Bluffton Community

BIG IDEA: The default position of every person is unrighteous.Message Focus: This may not be the feel good message of the year! But… this is an opportunity to clearly define and expose sin/unrighteousness as well as discuss the gift of being able to see and understand our sin. If God opens our eyes to our greatest problem, He can lead us to our greatest solution: salvation in Christ alone.Cross References: 1 John 1:8, Psalm 14:3, Psalm 5:9, Psalm 140:1-3, Psalm 10:7, Isaiah 59:7-8, Psalm 36:1

BIG IDEA: God’s righteousness gives sight to the spiritually blind.Message Focus: Our unfaithfulness does not affect God’s faithfulness. Our unrighteousness does not change God’s righteousness. We are blind to our sin but God's righteousness restores our sight so that we may see our sinfulness and repent! When we rationalize our own sin does not diminish God’s wrath against sin. This also means that when God justifies a person through faith in Christ, He does not change his mind, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins when we confess and repent!Cross References: John 9, 1 John 1:8-9

Primary Scripture: Romans 2:1-29

BIG IDEA: Obeying God’s law will not save you from sin.

Message Focus: Paul was talking about Gentiles and pagans, but in these passages, he addressed Jews. His point? Putting faith in the law to save you is as effective as what the Gentiles were doing. Paul pointed to an inner heart change stemming from repentance that was prompted by God’s kindness.

Cross References: John 6:29, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:24, Matthew 11:28-30

Primary Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

BIG IDEA: God imparts Christ’s righteousness to us by faith.

Message Focus: Righteousness is a healthy relationship with God based on His standards. Jesus is righteous by His nature as God (so is the Father and the Spirit). No matter what we do in and of ourselves, we can’t be righteous. The only way we can receive righteousness is through trusting God’s plan for salvation: the work of Jesus.

Cross References: Genesis 15:6, Romans 15:17

BIG IDEA: Grace comes to all through Jesus’ resurrectionMessage Focus: Throughout the Old Testament, God promised and foreshadowed Jesus’ victory over sinand death. The Old Testament prophecies met the fulfillment of Jesus and His resurrection confirmed Hisidentity and work. Because of Jesus, we can receive salvation as a gift from God.Cross References: John 20, Revelation 1:18, 1 Corinthians 15:17-19, Hosea 6:2, Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:36, Matthew 11:28, Philippians 3:10-12, Romans 6:4

Primary Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5BIG IDEA: Evangelism is sharing with another person who Jesus is and what He has done.Message Focus: Paul reminded that he didn’t rely on articulate messaging or even lengthy theological arguments to help them come to faith in Jesus. In fact, he felt weak and afraid. All he had to offer was the truth of Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death. Many believers today can relate to Paul. The message can encourage them that all they need is a clear understanding of who Jesus is, what He has done, and the rest is on the power of the Holy Spirit.Prompting Questions: What are common barriers to Christians sharing the gospel or their own faith with others? How would you encourage or counsel another believer who was afraid to share their faith with another person? Think about a time the Holy Spirit empowered you to share the gospel when you were feeling weak or afraid.Cross References: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Matthew 11:5, Romans 10:13-15, Acts 18:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, John 3:16-21, Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 6:68-69

Primary Scripture: John 15:1-17BIG IDEA: The supernatural outcome of remaining in Christ is joy!Message Focus: Remaining in Christ is not meant to be a chore or burdensome. Rather, walking with God is marked by joy! It’s Jesus’ intention that His joy would be in every truly born again believer. This message has the opportunity to call people up from obligation into the joy of knowing Jesus!Prompting Questions: How is application of scripture the same for not-yet believers and believers? How is it different? What is the difference between moralism and acting in faith?Cross References: Psalm 16:11, 2 Corinthians 6:10, Habakkuk 3:16-19, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 15:13, Philippians 4:4, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-2, Luke 15:20-24

Primary Scripture: John 15:1-17

BIG IDEA: Keeping Jesus’ commands is a way to remain in Jesus’ love.

Message Focus: The language is clear: if you keep my commands, you will remain in my love. Jesus said that He had done the same thing in relation to the Father. It will be important to help people avoid falling into legalism. As equally important is over-correcting into the other ditch that it doesn’t matter how I live. Jesus revealed His command: love each other… as I have loved you.

Prompting Questions: Legalism is a word tossed around often in the evangelical world – what does it actually mean? How do grace and obedience work in fellowship? Why is obedience to God a sign of love for God?

Cross References: 1 John 5:18, Galatians 3:24-27, Matthew 22:37-40, Psalm 8:4

Primary Scripture: John 15:1-17BIG IDEA: “Bearing fruit” is character change that leads to life change… and it brings glory to God.Message Focus: In these seventeen verses, Jesus talked about fruit and producing fruit nine times. Clearly, this is important. Bearing fruit is so critical that branches that produce none are cut off. Bearing fruit glorifies God. The only way to bear fruit is to remain in Christ.Prompting Questions: What are signs that a person is “bearing fruit” in their lives? How does that metaphor help us understand what a relationship with Jesus results in?Cross References: Matthew 7:16-20, Galatians 5:19-23, Matthew 3:8, 1 John 4:19, Hebrews 12:2, Isaiah 26:3, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 2:4, Psalm 106, 1 John 1:9, Matthew 11:29, Isaiah 53:7, 1 Corinthians 3:6, Galatians 6:8

Primary Scripture: John 15:1-17BIG IDEA: Remaining in Christ is a close, ongoing relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.Message Focus: Jesus said that He is the vine and His disciples are branches. The branches rely on the vine for everything. Followers of Jesus are absolutely dependent on Him for everything, too: life, forgiveness, spiritual life, direction, and more. This message can expose what dependence looks like for a Christian.Prompting Questions: What other references to a vine does God use throughout the Bible? How does this metaphor help people understand what a relationship with Jesus looks like? How would you counsel a friend who confessing they are struggling to feel close to God?Cross References: Psalm 80; Isaiah 5:1-7; Ephesians 5:26