Eagle Hills Church Sermon Podcast

Living Testimony

Read the Text
1 Peter 2:1–12

Observation
• What behaviors does Peter tell believers to put away?
• What should they desire instead?
• How is Jesus described?
• What names and identities does Peter give the Church in verses 9–10?
• What does Peter say outsiders should see in the lives of believers?
Interpretation & Discussion
• What does the image of “living stones” tell us about Christianity as both a
personal and communal faith?
• What does it mean to be a “chosen race,” “royal priesthood,” and “holy
nation”?

• According to verse 9, why has God given His people this identity?
• How can good lives challenge false assumptions people have about Christians?

Application
• Does your daily life make your faith more believable to people who do not
know Jesus?
• Where could your conduct strengthen your witness?
• What would it look like for our church to live as a “royal priesthood” in our
community?

Prayer
Ask God to make your life and your church a clear testimony to His goodness.

In the Mess

Read the Text
1 Peter 1:13–25

Observation
• What does Peter tell believers to set their hope on?
• How does Peter describe God's holiness?
• What does Peter say redeemed them?
• What does the passage say about God's Word?

Interpretation & Discussion
• What does it mean to “prepare your minds for action” and be sober-minded?
• Why does Peter connect hope with holiness?
• What does “Be holy, because I am holy” tell us about the goal of the Christian
life?
• Peter reminds them that they were redeemed by Christ's blood. How should
knowing the cost of our redemption shape how we live?

Application
• Where is it hardest for you to live differently from the culture around you?
• What former pattern of life still competes for your attention?
• Is there a difference between the person you believe Jesus has made you and
the way you are currently living?
• What would holiness look like in one ordinary part of your week?

Prayer
Ask God to form His character in you and help you live differently because you belong
to Christ.

Chosen

Read the Text
1 Peter 1:1–12

Observation
• How does Peter describe the Christians receiving this letter?
• What has God given them through the resurrection of Jesus?
• What does Peter say trials can produce in their faith?
• What future hope appears throughout the passage?

Interpretation & Discussion
• Peter calls these believers both “elect” and “exiles.” What do those two
identities tell us about who they are and where they belong?
• How can someone experience grief and still possess a “living hope”?
• How does the resurrection change the way Christians understand suffering?
• Peter’s readers had not seen Jesus, yet they loved and trusted Him. What does
that teach us about faith?

Application
• Which identity shapes you more: what your culture says about you or what God
says about you?
• Where do you need a “living hope” right now?
• How might God use a current difficulty to deepen rather than destroy your
faith?

Prayer
Thank God for the living hope we have through Jesus. Pray for faith that remains
steady when life is difficult.

The Kingdom at Your Desk

Read the Text
Ephesians 6:5–9

Observation
• What attitudes toward work does Paul command?
• How are employers or leaders instructed to act?
• What repeated motivation appears throughout the passage?
• What does Paul teach about God's impartiality?
Interpretation & Discussion
• How does serving Jesus transform ordinary work?
• Why does Paul address both employees and leaders?
• What does Kingdom leadership look like in the workplace?
• How does this passage challenge both entitlement and abuse of
authority?
Application
• How can your workplace become a place of worship instead of frustration?
• If you supervise others, how does this passage challenge your leadership?
• What is one practical way to represent Jesus with excellence this week?

Prayer
Pray that Jesus would be honored through your work, your leadership, and your
witness.

Faith that Works

Read the Text
James 2:14–26

Observation
• What questions does James ask?
• What examples illustrate living faith?
• How are Abraham and Rahab used?
• What relationship does James describe between faith and works?
Interpretation & Discussion
• What kind of faith is James challenging?
• Why are good works evidence rather than the cause of salvation?
• How does genuine faith naturally produce obedience?
• How do Paul and James complement rather than vary from one another?
Application
• Where is your faith most visible?
• Is there an area where your actions are not matching your beliefs?
• What opportunity has God placed before you to actively love someone
this week?

Prayer
Ask God to produce a faith that is visible through obedience and love.

“Words that Build”

Read the Text
James 3:1–12

Observation
• What comparisons does James make about the tongue?
• What power does he say words possess?
• What contradiction does James expose?
• What examples from creation support his argument?
Interpretation & Discussion
• Why does James spend so much time talking about speech?
• What do our words reveal about our hearts?
• How can the same mouth bless God and hurt people?
• What does true spiritual maturity sound like?
Application
• What patterns of speech do you most need God to transform?
• Whose words have shaped your life, for good or for harm?
• How can your conversations become a source of encouragement this
week?

Prayer
Ask God to make your words truthful, gracious, and life-giving.

“Family on Mission”

Read the Text
Deuteronomy 6:4–9

Observation
• What commands are given?
• Who is responsible for passing on the faith?
• When are families instructed to talk about God's Word?
• What pictures does Moses use to describe remembering God's
commands?

Interpretation & Discussion
• Why does discipleship begin in the home?
• What does this passage teach about intentional parenting and mentoring?
• How can people without children still help pass faith to the next
generation?
• Why is consistency more important than occasional spiritual moments?

Application
• How is faith talked about in your home?
• What spiritual habits could strengthen your family or closest relationships?
• Who has invested in your faith, and who are you investing in?

Prayer
Pray for the next generation and for homes that reflect God's love.

"Working from Home"

Read the Text
Colossians 3:17–24

Observation

• What instructions are repeated throughout the passage?
• Who is Paul addressing?
• What motivations for obedience are given?
• What words describe the relationship between our work and Christ?

Interpretation & Discussion

• Why does Paul connect everyday work with worship?
• What does it mean to "work heartily, as for the Lord"?
• How does this passage challenge the way our culture views success and achievement?
• What difference does it make to remember that Christ is our true Master?

Application

• What part of your work is hardest to offer to God?
• How would your attitude change if every task became an act of worship?
• Where is God calling you to greater faithfulness rather than greater recognition?

Prayer
Ask God to help you honor Him in every task, whether seen or unseen.

“The Sheep & the Goats”

Read the Text
Matthew 25:31–46

Observation
• What separates the two groups?
• What actions are emphasized?
• Who is identified with “the least of these”?
• How do both groups respond to the King’s judgment?
Interpretation & Discussion
• Why are ordinary acts of mercy so central in this passage?
• What does this reveal about the relationship between faith and action?
• How does Jesus identify Himself with the vulnerable?
• Why are both groups surprised by the judgment?
Application
• How does this passage challenge your view of discipleship?
• Where do you regularly overlook people in need?
• What practical step of compassion could you take this week?
Prayer
Ask God to shape your heart toward mercy and faithful obedience.

“The Talents”

Read the Text
Matthew 25:14–30

Observation
• What responsibilities are given to each servant?
• How do the servants respond differently?
• What motivates the third servant’s behavior?
• How does the master evaluate faithfulness?
Interpretation & Discussion
• What does this parable teach about stewardship?
• Why is fear such a major theme in the third servant’s response?
• How does faithfulness differ from comparison or success?
• What resources or opportunities has God entrusted to His people?
Application
• What gifts, opportunities, or responsibilities has God given you?
• Where has fear kept you from faithfulness?
• What would it look like to serve boldly with what God has entrusted to you?
Prayer
Ask God for courage and faithfulness.