Our Future Hope

What God calls us to expect (Revelations 21:1-8):

1. RESTORATION of all things. (Rev 21:1,5)


2. NEARNESS to God. (Rev 21:2-3)


3. FREEDOM from suffering and death. (Rev 21:4)


4. Eternal SATISFACTION for believers and eternal PUNISHMENT for non-believers. (Rev 21:6-8)

Guest Speaker - Taylor Brown

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Revelation 21:1-8

1. What are some common misconceptions that many Christians have about eternity with God? How can these false ideas negatively impact our lives? Why is an accurate understanding of Heaven so important in a believer’s daily life?
    
2. In the sermon it was said that anticipation for the future God has in store for Christians should transform how we live in the present. How would this look in your own life? What are some practical ways that your daily life would look different this week if you lived in light of the promise of the new heaven and earth?
    
3. God promises in this passage that one day all suffering and pain will end when Christ returns. What is a current trial or hardship you are currently walking through right now that you are having a hard time trusting God with? How could trusting in the promise of Revelation 21:4 change how you view and respond to your current struggle?

Breakout Questions:

Revelation 21:18 is packed with amazing promises of what the new heaven and earth will be like. What are you personally most excited for and why?

Embrace or Eliminate?

Christmas POP Quiz:

1. True / False
2. True / False
3. True / False
4. True / False
5. True / False

Wise Men

Chief Priests and Scribes

Herod

Which side have you aligned with?

1. Jesus is a THREAT, I must eliminate him!


2. Jesus is the KING, I must embrace him!

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Matthew 2:1-16

1. Why is Jesus such a threat to people? Why do you think many people hate Him and His Word, even if they are unfamiliar with either (or both)?
    
2. What amazes you the most about Matthew’s account of the birth of Christ?
    
3. How do you think Christians should respond to all of the “anti­-Christmas” propaganda?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another

Whose Child is This?

Who is Jesus?

1. ANTICIPATION ! (Matt 1:1-17)



2. CONTROVERSY ! (Matt 1:18-35)

Why I believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ (and why it matters).

1. God's Word is TRUSTWORTHY .


2. God's Word is CLEAR .


3. God says it is a SIGN .


4. God is ABLE to do it.


5. It was NECESSARY .

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Matthew 1

1. Is the virgin birth of Jesus an important doctrine? Is it a “hill to die on”? Why or why not?
    
2. How would you classify it? Critical / Important / Not Important / Indifferent

Breakout Questions:

1. Have you ever struggled believing this doctrine? Is there anything (else) in the Bible you have struggled believing? Why?

Pray for one another

Unforgiven: Blasphemy of the Spirit

Who is Jesus?

1. "Lunatic!" Says those that don't KNOW Him. (Mk 3:21-22)


2. "Liar!" Says those that don't REJECT Him. (Mk 3:22-30)



What is the unforgivable sin?




How do I know I haven't done it?


Hebrews 2:3 - how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

Hebrews 6:4-6 - For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance

Hebrews 10:26,29 - For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins... How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?


3. "Lord!" Says those who EMBRACE Him. (Mk 3:31-35)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 3:21-35

1. Why do you think some people hold on to wrong opinions about Jesus without every really investigating Him for themselves (like His family who heard He was crazy, so they went after Him without verifying anything themselves, Mk 3:21)?
    
2. How would you define the “unforgivable sin” (Mk 3:29)? (Hint for discussion leader: It is a wholesale rejection of Jesus Christ, just as these scribes saw Jesus at work and attributed His power to Satan.)
    
3. What did Jesus mean by saying those who “do the will of God” are His “brother and sister and mother” (Mk 3:35)?

Breakout Questions:

Have you ever worried that you committed “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit”? What do you think about that now? Pray for one another.

Discipling: Equipping for Work

So You Want a Fruitful Ministry Like Jesus?

1. Focus on MISSION . (Mk 3:7-12)


2. Invest in PEOPLE . (Mk 3:13-19)

Eight People You Will Work With In Ministry:

1. GUNG-HO Guy (Simon Peter)


2. EMOTIONAL Powder Keg (James and John)


3. BEHIND the scenes Worker Bees (Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, James Son of Alphaeus)


4. The CONTROVERSIAL Convert (Matthew)


5. Constant SKEPTIC (Thomas)


6. MAMA'S Boy (Thaddaeus)


7. POLITICAL Campaigner (Simon the Zealot)


8. The BACKSTABBERS (Judas Iscariot)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 3:7-19

1. Which of the 12 apostles do you think you identify with the most closely? Why?
    
2. Which of the 12 apostles’ personality types do you find you have the hardest time working with? Why?
    
3. In what way does your personality require grace and patience?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.