July 25, 2021

Follow Along with the Message

1. Doing Life

As a church family, we care about each other’s lives: what we’re celebrating, what we’re mourning, what decisions we are praying through, and everything in between (1 Thessalonians 2:8, Romans 12:10, 15). Suggested time: 10-20 minutes 

• How are you doing? 
• What can you thank God for this week?
• When were you most aware of Jesus’ presence this week? When were you least aware of Jesus’ presence this week?
• Do you have any practical needs?

2. Jesus Centered

God uses His Word to reveal Himself to us, equip us to live the good life He’s designed for us, show us our sin, and strengthen us as we follow Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:9-12, and James 1:22-25). Suggested Time: 20-40 minutes 

Primary Passages: Psalm 19

Sermon theme: Aligning Hearts – Restoring Souls – Tim Doering

• In Psalm 19: 1-6 how does God’s creation (in particular, the sun compared to the stars) declare His righteousness?  
• Just as when we feel a body ache in a location different than the point of injury, we can also have “referred pain” when it comes to soul fatigue.  With Psalm 19: 7-13 in mind, what choices on our part might be at the root cause of a hurting soul?
• What is the best action we can take to counter the hurt we experience in this situation?
• How can Romans 8:16 help us when we are tempted to live in a place of performance-based legitimacy?
• Tim spoke about the “Cycle of Self-Reliance”
• Self-indulgence--->
• Self-loathing--->
• Self-medicate--->
• Self-evaluation--->
• Self-improvement---->
• Self-pride / Self-confidence---> back to beginning

What step can we add after self-evaluation to break the cycle that ends with sinful pride and a return to self-indulgence?

• Review and discuss which of these sources of referred soul pain cause the biggest challenge for you:

10 potential sources of referred soul pain

• Fear of God vs fear of people
• Sabbath rest vs hustle
• Intercession vs control
• Confession vs self-righteousness 
• Love/Unity vs independence
• Forgiveness vs bitterness
• Self-control vs self-indulgence
• Service vs comfort
• Purity vs immorality
• Generosity vs greed
  
  

3. Engaging the Heart

Jesus calls us to walk in the light, confessing our sins to God and each other. God’s Spirit works through confession and community to lead us to repentance. (Romans 3:23-24, James 5:16 and 1 John 1:5-10) Suggested Time: 10-20 minutes 

• How are you doing abiding with Jesus this week in Scripture and prayer? 
• What sin do you need to confess to God? What are you struggling to trust Jesus with this week? How can you give Him control of it? (As people confess sin, make sure to remind one another of the good news Jesus offers.)

4. Expanding the Kingdom

Just like God the Father sent Jesus on a mission of reconciliation for us, Jesus sends us out as ambassadors of His reconciliation. We are called to make disciples wherever we go. (John 20:21 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20) Suggested time: 10-20 minutes

• People: Who in your life can you be building with right now? What does that look like during this season? 
• Plan: Are there any rhythms planned (virtual or in-person) that we can invite these friends into? What spiritual conversations do you want to initiate with them soon? 
• Pray: Let’s pray for our people by name; pray for their needs, opportunities to connect, and opportunities to have spiritual conversations that help them take next steps toward Jesus.