Sermons

We all want to be courageous, but far too often we give in to fear. Other times, our courage is misguided because we act rashly or without all the information. The good news is that Jesus, the truly courageous one, has saved us so that we can live godly and courageous lives.

Discussion Questions 

1. What people in your life make you feel brave? What is it about them that gives you courage? How can you borrow that from them?

2. Think through the gospel from the perspective of Jesus’ courage. Why is it important to remember the courage that Jesus displayed from start to finish?

3. What does true integrity look like? Who do you know that lives with tremendous integrity? How can we be truthful in all circumstances? 

4. What fears do you have, or where do you lack courage? What beliefs might be underneath those fears? How does Jesus want to help you grow in courage for the sake of mission?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that Jesus would make Sound City a courageous church, full of wisdom, truth, and love.

2. Pray for opportunities to be courageous in sharing the gospel with people.

Sermon Description

Unity is one of the more sought-after experiences in our culture. With Jesus, true unity is very difficult to achieve; without Jesus, it’s basically impossible. As Christians, our unity directly reflects our understanding and experience of the gospel.

Discussion Questions

1. Who do you know that is very different from you, but that you love and appreciate? How have you learned from them? How have they shaped and challenged you?

2. Which “unity ditch” are you more prone towards: forcible uniformity, or conflict avoidance? How does God want you to learn a healthier definition of unity?

3. What are some of the main differences between true and false unity? How can we contend for truth without becoming combative? How can we practice humility without giving up on standards?

4. How can we, as believers, work toward unity in a way that makes the world take notice?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that you, as an individual, would cultivate a heart of true biblical unity towards the body of Christ.

2. Pray that we, as a church family, would display true unity. And pray that this unity would be a witness to a watching world.

Further Study

• https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/opinion/sunday/political-polarization.html 

• https://news.usc.edu/110124/political-polarization-at-its-worst-since-the-civil-war-2

In the upper room discourse, Jesus invites his disciples to “ask anything in my name.” If Jesus is as truthful and powerful as he claims to be, then why do so many of us neglect to take Jesus up on this offer? Jesus wants us to pray, and gives us profound truth that helps us do so with confidence.

Discussion Questions

1. Where do you experience a wrong mindset when it comes to prayer? How can others in your life help you remember the relational foundation of prayer?

2. Have you experienced disappointments in prayer, or what has felt like unanswered prayer? How can others help you bring those disappointments to God?

3. How can we lean into the tension between asking Jesus for “anything/whatever,” while understanding that Jesus wants our prayers to be shaped by his glory and character?

4. How are our prayers connected to mission, evangelism, and service? How does Jesus want to use your prayers to see his kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven?

Prayer Points

1. As you pray this week, focus on the relational foundation of prayer. Rather than starting with a list of requests, begin with praises, with language of abiding, and thankfulness for the gospel.

2. Pray missional prayers, and thank God that he is working and doing things even while we sit and pray.

Jesus spoke about being from heaven, about bringing heaven to earth, and about heaven and earth becoming one. But few subjects in the Christian faith are as often misunderstood as heaven. A right understanding of heaven enables us to experience Jesus, frees us from fear, and fuels us for mission.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think there are so many wrong ideas about heaven? How can we help one another to think biblically about this important subject.

2. Why is it important that we understand the gospel in bigger terms of just “going to heaven when you die?” What did Jesus say about the relationship between heaven and earth?

3. Where do you currently experience fear, worry, or anxiety? How does right thinking about heaven provide perspective and relief?

4. How can mission and service go wrong in the life of a believer? How does thinking about heaven provide the fuel that we truly need?

Prayer Points

1. Thank God that your citizenship is in heaven, and pray for those who have yet to receive Jesus, the one who came from heaven.

2. Pray that God would remind us of our eternal hope, and that this hope would minister to our fears and anxieties.

Additional Resources

• Heaven and Earth video from the Bible Project

• Heaven and Hell book by Edward Donnelly

• Surprised by Hope book by N.T. Wright

• Heaven short tract by J.C. Ryle

The word “world” (Greek: kosmos) is the second-most used word in the gospel of John. Needless to say, how followers of Jesus live and interact with the world is an extremely important topic, one that requires careful thought, intentional action, resilience, and Christ-like love.

Discussion Questions

1. Of the negative ways for a Christian to interact with the world, which are you most prone toward and why: non-engagement, going along with culture, or hostility toward culture?

2. How does God’s love for the entire world differ from his love for those who have trusted in Jesus? Why is this distinction important? Where do we need to be careful with this distinction?

3. Have you experienced hatred, resistance, or pushback from “the world” in your Christian walk? Share your experience with your group. How does Jesus want to grow you in perseverance and deep love?

4. What avenues has God “sent” you into the world? How do you need to grow as a faithful and loving witness to the gospel of Jesus?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that we, as a church, would know how to wisely engage with the world, even when there is opposition or pushback.

2. Pray for opportunities to love your enemies like Jesus has loved us.