2 Cities Church Podcast

Big Idea: God is even working in the small stuff!Esther 2:1-14I. Better to choose wisely than regret badly. Esther 2:1-4Some time later, when King Ahasuerus’s rage had cooled down, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what was decided against her. The king’s personal attendants suggested, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Let the king appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom, so that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem at the fortress of Susa. Put them under the supervision of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, keeper of the women, and give them the required beauty treatments. Then the young woman who pleases the king will become queen instead of Vashti.” This suggestion pleased the king, and he did accordingly.II. God can construct an epic story from your worst moments. Esther 2:5-7In the fortress of Susa, there was a Jewish man named Mordecai son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite. Kish had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the other captives when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took King Jeconiah of Judah into exile. Mordecai was the legal guardian of his cousin Hadassah (that is, Esther), because she had no father or mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was extremely good-looking. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter.III. Find God’s favor in any circumstance.  Esther 2:8-9When the king’s command and edict became public knowledge and when many young women were gathered at the fortress of Susa under Hegai’s supervision, Esther was taken to the palace, into the supervision of Hegai, keeper of the women. The young woman pleased him and gained his favor so that he accelerated the process of the beauty treatments and the special diet that she received. He assigned seven hand-picked female servants to her from the palace and transferred her and her servants to the harem’s best quarters.IV. Borrow wisdom carefully, and share it generously.   Esther 2:10-14Esther did not reveal her ethnicity or her family background, because Mordecai had ordered her not to make them known. Every day Mordecai took a walk in front of the harem’s courtyard to learn how Esther was doing and to see what was happening to her. During the year before each young woman’s turn to go to King Ahasuerus, the harem regulation required her to receive beauty treatments with oil of myrrh for six months and then with perfumes and cosmetics for another six months. When the young woman would go to the king, she was given whatever she requested to take with her from the harem to the palace. She would go in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the supervision of the king’s eunuch Shaashgaz, keeper of the concubines. She never went to the king again, unless he desired her and summoned her by name.Next Steps: Believe: I, Jesus, to do his biggest miracle in my soul today.Become: I will trust God with the small stuff this week. Be Sent: I will minister to someone far from Jesus this week.Growth Group Questions: What was the last bad decision you made? What were the consequences?What role did prayer play in your schedule last week?What are some practical examples of God’s favor in your past?  Did you notice them at the time?How do you decide to follow someone’s advice?How quickly do you notice God at work in your worst moments? How easy is it to see God at work in the ordinary moments of your life?Pray for someone by name who is far from Jesus right now.

Big Idea: It takes a strong center to stand tall under pressure from every side.Esther 1:10-22I. The Queen takes a stand for purityEsther 1:10-12On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine, Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas—the seven eunuchs who personally served him—to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him.II. The King’s feelings get hurt   Esther 1:13-15The king consulted the wise men who understood the times, for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice. The most trusted ones were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and occupied the highest positions in the kingdom. The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs?”III. The bad advice born out of selfish fear  Esther 1:16-18Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces. For the queen’s action will become public knowledge to all the women and cause them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.’ Before this day is over, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s act will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in more contempt and fury.IV. The law takes center stage     Esther 1:19-22“If it meets the king’s approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be revoked: Vashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus’s presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman who is more worthy than she. The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom, so all women will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least.” The king and his counselors approved the proposal, and he followed Memucan’s advice. He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each ethnic group in its own language, that every man should be master of his own house and speak in the language of his own people.Next Steps: Believe: Today, I surrender to the real King of my soul.Become: Today, I will trust God’s hand even when it’s scary.Be Sent: I will take a stand against evil this week.Growth Group Questions: What pressure were you under last week? How well did you stand up to it?Do you ever feel punished for doing the right thing in God’s sight?How do you respond when doing what the culture expects of you violates what God expects of you?Who in our society pressures women, like in Vashti’s day?How can you support someone who is currently under a lot of peer pressure?How can the people in this group help you find the courage to stand strong when under pressure to compromise your faith?Pray for the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to stand against evil this week.

Big Idea: An unseen hand moves the queen.Esther 1:1-9I. God sets rules of the gameEsther 1:1-3These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus, who ruled 127 provinces from India to Cush. In those days King Ahasuerus reigned from his royal throne in the fortress at Susa. He held a feast in the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the officials from the provinces.II. The board is set   Esther 1:4-5He displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness for a total of 180 days. At the end of this time, the king held a week-long banquet in the garden courtyard of the royal palace for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were present in the fortress of Susa.III. The King makes the first move    Esther 1:6-9White and blue linen hangings were fastened with fine white and purple linen cords to silver rods on marble columns. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of red feldspar, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones. Drinks were served in an array of gold goblets, each with a different design. Royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty. The drinking was according to royal decree: “There are no restrictions.” The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve whatever each person wanted. Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women of King Ahasuerus’s palace.Next Steps: Believe: Today, I surrender my soul to King Jesus.Become: Today, I will stop fighting against the hand of God.Be Sent: This week, I will demonstrate my peace in God’s plan.Growth Group Questions: On a scale of 1-10, how well did you trust God’s invisible hand last week?How can you recognize God's sovereignty in the small events of your daily life?How often do you turn to Jesus first during times of uncertainty?How can we maintain faith in God's sovereignty during challenging life situationsHow do you see God's hand in unexpected people or situations in your own life?How does your faith cause you to stand up for what is right, even when it's difficult?Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you trust that God is at work around you, even when you don’t see it.

Write this down: Experience is a powerful teacher… and preacher!Psalm 107:1-3Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim that he has redeemed them from the power of the foe and has gathered them from the lands— from the east and the west, from the north and the south.1. Name the pain2. Don’t get stuck in it 3. Where did Jesus show up4. Teach others what you’ve learned the hard way5. Make it part of your story, but don’t let it define youNext Steps: Believe: I need Jesus to give me new life today.Become: I will let Jesus use my pain for his Glory. Be Sent: I will share my story this week.Discussion Questions: How did Jesus show up in a painful moment of your past?Is God still loving, even if he doesn’t “redeem you from the power of the foe”? Explain your answer. Is God able to use your little moments of pain just as much as the big ones?What is a daily practice that helps cultivate gratitude in the middle of pain?How can sharing a painful part of your past help heal your community?What is one specific way you can encourage someone who is going through pain this week?Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you make an impact on one person’s life this week.

Write this down: Pick one: Greed or God, because you can’t have both.Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.1. Your money is on loan1 Chronicles 29:11-12Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor come from you, and you are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. 2. Your money won’t lastPsalm 49:16-17Do not be afraid when a person gets rich, when the wealth of his house increases. For when he dies, he will take nothing at all; his wealth will not follow him down.3. Your money is a big lieProverbs 11:28Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.Next Steps: Believe: I need Jesus to change my heart today.Become: I surrender all my income to Jesus. Be Sent: I will serve someone far from Jesus this week.Discussion Questions: How would you describe having “enough” money?What are some practical signs that money has moved from being a tool you use to a master you serve?If “your money is on loan” from God, how should that change the way you budget, spend, give, and save this week?How does a focus on eternity weaken the pull of greed in everyday decisions?In what ways does greed lie to us about safety, identity, or success—and how can we replace those lies with God’s promises?Greed is ultimately a heart issue. What specific prayers or spiritual habits (fasting, generosity, confession, serving) can help the Holy Spirit break greed’s power in your life?Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you to surrender this area of your life to Jesus this week.

Write this down: Cults demand — Christians demonstrate.Matthew 5:16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.1. You are always influencingProverbs 27:17Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.2. Be intentional about influencingColossians 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.3. Use your influence as a gift to God.1 Peter 2:12Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.4. Your life gets better as your influence gets bigger.Philippians 2:14-16Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life.Next Steps: Believe: I need Jesus to change my heart for the first time today.Become: I want the Holy Spirit to influence my soul this week. Be Sent: I will use my influence for God’s glory this week. Discussion Questions: What’s the difference between influencing someone and manipulating them, and where do you personally draw the line?When is it appropriate to try to change someone’s mind, and when is it better to step back?How does trust shape your ability to influence another person?Describe a time when someone influenced you positively. What made their approach effective?Is it acceptable to use your influence at work to challenge someone’s faith?What responsibilities do you have to God when trying to influence someone’s decisions or beliefs?Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you influence one person this week.  

Write this down: Real love is a boomerang: the more you send, the more returns.1 John 4:19We love because he first loved us.1. Love is a gift2. Love is an undeserved gift3. Love is a holy gift4. Love is a reciprocal giftNext Steps: Believe: I need to experience God’s love for the first time today.Become: I need more of God’s love in my life this week. Be Sent: I will give away God’s love this week.Discussion Questions: Who in your life is most deserving of your love?Describe what makes someone deserving of your love?If someone deserves it, is it really love?Can you say you love God if you don’t love people the way God loves them?Is God’s love different than human love?  Explain your answer.What holds you back from loving people like Jesus loves them?Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you love like Christ this week. 

Write this down: Every Moment Matters: God is working until your final breath.Philippians 1:6I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.1. Who is 2 Cities Church 2. Discipleship matters 3. We are not a perfect church4. We’re down but not out5. We’re going to get better before we get bigger6. We’re going to measure what truly mattersNext Steps: Believe: I need to be born again today.Become: I will surrender more of my life to Jesus this week. Be Sent: I will make a measurable impact on 2 Cities this week.Discussion Questions: Who is the church?  Describe in 1 sentence?Are we still a church without a building or a music set?Why does the church exist? Can it really be called a church if it doesn’t impact earth or eternity?When you stand before God, what aspects of your life will he say were most important? (Use Scripture to explain your answer.)What would God consider the most important statistic to measure in a church?  Explain your answer. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you make an impact this week. 

Big Idea: No one knows the Father better than the Son, and no one can show the Father like the Son.John 3:17-18For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.I. God’s perfect SonII. God’s powerful SonIII. God’s promised Son Next Steps: Believe: Today, I surrender my soul to the Son of God.Become: I will trust in Jesus’s power this week. Be Sent: I will tell someone about Jesus’s love this week.Discussion Questions: Who has the closest family relationship you know?Who condemns the person who doesn’t believe that Jesus is God in the flesh?How does Jesus offer you a relationship with God that no other religious leader can?What power does God have that Jesus doesn’t?What area of your life do you need Jesus’s power over this week?Give the name of one person who needs to hear about Jesus’s love this week?Offer your week back to God in prayer. 

Big Idea: The Gift that keeps on giving. Isaiah 9:1-61. The great light.Isaiah 9:1-2Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he jumbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. 2. A joyful future.Isaiah 9:3-4You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoiced when dividing spoils. For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressors, just as you did on the day of Midian. 3. The Ultimate Gift. Isaiah 9:5-6For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.Next Steps: Believe: I believe Son of Man wants us to follow his example this week.Become: I will put trust in Son of Man past this holiday season.Be Sent: I will share my faith with someone this month. Discussion Questions: 1.     Do you love giving gifts or receiving them?2.     Do you enjoy the holidays, or do they make you sad?3.     How do you think the people hearing this prophecy felt, knowing they will not live long enough to see it fulfilled?  4.     Which of the titles in verse 6-Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father or Prince of Peace- impact you the most?  5.     How would you describe the Son of Man as the light of the world to someone?  6.     How does “the government will be on His shoulders” change how you view authority and leadership?  7.     Pray for the Holy Spirit to show you where to serve this week.

Big Idea: God completely cleanses and restores his sin-stained children. I. God cleanses a filthy man of his sin.Zechariah 3:1-5Then he showed me the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! May the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” Now Joshua was dressed with filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. So the angel of the Lord spoke to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with festive robes.” Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him in garments while the angel of the Lord was standing nearby.II. God restores an untrustworthy man to his service.Zechariah 3:6-7Then the angel of the Lord charged Joshua, “This is what the Lord of Armies says: If you walk in my ways and keep my mandates, you will both rule my house and take care of my courts; I will also grant you access among these who are standing here.III. God promises a broken world his salvation.Zechariah 3:8-10“Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your colleagues sitting before you; indeed, these men are a sign that I am about to bring my servant, the Branch. Notice the stone I have set before Joshua; on that one stone are seven eyes. I will engrave an inscription on it”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies—“and I will take away the iniquity of this land in a single day. On that day, each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree.” This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.Next Steps: Believe: Today, I surrender my soul to King Jesus.Become: I will stop listening to the accuser and start listening to the Father this week. Be Sent: I will share how Jesus forgave me with someone this week. Discussion Questions: What challenges have you faced in this broken world this year?How do you react when someone points out your faults?Do you consider your sin less filthy than someone else's?Will God trust great responsibilities to someone who isn’t faithful to keep his Word? Explain your answer.Do you hold on to guilt or shame even after God has forgiven you?Give the first name of someone who needs to experience Jesus’s forgiveness this week.Thank God for his gift of forgiveness today. 

Genesis 49:9-10 Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until he whose right it is comes and the obedience of the peoples belongs to him.Big Idea: Enemies run, friends rest, when the lion roars.I. All creatures on earth will bow before this Lion.     Revelation 5:5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”II. Only the fearless Lion is worth following.   Hosea 11:10They will follow the Lord; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.III. You need fear no other prey when the Lion protects.   Joel 3:16The Lord will roar from Zion and make his voice heard from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the Israelites.Next Steps: Believe: Today, I trust my soul in Jesus’s hands.Become: I will rest knowing that the Lion watches over me. Be Sent: I will invite someone to watch our Christmas Eve service.Discussion Questions: What does the word “lion” suggest about Jesus’s role in creation?Explain how Jesus can cause panic in some and peace in others at the same time?When was the last time Jesus protected you from problems or danger?What challenge do you need the Lion of Judah to pounce on?What does it say about a God if people ignore him?Who will you invite to watch our Christmas Eve broadcast this week?Thank Jesus for his people and protection today. 

Big Idea: You share the promises of Abraham through faith in his Son.Galatians 3:14-16The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith. Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ.I. The blessings of Abraham are yours through faith.Galatians 3:14II. The family treasure is yours through adoption. Galatians 3:15III. Covenant promises are yours through Christ. Galatians 3:16Next Steps: Believe: Today, I offer my soul to Jesus.Become: I will put my relationship with Jesus first this holiday season.Be Sent: I will share God’s love in Christ this Christmas.Discussion Questions: If you were the child of the world’s richest man, what would you ask for this Christmas? How would Christmas feel if you were an orphan?How can you keep your family close even if you live far apart during Christmas?How does being part of the family of Abraham strengthen your faith?What’s one practical step you can take to deepen your faith this Christmas?How can you show God’s love to someone far from Jesus this season?Thank God for His gifts to you today. 

Big Idea: Make Thanksgiving a habit, not a holiday.Psalm 66:1-4I. Shout of God’s works.Psalm 66:1-2Let the whole earth shout joyfully to God! Sing about the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.II. Speak to God’s worth.Psalm 66:3Say to God, “How awe-inspiring are your works! Your enemies will cringe before you because of your great strength.III. Sing of God’s worship.Psalm 66:4The whole earth will worship you and sing praise to you. They will sing praise to your name.” SelahNext Steps: Believe: Today, I surrender my soul to Jesus.Become: I will show God my gratitude this week. Be Sent: I will tell someone about Jesus’s love this week.Discussion Questions: What is God’s latest good gift to you?  What is his greatest gift to you?Is Thanksgiving a holiday for you or a daily habit?How does Psalm 66 connect God’s power and your praise?What is one practical thing you will do to remain grateful this week?Can you worship God and not be grateful?How can you show your gratitude to God’s people this week?Thank God for his good gifts to you today. 

Big Idea: Trees thrive together… and so do you.1 Corinthians 16:15-24I. Submit for harmony.1 Corinthians 16:15-18Brothers and sisters, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. I am delighted to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.II. Serve from the heart. 1 Corinthians 16:19-21The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla send you greetings warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home. All the brothers and sisters send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.III. Stand with hope.1 Corinthians 16:22-24This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.Next Steps: Believe: Today, I surrender to Jesus.Become: I will strengthen someone who is struggling this week. Be Sent: I will show Jesus’s love this week.Discussion Questions: Has this book grown your faith?  If so, how?In what ways can you actively demonstrate love and support to someone far from Jesus this week?Who can you encourage to grow stronger in the Lord this week?How does Stephanas inspire you to serve our church and community?What practical steps can you take to ensure that our church community embodies unity and love?How can you prepare your heart and mind to live out the urgency of Christ's return tomorrow?Pray for the opportunity to serve someone in need this week. 

Big Idea: In a fight, keep your guard tight.1 Corinthians 16:13-14Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.I. Be alertII. Be steadfastIII. Be strongIV. Be loving.Next Steps: Believe: Today, I surrender my soul to King Jesus.Become: I surrender my battles to King Jesus this week. Be Sent: I will send someone a Survival Guide this week.Discussion Questions: How would you describe spiritual warfare to someone who has never read the bible?What is the toughest spiritual battle you’ve ever been in?How did you stand firm in the faith the last time you were under spiritual attack?What are the main spiritual tools the enemy uses to attack you?What area of your life can we pray for spiritual strength this week?How does your personal holiness help or hurt during a spiritual battle?Pray for the Holy Spirit to show you someone who is fighting for survival this week. 

Big Idea: Your generosity opens doors and hearts.1 Corinthians 16:1-12I. Be generous with your money1 Corinthians 16:1-4Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come. When I arrive, I will send with letters those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it is suitable for me to go as well, they will travel with me.II. Be generous with your time.1 Corinthians 16:5-7I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia—for I will be traveling through Macedonia—and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go. I don’t want to see you now just in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.III. Be generous with your attention.1 Corinthians 16:8-9But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me.IV. Be generous with your relationships.1 Corinthians 16:10-11If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. So let no one look down on him. Send him on his way in peace so that he can come to me, because I am expecting him with the brothers.V. Be generous with your leadership.1 Corinthians 16:12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, he will come when he has an opportunity.Next Steps: Believe: I need Jesus to create a new heart in me today.Become: I will be generous with God’s gifts this week. Be Sent: I will pray for an opportunity to push back darkness this week.Discussion Questions: In which area of your life do you find it most difficult to be generous? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a spirit of generosity in that part of your life? Were you greedy with your time last week? What area of your community is God opening a door for the gospel right now? How can you encourage respect and support for your church leaders?What is one relationship you would like to be more generous with this week?  Pray for the opportunity to show generosity to someone far from Jesus this week. 

Big Idea: Living a transformed life at work this week.1 Corinthians 15:50-58I. Long for the trumpet 1 Corinthians 15:50-52What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.II. Live triumphantly1 Corinthians 15:53-54For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory.III. Let nothing terrorize you1 Corinthians 15:55-57Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!IV. Love tenaciously 1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.Next Steps: Believe: I need Jesus to transform my life today.Become: I will live with hope despite my struggles this week. Be Sent: I will put my transformed life on display this week.Discussion Questions: Describe the signs of a triumphant life.Did belief in the resurrection influence your decisions last week?In what areas have you experienced fear giving way to victory through your faith?What obstacles most frequently prevent you from living a victorious life?How steadfast were you in the face of temptation last week?Who is someone that needs to hear about the victory Jesus has won for them?Pray for them to see the hope of your faith this week. 

Big Idea: The God of Restoration. II SAMUEL 12: 1-13 So the Lord sent Nathan to David. When he arrived, he said to him: There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very large flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised her, and she grew up with him and with his children. From his meager food she would eat, from his cup she would drink, and in his arms she would sleep. She was like a daughter to him. Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man could not bring himself to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest. David was infuriated with the man and said to Nathan: “As the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die! Because he has done this thing and shown no pity, he must pay four lambs for that lamb.” Nathan replied to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from Saul. I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. Why then have you despised the LORD’s command by doing what I consider evil? You struck down Uriah the Hethite with the sword and took his wife as your own wife-you murdered him with the Ammonite’s sword. Now therefore, the sword will never leave your house because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hethite to be your own wife. “This is what the LORD says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you from your own family: I will take your wives and give them to another before your very eyes, and he will sleep with them in broad daylight. You acted in secret, but I will do this before all Israel and in broad daylight.’” David responded to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Then Nathan replied to David, “And the LORD has taken away your sin; you will not die. 1. God is watching. 2. You can’t cover up what God sees. 3. When you ask for forgiveness, He will forgive you.        Next Steps Believe: I need Jesus to restore me this week.Become: I will seek counsel when I fall short. Be Sent: I will set a good example this week. Discussion Questions: Why do you think some people feel they can get away with the bad things they do or did?What can we learn from David’s mixed legacy about the long-term impact of our actions on our families, communities, and relationship with God?Do you think integrity, faithfulness, and trust are important as a believer? If so, why?Could you confront a leader in the church? Why or why not.Have you ever been confronted by someone in the church in a Godly way by someone? If so, were you humbled by the experience or offended?What role does accountability play in your personal spiritual growth, and how can you cultivate it in your community?Pray to be obedient to the Holy Spirit this week.

Big Idea: Just like Jesus… 1 Corinthians 15:35-49I. was transformed through death…1 Corinthians 15:35-38But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have when they come?” You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow—you are not sowing the body that will be, but only a seed, perhaps of wheat or another grain. But God gives it a body as he wants, and to each of the seeds its own body.II. was uniquely a child of God…1 Corinthians 15:39-41Not all flesh is the same flesh; there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is different from that of the earthly ones. There is a splendor of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; in fact, one star differs from another star in splendor.III. was raised with power…  1 Corinthians 15:42-44So it is with the resurrection of the dead: Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown in weakness, raised in power; sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.IV. was eternal…    1 Corinthians 15:45-49So it is written, The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. Like the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; like the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.Next Steps: Believe: I need Jesus to transform my heart today.Become: I will let hope give me power this week. Be Sent: I will work to grow his kingdom this week.Discussion Questions: How did you demonstrate trust in God this week?In what ways can you show humility in your relationships this week?Describe what you think our resurrected bodies will look like.What is one thing that you most want changed about yourself in heaven?How does following Jesus’ example shape your goals for this week?How can you show someone what your heavenly father is like tomorrow?Pray for the opportunity to push back darkness this week.