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!
King Over All
King Over All – Zechariah 14
Notes:
- When and how did Jesus establish His Kingdom?
- What realities of Christ’s Kingdom do we already experience? How will the fulness of Christ’s Kingdom be experienced at His return?
- How should the truth that God is king over all impact us now?
Other passages to consider:
Ezek 38:1-40:2; Hag 2:6,21-22; Mt 4:17; 27:51-54; Lk 4:43; 1 Cor 15:23-28; 1 Pet 1:6-16; Rev 21-22.
Living Between His Comings
Living Between His Comings – Matthew 24:3-28
Notes:
Digging Deeper:
- What did the disciples ask Jesus? Why would the disciples connect the destruction of the temple with the end of the age?
- What commands does Jesus give his disciples in this passage? Which commands are applicable to Christians in every age?
- How can Christians guard against being led astray or having their love grow cold?
Other passages to consider:
Dan 9:27; 12:11; Matt 7:15-23; 13:21; 28:18-20; Acts 5:36; 8:1,4; 20:29-30; 2 Pet 2:1; 1 Jn 4:1.
God's Banquet
God's Banquet- Matthew 22:1-14
Notes:
Digging Deeper:
- What does the banquet represent?
- Why do many people today reject the invitation to be saved? For those who respond, how are they able to do that?
Other Passages:
Ps 34:8; Isa 55:1-3; Matt 11:28-30; John 1:12-13; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Eph 1:3-6; Rev 19:6-9; 22:17.
Jesus is the Only Way to God
Jesus is the Only Way to God – Matthew 21:23-46
Notes:
Digging Deeper:
-How is John the Baptist’s authority and message connected to Jesus’s?
-Who were the people of God before Christ came? After Christ’s death & resurrection, how does one become part of the people of God?
-How did Christ’s rejection become His ultimate victory?
Other passages to consider:
Ps 118:22-24; Isa 5:1-7; Mt 3:1-4; 11:7-19; Acts 4:11; Eph 2:19-22; Heb 1:1-2; 1 Pet 2:4-5.
The Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice
The Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice -
Matthew 20:17-34
Notes:
Digging Deeper:
- What cup was Jesus about to drink?
- What did Christ’s death accomplish? How should we respond to Christ’s sacrifice?
- How are the values of Christ’s Kingdom different from the world’s values?
Other passages to consider:
Isa 51:17; 53:3-7; Jer 25:15; Matt 18:4; 26:38-46; Jn 10:17-18; 2 Cor 4:6; Ph 2:1-8; Col 1:13-14.
Pursuing Humility and Holiness
Pursuing Humility and Holiness
Matthew 18:1-9
Notes:
Digging Deeper:
-Why does Jesus say we must become like a child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Why is humility essential in becoming a Christian?
-In what ways might we cause another believer to stumble into sin? How can we guard against doing that?
-What things consistently cause me to sin? What radical action is God calling me to do in order to pursue holiness?
Other Passages to Consider:
Isa 66:2; Matt 5:3-6; 27-30; 25:40; Luke 18:9-17; Heb 4:12-16; Jam 4.
Incomparable Value of Christ & His Kingdom
The Incomparable Value of Christ & His Kingdom
- Matthew 13:44-53
Notes:
1) Recognize the Value
2) Respond to the Value
Digging Deeper:
- What do you delight in? What is the relationship between joy and value?
- Describe the value of Christ and His Kingdom.
- How did you come to see the value of Jesus? How can you explain His value to others?
Other passages to consider:
Matt 5:17-20; 6:19-21; 7:13-14; 10:27, 38-39; 25:31-46; Eph 1:3-23; Phil 3:7-21.
Expectations for the Kingdom of God
Expectations for the Kingdom of God – Matthew 13:24-43
Notes:
Kingdom of God = God’s redemptive rule over His people.
The Kingdom of God has…
1) small , but experiences !
2) unnoticeable , but produces !
3) now, but in the end all evil will be !
Digging Deeper:
- What kind of Kingdom were the Jews expecting the Messiah to bring in?
- How is the Kingdom of God…Already & Not Yet?
- What do these parables teach about how God works through the Gospel?
- How should the truth of the return of Christ encourage us?
Other passages to consider:
Ps 78:2; Isa 11:9; Ezek 17:22-24; Dan 7:13; 12:3; 1 Cor 15:25, 50-58;
1 Thess 5:1-11; 2 Thess 1:5-12; Rev 11:15-18; 21:3
The Treasure of Your Heart
The Treasure of Your Heart - Matthew 6:19-24
Sermon Notes:
Command – vv19-20
Condition – v21
Crucial – vv22-24
Digging Deeper:
- What do I prize dearly? What am I passionate about? What do I pour resources & concern into?
- What should be the Christian’s view of money & possessions?
- How can we guard our hearts from treasuring the things of this world?
- If Jesus is my greatest treasure, what needs to change in my life?
Other Passages to Consider:
Ps 49:16-17; 73:25-26; Pr 4:23; 23:4-5; Matt 19:16-30; Phil 3:7-14; 1 Tim 6:17-19; Jam 4:4-8; 1 Jn 2:15-17
Radically Different (Better) Physical Bodies
Radically Different (Better) Physical Bodies
1 Corinthians 15:35-44
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What were the Corinthians asking? What were they really doubting?
- How does a seed growing into a plant/tree relate to bodily resurrection?
- What do we learn about God’s creative power by observing the different earthly and heavenly bodies?
Other passages to consider: Gen 1; Ps 8; Rom 8:18-30; 1 Cor 1:18 -2:16; 2 Cor 4:16-5:10; Phil 3:21; Rev 21:1-6
Digging Deeper:
- How do you envision your future resurrection body? Do you grasp how different and awesome it will be?
- In what areas are you tempted to doubt God’s power or wisdom? What shall you do?
- How does remembering our hope help us follow Christ now?
- What will it be life to worship Christ with no weakness or sin?