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!
Joy in the Midst of Grief & Suffering
Joy in the Midst of Grief & Suffering
Notes:
Basis of joy - He gives us in Christ – v6a.
Results of suffering:
1) Suffering brings - v6b.
2) Suffering leads to - v7.
3) Suffering draws us - vv8-9.
- Where is your joy? Where are you tempted to place it other than in the gospel? What impact does it have on your life when you seek joy in something more than you seek it in your salvation?
- How have past (or present) trials shown you the genuineness of your faith? How might that change the way you think about those times of hardship?
- Do you tend to grow closer to God in times of difficulty? Why?
- Who around you needs encouragement as they go through trials?
Other passages to consider:
Mt 5:10-12; Jn 16:33; 20:29; Rom 8:16-18; 31-39; 2 Cor 4:16-17; Phil 3:10-11; Col 1:11; 1 Thes 1:6; Jam 1:2-4; 1 Pt 4:12-13; Rev 21:1-4.
Joy and Faith in the New Year
Joy and Faith in the New Year- Psalm 9
Notes:
Daily:
1) – vv1-12
2) – vv13-20
Digging Deeper:
-What effect does thanksgiving have on a person’s spirit? How does thanksgiving glorify God?
-How does praising God and recounting His deeds help prepare you for future trials?
-Why should we pray? What all does God accomplish through prayer?
Other passages to consider:
Matt 6:5-13; 28:20; Rom 12:1-2; Col 3:17; Heb 5:7; 13:5; Jam 5:13-18; 1 Pet 5:5-10.
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
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)
Abide in My Love
Abide in My Love - John 15:9-11
Digging Deeper:
- To what does Jesus compare his love for us?
- How would you describe the Father’s love for Jesus?
- What does it look like to abide in Christ’s love? Are you doing that?
- How does sin affect our enjoyment of Christ’s love and joy?
- How do we experience Christ’s joy?
- What is the relationship between our joy (v11) and God’s glory (v8)?
Other passages to consider:
John 3:35; 4:34; 5:19-21; 8:29,55; 10:17-18; 12:27-28; 13:1; 14:31; 17:24-26; Eph 3:14-21; Gal 2:20; Heb 12:2; 1 John 1:4-2:6; Rom 8:31-39
Joy and Peace, Even When Life is Hard
Joy and Peace, Even When Life is Hard – Psalm 27
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- How does David describe the dangers he is facing? What emotions is David experiencing in the midst of this trouble?
- What is David’s passion in life? How does he pursue that passion?
- Why should confidence in God lead to seeking the Lord all the more?
Other passages to consider: Ex 34:5-8; Ps 13; 17; 23; 42:1-2; Isa 40:28-31; Luke 10:38-42; Eph 6:10-20; Heb 1:1-3
Digging Deeper:
- What is your #1 pursuit in life? What should it be?
- What does it look like for you to seek God’s face? How can you grow in this?
- Why can you have peace even in the midst of trials?
- What are you waiting on the Lord for right now? How does this Psalm help you to wait?