Fear: Absence of Faith

1. Storms reveal my WEAKNESS. (Mk 4:35-37)


2. Storms reveal what I THINK about Jesus. (Mk 4:38)


3. Storms reveal who Jesus REALLY is. (Mk 4:39-41)

Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Isaiah 12:2 - I will trust, and will not be afraid...

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 4:35-41

1. Why do you think the disciples assumed Jesus didn’t care about their plight? Have you ever felt that you were going through a storm, and Jesus doesn’t care (Mark 4:38)?
    
2. Think of a storm that you have gone through. What did Jesus revealed to you about Himself when the “wind ceased”?

Breakout Questions:

What are you afraid of? Illness? Financial crisis? Issues with your family? What reminder from God’s Word do you need to conquer your fear?

Kingdom: Supernatural and Unstoppable

1. You do YOUR PART. (Mk 4:21-25)

Ways We Hide the Light (Our Baskets and Beds):


1. FEAR


2. SIN


3. SHAME


4. SELF-CENTEREDNESS


5. COMPLAINING

Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world...


2. God does HIS PART . (Mk 4:26-29)


3. God gets RESULTS . (Mk 4:30-34)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 4:21-34

1. Sunday we talked about “Ways We Hide the Light (Our Baskets and Beds)” from Mark 4:21. Which of these 5 things get in your way of sharing the Gospel with people? How can each of these be corrected?
   a. Fear
   b. Sin
   c. Shame
   d. Self­-centeredness
   e. Complaining
    
2. When you think of evangelism, do you lean more towards Calvinism (God does what He wants with who He wants, period) or Armenian-ism (saving people is up to each of us)? What do you think Mark 4:21-29 says about the matter?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to be better lamps for Jesus!

Gospel: A Response is Required

1. The Parable (Mk 4:19)
• Seed -
• Path -
• Rocky ground -
• Thorns -
• Good soil -


2. How have you responded to the message of Jesus? (Mk 4:14-20)


1. "I don't GET it." (Mk 4:15)


2. "I can't TAKE it." (Mk 4:16-17)


3. "I don't WANT it." (Mk 4:18-19)


4. "I RECEIVE it." (Mk 4:20)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 4:1-20

1. How can you tell which way someone is responding to the Gospel? What does it look like if they are hard-hearted, shallow-­hearted, or worldly-­hearted?
    
2. How do you know if someone truly receives Jesus? Can you really know? What evidence (or “fruit”) can you look for?
    
3. What determines if someone produces 30­-fold, 60­-fold, or 100-­fold?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for someone, by name, that you know needs to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. And pray for an opportunity to share with that person!

Depression caused by Unbiblical Expectations

Unbiblical STANDARDS lead to unbiblical expectations.

Unbiblical expectations can lead to DEPRESSION .

Read 1 Kings 17 and 18:

Getting In (and Out) of Depression: (1 Kings 19:3-18)

1. How to Get into Depression: (unbiblical expectations, life isn't what you planned)


1. RETREAT by yourself. (1 Kgs 19:3-8)


2. REPEAT the negative. (1 Kgs 19:10,14)


3. REMEMBER nothing of God's Goodness. (1 Kgs 19:4-7)


2. How to Get Out of Depression:


1. Return to GOD . (1 Kgs 19:9-11)


2. Return to WORK . (1 Kgs 19:15)


3. Return to PEOPLE . (1 Kgs 19:15-17)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Kings 19:1-17

1. What are some ungodly standards the world promotes? How can you protect your children from these? [If you don’t have children, think in terms of, “If I did, I would do this…”. If your children are grown, what advice would you give them today (for your current or future grandchildren) on the subject?]
    
2. How is depression tied into wrong expectations about life? How does being overly self­-absorbed tie into depression / expectations?
    
3. Why is isolating yourself a common habit for many people who struggle with depression? What would you say to a friend who seems depressed and isolating him/herself?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!

Depression caused by Crisis

Review:

1. Don't LISTEN to yourself.

4 Terrible Sermons after a Crisis (of any kind/degree):


1. "I'm the ONLY one that has to deal with this!"


2. "God doesn't CARE !"


3. "God is not in CONTROL !"


4. "I can't DEAL with this!"



1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.



2. PREACH to yourself. (Job 1-2)

4 Truths to Preach to yourself after a Crisis:


1. Nothing happens without God's PERMISSION . (Job 1:12, Job 2:6)


2. Nothing is MINE . (Job 1:21)


3. Nothing diminishes God's GOODNESS . (Job 1:21)


4. Nothing God does is "EMPTY". (Job 1:22)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Job 1-2

1. When facing a crisis, EVENT + INTERPRETATION = RESPONSE. How can you properly interpret an event? What are some wrong interpretations you need to avoid?
    
2. What is wrong with the oft-­repeated counsel from Christians, “God doesn’t give you any more than you can handle? (Read 1 Corinthians 10:13)
    
3. When Satan appeared before God, why do you think God initiated the conversation about Job’s uniqueness, blamelessness, and uprightness (Job 1:8)?

Breakout Questions:

Are there any hardships “causing” depression in your life? Share them and pray.