Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Overview
In this message, the sermon draws from Luke 12:1-3 to issue a urgent warning against hypocrisy and a call to bold, authentic faith. Using the image of leaven as a symbol of corruption, the message challenges believers to examine the hidden areas of their lives, trust that nothing remains concealed from God, and proclaim the gospel without apology or fear.

Key Takeaways

• Hypocrisy is not merely moral failure; it is a form of deception that aligns a person with the father of lies.
• Even a small amount of compromise, like leaven in dough, corrupts the whole of a person's character and witness.
• Nothing hidden from others is hidden from God. Every thought, word, and deed will be brought into the light.
• The Great Commission is not a suggestion. Believers are called to actively pursue the growth of God's kingdom.
• Bold proclamation of the gospel is not optional for the disciple. Persecution does not cancel the calling.
• Authentic faith is visible faith. The world is watching how believers handle ordinary life.

Opening Question
Take a few minutes to get the group talking before diving into the text.

• Think of a time when something you thought was private eventually came to light. Without sharing anything too personal, what did that experience teach you about the nature of secrecy?

Scripture Reading
Read the following passages aloud together before beginning the discussion:

• Luke 12:1-3
• Proverbs 28:13
• Acts 4:18-20

Discussion Questions
On Hypocrisy and the Leaven Warning (Luke 12:1)

1. The sermon defines hypocrisy as pretending to be something you are not. How does that definition challenge the way the word is commonly used today, especially when people say the church is full of hypocrites?
2. The image of leaven is used to describe how a small compromise can corrupt an entire life. Where do you see this pattern at work in your own life or in the broader culture? What does a small compromise typically look like before it becomes something larger?
3. The sermon makes the point that Jesus turns away from the thousands of people crowding around him to address his disciples first. What does it say about spiritual priorities that Jesus was more focused on warning the faithful than on building a crowd?

On Hidden Things Coming to Light (Luke 12:2)

4. Proverbs 28:13 teaches that whoever conceals their transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will receive mercy. What makes confession so difficult, even among believers who know this promise? What has helped you personally move toward honesty and accountability?
5. The sermon says, "Deceit is only ever going to bring destruction." Can you think of a biblical example or a real-life situation where this proved true? What was the turning point that brought the hidden thing into the light?
6. For believers, the reality that God sees everything should produce freedom rather than fear because of the covering of Christ. How does understanding that truth change the way you approach your private life, your thought life, and your daily decisions?

On Bold Proclamation (Luke 12:3)

7. The sermon presents two sides of Luke 12:3: a warning that what is spoken in secret will be exposed, and a promise that what is whispered privately will be proclaimed on the rooftops. How do both of these truths apply to the life of a disciple today?
8. Peter and John in Acts 4 were described as uneducated, common men who astonished their accusers because they had been with Jesus. What does that tell us about what qualifies a person to share the gospel? What is the one thing every believer already has that makes them equipped?
9. The sermon says, "Do not restrict the gospel to hushed whispers in a back room with people that already believe the same things you do." Where in your daily life do you have opportunities to speak openly about your faith that you may be holding back on? What is the primary reason you hold back?

On the Comfortable Church and the Cost of Obedience

10. The sermon draws a contrast between the comfortable church and the persecuted church. How does comfort affect a believer's willingness to stand boldly for the gospel? What is the difference between a God-given season of rest and a self-imposed season of spiritual complacency?
11. The closing challenge was this: "Do not disobey God for simply trying to obey some mere man." What is one area of your life where fear of man is currently competing with your obedience to God? How does the group want to hold one another accountable in that area?

Practical Applications
Choose one or more of the following to commit to before the group meets again:

1. Inventory your leaven. Spend time this week in honest prayer asking God to reveal any area of your life where small compromise has taken root. Write it down, confess it, and identify one concrete step toward removing it.
2. Practice confession. If there is something you have been concealing, take a step toward accountability this week. Share it with a trusted believer, a pastor, or a counselor. Use Proverbs 28:13 as your foundation.
3. Speak up once. Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. Commit to one intentional conversation this week, not a rehearsed speech, just an honest moment where you share what Christ has done in your life.
4. Evaluate your inputs. Reflect honestly on what is consuming the majority of your time and attention. If something is consistently crowding out Scripture, prayer, or fellowship, take one deliberate step to reduce its hold this week.
5. Pray for boldness. Set aside time each day this week to pray specifically for boldness, not just for yourself, but for the church as a whole. Use Acts 4:29 as a model, asking God to grant his servants courage to speak his word.

Closing Reflection
Close your time together by reading this excerpt from the sermon aloud and sitting with it briefly before praying:
"I don't know where it'll lead us in this life, but I know where we will end up. I know where we will end up."
Ask each group member to share one word that describes what they want to carry with them from this discussion.
Then close in prayer, asking God to search your hearts, expose what needs to be brought into the light, and fill your group with the boldness to live and speak the truth without apology.

For Further Study

• Luke 11:37-54 (the context leading into Luke 12, Jesus confronting the Pharisees)
• Acts 4:1-31 (Peter and John before the council)
• Romans 1:18-32 (the progression of suppressing the truth)
• Hebrews 4:12-13 (nothing hidden from God's sight)
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 (the condition and promise for national repentance)

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Before You Meet
Encourage group members to read Luke 11:37-53 on their own before gathering. Ask them to come prepared to share one thing that stood out to them from the passage or the sermon.

Opening Question
Think of a time when someone's outward appearance or reputation did not match who they actually were on the inside. Without naming names, what was that experience like? How did it affect your trust?

Key Takeaways
1. External compliance does not equal internal transformation. The Pharisees were meticulous about outward religious performance while their hearts were full of greed and corruption. Jesus made clear that God sees both the outside and the inside, and he is concerned with both.
2. Religion without compassion becomes a burden, not a blessing. The religious leaders loaded people down with rules and traditions but offered no help, no mercy, and no grace. True faith is marked by justice, generosity, and love, not just doctrinal precision or ritual compliance.
3. Pride and status-seeking corrupt spiritual leadership. The Pharisees craved recognition, the best seats, and public honor. Genuine Christian leadership points people toward Christ, not toward itself.
4. False teaching does not just fail people, it actively blocks them. Jesus warned that the lawyers had taken away the key of knowledge. They were not simply neutral, they were barriers. What we teach and how we live either opens a door for people or builds a wall in front of them.
5. Christianity is meant to be a doorway, not a wall. The goal of the Christian life is not to present people with a checklist they must complete before they belong. It is to show them a Savior who meets them where they are and transforms them from the inside out.

Discussion Questions
Getting Into the Text

1. In Luke 11:39, Jesus rebukes the Pharisee for cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside is full of greed and wickedness. Where do you think this tendency shows up most in your own life? In what areas are you most tempted to maintain appearances while neglecting what is happening on the inside?
2. Jesus knew the Pharisee's thoughts before he ever spoke them aloud. Read Luke 11:40 and reflect on the idea that God sees both the inner and outer life completely. How does that truth challenge or comfort you personally?
3. The sermon described the Pharisees as people who were very good at obeying small things while neglecting the weightier matters of justice and love. In your own faith, are there areas where you focus heavily on smaller details while overlooking bigger responsibilities? What might those be?
4. In Luke 11:46, Jesus rebukes those who place heavy burdens on others without lifting a finger to help. Have you ever experienced a church environment or relationship where you felt burdened rather than helped? How did that shape your view of faith?
5. Jesus called the lawyers out for taking away the key of knowledge, meaning they not only failed to enter the kingdom themselves but hindered others from entering. How seriously do you take your responsibility to represent the faith accurately to those around you, whether in your family, workplace, or community?
6. The sermon drew a distinction between a hypocrite and a sinner. A hypocrite claims to be something they are not. A sinner is someone who struggles and acknowledges their need for grace. How does that distinction change the way you respond when someone says the church is full of hypocrites?

Going Deeper

7. The pastor said, "Make sure your Christianity is not a wall, but a door." Honestly evaluate your own life. In the past month, have your words, attitudes, or actions made it easier or harder for someone far from God to take a step toward him? What is one specific example?
8. The sermon touched on the danger of loving status, recognition, and influence in ministry. This temptation is not limited to pastors. In what ways can ordinary believers fall into the same trap of wanting to be seen as spiritual rather than genuinely pursuing God?
9. Generosity came up as a reflection of the heart's true condition. The pastor challenged the group to ask what obedience has actually cost them. Without getting into specific numbers, discuss this: In what area of your life is God asking you to trust him with something you tend to hold tightly?
10. The Pharisees responded to Jesus' correction not with repentance but with increased hostility, pressing him with questions and trying to trap him. When you receive correction, whether from Scripture, a pastor, or a fellow believer, what is your typical first response? What does that response reveal about the condition of your heart?

Practical Applications
Choose one or two of the following to commit to as a group or individually before your next meeting.
Examine Your Interior Life Set aside 15 to 20 minutes this week for honest self-examination. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any area where your outward behavior does not match your inward reality. Write it down, confess it, and bring it to God in prayer.
Identify a Burden You Have Placed on Someone Think of a person in your life, whether a family member, coworker, or friend, on whom you may have placed expectations rooted more in personal preference or tradition than in Scripture. Consider how you might offer grace and practical help instead.
Open a Door for Someone Identify one person in your life who is far from God. Commit to one intentional act this week that removes a barrier rather than adds one. That might mean a conversation, an invitation, an act of generosity, or simply listening without judgment.
Test What You Are Receiving The sermon challenged listeners to test what they hear from the pulpit against Scripture. This week, take the passage from Luke 11:37-53 and read it in its full context on your own. Ask yourself whether what you heard in the sermon lines up with what the text actually says. Build this habit into your regular practice.
Pray for Boldness Without Condemnation As a group, pray specifically that God would give each of you the courage to share your faith clearly and lovingly, without fear of man and without a spirit of condemnation toward those who do not yet believe.

Closing Reflection
The pastor closed the sermon with this question: Is your Christianity a doorway or a wall?
Take two minutes of silence as a group. Let each person sit with that question personally. Then close in prayer, asking God to search your hearts, expose any hypocrisy or hardness, and make each of you a clearer reflection of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

Suggested Scripture for Further Study

• Luke 11:37-53 (the primary passage)
• Matthew 23 (Jesus' extended rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees)
• Micah 6:8 (what God requires)
• Romans 10:9-10 (the simplicity of the gospel)
• 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (qualifications for church leadership)
• Galatians 1:10 (fearing God versus fearing man)
• 1 Timothy 6:10 (the love of money as a root of evil)

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

OVERVIEW
This sermon draws from Luke 11:33-36 to challenge believers to stop blending in with the surrounding culture and start actively shining the light of Christ. The pastor confronts passive, lukewarm Christianity and calls the church to be bold, receptive to God's word, and intentional about letting their faith be visible to the world around them.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Jesus uses the image of a lamp to warn against hiding your faith. Light that is concealed serves no purpose.
• What you take in through your eyes and ears shapes who you are spiritually. Receptivity to God's word produces illumination in your life.
• There is no inner light within us by default. The light must be received through Christ and cultivated through an ongoing relationship with him.
• Lukewarm, passive Christianity is spiritually useless. Revelation 3:15-16 describes God's response to a faith that is neither hot nor cold.
• The Christian life was never meant to be comfortable or hidden. Believers are called to shape the culture around them, not blend into it.
• Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Knowing the word is the primary defense against spiritual deception.
• Following Christ costs something. Faith that has never cost you anything may not have truly transformed you.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Opening (Getting the Conversation Started)

1. When you were growing up, who in your life modeled what it looked like to be an unashamed follower of Christ? What stood out to you about the way they lived?
2. The pastor opened with the idea that some believers put on different masks depending on their environment. Have you ever caught yourself acting differently at church than you do at work, at home, or with certain friends? What drives that?

Going Deeper (Engaging the Text)

3. In Luke 11:33-36, Jesus says that a healthy eye fills the whole body with light, while a bad eye fills it with darkness. In your own words, what do you think Jesus means by a healthy versus a bad eye? How does what we take in shape who we become?
4. The pastor said, "There is no inner light automatically within us." How does that statement sit with you? How does it change the way you think about your own spiritual condition apart from Christ?
5. The sermon referenced Revelation 3:15-16, where Jesus says he would rather someone be hot or cold than lukewarm. The pastor described hot Christianity as something that stirs people up and cold Christianity as something refreshing to the spiritually wounded. Which of those descriptions feels more like your faith right now? Which do you want it to look like?
6. The pastor warned against what he called chameleon Christianity, where a person looks different depending on who they are around. What are some of the pressures that cause believers to blend in rather than stand out? How do you personally navigate those pressures?
7. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Paul warns that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. How does regular engagement with Scripture help protect us from spiritual deception? Can you think of an example where knowing the word helped you recognize something that looked good but was not from God?

Getting Personal (Honest Reflection)

8. The pastor asked directly: "Can the people around you tell that you are a Christian?" When you honestly think about your workplace, your neighborhood, or your family, would those people describe you as someone who follows Jesus? Why or why not?
9. He also asked whether your faith has cost you something yet, whether a relationship, a job, or standing in some area of your life. Has following Christ ever cost you something real? If so, how did you respond in that moment?
10. The pastor challenged the group to think about one specific person they have been reluctant to share their faith with. Who is that person for you? What has held you back?

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Choose at least one of the following to put into practice before your group meets again.
For Personal Growth

• Spend one week tracking your screen time and comparing it to the time you spend in Scripture or prayer. Come back to the group prepared to share honestly what you discovered.
• Identify one area of your life where you have been hiding your faith or compromising your convictions. Write it down, pray over it, and take one concrete step toward change this week.

For Relationships

• Think of the one person in your life you most need to have a spiritual conversation with. Pray for them every day this week and ask God to open a door for that conversation.
• If there is a relationship in your life where you have been living as a chameleon Christian, consider what it would look like to be honest with that person about your faith and values.

For the Group

• As a group, identify one way you can collectively be a light in your local community. This could be serving together, engaging a neighbor in need, or supporting a local outreach. Commit to doing it within the next month.
• Hold each other accountable to sharing the gospel with at least one person before the group meets again. Come prepared to share what happened.

CLOSING REFLECTION
The pastor closed with these words:
"As he hung on the cross, stripped naked and beaten beyond all recognition, he had you on his heart."
Take a moment before closing in prayer to sit with that statement. Let it inform how your group prays together.

CLOSING PRAYER POINTS

• Ask God to reveal any areas where your light has been hidden or dimmed.
• Pray for boldness to share the gospel with the specific people on your heart.
• Pray for the people in your group who are walking through seasons where following Christ is costing them something.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to fill each member of the group and to make them unmistakably recognizable as followers of Jesus to the world around them.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

SERIES CONTEXT
This message is part of an ongoing series called Repent or Ruin, working through the Gospel of Luke. In this passage, Jesus rebukes a sign-seeking generation and points them to something greater than any miracle: himself and his word.

ICE BREAKER
Think of a time in your life when you kept asking for more information or more certainty before making a decision. What were you really waiting for? Share with the group.

KEY SCRIPTURE PASSAGES

• Luke 11:29-32 -- Jesus declares that no sign will be given to an evil, sign-seeking generation except the sign of Jonah, and that those who repented at lesser messengers will stand in judgment against those who rejected him
• Luke 16:19-31 -- The account of the rich man and Lazarus, in which the rich man in torment begs for someone to be sent from the dead to warn his family, only to be told that if they will not hear Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even by someone rising from the dead
• Matthew 4:17 -- Jesus begins his ministry with a single, ongoing command: repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

SERMON SUMMARY
Jesus confronts a crowd that had witnessed miracle after miracle and still demanded more proof before they would commit to following him. He calls this pattern what it is: evil. Not evil in the sense of cartoon villainy, but evil in the sense of deliberate, repeated avoidance of a decision they already knew they needed to make. He points to two outsiders -- the queen of Sheba and the people of Nineveh -- who responded to far less than what this generation had been given. The sermon challenges us to ask honestly whether we are doing the same thing: using the language of seeking clarity or needing more information as a cover for avoiding surrender. The closing passage from Luke 16 makes the stakes plain. There is no second chance after death, no crossing the chasm, and no sign dramatic enough to convince someone who has already chosen to ignore what God has already said.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Opening and Observation

1. The pastor opened by pointing out that the generation that physically walked with Jesus was more blessed than we are in one specific sense, yet Jesus still called them evil. What does that tell us about the relationship between spiritual blessing and spiritual responsibility?
2. Read Luke 11:29-32 together as a group. In your own words, why does Jesus point to the queen of Sheba and the people of Nineveh? What is he saying about the people standing right in front of him?
3. The pastor described sign-seeking as a form of avoidance, calling it "a delayed decision to follow Christ in the repeated demonstrations of his power." Do you agree with that characterization? Why or why not?

Going Deeper

4. The pastor drew a distinction between seeking clarity and seeking confirmation. He said, "You already have his word. You already have his instructions to you. But we just neglect this book constantly." How does neglecting Scripture contribute to the feeling that we need more from God before we can move forward?
5. Jesus said in Luke 16:31 that if people will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. What does that say about the nature of unbelief? Is it ultimately an intellectual problem or a heart problem?
6. The pastor said, "He gives you the direction, not the details. And that's where faith is." Where in your own life are you currently waiting on details that God may never give you before asking you to take a step?
7. The rich man in Luke 16 ends up in torment and immediately thinks of his five brothers. The pastor noted that there are people in hell right now who wish their loved ones would receive the gospel. How does that image affect the way you think about sharing your faith with people in your life?

Personal Reflection

8. The pastor made the observation that comfort, while a blessing, is also an extreme spiritual danger because it can cause us to feel like we do not need to rely on God. Where has comfort made you spiritually passive in a way you had not previously noticed?
9. He said, "Every time you hear the word, you are responding. Passively or passionately." Looking at your own life right now, which word best describes your response to what God has been saying to you?
10. The closing prayer asked God to reveal "grievous ways" and to produce revival starting in individual hearts. What is one area of your life where you sense God is calling you to repent and realign with him?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Sign-seeking is often a spiritual smoke screen. Asking for more evidence can be a way of avoiding a decision we already know we need to make. God has given us his word, his son, and his Spirit. The question is not whether there is enough evidence. The question is whether we are willing to respond to what we already have.
• The outsiders shame the insiders. Both the queen of Sheba and the Ninevites were Gentiles with far less access to God than the Israelites, and yet they responded. Jesus uses them as a warning that proximity to truth does not equal transformation. Sitting in a church building, hearing sermons, and knowing Bible stories is not the same as following Christ.
• The judgment is real and the chasm is fixed. Luke 16 is not a parable meant to be softened into a life lesson. It is a direct warning that death closes the door. There is no post-mortem second chance, no crossing from one side to the other, and no sign dramatic enough to save someone after that point.
• God gives direction, not details, and that is intentional. Faith is not walking by facts. If God laid out every difficult moment ahead of time alongside every redemptive outcome, it would not require trust. The withholding of details is not cruelty. It is the very structure of a relationship built on faith.
• Comfort is a spiritual risk. The persecuted church around the world worships in ruins and continues forward. The comfortable church in America often struggles to give, serve, or share the gospel consistently. Recognizing that comfort can dull spiritual urgency is the first step toward fighting against it.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
This Week, Choose One:

1. Audit your avoidance. Identify one area of your life where you have been asking God for a sign or for more clarity. Write it down. Then spend time in Scripture this week asking not for a new sign but for the courage to act on what God has already said.
2. Dust off the word. Commit to a specific, realistic daily Bible reading plan this week. Even ten minutes a day. The pastor pointed out that this is how God speaks to us. Treat it accordingly.
3. Name your comfort. Identify one specific comfort in your life that may be functioning as a substitute for dependence on God. It might be financial security, a relationship, a habit, or entertainment. Bring it before God in prayer and ask him to show you whether it has become an idol.
4. Think of your five brothers. The rich man immediately thought of five people he loved who were still living without Christ. Write down the names of three to five people in your life who do not know Jesus. Commit to praying for them by name every day this week and ask God to open a door for a conversation.
5. Respond to what you already know. The pastor said we are always responding to the gospel, passively or passionately. Choose one specific, concrete step of obedience this week in response to something God has already made clear to you, whether that is a conversation you have been avoiding, a habit you have been holding onto, or a commitment you have been delaying.

CLOSING PRAYER POINTS

• Pray for genuine, individual repentance to precede any broader revival
• Pray for boldness to share the gospel with specific people God has placed in your life
• Pray for those in your group who are in a season of waiting on God, that they would trust his direction even without the details
• Pray for the persecuted church around the world, and for gratitude rather than complacency in response to the freedom we have
• Pray that this group would move from being consumers of the word to contributors in the mission

FOR FURTHER STUDY

• The book of Jonah -- Read the full account and pay attention to both the repentance of Nineveh and the resistance of Jonah
• 1 Kings 10:1-13 -- The visit of the queen of Sheba to Solomon
• Romans 1:18-25 -- Paul's description of how suppressing the truth leads to increasing spiritual darkness
• Hebrews 3:7-15 -- The warning not to harden your heart when you hear his voice, and the urgency of responding today

Elder Paul Pearson
Watch the sermon here

Overview
This sermon calls believers to stop retreating and start standing their ground as warriors in the faith. Drawing from the lives of King David and his mighty men, Paul Pearson challenges every believer to recognize what God has given them, fight for it with confidence, and trust that God stands with them in every battle.

Key Takeaways

1. A warrior is someone willing to get behind a vision, lay something on the line, and take the next step to accomplish what needs to be done.
2. The hard things you have faced in life were often not just for you -- they were building something in you that others will need.
3. Evil does not back off on its own. There are times you cannot choose option B. You must take a stand.
4. The weapons of our warfare are not physical but spiritual, and they are mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
5. What you imagine and what you say carry tremendous power. You can speak life or death over your situation.
6. God is in the blessing business. He would rather bless than curse, and when you step in obedience, reward follows.
7. You are not fighting alone. When someone stands with you in prayer, the power multiplies.

Scripture References for Further Study

• 2 Samuel 22:30 -- David's testimony of running through troops and leaping over walls by God's strength
• 2 Samuel 23:11-12 -- Shammah standing alone in a field, refusing to let the enemy take what belonged to God's people
• Romans 3:23 -- All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory
• Romans 10:9-10 -- Believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth leads to salvation
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 -- Our warfare is not physical; our weapons pull down strongholds and cast down imaginations
• Genesis 1 -- God created humanity in his image and gave them dominion
• Genesis 12-13 -- Abram's obedience to God's call and the blessing that followed
• Deuteronomy 30:19 -- God sets before us life and death, blessings and cursings, and instructs us to choose life
• Psalm 91 -- The promise of God's protection for those who dwell in his presence
• Ephesians 6 -- The armor of God and the command to stand
• 1 Peter 5:8 -- The enemy prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour
• Isaiah 10:27 -- The anointing destroys yokes and removes burdens

Discussion Questions
Opening Question
Go around the group and have each person answer: When you hear the word "warrior," what is the first image that comes to mind? How does that image compare to what a spiritual warrior looks like?
Section 1: The Making of a Warrior
The sermon opened with the reminder that David was a shepherd boy before he was a king, and that the hard seasons of life are often what prepare us for what is ahead.

1. Can you think of a difficult season in your life that, looking back, prepared you for something greater? What did that season build in you?
2. The speaker said, "Almost always the hard times, the things that's a struggle, make you stronger. And very seldom is that struggle for you." What does it mean that your struggle may not primarily be for your own benefit?
3. Becoming a warrior, as the speaker noted, does not happen overnight. It is a practice. What are some daily habits or disciplines that you believe build a warrior mentality in a believer?

Section 2: Drawing a Line in the Sand
The story of Shammah standing alone in a field full of lentils while everyone else fled was a central image in this sermon. He refused to let the enemy take what belonged to God's people.

1. Have you ever been in a situation where everyone around you was retreating but something inside you said "not today"? What happened?
2. The speaker said, "Every now and then you got to draw your own line in the sand. You got to determine this is as far as I'm going to go." What is something in your life right now where you may need to draw that line?
3. Shammah's friends were in the woods hollering at him to run. How do you handle it when the people closest to you are urging you to give up on something God has placed in your hands?
4. The enemy did not know who was standing with Shammah. How does remembering that God stands with you change the way you approach the battles in front of you?

Section 3: The Power of Words and Imagination
The speaker spent significant time on the danger of fear-driven thinking and the power of speaking God's word over your circumstances. He referenced 2 Corinthians 10:5, which calls believers to cast down imaginations and take every thought captive.

1. The speaker shared that his wife began to speak what he was speaking over their financial situation, and things began to turn around. Have you experienced a time when shifting what you said about a situation changed the outcome? Share with the group.
2. He referenced Genesis 11:6, where God acknowledged that there would be nothing restrained from people who imagine and pursue something together. How does this truth challenge you when it comes to what you allow yourself to dwell on?
3. What is the difference between denying a real problem and refusing to let fear dictate how you speak about it? How do you walk that line in a practical way?
4. The speaker said, "We can't afford that" is the kind of thing we say without thinking, not realizing the power behind our words. Are there phrases you regularly speak over your life or your family that you may need to reconsider?

Section 4: Obedience and Blessing
The speaker used the example of Abram leaving his father's house at 75 years old as a picture of stepping out in obedience even when it does not make obvious sense.

1. What is something God has asked of you that felt unreasonable or untimely? How did you respond?
2. The speaker said, "Every time you step to it, something's gonna change. Something's gonna get better." Do you believe that? What makes it hard to believe in certain seasons?
3. He also said that the gifts God gives are not primarily for you -- they are for others. How does that shift the way you think about your own abilities, experiences, and resources?

Section 5: Standing Together
The sermon closed with a strong emphasis on the power of people standing together in prayer, referencing Deuteronomy 17:17, which teaches that one can put a thousand to flight but two can put ten thousand to flight.

1. Do you have people in your life who will stand with you in prayer when you are in a battle? If not, what is one step you could take this week to build that kind of relationship?
2. The speaker shared personal stories of loss -- his best friend, his cousin, and his father all dying within twelve months of each other. He said that when you start doing something significant, you need to be ready for opposition. How do you prepare yourself spiritually for the cost of stepping into something God has called you to?
3. He prayed blessings over the man who had been his adversary at work, and that man eventually became his greatest protector. Is there someone in your life right now that you have been resenting rather than blessing? What would it look like to begin praying for them?

Practical Applications
Choose one or more of the following to practice before your group meets again.

1. IDENTIFY YOUR LINE -- Write down one area of your life where you have been retreating. Decide this week that you will stop retreating and begin standing. Share what you wrote down with one person in the group for accountability.
2. MONITOR YOUR WORDS -- For the next seven days, pay close attention to what you say about your finances, your health, your relationships, and your future. When you catch yourself speaking fear, stop and replace it with a declaration rooted in Scripture.
3. PRAY BLESSINGS -- Identify one person who has been a source of difficulty in your life. Every day this week, pray a genuine blessing over them. At your next group meeting, share what that experience was like.
4. SUIT UP -- Read Ephesians 6:10-18 every morning this week. Before you begin your day, intentionally put on each piece of the armor of God by name and by prayer.
5. STAND WITH SOMEONE -- Reach out to one person in your group or church who you know is in a battle right now. Ask if you can pray with them in person. Remember that when two stand together, the power multiplies.

Closing Prayer Focus
Close your group time by praying together over these specific areas:

• That each person would have the courage to stop retreating and start standing
• That fear would be replaced by the boldness that comes from knowing God is present
• That the words spoken in homes, workplaces, and relationships would carry life rather than death
• That God would connect each person with the right people to stand alongside them in their battles
• That the strongholds the enemy has used to hold people back would be pulled down by the power of God

A Word for the Group Leader
This sermon was intensely personal and story-driven. Some members of your group may be in the middle of a very real battle right now -- financial, relational, physical, or spiritual. Create space for people to be honest. The goal of this discussion is not to produce a list of things people need to do better, but to help each person leave with a renewed confidence that God is with them and that they have what it takes to stand. Remind your group that the warrior is not the one who never gets hit. The warrior is the one who does not quit.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Overview
This guide is designed to help your group move beyond simply hearing the Word to becoming doers of the Word. The sermon challenged us to examine whether our faith is truly alive -- marked by knowledge, agreement, and genuine trust -- or whether it has become hollow and fruitless. Use the questions and applications below to foster honest conversation and personal reflection.

Key Takeaways

• A declaration of faith is not the same as devotion to Christ. Saying you believe and actually trusting God with your life are two very different things.
• James makes clear that faith without works is not a weakened faith -- it is a dead faith, one that never had life in it to begin with.
• Works do not save you. Rather, genuine saving faith cannot help but express itself in obedient action. The motive of your heart matters.
• Abraham was justified before God in Genesis 15 before he ever demonstrated his faith on the altar in Genesis 22. The outward act confirmed what was already true inwardly.
• True saving faith has three components: knowledge of the gospel, agreement with the gospel, and genuine trust in God -- even when it costs you something.
• Revival begins in the individual heart before it spreads outward. You cannot pour life from a dead vessel.

Discussion Questions
Opening

1. When you hear the phrase "dead faith," what is your initial reaction? Does it make you uncomfortable, curious, or defensive -- and why?
2. The sermon described people who have a "head full of religion and a heart completely devoid of God." Have you ever experienced a season in your own life that looked like that from the outside? What did it feel like on the inside?

Digging Into the Text

3. In Luke 11:28, Jesus redirects the woman's praise by saying it is more blessed to hear the Word of God and keep it. What is the difference between hearing the Word and keeping it in your daily life? Where does that gap show up most often for you personally?
4. James 1:22-25 warns against being a hearer of the Word only, comparing it to a man who looks at himself in a mirror and immediately forgets what he saw. What habits -- good or bad -- help you actually retain and apply what you hear from Scripture?
5. In James 2:14-17, James uses the example of telling a hungry or poorly clothed person to "go in peace, be warmed and filled" without actually meeting their need. Where do you see this pattern showing up in everyday Christian culture today? Where might it show up in your own life?
6. The sermon drew a distinction between Abraham being justified before God in Genesis 15 and justified before human eyes in Genesis 22. Why does it matter that God's justification comes first? How does that change the way you think about your own need to be seen or affirmed by others?
7. James 2:19 points out that even the demons believe God is one -- and they shudder. What separates that kind of belief from saving faith? What does genuine trust look like in contrast?
8. Rahab the prostitute is held up as an example of living faith. Her belief expressed itself in a dangerous, costly act of obedience. What does her story say about who God can redeem and use? Does her inclusion in the lineage of Christ challenge any assumptions you have held about yourself or others?

Personal Reflection

9. The sermon presented three markers of genuine faith: knowledge, agreement, and trust. If you are honest with yourself, which of the three is most underdeveloped in your own walk with God right now?
10. The pastor said, "Faith will cost you something. If your faith isn't scaring you at least a little bit, it ain't faith." Has your faith cost you anything recently? If not, what might that reveal?
11. The sermon warned against doing good works for the sake of social approval -- posting about prayer for likes, serving in ministry for recognition, and so on. How do you personally guard the motive of your heart when you serve or give?
12. The image of Ezekiel's valley of dry bones was used to describe dead faith -- hollow bodies with no breath of life in them. If you applied that image honestly to your current spiritual condition, where would you place yourself? Dry bones, bones coming together, or a body filled with the Spirit?

Practical Applications
Choose one or more of the following to practice individually or as a group before your next meeting.
1. Audit Your Faith Set aside 15 to 20 minutes this week in a quiet place. Write down your honest answers to these three questions: What do I know about the gospel? What do I agree with? What do I actually trust God with right now? Bring your reflections back to the group next week.
2. Close the Gap Between Hearing and Doing Identify one specific truth from this sermon or from your personal Bible reading this week that you have been hearing repeatedly but have not yet acted on. Write it down. Name one concrete step you will take this week to move from hearing to doing.
3. Pray on the Spot When someone shares a burden or struggle with you this week -- whether a coworker, a cashier, a family member, or a friend -- stop and pray with them right then rather than promising to pray later. Report back to your group on what happened.
4. Examine Your Motives in Service If you currently serve in any capacity at your church or in your community, spend time this week asking God to reveal whether your motive is obedience and love or recognition and habit. Ask him to purify your heart and renew your reason for serving.
5. Revive What Is Dead If you recognized this week that your faith has grown cold or hollow, do not wait. Call upon the name of the Lord honestly and specifically. Confess where you have been a hearer only. Ask God to breathe life back into your walk with him. Consider reaching out to a pastor, elder, or trusted believer to walk with you in accountability.

Closing Prayer Focus
Close your group time by praying together over the following:

• That God would reveal to each member where their faith has become passive or performative
• That genuine trust would replace hollow agreement in every heart represented in the room
• That revival would begin in each individual before it spreads outward to families, neighborhoods, and the broader community
• That God would raise up doers of the Word, not hearers only, for the sake of his glory alone
• 
  

Sola Scriptura. Sola Gratia. Sola Fide. Solus Christus. Soli Deo Gloria. Scripture alone. Grace alone. Faith alone. Christ alone. For the glory of God alone.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Before You Begin
Open your time together in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and reveal what he wants each person to take away from this time. Encourage group members to bring their Bibles and to test everything discussed against Scripture.

Sermon Overview
Drawing from Luke 11:14-26, this message confronts the reality of spiritual warfare, the urgency of choosing which kingdom you belong to, and the danger of being spiritually emptied without being filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus demonstrates his authority over the demonic realm, exposes the hypocrisy of those who slander him, and makes clear that there is no neutral ground in the conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus has supreme authority over every power and every demonic force, and his casting out of the mute demon was a direct demonstration of the finger of God at work.
• There are only two kingdoms, and every person, by their choices and allegiances, is actively building one of them. There is no neutral ground and no fence to sit on.
• Slandering Christ and demanding more signs are both responses rooted in a refusal to surrender, not a genuine lack of evidence.
• Division destroys. Whether in a church, a family, or a nation, a house divided against itself cannot stand. Discord sown among believers is listed among the things God hates most (Proverbs 6:16-19).
• Getting free from sin or spiritual bondage is not the finish line. Freedom without being filled with the Holy Spirit leaves a person dangerously vulnerable to returning to a worse state than before.
• Cowardice has no place in the kingdom. Boldness in faith is not the absence of fear but the decision to act in obedience in spite of it.
• Prayer is not optional. Jesus said when you pray, not if you pray. An active prayer life is the baseline of a living faith.

Discussion Questions
Opening

1. When you first heard the title "The Takeover," what came to mind? After hearing the message, how would you describe what is being taken over and by whom?
2. The pastor opened by describing a man who was mute because of demonic possession and asked the group to imagine what that experience must have felt like. What struck you most about that illustration?

Going Deeper

3. Read Luke 11:14-16. The people who witnessed the miracle split into two groups: those who marveled and those who slandered or demanded more signs. Have you ever found yourself in either of those camps? What kept you from moving toward full surrender even when you saw God at work?
4. The pastor described the slanderers as cowards because they did not confront Jesus directly but spoke against him among themselves. How does cowardice show up in the life of a believer today? Where do you feel the most pressure to stay quiet about your faith?
5. Read Luke 11:17-18. Jesus points out that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. The pastor applied this to the church, specifically addressing gossip, slander, and discord among believers. Why do you think division is so destructive, and what is our individual responsibility when we encounter it?
6. Read Proverbs 6:16-19. The list ends with sowing discord among brothers as one of the seven things God considers an abomination. Why do you think something that can seem so minor, like gossip or stirring up conflict, is treated with such seriousness in Scripture?
7. The pastor made the point that if you are not actively gathering with Christ, you are by default scattering. What does gathering with Christ look like practically in your daily life, not just on Sundays?
8. Read Luke 11:24-26. The pastor described the danger of being delivered from spiritual bondage but never being filled with the Holy Spirit. Why is emptiness so dangerous spiritually? What does it look like to be genuinely filled rather than just cleaned up?
9. The pastor said, "Sin is a jail cell with the door wide open until one day it is not." How does that image challenge the way you think about the sins you are still tolerating in your life?
10. The sermon emphasized that we are in a spiritual war whether we want to be or not. How aware are you of spiritual warfare in your everyday life? What has helped you recognize it, and what has made you blind to it?

Practical Applications
This Week, Choose One or More

• Set a timer for ten minutes, go somewhere quiet without your phone, and sit in silence. Use that time to reflect on what eternity without God would feel like, and let that drive you to gratitude and prayer.
• Identify one area of your life where you have been a spectator rather than a participant in what God is doing. Take one concrete step this week to move from consuming to contributing.
• Evaluate your morning routine honestly. Are you reaching for your phone before you reach for Scripture and prayer? Commit to one week of seeking God first thing in the morning before looking at anything else.
• If there is a relationship in your life where you have been sowing or tolerating discord, take the courageous step of going directly to that person and working toward reconciliation rather than continuing to talk around the issue.
• Begin praying specifically and out loud for your family, your church, your city, and your nation. Do not wait until you feel like you know how to pray. Start with what you have.
• Examine whether you have experienced freedom from something but have not replaced that space with intentional pursuit of God. Talk to a trusted believer or your pastor about what it looks like to be genuinely filled with the Holy Spirit in that area.

Scripture for Further Study

• Luke 11:14-26
• Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (summarized in the sermon regarding false prophets and the seriousness of spiritual truth)
• Proverbs 6:16-19
• Luke 4:18-19
• Ephesians 6:10-18
• Hebrews 10:24-25
• Galatians 1:10

Closing Prayer
Close your time by praying as a group. Encourage each member to pray specifically for one thing they are taking away from this discussion. Ask God to fill every empty space in each person's life with his Spirit, to make your group bold and unified, and to keep every member of your group 10 toes down for the kingdom.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Overview
This sermon draws from the account of Martha and Mary to challenge us about our priorities, our posture before God, and the danger of being so busy doing things for God that we neglect simply being with Him. The central question is this: are we distracted with serving, or devoted to sitting at the feet of Jesus?

Key Takeaways

• Activity can be out of proportion, not just out of place. Serving God is not wrong, but when it crowds out time with God, it becomes a problem.
• Worry is a symptom of misplaced focus. Anxiety grows when our eyes are fixed on the world around us rather than on the God who is with us.
• You are a son or daughter before you are a servant. Identity in Christ must come before activity for Christ.
• The enemy's strategy is distraction. If he cannot get you to stop, he will keep you too busy to be devoted.
• Mary made a conscious choice. Sitting at the feet of Jesus was not passive — it was a deliberate act of priority.
• God validated Jesus before He had done anything recorded in ministry. Our worth before God is not rooted in what we do for Him.

Discussion Questions
Opening

1. When you heard the title "Just One Thing," what came to mind before the sermon even began? How did the message change or confirm that initial thought?
2. Be honest with the group: when you come into a church service, what are the things that most often distract you from focusing on God?

Digging In

3. The pastor described Martha's problem not as doing the wrong thing, but doing the right thing in the wrong proportion. Where in your own life have you seen a good thing become a consuming thing?
4. Martha never asked Mary for help before going to Jesus with her complaint. She also made her frustration public rather than private. What does that tell us about what was really going on inside of her? Can you relate to that pattern?
5. The sermon points out that Martha called Jesus "Lord" and then tried to tell Him what to do. How do we do the same thing in our prayer lives — calling Him Lord while still trying to control the outcome?
6. The pastor said: "The enemy's greatest tactic, if he cannot get you to stop, is to keep you so distracted by doing that you never learn to be devoted." Where do you see that tactic at work in your own life right now?
7. Jesus spoke Martha's name twice — a double name that in Scripture consistently signals compassion, not condemnation. How does it change the way you read this passage knowing that Jesus responded to her frustration with tenderness?
8. Mary chose the good portion. It was a conscious decision. What does it look like practically in your week to make that same conscious choice?

Going Deeper

9. The pastor drew a parallel between Martha and Mary and a husband who provides everything materially for his wife but has no relational intimacy with her. How does that picture help you understand the difference between doing things for God and actually being with God?
10. The sermon referenced the moment of Jesus' baptism, where God declared He was pleased with His Son before Jesus had done anything in recorded ministry. How does that truth challenge the way you think about earning God's approval?
11. The pastor said: "Before you are anything that you do, you are a son or daughter to the King." How settled are you in that identity? What makes it hard to rest there?
12. He also said: "When will we recover our wonder?" What has caused you to lose wonder in your walk with God, and what has helped restore it in the past?

Practical Applications
Choose one or more of the following to put into practice before your group meets again:

• Audit your week. Look at how you spend your time and honestly assess how much of it is devoted to being with God versus doing things for God or for others. Write down what you find without judgment, and bring it to God in prayer.
• Create a non-negotiable. Identify one specific time each day this week to sit quietly with God — no agenda, no prayer list, just presence. Treat it like an appointment you cannot cancel.
• Address a complaint at the source. If you have been carrying a frustration about someone in your life or in the church, commit to going directly to that person this week rather than venting to others first.
• Memorize one truth about your identity. Pick a verse this week that reminds you who you are as a child of God before you are anything else. Write it somewhere you will see it daily.
• Examine your serving. If you serve in a ministry, ask yourself honestly: is this flowing out of a relationship with Jesus, or has it become a substitute for one? Bring that question to God and let Him answer it.

Closing Prayer Focus
Close your group time by praying together over these areas:

• That God would reveal where distraction has replaced devotion in each person's life
• That anxiety and fear would be replaced by trust in His sovereignty
• That each member would grow more settled in their identity as a child of God
• That the group would hold each other accountable to choosing the good portion this week

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Open your time together in prayer. Ask God to soften hearts, sharpen minds, and make this conversation more than just an intellectual exercise. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak specifically to each person in the room.

CONTEXT
This sermon comes from an ongoing series called "Repent or Ruin," working through the Gospel of Luke. The passage centers on Luke 10:25-37, in which a lawyer attempts to test Jesus and ends up in a conversation that produces one of the most well-known parables in all of Scripture. The preacher challenges the group to move beyond the familiar surface reading of the Good Samaritan and wrestle with its deeper implications for how we love God, treat other people, and reflect Christ to a watching world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Repentance is not simply saying sorry and returning to the same sin. It is a growing love for God that produces a genuine hatred for the things that once held us captive.
• The law functions as a mirror. Its purpose is not to show us how well we are doing but to expose how far we fall short and drive us to Christ.
• Attempting to justify ourselves before God is futile. Justification comes only through Jesus. Self-justification is simply a search for loopholes.
• The question "Who is my neighbor?" is answered by Jesus in a way that shatters every boundary we try to place on our compassion. Our neighbor is precisely the person we least want it to be.
• The Good Samaritan is not only a moral example. It is a picture of what Christ did for us. He entered into our suffering, bound our wounds, paid the cost, and expected nothing in return.
• Compassion is not a feeling or a statement. It is a sacrifice. It costs something. It requires entering into someone else's suffering rather than crossing to the other side of the road.
• You cannot genuinely love God and harbor hatred for another person. The two cannot coexist.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Opening Up

1. The pastor opened by saying he had a week from hell and was being transparent about it. How comfortable are you with that level of honesty in a church setting? How does transparency from a leader affect the way you engage with the message?
2. Have you ever come to church carrying something heavy that week and found that the message spoke directly into it? Share what that was like without necessarily sharing every detail.

Going Deeper into the Text

3. The lawyer in Luke 10 asks Jesus a genuine-sounding question but with a testing motive. The pastor noted that the phrase "put him to the test" appears elsewhere in Luke only when the devil is testing Jesus in the wilderness. What does it look like in your own life when you approach God or Scripture with a testing spirit rather than a learning spirit?
4. Jesus responds to the lawyer's question with a question of his own: "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" Why do you think Jesus so often answered questions with questions? What does that approach invite the other person to do?
5. The lawyer correctly recites the Shema, loving God with everything and loving your neighbor as yourself. Jesus tells him to go and do it, knowing full well he has not been doing it. The pastor described this as Jesus throwing the man's answer back in his face. How does this moment expose the gap between knowing the right answer and actually living it?
6. The lawyer then asks, "Who is my neighbor?" The pastor explained that this was an attempt to justify himself, to find a loophole, to put a limit on who he had to love. Where do you find yourself drawing similar lines, even if you would never say it out loud?
7. The priest and the Levite both pass by the wounded man. They are the most religiously qualified people in the story, and yet they do nothing. What do you think kept them from stopping? How do you see similar patterns in religious communities today?
8. The Samaritan's compassion is described in specific, costly actions. He goes to the man, binds his wounds, puts him on his own animal, walks while the man rides, takes him to an inn, pays for his care, and promises to cover any additional expenses. The pastor said all of this cost him something. Which part of that list challenges you the most personally and why?
9. The pastor pointed out that the lawyer could not even bring himself to say the word "Samaritan" when answering Jesus. He only said "the one who showed mercy." What does that tell us about how deeply prejudice can be embedded even in someone who knows the right answers?

The Deeper Picture

10. The pastor argued that the Good Samaritan parable is ultimately a picture of what Jesus did for us. He came down into our situation, entered our suffering, paid the cost, and expected nothing in return. How does reading the parable through that lens change the way it lands for you?
11. The sermon included this statement from the preacher: "You cannot confess to love God and hate your fellow man." How does that land with you? Is there someone in your life right now toward whom you are holding something that looks more like avoidance or resentment than love?
12. The pastor described eternal life not as something you receive when you die but as something you are already living in when you are in Christ. How does that reframe the way you think about your daily life and how you treat the people around you?

Bringing It Home

13. The sermon closed with a challenge about compassion flowing from your life rather than just your lips. The pastor said, "We have the language of Jesus and none of the evidence of him in our lives." Where is there a gap between what you say you believe and how you actually live it out day to day?
14. The pastor mentioned that the city has a visible homeless population and that many people view those individuals as problems rather than people. How does your community currently respond to people who are visibly broken or marginalized? How might your small group respond differently?
15. The pastor said, "Your neighbor is exactly the person you do not want your neighbor to be." Who is that person for you right now? What would it look like to take one concrete step toward them this week?

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Choose one of the following as a group commitment for the coming week. Be specific about what you will do, when you will do it, and how you will report back to the group.
For Personal Reflection Spend time this week using the law as a mirror rather than binoculars. Instead of measuring yourself against other people, sit with the two great commandments and honestly ask God to show you where you are falling short. Write down what surfaces and bring it to him in prayer.
For Your Relationships Identify one person in your life toward whom you have been crossing to the other side of the road. It may be someone you find difficult, someone whose choices frustrate you, or someone you have simply been avoiding. Pray for them every day this week and ask God to show you one specific way to enter into their situation rather than walk around it.
For Your Community As a group, identify one local need, whether it is a shelter, a food pantry, a recovery program, or a family in crisis, and make a plan to serve together. Not just to write a check, but to show up in person. Decide on a date before you leave this meeting.
For Your Witness The pastor said your life should be the scripture that someone else reads. Think about the people in your daily life who do not follow Christ. What do they currently see when they watch you? Ask God to show you one area where your life and your confession need to come into closer alignment.

CLOSING PRAYER
Close your time by praying specifically for the people and situations that came up in your discussion. Ask God to do what only he can do: break hard hearts, move people toward compassion, and make the gap between your confession and your conduct smaller this week than it was last week.

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK
Luke 10:27 describes the heart of the law: loving God with everything you have and loving your neighbor as yourself. Sit with that summary this week and let it measure your days.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Before You Meet
Read the following passages on your own before your group gathers. Do not rush through them. Sit with each one.

• Luke 10:21-24
• 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
• Revelation 2:1-5
• 1 Peter 1:3-12

Key Takeaways

• God does not reveal himself to those who rely on their own wisdom and self-sufficiency. He reveals himself to those who come to him with childlike trust and humility.
• Familiarity is one of the greatest spiritual dangers a believer faces. It does not always look like unbelief. It often looks like casualness.
• We are living in the fulfillment of what Old Testament kings and prophets spent their entire lives longing for. That reality should produce ongoing wonder, not routine.
• Revelation is a gift, not an achievement. Because God chose to open your eyes, there is no room for pride — only gratitude and dependence.
• The church is called to return to its first love, as Jesus warned the church at Ephesus. Repentance is not only for wicked behavior. Sometimes it is for a heart that has simply grown cold toward Christ.

Discussion Questions
Opening Question
Use this question to get the group talking before diving into the deeper content.

1. Think about something in your everyday life that used to amaze you but no longer does — a piece of technology, a convenience, a relationship. What changed? Was it the thing itself, or was it you?

Digging Into the Text

2. In Luke 10:21, Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit and thanks the Father for hiding spiritual truth from the wise and understanding while revealing it to little children. What does it mean to approach God with childlike faith? What is the difference between being childlike and being childish in your faith?
3. The pastor made a distinction between being anti-intelligence and being anti-self-sufficiency. God is not against you being intelligent. He is against you thinking you can figure him out or sustain yourself without him. Where in your own life do you notice a tendency toward self-sufficiency? How does that affect your relationship with God?
4. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Paul reminds the church that God chose what the world considers foolish, weak, and lowly to accomplish his purposes. Why do you think God works this way? What does that say about what he values?
5. In Luke 10:24, Jesus tells the disciples that many prophets and kings longed to see and hear what they were experiencing and never did. Read 1 Peter 1:10-12 together as a group. How does it change your perspective on your own faith to know that the Old Testament prophets were searching and serving for something they would never personally see?
6. In Revelation 2:4, Jesus tells the church at Ephesus, "You have abandoned the love you had at first." He does not accuse them of stopping their work or their service. He accuses them of losing something deeper. What is the difference between continuing to do the right things and actually treasuring Christ? Can you do all the right things and still have an abandoned first love?

Getting Personal

7. The pastor said, "It is not that Jesus stops being wonderful. Sometimes it is just that we stop being full of wonder." Be honest with your group: On a scale of one to ten, how would you describe your current sense of wonder and reverence toward God? What has contributed to where you are on that scale?
8. The sermon described how we often want the gifts and blessings of God more than his presence. Have you experienced a season where you were seeking what God could do for you more than seeking God himself? What did that season look like, and what brought you out of it — or are you still in it?
9. The pastor challenged the group to check their screen time and see where the Bible app falls on the list. Without necessarily sharing the specific numbers, what does your daily routine say about what actually has your attention and your time?
10. The sermon said that revelation leaves no room for arrogance. Since God chose to open your eyes and you did not find him on your own, how should that shape the way you look at people who do not yet believe? How does it change the way you pray for them?

Application and Accountability

11. Jesus told the disciples they were blessed to see and hear what they were experiencing. What is one specific blessing in your life right now — spiritually or otherwise — that you have been taking for granted? Take a moment to name it out loud to the group.
12. The pastor closed with the image of God's arm fully extended and humanity's arm barely reaching back. What is one practical step you can take this week to reach back toward God — not out of guilt, but out of a genuine desire to recover your wonder?

Practical Applications
Choose one or more of the following to put into practice before your group meets again.

• Set aside 15 to 30 minutes this week to read a single passage of Scripture slowly. Do not move on to the next passage. Sit with it. Ask God what he wants you to see in it.
• Write down three things that the cross means to you personally. Not general theological statements — personal ones. Bring what you wrote to share with the group next week.
• Go through your screen time this week. Identify the app that is consuming the most of your attention. Decide on one boundary you can set around it and replace that time with something that draws you closer to God.
• Pray specifically for one person in your life who does not yet know Christ. Ask God to open their eyes the way he opened yours. Consider reaching out to that person this week in some way.
• Find a moment this week — a sunrise, a meal, a quiet drive — and instead of moving through it on autopilot, stop and acknowledge that God made it. Practice being stunned by something small.

Closing Prayer
Close your group time by praying together. You may use this as a guide or pray in your own words.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Overview
In this message, we explored what happens when ordinary disciples actually believe Jesus enough to go. The 72 returned with joy after being sent out on mission, having discovered that Christ is faithful to his word. We examined the nature of the authority believers have been given, where that authority comes from, and why so many of us fail to walk in it. The central challenge of this message is simple: you have been authorized. Now go.

Key Takeaways

• The authority believers carry is delegated, not inherent. Demons do not submit to you. They submit to Christ, whether that is the Christ within you or the Christ you proclaim.
• There are things about God's faithfulness that you will only discover on the field of obedience. Some lessons cannot be learned sitting still.
• Jesus consistently redirects focus from success in ministry back to the foundation of salvation. The greatest blessing in your life is not the failure of the enemy. It is that your name is written in heaven.
• Many people want the security of belonging to Christ without the responsibility of representing him. The Great Commission is not a suggestion. It is a commandment and a battle cry for every believer.
• We cannot simultaneously complain that the world is dark while refusing to carry his light into it.

Scripture References

• Luke 10:17-20 -- The 72 return with joy, reporting that demons submitted to them in Jesus' name. Jesus responds by affirming their authority, pointing to Satan's defeat, and redirecting their rejoicing toward the fact that their names are written in heaven.
• Acts 19 -- The account of the Sons of Sceva, who attempted to use the name of Jesus without a genuine relationship with him, resulting in humiliation and harm.
• 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 -- Paul describes believers as ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the ministry and message of reconciliation.
• Romans 16:20 -- A promise that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under the feet of believers.
• Luke 4 -- Satan attempts to use Scripture to tempt Jesus, demonstrating that knowing the words of God is not the same as knowing the God of the words.

Discussion Questions
Opening Question
Take a few minutes to get everyone talking before diving into the deeper content.

1. Think of a time you were sent to do something you felt completely unprepared for. What happened, and what did you learn from it?

Understanding the Text

2. The 72 disciples returned with joy after facing things Jesus never specifically warned them about. What does their response tell us about the relationship between obedience and spiritual discovery?
3. Jesus never mentioned demons when he sent the 72 out. They encountered them anyway. How does this shape the way we should think about stepping into obedience even when we do not know everything that is ahead of us?
4. In verse 20, Jesus shifts their focus away from the demons submitting to them and back to the fact that their names are written in heaven. Why do you think he does this? What does it reveal about where our joy should be anchored?

Going Deeper

5. The sermon drew a distinction between authority and power, noting that the disciples had been given authority to act but that the power behind it came entirely from Christ. How does misunderstanding that distinction lead believers into either passivity or arrogance?
6. The Sons of Sceva in Acts 19 tried to invoke the name of Jesus without a genuine relationship with him. In what ways do people today, inside and outside the church, use the name of God without truly belonging to him? How does that affect the credibility of the gospel?
7. The sermon said, "There are things about God's faithfulness that you are only going to discover on the field of obedience." Do you agree with that statement? Can you think of a personal example where you only understood something about God by actually stepping out and doing what he asked?
8. The pastor stated that "many people want the security of belonging to Christ without the responsibility of representing him." How do you see this tension playing out in your own life or in the broader church culture around you?

Personal Reflection Questions
These questions are designed for honest, vulnerable conversation. Encourage the group to answer from personal experience rather than giving theoretical answers.

9. The sermon closed with four specific questions. Work through them together as a group:
   • When is the last time you prayed with, not just for, someone outside of your church?
   • Who in your life knows you are a Christian but has never actually heard the gospel from you?
   • When is the last time your faith cost you something, specifically your comfort?
   • When is the last time you stepped into darkness carrying the light instead of complaining about how dark things have become?
10. The sermon noted that you will never be able to do enough to appease God because more than enough has already been done for you, and that this is why we do not work for his love but from his love. How does that distinction change the way you think about sharing your faith? Does it feel more like a burden or a response of gratitude?

Practical Applications
Choose one or two of the following to commit to as a group before your next meeting.
Go and Pray With Someone Identify one person outside your church community and ask if you can pray with them this week, not just tell them you will pray for them. Report back to the group.
Name the Person Each group member should write down the name of one person in their life who knows they are a Christian but has never heard the gospel from them directly. Pray for that person by name this week and ask God for one natural opportunity to share.
Take the Step You Have Been Delaying Is there something God has been prompting you to do that you have been waiting until you feel ready to start? Identify it, name it to the group, and take one concrete step toward it this week.
Examine Your Gratitude Spend five minutes each day this week reflecting on the fact that your name is written in heaven. Let that be the filter through which you view your circumstances, your relationships, and your mission.
Pray Together Out Loud Before ending your small group session, take time to pray together out loud as a group, not just silently. Practice the kind of dependence on Christ that the sermon called for.

Closing Thought
The disciples did not come back limping. They came back leaping with joy, even though it had not been easy. The joy was not because the mission was comfortable. It was because Christ had proven faithful to his word. Your authority is not in your confidence, your knowledge, your spiritual resume, or your church attendance. Your authority is in Christ alone, and it becomes real the moment you actually go. You have been authorized. The question is not whether God has equipped you. The question is whether you will move.

Closing Prayer
Close your time together by praying specifically for boldness, for the people each group member named, and for a renewed sense of joy in the mission rather than burden or fear. Ask God to make your group a people who are sent, not simply a people who attend.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer

Overview
In this message, we examined Jesus' sobering words of judgment against Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum — cities that witnessed his miracles and presence firsthand yet never surrendered to him. The central warning is this: exposure to Christ demands a response to Christ. This guide is designed to help your group move beyond simply hearing the Word and toward genuine repentance, surrender, and action.

Key Takeaways

• Experiencing God's presence, power, or miracles does not automatically produce repentance or salvation. A response is required.
• The greater the revelation of God someone receives, the greater their responsibility to respond to it.
• Rejecting God's messengers and his Word is the equivalent of rejecting God himself.
• Not all sin carries the same punishment in judgment. Those who have been exposed to more of Christ bear greater accountability.
• Proximity to God's activity is not the same as personal surrender to God.
• God is a pursuing God. If you are struggling against sin and hate it, that is evidence of the Holy Spirit working in you.
• Repentance is not simply feeling sorry. It is a complete turning away from one direction and moving toward God.

Discussion Questions
Opening Question
Go around the group and answer this briefly: Describe a moment in your life when you felt closest to God. What was happening around you at that time?
Section 1: The Warning to the Cities
Read Luke 10:13-16 aloud together. In this passage, Jesus pronounces judgment on cities that had witnessed his miracles but refused to repent.

1. Jesus says that Tyre and Sidon — notoriously wicked pagan cities — would have repented if they had seen what Chorazin and Bethsaida saw. What does that tell us about the weight of our own exposure to God's Word and presence?
2. Capernaum was essentially Jesus' home base during his Galilean ministry. They had more access to him than almost anyone. How does it change the way you read this passage knowing that the most-exposed city received the harshest words?
3. The sermon pointed out that we do not have the benefit of physically seeing Jesus the way these cities did. In what ways, though, have you been exposed to the evidence of who Jesus is? What has God shown you personally?

Section 2: Activity Without Repentance
The sermon stated: "Activity experienced without repentance does not produce immunity from judgment."

4. What is the difference between attending church, serving, and being emotionally moved by worship versus actually surrendering your life to Christ? Where do you think those lines blur most easily?
5. The pastor described people who can be in the middle of a move of God and never be moved by God. Have you ever experienced that in your own life — sitting in a powerful moment spiritually but keeping God at arm's length? What was holding you back?
6. Read Romans 2:6-8 together, where Paul describes God rendering to each person according to their works. How does this passage challenge the idea that simply knowing about Jesus is enough?

Section 3: Responding to God's Messengers
In verse 16, Jesus says that rejecting his messengers is the same as rejecting him.

7. Have you ever dismissed a word from God because of who delivered it — the person's background, appearance, personality, or style? What does Jesus' statement in verse 16 say about that tendency?
8. The sermon asked: "What did you do when Christ called you to repent?" Think about a specific time God convicted you of something. How did you respond? What happened as a result of that response or lack of response?

Section 4: The Call to Come Home
The message closed with a passionate call to stop sitting still and to respond to God with genuine repentance and surrender.

9. The pastor said: "The reason your life will never feel satisfied is because you have not fully surrendered to him." Is there an area of your life right now where you know God is calling you to surrender something? What is keeping you from doing it?
10. He also said that many people avoid praying for God to reveal their shortcomings because they already know what is there. Is that true of you? What would it look like to pray that prayer honestly this week?
11. The sermon described repentance not as a one-time event but as an ongoing posture of turning toward God. How does your daily life reflect either movement toward God or movement away from him?

Practical Applications
Choose one or more of the following to commit to before your next group meeting.
Personal Inventory Set aside 20 to 30 minutes this week in a quiet place. Ask God directly: "What do I need to repent of? What is holding me back from full surrender?" Write down what comes to mind. Do not rush past the discomfort. Sit with it and bring it to God honestly.
Scripture Engagement Read through Luke 10 in its entirety this week. Pay attention to what Jesus values in the people around him and what grieves him. Journal at least three observations that challenge or convict you personally.
Prayer for Others The sermon challenged us to pray for people beyond ourselves, including enemies, those in authority, and those who oppose us. Write down three names of people who are far from God or who are in positions of influence over your community. Commit to praying for them by name every day this week.
Honest Conversation If there is someone in your group, your family, or your circle of friends who you know needs to hear about Jesus, take one step this week toward that conversation. It does not have to be a full gospel presentation. It can simply be an honest, caring question about where they are in life.
Accountability Partnership Pair up with someone in the group. Share one specific area of your life where you know God is calling you to change. Check in with each other before the next meeting about how you responded to that call.

Closing Prayer
Close your time together by praying as a group using the following prompts. Allow anyone who wants to pray aloud to do so.

• Thank God for his patience and pursuit of us even when we are slow to respond.
• Ask God to reveal any area of unrepentance or spiritual complacency in each person's life.
• Pray for your church, your city, and your nation to bend toward God rather than away from him.
• Ask God to make your group a people who are genuinely moved by him, not just familiar with him.

Memory Verse for the Week
Luke 10:16 — Reflect on Jesus' words connecting the reception of his messengers to the reception of himself. Consider what it means that your response to his Word is ultimately a response to him.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer

SERMON RECAP
In this message from Luke 10:1-12, the pastor walked through Jesus sending out 72 disciples ahead of him. The core challenge of the message was this: we are all called to participate in the mission of Christ, not simply attend church or pray for others to do what God may be calling us to do ourselves. Jesus instructs the 72 to begin with prayer, depend entirely on God rather than their own provisions, and go forward boldly even knowing that some will receive the message and some will reject it. The question the message left us with is simple and personal: Ready or not, will you go?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Lord appoints laborers. We do not appoint ourselves, but we are responsible for responding to his call.
• The harvest is not the problem. There is no shortage of people who need the gospel. The shortage is in the people willing to go and proclaim it.
• Prayer is not a step in the process. It is the foundation of the entire mission.
• Jesus sends his people out with intentional limitations so that they will depend on God rather than their own resources, plans, or abilities.
• Some will receive the gospel and some will reject it. Neither outcome changes our responsibility to proclaim it.
• Warning someone about the consequences of rejecting Christ is not cruelty. It is an act of mercy rooted in genuine love.
• You may already be the answer to a prayer you have been praying for someone else.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Opening Questions (Use these to ease into conversation and help everyone engage)

1. When you heard the pastor say that we are all supposed to participate in the mission of Christ, what was your honest first reaction? Did anything inside you resist that idea?
2. Think about your current week. What does your schedule say about your priorities? Where does actively pursuing or proclaiming the gospel fit in?

Digging Into the Text
Read Luke 10:1-12 together as a group before discussing these questions.

3. Jesus appoints 72 people and the number connects back to the 72 nations listed in Genesis 10. What does it say about the scope of the gospel that Jesus chose this specific number? How does that shape the way you think about who the gospel is for?
4. Jesus tells the disciples to pray for laborers and then immediately sends them out as the answer to that prayer. Has there ever been a time in your life when you realized God was calling you to be the answer to your own prayer? What happened?
5. Jesus instructs the 72 to carry no money bag, no knapsack, and no sandals. In practical terms, what would that level of dependence on God look like in your life today? What would you have to let go of?
6. The pastor said, "Participation begins where self-reliance ends." Do you agree with that statement? Where do you see self-reliance most often getting in the way of your walk with God?
7. Jesus tells the disciples that some towns will receive them and some will not, and that rejection carries serious consequences for those who reject the message. How does knowing that rejection is both expected and serious change the way you think about sharing your faith?

Getting Personal

8. The pastor said, "Anybody that will not talk to you plainly about the state of your soul is your enemy, not your friend." How does that challenge the way you think about love and friendship? Is there someone in your life you have been avoiding an honest conversation with?
9. He also said that fear of rejection is one of the main reasons people stay silent about their faith. On a scale of one to ten, how much does the fear of rejection hold you back from sharing the gospel? What would it look like to take one step forward in spite of that fear this week?
10. The pastor referenced Romans 10:14, where Paul asks how people can believe in someone they have never heard of, and how they can hear without someone preaching. Who in your life has not yet heard the gospel clearly? What is one specific, realistic step you could take to change that?

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Choose one or more of the following to commit to before your group meets again.
1. Pray First Before you plan anything this week, spend at least five minutes in prayer asking God to open your eyes to the people around you who need the gospel. Write down any names that come to mind.
2. Name Someone Write down the name of one person in your life who does not know Christ. Commit to praying for that person every day this week and ask God for a natural opportunity to have a conversation with them.
3. Start the Conversation If God has already put someone on your heart and you have been putting off the conversation, commit to taking one step toward it this week. That might be a text, a phone call, an invitation to coffee, or simply showing up in their life with intentional care.
4. Examine Your Dependence Identify one area of your life where anxiety has been driving your decisions instead of prayer. Write it down, pray over it specifically, and practice releasing it to God rather than picking it back up.
5. Serve Without Recognition Find one way to serve someone this week that no one will see or know about. Let it be a reminder that not every purpose is visible, and that faithfulness in small things matters to God.

CLOSING REFLECTION
The pastor closed the message with this challenge: what you do with what Jesus tells you to do reveals your faith, your allegiance, and your love for him. As a group, take a moment to sit with that honestly before you close in prayer.
Ask each person to answer this question in one sentence:
"This week, one way I am going to respond to what I heard today is..."

CLOSING PRAYER
Close your time by praying specifically for the names that were written down during the practical application time. Ask God to open doors, soften hearts, and give each person in the group the courage to walk through whatever opportunity he places in front of them this week. Ask him to make your group a community of people who do not just pray for laborers but who are willing to be the answer.

SCRIPTURE FOR FURTHER STUDY

• Luke 10:1-12
• Matthew 28:19
• Romans 10:13-15
• Philippians 2:12-15
• Genesis 10 (for context on the 72 nations)
• Deuteronomy 19:15 (for context on the principle of two witnesses)

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer

Icebreaker
Go around the group and answer this question before diving into discussion:
What is one area of your life where you find it hardest to give up control?

Overview
This week's message walked us through three encounters Jesus had with men who wanted to follow him — but each one placed a condition on that commitment. The sermon confronted us with a hard truth: discipleship is not a negotiation. Jesus does not compete for first place in our lives. He demands it. This guide is designed to help your group move from hearing the Word to living it.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus never lowers the cost of discipleship to gain more disciples.
• Every excuse we give God is an enemy of obedience.
• The three men in this passage represent three barriers we face: the cost of comfort, the cost of delay, and the cost of divided devotion.
• Partial obedience is disobedience.
• The cost of following Christ is high. The cost of not following Christ is greater.
• Discipleship is not a one-time decision with occasional enthusiasm. It is a lifelong, uncompromising commitment.
• Jesus does not call us to be perfect. He calls us to be willing and obedient.

Discussion Questions
Section 1: The Cost of Comfort
Referencing the first man in Luke 9:57-58, where Jesus describes having nowhere to lay his head

1. The sermon pointed out that the Creator of the universe had less security than his own creation. What does that tell us about what Jesus was willing to sacrifice for us? How does that challenge the way you think about your own comfort?
2. The pastor said, "Security is the enemy of surrender." Do you agree with that statement? Can you think of a time in your own life when clinging to security kept you from stepping out in obedience?
3. In what ways does our culture push us toward comfort and away from commitment? How do you see that tension showing up in your own walk with Christ?

Section 2: The Cost of Delay
Referencing the second man in Luke 9:59-60, who asked to first go and bury his father

4. The sermon referenced 2 Corinthians 6:2, where Paul emphasizes that now is the day of salvation and action. What are some of the most common reasons people delay fully following Christ or delay obeying something God has clearly called them to do?
5. The pastor said, "Today's obedience is better than tomorrow's intentions." Think about something God has been nudging you toward. What has kept you from acting on it? What would it look like to take one step of obedience this week?
6. Have you ever looked back and realized that delaying obedience cost you more than it would have cost you to just say yes immediately? Share what that experience taught you, if you are comfortable doing so.

Section 3: The Cost of Divided Devotion
Referencing the third man in Luke 9:61-62, who wanted to say farewell to those at home before following

7. The sermon described the image of a farmer plowing a field. If you take your eyes off where you are going, the line goes crooked. Where in your life do you find yourself looking back instead of pressing forward? What draws your attention away from Christ?
8. The pastor said that God has been systematically stripping toxic influences off of some of us, but we look back and miss them. Have you experienced God removing something or someone from your life that you resisted at first but later recognized as his grace? What did that teach you?
9. The sermon referenced Philippians 3:12-14, where Paul describes pressing on and forgetting what lies behind. What does it practically look like to forget what lies behind without ignoring or hiding your testimony? How do those two things work together?

Section 4: Bringing It Together

10. The pastor asked the group directly: "Will you follow Jesus at all costs or not at all?" Take a moment to sit with that question honestly. What is your honest answer right now, not the answer you think you should give?
11. Of the three barriers discussed — comfort, delay, and divided devotion — which one do you most personally struggle with? Why do you think that is?
12. The sermon closed with this statement: "He is not calling you to be perfect. He is calling you to be willing." How does that distinction change the way you approach your relationship with Christ this week?

Practical Applications
Choose at least one of the following to commit to before your group meets again:

• Identify your "but first." Write down one thing you have been placing before Christ, whether it is comfort, a relationship, a habit, or a fear. Bring it to God in prayer this week and ask him to help you release it.
• Act on one delayed obedience. Think of something God has been calling you to do that you have been putting off. Take one concrete step toward it this week, even if it is small.
• Audit your divided devotion. Spend time in honest prayer asking God to reveal where your loyalty is split. Journal what comes up and bring it back to him.
• Encourage someone in their calling. Think of someone in your life who is wrestling with a step of faith. Reach out to them this week with encouragement and, if appropriate, share what God has been doing in your own life.
• Memorize or meditate on Philippians 3:13-14. Focus on the image of pressing forward and straining toward what lies ahead. Let it shape your perspective throughout the week.

Closing Prayer
Close your group time by praying together. You may want to allow a few moments of silence first, giving each person the opportunity to bring their personal "but first" before God privately before praying together out loud.
Ask God to:

• Reveal any conditions you have been placing on following him
• Give you the discipline to obey even when you do not feel like it
• Help you press forward without looking back
• Make you willing, even when you are not yet ready

For Further Study

• Luke 9:51-62 — Read the full passage in context
• Philippians 3:12-14 — Paul on pressing forward in discipleship
• 2 Corinthians 6:2 — The urgency of today
• 1 Kings 19:19-21 — Elisha burning his plow and following Elijah
• Luke 14:25-33 — Jesus on counting the cost of discipleship

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin your group time by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to His truth.

Icebreaker Question
Share a time when you made a major life decision that required you to "not turn back." What helped you stay committed to that choice?

Sermon Overview
This message focuses on Jesus' resolute decision to set His face toward Jerusalem, knowing rejection, suffering, and death awaited Him. His unwavering commitment to His mission—despite knowing He would be rejected—challenges us to examine how we handle rejection and whether we're more committed to the mission than to people's responses.

Key Scripture
Luke 9:51 - "When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem."

Discussion Questions
1. Understanding Jesus' Resolve

• What does it mean that Jesus "set his face" toward Jerusalem?
• Why is it significant that Luke uses the phrase "taken up" instead of just referring to Jesus' death?
• How does Jesus' determination challenge the way we approach difficult obedience in our own lives?

2. The Mission vs. The Response

• The pastor said, "The mission matters more than the response." What does this mean for us as believers?
• Share a time when fear of rejection kept you from sharing your faith or obeying God. What happened?
• How can we develop the mindset that our obedience to God's call is more important than people's acceptance?

3. Handling Rejection

• Why did James and John want to call fire down on the Samaritans? What does this reveal about their hearts?
• How do we typically respond when people reject our message about Jesus?
• What's the difference between "shaking the dust off" and writing someone off completely?

4. The Great Commission and Us

• The pastor emphasized that the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) is a commandment, not a suggestion. How does this challenge you?
• Who has God placed in your path that you've been avoiding talking to about Jesus? Why?
• What's the difference between being a "messenger" people accept versus proclaiming the true Messiah?

5. Writing People Off

• The pastor asked, "Who have you written off?" Take a moment to reflect silently on this question.
• What does it mean that "their story is still being written"?
• How does 2 Peter 3:9 (God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish) change how we should view difficult people?

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus chose the mission over comfort - He knew what Jerusalem meant, yet He didn't turn back because our salvation was worth it.
2. Rejection doesn't cancel the mission - The Samaritans rejected Jesus, but He didn't retaliate or give up. He moved forward.
3. Don't let rejection change how you treat people - We're called to love and pursue people the way Christ pursued us, regardless of their response.
4. The mission is bigger than our feelings - Fear of rejection, insecurity, and people-pleasing cannot dictate our obedience to the Great Commission.
5. God's patience should inspire ours - If God hasn't given up on people, neither should we.

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose ONE of the following to put into practice:
Option 1: Pray for the "Written Off"

• Make a list of 3-5 people you've mentally written off as "too far gone"
• Commit to praying for their salvation daily this week
• Ask God to give you His heart for them

Option 2: Share Your Testimony

• Identify one person God has placed in your life who doesn't know Jesus
• Share your testimony with them this week (even if you fear rejection)
• Report back to the group what happened

Option 3: Examine Your Heart

• Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal any bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness toward those who've rejected you
• Confess it and ask God to replace it with His love
• Take one practical step toward reconciliation or blessing that person

Option 4: Study Rejection in Scripture

• Read through the book of Acts and note how the apostles handled rejection
• Journal about what you learn and how it applies to your life
• Share your insights with the group next week

Reflection Questions for Personal Time

1. Am I more concerned with being accepted by people or being obedient to God?
2. What "Jerusalem" is God calling me to walk toward that I've been avoiding?
3. Do I truly believe that God can save anyone, or have I limited His power in my mind?
4. How would my life look different if I lived with the same resolve Jesus had?
5. What chains of sin am I still holding onto that Jesus has already broken?

Memory Verse
Luke 9:51 - "When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem."

Closing Prayer Points

• Pray for boldness to share the gospel without fear of rejection
• Pray for God to soften the hearts of those who've rejected Him
• Pray for the strength to "set your face" toward whatever God is calling you to
• Pray for revival in our nation through repentance
• Pray for anyone in the group struggling with rejection or bitterness

Leader Notes

• Be sensitive to those who may be dealing with deep rejection wounds
• Create a safe space for honest sharing about fears and failures
• Encourage without condemning—we're all works in progress
• Follow up with group members who commit to specific action steps
• Consider sharing your own story of overcoming fear of rejection

Remember: Jesus didn't turn back from Jerusalem because He saw past the rejection to the redemption. He saw YOU. Let that fuel your mission this week.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin your time together asking God to search your hearts, remove pride, and help you see where you might be building your own kingdom instead of His.

Ice Breaker
Share a time when you felt competitive with someone who was actually on your side. What did you learn from that experience?

Key Scripture Passages

• Luke 9:46-50 - The disciples argue about greatness
• Matthew 25:31-46 - The sheep and the goats
• Philippians 1:15-18 - Paul rejoices that Christ is preached

Key Takeaways

1. Pride is at the heart of building our own kingdoms - The disciples argued about greatness immediately after witnessing Jesus' transfiguration and deliverance ministry.
2. Jesus honors the least of these - He placed a child (someone with no status) beside Him to show that God's kingdom operates on different values than the world.
3. The kingdom is a commission, not a competition - Churches and believers should collaborate, not compete. Anyone not against us is for us.
4. How we treat others is how we treat Jesus - "As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40).
5. We must replace "my kingdom" with "His kingdom" - Our position, influence, and plans must bow to God's will.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. Why do you think the disciples started arguing about greatness immediately after witnessing Jesus' power and hearing about His coming death?
2. What was Jesus communicating by placing a child beside Him? Why was this so countercultural?
3. In Luke 9:49-50, why were the disciples upset about someone casting out demons in Jesus' name? What does Jesus' response teach us?

Personal Reflection

4. Be honest: In what areas of your life are you building your own kingdom instead of surrendering to God's kingdom?
   • Career/ambition?
   • Relationships?
   • Church involvement?
   • Social media presence?
5. The sermon mentioned we measure greatness by influence, status, power, and wealth. Which of these do you struggle with most? Why?
6. How do you respond when someone else succeeds in ministry or life? Does it bring you joy or trigger comparison and jealousy?

Application to Church Life

7. Have you ever experienced or witnessed church competition (between churches or within a church)? How did it affect the body of Christ?
8. The pastor said, "We need to be less concerned about doing great things for God, and we need to be more concerned about just simply and humbly doing things for a great God." What's the difference? How does this change our approach to ministry?
9. How can we tell if we're serving to build God's kingdom versus serving to build our own reputation?

Viewing People as People

10. Read Matthew 25:31-46 together. One side viewed people as people; the other viewed people as problems. Which tendency do you see in yourself?
11. Who are "the least of these" in your community? How can you practically serve them this week?
12. The sermon challenged us: "Every interaction you make with someone should be as if it's to Christ." How would this mindset change your daily life?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge (Choose 1-2)

1. Pride Check: Ask God to reveal any area where you're protecting your position, status, or reputation. Confess it and surrender it to Him.
2. Serve the Least: Intentionally serve someone this week who has nothing to offer you in return (homeless person, elderly neighbor, struggling single parent, etc.).
3. Celebrate Others: When you see another believer or church doing something for God's kingdom, celebrate it publicly. Share it, encourage them, or pray for their ministry.
4. Kill Comparison: Take a social media fast or intentionally stop comparing yourself to others for one week. Journal about what God shows you.
5. Unity Over Division: If you've been critical of another church or believer, reach out and encourage them. Look for ways to collaborate rather than compete.
6. Replace "My" with "His": Make a list of areas where you say "my" (my plans, my ministry, my career, my family). Pray through each one, surrendering them to God's ownership and will.

Reflection Questions for the Week

• Where am I chasing worldly greatness instead of kingdom greatness?
• Am I more concerned about my platform or God's glory?
• Do I view people as image-bearers of God or as problems/competition?
• What would change if I truly surrendered my kingdom to His?

Memory Verse
Luke 9:48b (ESV) "For he who is least among you all is the one who is great."

Closing Prayer Points

• Pray for humility to replace pride in your hearts
• Ask God to help you see people the way He sees them
• Pray for unity in the body of Christ, both locally and globally
• Surrender your plans, positions, and platforms to God's will
• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you're building your own kingdom

Leader Tips

• Be vulnerable first: Share your own struggles with pride, comparison, or building your kingdom before asking others to share.
• Create a safe space: Emphasize that everyone struggles with these issues—this isn't about condemnation but transformation.
• Don't rush: These are heart-level questions. Give people time to think and respond.
• Follow up: Check in with group members during the week about their practical applications.
• Model unity: As a leader, demonstrate celebrating other churches and ministries in your area.

"The branch that bows the lowest bears the most fruit."

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin your group time by asking God to reveal Himself more fully to each person present and to soften hearts to receive His truth.

Icebreaker: What's one thing you've had to do repeatedly before you finally "got it"? How does that relate to how God sometimes has to teach us the same lessons multiple times?

Sermon Recap
Pastor Jarrod challenged us to examine whether we worship the revealed Jesus of Scripture or a remade Jesus of our own preferences. While the crowds celebrated Jesus' power after He delivered the boy from demonic oppression, Jesus immediately redirected His disciples' attention to the cross—His true purpose. The disciples couldn't understand because their expectations didn't match reality. Similarly, we often remake Jesus into what's comfortable rather than submitting to who He truly is.

Key Takeaways

1. God is repetitive because we are resistant - We need constant reminders because our hearts are slow to understand and quick to forget.
2. Jesus' power cannot be separated from His purpose - The miracles pointed to who He is, but His ultimate purpose was the cross and our redemption.
3. Before glory comes suffering - Jesus had to come as the suffering servant before He returns as the conquering King.
4. A remade Jesus makes the real Jesus impossible to understand - When we reshape Jesus to fit our preferences, we miss who He actually is.
5. Humble yourself or be humbled - Jesus humbled Himself voluntarily; we must do the same rather than waiting for God to do it for us.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. Read Luke 9:43-45. Why do you think Jesus interrupted the celebration to talk about His coming death? What does this reveal about His priorities?
2. The sermon mentioned that the disciples expected a military Messiah who would overthrow Rome. What were they missing about Jesus' mission? How does Isaiah 53 complete the picture of Daniel 7?
3. Why did God conceal understanding from the disciples at this moment? What does this teach us about God's timing in revealing truth?

Personal Reflection

4. The Remade Jesus: Pastor Jarrod listed several ways we remake Jesus—as a therapist, bank account, life coach, or blessing dispenser. Which of these resonates most with how you've been tempted to view Jesus? Be honest.
5. Fear of Asking: The disciples were "afraid to ask" Jesus what He meant. What questions about God or faith are you afraid to ask? What keeps you from seeking clarity?
6. Partial Obedience: The sermon stated, "Partial obedience is disobedience." Is there an area where God has told you to do something, but you've only taken half-steps? What's holding you back?
7. Humbling Ourselves: Philippians 2:6-8 shows Jesus humbling Himself voluntarily. What would it look like for you to humble yourself this week rather than waiting for God to humble you?

Application

8. Pastor Jarrod said, "You have one shot, one opportunity" regarding eternity. How does this urgency affect the way you live daily? How should it affect the way you share your faith?
9. The sermon emphasized that we're living in significant prophetic times with "all the clock gears aligned." How should this reality change our priorities as believers?
10. Suffering Well: Jesus tells us we will face trials (John 16:33), yet we constantly try to avoid suffering. How can we shift our perspective to see suffering as part of our sanctification rather than something to escape?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: Revealed Jesus Audit
Spend 30 minutes in prayer asking God to reveal any ways you've remade Him in your mind. Journal what He shows you, then find 3-5 Scripture passages that reveal the true Jesus to replace those false images.
Option 2: Immediate Obedience
Identify one thing God has been telling you to do that you've been delaying or doing halfway. Take one concrete step of full obedience this week. Share your commitment with one person in the group for accountability.
Option 3: Humble Yourself
Ask God to show you one area of pride in your life. Then take a specific action to humble yourself in that area (apologize to someone, serve in a hidden way, admit you were wrong, etc.).
Option 4: Share the Revealed Jesus
Have one conversation this week with someone who doesn't know Jesus or who has a distorted view of Him. Share who the Bible reveals Jesus to be—both suffering servant AND conquering King.

Scripture Memory
Philippians 2:8-9
"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name."

Prayer Prompts
Close your time by praying together:

• Confession: Confess areas where we've remade Jesus rather than receiving the revealed Jesus
• Illumination: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and remove any concealment due to our unreadiness
• Humility: Pray for grace to humble ourselves rather than waiting to be humbled
• Obedience: Ask for courage to obey immediately when God speaks
• Urgency: Pray for boldness to share the true Jesus with those who are lost
• Nation: Pray for America to return to God and repent

Leader Notes

• Be Vulnerable: Share your own struggles with remaking Jesus or partial obedience to set the tone for honesty.
• Create Safety: Some questions are deeply personal. Remind the group that what's shared stays in the group.
• Don't Rush: It's better to discuss fewer questions deeply than to skim through all of them.
• Follow the Spirit: If the conversation goes in a different direction that's fruitful, follow it.
• End on Hope: While the sermon was convicting, remember to point people to the grace available in the revealed Jesus.

Additional Resources

• Read Isaiah 53 and Daniel 7 to see the full picture of the Messiah
• Study Philippians 2:1-11 for more on Christ's humility
• Review the other passages in Luke 9 where Jesus predicts His death (9:22, 9:44)

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
 
Icebreaker
Share about a time when you knew what you should do but struggled to actually do it. What held you back?

Sermon Recap 
The disciples had seen Jesus transfigured in glory, confessed Him as Messiah, and been given authority over demons. Yet the very next day, they couldn't cast out a demon from a suffering boy. They had revelation without reliance—they knew about Jesus but weren't depending on Him. This sermon challenges us to stop collecting revelations we won't live by and start conforming to Christ rather than just admiring Him.

Discussion Questions
Section 1: Understanding the Spiritual Battle

1. The sermon went deep into demonology and spiritual warfare. What was new or surprising to you about the spiritual realm?
2. Read Ephesians 6:12. How does understanding that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood" change the way you view your daily struggles?
3. Why do you think the American church has become passive about spiritual warfare? What are the consequences of this?

Section 2: Faith as More Than Belief

4. The pastor defined faith as "relational trust" and "aligning yourself to God and His will"—not just belief. How does this definition change your understanding of faith?
5. Read Hebrews 11:1 and James 2:19. How is biblical faith different from simply believing God exists?
6. The disciples had seen Jesus in glory but still couldn't deliver the boy. What causes the gap between what we know about God and how we live for God?

Section 3: Consuming vs. Conforming

7. The sermon stated: "We are collecting revelations that we refuse to live by." In what areas of your life have you been consuming spiritual content without applying it?
8. Read James 1:22-25. What does it look like practically to be a "doer of the word" and not just a hearer?
9. How can we tell the difference between being "astonished" by God versus being "altered" by God?

Section 4: Discipline and Denial

10. The pastor challenged: "When is the last time you told yourself no?" Why is self-discipline essential to following Jesus?
11. Read Luke 9:23. What does it mean to "deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus" in 2024?
12. What specific area of your life is God calling you to exercise more discipline in right now?

Key Takeaways
✓ Revelation without reliance is useless. Knowing about Jesus isn't enough—we must depend on Him daily.
✓ Faith is alignment, not just agreement. True faith means choosing God's side regardless of circumstances.
✓ Spiritual warfare is real. We must wage war through prayer, worship, and living in God's Word.
✓ Jesus doesn't just deliver; He restores. Christ removes our sin and restores us to relationship with the Father.
✓ Stop consuming and start conforming. Christianity isn't about collecting information—it's about transformation.

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE area where you'll move from revelation to reliance:
Option 1: Discipline Challenge

• Set an alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual
• Spend that time in prayer and Bible reading
• Don't hit snooze—practice telling yourself "no"

Option 2: Spiritual Warfare Challenge

• Identify one area where the enemy has had a foothold in your life
• Pray specifically against it every day this week
• Worship intentionally—lift your hands, lift your voice, wage war

Option 3: Action Challenge

• Identify one truth from Scripture you know but haven't been living
• Write down 3 specific ways you'll apply it this week
• Share your commitment with someone who will hold you accountable

Prayer Focus
Pray together for:

1. Conviction - That God would reveal any areas where we have revelation without reliance
2. Courage - To stand unashamed for Christ in an increasingly hostile culture
3. Conformity - That we would be transformed into the image of Christ, not just informed about Him
4. Revival - For awakening in our families, church, city, and nation

Closing Scripture
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
— 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

For Next Week

• Read Luke 9:43b-50
• Journal about one way you moved from consuming to conforming this week
• Bring testimonies of how God worked through your practical application

Group Leader Note: Be prepared for honest, vulnerable conversations. Some may be wrestling with doubt, struggling with discipline, or dealing with spiritual attacks. Create a safe space for confession and prayer. Remember: we all keep "messing it up"—that's why we need Jesus and each other.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer 

Icebreaker Question: Share one thing your father (or father figure) taught you—either a positive lesson or something you had to unlearn as you grew in faith.

Key Scripture References

• Primary Text: Judges 6:1-34
• Supporting Texts: Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Deuteronomy 28; Hebrews 11:32-34; Galatians 6:14

Sermon Summary
The message explored the cycle of compromise, comfort, and calamity in the book of Judges, focusing on Gideon's call to confront idolatry before confronting external enemies. The sermon emphasized that before there was a battle with Midian, there had to be a battle at home—tearing down the altars of Baal and Asherah in his father's house. God calls us not to feel like warriors, but to obey like warriors, confronting the compromise that has crept into our homes and hearts.

Discussion Questions
Section 1: The Cycle of Compromise

1. The Comfort-Compromise-Calamity Cycle: The Israelites repeatedly fell into a pattern of deliverance → comfort → compromise → calamity → crying out. Where do you see this pattern in your own life or in our culture today?
2. Crying Out vs. Repenting: The Israelites cried out to God without genuine repentance (Judges 6:6-7). What's the difference between complaining to God about our circumstances and truly repenting? How can we tell the difference in our own prayers?
3. Cultural Compromise: The sermon mentioned that "a nation that forgets God should not be surprised when the enemy is allowed to step in." What are some ways our culture (or the church) has compromised biblical values? How have we personally compromised?

Section 2: The Battle at Home

4. Fathers and Legacy: Gideon grew up in a home with altars to Baal and Asherah. The sermon stated: "Your father may have tolerated something that God is calling you to tear down." What patterns, habits, or beliefs from your family of origin might God be calling you to confront?
5. Modern Idols: The pastor mentioned that our modern idols include money, convenience, career, and entertainment. What "altars" might still be standing in your life that need to be torn down? (Be specific and honest.)
6. Obedience Before Feelings: Gideon was terrified but obeyed anyway (Judges 6:27). Share a time when you had to obey God despite your fear. What happened? Or, what is God calling you to do right now that fear is preventing?

Section 3: Faith Over Fear

7. Identity Crisis: God called Gideon a "mighty man of valor" while he was hiding in fear (Judges 6:12). How does God see you differently than you see yourself? What does God say about your identity versus what your feelings or past say?
8. "I Will Be With You": God didn't give Gideon affirmations or self-help strategies—He simply said, "I will be with you" (Judges 6:16). Why is God's presence more important than our confidence or abilities? How does this change the way we approach challenges?
9. Biblical Bravery: The sermon defined biblical bravery as "obedience before your feelings catch up." How does this definition challenge the world's view of courage? What step of obedience is God calling you to take before you "feel ready"?

Key Takeaways
✓ Compromise leads to cowardice. When we tolerate sin and idolatry, we become passive and fearful.
✓ The battle at home comes first. Before we can face external challenges, we must confront the compromises in our own hearts and homes.
✓ God uses insignificant people. God chose Gideon—the least in the weakest clan—to show that victory comes through His power, not ours.
✓ Obedience precedes feelings. God doesn't call us to feel like warriors; He calls us to obey like warriors.
✓ Faith cannot coexist with compromise. "Faith is never going to be cultivated where compromise is the culture."

Practical Applications
Personal Reflection (This Week)
Choose one action to complete before the next meeting:

• [ ] Identify Your Altars: Spend 30 minutes in prayer asking God to reveal any idols, compromises, or "altars" in your life. Write them down.
• [ ] Tear Down One Altar: Take one specific action to remove a compromise from your life (delete an app, set boundaries, have a difficult conversation, etc.).
• [ ] Study Your Identity in Christ: Read and meditate on what God says about you (Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 2:9). Replace lies with truth.

Family/Household Action (This Week)
For fathers and household leaders:

• [ ] Audit Your Home: What messages are your children receiving about God in your home? What needs to change?
• [ ] Deuteronomy 6 Challenge: Begin teaching your children about God diligently—at meals, bedtime, or during daily routines.
• [ ] Lead by Example: Confess one area where you've compromised to your family and share how you're taking steps to change.

Group Accountability

• Share one specific area of compromise you're committing to address
• Exchange contact information and commit to checking in with at least one person this week
• Pray specifically for each other's battles

Closing Discussion
Final Question: The sermon ended with this challenge: "What altar still stands in your life?" Without sharing details if too personal, would anyone like to share how God spoke to you today and what step of obedience He's calling you to take?

Closing Prayer
Pray together using these prompts:

• Thank God for His patience with us despite our compromise
• Confess areas where we've tolerated idols or cultural values over God's truth
• Ask for courage to obey before our feelings catch up
• Pray for fathers and spiritual leaders to rise up and confront compromise
• Request the Holy Spirit's power to tear down altars and live in faith

For Next Week
Challenge: Come prepared to share one way you obeyed God this week despite fear, and one way you saw God's presence with you in that obedience.
Optional Reading: Judges 7 (Gideon's battle with only 300 men) and Hebrews 11

"God is not calling you to feel like a warrior. He's calling you to obey like one."

Elder Paul Pearson
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin your group time with prayer, asking God to open hearts and minds to His truth about stewardship and blessing.

Ice Breaker Question
Share a time when someone's generosity made a significant impact on your life. How did it make you feel?

Key Scripture References

• Malachi 3:6-11 - The tithe and God's promise
• Genesis 12:1-3; 13:2 - Abram's obedience and blessing
• Matthew 23:23 - The weightier matters
• 3 John 1:2 - God's desire for our prosperity
• Psalm 112:1-3 - Blessings of those who delight in God's commandments

Main Takeaways
1. God Challenges Us to Test Him
Malachi 3:10 is the only place in Scripture where God says "prove me now." He invites us to test His faithfulness through tithing.
2. Obedience Precedes Blessing
Abram left everything familiar because God asked him to, and God made him "very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold" (Genesis 13:2).
3. It's Not About the Amount—It's About Starting
The sermon emphasized that if 10% seems impossible, start with 1%. God honors faithfulness, not perfection.
4. You Are God's Favorite
Acts 10:34 reminds us that God is not a respecter of persons—He doesn't love anyone more than you.
5. Giving Blesses the Giver
The story of the pastor's wife buying dinner for strangers illustrates how blessing others brings us the greatest joy.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message

1. The speaker mentioned that God rebukes the devourer for the tither's sake (Malachi 3:11). What does "the devourer" represent in your life right now?
2. How does the story of Abram leaving his father's house challenge your understanding of obedience to God?
3. The sermon states, "It's not how you start a thing, it's how you finish it." How does this apply to your spiritual journey and financial stewardship?

Personal Reflection

4. Have you ever experienced God providing for you in an unexpected way? Share that story with the group.
5. The speaker shared about his wife immediately transferring money to tithe before even eating breakfast. What does that level of priority look like in your own life?
6. What's the difference between a "good idea" and a "God idea" when it comes to your finances?

Challenging Questions

7. The sermon mentioned that sometimes God doesn't bless us financially because it would hurt us spiritually. Do you agree? Why or why not?
8. How do you respond to the statement: "When you start talking to yourself about 'that fool' at work, you're taking the situation out of God's hands"?
9. Jesus said the "weightier matters" (mercy, faith, judgment) shouldn't be left undone while tithing. How do we balance both?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following to implement this week:
Option 1: Start or Increase Your Tithe

• If you don't currently tithe, commit to giving 1% this week
• If you tithe inconsistently, commit to faithfulness
• If you tithe regularly, pray about giving an additional offering

Option 2: Be a Blessing to Someone

• Look for one opportunity to bless someone financially this week
• It doesn't have to be large—buy someone's coffee, pay for a meal, help with a bill
• Pay attention to the joy it brings you

Option 3: Track God's Provision

• Start a "blessing journal" this week
• Write down every way you see God provide—expected and unexpected
• Share your findings with the group next week

Option 4: Have the Money Conversation

• If married, sit down with your spouse and pray together about your finances
• Discuss what "putting God first" looks like practically in your budget
• If single, find an accountability partner to discuss financial stewardship

Reflection Exercise
Take 5 minutes of silence for personal reflection:

1. Where am I currently with tithing and giving?
2. What fear or obstacle is holding me back from trusting God in this area?
3. What would it look like for me to "prove God" in this area of my life?
4. What is one practical step I can take this week?

Group Prayer Focus
Pray together for:

• Courage to trust God with our finances
• Wisdom to manage what God has given us
• Hearts that delight in giving, not just obligation
• Specific financial needs within the group
• Those struggling to make ends meet
• The faith to believe God's promise to "open the windows of heaven"

Closing Thought
"It's not about how much you give, it's that you give. And if where you start today... 10%? Can't do that. Let me set somebody free today... It's not about how much, it's where you start. And it is that you do start. Put God first."

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin your group time by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to truth.

Ice Breaker
Question: What's one thing you believed as a child that you later discovered wasn't true? How did you feel when you realized it?

Sermon Summary
This message challenges us to examine whether we're following the biblical Jesus or a false version we've created based on our preferences. Through the Transfiguration, God the Father declares definitively who Jesus is — His chosen Son, whom we must listen to. The sermon confronts the reality that many false versions of Jesus exist today, and our eternal destiny depends on following the true Christ revealed in Scripture.

Key Scripture Reading
Read together: Luke 9:28-36

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. Why do you think God chose this specific moment to reveal Jesus' glory? What was happening in the disciples' journey that made this revelation necessary?
2. What's the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus? How does this connect the Old Testament to Jesus' mission?
3. Peter wanted to build three tents—one for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. What was wrong with Peter's suggestion? What does this reveal about how we sometimes misunderstand Jesus?

Personal Reflection

4. The sermon asked: "Which Jesus do you follow?" Have you ever caught yourself creating a version of Jesus that fits your preferences rather than accepting who Scripture reveals Him to be? Share an example.
5. The disciples were "heavy with sleep" when Jesus was transfigured. In what ways might we be spiritually asleep even while being physically present in church or Christian activities?
6. The pastor said, "We don't need more information. We need an awakening." What's the difference? Which do you think you need more right now?

Challenging Questions

7. The sermon strongly confronted false religions and teachings (Mormonism, Islam, etc.). How do you balance speaking truth about false doctrines while showing love to people caught in them?
8. "Nothing is more important than your salvation." Do your daily priorities reflect this truth? What would need to change in your life if you truly lived by this principle?
9. God said, "This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him." What does it practically mean to "listen to Jesus" in your everyday life? What voices compete with His?

Application Questions

10. The sermon emphasized the importance of reading and studying Scripture for yourself. Be honest: How much time do you spend in God's Word compared to social media, entertainment, or other activities?
11. "You may be the only scripture someone reads." What message about Jesus is your life communicating to those around you?
12. The pastor said the American church is "asleep." What would it look like for you personally to wake up spiritually? What specific action could you take this week?

Key Takeaways
Truth #1: Jesus is God

• The Transfiguration reveals Jesus' divine glory
• He is not just a good teacher or prophet—He is God in the flesh
• Unlike Moses, who reflected God's glory, Jesus radiates it from within

Truth #2: All Scripture Points to Christ

• Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets) both pointed to Jesus
• The entire Old Testament prepares us for Christ
• We cannot fully understand Jesus without understanding the whole Bible

Truth #3: We Must Listen to Jesus Alone

• God the Father commands: "Listen to him."
• There are no competing voices when God speaks
• Following Jesus means obeying what He actually said, not what we wish He said

Truth #4: False Versions of Jesus Are Everywhere

• Satan's greatest deception isn't denying Jesus exists—it's creating false versions of Him
• We must test everything against Scripture
• Your eternal destiny depends on following the true Jesus

Truth #5: Spiritual Awakening Is Urgent

• The disciples were asleep during Jesus' transfiguration
• Many Christians today are spiritually asleep despite being physically present
• We need transformation, not just information

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose ONE of the following to commit to this week:
Option 1: Scripture Audit

• Track your time spent on your phone/entertainment vs. time in God's Word
• Commit to reading Scripture for at least 15 minutes daily
• Journal one thing God speaks to you each day

Option 2: Truth Investigation

• Research one false teaching or religion mentioned in the sermon
• Study what the Bible actually says in contrast
• Prepare to share your findings with the group next week

Option 3: Relationship Inventory

• Identify one person in your life who follows a false Jesus or no Jesus
• Pray for them daily
• Ask God for an opportunity to share the true gospel with them

Option 4: Mountaintop to Valley

• Reflect on a "mountaintop moment" you've had with God
• Identify how you can apply what you learned there to serve in the "valley."
• Take one concrete action to serve someone this week

Accountability Questions

1. What specific action will you take this week based on this discussion?
2. Who will you ask to hold you accountable?
3. How can this group pray for you?

Prayer Focus
Pray together for:

• Eyes to see the true Jesus clearly
• Discernment to recognize false teachings
• Courage to speak truth in love
• Awakening in the American church
• Specific people in your lives who need to know the true Jesus
• Humility to examine our own hearts and repent where needed

Closing Reflection
Read together: 2 Corinthians 4:4-6
"In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Recommended Resources

• Book: Rut, Rot, or Revival by A.W. Tozer
• Challenge: Read through the Gospel of Luke together as a group
• Study: Research the historical reliability of Scripture vs. other religious texts

Remember: The goal isn't just to know more about Jesus—it's to know Him personally and follow Him completely. Which Jesus are you following?

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer

Icebreaker Question: What's one thing you've had to give up or sacrifice for something you valued more? How did that feel?

Sermon Summary
Pastor Jarrod challenged us to examine whether we're truly denying ourselves to follow Jesus or if we're denying Jesus to preserve ourselves. He emphasized that Christianity isn't about adding Jesus to our lives—it's about surrendering our lives to Him. As culture becomes increasingly hostile to biblical Christianity, passive faith won't survive. We must actively take up our cross daily and follow Jesus, even when it costs us everything.

Key Scripture References

• Luke 9:23-27 - The call to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus
• Romans 1:16 - Not ashamed of the gospel
• 1 Peter 5:5-6 - God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble
• 2 Timothy 1:8-9 - Don't be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message

1. Pastor Jarrod said, "Christianity is not admiration. Christianity is surrender." What's the difference between admiring Jesus and surrendering to Him? Which one describes your current relationship with God?
2. What does it mean practically to "deny yourself" in today's culture? What are some specific areas where this is most challenging?
3. The sermon emphasized that "you cannot follow yourself and follow Jesus at the same time." Where do you see this tension playing out in your own life?

Going Deeper

4. Pastor Jarrod mentioned that shame reveals what we fear. What does being ashamed of the gospel (or parts of it) reveal about our trust in God's promises?
5. The message stated: "We want resurrection without the crucifixion. We want blessings without the burden of His authority." How have you seen this play out in American Christianity? In your own faith journey?
6. Read Luke 9:25 together: "For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" What are some "whole world" things that tempt you to forfeit your soul?

Personal Reflection

7. The pastor asked: "What are you still protecting that Jesus has told you to deny?" Take a moment of silence for personal reflection, then share (as comfortable) one area God is highlighting for you.
8. How does the reality of Jesus' return and potential persecution change the way you think about your faith today? Does it feel urgent or distant?
9. Where in your life are you experiencing "comfortable peace" that might actually be "compromised purpose"?

Key Takeaways

1. Daily Commitment Required - Following Jesus isn't a one-time decision; it requires taking up our cross daily and choosing Him over ourselves repeatedly.
2. Hidden Christianity is Denial - If people can't tell you're a Christian by how you live, you may be denying Christ to preserve your comfort or reputation.
3. The Cost is Real - Following Jesus will cost you everything now, but the glory that comes later is worth infinitely more than anything this world offers.
4. Shame Reveals Allegiance - What we're ashamed of reveals whether we trust the world or the Word, and where our true loyalty lies.
5. Passive Faith Won't Survive - As culture becomes increasingly hostile to biblical Christianity, passive and quiet association with Jesus will not endure.

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose ONE of the following to put into practice this week:
Option 1: Identify Your Compromise

• Spend 30 minutes in prayer asking God to reveal one area where you've compromised biblical truth for cultural acceptance or personal comfort
• Write down what He shows you and one concrete step you'll take to align with His Word instead

Option 2: Practice Public Faith

• Intentionally share your faith with at least one person this week—whether through conversation, social media, or inviting someone to church
• Before doing so, pray specifically against any shame or fear you feel

Option 3: Deny Yourself Daily

• Each morning this week, before checking your phone or starting your day, spend 10 minutes in prayer specifically surrendering your agenda, plans, and desires to God
• Ask Him: "What do You want from my life today?" and commit to obey whatever He shows you

Option 4: Fast from Self-Preservation

• Choose one way you typically protect yourself, your image, or your comfort this week and intentionally lay it down
• This could be: admitting when you're wrong without defending yourself, serving someone who has hurt you, or having a difficult conversation you've been avoiding

Group Accountability

• Share which option you're choosing with at least one other group member
• Exchange contact information and check in with each other mid-week about how it's going

Memory Verse
Luke 9:23-24 "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"

Closing Reflection Questions

• What is one thing God spoke to you about during this discussion?
• What's one action step you're committing to take this week?
• How can we pray for you specifically regarding denying yourself and following Jesus?

Closing Prayer
Pray together, focusing on:

• Asking God to give us courage to deny ourselves daily
• Confessing areas where we've denied Christ to preserve ourselves
• Requesting boldness to live out our faith publicly without shame
• Praying for persecuted believers around the world who are paying the ultimate price for following Jesus

Additional Resources

• Read through the Gospel of Luke this week, paying attention to what Jesus says about the cost of discipleship
• Watch: Abolitionist videos on abortion (mentioned in sermon) to understand the cultural deception we're facing
• Reflect: Journal about what your "cross" looks like in your specific life circumstances

Leader Notes

• This is a heavy topic. Create space for honest wrestling and questions
• Some may have past sins (abortion, denial of faith, etc.) weighing on them—emphasize the grace and forgiveness available in Christ
• Be prepared to offer individual prayer for those dealing with conviction or shame
• The goal isn't condemnation but a loving call to rise higher in our faith

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Main Idea: We must choose between the authentic Jesus of Scripture and the counterfeit Christ shaped by cultural preferences, understanding that true faith requires surrender, not just acknowledgment.

Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Prayer Focus: Ask God to open hearts to truth and give courage to examine our faith honestly.
Icebreaker: Share one way technology has made your life easier and one way it's made it harder. How do you see this connecting to spiritual life?

Key Scripture Passages

• Luke 9:18-21 - Peter's confession and Jesus' command to silence
• Luke 9:22 - Jesus predicts His suffering, rejection, and resurrection
• Isaiah 52:13-53:12 - The suffering servant prophecy
• 2 Timothy 3:1-5 - Characteristics of the last days

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message

1. The Right Title, Wrong Theology
   • Why did Jesus tell His disciples not to tell anyone He was the Christ? What does this teach us about understanding the full gospel?
   • How can someone believe Jesus is God but still follow the wrong gospel?
2. Counterfeit Christianity
   • What are some examples of how modern culture tries to reshape Jesus to fit personal preferences?
   • The pastor mentioned people wanting "salvation without surrender" and "spirituality without holiness." What does this look like in practical terms?
3. The Cross is Essential
   • Why was Jesus' suffering and death necessary? (Discuss justice, holiness, and atonement)
   • What does it mean to "preach Christ crucified" versus just preaching "Christ"?

Personal Reflection

4. Self-Examination
   • On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your current "fire" for God? What's holding you back from a 10?
   • Are there areas where you've tried to make Jesus conform to your preferences rather than surrendering to His will?
5. End Times Awareness
   • How does the reality that "every prophecy needed for Jesus' return has been fulfilled" impact how you live daily?
   • The sermon emphasized we have "no more time." Does this create fear or urgency in you? How should it affect our priorities?
6. Deception in the Last Days
   • What are some sources of spiritual information you consume (social media, podcasts, books)? How do you verify they align with Scripture?
   • Have you ever believed something about God or the Bible that turned out to be false? How did you discover the truth?

Application

7. Evangelism and Urgency
   • Who is the "hardest person" in your life to share Jesus with? What's holding you back?
   • How does the statement "their blood is on your hands" (Ezekiel 3:18) make you feel? How should it motivate us?
8. Being Rooted in God's Word
   • How much time do you currently spend in Scripture daily? What practical changes could help you become more rooted?
   • What's the difference between reading the Bible and "letting the Bible read you"?

Key Takeaways

1. A half-gospel is a full lie - We cannot separate Christ from the cross or salvation from surrender.
2. Knowledge without obedience is deception - The Pharisees knew Scripture but missed Jesus. We can have right information but wrong hearts.
3. We're living in borrowed time - The urgency of the gospel should transform how we live, speak, and prioritize.
4. Discernment requires being rooted in Scripture - Deception will increase; only those grounded in God's Word will stand firm.
5. God wants all of you, not half - Partial surrender is not surrender. Jesus gave everything; He deserves everything.
6. Believers need not fear the end times - Like Noah and Lot, God protects His people before judgment falls.

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose one of the following to commit to this week:
Option 1: Daily Word Immersion

• Commit to 15-30 minutes of uninterrupted Bible reading daily
• Read through Isaiah 53 slowly, meditating on what Jesus did for you
• Journal what God reveals to you

Option 2: Evangelism Action

• Pray daily for the "hard person" God brought to mind during question #7
• Plan a specific conversation or invitation to share Jesus with them
• Ask God for boldness and the right words

Option 3: Digital Detox & Discernment

• Take inventory of all spiritual content you consume (social media, podcasts, etc.)
• Verify one teaching you've heard recently against Scripture
• Reduce screen time by 30 minutes daily and replace it with prayer/Bible reading

Option 4: Consecration & Repentance

• Ask God to reveal any area where you've shaped Jesus to fit your preferences
• Confess and repent of any "counterfeit Christianity" in your life
• Write out a prayer of full surrender, reading it daily

Group Activity (optional)
Scripture Verification Exercise (15-20 minutes)

1. Break into pairs or groups of three
2. Each group receives a common "Christian" saying or belief (examples below)
3. Search Scripture together to verify if it's biblical or cultural
4. Share findings with the larger group

Examples to verify:

• "God won't give you more than you can handle"
• "God helps those who help themselves"
• "Follow your heart"
• "All religions lead to the same God"
• "God just wants you to be happy"

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin with prayer, asking God to open hearts and minds to His Word and to create a safe space for honest conversation.

Icebreaker
Question: What is one thing your mother (or a mother figure) taught you that has stuck with you throughout your life?

Sermon Summary
This Mother's Day message challenges men to biblical masculinity while honoring women. The core message: the best gift we can give mothers is godly men who love sacrificially, lead humbly, and serve faithfully—modeling Christ's love for the church.

Key Scripture Passages

• Ephesians 5:22-33 - Mutual submission and sacrificial love
• 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 - Five commands for men
• Genesis 2:5-24 - God's design for man and woman

Discussion Questions
For Everyone

1. Initial Reactions: What was your initial reaction to this sermon? What made you uncomfortable? What encouraged you?
2. Cultural Confusion: How has culture distorted biblical masculinity and femininity? What are some specific examples you've observed?
3. Submission vs. Sacrifice: The sermon states, "You cannot demand biblical submission while refusing biblical sacrifice." What does this mean practically in marriage?

For Men (20-25 minutes)

4. The Five Commands (1 Corinthians 16:13-14):
   • Be watchful
   • Stand firm in the faith
   • Act like men
   • Be strong
   • Let all you do be done in love
5. Which of these five commands is most challenging for you? Why?
6. Adam's Failure: Adam failed by being passive when Eve was tempted. Where in your life (marriage, family, work, church) are you being passive when you should speak up or take action?
7. Provider vs. Priest: Many men focus on being providers but neglect being spiritual leaders (priests) in their homes. What prevents you from leading spiritually? What would it look like to change this?
8. Loving Like Christ: Ephesians 5:25 says, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." What does dying to yourself daily look like in your marriage or relationships?

For Women (15-20 minutes)

8. Helper, Not Hindrance: The sermon mentions women are called to be helpers, not hindrances. What does biblical help look like in marriage? How is this different from cultural expectations?
9. Expectations: How have cultural messages (movies, social media, romance novels) shaped your expectations of men and marriage?
10. Praying for Men: How can you pray more effectively for the men in your life (husbands, sons, fathers, brothers in Christ)?

For Singles (10-15 minutes)

11. Preparation: If you're single, what does this message teach you about preparing to be a godly spouse?
12. Standards: How does this sermon challenge you to evaluate what you're looking for in a future spouse?

Key Takeaways

1. Biblical submission is not inferiority, silence, or abuse—it's voluntarily placing your strength under loving leadership united under God.
2. Biblical headship bleeds—men are called to die to themselves daily, putting their wives' needs before their own.
3. Responsibility before relationship—Adam was given work to do, a will to obey, and a woman to love. Men must embrace responsibility, not shirk it.
4. Boys consume; men sacrifice—True masculinity is found in service, not selfishness.
5. The answer is surrender to Christ—Neither men nor women can fulfill their God-given roles without first bending the knee to Jesus.

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge (Choose 1-2)
For Men:

• Daily Prayer: Pray for your wife (or future wife) every single day this week. Ask her specifically how you can pray for her.
• Serve Sacrificially: Do one household task this week that you normally don't do, without being asked and without expecting recognition.
• Lead Spiritually: Initiate a spiritual conversation or prayer time with your family.
• Read Together: Read Ephesians 5:22-33 with your wife and discuss what it means for your marriage.
• Accountability: Find another man to check in with weekly about your spiritual leadership at home.

For Women:

• Encourage: Write a note or send a message to your husband (or a godly man in your life) affirming something specific you appreciate about him.
• Pray Specifically: Instead of praying complaints about your husband, pray blessings over him—for wisdom, strength, and spiritual growth.
• Support: Ask your husband how you can better support him in his role as spiritual leader.

For Singles:

• Prepare: Write down the biblical qualities you're looking for in a spouse based on Scripture, not culture.
• Grow: Identify one area where you can grow to become a more godly future spouse.

For Everyone:

• Examine Your Heart: Spend time this week asking God to reveal areas where you've replaced biblical truth with cultural lies about gender, marriage, or relationships.
• Share the Load: If married, have an honest conversation about how you can better share responsibilities at home.

Accountability Questions

1. What specific action will you take this week based on this discussion?
2. Who will you ask to hold you accountable?
3. How will you measure whether you've followed through?

Closing Discussion (10 minutes)
Question: What is one thing God spoke to you about today that you need to act on?
Commitment: Go around the group and have each person share one specific way they will apply this sermon this week.

Closing Prayer
Pray specifically for:

• Men to become sacrificial leaders who love like Christ
• Women to be encouraged and supported
• Marriages to be strengthened and restored
• Singles to prepare well for potential future marriages
• Hearts to be surrendered fully to Jesus
• Revival in families and homes

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin your group time by praying for open hearts, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit's guidance as you discuss this crucial question about Jesus' identity.

Ice Breaker
Share: What's one question you've been asked that completely changed the direction of your life?

Sermon Overview
This week, Pastor Jarrod walked us through one of the most critical questions ever asked: "Who do you say that I am?" This isn't just a historical question for the disciples—it's the question every person must answer that determines their eternity.

Key Scripture
Luke 9:18-20
"Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, 'Who do the crowds say that I am?' And they answered, 'John the Baptist. But others say Elijah and others that one of the prophets of old has risen.' Then he said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' And Peter answered, 'The Christ of God.'"
Discussion Questions
Section 1: The Question Everyone Must Answer

1. Pastor Jarrod stated, "You will answer this question now by faith or later by sight." What does this mean, and why is it so urgent?
2. The disciples gave answers based on what "the crowds" were saying. In what ways do we do the same today? How can social media, popular culture, or even church culture influence our understanding of Jesus rather than Scripture?
3. Read John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. How do these verses challenge the modern idea that "all roads lead to God"? How would you respond to someone who says this is narrow-minded?

Section 2: Knowing the Truth vs. Hearing Opinions

4. Pastor Jarrod emphasized the reliability of Scripture with historical evidence. How does understanding the historical credibility of the Bible strengthen your faith? Does it matter to your faith journey?
5. The sermon mentioned that "curiosity is not clarity." What's the difference between being curious about Jesus and truly knowing Him? Where do you fall on that spectrum?
6. Pastor Jarrod warned about deception doing more damage than disbelief. What are some common deceptions about Jesus you've encountered (in media, culture, or even in churches)?

Section 3: The Real Jesus vs. The Fake Jesus

7. Discuss the "false Jesuses" mentioned in the sermon:
   • Jesus as just a good teacher
   • Jesus who accepts everyone without calling for change
   • Jesus who wants you happy above all else
8. Which of these have you encountered most? How do they contradict Scripture?
9. Read Matthew 16:24-25. How does Jesus' call to "deny yourself" and "take up your cross" conflict with modern Christianity's emphasis on comfort and happiness?
10. Pastor Jarrod said, "Your best life is not in this one. It's the next." How does this perspective change the way we approach trials, suffering, and daily decisions?

Section 4: Personal Application

10. If someone asked you right now, "Who is Jesus to you?"—what would you say? Would your answer be based on personal experience with Him or just what you've heard from others?
11. Read Romans 10:9-10. Have you made this confession with your mouth and believed in your heart? If not, what's holding you back?
12. Pastor Jarrod challenged us: "If you can't say it here, how are you going to say and confess the Christ out there?" In what situations do you find it hardest to identify as a follower of Jesus? Why?

Key Takeaways
✓ The question "Who is Jesus?" is unavoidable—everyone will answer it either now by faith or later by sight.
✓ Scripture is historically reliable and divinely inspired—we can trust it completely.
✓ Many people follow a false version of Jesus that doesn't require repentance, sacrifice, or transformation.
✓ Jesus is not just a good teacher—He is the Christ, the Son of God, the only way to salvation.
✓ Knowing about Jesus is different from knowing Jesus personally through relationship.
✓ Denying Jesus before people has eternal consequences (Matthew 10:32-33).

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following to put into practice:

1. Study It Out: Spend 15 minutes researching one piece of historical evidence for the reliability of Scripture or the resurrection of Jesus. Share what you learn with someone this week.
2. Confess It Boldly: Find one opportunity this week to clearly identify yourself as a follower of Jesus in a conversation where it might be uncomfortable.
3. Examine Your Jesus: Write down what you believe about Jesus and compare it to Scripture. Are you following the real Jesus or a version you've created?
4. Prayer Focus: Commit to praying daily for someone you know who hasn't answered the question "Who is Jesus?" correctly yet.
5. Defend Your Faith: Read 1 Peter 3:15 and prepare a simple answer for why you believe Jesus is who He says He is.

Closing Reflection
Silent Reflection (2-3 minutes): Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you've believed a false version of Jesus or where you've been more concerned with your reputation than your redemption.