Sermon Guide

April 5: Luke 18 & 24

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

Key Takeaways:

1. The disciples couldn't understand Jesus' predictions because they were looking for a different kind of Messiah
2. The resurrection wasn't Plan B—it was always the plan, woven throughout all of Scripture
3. We often need to remember what God has already said rather than waiting for something new
4. The empty tomb means death took its best shot and lost—we have nothing left to fear
5. Because Jesus walked out of the tomb, we can walk free

Discussion Questions: 

Read Luke 18:31-34 together

1. The disciples heard Jesus clearly predict His death and resurrection, but "they understood none of these things." Why do you think they couldn't grasp what Jesus was saying?
2. Have you ever had a moment where God was clearly speaking to you, but you couldn't understand it at the time? What helped you eventually see what He was saying?
3. The disciples were "so busy looking in a different direction for what they expected the Messiah to be, they couldn't possibly grasp what Jesus was telling them." What expectations do we sometimes bring to God that keep us from seeing what He's actually doing?

The Women at the Tomb: Read Luke 24:1-8 together

4. The women came to the tomb expecting to find a body to embalm, not a resurrection. What does this tell us about where their hope was at that moment?
5. The angels asked, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" and reminded them of Jesus' words. Why is remembering what Jesus already said so powerful?
6. They didn't get new information. They just had to remember the old information. When have you experienced breakthrough not from learning something new, but from remembering something God already told you?

The Road to Emmaus: Read Luke 24:13-32 together

7. Jesus walked through the entire Old Testament showing how it all pointed to Him. How does seeing Jesus throughout all of Scripture (not just the Gospels) change the way we read the Bible?
8. The two disciples were "prevented from recognizing" Jesus even though He was right there with them. When have you struggled to recognize God's presence even though He was with you? What moment or circumstance finally helped you see Him?
9. Some of the things Jesus has already said:

• "I am with you always"
• "There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus"
• "My grace is enough for you"
• "I will never leave you"
• "Come to me when you're weary and I will give you rest"

Which of these do you most need to remember right now in your current circumstances?

10. Too often we run into our difficult moments...and we're think, “I just need something new from you, Lord.”  He did already. What are you currently asking God for that He may have already answered in His Word? How can remembering the resurrection specifically give you hope in what you're facing right now?

Practical Applications:

1. Pick one of the promises Jesus made (listed in question 9) and write it on a notecard. Place it where you'll see it daily. When anxiety, fear, or discouragement hits, read it aloud and remember what He already said.
2. Read through one of the Old Testament stories mentioned in the sermon (Abraham & Isaac, Joseph, Passover, David & Goliath, or Jonah). Journal about how you see Jesus in that story differently now.
3. The women at the tomb became "the original evangelists." Share with one person this week what the resurrection means to you personally—how the empty tomb has changed your life.
4. Each day this week, write down one thing you're grateful for because "the tomb is empty." At the end of the week, review your list and thank God for His resurrection power in your life.

 Sermon Guide

April 12: John 1

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

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus is fully God and has existed eternally - He was with God and was God from the beginning (John 1:1-2)
2. Jesus is the Creator of all things - Everything that exists was made by Him and for Him (John 1:3)
3. We were made by Jesus and for Jesus - Our restlessness comes from being separated from our true purpose (Colossians 1:16)
4. The darkness cannot overcome the light - Despite humanity's best attempts to extinguish Jesus, He conquered sin, death, and Satan (John 1:5)
5. Salvation comes through receiving Jesus, not earning it - It's not about bloodline, effort, or deserving—it's about God's grace (John 1:12-13)
6. Jesus brings both fullness of grace AND fullness of truth - We see both perfectly displayed at the cross (John 1:14, 16)

Discussion Questions: 

1. Read John 1:1-5. Why do you think John starts his Gospel so differently than Matthew, Mark, and Luke? What is he trying to communicate about Jesus right from the start?
2. If you really think you've got God figured out, you're far from getting it. Why is mystery an important part of our relationship with God? How does this comfort or challenge you?
3. How does understanding that Jesus is the Creator (John 1:3) change the way you view your own existence and purpose?
4. Read Colossians 1:16 and Augustine's quote: "You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Where have you been looking for rest and satisfaction outside of Jesus?
5. What "Christmas morning" moments have you experienced where you got what you wanted but still felt empty?
6. If I have been created by Jesus and for Jesus, then it makes sense why my job, relationships, nor anything else will never ultimately satisfy me. What areas of life have you been expecting to give you the satisfaction that only Jesus can provide?
7. Read John 1:5, 9-11. Jesus came as light into the world, yet many didn't recognize Him. Why do you think people miss Jesus even when He's right in front of them?
8. The Pharisees had all the information about the coming Messiah but still rejected Him. What warning does this hold for us as people who have Bibles, go to church, and know Christian practices?
9. Read John 1:12-14, 16-18. What does it mean that we receive "grace upon grace" like waves at the beach? Can you share a time when you experienced this overwhelming grace?
10. Jesus came with "fullness of grace AND fullness of truth.” Why is it dangerous to emphasize one without the other? Which do you tend to lean toward more naturally, and how can you grow in balance?
11. Two forms of arrogance were mentioned: "I deserve salvation" and "God can't possibly save me." Have you ever struggled with the second form? How does understanding grace combat both types of arrogance?

Practical Applications:

1. Read John 1:1-18 every day this week. Each day, write down one new thing you notice about who Jesus is.
2. Identify your "restless" areas. Make a list of things you've been pursuing for satisfaction. Pray over each one, surrendering it to Jesus and asking Him to be your ultimate source of rest.
3. Practice grace and truth together. Think of one relationship where you need to speak truth in love or extend grace. Take one concrete step this week.
4. Share the real Jesus. Have a conversation with one person this week about who Jesus truly is—not a cultural version, but the Jesus of Scripture.
5. Memorize John 1:12-13. Let this truth about being a child of God sink deep into your identity.
6. Support unreached peoples. Research one unreached people group and pray for them daily. Consider how you can invest time, talent, or treasure in reaching those who have never heard Jesus' name.

Sermon Guide

April 19: John 3:1-18

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

Key Takeaways:

1. Being born again is not about doing better; it's about being made completely new. It's a spiritual birth that comes from above, not a renovation project we accomplish.
2. To believe in Jesus means more than acknowledging facts about Him. It means knowing you are dead in your sin and trusting Him completely for rescue.
3. We cannot climb our way to God through religious performance. Salvation comes down to us as a gift, not up to us as an achievement.
4. Jesus took on the full appearance of our humanity but with no sin. Then on the cross, He became sin for us so we could be saved.
5. The invitation is simple: confess your need and look to Jesus. You don't need to understand everything or clean yourself up first—just look up.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Who was Nicodemus? What made him such an important figure in Israel? Why is it significant that even someone of his religious status needed to be "born again"?
2. Why do you think Nicodemus came to Jesus at night? What might he have been risking? Can you relate to wanting to seek Jesus but being afraid of what others might think?
3. The Greek word "anothen" means both "again" and "from above." How do these two meanings help us understand what Jesus is saying about salvation?
4. Jesus says the wind is invisible but its effects are visible (John 3:8). What are some visible "effects" you've seen when the Holy Spirit brings someone from death to life? Share examples if you're comfortable. What changes have you noticed in yourself or others after coming to faith that can only be explained by God's Spirit?
5. Nicodemus had spent his entire life climbing the religious ladder through study, discipline, and law-keeping. Why does Jesus tell him he's going in the wrong direction? 
6. In what ways do we still try to "climb up" to God instead of receiving what comes "down from above"? What does this look like in modern Christianity?
7. The pastor said many people don't know what it means to "believe" in Jesus. Before this sermon, how would you have defined what it means to believe? Has your understanding changed?
8. In the Numbers 21 story, some people died not because they didn't believe the pole existed, but because they never looked at it. What's the difference between knowing about Jesus and actually looking to Jesus for rescue?
9. Why do you think God chose such a strange method of rescue in Numbers 21? What does this teach us about God's ways versus our expectations?
10. The bronze serpent looked like the thing that was killing them but had no venom. How does this parallel what Jesus did on the cross? (See 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Galatians 3:13)
11. What kept some Israelites from looking at the bronze serpent? (Pride? Waiting to understand it first? Looking for a more "reasonable" solution?) What keeps people from looking to Jesus today?
12. Belief starts with "life-saving humility" about what's inside of us. Why is honest confession about our sin so important? What happens when we skip this step? Spurgeon's simple message was "Young man, just look up." Is there anything keeping you from simply looking to Jesus right now? What would it look like for you to "walk across the camp" this week?

Practical Applications:

1. Honest Assessment: Set aside 30 minutes for honest prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas where you've been trying to "climb up" to God through your own effort rather than receiving grace "from above."
2. Share Your Story: Like the pastor shared about his father's transformation, identify one visible change God has made in your life and share it with someone this week—either a believer who needs encouragement or a non-believer who needs to hear about Jesus.
3. Just Look Up: If you've never truly trusted Jesus for salvation, or if you realize you've been relying on religious activity rather than Jesus Himself, take time this week to simply "look up"—confess your sin and trust completely in what Jesus did on the cross.
4. Help Someone Understand: Think of someone in your life who might be like Nicodemus—religious, moral, but confused about what it means to be born again. Pray for an opportunity to share this message with them.

 Sermon Guide

April 26: John 9

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

Key Takeaways:

1. Not All Suffering is Punishment: Jesus clearly states that the man's blindness wasn't caused by anyone's sin, but existed so "God's works might be displayed in him" (v. 3).
2. Different Doesn't Mean Deficient: People who learn differently, move differently, or communicate differently aren't problems to solve—they're platforms for God's glory.
3. Your Story Doesn't Need to Be Perfect to Be Powerful: The man simply said: "I was blind, now I see." You don't need all the answers to share what Jesus has done.
4. Following Truth Can Be Costly: The blind man lost his neighbors' acceptance, his parents' support, and his place in the synagogue—but gained Jesus.
5. Jesus Finds Us in Our Wreckage: When everyone else abandoned the blind man, Jesus went looking for him. He still does that today.
6. The Most Dangerous Place is "Close Enough”: The Pharisees weren't far from God—they were close enough to feel fine, which made them spiritually blind.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Assumptions About Suffering (vv. 1-5). Why do you think we naturally try to find reasons or causes for people's suffering? What does this reveal about our need for control or understanding?
2. The disciples talked about the blind man like he wasn't there. When have you witnessed (or participated in) treating someone's struggle as a "case study" rather than seeing them as a person? How can we change this to think like Jesus when he said,”this is to display God's works.” and change how we view people with disabilities or chronic struggles in our church family?
3. Sharing Your Story (vv. 6-17). The healed man's testimony was simple: "I was blind, now I see." What keeps us from sharing our own simple stories of what Jesus has done in our lives? Sharing your faith has as much to do with your faith being grown as their faith being found. Have you experienced this? How has telling your story deepened your own faith?
4. The man didn't have all the answers. When asked "Where is Jesus?" he said "I don't know." Why is it actually more trustworthy to say "I don't know" than to make something up? When have you felt pressure to have all the answers?
5. The Cost of Following Jesus (vv. 18-34). The man's parents were afraid and distanced themselves from what God had done in their son's life. When have you been tempted to stay silent about Jesus because of what it might cost you?
6. The healed man lost his neighbors' acceptance, his parents' support, and his place in the synagogue. What are you most afraid of losing if you fully follow Jesus? Be honest.
7. Jesus Comes Looking (vv. 35-38) Jesus heard the man was thrown out and went looking for him. What does this tell you about Jesus' heart? When have you experienced Jesus "finding you" in a difficult moment?
8. When the man realized who Jesus was, he fell down and worshiped. What would it look like for you to respond to Jesus with that level of complete surrender this week?
9. The Warning to the Religious (vv. 39-41). The Pharisees knew Scripture, kept rules, and showed up faithfully—but were spiritually blind. How can religious activity become a substitute for actually encountering Jesus?
10. "The most spiritually precarious place to be is close enough to God where you feel fine." Have you ever experienced this spiritual numbness? What woke you up? Have you domesticated Jesus just enough that he never really shakes you up? In what areas of your life have you tried to keep Jesus at a comfortable distance?

Practical Applications:

1. Personal Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you've been sitting "by the side of the road" waiting for something to change? When everything else is stripped away, is Jesus actually enough for you? What would it look like to fall at Jesus' feet in worship over what He's done in your life?
2. Share Your Story: Tell one person this week your simple "I was blind, now I see" story. Don't overcomplicate it—just share what Jesus has done.
3. See Someone Differently: Identify someone in your church or community who might feel overlooked. Intentionally engage with them as a person, not a project. Ask their story.
4. Examine Your Comfort: Write down one area where you've made Jesus "comfortable" instead of allowing Him to be Lord. Pray specifically about surrendering that area.
5. Fall Down and Worship: Set aside 30 minutes this week for uninterrupted worship. No agenda, no requests—just awe and surrender before Jesus.