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!
Expect Persecution
Expect Persecution – Matthew 10:16-25
Digging Deeper:
- How did this world treat Jesus? Why?
- Why should Christians expect persecution? What is it about the Gospel that this world finds so offensive?
- How does God work through persecution for our good?
Other Passages to Consider:
Mt 5:10-12, 43-45; 13:20-21; Jn 15:18-16:4; 16:33; Acts 4:13-31; 5:40-42; 9:4-5; Rom 8:35; 12:14; 2 Tim 3:12-13; 1 Pet 2:19-25; 4:7-19.
Came to Save; Saved to Serve
Came to Save; Saved to Serve – Luke 1:67-80
Sermon Notes:
1) As promised, God ______________________... - vv67-74a, 77-79.
2) …that we might ______________ without fear in holiness & righteousness – vv74-75.
Digging Deeper:
- What promises does Zechariah refer to the coming of Christ fulfilling? Why did that cause great rejoicing?
- How do you feel knowing that God keeps his promises? What other promises from God encourage you?
- What enemies does Jesus save us from? What attributes of God are displayed the coming of Christ?
- What does this passage teach you about serving God? Where is God calling you to serve Him now?
Other Passages to Consider:
Gen 17:1-8; 2 Sam 7:8-17; Ps 100:1-2; Mark 10:45; Rom 3:23-24; 7:6; Eph 2:1-10; Col 1:13-14; 1 Thess 1:7; Titus 2:11-14; Heb 9:11-14.
Seek and Serve the Lord in Secret
Seek and Serve the Lord in Secret – Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Sermon Notes:
Hypocrites practice acts of righteousness…
- Before others
- In order to be seen by them
- Reward = praise of men (no reward from God)
We should practice acts of righteousness…
- In __________
- __________ sees
- Our Father will __________
Digging Deeper:
- Do you pray more with others or alone?
- What should our motive be in pursuing acts of righteousness?
- Do you tend to draw attention to your worship or how much you serve?
- Do you have a regular time of personally seeking the Lord? If not, establish a time, place, and plan for spending time with the Father.
Other Passages to Consider:
Deut 15:11; Ps 41:1; 63:1-8; Prov 19:17; Matt 5:20; 6:7-15;Lk 18:1-8; Rom 2:28-29
Hunger for Holiness
Hunger for Holiness - Matthew 5:6
Sermon Notes:
1)
2)
3)
Digging Deeper:
- What is your focused pursuit in life? If it is not what it should be, then ask God to help you have the right desires.
- Why should we pursue holiness in our lives? How could it draw us closer to God?
- What is one area of your life God would like you to bring in conformity to His Word? What steps can you take to grow in this area?
Other Passages to Consider:
Ps 42:1-4; 63:1-8; Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18; Eph 3:17-19; 5:1-21; 1 Peter 1:12-2:9; 1 Jn 1:5-10
The Promised King Has Come!
The Promised King Has Come! – Matthew 1:1
Digging Deeper:
- Have you ever waited a long time for something? How did you feel when finally the wait was over? How can you rejoice in the coming of Christ this Christmas season?
- Do you rejoice often about being rescued by Jesus? How can you regularly remember what Christ has done for you?
- What does Christ’s rule look like in your life? What areas do you need to bring under His Lordship?
- Because God sent the promised Messiah we know that God will keep the rest of His promises. What promises of God encourage you today?
- How will we experience Christ’s rescue and rule when He returns?
Other passages to consider:
2 Sam. 7:1-17; Isa 9:6-7; 11:1-5; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Amos 9:11; Acts 2:29-40; Eph 2:1-7; Col 1:13-14; 1 Thess 4:13-5:11; Heb 2:14-15
By His Wounds You Have Been Healed
By His Wounds You Have Been Healed
1 Peter 2:21-25
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- How does Peter describe our condition before Christ?
- What did Jesus do for us? How would you describe his sacrifice?
- What is the result of Christ’s sacrifice for us?
Other passages to consider: Ps 23; Isa 40:11-12; 53; Luke 15:1-7; Jn 10; Eph 2:1-10
Digging Deeper:
- From what have we been healed? Is there more healing to come? What will that entail?
- Knowing the Lord is our Shepherd, what does this tell us about our relationship with him?
- How does Christ provide shepherding and oversight? (Hint: where else does Peter talk about these things in his letter?)
- In what area can you be living to righteousness?
Undeserved Treatment
Undeserved Treatment – 2 Corinthians 5:21
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- In v21, who is acting on behalf of whom?
- What does it mean for Christ to be made sin?
- v21 says we become the righteousness of God. How can this be? Where does this righteousness come from?
Other passages to consider: Ps 103:10-12; Isa 53:4-12; Mark 10:45; Rom 3:21-26; 4:6-8; Rom 5:1, 6-8, 18; 2 Cor 5:14-21; Gal 3:13-14; Phil 3:9; Heb 4:15; 10:11-14; 1 Pet 2:24
Digging Deeper:
- This passage speaks of reconciliation with God. What does the word reconciliation tell us about the nature of God and our sin?
- What needed to be true of Christ in order for him to be our substitute?
- How do we benefit from Christ’s atoning work? Where in v21 is that pointed out?
- What applications of this great truth do you see in the immediate context of v21?