Look up, Look down, Look to God | Matthew 6:25-34

We just started a brand new sermon series called: Real Talk. The Bible teaches us that we’re body, mind, and soul. In this new series we’re going to look at what Scripture teaches about: anxiety, fear, and worry. I need you to know that as much counseling I’ve done, I’m not a therapist. I’m not a mental health professional. I'm a pastor and a theologian. During this sermon series we’re going to look at what is happening in our culture surrounding fear, worry, and anxiety. We’re going to see what Scripture teaches us on those subjects. It seemed helpful to share these small group questions for others to view/use. 

Small Group | Look up, Look down, Look to God | Matthew 6:25-34

According to recent data, about 19% of adults were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder this past year and 31% will deal with it sometime in their lifetime. The Bible offers us solutions to deal with our fear, worry, and anxiety. That is why we’re looking at what God’s word says when we are struggling with these things. In this new series we’re going to look at what Scripture teaches about: anxiety, fear, and worry. I’m praying for God to show up in a powerful way in this series. This series isn’t just for us but for those who we are connected with. Today we’re going to look up to the birds, look down to the flowers, and then look to God.

1) According to recent data, about 19% of adults were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder this past year and 31% will deal with it sometime in their lifetime. Share a time in your life when you struggled with anxiety or worry. What/who helped you? 

2) Read Matthew 6:25-27. Jesus begins this section of teaching by instructing us to look at the birds and how God provides for them. Jesus teaches that we are more valuable than the birds, do you believe that? Why or why not? (see Genesis 1:26-27) 

3) Jesus asks us if we can add a single hour of our life by worrying? What are some of things that you find yourself worrying about the most in life and what triggers that worry? Read Matthew 11:28-30, Colossians 3:15, and Psalm 55:22. 

4) Read Matthew 6:28-32. Jesus makes the correlation that our worry reveals a lack of faith in our life. Read Hebrews 11:1, 6, and Romans 10:17. What are some practical steps we can take to reduce our worry and increase our faith in God? 

5) Jesus reminds us that God will provide our most basic needs in life: food and clothing but sometimes that is hard to see given the consumerism taking place around us. Share with your group a personal story of when you saw God provide.

6) Read Matthew 6:33-34. Instead of focusing on what we don’t have or the selfish desires of our heart, we are invited to seek the Kingdom of God first. What are some ways we can seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness on a daily basis? 

7) In the sermon we learned four ways to seek God’s Kingdom First: We live within our means, We focus on what we need and not what we want, We let go of the things of this world, We honor the Sabbath. What one of those would you like to work on the most this week? What one is most difficult for you to apply when you’re worried? 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 

Life in Christ | John 20:30-31

The Gospel of John is a unique and powerful account of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Written by John, one of Jesus' closest disciples, this gospel presents a deep and thoughtful perspective on the person and work of Jesus. Unlike the other three gospels, which are known as the Synoptic Gospels and focus on Jesus' actions and teachings, John's gospel emphasizes the spiritual and theological significance of Jesus' life and ministry. For this series I will write some of the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | Life in Christ | John 20:30-31

This week we finished our sermon series through the Gospel of John. Throughout this year of studying the Gospel we’ve seen the miracles and truth of Jesus. We’ve learned about the teaching of Jesus and what it means to follow Him. We’ve slowly walked through some tough passages that have shaped our faith in a new way this last year. During our journey through the Gospel we came to meet Jesus Christ in a powerful way. Today we’ll conclude with the purpose of John’s writing and we’ll look at the seven “I am” statements of Jesus. As we near the end of the John wants to be certain that the read understands his purpose for writing this account. 

1) Neal shared that we live in a culture that is obsessed with living longer and figuring out the science/data to make that happen. If you did live for a decade longer than you expected what would you do with that ten years?

2) Tucked near the very end of the Gospel we read the purpose: John 20:30-31. John wrote this account so that anyone who reads it would believe in Jesus. How has your faith in Jesus changed over the last year of being in this Gospel account? 

3) Jesus told the crowds that He is the bread of life and the light of the world (read John 6:35 and 8:12). Throughout Scripture we see God provide for His people and illuminate their path (1 Kings 19:3-8 and Psalm 119:105). Share a time when God provided for your needs or bright light to a dark place in your life. 

 

4) Jesus tells us that He is the gate and the Good Shepherd (read John 10:7-11). Jesus is our constant protector and provider (read Psalm 28:7 and Psalm 23). What has changed in your life since letting Jesus be your Good Shepherd? 

5) Jesus is the one who holds the security of our eternal life and points us to the truth in God (read John 11:25-26 and 14:6). We live in a world that is filled with fake news and half-truths. What is one truth of Jesus that you regularly cling to? 

6) Jesus teaches us that He is the true vine. When our lives are connected to Him is when we live in the purpose He has for us (read John 15:1-4). How have you learned to remain or abide in Jesus? How has that changed your life? 

7) John teaches us that the result of believing in Jesus is life in His name. Think about one way that your life has drastically changed since following Jesus. Share that with your group as a way to praise God for the life change He has done in you. 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 

Loving others | John 21:15-25

The Gospel of John is a unique and powerful account of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Written by John, one of Jesus' closest disciples, this gospel presents a deep and thoughtful perspective on the person and work of Jesus. Unlike the other three gospels, which are known as the Synoptic Gospels and focus on Jesus' actions and teachings, John's gospel emphasizes the spiritual and theological significance of Jesus' life and ministry. For this series I will write some of the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | Loving others | John 21:15-25

John 18-21 primarily focus on the arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. In John 21 we read that the disciples went back to fishing. This a common thing for people to return to what is achievable when a perceived failure has occurred. After a horrible night of fishing Jesus appears to the disciples and makes them a meal. John is stressing the point that Jesus resurrected and is giving examples of his encounters with the resurrected Jesus. A primary focus of the second half of John 21 is the restoration of Peter back to the ministry. Jesus has a personal conversation with him that reconfirms his love for Jesus. This conversation is what brings Peter back to ministry. 

1) Think of a time where you wanted to throw in the towel on something (could be work, family, a sport, or ministry). What kept you engaged in that activity? Share details with your group about what kept you from quitting. It could be a Bible verse, a friend, or your spouse. If you did quit, what ultimately led to that decision? 

2) Read John 21:10-14. The disciples had just encountered the most stressful and traumatic week of their life. Their response is to return to fishing. How do you think this meal with Jesus refreshed them on the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee? 

3) While Jesus and Peter are walking down the shoreline Jesus asks Peter three times if Peter loves Him (read John 21:15-17). Even though Peter was hurt by this, how do you think this conversation impacted Peter’s future in ministry? 

4) Jesus told Peter to feed or take care of His sheep. If people are like sheep, how can we show the love of Jesus to those in our circle of influence? Come up with three practical ways your group can love others this week. (see Matthew 22:37-40) 

5) Immediately after Peter is restored to his role as a disciple, Jesus tells him about the kind of death Peter will experience (read John 21:18-23). How can a person glorify God in their life and in their death? What does that practically look like? 

6) Throughout our passage there is line that Jesus repeats: “Follow Me”. This is the same line Jesus said to the disciples in John 1:43. Where are some places you do great at following Jesus and what are some areas you’d like to improve in this area?

7) John concludes the gospel by saying that “Jesus did many other things…” Think about the last year of our time in the Gospel of John. What are some of the things that stand out the most to you? What has shaped your faith the most? 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 

Pilate on Trial | John 18:28-40

The Gospel of John is a unique and powerful account of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Written by John, one of Jesus' closest disciples, this gospel presents a deep and thoughtful perspective on the person and work of Jesus. Unlike the other three gospels, which are known as the Synoptic Gospels and focus on Jesus' actions and teachings, John's gospel emphasizes the spiritual and theological significance of Jesus' life and ministry. For this series I will write some of the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | Pilate on Trial | John 18:28-40 

John 18-21 primarily focus on the arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. John 18 focuses on the unfair, unjust, midnight trail of Jesus. The first half of John 18 focuses on the Jewish part of the trial while the second half focuses on the Roman part of the trial. In our passage today we will see Jesus brought to the second phase of His trail. In our text Jesus is brought before Pilate for the Roman part of His trail. To best understand our passage today we need to put on the lens of a first century lawyer. Understanding the legal system of the first century will help us understand this passage best. Think about the sermon and work through these questions as a group. 

1) Every healthy society has good rules. If you look at the safest cities in the world it is because they have good rules in place. What are some of the safest and least safe countries in the world? Talk about the difference we see in these places. 

2) We learned three parts of Jesus’ trial were illegal: It was done through treachery and without the appropriate paperwork, It started with a private hearing from Annas the High Priest, and it broke Jewish Law. How does knowing this make you feel? 

3)Read John 18:28-32. History never painted Pilate as a compassionate man but it seems he wanted nothing to do with the trial of Jesus. Read Matthew 27:19, Mark 15:1, and Luke 23:13-16. What do these verses teach us about Jesus’ innocence? 

4) The Jewish leaders brought charges against Jesus. Read John 4:25-26, 5:16-18,  and Matthew 22:15-22. Jesus claimed to be God, healed on the Sabbath, and talked about tax laws. Are these charges worthy of death? Why or why not? 

5) Read John 18:32-38. Pilate engaged Jesus in a conversation that was dripping with legal sense. This interaction teaches us about the legal trial Jesus endured. Where does this passage give you the hope of heaven and Jesus’ coming Kingdom? 

6) Jesus told Pilate that His Kingdom was a from another place. Take some time in your group to talk about what matters most to kings on the earth (land, people, taxes, ETC) and what is Jesus’ primary focus of His Kingdom? 

7) Jesus said, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” What does the Bible teach us about truth (Exodus 20:16, Titus 1:2, John 14:6, and 2 Timothy 2:15)? Think about how our world would be different if everyone told the truth. How has the truth of God transformed the way you live your life? 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus.