Finish My Course

By Caleb Crittendon

October 4, 2026

 

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

 

  1. Does anyone have a testimony to share how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

 

  1. Read Acts 20:17-38 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

 

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

 

3. Paul said his life was worthless if he was not testifying to the gospel of the grace of God. How does that kind of conviction compare to how most of us think about our daily lives and routines? What would change if we held that same conviction?

 

  1. Paul told the elders to pay careful attention to themselves before paying attention to the flock. Why do you think self-examination has to come first? What happens in a leader, a parent, or a friend when that order gets reversed?

 

  1. The sermon illustrates how a man on his deathbed, unaware of anyone in the room, still discipled his pastor simply through decades of faithful living — what legacy is your daily faithfulness quietly building in the lives of those watching you?

 

  1. Why does Paul emphasize both his teaching and his example?

 

  1. Jesus, with unlimited power and authority, still intercedes for his people right now. What does it say about the importance of prayer that even Jesus prioritizes it on our behalf?

 

  1. Reflect on the farewell interaction between Paul and the Ephesian elders in verses 37 and 38. Do you have relationships like that within the body of Christ? What must it take to get to that level of closeness in the church?

 

Respond: Respond to both application questions from Sunday’s message and make a plan of action.

 

  1. Am I actively being discipled by my church?
    • Are people regularly praying for you?
    • Does anyone in the church know where you are, spiritually?
    • Are you regularly studying Scripture with others?
    • If the answer is “No” to these questions, take a step towards discipleship this week. If that means being more committed to your community group, joining a Bible Study, or even asking a more mature brother/sister in Christ to mentor you, take the step.
  2. Am I actively discipling someone in my church?
    • Ask God to show you someone you could come alongside and begin praying for him/her.
    • Read the Bible together and teach what you know.
    • Invite him/her into your life – not just the religious parts, but the whole thing.
    • Reach out to crittendon@hopepoint.org if you’d like any resources or support!

God’s Blood-Bought Church

By Caleb Crittendon

September 27, 2026

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

 

  1. Does anyone have a testimony to share with the group of how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

 

  1. Read Acts 20:1-17, 28 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

 

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

 

  1. Why do you think Luke gives us such specific details about the believers traveling with Paul and how should that affect our view of today’s church?

 

  1. What do you notice about the balance between teaching God’s Word and caring for God’s people in Paul’s ministry?

 

  1. The sermon draws a striking contrast between feasting on God’s word and filling up on the ‘junk food’ of worldly voices and distractions — what habits or patterns in your life might be spoiling your appetite for scripture, and how might you address them?

 

  1. The sermon connects four trait of a healthy church back to the shed blood of Christ, suggesting the church exists to continually point one another to the Savior. What were the four and how do they reshape the way you think about why you gather each week?

 

  1. Do you tend to see church as something you attendor as a people you belong to and serve? What needs to change?

 

Respond: Choose one or two of these applications from Sunday’s message to put into practice this week.

 

  • Examine your appetite. Take an honest inventory this week of how much time you spend consuming other content versus time spent in God’s Word. Consider one specific change you could make to protect time for Scripture each day.
  • Prepare for the Lord’s Supper. Before your church next observes communion, spend time in personal reflection. Consider what Christ’s body broken and blood shed actually cost him, and come to the table ready to proclaim that to those around you.
  • Invest in diversity. Identify someone in your church or community whose background, ethnicity, or stage of life is meaningfully different from yours. Make a plan to have a meal or a conversation with them this month.
  • Pray for your shepherds. This week, pray specifically for the elders and pastors of your church by name. Ask God to sustain them, protect them, and give them wisdom as they care for the flock.
  • Commit to the gathering. If you have been inconsistent in your attendance or engagement with your local church, make a specific commitment to show up — not as a consumer, but as a contributing member of the body who needs the church and whom the church needs.

 

The Power of a True King

By Dillon Medlin

September 20, 2026

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

 

  1. Does anyone have a testimony to share with the group of how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

 

  1. Read Acts 19:21-41 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

 

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

 

 

  1. The sermon draws on Martin Luther’s idea that whatever your heart clings to and confides in is your God — what are the created things in your life that you most frequently treat as though they carry the weight of your ultimate security or identity?

 

  1. The sermon makes the observation that the truth of the gospel exposes false gods, not just by telling us who Jesus is but by revealing everything that is not him — can you think of a time when encountering the truth of the gospel exposed an idol in your own life that you had not previously recognized?

 

  1. Why does Luke emphasize that the riot was characterized by confusion?

 

  1. Draw it as many contrast between Jesus and Artemis as you can. How does meditating on the distinction between the creator and created things reshape the way you approach worship in your daily life?

 

  1. What does the city clerk’s response teach us about God’s ability to preserve His people and accomplish His purposes through ordinary authorities?

 

  1. What would it look like this week to value Christ’s kingdom over your own interests?

 

 

Respond: Choose one or two of these applications from Sunday’s message to put into practice this week.

 

  • Identify your idol. Spend time in prayer this week asking God to show you what you are clinging to more than him. Write it down. Confess it. Ask him to reorder your heart around what is true.
  • Proclaim the king to one person. Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the good news of Jesus. Commit to starting a conversation with them this week, even if you are unsure how they will respond. Remember that your job is to proclaim, not to control the outcome.
  • Remain faithful in the waiting. If you are in a season where you do not understand what God is doing, identify one concrete way you will choose faithfulness this week rather than anxiety or retreat. Share it with someone in the group so they can follow up with you.
  • Invest in community. Paul’s friends protected him when he could not see clearly. If you are not currently in a relationship where someone knows your heart and your life well enough to speak into it, take one step this week toward building that kind of connection.

This is My Prayer

By Justin Huffman

September 13th , 2026

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

 

  1. Does anyone have a testimony to share with the group of how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

 

  1. Read Philippians 1:9-11 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

 

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

 

  1. Pastor Justin warns against becoming ‘hollow men and women’ who perform affections that are not actually driving their lives — what are the subtle habits or patterns that most commonly hollow out a person’s spiritual sincerity over time?

 

  1. Paul writes that the fruit of righteousness comes ‘through Jesus Christ’ (Philippians 1:11), not through human effort — how does a church practically maintain this distinction between striving in dependence on Christ and striving in self-reliance?

 

  1. What is the relationship between being “pure and blameless” and the coming “day of Christ”?

 

  1. The pastor observes that approving ‘what is excellent’ (Philippians 1:10) requires feeding the fires of right affections rather than simply avoiding what is wrong — what is the difference between a faith defined by what it avoids and one defined by what it loves?

 

  1. What would it look like this week for your life to produce more “fruit of righteousness”?

 

Respond: Choose one or two of these applications from Sunday’s message to put into practice this week.

 

  • Feed the right fires.The pastor noted that we can come to worship feeling dry because we have been feasting on everything except God’s Word and prayer throughout the week. This week, identify one specific habit that is crowding out time with God and replace it with intentional time in Scripture or prayer.
  • Practice discerning love.Think of one relationship in your life where you have been offering sympathy or support without much wisdom. Ask God for discernment this week about how to love that person well, not just comfortably.
  • Pursue what is excellent.Make a short, honest list of what you are giving the most of your time, attention, and energy to. Then ask yourself whether those things will matter when you stand before Christ. Bring that list to God in prayer.
  • Confess what is hollowing you out.If the pastor’s question about mediocrity or hypocrisy landed with you, do not let it pass. Bring it to God in prayer this week, and consider whether there is a trusted friend, spouse, or pastor with whom you should share it and seek accountability.
  • Pray Paul’s prayer for your church.Using Philippians 1:9-11 as a guide, spend time this week praying specifically for your church community. Pray that love would abound with knowledge and discernment, that your congregation would approve what is excellent, and that you would together be filled with the fruit of righteousness through Christ to God’s glory.

 

 

The Gospel

By Phud Chambers

September 6, 2026

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

 

  1. Does anyone have a testimony to share with the group of how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

 

  1. Read Ephesians 2:1-10 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

 

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

 

  1. The sermon identifies three forces that enslaved us before Christ: the world, Satan, and our own sinful desires — which of these three do you think is most underestimated by Christians today, and why?

 

  1. The preacher uses the resurrection of Lazarus as a picture of God calling each believer by name out of spiritual death — how does understanding salvation as something God initiated and accomplished, rather than something you chose on your own, affect your sense of security and gratitude in your faith?

 

  1. Phud listed four characteristics of God that motivated him to save us. What were they and how does traits affect your heart towards God?

 

  1. How do verses 8–9 protect us from both pride and despair?

 

  1. Are there areas where you are still living according to the “course of this world” rather than according to Christ?

 

Respond: Choose one or two of these applications from Sunday’s message to put into practice this week.

 

  • Remember your rescue:Regularly reflect on where Christ found you and thank Him that your salvation is entirely by grace.
  • Reject spiritual pride:Stop measuring your standing with God by your performance, and rest in Christ’s finished work.
  • Live differently:Identify one sinful pattern that reflects the “course of this world” and take a specific step this week to put it off.
  • Do the good works God prepared:Choose one concrete act of service, generosity, encouragement, or obedience that you will intentionally do this week.
  • Tell someone about grace:Share with one person this week how God saved you—not because of your works, but because of His grace through faith.

The Three Houses

By Dr. Charles Kenya

August 30, 2026

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

 

  1. Does anyone have a testimony to share with the group of how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

 

  1. Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-11 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

 

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

 

  1. The sermon describes the human body as an ‘infected house’ passed down from Adam — in what ways do you see the effects of that inherited brokenness in your own daily life, and how does your faith help you navigate it?

 

  1. Why does Paul describe our present bodies as a “tent” and our future resurrection bodies as a building from God?

 

  1. How should the reality of standing before Christ’s judgment seat affect the way Christians live now?

 

  1. The rich man in Luke 16 is described as conscious, able to see and feel, and in torment immediately after death — how seriously does the reality of hell factor into your conversations with people you care about who do not yet believe?

 

  1. What fears about death or the future does this passage challenge in your own heart?

 

 

Respond: Choose one or two of these applications from Sunday’s message to put into practice this week.

 

  • Examine your foundation.Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal whether the things you do for him are built on genuine faith or on performance and appearance. Ask him to purify your motives.
  • Write it down.If your confidence in Christ is settled, write a brief statement in your own words explaining why you know you are saved. If it is not settled, talk to your group leader, pastor, or a trusted believer this week.
  • Name one person.Identify one person in your life who does not know Christ. Commit to praying for them by name every day this week, considering the urgency of 2 Corinthians 5:11.
  • Sit with eternity.Set aside fifteen minutes this week in a quiet place with no distractions. Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 slowly and ask yourself: Am I living in light of eternity or in light of the moment?
  • Express gratitude for the body you have.As imperfect and groaning as it is, your body is the house God has given you for this season. Thank him for it specifically and ask him how he wants you to steward it.

 

Proclaiming the Gospel to Our World

By Phud Chambers

August 23, 2026

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

 

  1. Does anyone have a testimony to share with the group of how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

 

  1. Read Acts 19:1-20 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

 

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

 

  1. What does this passage teach us about the difference between religious sincerityand saving faith in Jesus Christ?

 

  1. Paul spent the equivalent of $200,000 to $300,000 of his own money renting the Hall of Tyrannus for two years of daily gospel ministry — what does this level of personal sacrifice reveal about his priorities, and what does your own investment of time and resources say about yours?

 

  1. The sermon draws on 2 Corinthians 2 to describe the gospel as a fragrance that smells like life to some and death to others — how does this theological reality both challenge and comfort you as you engage in evangelism?

 

  1. After the incident with the sons of Sceva, verse 17 says fear fell on the people and the name of Jesus was extolled. How does God sometimes use unexpected or even chaotic events to bring people to reverence and worship?

 

  1. Why is the burning of the magic books such a significant demonstration of repentance?

 

  1. The sermon emphasizes that every believer has the same Holy Spirit that Paul and Billy Graham had — how does this truth either encourage or convict you when you consider your own engagement in sharing the gospel with those around you?

 

Respond: Choose one or two of these applications from Sunday’s message to put into practice this week.

 

–Make sure your faith is in Christ—not merely in religion. Spend 10 minutes this week writing out what you are trusting Jesus to accomplish for your salvation.

–Don’t try to use Jesus—submit to Jesus. Identify one area where you are trying to control the outcome and intentionally surrender it to Christ in prayer each day this week.

–Expect genuine faith to produce genuine repentance. Identify one specific sin or habit you need to put away and take one concrete step to remove it this week.

–Take God’s Word seriously. Set aside at least 15 minutes on three different days this week to read Scripture and write down one thing you need to obey.

–Trust God’s power rather than your own methods. Pray for one opportunity to share Christ this week and intentionally step into that conversation when God provides it.

Three Unique Stations in Life Leveraged for the Gospel

By Phud Chambers

August 16, 2026

 

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

 

  1. Does anyone have a testimony to share with the group of how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

 

  1. Read Acts 18:18-28 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

 

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

 

  1. Paul’s Nazirite vow based on Numbers 6 represented a deliberate season of consecration and separation unto God — what practices or habits in your own life might you need to set aside for a season in order to pursue a deeper, more focused devotion to Christ?

 

  1. What does Priscilla and Aquila’s example model for the church what Christian marriage and ministry should look like?

 

  1. The sermon emphasizes that ministry is not designed to be done in isolation, as seen in Paul returning to Jerusalem and Antioch for community and care — in what ways might you be attempting to live out your faith or serve others without the accountability and support of Christian community?

 

  1. Apollos was extraordinarily gifted and educated, yet he humbly submitted to instruction from two tent makers — what does his example reveal about the relationship between giftedness, humility, and spiritual growth?

 

  1. The sermon closed with this reminder: “You and I don’t have to be as eloquent as Apollos. We just need to be obedient like Apollos.” How does that distinction between eloquence and obedience free you from excuses about why you cannot share the gospel?

 

  1. Looking specifically at the text, what does this passage teach us about discipleship within the life of the church?

 

Respond: Choose one or two of these applications from Sunday’s message to put into practice this week.

  • Consecrate something.Identify one distraction that has been pulling your focus away from Christ and commit to fasting from it for a defined period of time. Share your commitment with a trusted friend for accountability.
  • Pursue someone.Identify one person — a younger believer, a skeptic, or someone who is spiritually curious — and take one concrete step toward building a gospel-centered relationship with them this week.
  • Invite community in.If you have been trying to do ministry, spiritual growth, or life on your own, reach out to one person in your church this week and invite them into your life in a more intentional way.
  • Encourage a young person.Find a teenager or young adult in your church or neighborhood and take time this week to genuinely listen to them, affirm them, and let them know they are seen and loved.
  • For married couples:Have a conversation with your spouse this week about what it would look like for your marriage to be more intentionally on mission in your current neighborhood, workplace, or social circle.

 

I Have Many in this City

By Caleb Crittendon

August 9, 2026

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

 

  1. Does anyone have a testimony to share with the group of how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

 

  1. Read Acts 18:1-17 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

 

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

 

  1. What do verses 1-5 teach us about the relationship between ordinary work, Christian friendship, and gospel ministry?

 

  1. Paul initially reasoned with the Jews, but when they opposed him, he said, “Your blood be upon your own heads!” What does this reveal about both Paul’s responsibility and the responsibility of those who hear the gospel?

 

  1. Reflect on the comments in the sermon on experiencing the nearness of God. Why do you think the statement “I am with you” was so central in God’s promise to Paul?

 

  1. What is the difference between being responsible for someone’s response to the gospel versus being responsible to share the message faithfully?

 

  1. Why does God’s sovereign choosing in salvation serve as an engine for evangelism rather than an excuse to sit back?

 

Respond: Choose one or two of these applications from Sunday’s message to put into practice this week.

 

  • Serve Christ with othersby intentionally serving alongside another believer this week rather than trying to serve Jesus alone.
  • Speak about Jesusby having at least one intentional gospel conversation with an unbeliever this week.
  • Prioritize God’s gloryby giving at least 60 minutes this week to serving, discipling, evangelizing, or participating in church ministry that points to the glory of God.
  • Trust God’s presenceby responding to fear or discouragement this week by praying through Acts 18:9–10 and remembering that Christ is with me.
  • Trust God’s sovereignty in evangelismby praying for three unbelievers by name and intentionally looking for an opportunity to speak with each one about Christ this week.

This Jesus

By Dan Yacoviello

August 2, 2026

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

 

  1. Does anyone have a testimony to share with the group of how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

 

  1. Read Acts 17:1-9 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

 

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

 

  1. Paul refused to take a sabbatical after imprisonment and traveled 100 miles to keep preaching the gospel. What forms of suffering, inconvenience, or discouragement most often cause you to pause or abandon your proclamation of Christ to others?

 

  1. Paul developed a customary method for sharing the gospel that he practiced consistently and refined over time. What is your go-to method for sharing the gospel, and if you do not have one, what first step could you take toward developing it?

 

  1. The sermon describes the gospel as not turning the world upside down but rather turning it right side up after sin inverted it. In what specific areas of your life has the gospel reordered your affections, desires, and pursuits in ways that might look strange or countercultural to those around you?

 

  1. Paul proved from the Old Testament that it was necessary — not merely possible — for the Messiah to suffer, die, and rise again. Why was Christ’s suffering necessary, and how does this understanding deepen your personal gratitude for what he accomplished on your behalf?

 

  1. How can our church better prepare believers to defend the gospel biblically?

 

 

Respond: Choose one or two of these applications from Sunday’s message to put into practice this week.

  1. Reason from Scripture. Intentionally use the Bible—not just personal experience—in at least one spiritual conversation this week.
  2. Practice courageous hospitality. Look for an opportunity to welcome, encourage, or support someone serving Christ, even if it costs you time, comfort, or reputation.
  3. Live under King Jesus. Evaluate whether any area of your life is more shaped by cultural expectations than by Christ’s lordship.
  4. Pray for gospel boldness. Each day, pray for one person who needs Christ and ask God to give you wisdom and courage to speak the truth with love.