“Fight for the Faith”

Jude 1-4

Take-Home Truth: Truth is a call to arms against adversaries who creep into our lives like “sneaky ninjas.” Hiya!

Christ-Connection: Jesus Christ has chosen us to fight for the faith.

Hook: (Ice-breaker question. Get the group talking!)

1. What creeps in or slips into our lives without us noticing?

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

2. Read the passage backward and share your general observations.

3. Truth can be , but it cannot be . Fill in the blanks and discuss the cause and effect.

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

4. How do you protect yourself from apostates with the truth?

5. Caleb shared that there is a wrong way to fight for the faith. What is key to having the right attitude (i.e., “servant of Jesus Christ”)?

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

6. The gifts we receive (mercy, peace, and love) call us to what action?

7. Share how you were more evangelistic this past week.

Clothed in Readiness

Ephesians 6:12-15, Romans 5:1

                 

Take-Home Truth: There’s no greater fulfillment than letting God use your voice to share the gospel of peace with others.

 

Christ-Connection: Peace with God is only found through a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

 

Hook: (Ice-breaker question. Get the group talking!)

 

  1.  Tell of a time when you purchased something that you loved so much that you couldn’t wait to tell people about it.   

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

 

  1.   Read Ephesians 6:12-15 and Romans 5:1. Discuss the importance of peace with God.

 Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

 

  1.  Why would peace be considered one of our greatest needs?

  1.  Which of the 7 reasons for reluctance in gospel sharing has been the greatest struggle for you personally? (waning love for God and/or people, doubt, fear of man, no experience in seeing someone saved, using words and not just the example of my life, not sure how to begin a conversation)

  1.  What are some practical ways (open doors) that you can start a gospel conversation? Give some examples you have found to be effective.   

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

 

  1.  We have been given the most wonderful gift in the world. Would at least two volunteers briefly share your testimony with the group?

  1.  Using the resources that are attached to the sermon, what commitment will you make to be more evangelistic this week?     

Resources For Improving Your Evangelism Impact

 

Three Circles (demonstrated by one of our students)

 

Euangelion (the little red book we give to guests each week at Hope Point) and the video we created.

 

Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations, Jimmy Scroggins

 

One-Verse Evangelism, The Navigators

 

One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven, Mark Cahill

 

Preparing Your Testimony (some basic things to consider)

BEFORE CHRIST

 

What was your life like spiritually before receiving Christ?    What about your life at that point caused you to really begin seeking God.

 

Note: You might include things like. –  I was: empty, lonely, guilty, fearful, etc

 

 

CONVERSION

 

What realization did you come to that finally motivated you to receive Christ?

 

 

AFTER CHRIST

 

 

  1. What other benefits have you experienced since becoming a Christian?

 

Ex. Hope, peace, forgiveness

The Beauty of Peace-Bringing Feet

Eph 6: 11-15

 

Take Home Truth:  Peace with God increases as we share the gospel.

Christ-Connection:    Christ provided peace with God through His death on the cross, and God offers this peace to all who call on His name.

 

Hook:  Does our culture promote peace?  Why or why not? 

Engage: 

  1. How did you obtain peace with God? (Eph 2:13)

Reflect:

  1. Read the main text again (Eph 6:11-15). What does it mean to have your feet fitted for readiness in this passage?

  1. What are the outcomes/symptoms of the prevalence of evil in our culture?

(The Frankfurt School, teenage girlhood crisis, etc)

  1. Isaiah 52:7 is a parallel OT passage to Eph 6: 11-15. How do we as believers make our feet beautiful in this culture?

Respond: 

  1. How do we inject peace into a culture of chaos? (Philemon v6)?

  1. What obstacles hinder you from sharing the gospel of peace? How can you overcome them?

 

 

 

“Get Dressed!”

Ephesians 6:10-14

 

Take-Home Truth:  God provides His armor to withstand the onslaught of evil.

Christ-Connection: Christ hung on the cross so we could have that armor made available to us.

Hook: (Ice-breaker question. Get the group talking!) 

  1. Have you ever participated in a sport or job that required protective equipment? What could have happened if you did not wear ALL of it?

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

  1. Read Ephesians 6:10-14. Discuss any points that speak to you.
  1. What phrases or words in the text point to a sense of urgency and priority?

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon) 

  1. Putting on the armor is not just for the battle. We must be prepared at all times and must wear it even to train. How does this challenge the way that you are living your life every day?
  1. Richard quoted Rose Marie Miller, “The first enemy of your life is your unsubmitted self-life…? How does her statement apply specifically to your life?
  1. How are you challenged by Arthur Blessitt’s decision to carry the cross? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Blessitt)?

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions) 

  1. List some specific steps of how you can put on the full armor of God and live a truthful life.

 

“Stand”

Ephesians 6:10-20

Take-Home Truth: Standing is our strategy when experiencing spiritual warfare.

Christ-Connection: Spiritual warfare is a reality we will experience as we follow Christ.

Hook: (Ice-breaker question. Get the group talking!)

1. Share personal experiences when it was difficult to stand.

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

2. Read Ephesians 6:10-20. What battle words and phrases in this verse show us that we are actually in a battle. Observe Paul’s use of the word “stand.”

3. Read the following texts and share how Jesus Himself gave witness to evil in the world.

  • Matthew 6:13
  • Mark 1:12, 13

4. Read Ephesians 2:1-6 and discuss why Satan attacks believers.

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

5. Richard defined spiritual warfare as “the continual effort of evil intelligent demonic beings to so damage a Christian’s hope that he abandons the call to love and serve Christ.” Discuss the reality and implications of each part of this definition.

6. Richard shared “the pain we experience is not random, it is the result of a dark, evil, spiritual beings seeking to destabilize, cripple the beauty of a believer’s life” seeking to applaud God, follow Christ, and live on mission. How does this change your perspective on painful experiences?

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions – who’s your one question)

7. The strategy Richard shared is to stand. What are some practical ways you can stand firm when you are faced with spiritual warfare.

8. What has been your battle experience reaching out to your ONE?

The Joy of Fishing with Jesus

 Luke 5:1-11

Take-Home Truth: Jesus Christ is always looking for new disciples

Christ-Connection: Jesus calls us to do works that we can’t do, but he can.

Hook: (Ice-breaker question. Get the group talking!)

 

  1. Tell about a time you blindly followed someone. What was the outcome?

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

 

  1. Read Luke 5:1-11 What particular verses or ideas stood out to you this week?

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

  1. Richard said “we get into the habit of not including Jesus in every area of our lives.” How do life circumstances distract us from including Jesus? What are some ways you are faithful in this area?
  1. Read the sermon quote. “This is the beauty of the gospel. When you fail Jesus most miserably, this is when Jesus is most accessible. The moment you think he should walk away from you, that is when he gently extends his hand toward you.”

Do you identify with Peter’s instinct to push Jesus away in your failure? How does Jesus’ response encourage you?

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

 

  1. Commitment is never real until it leads to mission. Read Luke 5:10 and Jude 23. What is the mission to which we are called? How does this mission reveal your commitment?
  1. In practical terms, what are some things you are reluctant to give up in pursuit of Jesus and the mission you have been called to?

The Saving Suffering of the Son

Isaiah 53

Take-Home Truth: Jesus suffered judgment, so we do not have to.

Christ-Connection: Because of Christ’s perfect life, he died a perfect death as a blameless sacrifice.

Hook: (Ice-breaker question. Get the group talking!)

 

  1. Has anyone ever taken the blame for you? How did it feel?

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

 

2.Read Isaiah 53 – what stood out to you about The Suffering Servant?

 Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

  1. How did the circumstances that Jesus was born into (the pressure of obscurity) work

against Him? How does it work against you?

  1. Isaiah 53:2, is our love for Christ based on the Churches physical attributes? Does our

attraction to celebrities, hinder our ability to seek/find/know Jesus? Give examples..

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

 

  1. Give examples of how Jesus was despised and rejected by men. Are you facing rejection

in your own life as you share your faith? 7 of 10 unchurched Americans say Christians

have never shared their faith with them. (Lifeway Research – Christians do not share

faith with unchurched friends)

  1. Christ’s death was brutal.
  2. How was his death voluntary? Isaiah 53:7
  3. How was his death perfect? Isaiah 53:9
  4. How was his death controlled? Matthew 27:57
  5. How was his death vicarious? Isaiah 53:5-6

Two Daughters: Desperation, Faith, & Miracles

Mark 5:21-42

Take-Home Truth: Desperation does not discriminate. It drives some to faith and some to fear.

 

Christ-Connection: Christ recognizes our desperation and walks toward it, giving us the opportunity to respond to Him in faith.

 

Hook: (Ice-breaker question. Get the group talking!)

 

  1. Tell us about a time when you tried to fix something but only made it worse.   

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

 

  1. Read Mark 5:21-24, 35-42.  Trace Jairus’ desperation/fear that produced faith.

  1. Read Mark 5:25-34.  Trace the woman’s desperation/fear that produced faith.

  1. Compare and contrast the experiences of these two individuals.       

 

 

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

 

  1. Even though Jairus was a synagogue ruler, he was incapable of changing his circumstances. How did helplessness create desperation/fear for him?

  1. How did the law create the desperation/fear in the woman? (Numbers 5:1-3, Leviticus 15:4-12)

  1. Discuss the beauty of the revelation that Jesus’ cleanness transfers to the desperate (propitiation).  

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

 

  1. What “ceremonies” are you performing to try to hide your desperation/fears?

  1. In addition to prayer, what are other strategies you can use to fight your fears and strengthen your faith?   

 

“Who’s Your One?”

Luke 5:17-26

Take-Home Truth: Make an investment in someone like someone invested in you.

Christ-Connection: Jesus is the Gospel and we are the conduit He choses to use to communicate this good news to our one.

Hook: (Ice-breaker question. Get the group talking!)

1. Tell of a time when you had an uncomfortable conversation. Share if it went well or didn’t go so well.

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

2. Read Luke 5:17-26 and share with the group your observations, focusing on the people in the story and their responses.

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

3. What is your posture toward your one? Identify the responses of the following people and how you respond like them.

    • Religious/pharisaical –
    • Friends – 

4. The friends removed the obstacle from getting their friend to Jesus. What obstacle(s) are hindering you from getting your friend to Jesus?

5. Caleb mentioned two beliefs that are a motivation for our one. Talk about how these motivate you.

    • Need was great –
    • Jesus is the only one who can heal –

6. Caleb shared that Jesus being the “Son of Man” means that He is the only one who can “fix” our One. How does this free you to share the gospel with your one?

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions – who’s your one question)

7. Who’s your one? Share with the group how you will begin this journey.

“Serving the Purpose of God – In Our Generation”

Acts 13:36

Take-Home Truth:  God is at work in our world. He wants us to use our lives to serve His purpose. (Acts 13:36)

Christ-Connection: Jesus has commanded us to make disciples, mark them through baptism and mold them by teaching all that he commanded. (MT 28:19,20)

Hook: (Ice-breaker question. Get the group talking!)

  1. Have you ever received a gift that you found could be useful to help other people?

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

  1. Read Acts 13:36 and discuss what David’s life was all about.
  2. Read Matthew 28:19,20. How would you summarize what God wants us to do in these verses?
  3. Read 1 Chronicles 16:23-25. What do you see about worship, witness and wonder in this passage?

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

  1. Which of the stories shared in the sermon helped you get a clearer picture of what missions looks like?
  2. Which of the statistics shared in the sermon stood out to you and why?
  3. What is the one thing missing from all the other religions that Christianity has to offer?

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

  1. In Lorena’s story she was looking for significance beyond success. What would change in your life if this became your perspective?
  2. In what ways can you use your gifts to serve the purpose of God in your generation?