DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Who are some "kings and queens" that occupy our attention and our hearts? How is Christ a better King than those? 
• How can we cultivate a healthier view of our leaders in the upcoming election and avoid placing our hope in them?
• Pray for anyone at your table that has a need or concern this week. 
• **We welcome all who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation to receive Communion with us. All options are gluten free. Children are welcome to partake at their parents’ discretion.

SERMON OUTLINE:
The genealogy is an introduction.
The genealogy makes sense of Old Testament stories.
The genealogy reminds us of the lingering effects of sin.
The genealogy points us to a path that leads to hope.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Can you think of a time where you messed up, but you now see how God redeemed it for His purposes? Have you bought into the enemy's idea that you are now in God’s plan B, or can you see it as part of God’s redemptive love?
• Can you think of a time where someone sinned against you, but you now see how God redeemed it for His purposes?
• Is there a mess in your life – either from your sin or from someone else’s sin – where you don’t see any good or redemptive result? Can you trust God? Can you call out to Him in your distress?

SERMON OUTLINE:
The heaviness of sin (Haggai 2:10-14).
The hope of blessing (Haggai 2:15-19).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Why do humans try to ignore or run from the heaviness of sin? What does embracing the reality of brokenness in our world feel like? 
• What is harder for you to believe in this season, that sin is heavy or that we can trust the promise of God’s blessing? Why?

SERMON OUTLINE:
Discouragement from present circumstances (Haggai 2:1-3).
Encouragement from the presence of God (Haggai 2:4-5).
Hope from the promised future (Haggai 2:6-9).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What are some things that discourage you? How do you typically respond to that? How would a future-oriented hope (i.e. verses 6-9) help you? 
• When have you most felt Jesus’ nearness? How can we cultivate a greater awareness of His presence?  
• Which of the three commands (Be strong, work, fear not) do you most need admonished in?

SERMON OUTLINE:
God’s word comes through Haggai (Haggai 1:1).
The people’s misplaced priorities (Haggai 1:2-11).
The people respond (Haggai 1:12-15).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Consider your ways. Where do you see areas that you might be mis-prioritizing things? What distractions have you allowed to enter your heart?
• How can you tell if God is first in your heart or not? 
• If you put God first, how will that change what you are working for? How might our church be impacted by that work?

SERMON OUTLINE:
The Work of Christ. (Phil. 3:12)
The Goal of Christ. (Phil. 3:13-14)
The Gift of Christ. (Phil 3:15-16)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What are some things the world is motivated by? What are some things you are, or can be tempted to be motivated by?
• Who is your savior, and what has he saved you from?
• What does obedience look like this week in light of Christ as your motivation?

SERMON OUTLINE:

Themes in Ezra and Nehemiah:

• What we are experiencing is exile (Neh. 1:1-4).
• God is sovereign and faithful in leading history (Ez. 1:1-3). 
• YOU have a role to play in God’s sovereign plan (Ez. 2, 8, Neh. 3, 7, 10, 11, 12). 
• The people of God exist for the worship of God (Ez. 3:1-3). 
• God has chosen to use leaders, therefore our leaders must choose to be godly (Neh. 2). 
• God’s work is always done by God’s people (Neh. 3). 
• As we engage God’s work we will experience opposition (Ez. 4:4-5). 
• God’s Word does God’s work in God’s people (Neh. 8:1-3). 
• God’s kindness leads us to repentance and obedience (Ez. 9-10, Neh. 9). 
• God’s beauty leads us to give of ourselves for His glory (Neh. 11-13).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Which of the themes summarized today stands out as most helpful for you personally?
• Which of the themes summarized today do you think our church most needs to learn from? What does that American church as a whole most need to hear?

SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Israel’s joyful desire to obey God (Nehemiah 12:44-13:3).
2: Israel’s ongoing struggle to obey God (Nehemiah 13:4-29).
3: Nehemiah’s closing prayer (Nehemiah 13:30-31).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Where have you seen the need for greater purity in your heart? In our church? In the American church? Where have we allowed the enemy of God to set up his office among us?
What is your experience with the gift of the Sabbath? How can you practice that kind of dependence on God’s goodness this week?
Where might your love for the things of the world deafen the next generation to God’s Word?

SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Living as the people of God: Domestically (Neh. 11:1-36).
2: Living as the people of God: Historically (Neh. 12:1-26).
3: Living as the people of God: Joyfully (Neh. 12:27-43).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What are some ways the American church has struggled to live as the people of God? How do those struggles diminish the Church’s light to the people who don’t yet know Jesus?
• What needs to change in your mindset and behavior in order to view your dwelling place as a ministry assignment from God?
• How can biblical celebrations, and the joy they produce, help strengthen your faith? What practices could you adopt to become a person who celebrates God’s faithfulness well?

SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The reason for the covenant (Nehemiah 9:38).
2: The people of the covenant (Nehemiah 10:1-29).
3: The content of the covenant (Nehemiah 10:30-39).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Where does the American church need to be intentional about cultivating obedience? Where does our church need to be intentional? How about you personally?
• What tangible reminders do you have in your life that help you follow Jesus? Is there anything you are feeling prompted to add in response to this passage?
• Who are you leading/caring for? How will you know if your leadership is helping them thrive?