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!
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?