Fletcher Church

Soul Talk

Session 1: Introduction/The Heart of the Matter

I. Table Time- Introduction

a. Share your name and something you are looking forward to in the Fall/Study.

b. If you were to poll people in downtown S-boro, “Why do people do what they do?” What are some things you think they would say?

c. What are some internal recurring thoughts people may tend to have? (Think in realms of insecurity, anxious, angry, fearful, etc.)

II. Teaching Time:(Prov 20:5, Prov 4:23, Eph 4:17-20, James 1:26, Heb 4:12-16)

a. Why do we do what we do?

i. The World’s Attempts to Diagnose

ii. The Bible’s Clear Answer (Want and Worship)

1. Principle of Inescapable Influence:

b. What is the heart? [James 4:1, Matt 15:18-20] TWO DIAGRAMS

iii. Observations:

1. The heat of Trials/Pressure facilitate a response in us (just as the sun facilitates growth)

2. Many times the experience of distress, anxiety, conflict, despair … is the fruit of responses (thoughts, behaviors, actions, etc.)

3. The Worship and Wants of the heart are the core issues that shape our responses.

4. If we want to change and help others change the heart must be the target.

c. We are Fallen so our Worship and Wants Go Real Bad Real Fast

i. Sinful Desires:

ii. Good Desires Gone Bad: Replace God as Treasure/Ruler of Hearts

1. What am I willing to sin to get?

2. What am I willing to respond sinfully over if I don’t get it?

3. Generally only exposed by trials unless we are intentional!

d. There’s Good News for That kind of Problem

i. God who Deciphers my Heart (Jer 17:10)

ii. Word that Operates on my Heart (Heb 4:12)

iii. Redeemer that Forgives, Cleanses, Restores . . .

iv. Spirit that Empowers Us and Points to Better Glory of Christ (Jn 16:12-14)

e. Goal of the Study

i. Listen to Our Souls and Hear our Hearts

ii. Listen to What Others Say and Mean, to Draw Out their Heart

iii. Speak a Better Word of Gospel Worship and Wants

III. Table Time- Application

a. What are some of the ways you can tell something deeper is going on inside someone you care about? What are some ways to draw that out?

b. What are some obstacles we face in drawing out our own hearts and the hearts of others? Some of the advice have for surface level things we hear?

c. How might discerning and dealing w/ the heart level (vs. surface) change/impact your own life, life of friends around you? What excites and scares you about this?

d. APPLY: At least three times this week stop and record any problematic recurring thoughts or feelings that you observe. Write some specifics. (Anger, insecurity, anxiety, fear, frustration, stress)

Hold Tight to the Gospel When things are Hard...

I. Remembering Others who Waited and Endured before Ultimately Receiving the Promise! (13-15)

II. Remembering the Character of the God who Made the Promise! (16-18a)

III. Remembering we Have an Anchored Hope in Jesus that Offers Direct Access to God! (18-20)

Practical Implications

o What are a few examples of people in the Bible or your life who kept going when it was hard? How do they encourage you today?

o What are some misplaced hopes in your life?

o What about God and Jesus encourage you to greater hope?

Jesus Alone can Truly Satisfy the Human Heart . . .

I. True Satisfaction comes from Pursuing Spiritual Life Not Physical Desires! (25-34)

II. True Satisfaction is Offered to all who Come to Jesus in Faith! (35-41)

III. True Satisfaction is Found in Feasting on a Living Union with Jesus! (48-59, 66-69)

Practical Implications

o What are some misplaced things you are living for?

o What are some barriers to you repenting and coming to/coming back to Jesus?

o What specific qualities of Jesus can you feast on this week?

Grow in Faithfulness this Fall by . . .

I. Being Watchful while Surrounded by Subtle Dangers! (13a)

II. Holding Fast to God’s Word and a Life Pleasing to Him! (13b)

III. Being Strong and Courageous in an Emboldened Evil Age! (13c)

IV. Being Loving in all of our Interactions! (14)

Practical Implications

o What are a few dangerous influences and temptations you presently face?

o How can you cultivate a strong set of convictions to live by?

o What habits of grace do you need to grow in? How will you do it?

You are Loved so Walk in Love . . .

I. Reject the Symptoms of a Loveless Heart and Culture! (1-20)

II. Embrace the Habits of Living a Life of Love for God and Others! (1-20)

Practical Implications

o What loveless habits show up in your life and relationships most consistently?

o What loving demand could your relationships most use right now? Why?

o What changes in speech habits could most benefit your relationships?

I. Christians Will Experience Adversity and Abundance!

II. The Key to Facing Adversity and Abundance Is Being Content!

III. The Secret to Being Content Is Finding Strength in Christ!

IV. Strength in Christ Is Expressed by Giving:

a. Giving Thanks

b. Giving Sacrificially

c. Giving Glory to God

Practical Applications

o What specific circumstance of adversity or abundance is most affecting your emotions or decisions right now? Surrender it to Christ.

o Identify blessing in your life for which you need to be more thankful.

o How is God leading you to give sacrificially for His kingdom?

o Commit to making God’s glory the aim of your life rather than an aid to your life.

Guest Speaker Dr. Allen Amason.

Make Much of Christ by Treasuring Him as . . .

I. The Creator and Sustainer of the World that All things Exist for! (15-17)

II. The Resurrected One who is Head of the Church and Reconciles us by His Blood! (18-20)

Practical Implications

o What are a few things in creation that amaze you?

o How do you view and treat the church?

o How can you practically see your sin and your forgiveness?

Biblical Preaching Leads to Conviction but Ends with Great Rejoicing. . .

I. Gather Together to Listen Attentively, Expecting to Hear the Word of the Lord! (1-3)

II. Humbly Position Yourselves under the Authority of the Word as It Is Explained by the Family of Faith! (4-8)

III. Mourn over Your Sin through Heartfelt Repentance, Then Rejoice Greatly at the Declaration of Good News! (9-12)

Practical Implications

o Have you become dull of hearing? What is one thing you can do this week to help the Word of God come alive again?

o In what ways does your commitment to and view of Sunday worship reveal that the Word of God is not the ultimate authority in your life?

o Are you tired of feeling guilty for your sin? What is holding you back from receiving the joy of the Lord?

A Pastor’s Prayer, That we Treasure Christ . . .

I. May the Holy Spirit Instill a New Value System for our Lives! (7-9)

II. May the Holy Spirit Birth in us a Desire to Know Christ Deeply by Experience! (10-11)

III. May the Holy Spirit Give us Resolve to Press on till our Final Reward! (12-16)

Practical Implications

o What are some earthly “gains” that still pull at you?

o What changes might help you better see/treasure Christ?

o What keeps you from pressing on?