Primary Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

BIG IDEA: In Christ, believers are reborn, made new, and empowered to live like Jesus.

Message Focus: The consequences of sin left us with an existence separated from God and marked by self-centeredness, emptiness, guilt and shame. Salvation through faith in Jesus offers us reconciliation with God and a regenerated life of purpose, forgiveness and freedom. We may struggle with the influence and temptation of sin in our lives here on earth, the new life given by God’s Spirit at salvation means we are not bound to sin anymore! New life brings hope and growth in abundance.

Prompting Questions: What does “new creation” mean? How might you counsel a friend who confesses to you that they still struggle with a besetting sin even since coming to faith in Jesus? What are key characteristics between “the old” that has gone and “the new” that is here? Why is regeneration a helpful word/idea?

Cross References: John 3:3-8, Romans 8:8-13, Galatians 5:16-24, Ephesians 2:1-5, Colossians 2:3, Titus 3:5

Primary Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

BIG IDEA: In Christ, believers have a healthy relationship with God.

Focus: God’s perfection is the standard for righteousness and only He is truly righteous. Righteousness is one of God’s divine attributes, closely associated to His justice. Jesus is the only sinless one, the only righteous one and it is His righteousness that covers us at salvation. This is the Great Exchange: He took our sin, paid the price of death on the cross and gave us His perfect righteousness so we can have access to God.

Prompting Questions: How is the word righteous/ness understood through the Bible? Contrast an unhealthy relationship with God versus a healthy relationship with God. Looking at the Bible, how does a person receive righteousness?

Primary Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

BIG IDEA: Jesus welcomes children into the kingdom.

Focus: The disciples tried to keep parents from bothering Jesus with their children, but Jesus corrected them. Children are welcome in the kingdom of God. In fact, there is much we can learn about genuine faith from kids. This tugs on a thread: how we shepherd and care for kids in our church and community matters.

Prompting Questions: Why did the disciples rebuke the parents bringing children to Jesus? What do we have to learn from children about genuine faith and the kingdom of God? As a church, how will we support children’s ministry in a way that welcomes all families to discover the gospel and grow in it?

Primary Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

BIG IDEA: Jesus empowers us to be neighbors toward everyone, especially our enemies.

Focus: There seems to be two layers to this parable. The first is obvious: followers of Jesus should serve and help others who are in need. The second is seen in the light of the gospel: Jesus is the Samaritan, the outcast, who helps those who are “half dead”, us. It was the Jewish religious leaders who refused to help. Jesus is the ultimate neighbor.

Prompting Questions: What prompted this interaction and parable? How did Jews define “neighbor” and did Jesus challenge that idea? What are barriers to people showing hospitality and serving others?

Cross References: Luke 1:76-79; Galatians 5:14; Leviticus 19:18

October 13th | Week 2

Primary Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

BIG IDEA: We go with Jesus looking for people who are spiritually lost.

Focus: This genuine account seems to point to the truth Jesus had just made in Luke 18:24-27. It appears that Zacchaeus was pursuing Jesus, but that Jesus was pursuing Zacchaeus as well. Here was a wealthy man, who was also an outcast in his community, climbing trees to get a glimpse at Jesus and hear Him speak. Jesus welcomed Himself into Zacchaeus’ home and his life.

Prompting Questions: What was the average Jewish person’s view on tax collectors in Jesus’ time? Take time and imagine how Zacchaeus might have felt being invited to host Jesus the Rabbi in his home. How does this account inform ways we might share the gospel with others?

Primary Scripture: Romans 5:6-8

BIG IDEA: God welcomes us home through faith in Christ.

Message Focus: Paul wrote that we were powerless to come home to God. So God, in His great love, sent Jesus to die for us in our place. Now, because of what Jesus has done, we can come home. It’s important to note that God moved first, knowing that we couldn’t. Perhaps this is a key component of ministry in general and, specifically, hospitality. This message is kicking off the series at all locations.

Prompting Questions: Look at the repetition in verses 6, 8, & 10: “while we were.” What do you see there? What emotions does the truth of this passage elicit? Why do people resist God’s invitation to come home?

Cross References: Romans 4:25; Colossians 1:21; John 15:13; Genesis 44:33

September 29 | Baptism

Primary Scripture: Romans 6:1-4 NIV

BIG IDEA: Baptism is a reminder that we have died and been raised to new life with Christ.

Message Focus: Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples and part of the making is the step of baptism. Baptism is both an outward sign of what the Holy Spirit has done inside of a believer, but it's also a reminder that our old lives are gone and we're walking in the newness of life.

Prompting Questions: What does new life look like and how does baptism point to that? What does Paul say are the implications of baptism? How can we help new believers take the step of baptism?

Cross References: Colossians 2:12 NIV, Galatians 2:20 NLT, Matthew 28:19 NIV

September 22 | Week Three | Trust

Primary Scripture: Habakkuk 3:1-19

Cross References: Job 42:5-6

Message Overview: Notice the response in chapter 3 is to pray and worship the Lord! Habakkuk saw what was to come and asked only for mercy in the wrath for His people in Judah. Waiting on the Lord can be one of the hardest disciplines of Christianity. Habakkuk matured in His understanding and found the faith to trust God’s timing. Our churches are experiencing incredible growth and dynamic changes. When troubles come, how do we remember to persevere and trust? Worry and fear are rampant in our world...growing disciples will find strength when they exult the Lord and rejoice in His salvation.

Prompting Questions: Where is your trust: in your skills? Money? Family? Job? Government? How do we respond when things don’t go our way: with fear? Anger? Fight? How do we praise in the process? When trouble is on the horizon, where do we turn? What does this teach us about the Gospel?