Sermon Guide

March 8: Mark 13

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why? 

Key Takeaways:

1. Christianity is defined by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone - not by our views on secondary issues.
2. Don't be alarmed by world events - birth pains are not death rattles. Creation is groaning, waiting to be remade.
3. The Holy Spirit shows up in our weakness - when we're out of words, out of strength, on trial.
4. Being alert means working, not watching - we're called to carry the message of hope to a world that has none.
5. Jesus' return is GOOD NEWS - we should live with hope and urgency, not fear and speculation.

Discussion Questions:

1. Jesus will return. Evil will be defeated. The dead will be raised. God will make all things new. Why is it important to keep this as the main thing rather than getting caught up in debates about specific end-times details?
2. How have you seen Christians disagree on secondary issues (worship style, end times views, etc.) in ways that broke fellowship? What would it look like to disagree well on these topics?
3. Read Mark 13:5-8. Jesus says "don't be alarmed" when we see wars, earthquakes, and disasters. Why do you think Christians often respond with alarm instead of peace? What's the difference between being aware and being alarmed?
4. Our current time can be understood as "the valley" between two mountain peaks. What are some of the challenges and hardships of living in this valley that you've personally experienced?
5. Read Mark 13:11. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will speak through us when we're on trial or out of words. Can you share a time when you felt completely out of words or strength, and God showed up in that moment?
6. The Holy Spirit doesn't just “show up” during the high moments of our life... The Holy Spirit shows up while you're on trial. How does this change your perspective on difficult seasons?
7. Read Mark 13:33-37 and Acts 1:6-11. Jesus repeatedly tells the disciples to stop obsessing about "when" and start focusing on their task. What is the task He's given us? Why do you think we're so tempted to focus on "when" instead?
8. We've turned "being alert" into "birdwatching" - casual observation rather than active work. What does it practically look like to "be alert" in your daily life? At work? In your neighborhood? With your family?
9. "There's thousands of people at the bottom of this hill who are lost and going to hell. Get off the hill." What keeps us comfortable on the hill instead of engaging with people who need Jesus?
10. On a scale of 1-10, how much time do you spend thinking/worrying about "when Jesus will return" versus actually doing what He's called you to do? Be honest.
11. What specific "work" has God given you to do? This could be a person He's placed in your life who needs to hear about Jesus, a ministry or service opportunity, a relationship that needs reconciliation or a habit or sin you need to address with His power.
12. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. How does knowing that "He who calls you is faithful; He will do it" give you confidence to do the work He's called you to?

Practical Applications:

1. Stop the Speculation: Commit to spending less time consuming end-times content (social media posts, videos, articles) and more time in actual Scripture and prayer.
2. Share Your Story: Identify one person in your life who doesn't know Jesus and intentionally share your testimony or invite them to church/coffee to talk about faith.
3. Serve in the Valley: Look for someone in your life who is in a "valley moment" (trial, hardship, loss) and show up for them practically this week.
4. Memorize Scripture: Commit Mark 13:31 to memory: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
5. Pray for Power: Daily ask God for Holy Spirit power to be His witness where you are - Jerusalem (home), Judea (work/school), Samaria (uncomfortable places), ends of the earth (missions).

 Sermon Guide

March 15: Luke 3:21-22

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why? 

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus identified with us completely - Though sinless, Jesus stood in line with sinners to be baptized, foreshadowing His ultimate substitution for us on the cross.
2. Baptism is obedience, not salvation - Baptism doesn't save us; only faith in Jesus does. Baptism is a public declaration of what has already happened in our hearts.
3. Baptism is not graduation - You don't need all your questions answered or your life completely cleaned up before being baptized. It's a step of obedience taken in faith.
4. The Trinity is revealed - At Jesus' baptism, we see the Son in the water, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father declaring His pleasure.
5. Reading Scripture changes us - As we engage with God's Word daily, we fall more in love with Jesus and respond with obedience.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus, who was sinless, chose to be baptized? What does this tell us about His mission?
2. What made John the Baptist's message so effective?
3. Read Romans 6:3-4. How does the pastor's explanation of baptism as a picture of burial and resurrection help you understand this passage better?
4. Have you been baptized? If so, share your baptism story with the group. If not, what has kept you from taking that step?
5. The Father said "This is my son in whom I am well pleased" before Jesus had performed any miracles or preached any sermons. How does it feel to know that God's pleasure in you isn't based on your performance?
6. What "kindergarten questions" or uncertainties have you been waiting to resolve before taking a step of obedience in your faith journey?
7. Reading Scripture daily is causing people to fall more in love with Jesus. How has the Every Word reading challenge impacted your relationship with God?
8. Jesus stood "shoulder to shoulder with the greedy, the tax collectors, the soldiers, the violent, the broken, the dishonest." How does Jesus' willingness to identify with sinners encourage you?
9. John the Baptist gave very practical instructions for repentance: share your coat, collect only what's necessary, use power for good. What would practical repentance look like in your life right now?
10. Baptism is "not graduation" but more like the first day of kindergarten. How does this perspective change the way you think about spiritual growth and obedience?

Practical Applications:

1. Continue (or start) the Every Word daily reading challenge. Share what you're learning with at least one person this week. utown.org/everyword
2. If you've been baptized, find a picture or recall your baptism story and share it with someone who hasn't been baptized yet.
3. Identify one area where you've been waiting for "ideal conditions" before obeying God. Take one small step of obedience this week.
4. If you are considering baptism, talk to your home group leader or a pastor about your questions regarding baptism. Read Acts 2:36-41 and Acts 8:26-39 and journal about what these passages teach about baptism. If you're ready, sign up for the next baptism opportunity at church. utown.org/nextsteps
5. If you’ve already been baptized, reflect on what has changed since your baptism. Write down 3-5 ways God has grown you. Encourage someone who is considering baptism by sharing your story. Identify one "next step" of obedience God is calling you to take (like baptism was a step for you).

Sermon Guide

March 22: Luke 7:18-28

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why? 

Key Takeaways:

1. Doubt isn't always a sign of weak faith - Even the greatest prophet struggled when reality didn't match expectations
2. Jesus doesn't shame honest questions - He responded to John with evidence and affirmation, not condemnation
3. Our expectations can become stumbling blocks - When we create our own standards for how God should work, we set ourselves up for disappointment
4. God promises His presence, not a problem-free life - "Even though I walk through the valley... You are with me" (Psalm 23)
5. We are greater than John - Not because we're stronger, but because we know the tomb is empty and can say "It is finished"

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think John the Baptist doubted? What was the gap between his expectations and his experience of Jesus?
2. How did Jesus respond to John's doubt? What does this tell us about how Jesus handles our honest questions and struggles?
3. What did Jesus mean when He said, "Blessed is the one who isn't offended by me"? How does the word "scandalon" (trap/stumbling block) help us understand this?
4. What expectations did you have about Jesus or the Christian life before you became a believer? Which of those have proven true? Which haven't?
5. Review the expectations mentioned in the sermon: Financial prosperity and good health, protection from war and suffering, freedom from persecution, children who follow Jesus, protection from early death or tragedy. Have you personally struggled with any of these? How has the gap between expectation and reality affected your faith?
6. Jesus will not ever be the Savior we always want Him to be... Jesus is in the business of giving you exactly what you need, not what you think you need. How does this statement challenge you? Encourage you?
7. Read Mark 9:24 - The father says, "I believe; help my unbelief!” Why is it significant that Jesus didn't shame this honest prayer? When have you needed to pray something similar? What keeps us from being this honest with God?
8. Sometimes our reactions to tragedy reveal we think we should be God and He should serve us. How can we tell the difference between honest lament (like the Psalms) and demanding God meet our expectations? What does healthy surrender to God's sovereignty look like in the midst of pain?
9. Jesus praised John publicly even after John's doubt, calling him the greatest person born of women. What does this teach us about how God views us in our struggles? How should this affect the way we treat others who are doubting?

Practical Applications:

1. Honest Inventory: Write down your current expectations of Jesus. Which are biblical? Which might you have created yourself? Bring the list to God in prayer, asking Him to align your heart with reality.
2. The "I Believe, Help My Unbelief" Prayer: Spend time each day this week praying with radical honesty about where you're struggling to trust. Don't perform faith you don't feel—bring your real doubts to Jesus.
3. Study God's Promises: Pick one area where your expectations haven't matched reality. Search Scripture for what God actually promises in that area (not what you assumed). Journal what you discover.
4. Encourage a Doubter: Reach out to someone you know who is struggling with doubt or disappointment with God. Follow Jesus' example—don't shame them, but point them to evidence of God's faithfulness.
5. Group Accountability: Share which application you're committing to this week. Check in with each other mid-week, and plan to report back next meeting on what God showed you.

 Sermon Guide

March 29: Luke 16

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why? 

Key Takeaways:

1. We already have what we need - The gospel has been revealed through Scripture and the resurrection. The issue isn't lack of evidence but willingness of heart.
2. Live with the end in mind - Knowing that everyone dies and faces eternity should radically change how we live today.
3. Use temporary resources for eternal impact - God has given us finances, time, and opportunities to invest in gospel advancement and people's souls.
4. Be shrewd for the Kingdom - Bring the same urgency, creativity, and strategic thinking to Kingdom work that the world brings to temporary pursuits.
5. You cannot serve two masters - Our relationship with money reveals who or what we're truly serving.

Discussion Questions: 

The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

1. How does thinking about the end (death and eternity) change how you live in the present? Why do you think the rich man was in torment? What does this story reveal about what truly matters to God?
2. Abraham tells the rich man that his brothers "have Moses and the prophets." What does this mean for us today?
3. The rich man believed a miracle (someone rising from the dead) would convince his brothers. Jesus rose from the dead, yet many still don't believe. What does this tell us about the human heart?
4. What are you going to do with what's right in front of you? How do you answer that question?
5. Is there someone in your life (like Lazarus at the gate) that God has placed in your path whom you've been ignoring?

The Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-13)

6. Jesus says "worldly people are often better at playing the long game than people who follow Jesus." Do you agree? Why or why not? In what areas of life do non-believers sometimes show more urgency, creativity, or strategic thinking than Christians?
7. Money is a tool to be used, not a treasure to be stored. How does this challenge the way you view your finances? What does it mean practically to "use what won't last for what will"?
8. Jesus says we cannot serve both God and money (v. 13). How can you tell which one you're serving? What are some warning signs that money has become a master rather than a tool in your life?

Practical Applications:

1. Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal if there are any "Lazarus figures" in your life you've been ignoring. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel and take one concrete step toward sharing it with them this week
2. Examine your bank statements from the last month—what do they reveal about your priorities and what you're serving? Review your giving—are you faithfully and generously supporting gospel work locally and globally?
3. Write down three ways you could use your financial resources more strategically for eternal impact. Find one practical way to meet a physical need for someone while also sharing the hope of Christ.
4. For Families: Have a conversation with your family about how you're using your resources for God's Kingdom. Involve your children in a giving decision—let them help choose a missionary, ministry, or need to support.