This is the first sermon in our "Gospel Culture: Living Out our Church Values" series.

SERMON OUTLINE:

1: What characterizes Jesus’ ministry? (Mt. 9:35)

2: What motivates Jesus’ ministry? (Mt. 9:36)

3: Who implements Jesus’ ministry? (Mt. 9:37-38)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Which of the aspects of Jesus’ ministry (Head, Heart, Hands) are you most excited about? Which do you most struggle with?
• What does brokenness look like in your neighborhood? How can our church help bring healing?
• Have a volunteer at your table pray for us to have compassionate hearts and for laborers to be sent into the fields.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What difficulty or loss are you grieving from this last year? How can you see Jesus working in the midst of that?
• What from this last year do you need to leave behind? What needs to die in your life for God to do something new and better?
• Who is God putting on your heart that needs to know the love of Jesus? How will you be intentional to share Good News this upcoming year?
• What does radical obedience to Jesus look like this upcoming year? Where is He calling you to step into more intentional ministry?

Discussion Questions:

• How are you being intentional about focusing on Jesus this Advent season? 
• When do you most feel your desire to be king? When you act upon those desires, what are the consequences for those around you?
• What about the verses discussed today help you remember only Jesus is King? How does that change your relationships with others?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Share a time when your life suddenly seemed bigger than all of the explainable things we operate in from day to day. How did you see God at work there? 
• Share a time when difficulty and hardship helped you to see God's work in the world.  
• Pray for each other that we would all find joy in God's work this Advent Season.  

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• How are you being intentional about hearing from Jesus this Advent season? What are the practical rhythms you are engaging?
• Reflecting on Calvin’s quote, where do we see Christ “in name only” in our culture?
• How does Jesus as the true Prophet impact the way you talk about Christmas with your neighbors and friends?

A special morning of prayer, fellowship, and hearing from women in our congregation on the topic of gratitude amidst difficult seasons.

Sermon Outline

Three Truths that Should Lead Us to Gratitude

1. You are not the source of all the good things in your life

2. There is a purpose for the hard things in your life

3. Gratitude lifts our gaze to God


Discussion Questions: 

1.  Write down 3 things you are currently grateful for in your life.  

2.  Share them with your family and friends!

SERMON OUTLINE:

1: The controversy over fellowship (Lk. 5:27-32).

2: The controversy over fasting (Lk. 5:33-35).

3: The controversy over sabbath (Lk. 6:1-5).

4: The controversy over synagogue (Lk. 6:6-11).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What are some things you are legalistic about in your own life (things you esteem in yourself)? How can that lead to you condemning others?
• What makes you anxious or angry? How might that be a sign of legalism in your heart?
• What amazes you about Jesus’ grace? How does this passage increase your joy?

SERMON OUTLINE:

Scene 1: A leper and the need for healing (Luke 5:12-16).

Scene 2: A paralytic and the need for forgiveness (Luke 5:17-26).

Scene 3: A tax collector and the need for transformation (Luke 5:27-32).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What do you need Jesus to do for you? Which of these three scenes speaks most to your situation currently?
• Who does the American church (or our church specifically) view as “untouchable?” Who are we ashamed to eat a meal with? 
• What application are you most in need of: finding time alone with God in prayer, cultivating deep relationships with some “mat buddies,” or becoming a friend of sinners?