Sermon Guide

January 18: Matthew 8:1-17

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

Key Takeaway:

1. Jesus embraces people before they become "one of us" - He didn't wait for Matthew to clean up his act; He called him immediately.
2. Jesus sees people differently than religious people do - Where others saw disease, contamination, or enemies, Jesus saw people worth rescuing.
3. The Kingdom of Heaven includes people we never expected - People who don't share our background, values, or voting habits may be seated at the great banquet.
4. Grace goes to the undeserving - That's what makes it grace. We all need rescue, not reward.
5. We must remember our own stories - "Such were some of you" (1 Corinthians 6:11) - We cannot forget where we came from.

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Matthew 8:1-17 together. What stands out to you most from these three healing stories (the leper, the centurion's servant, and Peter's mother-in-law)?
2. Why was Jesus' physical touch of the leper so significant? What social and religious boundaries did this break?
3. What amazed Jesus about the centurion's faith? What can we learn from how the centurion understood authority?
4. Every single one of us has a “them." Who is your "them"? What group of people do you find yourself most uncomfortable around or judgmental toward?
5. Have you ever felt like the leper - too broken, too far gone, or too unworthy for Jesus? What does this passage say to those feelings?
6. We forget our own stories. Share your own story of rescue. What were you rescued from? How does remembering this impact how you view others?
7. Read Jonah 4:1-11. How do you relate to Jonah's attitude? In what ways might we be angry that God shows mercy to the "wrong people"?
8. Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners, which scandalized the religious people. Who would scandalize your church or Christian community if Jesus brought them to your dinner table?
9. Are there people in your life you've been avoiding or keeping at arm's length because they make you uncomfortable? How might Jesus be calling you to engage differently?

Practical Applications:

1. REMEMBER YOUR STORY: Write out your testimony - specifically focusing on what you were rescued from. Share your story with one person this week who needs to hear about God's grace
2. BREAK DOWN BARRIERS: Intentionally have a conversation with someone different from you (politically, socially, economically, culturally). Invite someone to coffee or lunch who others might avoid or overlook
3. EXAMINE YOUR HEART: Make a list of your "thems" - people groups you struggle to see as Jesus sees them. Pray specifically for one of these groups each day this week and ask God to show you where your attitude needs to change.
4. EXTEND GRACE: Identify one person you've been judging or keeping at a distance, and take one concrete step toward reconciliation or connection this week
5. PRACTICE PRESENCE: Look for the invisible people in your daily routine (cashiers, janitors, service workers). Make eye contact, learn names, show genuine interest in their stories

 Sermon Guide

February 1: Matthew 16:13-28

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

Key Takeaway:

1. Confession requires divine revelation, not just speculation. We can't argue someone into the kingdom; we must share the gospel and let the Holy Spirit work.
2. Every believer has been given keys to the kingdom. The gospel was on its way to you so it could be on its way to someone else through you.
3. Following Jesus costs everything—and it's worth it. Denying ourselves and taking up our cross is the path to true life.
4. Authority comes through proper identification. We need to rightly identify Jesus to access His kingdom authority.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why did Jesus ask "Who do people say I am?" before asking "Who do YOU say I am?" What's the difference between these two questions, and why does it matter?
2. Jesus said that Peter's confession came from divine revelation, not speculation. How does this challenge our modern approach to sharing faith? What's the difference between convincing someone through arguments versus allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus?
3. Are you "locking" or "unlocking" the kingdom for people around you? What would change if you truly believed you had access to unlock heaven for others?
4. Peter went from being blessed by Jesus to being called "Satan" in just a few verses. What happened? How can our good intentions sometimes work against God's purposes?
5. Peter had good intentions but was ignorant of the big picture. Share a time when your good intentions got in the way of what God was trying to do in your life or someone else's.
6. Read Matthew 16:24-26 together. What does it practically look like to "deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus" in 2026?
7. Do you use the snooze button? Hitting snooze seems harmless but actually makes you more tired. What are some ways we "snooze" on Jesus? What areas of life are we pursuing that won't matter in eternity?

Practical Applications:

1. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus (especially someone difficult or different from you). Pray daily for them by name, and look for one opportunity to share your story or the gospel with them.
2. Spend 30 minutes in honest reflection: Who is truly the authority in your life right now? Make a list of what you're "chasing" (career goals, possessions, comfort, approval, etc.), and then compare that list to what Scripture says should have authority in your life. Confess any misplaced priorities and ask God to help you realign
3. Evaluate your heart. 
1. Who do I say Jesus is? Not who does my family say, not who does my church say—who do I say He is based on my own relationship with Him?
2. What does my faithfulness look like? If Jesus returned today and assessed my life, what would He find?

Sermon Guide

February 8: Matthew 23

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

Key Takeaways:

1. Religion at its best is when God's love poured into us spills out to others. False religion is performance-based, focused on appearance, and burdensome.
2. Characteristics of the Religion Jesus Hates:
1. Loves the spotlight more than serving in the shadows
2. Makes salvation harder than Jesus did
3. Makes excuses instead of owning error
4. Busy with religious activities but unconcerned with justice, mercy, and faithfulness
5. More concerned with image than integrity
6. More aware of others' sins than our own
3. Jesus didn't come for good people—there are no good people. He came for those who recognize they're broken and run to Him for mercy.

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Matthew 23:1-13 together. What strikes you most about Jesus' tone and approach with the Pharisees? Why do you think He was so direct?
2. In verse 4, Jesus says the Pharisees "tie up heavy loads" on people. What are some modern examples of how churches or Christians might do this today?
3. Jesus says in verse 11, "The greatest among you will be your servant." How does this contradict our culture's definition of greatness? How does it contradict religious culture?
4. Many people think they're Christians because they "vote Republican and don't drink light beer." What cultural markers or behaviors do we sometimes substitute for genuine faith?
5. Which of the characteristics of "the religion Jesus hates" resonated most with you personally? Why?
6. Just like the people Jesus was talking to we strain out gnats but gulp down camels. What are some "easy" religious activities we focus on while neglecting harder things like justice, mercy, and faithfulness?
7. Discuss the difference between tithing your tomatoes (easy, measurable religion) and showing mercy to difficult people (costly, real faith). Which comes more naturally to you? Why?
8. Read Matthew 23:37-39. After everything Jesus said about the Pharisees, His heart breaks for them. What does this reveal about Jesus' character? About His heart toward us when we fail?
9. Jesus didn't die for the cleaned-up version of you. He died for the real you. How does this truth change the way we approach God? The way we approach each other?
10. In what areas of your life are you most tempted to "clean the outside of the cup" while neglecting your heart (Matthew 23:25-26)?
11. The religion Jesus loves "constantly runs to Him for mercy." What would it look like for you to run to Jesus this week instead of performing for Him?
12. Who in your life needs to experience the mercy, justice, or faithfulness that should overflow from your relationship with Jesus? What's one practical way you can show that this week?

Practical Applications:

1. SHADOW SERVICE: Do one act of service this week that no one will know about except you and God. Don't post it, don't mention it, just serve.
2. MERCY MISSION: Identify someone in your life who is difficult, undeserving, or unable to repay you. Show them intentional mercy or kindness this week.
3. HONEST INVENTORY: Spend 30 minutes in prayer asking God to show you where you've been more concerned with image than integrity. Write down what He reveals and share it with one trusted person.
4. JUSTICE ACTION: Research one issue of injustice in your community. Take one concrete step to address it—volunteer, donate, advocate, or simply learn more.
5. CONFESSION PRACTICE: Instead of pointing out others' sins this week, practice confessing your own—to God and to someone you trust.

 Sermon Guide

February 15: Mark 1:21-39

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

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus is greater than everything - His authority surpasses all other powers, teachers, and solutions
2. Miracles are previews, not the mission - Jesus came to preach the kingdom, not just fix temporary problems
3. The temptation to settle for lesser things is real - Even Jesus faced pressure to focus on immediate needs over eternal purpose
4. Prayer is relationship, not performance - It's a child talking to their Father, not following a script
5. One of the quickest ways to fail at what matters most is to succeed at what doesn't

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Mark 1:32-39. What surprises you most about Jesus' decision to leave Capernaum when "everyone was looking for him"?
2. In verse 38, Jesus says, "This is why I have come." What does this tell us about Jesus' priorities? How does this contrast with what the disciples (and the crowd) wanted? If miracles were the mission of Jesus, Jesus failed because everyone he healed eventually died. How does this perspective change the way you think about Jesus' ministry?
3. Be honest—do you tend to see Jesus as useful (meeting your needs) or worthy (deserving your worship)? What does your prayer life reveal about your answer?
4. How do you react when you don't get what you want? Share a time when God answered your prayer differently than you hoped. How did you respond? Looking back, what did that experience teach you?
5. The noise of life: What are the "loudest voices" competing for your attention right now? (Work demands, family pressures, financial stress, social media, etc.) How do these drown out God's whisper?
6. Jesus regularly withdrew to pray, even with urgent needs surrounding Him. What makes it hard for you to prioritize time alone with God? What excuses do you find yourself making?
7. What "smaller roles" are you tempted to assign Jesus in your life? (Problem-solver, wish-granter, life coach, etc.)
8. Read Matthew 6:5-8 together. How does Jesus' teaching here connect with prayer being conversation, not performance? What would change if you truly prayed like you were talking to your Dad?
9. Many of our honest prayers happen when we’re alone. Do you share your frustration or complaints with him? Does it surprise you that God welcomes that kind of honesty? Why or why not?

Practical Applications:

1. Option 1: Like Jesus, wake up 15-30 minutes earlier than usual one day this week. Find a quiet spot and simply talk to God—no script, no agenda, just conversation. Journal about the experience.
2. Option 2: Turn off all non-essential notifications on your phone for 24-48 hours. Use the moments you would normally check your phone to instead acknowledge God's presence with a simple "Hey, Dad" prayer.
3. Option 3: Write out a completely honest prayer to God about something you're struggling with—including any anger, confusion, or disappointment you feel. Don't edit yourself. Then read it out loud to Him.
4. Option 4: Track how you spend your time for three days. At the end, ask yourself: "What do my time choices say about what I believe is most important?" Share your findings with an accountability partner.