Sermon Guide

August 24: Daniel 4

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

Key Takeaway:

1. God works in our lives even when things aren't going well.
2. No one is too far gone for God's saving grace.
3. We should approach others with both grace and truth, as modeled by Daniel.
4. Our response to God's work in our lives matters.
5. God is patient and gives opportunities for repentance.

Discussion Questions:

1. God works best by making our lives not work. Have you experienced this in your own life? How did it lead you closer to God?
2. Reflect on Daniel's approach to King Nebuchadnezzar. How did he balance truth and grace? Why is this balance important in our interactions with others?
3. Is there someone in your life you've considered "too far gone" for God's saving grace? How does King Nebuchadnezzar's story challenge this perspective?
4. The sermon emphasized that how we respond to God matters. What are some ways we can actively respond to God's work in our lives?
5. How does the story of King Nebuchadnezzar demonstrate God's patience and desire for repentance? How might this impact how we view our own struggles or those of others?
6. It's impossible for us to be full of grace and truth without being full of Jesus. What does this mean to you practically? How can we cultivate this in our daily lives?

Practical Applications:

1. Identify one person in your life who you've considered "too far gone" and commit to praying for them daily this week.
2. Practice balancing grace and truth in your interactions this week. Reflect on situations where you tend to lean too heavily on one or the other.
3. Set aside time each day to read and meditate on a verse from Scripture, allowing it to shape your thoughts and actions throughout the day.
4. Reflect on areas in your life where you might be building your own kingdom instead of submitting to God's. What steps can you take to surrender these areas to Him?
5. Share with the group next week about an opportunity you had to extend grace and truth to someone, especially in a challenging situation.
6. If you're struggling with feeling distant from God, take time to “look up to heaven" like Nebuchadnezzar did. Journal about what you see of God's character and how it applies to your situation.

 Sermon Guide

August 31: Daniel 5

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

Have you ever ignored a clear warning or piece of advice? What happened as a result?

Key Takeaway:

1. Belshazzar's downfall came not from lack of information, but from his unwillingness to apply what he knew.
2. God is patient and merciful, but He will not ignore sin forever.
3. Our eternal destiny depends not just on what we know, but on what we do with that knowledge.

Discussion Questions:

1. What parallels do you see between Belshazzar's attitude and modern society's approach to God?
2. We often think warnings don't apply to us. Can you think of examples where you've seen this mindset in yourself or others?
3. How does the image of being "weighed on the scales" impact your understanding of God's judgment?
4. Discuss the statement: "It's not that you know that matters. It's what you do with what you know that matters." How does this apply to our faith?
5. How does God's patience and desire for repentance shape your view of God's character?
6. What are some ways we might be creating a "third category" in our approach to faith?

Practical Applications:

1. Self-reflection: Take time this week to examine areas in your life where you might be ignoring God's warnings or guidance.
2. Action step: Identify one piece of biblical knowledge you've been neglecting to apply and commit to putting it into practice.
3. Sharing faith: Consider how you can communicate the urgency of responding to the gospel to someone in your life.
4. Gratitude exercise: Reflect on and thank God for His patience and mercy in your own life.

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Sermon Guide

September 7: Psalm 118

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

Key Takeaway:

1. God often uses difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes.
2. The rejected stone becomes the cornerstone - both in David's story and Jesus' story.
3. God's faithful love endures forever, carrying us through rejection and hardship.
4. We need to pause and recognize what God has done, even in the midst of challenges.

Discussion Questions:

1. Were you at Uniontown for outdoor service during COVID? Have you ever experienced a situation where something seemed to go wrong, but God used it for good? Share your experience.
2. Psalm 118 was "born in the valley, not on the mountaintop." How does this perspective change the way you view difficulties in your own life?
3. Discuss the concept of the "rejected stone becoming the cornerstone." How have you seen this play out in your life or in the lives of others?
4. At times we can walk around like spiritual amnesiacs. What are some ways we can actively remember and celebrate what God has done in our lives and in our church?
5. How does the resurrection of Jesus provide hope for our current circumstances, not just for eternity?
6. Psalm 118 emphasizes God's faithful love. How have you experienced God's faithfulness in your own life, especially during challenging times?

Practical Applications:

1. Gratitude Journal: Start a daily practice of writing down one way you've seen God work in your life, even in small ways.
2. Sharing Testimonies: In the coming week, share with at least one person a story of how God has worked in your life, especially through a difficult situation.
3. Scripture Meditation: Spend time meditating on Psalm 118:22-24 this week. Reflect on how God has turned your "rejected stones" into "cornerstones."
4. Church History: Learn more about your church's history and how God has been faithful over the years. Consider how you can contribute to that ongoing story.
5. Encouraging others: Reach out to someone who might be feeling rejected or discouraged. Share the hope of God's faithful love with them.
6. Prayer: Thank God for His faithful love and ask for His help to remember and celebrate what He has done, even in the midst of challenges.

 Sermon Guide

September 14: Luke 7:36-50

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

Key Takeaway:

1. Jesus sees and values people beyond their labels or reputations.
2. Forgiveness leads to love; it's not earned by our actions.
3. When we truly understand the depth of our forgiveness, it results in extravagant worship and love for Jesus.
4. Jesus invites everyone, regardless of their past, to come close to Him.

Discussion Questions:

1. In the story, which character did you most identify with - Simon the Pharisee, the sinful woman, or the observers? Why?
2. When grace meets disgrace, it isn't quiet. How have you experienced this in your own life?
3. Discuss the difference between trying to earn forgiveness and responding to forgiveness already given. How does this change our approach to God?
4. When is the last time you shed tears over your forgiveness? Share a time when you were deeply moved by God's forgiveness.
5. How does understanding the depth of our forgiveness impact our worship and service to God?
6. In what ways might we, like Simon, fail to "see" people as Jesus sees them? How can we improve in this area?
7. Jesus invites us to come close. What might be holding you back from drawing closer to Jesus?

Practical Applications:

5. This week, take time to reflect on specific ways God has forgiven you. Write them down and thank Him for each one.
6. Practice "seeing" others as Jesus does. Choose someone you might typically overlook or judge, and make an effort to see them through God's eyes of love and compassion.
7. Identify an area of your life where you might be trying to earn God's favor rather than responding to His grace. Surrender this to God in prayer.
8. Consider how you can express your love for Jesus in a tangible way this week, inspired by the woman's extravagant act of worship.