Sermon Guide

June 22: Judges 10-12

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

Share a time when you felt you had to earn someone's love or approval. How did that impact you?

Key Takeaway:

1. God's love is more amazing than we can imagine.
2. Our religion is often more twisted than we admit.
3. Trying to earn God's love can lead to destructive behaviors and misunderstanding His character.

Discussion Questions:

1. Jephthah was the son of a prostitute who was rejected by his family. How might this have influenced his view of God and himself?
2. Discuss the difference between knowing God loves you and believing God likes you. Why do you think many struggle with the latter?
3. How does our culture promote the idea of "earning" love or favor? How does this contrast with God's unconditional love?
4. Many of us have a bad remix of Christianity. What are some examples of how we might mix cultural ideas with biblical truth in unhealthy ways?
5. Jephthah made a rash vow to God, leading to tragic consequences. What does this teach us about making promises to God or trying to manipulate Him?
6. How can shame or past hurts prevent us from fully embracing God's love? Share personal experiences if comfortable.
7. Since it is vital to be getting into God's Word, what practical steps can we take to make Bible reading a consistent habit?

Practical Applications:

1. This week, read a chapter of the Bible each day, asking: "What does this tell me about God?" and "What does this tell me about me?"
2. Identify one area in your life where you're trying to earn God's love. Pray and reflect on how to surrender that to Him.
3. Write down three truths about God's love from Scripture. Meditate on these when you feel tempted to doubt His affection for you. If you don’t know where to find any, go to bible.com and search the word “love”
4. Practice extending grace to someone this week, reflecting God's unconditional love.

 Sermon Guide

June 29: Judges 13-16

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

Key Takeaway:

1. God can work through imperfect people to accomplish His purposes.
2. Sin often starts small but grows progressively worse if left unchecked.
3. God's grace and mercy are available even when we've made a mess of things.

Discussion Questions:

1. Sin makes you stupid. How did this play out in Samson's life? What about in your own experiences?
2. Samson repeatedly did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, wherever he wanted, and with whoever he wanted. How does this attitude reflect the culture we live in today?
3. What does Samson's story teach us about the dangers of compromise and just barely tiptoeing over the line in our spiritual lives?
4. Sin thrives in secrecy, so how you so see this in life? How can we cultivate transparency and accountability in our lives?
5. How does Samson's story demonstrate both God's judgment on sin and His mercy toward sinners?
6. The sermon highlighted that "grace is not a license to continue to sin" but rather "the power to walk away from sin." How does this change our perspective on God's grace?
7. What hope can we find in the small detail that Samson's hair began to grow back (Judges 16:22)?

Practical Applications:

1. Identify an area in your life where you might be compromising or "just barely tiptoeing over the line." What steps can you take this week to move away from that compromise?
2. Choose a trusted friend or accountability partner to share something you've been keeping secret. Ask them to pray for you and check in on your progress.
3. Spend time this week re-sensitizing your soul through prayer, fasting, or extended time in God's Word. Ask God to show you any areas where you've become desensitized to sin.
4. Reflect on God's grace in your life. Write down specific ways you've experienced His mercy despite your failures.

 Sermon Guide

July 6: Judges 17-18

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

Key Takeaway:

1. Everyone doing what is right in their own eyes leads to spiritual and moral chaos.
2. You can be religious and still be far from God.
3. Creating God in our own image distorts our understanding of Him and our relationship with Him.
4. Compromising faith for personal gain or comfort has severe consequences.

Discussion Questions:

1. The sermon mentions Micah creating his own version of God. In what ways do we sometimes try to shape God to fit our preferences or desires?
2. How can we distinguish between genuine worship and self-serving religiosity in our own lives?
3. The Levite priest compromised his calling for personal gain. Can you think of modern examples where people might be tempted to do this in their faith journey?
4. The Danites chose comfort over their calling. How do we balance patience in difficult circumstances with discerning when God might be calling us to move or change?
5. Is your faith for sale? What are some ways our culture tempts us to compromise our beliefs for gain or acceptance?
6. How does the story of Micah and the Danites relate to contemporary issues in the church or society?

Practical Applications:

1. Self-reflection: Take time this week to examine your own faith. Are there areas where you've reshaped God to fit your preferences rather than aligning yourself with His will?
2. Scripture study: Read through the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and reflect on how each one challenges the "do what's right in your own eyes" mentality.
3. Prayer focus: Ask God to reveal any areas where you might be compromising your faith for comfort or personal gain. Pray for the strength to realign with His will.
4. Action step: Identify one area where you've been impatient with God's timing or direction. Commit to waiting on Him and seeking His guidance in that situation this week.

 Sermon Guide

July 13: Judges 19-21, Ruth 1-4

When we live according to our own truth, wrong becomes right, the weak are crushed, and we pervert justice.

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

Key Takeaway:

1. Judges 19-21 shows the Israelites' actions spiraled out of control. Can you think of a time when you've seen small compromises lead to bigger issues in your own life or in society?
2. How does living according to our own truth rather than God's truth impact our treatment of others, especially the vulnerable?
3. Pornography treats people as commodities. In what other ways do we sometimes objectify or dehumanize others?
4. How can we recognize when we're perverting justice in the name of seeking justice?
5. We take pain and turn it into permission. How have you seen this play out in your own life or in others'?
6. How does the story of Ruth and Boaz contrast with the events in Judges 19-21? What can we learn from their example?

Discussion Questions:

1. Without a moral foundation anchored in God's truth, society quickly descends into chaos and injustice.
2. Our selfish desires often lead us to justify harmful actions against others.
3. True justice comes from God and should be pursued with humility and mercy.
4. Even in dark times, God is at work writing a redemptive story.

Practical Applications:

1. Examine an area of your life where you might be living according to your own truth rather than God's. Commit to aligning that area with Scripture.
2. Identify a vulnerable group in your community. Brainstorm ways your small group could serve or advocate for them.
3. Reflect on any "justified self-centeredness" in your life. Confess it to God and a trusted friend, asking for accountability.
4. Read through the book of Ruth this week, noting how God works even in dark times.
5. Practice extending mercy in a situation where you feel justified in seeking revenge or "justice."