Sermon Study Guides
Sermon Guide 2/9
Small Group Guide: The Prodigal Son and Ministry
Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer asking for God's guidance and wisdom as you discuss the sermon and its applications.
Key Takeaways:
- Ministry is about standing in solidarity with our Father as forgiven and restored children.
- The parable of the Prodigal Son is ultimately about the Father's great love and compassion.
- Both the younger and older son in the parable represent different ways we can be "lost."
- Our church's ministries aim to help people "come to themselves" and experience God's love.
Discussion Questions:
- The sermon mentions that asking for inheritance early was like telling the father "I wish you were dead." How does this cultural context change your understanding of the parable?
- In what ways can you relate to the younger son? The older son? The father?
- The pastor says, "Ministry is standing in solidarity with our Father as sons and daughters who have already been forgiven and restored to the family." What does this mean to you practically?
- How does the concept of honor and shame in Eastern cultures differ from our Western perspective? How might this impact our understanding of God's forgiveness?
- The sermon suggests that the older son is "truly the lost one." Do you agree? Why or why not?
- How can we cultivate a attitude of celebration when others "return" to God, rather than resentment like the older son?
- What ministries in our church help people "come to themselves" and experience God's love? How can we support or get involved in these ministries?
Practical Applications:
- Reflect on your own journey: Have you had a "coming to yourself" moment? Share with the group if you're comfortable.
- This week, look for opportunities to extend compassion to someone who might feel "lost" or separated from God or community.
- Identify one ministry in the church that resonates with you and find out how you can contribute or participate.
- Practice gratitude daily this week, focusing on God's forgiveness and restoration in your life.
- If you struggle with resentment towards others receiving God's grace, spend time in prayer asking God to soften your heart.
Closing Prayer: Close the session by thanking God for His unfailing love and asking for His help in living out the lessons learned from the parable of the Prodigal Son in your daily lives and ministries.
Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer asking for God's guidance and wisdom as you discuss the sermon and its applications.
Key Takeaways:
- Ministry is about standing in solidarity with our Father as forgiven and restored children.
- The parable of the Prodigal Son is ultimately about the Father's great love and compassion.
- Both the younger and older son in the parable represent different ways we can be "lost."
- Our church's ministries aim to help people "come to themselves" and experience God's love.
Discussion Questions:
- The sermon mentions that asking for inheritance early was like telling the father "I wish you were dead." How does this cultural context change your understanding of the parable?
- In what ways can you relate to the younger son? The older son? The father?
- The pastor says, "Ministry is standing in solidarity with our Father as sons and daughters who have already been forgiven and restored to the family." What does this mean to you practically?
- How does the concept of honor and shame in Eastern cultures differ from our Western perspective? How might this impact our understanding of God's forgiveness?
- The sermon suggests that the older son is "truly the lost one." Do you agree? Why or why not?
- How can we cultivate a attitude of celebration when others "return" to God, rather than resentment like the older son?
- What ministries in our church help people "come to themselves" and experience God's love? How can we support or get involved in these ministries?
Practical Applications:
- Reflect on your own journey: Have you had a "coming to yourself" moment? Share with the group if you're comfortable.
- This week, look for opportunities to extend compassion to someone who might feel "lost" or separated from God or community.
- Identify one ministry in the church that resonates with you and find out how you can contribute or participate.
- Practice gratitude daily this week, focusing on God's forgiveness and restoration in your life.
- If you struggle with resentment towards others receiving God's grace, spend time in prayer asking God to soften your heart.
Closing Prayer: Close the session by thanking God for His unfailing love and asking for His help in living out the lessons learned from the parable of the Prodigal Son in your daily lives and ministries.
Sermon Guide 2/2
Small Group Guide: The Power of Prayer
Opening Prayer: Begin your session with a prayer, asking God to guide your discussion and help you apply the lessons from the sermon.
Key Takeaways:
- Prayer is more than just asking for needs; it's a comprehensive way of communicating with God.
- Jesus set an example of consistent prayer throughout his life and ministry.
- Prayer involves both words and actions, demonstrating submission to God's will.
- The goal of prayer is to unite our will with God's will, not just to get what we want.
Discussion Questions:
- How has your understanding of prayer changed after hearing this sermon?
- The sermon mentions that Jesus had a "custom" of going to the Mount of Olives to pray. Do you have a regular time and place for prayer? How might establishing such a habit impact your spiritual life?
- Discuss the significance of Jesus' posture (kneeling) during his prayer in Gethsemane. How does our physical posture affect our attitude in prayer?
- The sermon emphasizes Jesus' words, "not my will, but yours be done." How challenging do you find it to pray this way? Share experiences where you've had to submit your will to God's.
- How can we move from a "give me" prayer life to one that seeks unity with God's will?
- Reflect on the question, "Lord, what do you want to do through me?" How might regularly asking this question change your approach to life and ministry?
Practical Applications:
- This week, try incorporating different prayer postures (kneeling, standing with arms outstretched, etc.) into your personal prayer time. Reflect on how it impacts your prayer experience.
- Set aside time each day to pray specifically for God's will to be done in your life, rather than presenting a list of requests.
- Start each morning with the question, "Lord, what do you want to do through me today?" Keep a journal of how this impacts your daily decisions and interactions.
- As a group, commit to praying for each other throughout the week, focusing on aligning with God's will rather than just specific needs.
Closing Prayer: End your session by praying together, using the Lord's Prayer as a guide, emphasizing the line "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Scripture for Further Study:
Opening Prayer: Begin your session with a prayer, asking God to guide your discussion and help you apply the lessons from the sermon.
Key Takeaways:
- Prayer is more than just asking for needs; it's a comprehensive way of communicating with God.
- Jesus set an example of consistent prayer throughout his life and ministry.
- Prayer involves both words and actions, demonstrating submission to God's will.
- The goal of prayer is to unite our will with God's will, not just to get what we want.
Discussion Questions:
- How has your understanding of prayer changed after hearing this sermon?
- The sermon mentions that Jesus had a "custom" of going to the Mount of Olives to pray. Do you have a regular time and place for prayer? How might establishing such a habit impact your spiritual life?
- Discuss the significance of Jesus' posture (kneeling) during his prayer in Gethsemane. How does our physical posture affect our attitude in prayer?
- The sermon emphasizes Jesus' words, "not my will, but yours be done." How challenging do you find it to pray this way? Share experiences where you've had to submit your will to God's.
- How can we move from a "give me" prayer life to one that seeks unity with God's will?
- Reflect on the question, "Lord, what do you want to do through me?" How might regularly asking this question change your approach to life and ministry?
Practical Applications:
- This week, try incorporating different prayer postures (kneeling, standing with arms outstretched, etc.) into your personal prayer time. Reflect on how it impacts your prayer experience.
- Set aside time each day to pray specifically for God's will to be done in your life, rather than presenting a list of requests.
- Start each morning with the question, "Lord, what do you want to do through me today?" Keep a journal of how this impacts your daily decisions and interactions.
- As a group, commit to praying for each other throughout the week, focusing on aligning with God's will rather than just specific needs.
Closing Prayer: End your session by praying together, using the Lord's Prayer as a guide, emphasizing the line "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Scripture for Further Study:
- Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's Prayer)
- Romans 12:2
- James 4:13-15
Sermon Guide 1/26
Small Group Guide: Gratitude and Faith
Opening Prayer:
Begin with a prayer, asking God to open our hearts and minds to understand His message and grow in faith and gratitude.
Key Takeaways:
- Generosity is fundamentally grounded in gratitude.
- God's grace flows throughout our lives, often acting before we even have faith.
- Gratitude is a powerful expression of faith and a measure of one's character and spiritual condition.
- Recognizing and responding to God's grace with thankfulness is crucial in our spiritual journey.
Discussion Questions:
- The sermon mentions that the capital campaign is "not really about the money at all." What do you think it means to grow in faith together through such a campaign?
- Reflect on the story of the ten lepers. Why do you think only one returned to thank Jesus? Have you ever been in a situation where you forgot to express gratitude?
- The sermon states, "Gratitude just may be the purest measure of a person's character and spiritual condition." Do you agree or disagree? Why?
- How does the concept of receiving, appreciating, and returning gifts apply to our relationship with God?
- The sermon asks, "Are we really self-made individuals who are beholden to no one? Or, are we blessed daily in ways that we seldom perceive, can never repay, and for which we often fail to be grateful?" How would you answer this question?
- In what ways can gratitude be an expression of faith in your daily life?
Practical Applications:
- Gratitude Journal: Start a daily gratitude journal, writing down three things you're thankful for each day.
- Thank You Notes: Write a heartfelt thank you note to someone who has positively impacted your life recently.
- Gratitude Prayer: Incorporate specific expressions of gratitude in your daily prayers.
- Acts of Kindness: Perform a random act of kindness this week as a way of "paying forward" the blessings you've received.
- Gratitude Walk: Take a walk and consciously notice things around you that you're grateful for, thanking God for each one.
Closing Reflection:
Spend a few minutes in silent reflection, considering how you can cultivate a more grateful heart and express your faith through thanksgiving.
Closing Prayer:
End the session with a prayer of gratitude, thanking God for His grace and asking for help in living a life of thankfulness and faith.
Opening Prayer:
Begin with a prayer, asking God to open our hearts and minds to understand His message and grow in faith and gratitude.
Key Takeaways:
- Generosity is fundamentally grounded in gratitude.
- God's grace flows throughout our lives, often acting before we even have faith.
- Gratitude is a powerful expression of faith and a measure of one's character and spiritual condition.
- Recognizing and responding to God's grace with thankfulness is crucial in our spiritual journey.
Discussion Questions:
- The sermon mentions that the capital campaign is "not really about the money at all." What do you think it means to grow in faith together through such a campaign?
- Reflect on the story of the ten lepers. Why do you think only one returned to thank Jesus? Have you ever been in a situation where you forgot to express gratitude?
- The sermon states, "Gratitude just may be the purest measure of a person's character and spiritual condition." Do you agree or disagree? Why?
- How does the concept of receiving, appreciating, and returning gifts apply to our relationship with God?
- The sermon asks, "Are we really self-made individuals who are beholden to no one? Or, are we blessed daily in ways that we seldom perceive, can never repay, and for which we often fail to be grateful?" How would you answer this question?
- In what ways can gratitude be an expression of faith in your daily life?
Practical Applications:
- Gratitude Journal: Start a daily gratitude journal, writing down three things you're thankful for each day.
- Thank You Notes: Write a heartfelt thank you note to someone who has positively impacted your life recently.
- Gratitude Prayer: Incorporate specific expressions of gratitude in your daily prayers.
- Acts of Kindness: Perform a random act of kindness this week as a way of "paying forward" the blessings you've received.
- Gratitude Walk: Take a walk and consciously notice things around you that you're grateful for, thanking God for each one.
Closing Reflection:
Spend a few minutes in silent reflection, considering how you can cultivate a more grateful heart and express your faith through thanksgiving.
Closing Prayer:
End the session with a prayer of gratitude, thanking God for His grace and asking for help in living a life of thankfulness and faith.
Sermon Guide 1/19
Small Group Guide: The Son of the Mother - John 2:1-12
Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer asking for God's guidance and wisdom as you discuss the sermon and Scripture passage.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Jesus turning water into wine is more than just a miracle; it's a sign revealing Jesus' glory and the fullness of grace and truth.
- Jesus' actions demonstrate overwhelming generosity and abundance, far beyond what was necessary or expected.
- The miracle wasn't about getting credit or recognition, but about revealing God's character through Jesus.
- Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ in a way that surpasses our human understanding and expectations.
Discussion Questions:
- What stood out to you most from this sermon? Why?
- The pastor mentioned that this story is often well-known but not well-understood. Before this sermon, how did you interpret this passage? Has your understanding changed?
- Discuss the interaction between Jesus and his mother. How does this exchange reveal aspects of their relationship and Jesus' mission?
- The miracle produced an abundance of high-quality wine (120-180 gallons). What does this tell us about God's character and the nature of His grace?
- How does this story connect to John 1:14-18 about Jesus bringing "grace upon grace"?
- The miracle went largely unnoticed by the wedding guests. Why do you think Jesus chose to perform the miracle this way? What can we learn from this?
- Reflect on times in your life when you've experienced God's overwhelming generosity. How did it impact you?
Practical Applications:
- This week, try to notice instances of God's grace in your daily life, especially in unexpected or "ordinary" moments.
- Reflect on how you can extend grace and generosity to others, particularly to those you might consider undeserving.
- Consider ways you can serve others without seeking recognition, inspired by Jesus' example in this story.
- Spend time in prayer, thanking God for His abundant grace and asking for help to better understand and live out that grace.
Closing Prayer: Close the session by thanking God for His abundant grace and asking for His help to live out the lessons learned from this passage.
Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer asking for God's guidance and wisdom as you discuss the sermon and Scripture passage.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Jesus turning water into wine is more than just a miracle; it's a sign revealing Jesus' glory and the fullness of grace and truth.
- Jesus' actions demonstrate overwhelming generosity and abundance, far beyond what was necessary or expected.
- The miracle wasn't about getting credit or recognition, but about revealing God's character through Jesus.
- Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ in a way that surpasses our human understanding and expectations.
Discussion Questions:
- What stood out to you most from this sermon? Why?
- The pastor mentioned that this story is often well-known but not well-understood. Before this sermon, how did you interpret this passage? Has your understanding changed?
- Discuss the interaction between Jesus and his mother. How does this exchange reveal aspects of their relationship and Jesus' mission?
- The miracle produced an abundance of high-quality wine (120-180 gallons). What does this tell us about God's character and the nature of His grace?
- How does this story connect to John 1:14-18 about Jesus bringing "grace upon grace"?
- The miracle went largely unnoticed by the wedding guests. Why do you think Jesus chose to perform the miracle this way? What can we learn from this?
- Reflect on times in your life when you've experienced God's overwhelming generosity. How did it impact you?
Practical Applications:
- This week, try to notice instances of God's grace in your daily life, especially in unexpected or "ordinary" moments.
- Reflect on how you can extend grace and generosity to others, particularly to those you might consider undeserving.
- Consider ways you can serve others without seeking recognition, inspired by Jesus' example in this story.
- Spend time in prayer, thanking God for His abundant grace and asking for help to better understand and live out that grace.
Closing Prayer: Close the session by thanking God for His abundant grace and asking for His help to live out the lessons learned from this passage.
Sermon Guide 1/12
Small Group Guide: The Son of the Beloved
Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer asking God to open hearts and minds to the message of the sermon and guide the group's discussion.
Key Takeaways:
- John the Baptist prepared people for the coming of the Messiah through a baptism of repentance.
- Jesus' baptism didn't meet people's expectations of a warrior Messiah.
- At Jesus' baptism, God affirmed Jesus' identity as His beloved Son.
- Jesus' security in His identity allowed Him to withstand pressure and disappointment from others.
- As baptized believers, we are also called to find our identity as God's beloved children.
Discussion Questions:
- What expectations do you think people had of the Messiah in Jesus' time? How did Jesus challenge those expectations?
- The sermon mentions three false identities we often struggle with: we are what we do, what we have, or what others think of us. Which of these do you find most challenging in your own life?
- How does understanding Jesus' identity as the Beloved Son of God impact your view of His ministry and mission?
- In what ways can our baptism and identity as God's beloved children influence our daily lives and decisions?
- The sermon suggests that living out our true identity in Christ may disappoint others. Can you share an experience where following God's will conflicted with others' expectations?
- How can we grow in security of our identity in Christ, especially when faced with pressure to conform to worldly standards?
Practical Applications:
- This week, spend time in prayer, focusing on your identity as God's beloved child. Write down any insights or emotions that arise.
- Identify one area in your life where you're trying to meet others' expectations rather than God's. Develop a plan to align this area more closely with your identity in Christ.
- Practice affirming other group members in their identity as God's beloved. Send encouraging messages or make a point to verbally affirm them during the week.
- Reflect on your own baptism or commitment to Christ. How can you renew that commitment in a practical way this week?
Closing Prayer: Thank God for the gift of Jesus and His example of living securely in His identity. Ask for help in embracing your own identity as God's beloved and living it out faithfully.
Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer asking God to open hearts and minds to the message of the sermon and guide the group's discussion.
Key Takeaways:
- John the Baptist prepared people for the coming of the Messiah through a baptism of repentance.
- Jesus' baptism didn't meet people's expectations of a warrior Messiah.
- At Jesus' baptism, God affirmed Jesus' identity as His beloved Son.
- Jesus' security in His identity allowed Him to withstand pressure and disappointment from others.
- As baptized believers, we are also called to find our identity as God's beloved children.
Discussion Questions:
- What expectations do you think people had of the Messiah in Jesus' time? How did Jesus challenge those expectations?
- The sermon mentions three false identities we often struggle with: we are what we do, what we have, or what others think of us. Which of these do you find most challenging in your own life?
- How does understanding Jesus' identity as the Beloved Son of God impact your view of His ministry and mission?
- In what ways can our baptism and identity as God's beloved children influence our daily lives and decisions?
- The sermon suggests that living out our true identity in Christ may disappoint others. Can you share an experience where following God's will conflicted with others' expectations?
- How can we grow in security of our identity in Christ, especially when faced with pressure to conform to worldly standards?
Practical Applications:
- This week, spend time in prayer, focusing on your identity as God's beloved child. Write down any insights or emotions that arise.
- Identify one area in your life where you're trying to meet others' expectations rather than God's. Develop a plan to align this area more closely with your identity in Christ.
- Practice affirming other group members in their identity as God's beloved. Send encouraging messages or make a point to verbally affirm them during the week.
- Reflect on your own baptism or commitment to Christ. How can you renew that commitment in a practical way this week?
Closing Prayer: Thank God for the gift of Jesus and His example of living securely in His identity. Ask for help in embracing your own identity as God's beloved and living it out faithfully.