Papsda Pulpit

Each child is unique, and worthy – because of Jesus and who He is!  This week we will contrast two stories from 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25 & 3:1-10, that highlight what all children are worthy of, and how as disciples of Jesus we can be part of the story God is writing in their lives.

While we might consider ourselves grown up in many ways, something we can all do better at is our friendships. This isn’t just about choosing wisely who we spend our time with, it’s also about who we are as a friend to others. This week we continue in our “Worthy” series by exploring friendship through the story of Jonathan and his armour-bearer (1 Samuel 14:1-14).

There is no doubt that God values relationships. It is something we see throughout the pages of the Bible and it’s evident in how He seeks out connection with us. In the beginning God valued marriage and family so much that He created a perfect environment and then introduced Adam and Eve to that environment. This Sabbath we explore God’s picture of love through the context of marriage.

We know that Jesus is worthy. And because of that, there is an incredible value He places on our lives, too! We don’t have to build our identity from ourselves or comparing with others. God sees US as worthy. This Sabbath we build a framework to uphold and grow the worth that God has over our lives.

There isn’t a greater contrast than a lion and a lamb. Each is almost everything the other is not. In fact, the lamb would make a great meal for a lion. Yet in Revelation, the lion and the lamb are the same being. The strong, powerful lion is the same meek and sacrificial lamb that climbed that hill of Calvary. Why did the lion assume the demeanour of a lamb when its life was under threat? It had to do with love. It was out of love that the great powerful lion chose to be the sacrificial lamb.   Jesus – the Lion and the Lamb, worthy of all honour, glory and praise. Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb.

Getting Started:
1. What is the common perception of self-worth today? 
2. What worldviews contributes to that?

Digging Deeper:
3. What are the benefits of God knowing us so intimately as in verses 13 & 15? 
4. Why is it important to see our lives as valuable? What impact could it have on our lives? 
5. What does it mean that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (v14)? How can we apply this to our passions and abilities? 
6. If God knows all of our days beforehand (v16), how do we understand that in relation to the tragedies which someone may experience in their lives? Did God plan those? 
7. If someone asked you what God sees in them, what truth could you share? Be as specific as possible.

How to apply this:
8. How can we walk more worthy of value that God places over our lives? Be as practical and specific as possible.

This Sabbath we begin our new sermon series simply entitled “Worthy”. Of all the things, people, systems, or beliefs we can give worth to, none of them compares to the worth of Jesus: Teacher, Defender, Advocate, Rescuer, Redeemer, Restorer, and Saviour. It is going to be a blessed time of worship this week as we celebrate communion together and explore the relationship we are invited into with Jesus.

God has given so much for us! And His generosity is so big that He wants to live it through us. As part of our Make Room series, this week we wrestle with the spiritual discipline of giving. It relates to the practice of returning tithe and offering, and in a deeper manner, it relates to a life of giving like Jesus did.

How come life gets so busy, so complicated, so quickly? Simplifying does not mean we do less or give all our stuff away, rather it gives us a focal point, bringing everything into perspective and making room for God.  We will explore how the apostle Paul’s life was simplified when he ended up in jail yet was content and joyful. Paul’s letter to the Philippians will help us put things in perspective and simplify our lives.

In a world consumed by the noise of life we can easily forget both the power and necessity of quietness. Yes, God speaks above the chaos and can come marching boldly into our situations, but He also desires to speak to us in moments of quiet, where we lean in and experience the intimacy of His gentle whisper. Let’s come together this Saturday as we explore the spiritual discipline of “Quieting” from the perspective of 1 Kings 19:9-18.

Getting started:
1. What is the noisiest part of your life? OR Share a time where you have been overwhelmed by noise. OR
Share a time when you have experienced the power of silence.

Digging Deeper - 1 Kings 19:9-18
2. What do you notice about this conversation between God and Elijah?
3. What was the cave for Elijah?
4. What was the cave for God?
5. In what ways do we listen for God in our everyday?
6. How does Elijah respond to God whispering in that moment?
 a. How does his posture change?
 b. How does his listening change?
 c. Whataction comes out of it that was different from before?
7. How does a gentle whisper prove pivotal to the story?
 a. God’s approach
 b. Elijah’s response
8. Do you believe that God still whispers today?
 a. How can a gentle, but direct, conversation with God impact someone’s
 trajectory?

How To Apply This:
9. What needs to change in your own life for a whisper from God to be heard?
10. Are you willing to hear and respond to what God has to say?
 a. What time and space are you going to give this week for God to speak into your life?
 b. How are you going to practice sitting without speaking, trusting that God will show up in your
 silence

In this passage, Jesus shares on the need for self-denial and sacrifice in following Him. He highlights that true life is found in losing one's life for His sake and questions the value of worldly gain if it costs one's soul for eternity. This teaching underlines the eternal significance of prioritising spiritual over material wealth in our lives. Join us this Saturday as we dig deeper into this passage.

Getting started:
1. Share a time when you had to yield or surrender something for someone else so they
could receive the benefit or the spotlight?

Digging Deeper - Matthew 16:24-26
2. What does it mean to “deny oneself” in the context of following Jesus?
3. How do we practically “take up our cross” in our daily life?
4. In what ways might following Jesus requiresacrifice or hardship?
5. How can the desire to “save our life” lead to losing it?
6. How do material possessions and worldly success compare to the value of one’s soul?
7. How can we guard against the temptation to exchange our soul for worldly gains?

How to Apply This:
6. What specificactions can you takethis week to deny yourselfand follow Jesus more
closely?
7. Is there an area in your life where you need to let go of worldly pursuits to focus more
on your spiritual growth?
8. How can you share the message of this passage with others in your community or
sphere of influence?