Sermon Guide

January 5, 2024: Mark 2:1-12

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

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus came not just to heal physical ailments, but primarily to forgive sins.
2. True faith often requires overcoming obstacles to bring people to Jesus.
3. The church's primary purpose is to bring people to Jesus, not just fill buildings.
4. Sharing our faith is an evidence of the Holy Spirit's power in our lives.

Discussion Questions:

1. These four guys went to great lengths to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus. Do you have friends like that in your life? Are you that kind of friend to others?
2. How might we be unintentionally acting as part of the "crowd" that keeps others from getting to Jesus? What can we do to change this?
3. Physical space, finances, and distance are three categories of obstacles we face. What other obstacles do you think prevent people from coming to Jesus in our community?
4. How comfortable are you with sharing your faith? What fears or hesitations do you have about witnessing to others?
5. The Gospel moves at the speed of relationships. How can we build meaningful relationships with non-believers in our daily lives to share our faith?
6. What's the difference between seeing people as "projects" versus seeing them as people who need Jesus? How can we ensure we maintain the right perspective?

Practical Applications:

1. Identify your "one" - a person in your life who doesn't know Jesus that you can pray for and intentionally build a relationship with.
2. Practice sharing your faith story in 2-3 minutes. Be prepared to share it with the group next week.
3. Make an intentional invite this week - ask someone to join you for a church service, small group, or Bible study.
4. Reflect on any "comfort zones" in your spiritual life that might be hindering you from fully engaging in bringing others to Jesus. What steps can you take to move out of that comfort zone?

Sermon Guide

January 12, 2024: 1 John 1:1-4

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

Key Takeaways:

1. John, the author, was an eyewitness to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
2. Jesus is the "word of life" - both the concept of eternal life and the person who embodies it.
3. John wrote his letter to promote joy, discourage sin, protect against deception, and assure believers of their salvation.
4. The eyewitness testimony of Jesus' disciples provides powerful evidence for the truth of Christianity.

Discussion Questions:

1. John emphasizes that he personally saw, heard, and touched Jesus. How does this eyewitness testimony impact your view of the Gospel accounts?
2. John tells us why he wrote his letter (see verses 1:4, 2:1, 2:26, 5:13). Which of these reasons resonates most with you personally, and why?
3. How would you explain the concept of Jesus as the "word of life" to someone unfamiliar with Christianity?
4. Doubts are a part of faith. Have you experienced doubts in your faith journey? How have you dealt with them?
5. John writes to make the believers' joy complete. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your current level of joy in your faith? What factors contribute to or detract from that joy?

Practical Applications:

1. Testimony Exercise: Take turns sharing a brief (2-3 minute) testimony of how you've personally experienced God's work in your life. Practice articulating your faith story clearly and concisely.
2. Joy Journal: For the next week, keep a daily journal noting moments of joy in your faith. Share some of these at the next meeting.
3. One More: Following the sermon's challenge, identify one person in your life who doesn't know Jesus. Commit to praying for them daily and look for opportunities to share your faith with them.
4. Scripture Memory: Memorize 1 John 1:1-4 together as a group over the next week.

Sermon Guide

January 19, 2024: 2 Corinthians 4:7-11

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

Share a time when you felt weak or inadequate, but God used that situation to display His strength or glory.

Key Takeaways:

1. God often stores His treasure (the gospel) in "clay jars" (weak, imperfect people).
2. Christians will face trials and difficulties, but these are opportunities to display God's power.
3. Our weaknesses and struggles can be used to reveal Christ to others.

Discussion Questions:

1. Paul wrote to the Corinthians about several types of difficulties we might face (afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down). Which of these resonates most with your current life situation? How does Paul's perspective in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 encourage you?
2. Why do you think God chooses to use weak vessels to display His glory? How does this challenge our cultural values of strength and self-sufficiency?
3. The consequences of sin, Satan's attacks, living in a fallen world, God's intervention are several reasons why difficulties come into our lives. How can discerning the source of our struggles help us respond to them?
4. Reflect on the statement: "When you get bumped, what's inside of you comes out." How does this relate to the idea of being a "clay jar" containing God's treasure?
5. Like hiding a treasured photo to protect it, how might we be tempted to "protect" ourselves in ways that actually prevent others from seeing Christ in us?

Practical Applications:

1. This week, when you face a difficulty, pause and ask God how He might use this situation to display His power or glory.
2. Identify an area of weakness in your life. Pray for God to use that weakness as an opportunity to demonstrate His strength to others.
3. Share your struggles with a trusted friend or group member, focusing on how God's grace is sustaining you through the difficulty.
4. Look for opportunities to encourage someone else who is struggling, reminding them of God's presence and power in their weakness.