Bluffton Community

Primary Scripture: John 4:27-42Focus: Every Christian is called to be a minister of reconciliation. God even calls us partners in this work. Christians are chosen, commissioned, equipped, enabled, qualified, and empowered to share the gospel with a lost world. Jesus had a hart for those who would seek Him.Desired Outcomes: That people would understand that sharing the good news of Jesus is the key mission of the church and the Holy Spirit would move them to jump in.

Primary Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14Focus: The Apostle Paul prays for the believers in Colosse. The depth of his care for these believers leads him to big prayers for these believers. The heart of God is exposed as Paul prays for them. God wants all who have left the kingdom of darkness and are now part of the Kingdom of God’s Son to know him fully.

Primary Scripture: Psalm 51Focus: David fell into the wicked sin of adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed to cover his sin. The prophet Nathan confronted David who responded with deep remorse and repentance. David’s prayer shows us confession, repentance, heart change and worship. This prayer lets us struggle with David in his personal failure and teaches us about the character of God.

Primary Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Focus: Jesus taught his disciples to pray in what is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer (vs. 9-13). The context of this prayer is as important as the ordering of the things Jesus suggests we pray about. While this prayer is often quoted by rote, these specific instructions from Jesus on prayer are worth slowing down, so that we can hear and respond.

Desired Outcomes: Encouragement to pray as Jesus taught us. Recognition that genuine prayer begins with God and His will. Reflection on our own hearts and the need for repentance.

Primary Scripture: Colossians 3:23BIG IDEA: Work is a way to worship God.Message Focus: Even though it may feel like it, work is not punishment from God. Quite the opposite! Workis a gift! Work became more difficult and a key source of identity after sin entered into the world. Praise Godthat even work has been redeemed through the work of the gospel! There is no separation between “spiritual”and “secular.” Now, we can work for God’s glory and use it as a means to invite others into salvation throughfaith in Christ. This is an opportunity to help people learn how to resist worshiping work.Potential Next Steps: Commit your work to God each day. Intentionally serve a co-worker, student, withno expectation of a return.

BIG IDEA: Worship with the church family can begin at home.

Message Focus: When the gospel of Jesus Christ moves into a person’s life, God affects every aspect, especially their home. In the place where we let our guards down, where people see one of our truest selves, home is where the Spirit should have the greatest reign in our lives. Home is where forgiveness, hope, truth, prayer – worship – can overflow into the other areas of our lives.

Primary Scripture: Job 1:20-21BIG IDEA: Christians can worship God in the midst of their suffering.Message Focus: Often, when people face seasons of suffering of challenge, they respond in one of two ways (and sometimes vacillate between): fighting against it or focusing on it. What if there was a third way? Worshiping God through it. The gospel does not ignore the reality of suffering, nor does it fight against it. Rather, the gospel points to suffering as a real moment that God is present within.

BIG IDEA: Worship is my genuine love response to God: His character and will.Message Focus: Worship begins with an understanding of who God is and who I am in relation to God. Worship finds its fulfillment in my obedient response of love to God. This message will provide a baseline for what worship is and what it isn’t. It may be helpful to look at one or more “case studies” of worship from the Scriptures.

BIG IDEA: Genuine faith in Christ leads to real righteousness – legal and practicalMessage Focus: Paul made a dad joke: There is a “law” required for salvation – the “law of faith.” It is ushers in unity among very different people. Genuine faith leads to a desire to uphold God’s law (ie. God’s character).Cross References: John 19:30, 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, Deuteronomy 6:4, Zechariah 14:9, John 15:9-12, John 21:15-19, Romans 12:9, Romans 13:8, 1 John 4:10

BIG IDEA: Christians are made righteous as a gift by God’s generosity through Christ.Message Focus: The righteousness Paul described is “apart from the law.” The only way a person can have it is through faith in Jesus Christ - no matter their background or lineage. These few verses are some of the clearest expressions of salvation by grace through faith.Cross References: Jonah, Romans 6:23, Romans 11:6, Romans 2:12-13, Romans 1:20