Bluffton Community

October 13th | Week 2

Primary Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

BIG IDEA: We go with Jesus looking for people who are spiritually lost.

Focus: This genuine account seems to point to the truth Jesus had just made in Luke 18:24-27. It appears that Zacchaeus was pursuing Jesus, but that Jesus was pursuing Zacchaeus as well. Here was a wealthy man, who was also an outcast in his community, climbing trees to get a glimpse at Jesus and hear Him speak. Jesus welcomed Himself into Zacchaeus’ home and his life.

Prompting Questions: What was the average Jewish person’s view on tax collectors in Jesus’ time? Take time and imagine how Zacchaeus might have felt being invited to host Jesus the Rabbi in his home. How does this account inform ways we might share the gospel with others?

Primary Scripture: Romans 5:6-8

BIG IDEA: God welcomes us home through faith in Christ.

Message Focus: Paul wrote that we were powerless to come home to God. So God, in His great love, sent Jesus to die for us in our place. Now, because of what Jesus has done, we can come home. It’s important to note that God moved first, knowing that we couldn’t. Perhaps this is a key component of ministry in general and, specifically, hospitality. This message is kicking off the series at all locations.

Prompting Questions: Look at the repetition in verses 6, 8, & 10: “while we were.” What do you see there? What emotions does the truth of this passage elicit? Why do people resist God’s invitation to come home?

Cross References: Romans 4:25; Colossians 1:21; John 15:13; Genesis 44:33

September 29 | Baptism

Primary Scripture: Romans 6:1-4 NIV

BIG IDEA: Baptism is a reminder that we have died and been raised to new life with Christ.

Message Focus: Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples and part of the making is the step of baptism. Baptism is both an outward sign of what the Holy Spirit has done inside of a believer, but it's also a reminder that our old lives are gone and we're walking in the newness of life.

Prompting Questions: What does new life look like and how does baptism point to that? What does Paul say are the implications of baptism? How can we help new believers take the step of baptism?

Cross References: Colossians 2:12 NIV, Galatians 2:20 NLT, Matthew 28:19 NIV

September 22 | Week Three | Trust

Primary Scripture: Habakkuk 3:1-19

Cross References: Job 42:5-6

Message Overview: Notice the response in chapter 3 is to pray and worship the Lord! Habakkuk saw what was to come and asked only for mercy in the wrath for His people in Judah. Waiting on the Lord can be one of the hardest disciplines of Christianity. Habakkuk matured in His understanding and found the faith to trust God’s timing. Our churches are experiencing incredible growth and dynamic changes. When troubles come, how do we remember to persevere and trust? Worry and fear are rampant in our world...growing disciples will find strength when they exult the Lord and rejoice in His salvation.

Prompting Questions: Where is your trust: in your skills? Money? Family? Job? Government? How do we respond when things don’t go our way: with fear? Anger? Fight? How do we praise in the process? When trouble is on the horizon, where do we turn? What does this teach us about the Gospel?

September 15 | Week Two | Wait

Primary Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2-2:20

Cross References: Romans 1:16-17; James 4:6; Hebrews 10:37-38; Isaiah 44:9-20

Message Overview: This week will need a quick look back to verses 1:12-2:1. There is an opportunity to

discuss God’s timing in our “instant” society. Patience and anticipation in knowing God will carry out His

plans to completion. There is a solid foil here to the end times also (v.2-3). How often are we (especially

Americans) so impressed by our own abilities that we lose sight of God? God is righteous and just and will see

His plans carried to completion.

Prompting Questions: In the midst of calamity, death, and destruction, can I find comfort in knowing God

will see justice and judgement? What do we do while waiting on the Lord? How often do I trust in my own

abilities rather than rely on the Lord? Have you ever been frustrated with God’s timing? Have you ever read

something in scripture that you disagreed with? What does Habakkuk 2 teach us about the Gospel?

September 8 | Week One | Listen

Primary Scripture: Habakkuk 1:2-2:1

Cross References: Psalm 13:1, 4:1; Isaiah 55:8-9, Isaiah 10:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 44:17

Message Overview: In chapter one, Habakkuk cried out and asked God why he allowed what He hates

without justice. The answer that follows is that God is going to use other evil people to thwart Judah.

Habakkuk was even more confused and pushed back on God, challenging His direction. Verse 2:1 shows the

confidence and faith that God would reply and that Habakkuk was ready to listen. These concepts connect

our faith to God’s ways, timing, and perfection. Habakkuk 1 sets the table for how we ought to respond when

the world doesn’t seem to make sense.

Prompting Questions: Who do we run to when trials abound? What do we do when the answer isn’t what

we wanted? How often do we marvel at the “work of our own hands?” (v.16) How do we develop deeper faith

in the midst of a sinful world? What does Habakkuk 1 teach us about the Gospel?

Main Passage: Luke 22:14-20

Listen in as we join Lighthouse Community and learn from Senior Pastor Fritz Below as he helps us understand the context and meaning of the Lord's Supper. Fritz helps us to see how the Lord's Supper was Initiated by Jesus, is real food that points to Truth, and for those who follow Jesus!

Primary Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-16

Message Overview: When believers are maturing into the character of Christ, they’re no longer drifting aimlessly through life. Instead, they live with purpose: speaking the truth in love and helping others to grow in the truth of Christ. Healthy, living things grow. It’s true of people. It’s true of the church. This is our opportunity to pull back the current for our church to reveal next steps we see and how people can step into them. For our location, it’s helping people to grow in the gospel/truth, widening the leadership and volunteer base to support the increased ministry opportunities, inviting believers into healthy stewardship, and praying/looking for the next leaders/teams who will launch the New Testament churches in our region.

Prompting Questions: Contrast the life of a believer who is drifting versus a believer who is growing in/on purpose. What does Bluffton Community look like at its healthiest and most effective? Why would a person choose to partner with us in ministry as opposed to continue floating along in their faith?

Primary Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-13

Cross References: Acts 6:4; 12:25; Romans 12:6-8

Message Overview: Paul said that Jesus gave “gifts” to the church: leaders. Their role is to equip believers for ministry with the end goal being unity and maturity (maturity = the fullness of Christ). Elders at each location will have the opportunity to provide a current, transparent snapshot of where we currently are as local churches: both the successes and challenges. Exposing things like ministry strategies we use (i.e. small groups, kids/students, etc) as well as highlighting the scoreboard so people can gauge health and effectiveness (Yeses, baptism, volunteer %, finances, etc).

Prompting Questions: Who are those leaders in our churches who equip? How can a believer in our church engage in training for real ministry? How should we understand “the fulness of Christ?” What aspects of our ministries are many people in the dark about and it would benefit them/mission to know more?

Primary Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Cross References: 1 Peter 3:15a; Romans 10:9; Revelation 19:16; Matthew 28:18-20

Message Overview: Twice in this passage, Paul uses the word “Lord” in reference to Jesus. Within that context, he wrote about humility, bearing with one another, and unity. This message will focus on the Lordship of Jesus and what that means practically for every born again believer. This is the opportunity to clearly define our vision statement: We are people who say Yes to Jesus’ leadership in our lives AND we help others do that, too. Prompting Questions: What does it mean for Jesus to be the Lord over an individual believer? The local church? Why is this an important truth? What are engaging ways to walk our families through our Outcomes (the Six He’s) and Values (the Six We’s)? How might we invite people to respond to this message?