1. Read Matthew 6:25-34.

2. What do you think the significance of Jesus repeating the command “do not worry” three times refers to in this text? What kind of life do you think Jesus wants for you here on earth?

3. What do you tend to worry the most about? What affect does worry have on you mentally, physically and emotionally?

4. In verses 26 & 28 we read about an illustration of how God takes care of the birds and the flowers of the field. What practical truth does this provide for you about how much God cares about you? What can we learn from the birds and the flowers?

5. Why is it so hard to believe that God will take care of you? How is worry rooted in unbelief? What area do you find it hardest to trust?

6. What does it mean to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness? How can you do this?

7. What does verse 34 mean to you? What can you learn from it? Should we care about tomorrow? Should we plan for tomorrow? What is the difference between planning and worrying?

8. Read and discuss the importance of the following Scriptures:1 Peter 5:7, Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:6-7, and Philippians 4:19. How might these Scriptures help you with adjusting your life to living out Matthew 6:25-34?

Prayer for the Week:
Dear Lord, please forgive me when I worry. I am so blessed and yet I worry about my finances, my loved ones, my health and the future. Lord, would you please help me to replace that worry with a complete trust in You? Help me to focus on the things of this world that are truly important like loving You and loving my neighbor, helping those in need, and planting seeds of love to everyone I meet. Please guide and comfort me and help me to lean into you for all things and in all ways. It is in the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Read Galatians 5:13-26.

1. What does it mean to live in freedom and how can we use that freedom to “love your neighbor as yourself”?

2. In the United States, we are proud of our freedoms. But are we using our freedoms to love our neighbor or to bite and devour each other?

3. The Fruit of the Spirit is what ends this chapter about freedom. When we follow Jesus and live inside of His freedom, then we already have all of the fruits. We get the choice to live them out or not. How are you doing in living a life that is defined by the Fruits of the Spirit?

Read John 8:31-36.

1. We all commit sins in our life. What sin are you a slave to?

2. What steps do you need to take to break the chains of sin and to find the freedom that only God can provide?

3. Following Jesus is HARD! But when Jesus sets us free, we are free indeed. Jesus is ready to set us free, but that means that we have to acknowledge our own sinful nature. Jesus’ freedom is really two-fold. First, there are things Christ has freed you from. Second, there are things Christ has freed you to.
a. Jesus has freed us from the bondage, penalty, guilt and shame of sin.
b. Jesus has freed us to live and serve.

4. Where are you at in living a life of freedom?

Go Deeper This Week
Scripture and questions for study and reflection:
Read 1 Kings 19:19-21.

1. Each week throughout this sermon series there has been a new question. Zach Zehnder says this week’s question is the most challenging:“Am I willing to follow Jesus as my Lord?” What does this question mean to you?

2. Zehnder says something in this week’s session that is a version of what I first heard Kyle Idleman say in the “Not a Fan” study. Zehnder says, “Christians in America are content with God being their Savior, but uncomfortable with Him being their Lord.” What do you think he means by this? Do you agree? Does this ever apply to you?

3. In today’s Scripture passage, why do you think Elisha slaughtered his oxen and burned the plowing equipment?

4. In Luke 9:62 Jesus says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” What did Jesus mean by this? Is this the reason Elisha slaughtered his oxen and burned his equipment?

5. Zehnder quotes martyred German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer when he said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” What do you think he meant by this? How does it apply to today’s passage and message?

6. What do you need to leave behind, burn or die to in order to more fully follow Jesus?

7. Zehnder says, “Many people never get to truly experience the joy of following Jesus because they don’t leave good enough behind. What do you think he means by that? What is “good enough”? Does Jesus want you to settle for “good enough”?

8. Jesus is clear in the Scriptures that there is a cost to following him; a cost to being his disciple. But Zehnder is emphatic that the joy of following Jesus greatly outweighs the cost. Do you agree? What might some of the costs be? What are some of the joys?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious and loving God, forgive us for the times that we have looked backed, settled for good enough, and failed to fully love and trust you. Help us as we move forward to not just believe in you as Savior, but truly follow you as Lord of our lives. Remind us that the joy of following you is always greater than the cost, so that we may faithfully follow you all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.

1. This week’s main question for the sermon series is, “Am I known for what I’m for or what I’m against? What do you think this means? How would you answer that for the Church in America today?

2. In this week’s video, Zach Zehnder talks about honey bees. Why did he pick bees as an example? How is he comparing bees to Christians? What do you think about that?

3. Why kind of reputation do you think Christians have with the unchurched population? Why is our reputation important?

4. What does it mean to be a new creation in Christ? How should this status impact the way we live and treat others?

5. What does it mean to be reconciled to God?

6. What does Paul expect of us regarding the ministry and message of reconciliation? How is the Church doing with this ministry and message?

7. Pastor Mick shared a verse from the Tauren Wells’ song “Known” in which he sings, “It’s not one or the other. It’s hard truths and ridiculous grace.” Why do you think he shared this verse? How does it relate to the ministry and message of reconciliation?

8. D.L. Moody said, “You may find hundreds of faultfinders among professed Christians, but all of their criticism will never lead one solitary soul to Christ.” What does he mean? How does this relate to reconciliation and what we are for or against?

9. Pastor Mick shared a story about churches struggling with whether they are a “museum for the saints” or a “hospital for sinners.” Which one do you most readily identify? Why do we need both?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious and loving God, we confess that sometimes we are not the good ambassadors of Christ we are called to be. Sometimes we may even say and do things that give Christians a bad reputation among the unchurched. Thank you for your grace and forgiveness. Help us extend such grace and forgiveness to those around us, so they know more about what we are for than what we are against. May our words and our actions be always working to reconcile others to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Read 1 Samuel 17:45-47.

1. Each week throughout this sermon series there will be a new question. Today’s question is:“Am I playing offense or defense?” What does this mean to you regarding your faith?

2. Two different sports analogies were used in this week’s study:(1) prevent defense and (2) pulling the goalie (offense). What makes these strategies so different?

3. What happens when a church uses a prevent defense strategy? How common do you think this is?

4. What does a church on offense look like? How common do you think this is?

5. Were the Israelites playing offense or defense when Goliath was challenging and taunting them? What changed when David arrived?

6. Why do you think David was so much more confident than the Israelite soldiers? How did he see the situation differently than the soldiers?

7. How did David “flip the script” regarding the way he engaged Goliath in battle? What lessons can we learn from this regarding sharing our faith? (Hint:think about gifts)

8. What is the significance of David using Goliath’s own sword to behead him? How is this consistent with the cross? What might this mean for us in our daily battles?

9. Do you agree that the Church needs a greater sense of urgency in playing offense rather than employing a prevent defense strategy? Why or why not?

10. Are you willing to join in our “pulling the goalie” campaign and use the tools passed out today to be much more invitational? If not, why? What other tools would be useful?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious God. Thank you for putting unique gifts inside each and every one of us. Help us to live with a sense of urgency and use these gifts to share the Good News of Jesus with the world. Thank you for reminding us that we never fight our battles alone, because you are with us. You never leave us or forsake us. Give us the faith, the courage and the confidence to follow you wherever you lead us. We love you and we want to serve you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture and questions for study and reflection:
Read Ephesians 4:11-16.

1. Each week throughout this sermon series there will be a new question. Today’s question is:“Are you a contributor or a consumer?” What is your definition of “contributor and consumer”? Why do you think these words are important to this sermon series?

2. Do you think our consumer-driven culture has affected the church? If so, how? Is this a problem? Why? In what ways is consuming a good thing?

3. In the Right Now Media study this week Zach Zehnder says, “We are a Christian country filled with people living purposeless, meaningless, unfulfilled lives.” What do you think he means by this? What could make things better?

4. Pastor Mick shared another example from Jim and Jennifer Cowart this week portraying the church as either a cruise ship or a battle ship. How might that example help us better understand consuming vs. contributing? Which example best describes most churches/congregations you know?

5. What are your thoughts about the 80/20 Rule and how it pertains to the church? Is this an acceptable rule for the church? What happens to the church when this rule is in effect?

6. Read John 4:34. What does this verse say to you regarding consuming vs. contributing and which one leads to true fulfillment? How is this supported by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs pyramids?

7. When talking about the church in verse 16, Paul says, “each part does its work.” What does he mean by that and why is it so important? What happens when each part doesn’t do its work?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious God, thank you for the many opportunities that you place along my path which enable me to utilize the gifts you have given me to glorify You. I am grateful to be a part of the Body of Christ and thankful that I am able to serve You. Forgive me when I neglect to be your “hands and feet” and remind me often that I need to always do my part in building up the church. I am a willing servant for you, Lord. Amen.

Go Deeper This Week
Scripture and questions for study and reflection:
Read Exodus 16:1-3.

1. This sermon series and Right Now Media discipleship study are titled “Reopening Christianity.” What does the title mean to you? How might it relate to Covid? How might it be bigger than Covid?

2. The key question we’re trying to answer today is, “Am I moving forward or going backward?” What do you think is at the heart of this question for you, and for the church as a whole?

3. In today’s passage, we find the Israelites on the Exodus journey. In what ways were the Israelites moving forward and in what ways were they going backward? In what ways are we similar to them?

4. Why did the Israelites grumble against Moses and Aaron? What are some situations in your life when you have grumbled?

5. Pastor Mick said the Israelites were remembering their time as slaves in Egypt nostalgically, through rose colored glasses. What did he mean? Do you agree? Have you ever done that in your life? If so, when?

6. Zach Zender, author of this study on Right Now Media, says, “Many of us prefer the predictability of the past over the uncertainty of the future.” Do you agree? What implication might this have on the church going forward?

7. Zender goes on to say, “Under every ounce of uncertainty exists an opportunity to trust in the certainty of God’s promises.” What does he mean? What does this mean for your faith life? What does it mean for the church?

8. Zender says, “2020 has exposed the breaking point for our nation and at the same time a second opportunity for unworthy, undeserving Christians to live as God has called us to live.” Do you agree with him? How does this make you feel (excited, anxious, etc.)?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious and loving God, we confess that sometimes we have missed Your miracles and provisions in our lives. Forgive us for our short-sightedness and lack of vision. Forgive us for the times we have not represented You well in the world. As we look back and see clearly Your faithfulness, help us to move forward confidently, boldly and courageously into the future with You as our Guide. Help us to be true disciples of Jesus, going out to make new disciples of Jesus, for the transformation of the world. Amen.

Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

Read Romans 8:22-27.

1. Today is Pentecost Sunday. What does that mean? Why is this day significant?

2. Read Acts 2:1-13. What is going on here? What is significant about the languages/tongues of fire? What does this mean for us today?

3. Why do you think Paul uses a pregnancy metaphor in today’s passage from Romans? What is he trying to help us understand with this metaphor?

4. Paul talks about waiting in today’s passage. Pastor Mick described two types of waiting, using the DMV and pregnancy as an example of each? What was he talking about? How are these types of waiting different?

5. Paul talks about the “creation groaning.” What does he mean by that?

6. How does the Holy Spirit help us in our weakness?

7. How does the Holy Spirit intercede for us? When might this be necessary, and comforting?

8. In what ways is today’s passage speaking about transformation, of the individual, the church and creation as a whole? Do you think pregnancy is a good metaphor for such transformation? Why/why not?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the good work you have already done in us and the good work you continue to do in us. Forgive us for the times we stray from your will. Bring us back to you. Even though it may be painful and we may groan about it, don’t leave us in our fallen and broken condition. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, transform us from the inside out more and more into the image of Jesus every day, so that we might go into this world as your good and faithful servants, bringing forth your kingdom right here on earth. We pray this for our own good and for your glory, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Go Deeper This Week

Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

Read Titus 3:1-2.

1. Paul starts off this passage by telling Titus to “remind the people” of six different things regarding godly living. Why is this “reminding” so important for followers of Jesus? Do we still need reminders today?

2. What does Paul mean when he says, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient”? (Pastor Mick called this “Respect Authority”) What did it mean for the people of Crete? What does it mean for us today? What does it look like for us to live like this? Why is it often so hard for us to do this?

3. What does it mean to “be ready to do whatever is good”? (Pastor Mick called this “Eager to Serve”) In what ways are you / have you been “eager to serve”? What difference does that make in your life and the life of others?

4. What does it mean to “slander no one”? (Pastor Mick called this “speak no evil”) When have you failed at this in your life? How effective is our world at living like this? What are the consequences when we fail?

5. What does it mean to “be peaceable”? (Pastor Mick called this “be a peacemaker”) Why is this important? What happens when we fail at this? When have you done this well and when have you failed at this? What do other parts of the Bible say about this?

6. What does it mean to “be considerate”? (Pastor Mick called this “put others first”) Ingram talks about treating people like VIPs. Why is this important? How can treating people this way change things in the world? Have you ever been treated like a VIP? If so, how did that make you feel?

7. What does it mean to “be gentle toward everyone”? What are some ways you have done this well? What are some ways you’ve done this poorly?

Prayer for the Week:
Almighty God, thank you for the gift of your word to teach and remind us how to live in accordance with your will. Help us to truly live this way so that we might please you and reveal your love to those around us as well. And even in those times when we fail to live completely the way you created us to live, help us to handle those failures with humility and integrity, so that we reveal your mercy and grace to the world. Help us to recognize the opportunities you put before us to influence people with the Good News of Jesus. We are eager to be your good and faithful servants, doing good and serving others as a way of bringing you honor and glory. We pray all of this in the name of our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Go Deeper This Week
Scripture and questions for study and reflection:
Read Titus 2:11-15.

1. Paul uses the word “appearing” (from the Greek epaphane, the root for the English word epiphany) twice in this passage. To what is each “appearing” referring?

2. Pastor Mick defined “epiphany” as (1) manifestation of God and (2) an “aha” moment. In what way is Jesus both?

3. What does it mean to live “in the meantime, the in-between time”? How does Paul say we should live in this time?

4. Pastor Mick shared some verses from the poem, “The Dash.” How does that poem make you feel? How have you been living your dash? What needs to change?

5. Pastor Mick used some verses from an 80’s rap song to describe how he sometimes sees Jesus in places and things where he’d never seen Him before (even where others never intended). What did you think about that? Have you ever found/recognized Jesus in unexpected things or places?

6. How does Ephesians 2:10 relate to this passage from Titus?

7. Ingram describes God’s grace as (1) source of salvation and (2) fuel of sanctification. What do you think he means by that? How do we see that in Communion?

Prayer for the Week:
Almighty God, thank you for revealing yourself to us through Jesus Christ. Thank you for offering salvation to ALL through your grace. Thank you for redeeming us, purifying us, and making us your people. We confess, Lord, that despite all of this that you have done for us, sometimes we still fail to live for you. Forgive us, Lord. Help us to do better. Help us to live our “dashes” in such ways that we reveal your love, mercy and grace to everyone. Help us to live the abundant life that Jesus came to give us, the life of your good and faithful servants, so that others will want what we have and be drawn into new and deeper relationship with you. We ask all of this in the name of the One who makes it possible, our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.