Sermons

Sermon Description

The experience of “singleness” is something that every person interacts with. While the Bible commends marriage as a good, God-ordained thing, it has some surprisingly positive things to say about singleness. Our Savior, the one who is “the bridegroom,” lived his earthly years as a single, celibate, young man, and yet he was the most fully human and complete person to ever live.

Discussion Questions

1. How has your life been touched by the idea of “singleness?” Why do you think this topic is often neglected? 

2. How does our cultural obsession with romantic relationships put an unbearable burden on marriage? How does the gospel help keep human marriage in its proper context?

3. Read through 1 Corinthians 7 and Matthew 19:1-12. What do these passages say about the value of singleness, even sometimes over-and-above marriage? How do these passages run contrary to our cultural assumptions about romance and marriage?

4. Whatever gift we currently have—singleness or marriage—how can we use it to help unbelievers see the shape and sufficiency of the gospel?

Prayer Points

1. No matter your circumstances, pray for deep contentment and satisfaction in Jesus.

2. Pray that God would use your marriage or your singleness to show people the power and goodness of the gospel.

Accountability is one of those things that, as Christians, we know we should practice. But if we’re being honest, it can be really hard to hold people accountable. The gospel of Jesus frees us to make ourselves accountable to others, as well to hold others accountable in love and grace.

In the concluding section of John’s gospel, the author focuses on Peter and what it looks like for him to follow Jesus that that he has seen the resurrected Christ. The comforts and challenges that Peter receives from Jesus are the same for us today.

Discussion Questions 

1. What does this passage teach us about the nature of forgiveness and restoration? How can this interaction bring us comfort?

2. Why do you think that authors/speakers such as Brené Brown are gaining so much popularity? What is it about the message of shame that people need to hear? How is Jesus our ultimate hope for dealing with shame?

3. What does it mean for you to remain focused on your unique calling? Why is competitive comparison so dangerous? 

4. How can we more deeply understand and appreciate the gospel so that we can love Jesus more? Why is “just try harder to love Jesus more” such bad advice?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that your life would be marked by freedom from shame, love for Jesus, and devotion to following his ways.

2. Pray that we would follow Jesus and fulfill the unique part of the mission that he has given to each of us individually.

Sermon Description

Doubting Thomas has long served as a negative example, but if we are honest—wouldn’t most of us be like him? In this passage, we learn how Jesus meets us in our doubts, and moves us beyond mere pragmatism into an experience of his supernatural grace.

Discussion Questions 

1. Look at Acts 10:36 and Colossians 1:20. How is peace with God directly linked to the work of Christ on the cross?

2. What types of doubts do you experience? Where do your doubts turn into unbelief? How does Jesus want to meet you even in your doubts?

3. Where do you wrestle with bad pragmatism? How will the gospel always stretch us in our desire for absolute certainty?

4. What is the role of evidence or proof in the Christian faith? What are the limits to this approach, particularly when it comes to evangelism?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that Jesus would meet you in your doubts and pragmatism. Pray for a soft, believing heart that would trust Jesus even when you can’t understand everything.

2. Pray for those in your life who have yet to “ believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” Pray that they would believe and receive “life in his name.”

Sermon Description

Doubting Thomas has long served as a negative example, but if we are honest—wouldn’t most of us be like him? In this passage, we learn how Jesus meets us in our doubts, and moves us beyond mere pragmatism into an experience of his supernatural grace.

Discussion Questions 

1. Look at Acts 10:36 and Colossians 1:20. How is peace with God directly linked to the work of Christ on the cross?

2. What types of doubts do you experience? Where do your doubts turn into unbelief? How does Jesus want to meet you even in your doubts?

3. Where do you wrestle with bad pragmatism? How will the gospel always stretch us in our desire for absolute certainty?

4. What is the role of evidence or proof in the Christian faith? What are the limits to this approach, particularly when it comes to evangelism?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that Jesus would meet you in your doubts and pragmatism. Pray for a soft, believing heart that would trust Jesus even when you can’t understand everything.

2. Pray for those in your life who have yet to “ believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” Pray that they would believe and receive “life in his name.”