Embrace Church

SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 14:13-21

GO DEEPER:

1. If you tend to stop at sympathy, what stands in your way of moving into empathy?

2. What does Jesus say, hear, and feel when He looks into your eyes?

3. Do you see compassion when you look into Jesus' eyes?

4. How will you choose to see the people around you today?

PRAYER GUIDE:

Take a moment and talk to God about helping you to see others through His eyes and not your own.

SCRIPTURE: 

John 13:1-17, Luke 18:9-14

GO DEEPER:

1. What is one truth that you took away from today’s sermon?

2. The disciples struggled with who would be considered the greatest. Why is it so hard to take on the position of “lower status?” What makes it so hard to submit to someone else?

3. Foot-washing in the day of Jesus was a menial task - one set aside for a servant. In your sphere of influence, what are some menial tasks or services that are not being performed that may meet the need of another? How can you respond?

PRAYER GUIDE:

Pray that God would reveal to you the people around you that you ought to being serving in the simplest of ways.

SCRIPTURE: 

Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:1-3, Matthew 4:1-11  

GO DEEPER: 

1. What is one truth you took away from todays sermon? 

2. Discuss your thoughts about being out of your mind, yet, being in your right mind in Christ. What has to happen in your life in order for this to occur? 

3. Satan tries to fill our minds with lies. Living into that lie leads to defeat. What is one lie that he directs toward you?

SCRIPTURE:

John 3:16-17

GO DEEPER:

PRAYER GUIDE:

Who do you find harder to love? Is it the Nicodemus of the world? The arrogant and prideful? Obnoxious religious people? Or is it the Samaritan woman? Is it those who look different or think different? Is it the broken and the poor? Those with checkered pasts? Spend some time confessing to God and asking Him to give you a greater love and compassion people.

SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 5:38-39, 43-47, Romans 12:21

GO DEEPER:

SCRIPTURE:

John 13:34-35, Ephesians 2:14-19

GO DEEPER:

1. How does being connected to God’s community help you grow in your faith?

2. Read Ephesians 2. How does the gospel bring unity in the midst of diversity? How does the gospel make us into one family?

3. Why do you think Jesus said if we love one another, everyone will know we are his disciples?

4. What are some of the main truths that God wants you to know from the message today? What actions does God want you to take according to these truths?

SCRIPTURE:

Romans 1:16-17

GO DEEPER:

1. What's one truth you took away from today's sermon? 

2. Do you identify with any of the story illustrations from the sermon (little boy praying out loud, woman in India, Sammy Creig)? If so, why? 

3. Share your excitement or concerns about sharing the Gospel message with others. Does anything hold you back from sharing with others? 

4. Prayer: Take a moment and talk honestly with God about your desire to be fully devoted to God's mission. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and words. Record or share with someone about your experience.

SCRIPTURE: 

John 6:60-69

GO DEEPER:

1.What is one truth you took away from today’s sermon?

2.Discuss your thoughts on the difference between being interested in Jesus and being committed to Jesus.

3.Discuss what it means for you that a commitment to God’s presence is risky.

4.Which spiritual discipline do you need to improve upon?

PRAYER GUIDE:

Pray that God will instill within you the longing for his presence.

Pray that God will give you a desire to improve upon one spiritual discipline this week.

SCRIPTURE:

Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 8:11, 31:19-20, 33:26-27 | Joshua 4:6-7

GO DEEPER:

1. The Lord warned His people in Deuteronomy 6:12, “Take care lest you forget the Lord.” What causes us to forget God as we go about our daily lives? How can we avoid this tendency?

2. Discuss the difference between loving God and loving His gifts. How can you distinguish between the two? How can we love the gift and forget the Giver?

3. What hinders your love for God? Why does our love for God sometimes grow cold? How can we prevent this? If we find ourselves in a place where we are apathetic in our relationship with God, what would it look like to begin to renew our love for Him?

PRAYER GUIDE:

What does it look like in your life to serve the Lord wholeheartedly this week? What does this look like in your relationships? Is there anything you need to give up? Is there anything that you need to step up and do? Spend some time praying about these areas.

SCRIPTURE:

Exodus 15:21-27, 16:1-3

GO DEEPER:

1. What is one truth you took away from today's sermon?

2. Share a wilderness experience you may be in currently, or one you have experienced in the past. How was God faithful?

3. Discuss how complaining in your own wilderness experience may show lack of faith in God.

4. Jesus often intentionally moved into a wilderness time. How do you feel about intentionally moving into a wilderness time? Why?