●      If you don’t know how faith works, you won’t

●      Hebrews 11:1 Faith is confidence in what we

●      5 Examine yourselves to see whether you

●      True faith will stand up to the test.

●      Galatians 5:22-23, What spiritual fruit is

●      1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Do I love others well?

●      Philippians 4:8, How is my thought life? 

●      Psalm 15, How am I doing with holiness? 

●      Micah 6:8, Do I walk humbly with God?

●      We are hesitant to search because we might not

●      Deal in reality so you can get to the source of your brokenness.

●      6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.

●      7 Now we pray to God that you will not do

●      8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

●      9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.

●      10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of

●      Are you willing to pray for someone to know Jesus like Paul did?

●      Are your actions built on truth?

●      Do whatever it takes to restore what is broken

●      Have you given up on someone?

●      Who are you building up?

●      V. 11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind,

●      For every one look at yourself, there should be ten looks toward Jesus.

●      What about my faith needs to be repaired?

Sermon Discussion Questions

Starter:  What’s the most challenging test you’ve ever

 Read 2 Corinthians 13:5-11

1. How did you grade yourself on the "spiritual report card"?

2. What is your strongest area? In which area do you need the most grace?

3. In which area of your life are you the hardest on yourself?

4. For Paul, loving the Corinthians meant challenging them to be godly. How does this fit with your understanding of love? Why do we find it so hard to lovingly confront others?

5. How does Paul's love for the church express itself in his prayers for them?

6. How can we avoid self-examination that robs us of joy?

7. What is your next step to repair your faith?

·       If you don’t know how faith works, you won’t know how to fix it when it breaks. 

·       Faith means you trust what God does for you, not what you do for yourself. 

·       Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see – Hebrews 11:1

·       Pic of Text Screenshot

·       1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God

·       “The Corinthians were sermon connoisseurs, critiquing their preachers as entertainers rather than critiquing themselves as Christians” - Ray Ortlund

·       1 Corinthians 2:1-2 - 1 And I, when I came to you,

·       Glorify God

·       VIDEO of Students and Leaders

·       Why do you love and follow Jesus

·       Less Presentation. More Presence. Less Noise. More

·       1 Corinthians 2:3-5 - 3 And I was with you in

·       1 Corinthians 3:10 - “10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.”

·      1 Corinthians 2:4-5 - 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

·      5 Core Beliefs based on Acts 2

·       Jesus is sent from God

·       Jesus’ divinity is shown by miracles/great works

·       Jesus was crucified by men according to God’s plan

·       Jesus was raised from the dead

·       Our response: Repent and Believe

·       δύναμις dýnamis - power or ability

·       Jesus

·       If your faith is broken, look up to Jesus

·       Why do I love and follow Jesus? 

Sermon Discussion Questions

Starter: When is a most recent time where you let secondary issues distract you from your faith in Jesus?  How did it effect those around you?

1.    Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

2.    What are some “secondary issues” that pull your focus from Jesus today?

a.    Styles of worship, the person preaching, the bible

b.    How have these secondary issues robbed the church from reaching future generations?

3.    What does it mean for you to rest in God’s power?

4.    Why do you love and follow Jesus?

5.    How have me overcomplicated what it means to focus on Jesus?

6.    What is one thing you are going to do to help you better focus on Jesus?

·      Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see – Hebrews 11:1

·      If you don’t know how faith works, you won’t know how to fix it when it breaks. 

·      Frederich Buechner - Faith is the word that describes the direction our feet start moving when we find that we are loved. Faith is stepping out into

·      Faith is a decision. 

·      Faith is a decision to move in God’s direction. 

·      Faith is movement. 

·      Faith is broken when you stop walking with Jesus. 

·      Romans 9:30 - 30 What then shall we say? That the

·       Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 

·       Faith makes you right with God.

·       31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 

·       “I can be right with God if I am good enough.” 

·       You are too religious when you condemn and judge instead of help.

·       You are too religious when your goal is knowledge about God, instead of walking with God.

·       You are too religious when you want others to notice how good you are.

·       You are too religious when your rules keep people from Jesus.

·       You are too religious when attending church is checking off an item on your list.

·       You are too religious when baptism, baby dedication, or being an American checks an item on your list.

·       33 As it is written:

·       “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

·       The only way to be made right with God is through Jesus

·       Faith means you trust what God does for you, not what you do for yourself. 

·       If your faith is not working, check and see if you are  following Jesus or trying to be good enough. 

·       If you feel tension between you and God, accept his gift of Jesus. 

·       Heavenly Father, I confess I have sinned. Forgive me.  From now on, I will follow Jesus.  Amen.  

·       PIX – David Block

Sermon Discussion Questions

Starter:  Describe a moment when you did not feel good

1.     Read Romans 9:30

2.     How would  you describe righteousness to an unchurched person?

3.     Why do think the Gentiles did not pursue or hunt

4.     Do you know someone who met Jesus and turned his

5.     Read Romans 9:30-32

6.     In your opinion, why would a Jewish person struggle

7.     What are the modern equivalents of “law-keepers?”

8.     Verse 32 speaks of “the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”  Shame relates to not being right with God.  How would you counsel someone who feels shame for their past?

·      Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see – Hebrews 11:1

·      Matthew 15: 21-28:  21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was

·      Do you need to get out of your comfort zone to hear from God? 

·       When you pass the test, your confidence in Jesus’ way increases.

·       Catalytic faith is humble.

·      Heavenly Father, I need you to do what only you can do. 

·      “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 

·      “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 

·      Catalytic faith persists. 

·      “They should always pray and not give up."

·       Is God calling you to persist in faith? 

·      28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great

·      Everybody matters to God. 

·      Will you persist? Or will you give up

·      Will Jesus ever say to you, “You have great faith!” 

·      Great faith is humbling coming to God and saying, “I can’t.  You can.  Please do your will.” 

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 

Starter Question: Who is the most persistent person you

1.      Read Matthew 15:21-28

2.     Jesus takes the disciples to an unlikely place to teach them.  When has God taught you something in an unlikely place?

3.      If you had been one of the disciples, how would you have reacted to the Canaanite woman?

4.      If you were the woman, how would you have reacted to Jesus’ silence?

5.      What do you think Jesus’ tone was in speaking these words?  Why do you think that?

6.      When are you tempted to give up on God?

7.       How would you speak to someone who has been hurt God’s lack of response?

·      Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about whatwe do not see – Hebrews 11:1

·     Catalytic faith changes you and changes the people around you.

·     Dallas Willard - Hope is joyous anticipation of good that is not yet here or is 'unseen.” 

·      Catalytic faith reaches out in hope. 

·      They are looking for hope at the end of their rope.

·      18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 

·      When you are desperate, go to Jesus. 

·      Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 

·      19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his

·      Faith is not a competition. 

·      20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 

·      Zechariah 8:23 - This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have

·      22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

·       Galatians 3:28 – There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 

·       23 When Jesus entered the synagogue

·       25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.  

·      Jesus’ grip is stronger than the grip of death. 

·      There is nothing in your life more powerful than the grip of Jesus to save you.

·       26 News of this spread through all that region. 

·       You matter to God. 

·       When you are at the end of your rope, find Jesus’ hope.

LIFE GROUPDISCUSSION QUESTIONS 

Starter Question: How have you found hope when you felt at the end of your rope? 

1.     Read Matthew 9:18-26

2.     In your opinion, how does the desperation of the synagogue ruler differ from the desperation of the woman with the blood disorder?

3.    Can you think of a religious or cultural taboo that is similar to Jewish laws and rules about being unclean? 

4.    If we are to be like Jesus, what does this story teach us about our response to marginalized people?

5.     Imagine the woman’s life after she is healed.  How

6.     Jesus will have another year and half ministering in this region.  When people or his peers ask the Synagogue

7.      When you feel at the end of your rope, what will you remember from this story?

·      Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see – Hebrews 11:1

·      Dallas Willard - To have faith in God is to trust him, to have confidence in him. 

·      Whatever God addresses in our lives needs addressing. 

·      Will you let God address your deepest need?

·       A catalyst is an agent that provokes or speeds change.

·      Matthew 9:1-8 - Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 At this, some of the teachers of the

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and

·     Catalytic faith trusts Jesus can do what only God can do. 

·      What great challenge do you need to bring to God?

·      When he saw their faith… 

·      Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens and in this way fulfill the law of Christ. 

·      Catalytic faith equals action. 

·      James 2:26 – Faith without works is dead.

·      Following Jesus will make your life better and will make you better at life. 

·      Your sins are forgiven. 

·      The root of all dysfunction in the world is sin. 

·      PIX – Soul. 

·       What you think is your greatest need and what God says is your greatest need may be two different things. 

·      Jesus cures the paralytic at his roots. 

·      Have you asked Jesus to forgive you?  Are you asking for God’s forgiveness for the sins of the day?

·      Don’t put God in a box. 

·      Heavenly Father, where are you at work in this?  What are you trying to communicate?

·      Sin makes you leap to unsound thoughts, feelings, and decisions. 

·      The forgiveness of sins takes power. 

·      The paralytic went from a horizontal life to a vertical life. 

·      Catalytic faith brings people to Jesus. 

·      Invest.

·      Invite. 

·      Include. 

·      Catalytic faith receives forgiveness. 

·      Catalytic faith lives in forgiveness. 

·      Are you living in Jesus’ sweet forgiveness? 

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 

Starter Question: Do you know anyone who needs God’s

1.      Read Matthew 9:1-8

2.      Think about the faith of paralytic and his friends. 

3.     When Jesus declares the paralytic’s sins forgiven, how do you think the paralytic felt?  How did the friends feel?

4.      In your opinion, why does Jesus forgive before he heals?

5.      If you were in the crowd, what would your reaction have been to Jesus’ rebuke of the teachers of the law?  Why does Jesus label their judgment as “evil?”

6.      Why does Jesus’ healing of the man prove he has the authority to forgive sins?

7.      The crowd was afraid while simultaneously give God glory. Why do you think they were afraid? What did Jesus’ pronouncement of forgiveness mean to them?

·      Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see – Hebrews 11:1

·     You need faith that God is at work

·       A catalyst is an agent that provokes or speeds change.

·      Your faith changes you. 

·      Your faith changes other people. 

·       Matthew 8:5-13: 5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do

·       Humility before help

·       Only say the word and my son will be

·       Love your enemies. 

·       Does your faith amaze anyone? 

·       True love warns. 

·       Every time Jesus speaks of hell in Matthew, he is addressing people who thought they were exempt.

·       Depart.  It will happen according to your faith. 

·       The centurion’s faith is the catalyst for Jesus to heal his son. 

·       Your faith can be the catalyst for God to work in someone’s life.

·       Is your faith a catalyst? 

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 

Starter Question: In your life, who has had amazing faith?

 1.      Read Matthew 8:5-13

2.      In your opinion, did the centurion have to overcome any prejudices toward Jews in order to approach Jesus?  What do you think these might be?

3.      The centurion speaks “as one under authority.”  

4.      Jesus says “the sons of the Kingdom will be cast out into the gloom where there will be crying and gnashing of teeth.  What does this teach you about hell?

5.      Jesus praises the faith of the centurion, and tells him that his son will be healed “according to your faith.”  What does this teach us about the power of our faith?

6.      Is there someone in your life that needs the power of your faith?  Who is it and please share their needs.

-      Happiness, Money (Security), Freedom (debt,

-       “Some treasures aren’t bad until they take your focus from the true, fulfilling treasure. When we let treasures lead us away from Christ, that treasure turns to waste." -Michael Grubbs

-        What would it look like if we shifted our pursuit to the true treasure that provides all of these?

-        Colossians 3:1-4 If then you have been raised

-       Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

-       The moment you believe, your pursuit SHOULD

-        It starts with the heart.

-         Does your heart pursue the same things that

-        Col 2:2-3 Set your minds on things that are

-        Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your

-       “…Christians should not determine eternal

-        Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears,

-         In ALL things, pursue Christ

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 Starter Question: Matt opened with an adventure of pursuing a great treasure.  Who did you find yourself relating to in that story? 

1.      Read Colossians 3:1-4

2.     What are some things that keep you from pursuing Christ?

3.      What are some ways that you “keep seeking” the things that are above?

4.      Read Colossians 3:5-17

5.      Where do you struggle in putting on the new self as Paul lays out?

6.      In what ways do you challenge your thinking? 

7.      If you were John Chrysostom, would you have stood as boldly hidden in Christ? Why or why not?

8.      In all things, Pursue Christ.  Where God has you

·      Reach, Next, Own. 

·       What’s the difference between owners and renters?

·       What’s the difference between the owners of a church and renters of a church? 

·      Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church…

·      The church must keep our eyes on Jesus.

·      1 Corinthians 12:12 - 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 

·      PIX – family around fire.

·      PIX – family arguing. 

·      PIX - Bodies move.

·       13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even

·       We all have a life-changing experience with

·       Lake Baptism, September 15th. 

·       ADBC must be a place of grace because that is

·       Do not let the failures of people get between

·       If you claim Jesus, you belong in the body. 

·       Are you a healthy part of the body or an

·       15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for

·       PIX – eyeball in Dallas. 

·       18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 

·       20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 

·       You have to decide if you are an owner or a

·       Follow Jesus. 

·       Baptism. 

·       Belong. 

·       Next Starting Point: September, each campus. 

·       Serve. 

·      QR code. 

·       Owners serve.

·       Give. 

·      (1st part of slide) Where we should be: $2,286,158.  (2nd part of slide) Where we are: $2,163,123. 

·       Abundance brings opportunity. 

·       Step In. 

·       Step Up. 

·       Step Out. 

·       Owners give.

·       27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Starter Question: Pastor Clay used the analogy of owners and renters of church.  Describe an owner of a church.  Describe a renter. 

1.     Read Colossians 1:18

2.     What does it mean to you that Jesus is the head of the church?

3.     Read 1 Corinthians 12:12

4.     Fun exercise: Draw a picture of the church as body. 

5.     Read 1 Corinthians 12:13-14.

6.     According to this scripture, why is baptism important? 

7.     In your opinion, what does it mean to drink from the Spirit?

8.    Read 1 Corinthians 12:15-17.

9.    Why might one part of the church body be unhappy or unhealthy?

10.  Read 1 Corinthians 12:18-20

11.  Where do you think God has placed you in the body? 

·      Reach, Next, Own. 

·       A change in leadership means a change for the

·      1I encourage the elders among you, as a fellow elder,

·      Be encouragers. 

·       PIX – Four-legged stool. 

·      2Shepherd your flock of God, not forced, but willingly, according to God; not for shameful gain, but with energy; 3not dominating the charge, but becoming an example to the flock.

·      Leaders do what needs to be done – Peter Drucker

·      Every church leader, especially the Lead Pastor, must have a sense of call.

·      The speed of the leader is the speed of the team – John Maxwell. 

·      Everyone looks to the leader to see what’s expected

·      4And the chief Shepherd will appear and you will

·      5aLikewise, young ones, submit to the elders

·       Fill the gap with trust, not criticism. 

·     5b…All of you, tie on humility, for “God lines up

·     Church is not about us; church is about Jesus

·     My role and your role is focus on and follow after Jesus.

·      Church leaders need to be shepherds.

·       Be wise enough to not follow some leaders. 

·      Do not let the failures of men and the flaws of the church get between you and Jesus. 

·      Are you called to lead? 

·      Will you answer yes?

·      [email protected]. 

·      “Heavenly Father, my answer is yes.  Now show me

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Starter Question: Is there a church leader who has made an impact on your life? What impact did they make?

1.      Read 1 Peter 5:1

2.     Please share about a leader who has been encouraging in your life.

3.    In our church, which leader most embodies spiritual maturity and wisdom to you?

4.    Read 1 Peter 5:2-3

5.     Peter gives us three contrasts for a leader: not forced, but willing; not after shameful gain, but having energy; not dominating, but being an example.  Which one of these is most important to you in a church leader.

6.     Read 1 Peter 5:4.

7.      What does it mean to you that Jesus will recognize and reward a leader’s work?

8.      Read 1 Peter 5:5.

9.      In your opinion, why do people find it hard to submit to a leader?

10.  Both the leader and the led are to humble.  What