The Day of the Lord is Near - Are You Ready?

Introduction:

1 Peter 4:17 - For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness...

How Do You Respond to Correction? (Zephaniah 2:4-3:8)

1. I throw a Pity party.
2. I get Defensive .
3. I kill the Messenger .
4. I Flee .
5. I Examine myself.

How to Receive Correction: 3 Questions of Self-Examination.

1. Could this be True ?

   Proverbs 15:32 - Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

2. Why is this person telling me this?

   Proverbs 27:6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

3. Am I hurting my Testimony ?

   Proverbs 12:1 - Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Zephaniah 2:4-3:8

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. What kind of thoughts / emotions do you experience when you consider God's coming judgment (the Day of the Lord)?
   

3. “We can't hold worldly people to Biblical standards.” Why is this impossible?
   

4. Be honest, how do you typically respond to correction? Why?
   

5. Explain how “accepting correction” is connected to “trusting God” and “drawing near to God” (Zeph 3:2).

Breakout
Pray for one another. Correct one another and see if the sermon landed.

The Day of the Lord is Near - Do You Care

Introduction:

Matthew 24:12 - And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

4 Things Complacent People Say (Zephaniah 1:1-2:3):

1. I'm not that Bad .
2. I'm Self-Rreliant .
3. I'm comfortable in the Culture .
4. I'm satisfied with Shallow .

How Do I Wake Up from My Complacency?

1. Get Hungry .
2. Get Honest .
3. Get Humble .

1 Peter 4:17 - For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God...

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Small Group Discussion
Read Zephaniah 1:1-2:3

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Read Zephaniah 1:12. What do you think makes people complacent? What does that process look like?
   

3. What are some ways you see people “walking like the blind” today (Zephaniah 1:17)?
   

4. How is God's jealousy connected to His wrath (Zephaniah 1:18)?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Knowing Jesus - Knowing His Helper

Introduction:

Three Evidences That You Love Jesus (John 14:15-24):

1. You keep His Commandments . (John 14:15)
2. You have the Holy Spirit . (John 14:16-20)

   1 Corinthians 3:16 - Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?

Five Facts about the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17):

1. He is a Gift to everyone who receives Christ. (John 14:16)
2. He is God, just as Jesus is God. (John 14:16)
3. He Permanently lives within you. (John 14:16)
4. He Reveals God's truth. (John 14:17)
5. He's Unavailablenavailable and Unknown to the world. (John 14:17)

3. Jesus is Real to you. (John 14:21-24)

   1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

   1 Corinthians 16:22 - If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!

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Small Group Discussion
Read John 14:15-24

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think obedience is the way you demonstrate your love for Jesus (John 14:15)?
   

3. Jesus said you know the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). Give specific reasons / examples of how you

   personally know Him. How would you describe this relationship to someone?
   

4. Pretend a friend confides in you with this statement: “I truly want to obey, I really want to show Jesus I love Him, but I fail so often. I am so weak.”

   → How would you respond?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Knowing Jesus - Knowing His Greater Works

Introduction:

The Privileges of Following Jesus (John 14:7-14):

1. Jesus gives you the privilege of Knowing God . (John 14:7-9)

   Colossians 1:15 - He is the image of the invisible God...

   Hebrews 1:3 - He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature...

2. Jesus gives you the privilege of doing His Work (John 14:10-12)

   Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

3. Jesus gives you the privilege of Answered Prayer . (John 14:13-14)

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Small Group Discussion
Read John 14:7-14

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think some Christians lose sight of the fact that serving Christ is a privilege? How do you get back there if you've been feeling like serving Christ is a chore?

3. What are the “greater works” Jesus was speaking of in John 14:12?
   

4. What does it mean to “pray in Jesus' name” (John 14:13-14)? How would you respond to someone who said, “I tried that, and it didn't work.”?

Breakout
Pray for one another to see, in a fresh way, the privileges of following Jesus.

Knowing Jesus - Knowing His Comfort

Introduction:

Knowing His Comfort (John 14:1-6):

1. Receive the peace Jesus Provides (John 14:1)
2. Look to the place Jesus is Preparing (John 14:2-4)

   Revelation 21:2 - And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3. Walk the path Jesus Prescribes (John 14:5-6)

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Small Group Discussion
Read John 14:1-6

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you need comfort right now?
   (1 = I am as calm and peaceful as a human can be, 10 = I am despondent.)
   What is giving you the most stress right this minute?
   

3. Why is heaven compared to a bride (Revelation 21:2)? How should this thought comfort God's people?
   

4. Someone says to you, “Jesus is the only way to heaven? Isn't that narrow minded?” How would you respond?

Breakout
Pray for one another.