________________________________________ - vv11-12
- Members _____________________________________________________ - vv15-16.
Digging Deeper:
- What does growth in the church look like? What is it contrasted with?
- How does God use members to help the Body grow?
- How can you encourage others with the truth? Who can you invite into your life to encourage you?
Other Passages to Consider:
Matt 16:13-18; Jn 15:1-17; 1 Cor 12:12-13:7; Eph 3:14-4:7; Col 2:6-10; 1 Th 5:8-11; Heb 3:13; 10:24-25; 1 Pet 4:10
Captivated by Christ
Captivated by Christ
Digging Deeper
- How did Matthew see Jesus fulfilling the Isaiah prophecy about the Servant of the Lord?
- What does God do with faith that is weak? How have you seen this in your life?
- Who or what captivates your heart? How can you grow in being enthralled by Jesus?
Other Passages to Consider:
Isa 42:1-9; 53; Mt 3:13-17; 9:35-36; 11:28-30; 17:1-5; Lk 7:36-50; Rev 7:9-13.
Worth Waiting For
Worth Waiting For – Luke 2:22-38
Digging Deeper:
- What similarities do you see between Simeon and Anna?
- What did Simeon declare about Jesus?
- What does it look like for a believer to be waiting for the second coming of Christ?
- What about Jesus is worth waiting for?
Other Passages to Consider:
Ps 130; Rom 8:18-30; 1 Thess 1:9-10; Titus 2:11-14; Heb 9:27-28; 1 Pet 1:8-9; 2 Pet 3:11-14; Jude 20-21.
Precious Gift of Peace
Precious Gift of Peace – Luke 2:8-14
Sermon Notes:
1) What you have been given –
2) Why it could be given –
3) Why it was given to you –
Digging Deeper:
- By nature, why do we need peace with God?
- How does Jesus Christ make peace between sinners and God? How should this peace affect our lives?
- Why do you have faith in Christ while others don’t? What is your response to such grace?
Other Passages to Consider:
Isa 9:6; John 6:35-40,44,65; Acts 16:14; Rom 1:18; 5:1-10; Phil 1:29; Eph 2:4-9; Col 1:19-23.
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
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 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
Blessings Secured For Us By Christ
Blessings Secured For Us By Christ – Romans 4:24-5:2
Digging Deeper:
- What is justification? How does Jesus secure it? How do we receive it?
- By nature, why do we need peace with God? Describe the blessing of knowing you are at peace with God.
- What does it look like to have access to God?
- What is biblical hope? What will the believer’s future be like?
- What from the text assures you these blessings are secure?
Other Passages to Consider:
Rom 4:24-5:11; 8:18-30; Phil 3:20-21; Heb 4:14-16; 10:19-25; 1 Pet 1:3-9
Psalm 131 - Peace in the Presence of God
Psalm 131 - Peace in the Presence of God
Digging Deeper:
- How does a mother with her child picture God’s care for us? – Isa 66:12-13
- What is the child experiencing in v2?
- Why does the Bible teach that we must have a child-like faith? What does that mean? - Matt 18:1-4; 19:13-15
- Was David’s life free from trouble and pain? How had he come to experience peace? – Ps 27:11; 23:1-4; 86:1-5
- How do we enter into the presence of God? What attitudes and actions are necessary for you to do that?
Other Passages to Consider:
Prov 3:5-6; Phil 4:6-13; Luke 10:38-47
The Promised Son of Abraham
The Promised Son of Abraham – Matthew 1:1-17
Digging Deeper:
- Why did Matthew highlight that Jesus is the son of Abraham?
- What promises did God make to Abraham?
- How are these promises ultimately fulfilled in Christ?
- What is significant about the four women referenced in vv3-6?
- How is God glorified by saving people from all nations?
- Think about God’s grace in saving you and respond in praise.
Other Passages to Consider:
Gen 12:1-3; 15:1-6; 17:1-8; 22:18; Ps 86:8-10; Matt 4:15 (from Isa 9:1); 12:15-21 (from Isa 42:1-4); 15:22; 28:18-20; Rom 4:13-25; 2 Cor 1:19-20; Gal 3:7-18
God Saved Me
God Saved Me - Titus 3:3-7
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- In v3, which verbs are active and which are passive? What does this show?
- What was not the grounds for our salvation? On what basis does God save us?
- What are we saved from?
Other passages to consider: Ezek 36:25-27; Luke 19:10; John 3:1-8; Rom 6:17-19; 2 Cor 4:4-6; Eph 2:1-10; Col 3:7; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 4:14;
Digging Deeper:
- What were you like before God saved you? How have you changed?
- How does God save us?
- What is true of you now that God has saved you?
- How does this passage give you hope that God can save unbelievers around you?
Core Commands for the Battle
Core Commands for the Battle – 1 Corinthians 16:12-14
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What sins and temptations did the Corinthians need to be alert for?
- In the Bible what activity is linked to being watchful? Why?
- How would love take care of most of the problems plaguing the Corinthian church?
Other passages to consider: Josh 1:1-9; John 15:1-20; Acts 20:24-32; 1 Thess 5:1-11; 2 Thess 2:13-15; 1 Cor 4:10-14; 10:31; 13:1-3; Eph 5:15-17; 6:10-20; Col 4:2-6; 1 Pet 5:6-11; Heb 10:19-25
Digging Deeper:
- What dangers do Christians need to be alert to in this present world?
- Why do Christians need courage? What frightening circumstances may we face?
- Where do courage, perseverance, and love come from? How do we tap into that?
- What dangers/temptations/distractions are your currently facing? Where can you find help?
Faith Alone
Sermon – Faith Alone – Romans 3:21-28
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What is biblical faith?
- How can God declare us righteous when we are sinners?
- What do you need to know in order to be saved?
Other passages to consider: Gen. 15:1-6; Gal 2:15-21; James 2:14-26; Rom 4:1-5:2; 8:28-30
Digging Deeper:
- How are works related to our salvation?
- How should we respond to someone who claims that all that matters is that you have some kind of faith?
- What is the difference between justification, sanctification, and glorification?
- How does the doctrine of faith alone magnify Christ?