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 what God wants to reveal.

Icebreaker
Share a time when God disrupted your plans or comfort zone. Looking back, how did that disruption lead to growth or blessing?

Sermon Recap
Pastor Jarrod walked us through the account of the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. This passage reveals three distinct responses to Jesus:

• The demons - submitted immediately
• The delivered man - surrendered completely
• The townspeople - rejected and resisted

The central truth: Jesus doesn't just come to deliver us; He comes to disrupt our entire lives, exposing whether we're ready to surrender or fight to keep the life we're already living.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus has undeniable authority over all creation—seen and unseen, natural and supernatural
2. Demons submit to Jesus faster than we do - they recognize His authority immediately
3. People prefer familiar darkness over the disruption that deliverance brings
4. Surrender is hard when you think you have something worth clinging to
5. Jesus wants proximity AND purpose - He doesn't just save us to keep us comfortable

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. Read Luke 8:26-39 together. What details stand out to you about the condition of the demon-possessed man before meeting Jesus?
2. The demons immediately recognized Jesus as "Son of the Most High God" (v. 28). What does this tell us about spiritual realities that we often ignore or deny?
3. Why do you think the townspeople responded with fear and asked Jesus to leave after witnessing such a powerful deliverance?

Personal Reflection

4. Pastor Jarrod said, "Demons submit to Jesus faster than you do." What areas of your life are you still negotiating with Jesus about instead of fully surrendering?
5. The sermon highlighted that "people prefer familiar darkness over disruption." What familiar patterns, habits, or relationships might you be clinging to that are actually keeping you in bondage?
6. The delivered man had "nothing left to lose" which made surrender easier. How does our comfort and control actually hinder our willingness to be fully delivered?
7. "You're protecting what's killing you." Does this statement resonate with anything in your life right now? Explain.

Going Deeper

8. The townspeople were more concerned about their economy (the pigs) than the man's deliverance. In what ways do we value our financial security, comfort, or lifestyle over what God wants to do in our lives or the lives of others?
9. Jesus told the man to "return to your home and declare how much God has done for you" (v. 39). Why do you think Jesus sent him back instead of letting him follow? What does this teach us about our purpose after deliverance?
10. The sermon mentioned three types of bondage: obvious bondage (like the demon-possessed man), hidden bondage (like the townspeople), and self-imposed bondage. Which type do you think is most dangerous and why?

Application

11. Pastor Jarrod asked: "What are you refusing to surrender?" Take a moment of silence for personal reflection. What is God highlighting in your heart right now?
12. The message emphasized that revival begins in our own hearts, not in the streets. What practical step can you take this week to allow God to disrupt an area of your life that needs transformation?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose ONE of the following to commit to:
Option 1: Identify & Surrender

• Write down one area you've been refusing to surrender to God
• Spend time in prayer each day this week specifically surrendering that area
• Share your commitment with one trusted person for accountability

Option 2: Return & Declare

• Like the delivered man, identify someone in your life who needs to hear your testimony
• Share with them what God has done in your life
• Pray for an opportunity to have that conversation this week

Option 3: Examine Your Priorities

• Do an honest assessment: What gets more of your time—Netflix, social media, sports, or time with God?
• Make one specific change to prioritize God's Word and prayer this week
• Track your time to see the difference

Option 4: Community Connection

• If you've been isolating (like the man among the tombs), reach out to reconnect with Christian community
• Attend a church event, join a serving team, or commit to regular small group attendance

Going Deeper in Scripture
For further study this week, read these related passages:

• Mark 5:1-20 - Another account of this same story
• Job 1-2 - God's sovereignty even in trials
• Luke 9:23-25 - The cost of following Jesus
• Romans 12:1-2 - Living sacrifices and transformation
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 - New creation in Christ

Prayer Focus
Pray for each other in these areas:

1. Surrender - That God would reveal areas we're still holding back
2. Deliverance - From any bondage, addiction, fear, or hidden sin
3. Disruption - That we would welcome God's disruption rather than resist it
4. Purpose - That we would live out our calling to "return and declare"
5. The Church - For revival to begin in our hearts and spread to our community
6. America - For repentance and turning back to God as a nation

Closing Reflection
"The question is not 'Do you need deliverance?' The question is, 'What are you refusing to surrender?'"
Take a few moments of silence for personal reflection and prayer. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to each heart about what needs to be laid down at the feet of Jesus.
Close in prayer, giving space for anyone who wants to pray aloud or receive prayer from the group.

Pastor Philip Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer

Icebreaker Question: Share about a time when you had to wait for something important. How did the waiting period make you feel? Was it worth the wait?

Key Scripture
"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it will speak and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it. For it will surely come. It will not tarry... But the just shall live by his faith." - Habakkuk 2:3-4

Key Takeaways

1. Waiting is not an absence of action, but a preparation - God is working something out AND working something IN you during the wait.
2. Just because God is silent doesn't mean He is absent - Sovereign silence can mean God is working on something so powerful that our eyes cannot yet behold it.
3. Don't settle for "almost" when God promised "exactly" - The devil often throws us a bone to see if we'll take it instead of waiting for God's full promise.
4. The word "wait" means to stick to it, stay attached to it, and remain devoted to it - It's an active posture of faith, not passive resignation.
5. Your success may be in your tenacity - Sometimes breakthrough comes to those who simply refuse to let go.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message

1. The sermon mentioned that Habakkuk's name literally means "to embrace or to wrestle." How does this help us understand that we can have a "close but struggling relationship with God"? Have you experienced this in your own faith journey?
2. The sermon highlighted that Habakkuk asked God "why" and "how long" questions. Why do you think God sometimes doesn't answer our questions directly? How should we respond when we don't get the answers we're seeking?
3. What does it mean that "sometimes what's happening in your life is not the devil, it's God"? How do we discern the difference?

Personal Reflection

4. What is your "it"? What are you currently waiting for in your life? (Examples: healing, family restoration, breakthrough, deliverance, next season, etc.)
5. The sermon said, "How much differently would you be waiting today if you knew that tomorrow would be the day?" How would your attitude, prayers, and actions change if you truly believed your breakthrough was coming tomorrow?
6. The sermon mentioned that 380 disciples left the upper room before Pentecost, but 120 stayed and experienced the outpouring. What makes the difference between those who leave early and those who stay? Where do you see yourself in this story?

Dealing with the Wait

7. What are some mistakes you've made by being in a hurry instead of waiting on God's timing? What did you learn from those experiences?
8. Pride keeps us from waiting well because it says "I don't need to wait. I want it right now." In what areas of your life is pride preventing you from trusting God's timing?
9. The Chinese bamboo tree illustration showed that nothing visible happened for four years, but on the fifth year it grew 90 feet in six weeks. What does this teach us about God's work in our lives during seasons when we see no visible progress?

Living It Out

10. The sermon gave three directives: "Don't give up. Don't get in a hurry. Don't settle." Which of these three is hardest for you right now? Why?
11. What does it look like practically to "wrestle with God" like Jacob did? How can we hold on to God's promises without letting go?
12. How can we support each other in our group during seasons of waiting? What do people who are waiting need most from their community?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: Name Your "It"

• Write down what you're waiting for
• Find a scripture promise that relates to your situation
• Read it daily and declare it out loud
• Journal about how your perspective changes as you do this

Option 2: Practice Active Waiting

• Instead of passive hoping, take one faith-filled action each day related to what you're waiting for
• If waiting for healing: thank God daily for your healing
• If waiting for family salvation: pray specifically for each family member
• If waiting for breakthrough: worship in advance of the answer

Option 3: The Gratitude Shift

• Each day this week, write down 3 things you're grateful for WHILE you wait
• Focus on what God has already done rather than what hasn't happened yet
• Share your gratitude list with the group next week

Option 4: Study Waiting in Scripture Choose one biblical character who had to wait and study their story:

• Abraham & Sarah (25 years for Isaac)
• Joseph (13 years from dream to fulfillment)
• David (years between anointing and throne)
• Job (season of suffering before restoration)

What can you learn from how they waited?

Group Prayer Time
Prayer Focus Areas:

1. For Those Who Are Weary in Waiting
   • Pray for renewed strength and hope
   • Ask God to reveal what He's working on during the wait
2. Against Pride and Impatience
   • Pray for humility to trust God's timing
   • Ask for grace to resist settling for less than God's promise
3. For Breakthrough
   • Pray specifically for the "its" people shared
   • Declare that tomorrow could be the day
4. For Tenacity
   • Pray for the strength to hold on and not let go
   • Ask for faith to believe when we cannot see

Closing Prayer Prompt:
"God, help me to wait well. Give me the faith to stick to Your promises, stay attached to Your word, and remain devoted to Your plan, even when I cannot see what You're doing. I choose to trust that You are working something out and working something IN me during this season. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin by asking God to open hearts and minds to His Word, and to help group members apply what they learn this week.

Ice Breaker
Share about a time when you were caught in an unexpected storm (literal or metaphorical). What was your first reaction?

Key Scripture
Luke 8:22-25
"One day he got into a boat with his disciples and he said to them, 'Let us go across to the other side of the lake.' So they set out. And as they sailed, he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him saying, 'Master, Master, we are perishing.' And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves and they ceased and there was a calm. He said to them, 'Where is your faith?' And they were afraid and they marveled, saying to one another, 'Who then is this that he commands even winds and water and they obey him?'"

Key Takeaways

1. Storms reveal where your faith is anchored - They expose whether we trust God's presence or His authority and Word.
2. Obedience doesn't guarantee smooth sailing - The disciples were obedient to Jesus' directive, yet still encountered a life-threatening storm.
3. Fear writes endings before God moves - We often look at circumstances instead of trusting God's promises.
4. We trust His presence more than His Word - We want to feel God rather than simply believe what He says.
5. Jesus has authority over all creation - If He can command the wind and waves, He can handle your circumstances.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. Why do you think Jesus was able to sleep during the storm while the disciples panicked?
2. The disciples asked, "Do you even care that we're about to die?" Have you ever felt this way toward God? What does this reveal about our understanding of God's character?
3. Why were the disciples MORE afraid after Jesus calmed the storm than during it?

Personal Reflection

4. The pastor asked, "How long did they wait before they called on Christ?" When you face trouble, what's typically your first response? How long before you turn to God?
5. Where is your faith right now? Is it anchored in God's presence (what you can see/feel) or in God's authority and Word (what He has promised)?
6. What "storm" are you currently facing? How has it revealed what you believe about God?

Going Deeper

7. The sermon stated: "Fear is driving them to call out to God instead of faith." What's the difference between calling out to God in fear versus calling out in faith?
8. Jesus gave the disciples a directive: "Let us go to the other side." He didn't give details. Why doesn't God always give us all the details? How does this challenge our need for control?
9. The pastor said, "When God has given you an assignment, you will not die unless that is part of the assignment." How does this truth change the way you approach obedience?
10. Read Psalm 46:1-3. How does this psalm speak to the reality that God is present even when we can't feel Him?

Application

11. What is one directive God has given you that you've been hesitant to obey because you don't have all the details?
12. The sermon challenged us: "Stop asking God to stop sending storms and start asking Him to change you in the season." How would your prayers change if you adopted this perspective?
13. "Storms don't just destroy things—they reduce things. What remains is what was strongest." What needs to be stripped away from your life right now? What foundation needs to be strengthened?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: Trust His Word Over Your Feelings

• Identify one promise from Scripture that speaks to your current situation
• Write it down and read it aloud daily, especially when fear rises
• Journal about the difference between what you feel and what God says

Option 2: Obey Without All the Details

• If God has given you a directive you've been putting off, take one concrete step of obedience this week
• Don't wait for all the answers—just start moving in the direction He's shown you

Option 3: Shift Your Focus

• When you find yourself looking at the storm (circumstances), intentionally redirect your attention to the Son (Jesus)
• Practice gratitude: Thank God for three things daily, even in the midst of your trial

Option 4: Call Out in Faith, Not Just Fear

• Before you panic about a situation, pause and pray
• Declare what you know to be true about God BEFORE you present your problem

Memory Verse
Psalm 46:1-2
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea."

Prayer Prompts
Pray for:

• Those in the group currently facing storms (health issues, financial struggles, relational difficulties)
• Strength to obey God even when we don't have all the details
• Faith to trust God's Word more than our circumstances
• Those far from God who need to hear the gospel
• Courage to be obedient ambassadors for Christ

Closing Reflection
The miracle is never the main point—the identity of the Messiah is. The real question isn't "Will Jesus calm my storm?" but "Who do I say Jesus is, and do I trust Him regardless of the storm?"

Final Question: Who do YOU say Jesus is? Does your life reflect that belief?

Leader Notes

• Be sensitive to those genuinely struggling with difficult circumstances
• Create space for honest sharing about doubt and fear
• Remind the group that struggling doesn't mean lacking faith—even the disciples struggled
• Encourage the group that God is with them even when they can't feel His presence
• Consider sharing your own story of a "storm" where God proved faithful

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin your time together asking the Holy Spirit to open hearts and minds to receive what God wants to reveal through discussion and fellowship.

Icebreaker
Share a time when you received a warning but didn't listen. What were the consequences? How did that experience change how you respond to warnings now?

Key Scripture
Luke 8:16-21
"No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away."

Key Takeaways

1. How we hear matters - God emphasizes throughout this passage the importance of not just hearing His Word, but how we receive it.
2. Light exists to expose - We are called to be lights in the world, not to hide our faith privately but to live it openly and boldly.
3. Hearing must lead to doing - Jesus redefines family as "those who hear the word of God and do it" - not just hear it.
4. Everything will be revealed - Nothing we do in secret will remain hidden; we will give an account for every deed, word, and thought.
5. Partial obedience is disobedience - God expects full obedience, not halfway commitment.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message

1. The pastor referenced the Titanic receiving warnings but not heeding them. How does this illustrate our relationship with God's Word? What "warnings" might we be ignoring in our own lives?
2. Read Luke 8:16. Why would someone light a lamp and then hide it? What does this reveal about how we sometimes treat our faith?
3. What does it mean that "light travels faster than sound"? How does this apply to our witness as Christians?

Personal Reflection

4. The sermon asked: "Which type of soil are you?" (hardened path, shallow rock, thorny ground, or good soil). Be honest with yourself and the group - which soil best describes your heart right now?
5. The pastor said, "A private faith is rarely going to survive a public persecution." Do people know you're a Christian by how you live, or only if you tell them? What needs to change?
6. What secrets or sins are you currently hiding that need to be brought into the light? (You don't have to share specifics, but acknowledge if this applies to you.)
7. Jesus said His family consists of "those who hear the word of God and do it." What's one thing you've heard from God recently that you haven't yet obeyed?

Application and Action

8. The sermon challenged us to stop hiding our light. What specific fear keeps you from being bolder about your faith? (Fear of rejection, losing friends, losing a job, etc.)
9. Who in your life needs to hear the gospel from you? What's preventing you from sharing with them?
10. The pastor mentioned that we store up treasures in heaven based on what we do here. How does this eternal perspective change how you view your time, resources, and opportunities?
11. Read Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents). What "talents" (abilities, resources, time, opportunities) has God given you? How are you investing them for His kingdom?

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

• Identify one person in your life who doesn't know Jesus
• Pray for them daily this week
• Look for one opportunity to share your faith or invite them to church

Option 2: Obedience Assessment

• Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal areas of partial obedience
• Write down one specific thing God has been asking you to do
• Take one concrete step toward full obedience this week

Option 3: Light Check

• Audit your social media, conversations, and daily life
• Ask: "Would someone know I'm a Christian by observing me?"
• Make one specific change to let your light shine more clearly

Option 4: Secret Confession

• If you're hiding sin or struggling in secret, confess it to a trusted brother/sister in Christ this week
• James 5:16 - "Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed"

Accountability Questions

1. What is one thing God spoke to you about during this discussion?
2. What specific action will you take this week in response?
3. Who will you ask to hold you accountable?

Prayer Focus
Pray for each other in these areas:

• For courage to let our lights shine boldly
• For those we know who need to hear the gospel
• For soft, receptive hearts (good soil) to receive God's Word
• For strength to obey fully, not partially
• For freedom from secret sins and hidden struggles
• For revival in our nation and our communities
• For protection and guidance in increasingly dark times

Additional Resources
For Further Study:

• Luke 8:4-15 (Parable of the Sower/Soils)
• Matthew 5:14-16 (You are the light of the world)
• John 3:16-21 (Light has come into the world)
• Romans 1:18-20 (Creation reveals God)
• Ecclesiastes 12:14 (God will bring every deed into judgment)
• James 1:22-25 (Be doers of the word, not hearers only)

Recommended Reading:

• Consider reading through the Gospel of Luke together as a group
• Study systematic theology to understand WHY we believe what we believe

Closing Thought
"He hung naked on a cross in public, and we are never meant to stay in private."
The cost has already been paid. The question is: what will we do with the light we've been given?

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin by asking God to soften hearts, open minds, and help each person honestly examine the soil of their own heart during this discussion.

Ice Breaker
Share about a time you tried to grow something (plant, garden, etc.). What challenges did you face? What did you learn about the importance of good soil?

Sermon Summary
Pastor Jarrod explained that Jesus' parable isn't really about the sower—it's about the soil. The seed (God's Word) is scattered everywhere, but the condition of our hearts determines whether it takes root and bears fruit. Four types of soil represent four responses to God's Word: hardened (the path), hollow (the rock), hindered (the thorns), and hearing and holding (good soil). The problem isn't the seed; the problem is the soil.

Key Takeaways

1. We are in spiritual warfare - Satan actively works to prevent God's Word from taking root in our hearts
2. Hearing doesn't equal believing - Exposure to God's Word doesn't automatically transform us
3. The condition of our heart matters - Our receptivity to God's Word determines our spiritual fruitfulness
4. Revival starts with us - Before we can see change in our community, God must break up the soil of our own hearts
5. We're called to scatter seed - Our job is to share the Gospel indiscriminately; God handles the growth

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. Why did Jesus teach in parables? How does this relate to spiritual warfare?
2. The pastor emphasized that "the problem is the soil, not the seed." What does this mean for how we approach God's Word?
3. Which of the four soils do you think is most common in American Christianity today? Why?

The Four Soils
The Path (Hardened) 4. What causes someone's heart to become hardened to God's Word? Have you experienced seasons of hardness? What brought you out of it?

5. The sermon stated: "The devil is most active when the Word of God is being proclaimed." How have you seen this play out in your own life?

The Rock (Hollow) 6. What's the difference between an emotional response to God and genuine transformation? How can we tell the difference in our own lives?

7. Why do you think some people can "cry and be all wrapped up in the emotionality of Christianity, but never fully be gripped by God"?

The Thorns (Hindered) 8. What are the "thorns" currently competing for space in your heart? (Worries, anxieties, pleasures, distractions, etc.)

9. The pastor said, "Your worries and your woes cannot inhabit the same space as your worship." How does worship combat anxiety in practical terms?

Good Soil (Hearing and Holding) 10. What does it mean to "hold fast" to God's Word? What practices help you do this?

11. The psalmist meditated on God's Word "day and night." How can we cultivate this kind of consistent engagement with Scripture in our modern, distracted world?

Personal Reflection

12. If you had to honestly assess yourself right now, which soil best describes your heart? Why?
13. The pastor asked: "When Christ returns, will you be found faithful? Will you be found fruitful?" How would you answer?
14. What hidden sin might be hindering your spiritual growth? (You don't have to share specifics, but consider what God is revealing to you.)

Application and Action

15. The sermon challenged us that "attendance is not salvation" and "emotion is not root." What false measures of spiritual health have you relied on?
16. How can we move from just hearing God's Word on Sunday to meditating on it throughout the week?
17. The farmer scattered seed indiscriminately—he didn't pick the best soil first. Who in your life needs to hear the Gospel, even if they seem like "bad soil"?
18. What does it look like practically to "let revival begin in our hearts" before expecting it in our community?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: Deep Roots
Instead of rushing through your Bible reading, spend time meditating on one verse each day. Write it down, pray over it, memorize it, and ask God to plant it deep in your heart.
Option 2: Soil Examination
Set aside 30 minutes for honest prayer. Ask God: "Search my heart. Show me my grievous ways. What kind of soil am I being?" Journal what He reveals.
Option 3: Seed Scattering
Identify 3 people in your life who need to hear about Jesus. Pray for them daily and look for one opportunity this week to share the Gospel or your testimony with at least one of them.
Option 4: Thorn Removal
Identify one "thorn" (worry, anxiety, distraction, pleasure) that's choking out your spiritual growth. Take one concrete step to remove or reduce its influence in your life.

Accountability Questions

1. What specific step will you take this week to cultivate good soil in your heart?
2. Who will you share this with for accountability?
3. How can this group pray for you specifically regarding your spiritual soil?

Closing Reflection
Read together: "And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart and bear fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15)
Silent Prayer: Take 2-3 minutes of silence. Pray the prayer from the sermon:
"Father, break up my soil. Show me where I need sin uprooted out of my life. God, show me what kind of soil I am being. Break up my ground."

Closing Prayer
Pray for:

• Hearts to be receptive to God's Word
• Courage to remove thorns and address hardness
• Deep roots to develop through consistent time in Scripture
• Boldness to scatter the seed of the Gospel
• Revival to begin in each person's heart
• The lost friends and family members discussed tonight

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin your group time by inviting the Holy Spirit to open hearts and minds to what God wants to reveal through this discussion.

Icebreaker Question
Share a time when you avoided conflict but later realized confronting it would have been better. What did you learn?

Key Takeaways
1. We Are in Spiritual Warfare

• There is an ongoing war between God's kingdom and Satan's kingdom
• This war began in eternity past and continues today
• There are no sidelines or neutral positions—you're either with Jesus or against Him

2. Jesus Speaks in Parables for a Reason

• Parables both reveal and conceal truth
• They reveal truth to those who genuinely seek God
• They conceal truth from those who resist or reject Him
• "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" means there's a difference between listening and truly hearing

3. Proximity Doesn't Equal Participation

• You can be near Jesus without submitting to Him
• Judas spent three years with Christ but still betrayed Him
• Attending church doesn't automatically mean you're aligned with God's purposes

4. We Are Already Commissioned

• We're not waiting to be called—we're already commissioned for this spiritual battle
• Every believer has the Holy Spirit living in them
• We need to stop asking for more information and start obeying what we already know

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message

1. What stood out to you most from this sermon? What made you uncomfortable?
2. Read Luke 8:1-10. Why do you think Jesus chose to teach in parables? What does this reveal about God's character and how He works?
3. The pastor mentioned that "proclamation of the word will either recruit you or make you resist." What does this mean? Have you experienced this in your own life?

Personal Reflection

4. The sermon states: "Proximity is not participation." In what areas of your life might you be close to Jesus but not actually submitting to Him?
5. How would you honestly assess your response to God's Word when you hear it preached or read it?
   • Do you move toward obedience?
   • Do you harden your heart?
   • Do you remain neutral (which is actually resistance)?
6. The pastor talked about the spiritual battle happening in schools, entertainment, government, and other institutions. Where do you see evidence of this spiritual warfare in your everyday life?

Going Deeper

7. Read Isaiah 6:8-10 (the passage Jesus quotes in Luke 8:10). What does it mean that God sometimes hardens hearts? How does this challenge or confirm your understanding of God?
8. The sermon emphasized that "hell doesn't attack what it already owns." If you're not experiencing spiritual opposition, what might that indicate about your spiritual life?
9. What's the difference between listening to God's Word and truly hearing it? Can you share an example from your life?

Practical Application

10. The pastor challenged us to stop waiting for more information and start obeying what we already know God is calling us to do. What is one thing God has already told you to do that you've been delaying?
11. What are some practical ways we can:
    • Engage in spiritual warfare through prayer?
    • Protect our children from demonic influences?
    • Stop compromising for comfort?
12. Isaiah responded, "Here I am, Lord. Send me." What would it look like for you to have that same immediate obedience this week?

Things to Submit (From the Sermon)
Take a moment of silence for personal reflection. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what you need to submit:

• The lie of neutrality - Recognize you're in a war whether you acknowledge it or not
• Your comfort - Christ never called us to be comfortable
• Your need for more information - Stop asking for details and start obeying
• Your compromise - Areas where you've given ground to the enemy
• Your need for validation - Stop waiting for others' approval to obey God
• Your entire life - Complete surrender to Jesus

Share (as comfortable): What is God asking you to submit today?
Action Steps for This Week
Choose at least one of the following to practice this week:

1. Daily Bible Reading with Response
   • Don't just read—ask God, "What do You want me to do with this?"
   • Journal your response and one action step from each reading
2. Engage in Spiritual Warfare
   • Pray specifically for your children, family members, or friends who are under spiritual attack
   • Pray for schools, government leaders, and entertainment industries by name
   • Declare the blood of Jesus over your home and family
3. Audit Your Children's Education
   • If you have children in school, review what they're learning
   • Have conversations about what they're being taught
   • Ask them what they learned each day and engage meaningfully
4. Immediate Obedience
   • Identify one thing God has already told you to do
   • Stop asking for more details
   • Take one concrete step of obedience this week
5. Share the Gospel
   • Tell at least one person this week: "Jesus loves you"
   • Share your testimony with someone who needs hope
6. Re-listen to the Sermon
   • Listen again and take notes on what you missed the first time
   • Ask God to reveal something new

Memory Verse
Luke 8:10
"To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'"

Closing Discussion
How can we pray for each other this week regarding the spiritual battles we're facing?
Take time to share specific prayer requests related to:

• Areas of compromise
• Need for boldness
• Protection for children and families
• Courage to obey immediately

Closing Prayer

Pastor Philip Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Icebreaker Question: Share about a time when you felt completely stuck in a situation, but something unexpectedly changed. What happened?

Key Scripture
Job 42:10 - "And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before."

Main Takeaways from the Sermon

1. God specializes in breakthrough moments - When human effort fails, God sovereignly removes obstacles and provides victory.
2. Bad things happen to good people - Job's story confronts the false belief that suffering always equals God's punishment.
3. The shift from self to intercession - Job's restoration came when he moved from self-pity to praying for those who hurt him.
4. Being "stuck" has real psychological effects - Feeling helpless, hopeless, and overwhelmed can trap us spiritually and emotionally.
5. Forgiveness and prayer for enemies unlocks freedom - Following Jesus' command in Matthew 5:43-48 is challenging but transformative.

Discussion Questions
Section 1: Understanding "Stuck"

1. The pastor defined being "stuck" as feeling helpless, hopeless, and overwhelmed. Have you ever experienced this? What did it feel like?
2. Read Job 2:7-13. Job lost everything and his friends came to "comfort" him. Why do you think their presence initially helped but their words eventually hurt?
3. The sermon mentioned that "being offended is the bait that Satan offers you." What does this mean? How have you seen this play out in your life or others'?

Section 2: The Righteousness Shift

4. The pastor said, "The book of Job begins with the righteousness of Job but ends with the righteousness of God." Why is this shift significant? How does focusing on God's righteousness rather than our own change our perspective?
5. Read Romans 5:8. How does this verse challenge the idea that God only blesses us when we're "good enough"?
6. The sermon stated: "God will always give you more than you can handle so that you will lean on Him." How does this challenge common Christian clichés? Do you agree or disagree?

Section 3: Dealing with "Job's Comforters"

7. Job's three friends represented different types of unhelpful counsel:
   • Eliphaz (accused him of secret sin)
   • Bildad (said he must have hidden sin)
   • Zophar (called him a hypocrite)
8. Have you ever had "Job's comforters" in your life? How did you handle it?
9. The pastor said, "Not everyone who is with you now should be with you then." What does this mean? How do we discern who should speak into our lives?
10. God used Eliphaz (whose name means "God is a refiner") despite his poor counsel. How might God use difficult people to refine us?

Section 4: The Power of Intercession

10. Read Matthew 5:43-48. Why is Jesus' command to pray for our enemies so counter-cultural and difficult?
11. Key Question: Job's breakthrough came when he prayed for his friends who had hurt him. Why do you think interceding for others (especially those who've wronged us) unlocks our own freedom?
12. The pastor shared his wife's story of praying for his rowdy friends instead of staying angry. How did her obedience lead to transformation? What does this teach us about the power of intercession?
13. Who in your life do you need to start praying for instead of staying angry at? (This can be shared or kept private)

Practical Application
Personal Reflection
Take a moment to honestly assess:

• Am I stuck in unforgiveness, bitterness, or resentment toward someone?
• Have I been focusing on my own righteousness or God's righteousness?
• Is there someone I need to start interceding for instead of resenting?

This Week's Challenge
Choose ONE of the following:
Option 1: The Intercession Challenge

• Identify one person who has hurt, offended, or wronged you
• Commit to praying for them specifically every day this week
• Pray for their blessing, not their punishment
• Journal what happens in your own heart

Option 2: The Forgiveness Letter

• Write a letter (you don't have to send it) to someone you need to forgive
• Express your hurt honestly to God
• Then write out your decision to forgive and your prayers for that person
• Bring it to God in prayer

Option 3: The Gratitude Shift

• Make a list of ways you are currently blessed (the devil admitted Job was blessed!)
• Every time you start to feel stuck this week, read your list aloud
• Thank God specifically for each blessing
• Notice how gratitude shifts your perspective

Group Prayer Time
Prayer Focus:

1. Confession: Confess areas where we've held onto bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness
2. Intercession: Pray for those who have hurt us (as a group, pray generally without naming names if uncomfortable)
3. Breakthrough: Ask God for specific breakthroughs in areas where group members feel stuck
4. Restoration: Pray for God to restore what has been lost—relationships, joy, peace, purpose

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and help group members apply God's Word to their lives.

Icebreaker Question
Share a time when someone showed you unexpected kindness or hospitality. How did it make you feel?

Sermon Summary
This week, Pastor Jarrod walked us through the story of a sinful woman who anointed Jesus' feet while a self-righteous Pharisee watched in judgment. The woman gave Jesus her best—her tears, her hair, and expensive ointment—because she understood the depth of her forgiveness. Meanwhile, Simon the Pharisee gave Jesus nothing, revealing his hardened heart and lack of awareness of his own sin. Jesus teaches us that those who are forgiven much, love much. The question for us is: Are we giving God our best, or are we holding back?

Key Scripture
"Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little... Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:47, 50)

Discussion Questions
1. Self-Awareness and Sin

• Simon the Pharisee couldn't see his own sin, only the woman's. How does self-righteousness blind us to our own need for God's grace?
• When was the last time you truly reflected on what God has forgiven you for? How does remembering your "story" impact your worship?

2. Giving God Your Best

• The woman gave Jesus everything she had—her most valuable possession. What does it look like practically to give God your best in daily life?
• Are there areas where you're giving God leftovers instead of your best? (Time, finances, worship, service, etc.)

3. Unrestrained Worship

• Pastor Jarrod challenged us about holding back in worship because we're worried about what others think. What keeps you from fully expressing worship to God?
• How can we create a culture in our group and church where people feel free to worship authentically?

4. Works vs. Faith

• Jesus told the woman, "Your faith has saved you," not her works. Why do we so easily fall into works-based thinking?
• How can we balance genuine acts of devotion (like the woman's) with understanding that our works don't earn salvation?

5. Surrender and Control

• The sermon emphasized that we often keep Jesus at "arm's length" instead of fully surrendering. What are you still trying to control instead of surrendering to God?
• What would "no holding back" look like in your relationship with Jesus this week?

Key Takeaways

1. Awareness of sin leads to gratitude for forgiveness - The more we understand what we've been forgiven, the more we'll love God.
2. God wants your best, not your leftovers - True worship means giving God everything, not just what's convenient.
3. Your faith saves you, not your works - We serve out of gratitude for what God has done, not to earn His love.
4. Stop caring what people think - Unrestrained devotion means worshiping God without fear of judgment from others.
5. Surrender is daily - Following Jesus means denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and surrendering control every single day.

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose one area where you've been holding back from God and commit to surrendering it this week.
Specific Action Steps:

1. Worship Without Restraint
   • During worship this Sunday, intentionally engage—lift your hands, sing out, or simply close your eyes and focus entirely on Jesus without worrying about others.
2. Give Your Best
   • Identify one thing you've been withholding from God (time, money, talent, vulnerability) and take a concrete step to offer it to Him this week.
3. Share Your Story
   • Tell someone this week about what God has forgiven you for and how He's changed your life. Don't let fear of judgment stop you.
4. Daily Surrender
   • Each morning this week, pray: "God, I surrender my day, my plans, my control to You. Have Your way in my life."
5. Examine Self-Righteousness
   • Ask God to reveal areas where you've been judging others while ignoring your own sin. Confess and repent.

Reflection Questions for Journaling

• When I look at my life honestly, am I more like Simon (judgmental, holding back) or the woman (broken, surrendered, worshiping)?
• What would change in my life if I truly lived like I've been forgiven of an unpayable debt?
• What am I most afraid of losing if I fully surrender to Jesus?

Prayer Focus
Pray for each other in these areas:

• Humility to see our own sin and need for grace
• Courage to worship and serve without fear of judgment
• Freedom from works-based thinking
• Complete surrender of control to Jesus
• Hearts that overflow with gratitude for forgiveness

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Icebreaker Question: When have you experienced a moment where your expectations about how God would work didn't match what actually happened? How did you respond?

Key Scripture
Luke 7:24-35 - Focus on verses 27-28:
"This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.' I tell you, among those born of women, none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

Sermon Summary
Pastor Jarrod explored John the Baptist's moment of doubt while in prison and Jesus's response. Key themes include:

• Discouragement doesn't disqualify faithfulness
• God isn't afraid of our doubts
• The dividing line isn't morality—it's humility
• The greatest threat to salvation is self-justification, not brokenness
• We live in the age of fulfillment, making us "greater than John"

Discussion Questions
1. Doubt & Discouragement
"A moment of discouragement doesn't disqualify a lifetime of faithfulness."

• Have you ever doubted God's plan during a difficult season? What caused that doubt?
• How does it make you feel knowing that God isn't afraid of your doubts or questions?
• Why do you think we often hide our doubts from God and others?

2. Expectations vs. Experience
"Doubt clouds the discernment of God's active hand."

• When has your "Google calendar" collided with God's plan for your life?
• How do you typically respond when God interrupts your plans?
• What helps you shift from questioning God's ways to questioning your own assumptions?

3. Humility vs. Morality
"The dividing line is not morality. It is humility."

• Why is humility, not moral performance, the true dividing line in salvation?
• In what areas of life do you struggle most with self-justification?
• How would you answer the question: "How do you know you're saved?" Does your answer start with "I" or with "Jesus"?

4. Greater Than John
"You are greater than John the Baptist because of your proximity to Christ."

• What does it mean that the "least in the kingdom" is greater than John the Baptist?
• How should living in the "age of fulfillment" (post-resurrection) change how we live daily?
• Do you live like someone who has the Holy Spirit dwelling in you?

5. Submission & Surrender
"Jesus doesn't ask your opinion. He demands your submission."

• What does true submission to Christ look like practically?
• What areas of your life are you still trying to control instead of surrendering to God?
• How does the fear/reverence of God factor into your daily decisions?

6. Standing Firm
"If you don't have the courage to stand up now... what makes you think you'll stand when persecution comes?"

• Are you more concerned about people's opinions or God's approval?
• What would it look like for you to be bolder about your faith this week?
• Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus, and what's stopping you from sharing?

Key Takeaways

1. Your testimony destroys doubt - Remember what God has already done
2. God humbled Himself for you - The Creator became creation to save you
3. You can't worship and worry simultaneously - Choose which you'll focus on
4. The only thing you contributed to your salvation is your sin - Everything else is Jesus
5. Neutrality won't be an option much longer - Decide today where you stand

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE to focus on this week:

1. Testimony Time: Write out your testimony—where you were, what Jesus did, where you are now. Share it with someone this week.
2. Humility Check: Examine your heart. Are there areas where you're self-justifying instead of repenting? Confess them to God and a trusted believer.
3. Bold Witness: Identify one person who doesn't know Jesus. Pray for them daily and look for an opportunity to share the gospel or invite them to church.
4. Word Immersion: Commit to reading your Bible daily (even 10 minutes). If you're not hearing God speak, start listening through His Word.
5. Surrender Something: What is one area you've been refusing to submit to God? Write it down, pray over it, and take one step of obedience this week.

Group Accountability:

• Share which challenge you're committing to
• Exchange contact info to check in mid-week
• Plan to report back next meeting

Prayer Time 
Prayer Focus Areas:

• For those struggling with doubt or discouragement - that God would remind them of His faithfulness
• For humility - that we would see ourselves rightly and God accurately
• For boldness - to stand firm and share the gospel without fear
• For submission - to surrender control and trust God's plan
• For the church - to be debt-free, to reach more people, and to expand ministry
• For America - to repent and return to God

Closing Prayer: Have someone close, asking God to help each person submit fully to Him and stand firm no matter what comes.

For Next Week

• Read Luke 7:36-50 in preparation
• Continue working on your chosen practical application
• Pray daily for the person you're hoping to reach with the gospel

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and help group members be vulnerable and honest about their spiritual journey.

Icebreaker
Share a time when something you were really looking forward to turned out completely different from what you expected. How did you handle the disappointment?

Key Takeaways

1. Discouragement is real and common - Even the greatest prophet (John the Baptist) experienced doubt and discouragement while serving God faithfully.
2. The gap between expectation and experience - Discouragement is often born when what we're experiencing doesn't match what we expected God to do.
3. God doesn't fit in our boxes - God acts according to His will and His ways, which are often different from what we expect or plan.
4. Jesus proves His identity through His works - Rather than defending Himself, Jesus pointed to the evidence of His messianic ministry.
5. Mature faith worships before understanding why - True faith clings to Christ even when circumstances don't make sense.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. Read Luke 7:18-23 together. Why do you think John the Baptist, who was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb and baptized Jesus, would question if Jesus was really the Messiah?
2. How did Jesus respond to John's doubt? What does His response teach us about how God handles our questions and doubts?
3. What does verse 23 mean: "Blessed is the one who is not offended by me"? Who might be offended by Jesus and why?

Personal Reflection

4. The Discouragement Question: When have you experienced a significant gap between what you expected God to do and what you actually experienced? How did you handle it?
5. The Comparison Trap: Have you ever compared your calling to someone else's outcome, or your struggles to someone else's blessings? How did that affect your faith?
6. The Box Question: In what ways have you tried to put God in a box? What expectations have you placed on how God "should" act in your life?
7. The sermon mentioned praying for healing, deliverance, or breakthrough that didn't come the way we expected. Have you experienced this? How did it affect your relationship with God?

Going Deeper

8. Read Philippians 1:21-26. Paul says "to live is Christ and to die is gain." How does this perspective help us handle discouragement and suffering?
9. The pastor said, "Faith is not trusting God when it only makes sense to you. It's clinging to Christ when it doesn't." What does this look like practically in your life right now?
10. John the Baptist never got out of prison and was eventually beheaded. How do we reconcile faithful obedience with seemingly "unanswered" prayers or suffering?
11. The Worship Challenge: The sermon emphasized worshiping before we understand why. Why is this so difficult? What prevents you from worshiping in the middle of hardship?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose one or more of these action steps to practice this week:
1. Honest Prayer Journal

• Spend time this week being brutally honest with God about your doubts, discouragement, and questions
• Remember: God already knows what you're thinking and feeling
• Write down both your struggles AND what you know to be true about God's character

2. Expectation Inventory

• List out expectations you've had for God in different areas (career, relationships, health, ministry, etc.)
• Ask yourself: Are these expectations based on God's promises or my preferences?
• Surrender each expectation to God, asking Him to align your will with His

3. Worship Before Understanding

• When you face a discouraging situation this week, intentionally worship FIRST before trying to figure it out
• Put on worship music, lift your hands, speak truth about who God is
• Notice how your perspective shifts when you focus on God rather than your problems

4. Evidence Review

• Like Jesus pointed to His works as evidence, write down evidence of God's faithfulness in your past
• When discouragement hits, review this list to remember God's track record in your life

5. Stop the Comparison

• Identify one person you've been comparing yourself to (in ministry, faith, blessings, etc.)
• Pray for them specifically this week
• Thank God for what He's uniquely doing in YOUR life

Memory Verse
Luke 7:23 (ESV) "And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

Accountability Questions

1. What is one area where you're currently discouraged or experiencing doubt?
2. How can this group pray for you specifically this week?
3. Which practical application will you commit to this week?
4. Who will you check in with to share how God is working?

Closing Prayer Points

• Pray for group members dealing with discouragement or doubt
• Ask God to help the group trust Him even when they don't understand
• Pray for freedom from the need to control and the courage to surrender
• Ask for grace to worship in the midst of suffering
• Pray for those far from God that group members have been praying for

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 receive what God wants to speak tonight.

Icebreaker
Question: When was a time you experienced an unexpected interruption that ended up being a blessing in disguise?

Sermon Overview
This week we explored Jesus interrupting a funeral procession in Nain, where He raised a widow's only son from the dead. This miracle demonstrates Jesus's authority over death itself and reveals His compassionate heart for those who are grieving. The sermon challenges us to trust God's word before we see His will and to allow Him to interrupt our lives for His purposes.

Key Takeaways

1. Death was never God's design - We grieve deeply because we were created for eternal life with God
2. We are at war - There are only two teams: saved and unsaved
3. Jesus meets us in our grief - He is not a stranger to our sorrow
4. God comforts us so we can comfort others - Our trials equip us to minister to others
5. Jesus calls the dead by name - He sees us as persons, not problems
6. We must trust God's word before we see His will - Faith requires obedience without seeing the full picture

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. Read Luke 7:11-17 together. What stands out to you most about this story?
2. Why do you think Luke specifically mentions this is the first time he calls Jesus "Lord" in his gospel?
3. What cultural significance did Jesus touching the funeral bier (stretcher) have? What does this reveal about Jesus's character?

Personal Reflection

4. The pastor said, "Your sorrow is no stranger to Jesus." How does knowing Jesus understands your grief change the way you approach Him in difficult times?
5. Jesus told the widow "Do not weep" before He did anything to change her situation. When has God asked you to trust His word before you could see His will? How did you respond?
6. The sermon mentioned that we were "dead in our trespasses" before Christ. How has Jesus interrupted your life and called you by name out of spiritual death?

Going Deeper

7. Read Ephesians 2:1-10. How does this passage connect to the widow's son being raised from the dead? What does this teach us about salvation?
8. The pastor challenged us: "How will you respond when God interrupts your life?" Share about a time when God interrupted your plans. Looking back, can you see the "why" behind His interruption?
9. "We are souls with a body, not bodies with a soul." How does this perspective change the way you view death, grief, and eternity?

Community & Accountability

10. The sermon emphasized we are at war and there are "no cheerleaders in Christianity—you're either on the field or you're on the field." What does active engagement in spiritual warfare look like practically in your daily life?
11. "God doesn't call you when you're qualified. He calls you and then He qualifies you." What is God calling you to do that you've been resisting because you don't feel qualified?
12. Is anyone in the group currently experiencing grief or walking through a difficult season? How can we practically meet them in their grief this week (not just say "I'm praying for you")?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose one of the following to put into practice:
Option 1: Interrupt Someone's Grief
Identify someone in your life who is grieving or struggling. Don't just say "I'm praying for you." Take a specific action—bring them a meal, sit with them in silence, help with a practical need, or share how God comforted you in a similar situation.
Option 2: Obey Before You Understand
What is one thing God has been asking you to do that doesn't make sense or isn't convenient? This week, take one step of obedience without demanding to see the full picture first. Trust His word before you see His will.
Option 3: Share Your Testimony
The dead man "sat up and began to speak"—proof of his resurrection. Who in your life needs to hear how Jesus raised you from spiritual death? Share your testimony with at least one person this week.
Option 4: Deny Yourself
The pastor asked, "When's the last time you told you 'no'?" Identify one area where you're living for yourself rather than submitting to Christ. Practice self-denial in that area this week and say "yes" to what God is asking instead.

Memory Verse
Ephesians 2:4-5
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Prayer Focus

• For those grieving: Pray for anyone in your group experiencing loss or depression. Ask God to meet them in their grief and bring comfort.
• For courage: Pray for boldness to share the gospel and interrupt the "funerals" of those who are spiritually dead around you.
• For submission: Pray that each person would surrender their plans, timelines, and preferences to God's interruptions.
• For the lost: Pray specifically for unsaved friends and family members by name, asking Jesus to call them out of death into life.

Closing Thought
"Death has no hold on you. God has the final say over your life, your children, your finances, your job, your eternal destiny. Grace holds that ground."

Next Steps

• If you're struggling with grief, join the Grief Share group (available on the Family Church app)
• Share this sermon with someone who needs to hear it
• Prepare your heart for next week's message by reading Luke 7:18-35

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

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

Ice Breaker
Question: Share about a time when you had to trust someone you had never met before. What made you decide to trust them?

Sermon Recap
Pastor Jarrod walked us through the account of the Roman centurion who demonstrated extraordinary faith in Jesus—faith that amazed Jesus himself. Despite being a Gentile who had only heard about Jesus, the centurion believed Jesus could heal his servant with just a word. This sermon challenges us to examine our own faith and urgency in sharing the Gospel.

Key Takeaways

1. Extraordinary exposure doesn't guarantee extraordinary faith - Being near Jesus (or church) doesn't automatically mean we have genuine faith.
2. Faith moves toward vulnerability, not away from it - True faith requires humility and confession, not hiding behind masks.
3. Jesus is not a respecter of artificial divisions - Race, social status, and background don't matter to God.
4. Faith trusts the One who is, not the "what ifs" - We must stop living in anxiety and start trusting God's authority.
5. We have an urgency to reach the lost - The American church has fallen asleep; we must wake up and share the Gospel.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. Read Luke 7:1-10 together. What stands out to you most about the centurion's character and actions?
2. Why do you think Jesus was "amazed" at the centurion's faith? What made it so remarkable?
3. The centurion said, "I am not worthy to have you come under my roof" (v. 6). How does this humility contrast with how we often approach God today?

Personal Reflection

4. Pastor Jarrod asked: "If you lived so faithfully that God himself was amazed at the level of faith that you show, what would your life look like?" Take a moment to reflect and share your thoughts.
5. The sermon challenged us: "When are you going to stop looking around for evidence that already exists and start believing in the word that you've already heard?" What areas of your life require you to trust God's Word more than what you can see?
6. How comfortable are you with vulnerability in your faith? Do you confess your struggles to others, or do you hide behind a "spiritual mask"?

Addressing the Challenge

7. Pastor Jarrod said, "The problem with American Christianity is we don't care for His creation. We stay silent when we're supposed to speak up." Do you agree? Why or why not?
8. Who in your life needs to hear the Gospel? What has prevented you from sharing it with them?
9. The sermon mentioned that we might one day watch people we know being thrown into the lake of fire because we were "too pathetically scared to say something." How does this reality affect your sense of urgency about evangelism?
10. What does it mean to you to "die exhausted" rather than "die equipped"? How can you apply this principle this week?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following to commit to this week:
Option 1: Faith Over Fear

• Identify one person God has placed on your heart and pray for them daily this week.
• By the end of the week, have a conversation with them about Jesus or invite them to church.

Option 2: Vulnerability in Community

• Confess a struggle or sin to someone you trust (your small group leader, a friend, or accountability partner).
• Practice living in the freedom that comes from bringing things into the light.

Option 3: Biblical Fasting

• Research biblical fasting and commit to a fast appropriate for your health.
• Use the time you would normally spend on that activity/food to pray and read Scripture.

Option 4: Scripture Memorization

• Memorize Luke 7:9 - "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."
• Ask God to develop this kind of faith in you.

Group Accountability:

• Share which option you're committing to with the group.
• Exchange contact information and check in with each other mid-week for encouragement.

Closing Reflection
Question: If Jesus were to evaluate your faith today, what would He find? What needs to change?

Pastor's Challenge: "I refuse to die equipped. I'm going to die exhausted... I'm going to die, hopefully exhausting myself, walking in every single thing, putting my face toward Him and doing everything in my power exhausting every inch of my body and my soul to get to Him and to take as many people behind me as I can."
How will you respond to this challenge?

Closing Prayer

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin by asking God to open hearts, convict minds, and give courage to live boldly for Him in this generation.

Ice Breaker
What was your initial reaction to this message? What emotion did you feel most strongly—conviction, encouragement, discomfort, or something else?

Key Takeaways
1. America Has Exchanged God's Authority for Cultural Comfort

• We claim to be a Christian nation but celebrate what God condemns
• Silence on sin is not humility—it's cowardice and complicity
• "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12)

2. God's Passive Wrath is Already at Work

• Romans 1 shows three times "God gave them up" to their desires
• When a nation rejects God, He allows them to experience the consequences
• Sexual immorality, gender confusion, and moral chaos are symptoms of rejecting God

3. The Church Has Become Conformed Instead of Transformed

• We prioritize attendance over discipleship, performance over proclamation
• We've traded truth for tolerance and holiness for happiness
• We idolize pastors, celebrities, and comfort more than Christ

4. Silence is Disobedience

• Every Old Testament prophet spoke to rulers and nations about sin
• The church must speak where Scripture speaks: marriage, life, justice, authority, sin
• Neutrality on moral rebellion is not wisdom—it's betrayal

5. The Call: Repentance, Prayer, and Fasting

• 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people... humble themselves and pray"
• We need boldness, not comfort; conviction, not entertainment
• Choose this day whom you will serve

Discussion Questions
Section 1: Self-Examination

1. In what areas of your life have you been "conformed to this world" rather than "transformed by the renewal of your mind"?
2. How much time do you spend daily in God's Word compared to social media, entertainment, or news? What does this reveal about your priorities?
3. Are there sins in your life that you've renamed or rationalized to make them seem less serious? What are they?

Section 2: The State of the Church

4. Have you witnessed or participated in "seeker-sensitive" Christianity that avoids hard truths? How has this affected your faith?
5. Why do you think Christians will pack out conferences but struggle to attend prayer gatherings?
6. What does it mean that "you belong before you believe"? How should the church balance welcoming sinners while not accepting sin?

Section 3: Cultural Engagement

7. Do you agree that "the church should stay out of politics" is really saying "the church should be silent on sins I support"? Why or why not?
8. Where have you remained silent about biblical truth because of fear—at work, school, with family, or on social media?
9. How can we speak truth in love without being hateful or compromising God's Word?

Section 4: Personal Response

10. What specific sin or compromise is God convicting you of right now?
11. Are you "all in" with Christ, or do you have "a foot in the world and a toe in the Word"? Be honest.
12. What would it look like for you to "deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him" this week?

Practical Applications
This Week:

• [ ] Join the Church-Wide Fast (7 days) - Skip at least one meal daily and use that time to pray and read Scripture
• [ ] Attend Saturday Night Prayer (5 PM) - Prioritize corporate prayer for the nation
• [ ] Remove One Idol - Identify something that takes priority over God (social media, entertainment, hobby) and fast from it
• [ ] Speak One Truth - Share the gospel or speak biblical truth in one conversation this week
• [ ] Read Romans 1 - Study the passage daily and journal what God reveals

Ongoing Commitments:

• [ ] Daily Bible Reading - Start or restart a consistent Bible reading plan
• [ ] Limit Screen Time - Set boundaries on phone/TV usage; replace with Scripture and prayer
• [ ] Accountability Partnership - Find someone to check in with weekly about spiritual growth
• [ ] Boldness in Witness - Ask God for opportunities to share Christ and commit to taking them

Family/Household:

• [ ] Monitor Media - Review what your children have access to online and establish boundaries
• [ ] Family Worship - Begin praying and reading Scripture together as a household
• [ ] Discuss Cultural Issues - Talk openly about biblical sexuality, identity, and morality with your kids

Scripture Memory
Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Prayer Focus
Pray for:

1. Personal Revival - That God would awaken our hearts to hunger for Him above all else
2. The American Church - Repentance from compromise, boldness in proclamation, unity in truth
3. National Leaders - Wisdom, conviction, and a return to biblical values
4. Protection from Deception - That believers would discern false teaching and stand firm in truth
5. Boldness - Courage to speak truth in love regardless of cost

Corporate Prayer:
Take time as a group to pray specifically for:

• Awakening in America
• The church to rise up in holiness and boldness
• Protection of children from evil influences
• Spiritual breakthrough in your city/community

Closing Challenge
Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve
Joshua 24:15 says, "Choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

This isn't about New Year's resolutions—it's about repentance and radical obedience. Will you go "all in" with Christ, or will you continue with one foot in the world?
The door of repentance is open now. When Christ returns, it will be shut.

What will you choose?

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin by thanking God for bringing everyone through another year and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and reveal areas where group members need freedom and breakthrough.

Icebreaker

• What's one thing you're grateful for from 2024?
• What's one thing you're looking forward to in 2025?

Key Takeaways from the Sermon

1. Past Accomplishments and Failures Don't Define Us - Paul had impressive credentials but counted them as "rubbish" compared to knowing Christ.
2. God Has Already Forgiven and Forgotten Our Sins - We must stop letting the enemy hold our past against us when Christ has already nailed it to the cross.
3. Christianity is a Passionate Pursuit, Not a Passive Stroll - We're called to "strain forward" and "press on" with everything we have.
4. Looking Back Causes Us to Stumble - Like running a race, when we turn around to look at our past, we lose momentum and direction.
5. Our Identity is in Christ, Not Our Past - The moment we accept Christ, we become new creations; our past is not our identity.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message

1. Read Philippians 3:4-8. What did Paul give up to follow Christ? What does it mean that he counted everything as "loss" or "rubbish"?
2. Pastor Jarrod mentioned that the Greek word for "rubbish" is actually much stronger (equivalent to "crap" or "dung"). Why do you think Paul used such offensive language? What point was he making?
3. Read Philippians 3:12-14. What does Paul mean by "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead"? What are the dangers of looking back?

Personal Reflection

4. What from your past (failures, sins, hurts, or even accomplishments) are you still holding onto that's keeping you from moving forward with Christ?
5. The sermon mentioned that sometimes we repeat the enemy's accusations against ourselves until we believe them. What lies have you been believing about yourself that contradict what God says about you?
6. Pastor Jarrod said, "You're not a body with a soul; you're a soul with a body." How does understanding this truth change the way you view your struggles with sin and flesh?
7. The sermon challenged the idea that we can "rest on our accomplishments" spiritually. In what ways might you have become spiritually lazy or complacent? What would it look like to "strain forward" in your walk with Christ?

Practical Application

8. The Weight of Sin Illustration: The pastor compared sin to water—we don't feel its weight until we're out of it. What sins or burdens are you "swimming in" that you've become numb to? How can you recognize their true weight?
9. The Race Imagery: Paul uses athletic imagery throughout this passage. What specific "weights" do you need to lay aside to run your race more effectively in 2025? (Hebrews 12:1-2 may be helpful here)
10. The sermon mentioned that tradition doesn't bring transformation. How can you move beyond symbolic gestures (like writing sins on paper) to actual heart change and freedom?
11. Acts 16:25: Paul and Silas praised God at midnight in prison, and their chains were broken. How can you implement praise and worship as a weapon against bondage in the coming year?

Action Steps for the Week
Choose 1-2 of these to commit to:

• [ ] Prayer & Reflection: Spend extended time (not just 5-10 minutes) in prayer asking God to reveal what you need to leave behind. Journal what He shows you.
• [ ] Scripture Meditation: Memorize Philippians 3:13-14. Write it on a card and review it daily.
• [ ] Confession & Freedom: Share with a trusted friend or this group one thing you've been holding onto that needs to be left at the cross. Ask them to hold you accountable.
• [ ] Midnight Praise: On New Year's Eve, spend time in worship and prayer as the clock strikes midnight, asking God to break chains and set you free for the new year.
• [ ] Physical Bible: If you don't have one, order a physical Bible this week and begin a reading plan for 2025.
• [ ] Testimony Preparation: Write out your testimony of how God has worked in your life, not to dwell on the past but to use it as a tool for His glory.
• [ ] Fast & Pray: Consider a short fast (food, social media, entertainment) in the first week of January to seek God's direction for the new year.

Closing Exercise
Laying It Down:
Provide paper and pens. Have each person write down what they want to leave behind from 2024—sins, shame, failures, bitterness, or even past accomplishments they're resting on.
Then have everyone:

1. Share (if comfortable) what they're leaving behind
2. Pray over each person as they symbolically tear up or crumple the paper
3. Remind them: "It's already nailed to the cross—now LEAVE IT THERE"

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Icebreaker Question:
Share about a time when you started building or creating something but didn't finish it properly. What happened?

Sermon Summary
This message concludes the "Built Different" series, focusing on Jesus' challenge: "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you?" Pastor Jarrod emphasized that Christianity isn't just about confession—it's about obedience. True faith is demonstrated through action, like a house built on a rock foundation that withstands storms, versus one built on sand that crumbles immediately.

Key Takeaways

1. Christianity is a lifestyle, not just a belief system - Our actions must match our words
2. You cannot have Jesus as Savior without accepting Him as Lord - The two roles cannot be separated
3. Obedience is the test of genuine faith - Fruit reveals the root
4. Building on Christ requires intentional, deep digging - Superficial faith won't survive life's storms
5. The only acceptable response to Jesus is "yes" - Delete "no" from your vocabulary with God

Discussion Questions
Section 1: Lord, Lord

1. Read Luke 6:46 - Why do you think Jesus used the repetition "Lord, Lord"? What does calling Him "Lord" actually mean?
2. Pastor Jarrod said, "We want a savior without a king." What does this look like in practical, everyday life? Can you identify areas where you've wanted Jesus to save you but not rule you?
3. How does our culture's view of authority affect our willingness to submit to Christ's lordship?

Section 2: Hearing vs. Doing

4. Read Luke 6:47-49 - Both builders heard the same message. What made the difference in their outcomes?
5. Share an example of when you heard God's word clearly but struggled to obey. What held you back?
6. Pastor mentioned that "light travels faster than sound"—people see our actions before they hear our words. How does this truth challenge the way you live your faith at work, home, or in public?

Section 3: Building on the Rock

7. What does it mean practically to "dig deep" in your faith? What are some specific ways you can dig deeper this week?
8. The sermon emphasized that building takes time, patience, and intentionality. Why do we so often want shortcuts in our spiritual lives?
9. Read Ephesians 2:18-22 - How does understanding that Christ is the cornerstone (not just the foundation) change your perspective on building your life?

Section 4: The Storm Test (15 minutes)

10. Jesus said "when" a flood comes, not "if." What storms are you currently facing or preparing for?
11. How can you "praise God from the pit" even when circumstances haven't changed yet? Share examples if you're comfortable.
12. Read Matthew 7:21-23 - This is described as "the scariest scripture in the Bible." Why is it so sobering? What's the difference between doing things "in Jesus' name" and truly knowing Him?

Personal Reflection
Take 2-3 minutes of silence for each person to reflect on these questions privately:

• If Jesus asked me, "Why do you call me Lord and not do what I say?" what specific area of disobedience would come to mind?
• Is my faith superficial (surface level) or deep-rooted? How do I know?
• What is one thing God has been telling me to do that I've been saying "no" to?

Practical Application
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following action steps:

1. Delete "No" - Identify one area where you've been telling God "no" and commit to obedience this week. Share this with an accountability partner.
2. Dig Deeper - Commit to reading God's Word daily this week like "a baby longing for milk." Set a specific time and place.
3. Check Your Foundation - Evaluate your life: Are you building on rock or sand? Write down 3 specific ways you can strengthen your spiritual foundation.
4. Walk It Out - Choose one teaching from the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49) that convicts you and put it into practice this week. Examples:
   • Love an enemy
   • Give without expecting return
   • Judge yourself before judging others
   • Forgive someone who hurt you

Accountability Question for Next Week:
"Did you obey what God told you to do this week, or did you tell Him 'no'?"

Closing Prayer Focus
Pray specifically for:

• Courage to obey God even when it's uncomfortable
• Wisdom to discern God's voice from the enemy's accusations
• Strength to dig deep and build on the solid foundation of Christ
• Revival that begins with personal repentance
• Those who don't yet know Jesus - that they would surrender to Him as both Savior and Lord

Additional Resources
Scripture for Further Study:

• Matthew 7:21-27 (Sermon on the Mount parallel passage)
• James 1:22-25 (Be doers of the word, not hearers only)
• John 14:15 (If you love me, keep my commandments)
• 1 John 2:3-6 (How we know we know Him)

Question for Deeper Reflection: "Am I more concerned with appearing Christian or actually being obedient to Christ?"

Pastor Philip Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin by asking God to open hearts and minds to His Word. Pray for boldness, urgency, and a fresh awakening to the reality of Christ's return.

Icebreaker
Question: What's one thing you remember being taught about Jesus' second coming when you were younger? How did it make you feel then versus now?

Sermon Overview
This message focuses on Luke 12:35-40, where Jesus calls us to live like people who are actively waiting for their Lord's return. Pastor Philip challenges us to move from complacency to urgency, from spiritual sleep to spiritual awakeness, and to live every day with the expectation that Christ could return at any moment.

Key Takeaways
Main Points to Remember:

1. Jesus is coming again - This is not speculation; it's biblical certainty.
2. No one knows when - But the signs indicate we're living in the last days.
3. You must be ready - Readiness requires salvation, holiness, obedience, and active waiting.
4. Be like men who wait for their Lord - Live with urgency, anticipation, and purpose.
5. Keep your lamps burning - Don't let complacency, sin, or worldliness dim your spiritual fire.

Discussion Questions
1. Personal Reflection on Readiness

• On a scale of 1-10, how "ready" do you feel for Christ's return today? What factors influence your answer?
• What does it practically look like to "stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning" in your daily life?

2. Signs of the Times

• Pastor Philip mentioned numerous signs pointing to the last days (wars, earthquakes, knowledge increasing, false prophets, etc.). Which of these signs strikes you most powerfully? Why?
• How should awareness of these signs change the way we live this week?

3. The Problem of Complacency

• The sermon stated: "If you truly believed Jesus was coming today, you would not live like you're living right now." Do you agree? Why or why not?
• What areas of complacency or spiritual sleepiness do you recognize in your own life?
• What "normalizations of sin" have you noticed creeping into Christian culture that concern you?

4. Urgency vs. Fear

• How is biblical urgency different from fear or panic about the end times?
• Jesus said "do not be anxious" (Luke 12:22-34) yet also "you must be ready" (v. 40). How do we hold both truths in tension?

5. Waiting Like Men Who Wait for Their Lord

• What does it mean to "wait" for Jesus in the biblical sense described in the sermon (with patience, endurance, confidence, and anticipation)?
• How does waiting for Jesus differ from just passively hoping something might happen?

6. Being Born Again

• The sermon emphasized that nothing is more important than being born again. How would you explain what it means to be "born again" to someone who has never heard that term?
• Have you personally experienced being born again? If comfortable, share briefly about that moment.

7. Living with Kingdom Purpose

• Pastor Philip said we must "be busy about the Father's business." What does that look like practically in your life right now?
• When was the last time you shared your faith with someone? What holds you back from doing so more often?

Memorable Quotes:

• "There is more to life than more."
• "You are either sounding the alarm or you are rocking people to sleep."
• "We need a rebirth of boldness."
• "If you truly believed Jesus was coming today, you would not live like you're living right now."

Practical Applications 
This Week's Challenge:
Choose at least two of the following action steps to complete before your next meeting:

1. Daily Expectation Prayer: Each morning this week, begin your day by praying, "Lord, this could be the day You return. Help me live ready."
2. Scripture Meditation: Read and meditate on one of these passages daily:
   • Monday: Matthew 24:36-44
   • Tuesday: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
   • Wednesday: 2 Peter 3:8-14
   • Thursday: Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the Ten Virgins)
   • Friday: Revelation 22:12-21
   • Saturday: Luke 12:35-48
   • Sunday: Titus 2:11-14
3. Spiritual Inventory: Set aside 30 minutes for honest self-examination. Ask yourself:
   • Is there unconfessed sin in my life?
   • Have I grown complacent in my walk with God?
   • When did I last share my faith?
   • Am I living with urgency or apathy?
   • What would I change if I knew Jesus was coming tomorrow?
4. Share Your Faith: Intentionally bring up Jesus in at least one conversation this week with someone who doesn't know Him or has fallen away from faith.
5. Media Fast/Evaluation: Take a break from entertainment this week (or evaluate what you're consuming). Ask: "Would I be watching/reading/listening to this if Jesus were sitting next to me?"
6. Rekindling the Fire: If you've recognized spiritual coldness, spend extended time in worship, prayer, and repentance. Consider fasting one meal and spending that time seeking God's face.
7. Study End Times: Do a personal study on the second coming. Resources to consider:
   • Read all of Matthew 24
   • Study the seven churches in Revelation 2-3
   • Research current events in light of biblical prophecy

Prayer Focus Areas:

1. Salvation: Pray for any in the group who may not be certain of their salvation. Pray for loved ones who don't know Jesus.
2. Awakening: Ask God to awaken us from spiritual sleep, complacency, and apathy.
3. Boldness: Pray for courage to speak truth, confront sin, and share the gospel without fear.
4. Urgency: Ask the Holy Spirit to birth a fresh sense of urgency in our hearts regarding the return of Christ.
5. Holiness: Pray for strength to live holy, obedient lives that honor God.
6. The Lost: Intercede for those who are far from God, that they would be saved before it's too late.
7. Our Pastor: Pray for our Pastor and church leadership as they faithfully proclaim the truth.

Closing Prayer:
"Lord Jesus, we confess that we have often lived as though You are not coming back. Forgive us for our complacency, our compromise, and our coldness. Awaken us! Set our hearts on fire again. Help us to live like people who are truly waiting for You—with anticipation, with holiness, with urgency, and with joy. We don't know the day or the hour, but we believe You are coming soon. Help us to be ready. Even so, come Lord Jesus. In Your mighty name, Amen."

Before Next Week

• Complete your chosen action steps
• Journal about any insights or convictions God brings
• Be prepared to share one way God challenged or changed you through this message

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin your time together by asking God to open hearts and minds to His Word, and to help each person examine their own lives honestly and humbly.

Ice Breaker
Share a time when someone pointed out something in your life that you were blind to. How did you respond initially, and what did you learn from that experience?

Key Scripture
Luke 6:37-42
"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

Main Takeaways
1. Judgment vs. Discernment

• Jesus doesn't forbid all judgment—He forbids hypocritical, condemning judgment
• We are called to have discernment and identify sin biblically
• We must judge sin according to God's Word, not personal preferences or convictions

2. The Mercy Principle

• We are to be more compassionate than critical
• Understanding the depth of our own forgiveness changes how we treat others
• Refusing to forgive shows we don't understand what we've been forgiven of

3. The Hypocrisy Problem

• We must deal with our own sin before addressing others' sin
• Being blind to our own faults makes us preoccupied with others' faults
• Authentic Christianity requires intentional humility and self-examination

4. The Generosity Connection

• How we treat others determines how we'll be treated
• Giving (grace, forgiveness, resources) reflects our understanding of God's generosity to us
• The "pressed down, shaken together, running over" principle applies to all areas of life

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. What does "judge not" actually mean in context? How is this different from how the world uses this verse?
2. Why does Jesus connect mercy, judgment, forgiveness, and giving all in one passage? What's the relationship between these concepts?
3. What's the difference between:
   • Superficial judgment
   • Hypocritical judgment
   • Self-righteous judgment
   • Discernment based on God's Word

Personal Reflection

4. What "logs" might be in your own eye that you've been ignoring? (Take time for silent reflection before sharing)
5. Is there someone you've been refusing to forgive? What's holding you back from extending forgiveness to them?
6. Where have you been more critical than compassionate? With family? Coworkers? Other Christians? Non-believers?
7. Have you confused personal convictions or preferences with biblical commands? (Examples: music styles, dress codes, entertainment choices, etc.)

Application

8. How can we call out sin lovingly without being hypocritical or condemning? What does this look like practically?
9. What does it mean to "test everything against Scripture"? How often do you actually do this with sermons, social media posts, or advice from others?
10. How would your relationships change if you truly grasped the depth of your own forgiveness? 
11. What practical steps can you take this week to "deal aggressively" with sin in your own life before pointing it out in others?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge: Choose ONE
Option 1: The Mirror Before the Window

• Spend 15 minutes each day this week asking God: "Reveal to me my grievous ways. Show me the logs in my own eye."
• Journal what God reveals and confess it to Him
• Share your experience with one trusted person in the group

Option 2: The Forgiveness Assignment

• Write down the name of someone you've been refusing to forgive
• Pray daily for that person this week
• Ask God to help you see them through His eyes
• Consider reaching out to reconcile (if appropriate and safe)

Option 3: The Generosity Experiment

• Identify one area where you've been stingy (time, money, grace, encouragement)
• This week, give "pressed down, shaken together, running over" in that area
• Document how it changes your perspective

Option 4: The Scripture Test

• Choose one teaching or belief you hold strongly
• Search the Scriptures to verify it's actually biblical (not just tradition or preference)
• Be willing to change your view if it doesn't align with God's Word

Group Activity: Accountability Partners
Pair up with someone in your group to:

• Share one specific sin or "log" you're dealing with
• Commit to praying for each other daily this week
• Check in mid-week via text or call
• Report back next week on progress

Reflection Questions for Journaling

1. What sin am I currently minimizing in my own life while criticizing in others?
2. How have I been wearing a "mask" of righteousness instead of being authentic?
3. What would change in my life if I truly believed "there is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus"?
4. Who needs to hear the gospel from me, but I've been too busy judging them to share it?

Memory Verse
Luke 6:37-38 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you."

Closing Prayer Points

• Pray for humility to see our own sin clearly
• Pray for grace to extend forgiveness to those who've hurt us
• Pray for wisdom to discern truth from error
• Pray for boldness to live authentically as Christians
• Pray for compassion toward the lost instead of condemnation
• Pray for revival birthed from genuine repentance

Additional Resources
Recommended Bible Study:

• Matthew 7:1-5 (Sermon on the Mount parallel passage)
• Matthew 18:15-20 (Church discipline and restoration)
• Romans 2:1-4 (Judgment and God's kindness)
• James 4:11-12 (Speaking against one another)
• 1 Corinthians 5 (Addressing sin in the church)

For Further Reflection:

• Read through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) this week
• Study the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35)
• Examine your heart: Are you more concerned with appearing righteous or actually being righteous?

Leader Notes

• Create a safe space: Emphasize confidentiality and grace for honest sharing
• Model vulnerability: Be willing to share your own struggles first
• Avoid fixing: Let the Holy Spirit do His work; don't try to solve everyone's problems
• Balance truth and grace: This topic can make people defensive—lead with compassion
• Watch for legalism: Help distinguish between biblical commands and personal preferences
• Encourage action: Don't let this become just an intellectual exercise

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin your group time by inviting the Holy Spirit to soften hearts and open minds to God's challenging word about loving our enemies.

Icebreaker Question
Share about a time when someone responded to your rudeness or negativity with unexpected kindness. How did it make you feel?

Key Scripture
Luke 6:27-31
"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also... And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."

Key Takeaways
✓ Loving enemies requires supernatural power - It's impossible in our own strength; we need the Holy Spirit.
✓ Prayer changes us - When we pray for our enemies, our hearts soften even if theirs don't.
✓ Remembering our own forgiveness fuels our ability to forgive - We were God's enemies, yet He loved us first.
✓ Generosity should flow from gratitude, not obligation - God loves a cheerful giver.
✓ Our response to enemies reveals our understanding of the gospel - If we truly grasp what we've been saved from, we'll extend that grace to others.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. What does "love your enemies" actually mean?
   • How is agape love different from the other types of love mentioned in the sermon (storge, eros, philia)?
   • Why is this kind of love described as "supernatural" rather than "natural"?
2. The sermon mentioned that when Jesus says "turn the other cheek," He's addressing insults, not advocating being a doormat for violence.
   • How does understanding the cultural context (backhanded slap = insult) change your interpretation?
   • What's the difference between enduring humiliation and enabling abuse?
3. Jesus says to give to those who ask and not demand things back when taken.
   • How do we balance generosity with wisdom and discernment?
   • What's the difference between helping someone and enabling them?

Personal Reflection

4. The pastor challenged: "You cannot hate someone that you are actively praying for."
   • Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
   • Who in your life is hardest for you to pray for?
5. Think about the statement: "We were enemies to Christ, yet He died for us."
   • How does remembering your own former state as God's enemy change your perspective on loving your enemies?
   • Have you ever truly grasped the depth of what you've been forgiven from?
6. The sermon mentioned that our response to enemies reveals whether we truly understand the cross.
   • What does your typical response to people who wrong you reveal about your understanding of grace?
   • When was the last time you traded "insult for insult" instead of responding with Christ-like love?

Practical Application

7. The 30-Day Challenge:
   • Who is one person you struggle with that God is bringing to mind right now?
   • Are you willing to commit to praying for them for 30 days? What specific things will you pray?
8. The sermon shared the story of offering sunflower seeds to an enemy.
   • What would be your "sunflower seeds moment"—a small, consistent act of kindness toward someone difficult?
   • What's stopping you from doing this?
9. Generosity and Stewardship:
   • The sermon asked: "Do you have money, or does money have you?"
   • Where in your life are possessions holding you back from radical generosity?
   • What's one concrete way you could demonstrate a "spirit of generosity" this week?

Going Deeper
10. Read Matthew 25:31-46 together (the judgment scene referenced in the sermon).

• How does serving "the least of these" connect to loving our enemies?
• What does this passage reveal about the authenticity of our faith?

11. The sermon mentioned that in America we want prosperity gospel, not hard commands.

• In what ways have you been guilty of cherry-picking comfortable verses while ignoring difficult ones?
• What would change in your life if you took all of Jesus' words seriously?

12. The pastor said: "Your reward will be great" for loving enemies.

• How does keeping an eternal perspective help us obey this hard command?
• What rewards might we experience even in this life from loving our enemies?

This Week's Challenge: The 30-Day Prayer Commitment
Assignment:

1. Write down the name of one person who is difficult for you (an "enemy" in some sense)
2. Commit to praying for them by name for 30 days
3. Pray for their salvation, their wellbeing, and God's blessing on their life
4. Ask God to change YOUR heart toward them
5. Look for one practical way to show them kindness this week

Accountability: Share your commitment with one other person in the group who will check in with you.

Closing Reflection
Read together: 1 Peter 2:23
"When he was reviled, he did not revile in return. When he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly."

Silent Reflection (2-3 minutes):

• Where is God convicting you specifically?
• What one thing will you do differently this week?

Closing Prayer
Pray together for:

• Humility to see ourselves as we truly are without Christ
• Supernatural love for those who have hurt us
• Boldness to obey even when it's hard
• The Holy Spirit's power to live out these commands
• Specific people each group member is struggling to love

Additional Resources

• Further Study: Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 5:38-48; Proverbs 25:21-22
• Book Recommendation: Unoffendable by Brant Hansen
• Action Step: Watch The Passion of the Christ to gain a deeper understanding of what Jesus endured for His enemies (us)

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin by thanking God for the opportunity to gather together and ask the Holy Spirit to soften hearts and open minds to His Word.

Ice Breaker 
Question: What's one thing you used to take for granted that you now appreciate after losing it (even temporarily)?
This connects to the sermon's opening about not appreciating health until we lose it.

Sermon Recap 
This week's message covered Luke 6:24-26, focusing on the "woes" that mirror the Beatitudes. Pastor Jarrod challenged us to choose between comfort and calling, convenience and Christ. He warned against finding security in wealth, self-sufficiency, worldly approval, and temporary pleasures while emphasizing that persecution is coming and Christians must be courageous.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Woes

• Read Luke 6:24-26 together. How do these "woes" challenge our modern American understanding of success and happiness?
• Why does Jesus lament over those who are rich, full, laughing, and well-spoken of? What's the deeper issue He's addressing?

The Trap of Self-Sufficiency

• The sermon stated: "Wealth too often can lead you into slipping into the illusion of self-sufficiency." Have you ever experienced this—either with money, health, career, or relationships?
• Read Proverbs 30:8-9. Why might both extreme poverty AND extreme wealth be spiritually dangerous? What's the balanced perspective?

Comfort vs. Calling

• Pastor Jarrod repeatedly asked: "Will you choose comfort or calling?" In what specific areas of your life are you currently choosing comfort over God's calling?
• What would it look like practically for you to "deny yourself and pick up your cross" this week?

The Cowardice Question

• The sermon ended with Revelation 21:8, listing cowardice alongside serious sins. Why do you think God takes cowardice so seriously?
• Where in your life might fear be preventing you from living boldly for Christ? (At work? With family? On social media? In your neighborhood?)

Living for God's Approval vs. Man's Approval

• The message stated: "You can win the world's applause or you can bear the Lord's approval. And you are rarely, if ever, going to get both."
• Who are you most tempted to please? How does people-pleasing show up in your life?
• Read Galatians 1:10. How can we practically shift from seeking human approval to seeking God's approval?

The Coming Persecution

• How did you respond internally when Pastor Jarrod talked about persecution coming to America? With fear? Doubt? Resolve?
• Read Matthew 10:28. How should this verse shape our response to potential persecution?
• What can we do NOW to prepare spiritually for harder times ahead?

Key Takeaways
Have group members share which of these resonated most with them:

1. Everything we have is from God - Our possessions, health, jobs, and abilities are all gifts from Him, not achievements we've earned independently.
2. Wealth isn't evil, but loving it is - God blesses some with wealth to further His kingdom and bless others, not to build personal empires.
3. External joy is circumstantial; internal joy is eternal - If our joy comes from the world, it depends on circumstances. Joy from Christ is unshakeable.
4. We can't be Christians without the cross - Denying ourselves and following Christ means embracing difficulty, not avoiding it.
5. Time is running out - We're living in urgent times that require bold faith and action, not passive comfort-seeking.
6. God does not like cowards - Fear and cowardice are serious spiritual issues that must be confronted with God's strength.

Practical Applications 
Personal Reflection:
Have each person choose ONE area to work on this week:
Option 1: Gratitude Audit

• Each morning this week, before checking your phone, thank God for three specific things you normally take for granted (health, safety, provision, etc.).

Option 2: Generosity Challenge

• Identify one way you've been clinging to comfort or possessions. Take a specific action to bless someone else with your resources (time, money, skills).

Option 3: Courage Step

• Identify one area where you've been cowardly or people-pleasing. Take one bold step to stand for Christ this week (share your faith, set a boundary, speak truth, etc.).

Option 4: Spiritual Preparation

• Spend 15 minutes daily this week reading about persecuted Christians (Voice of the Martyrs website, Open Doors, etc.) and praying for them. Ask God to strengthen your own faith.

Option 5: Social Media Audit

• Review your social media presence. Are you presenting a curated, people-pleasing version of yourself? Post something authentic about your faith this week, regardless of potential backlash.

Group Accountability:

• Share which option you chose with at least one other person in the group
• Exchange contact information to check in mid-week about your commitment

Prayer Time
Prayer Focus Areas:

1. For Courage - Pray for boldness to choose calling over comfort, to stand firm in faith regardless of opposition
2. For Persecuted Christians - Specifically pray for Christians in Nigeria, the Middle East, and other hostile regions facing genocide and violence
3. For America - Pray for revival, for Christians to wake up, for God's hand of protection and judgment as needed
4. For Personal Transformation - Pray that God would reveal "grievous ways" in each person and give strength to repent and change
5. For Those Struggling - Pray specifically for anyone dealing with fear, anxiety, depression, bitterness, or cycles of sin

Prayer Method:

• Break into pairs or groups of 3-4
• Have each person share one specific prayer request related to the sermon
• Pray for each other with boldness and faith

Closing Challenge
Memory Verse for the Week: "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." - Revelation 21:8

Final Question: If Jesus returned today or if you faced persecution tomorrow, would you be ready? What needs to change?

Additional Resources

• Read the full context: Luke 6:17-49
• Compare with the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7
• Research persecuted Christians: Voice of the Martyrs (persecution.com)
• Study biblical courage: Joshua 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:7, Psalm 27:1

Leader Notes

• Be Sensitive: This message is confrontational. Some may feel convicted, others defensive. Create space for honest emotions.
• Stay Focused: The sermon covers many topics. Keep redirecting to the main theme: choosing Christ over comfort.
• Avoid Politics: While the sermon mentions current events, keep the focus on spiritual application, not political debate.
• Encourage Action: Don't let this be just another discussion. Push for concrete commitments and follow-up.
• Model Vulnerability: Share your own struggles with comfort-seeking and people-pleasing to create safety for others.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Icebreaker Question:
When you hear the word "blessed," what's the first thing that comes to your mind? Money? Health? Family? Something else?

Key Scripture
Read together Luke 6:20-23:
"And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.'"

Discussion Questions
1. Understanding Kingdom Values

• How does Jesus' definition of "blessed" contradict our culture's definition?
• The pastor emphasized that these blessings are specifically for Jesus' disciples. Why is that distinction important?
• What does it mean to be "spiritually poor" before God?

2. The "Now" vs. "Shall" Tension

• Jesus speaks of suffering "now" but blessing "shall" come. How do you personally struggle with waiting for God's promises?
• The pastor said, "You're suffering now and you're waiting for the shall." What are you currently waiting for God to do in your life?
• How does knowing "your reward is great" (present tense) change how we approach current suffering?

3. Persecution & Standing Firm

• The sermon addressed how Christians have remained silent on moral issues. Where do you feel pressure to compromise or stay silent about your faith?
• Jesus said, "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you." How does this prepare us mentally and spiritually for opposition?
• What's the difference between being hated for being a jerk versus being hated "on account of the Son of Man"?

4. Two Types of Grief
The pastor distinguished between:

• Worldly grief: Feeling sorry for the consequences or getting caught
• Godly grief: True sorrow over sin that leads to repentance
• Which type of grief have you experienced more often in your life?
• How can we cultivate godly grief that leads to genuine transformation?

5. Identity in Christ

• The pastor listed many labels the world uses to define us (addict, failure, etc.). What labels have you struggled to shake off?
• How does understanding your identity as a "child of God" combat shame and condemnation?
• What does it practically look like to "leave your sin at His feet" instead of picking it back up?

Key Takeaways
Review these main points together:

1. God's kingdom operates opposite to worldly values - Poverty, hunger, weeping, and persecution become blessings when connected to Christ.
2. Your reward is already ready - We don't wait for God to create our reward; it's already prepared and waiting for us.
3. Rejoice NOW, not later - While we wait for future fulfillment, we can rejoice NOW because our reward is secure.
4. Separation from the world is necessary - We can't conquer while competing with other churches or compromising with the world.
5. You are chosen - God chose you before you chose Him. This should produce overwhelming gratitude.

Practical Application
Personal Reflection:
Take 3-5 minutes of silence for each person to consider:

• What sin am I still "picking back up" instead of leaving at Jesus' feet?
• Where am I measuring blessing by worldly standards instead of kingdom standards?
• Am I more concerned with comfort now or reward later?

This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following:
Option 1: Gratitude Practice
Each day this week, write down three kingdom blessings you have that the world doesn't value (relationship with God, spiritual family, forgiveness, peace, etc.).
Option 2: Bold Witness
Identify one relationship where you've been silent about your faith out of fear. Pray for an opportunity to share Christ with that person this week.
Option 3: Surrender Practice
Write down one sin, struggle, or burden you keep "picking back up." Physically write it on paper, pray over it, and destroy the paper as a symbol of leaving it at Jesus' feet.
Option 4: Fast from Comfort
Choose one comfort or luxury you'll give up this week (social media, streaming services, eating out) and use that time/money to pray or serve others.

Group Accountability

• Share with the group which challenge you're committing to this week
• Exchange contact information if you haven't already
• Commit to checking in with at least one person from the group this week

Closing Prayer
Prayer Focus:

• Thank God that He chose us, and our reward is already prepared
• Ask for strength to rejoice NOW even in suffering
• Pray for boldness to live differently from the world
• Pray for persecuted Christians around the world (Nigeria, China, Ukraine mentioned in sermon)
• Ask God to give us godly grief over our sin and the state of our culture

Additional Resources
For Further Study:

• Matthew 5:1-12 (Sermon on the Mount - Matthew's account)
• Isaiah 40:21-31 (God's power and our strength)
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (Comfort in affliction)
• 2 Corinthians 7:10 (Two types of grief)
• Revelation 21:1-4 (Future hope and reward)

Memory Verse for the Week:
"Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven." - Luke 6:23

Leader Notes

• Be sensitive to group members who may be in genuine suffering right now
• Don't let political discussions derail the spiritual focus
• Encourage authenticity when discussing struggles with sin
• Remind the group that conviction is not condemnation
• Create space for those who may need to respond to the gospel for the first time

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer
Begin by asking God to open hearts and minds to His truth, to convict where needed, and to strengthen the group's commitment to readiness for Christ's return.

Ice Breaker
Question: Share a time when you were unprepared for something important. How did it feel, and what did you learn from that experience?

Key Takeaways from the Sermon

1. Sin should grieve us deeply - We must recognize the weight of our sin and the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice
2. Jesus is coming back, and timing is uncertain - We must live in constant readiness, not complacency
3. There's a difference between profession and possession of faith - Attending church doesn't equal genuine salvation
4. The oil represents the Holy Spirit - You cannot borrow someone else's faith or relationship with God
5. Half were ready, half were not - Not everyone who appears to be a believer actually has genuine saving faith
6. "I never knew you" is the most terrifying statement - Assuming you're saved without a genuine conversion is eternally dangerous

Discussion Questions
Section 1: Understanding Sin and Salvation

1. The pastor asked us to dwell on our sins. How does thinking about your sin make you feel? Does it drive you to repentance or do you brush it off easily?
2. Read Romans 6:23. What does it mean that "the wages of sin is death"? How should understanding this change how we view Jesus' sacrifice?
3. The sermon distinguished between "profession of saving faith" and "possession of saving faith." What's the difference? How can we examine ourselves to ensure we have genuine faith?
4. Discuss this statement: "You can be full of scripture and have no spirit." What does this mean? Have you ever experienced going through religious motions without genuine relationship?

Section 2: The Parable of the Ten Virgins

5. Read Matthew 25:1-13 together. What stands out to you most in this parable? What makes you uncomfortable?
6. All ten virgins looked the same outwardly. What are some "outward signs" that people mistake for genuine faith? How can we tell the difference in our own lives?
7. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. What does it mean practically to "have oil" in your life? What are evidences of the Holy Spirit's presence?
8. The wise virgins couldn't share their oil. Why is it impossible to rely on someone else's faith (parents, spouse, church attendance)? Have you ever tried to do this?
9. The door was shut, and Jesus said "I never knew you." How does this statement challenge the idea that "once saved, always saved" means we can live however we want?

Section 3: Urgency and Readiness
10. The pastor said, "Stay ready, don't get ready." What does a life of constant readiness look like practically? What needs to change in your daily routine?
11. Discuss this quote: "Business as usual. Church as usual. No reverence for God." Do you see this in your own life? In the American church?
12. The sermon mentioned we make excuses to avoid church, Bible reading, and devotion to God. What are your most common excuses? What's really behind them?
13. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. How should living in the "last days" affect our priorities, relationships, and daily decisions?
14. The pastor challenged comfortable Christianity. In what areas of your life have you become too comfortable? Where is God calling you to sacrifice or obedience that you've been avoiding?

Section 4: Love and Urgency for the Lost
15. The sermon emphasized urgency in sharing the gospel. Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? What's preventing you from sharing with them?
16. We're called to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us. Is there someone you need to start praying for instead of resenting? How can the group support you?
17. Christians worldwide are being persecuted and martyred. How should awareness of their suffering affect our commitment to Christ? Our willingness to endure discomfort for the gospel?

Personal Reflection
Take a few minutes of silence for each person to honestly answer these questions:

• If Jesus returned today, would I be ready or left behind?
• Am I assuming I'm saved, or do I have genuine evidence of the Holy Spirit in my life?
• What specific sin or area of disobedience is God convicting me about right now?
• What is one concrete step I need to take this week to live in readiness?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose at least TWO of the following to commit to this week:

1. Daily Devotion: Spend 15-30 minutes each day in prayer and Bible reading (not just scrolling social media)
2. Sin Inventory: Write down areas of sin in your life and confess them to God and a trusted believer
3. Share the Gospel: Have an intentional conversation about Jesus with someone who doesn't know Him
4. Examine Your Heart: Ask God to reveal if you have genuine saving faith or just religious activity
5. Sacrifice Comfort: Identify one area where you've been choosing comfort over obedience and make a change
6. Pray for the Persecuted Church: Spend time daily praying for believers suffering worldwide
7. Accountability: Ask someone in the group to check in with you about your walk with Christ

Group Commitment:

• Text/call one person from the group this week to encourage them and ask how they're doing spiritually
• Share one testimony next week of how God moved in your life through this sermon

Closing Discussion
Question: What is one thing God spoke to you about today that you need to act on? Share with the group for accountability.

Closing Prayer

• Pray for genuine conversion and Holy Spirit filling for everyone in the group
• Pray for boldness to share the gospel
• Pray for readiness and urgency in these last days
• Pray for those in the group who may be struggling with assurance of salvation
• Pray for the persecuted church worldwide
• Pray for revival in America and awakening in the church

Additional Resources

• Read this week: Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Corinthians 13:5; James 2:14-26
• Recommended: Write out your testimony - when and how you came to genuine faith in Christ
• For those questioning their salvation: Meet with a mature believer this week to talk through the gospel and assurance of salvation

Leader Notes

• Be sensitive: Some may genuinely question their salvation after this sermon - this is healthy! Point them to the gospel, not just behavior modification
• Create safety: Encourage honesty about struggles and doubts without judgment
• Follow up: Check in personally with anyone who seems particularly convicted or troubled
• Stay focused: Keep discussion on Scripture and application, not just opinions
• Be prepared: Have gospel tracts or resources available for those wanting to share their faith this week

Remember: The goal isn't to create fear, but to awaken genuine faith, devotion, and urgency for Christ's return. We examine ourselves not to earn salvation, but to ensure we've truly received the free gift Jesus offers.

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 receive God's truth.

Icebreaker
Share one area of your life where you've seen God work through your obedience, or one area where you're struggling to be obedient right now.

Key Scripture
Luke 6:17-19 "And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all."

Key Takeaways

1. Prayer Precedes Power - Jesus spent all night in prayer before ministering to the crowds
2. The Significance of 12 - Jesus chose 12 apostles as the new heads of God's people, fulfilling Old Testament patterns
3. Hearing Requires Action - It's not enough to just listen; we must apply and obey
4. You Are Prophesied - Believers today are the fulfillment of prophecy as the grafted-in people of God
5. Time Is Running Out - Urgency in sharing the gospel and living obediently

Discussion Questions
Section 1: Prayer and Preparation

1. Jesus spent all night in prayer before choosing the twelve and ministering to the crowds. How does your prayer life compare? What prevents you from spending more time in prayer?
2. The sermon stated, "You are never going to be more like Jesus than when you get down on your knees and pray." How does this challenge your understanding of what it means to be Christ-like?
3. What would it look like for you to prioritize prayer before major decisions or daily activities this week?

Section 2: Obedience Over Comfort

4. The pastor mentioned how Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land took 40 years instead of a few weeks due to disobedience. What "wilderness cycles" might you be stuck in because of incomplete obedience?
5. Jesus asked, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46). What areas of Scripture do you find hardest to obey? Why?
6. How do you distinguish between genuine difficulty in obedience versus simply not wanting to give up something comfortable?

Section 3: Identity and Calling

7. The sermon emphasized that believers are "grafted into Abraham's family" and part of the "Israel of God." How does understanding your identity as part of God's covenant people change how you view your purpose?
8. "You don't get to choose your calling." How does this statement challenge modern church culture? Have you ever pursued ministry or service for the wrong reasons?
9. The pastor noted that the apostles were "nobodies" with no credentials—just a calling. How does this encourage or challenge you in your own service to God?

Section 4: Hearing and Healing
10. People came to Jesus to "hear and be healed." What are you seeking from Jesus right now—healing, answers, comfort, direction? Are you willing to hear what He has to say, even if it's challenging?
11. The crowd included fully committed disciples and curious onlookers. Which group do you identify with more right now? What would full commitment look like for you?
12. "There is no middle ground." How does our culture resist this binary nature of faith? Where are you tempted to find a "middle ground" with God?
Section 5: Urgency and Mission
13. The sermon repeatedly emphasized that "time is running out." How should the urgency of Christ's return affect our daily lives and priorities?
14. "If we're not filling heaven up, we're filling hell up." How does this statement challenge your evangelism efforts? What fears or obstacles keep you from sharing the gospel?
15. The pastor said we don't need to know every book of the Bible to tell people about Jesus. What's your testimony? Who in your life needs to hear it?
Personal Reflection Questions
(Take 5-10 minutes for individual reflection)

• What specific sin, fear, or burden do you need to "lay at the altar" this week?
• In what area is God calling you to move from hearing to doing?
• Who is one person God is putting on your heart to share the gospel with?

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

1. Prayer Challenge: Set aside 30 minutes for uninterrupted prayer each day this week. Use this time to seek God's will and pray for the lost.
2. Obedience Challenge: Identify one area where you've been disobedient or hesitant. Take one concrete step of obedience this week.
3. Evangelism Challenge: Share your testimony or the gospel with at least one person this week. Pray daily for boldness and opportunity.
4. Study Challenge: Read through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and Luke 6:17-49 this week. Journal about what God is calling you to apply.
5. Relationship Challenge: Evaluate your relationships. Are there any that are pulling you away from full devotion to Christ? Have an honest conversation with God and a trusted believer about this.

Group Prayer Time
Prayer Prompts:

• Pray for boldness to share the gospel in these last days
• Pray for spiritual awakening in the American church
• Pray for persecuted believers around the world (especially in Nigeria and China)
• Pray for each group member's specific needs and challenges shared tonight
• Pray for obedience and surrender to God's calling
• Pray for those far from God in each member's life

Closing Thought
"You have been called. And you need to understand this as well. You don't get to choose your calling... It's the calling that was important. And Jesus reconciled them. He has reconciled you if you are a believer... And when he calls you, he provides for you."

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer: Ask God to open your hearts and minds to discuss His word and apply it to your lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Prayer is crucial in making important decisions, as demonstrated by Jesus praying all night before choosing His apostles.
2. God chooses and uses imperfect people to accomplish His purposes.
3. Christians are called to be bold witnesses for Christ, not lukewarm or passive believers.
4. The parable of the wedding feast illustrates God's invitation to all and the importance of accepting His grace.
5. Being a Christian means actively living out your faith and sharing it with others.

Discussion Questions:

1. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer. How can we prioritize prayer in our daily lives? What obstacles do you face in maintaining a consistent prayer life?
2. Pastor Jarrod talks about God choosing imperfect people. How does this encourage you in your own walk with Christ? How can we balance acknowledging our imperfections while striving to grow in holiness?
3. The sermon calls for Christians to be "activated" and bold in their faith. What does this look like in your life? What fears or hesitations do you have about being more outspoken about your faith?
4. Reflect on the parable of the wedding feast. What excuses do people (including ourselves) often make for not fully committing to God? How can we overcome these excuses?
5. The pastor emphasizes the urgency of sharing the gospel. How can we cultivate a sense of urgency without becoming anxious or pushy?
6. What role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering believers to live out their faith boldly? How have you experienced the Holy Spirit's power in your life?

Practical Applications:

1. Commit to spending at least 15 minutes in focused prayer each day this week.
2. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus, and pray for an opportunity to share your faith with them.
3. Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone in one way this week to live out your faith more boldly (e.g., invite someone to church, share a testimony on social media, volunteer for a ministry).
4. Memorize a Bible verse that encourages boldness in faith (e.g., Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:7, or 1 Peter 3:15).
5. Reflect on areas of your life where you may be lukewarm in your faith. Make a plan to address one of these areas.

Closing Prayer: Thank God for His grace and the call to be His witnesses. Ask for His strength and boldness to live out your faith actively and share it with others.

Pastor Philip Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Opening Prayer

Key Takeaways:

1. We are living in a "but now" moment in history, where many are rediscovering their faith.
2. God's power and sovereignty are unchanging, even in challenging times.
3. Personal transformation often comes through difficult experiences.
4. True faith moves beyond just hearing about God to seeing Him work in our lives.

Discussion Questions:

1. The pastor mentions that many churches are closing while others are thriving. What do you think distinguishes a thriving church in today's world?
2. Reflect on Job's statement: "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you." Have you experienced a similar shift in your faith journey? Share if comfortable.
3. The sermon talks about people becoming "numb" to church. Have you ever felt this way? How can we stay engaged and passionate in our faith?
4. How does the concept of "but now" apply to your current life situation? Are there areas where you're hoping for a transformative "but now" moment?
5. The pastor shared his personal testimony of transformation. How have you seen God work in your life or the lives of others to bring about positive change?
6. What does it mean to you to have a "fresh revelation of the power of God" in today's world?

Practical Applications:

1. This week, intentionally look for "but now" moments in your daily life where you see God at work.
2. Choose one area of your life where you need transformation. Commit to praying specifically about this area, asking God for a "but now" breakthrough.
3. Reach out to someone who might be struggling and share an encouraging word or your own testimony of how God has worked in your life.
4. Reflect on areas where you might have become "numb" in your faith. Take steps to reengage, perhaps by trying a new spiritual discipline or serving in a new way at church.
5. Spend time meditating on scriptures that emphasize God's power and sovereignty (e.g., Job 38-41). How might these passages change your perspective on current challenges?

Closing Prayer: Thank God for His transformative power in our lives. Ask for eyes to see Him at work and the courage to embrace "but now" moments of change and growth.

Pastor Jarrod Cochran
Watch the sermon here

Key Takeaways:
1. God desires complete surrender and faithful obedience from believers.
2. Biblical literacy is crucial for Christians to stand firm in their faith.
3. Jesus confronts religious hypocrisy and values liberation over tradition.
4. Christians are called to help those in need and share the gospel boldly.
5. Faithful obedience often precedes God's miraculous work in our lives.

Discussion Questions:
1. The pastor emphasized the importance of biblical literacy. How can we prioritize studying God's Word in our daily lives? What challenges do you face in doing so?

2. Reflect on the story of the man with the withered hand. How does Jesus' approach to healing on the Sabbath challenge our understanding of religious rules versus God's heart?

3. The sermon addressed the concept of "confirmation bias" in relation to faith. Can you think of examples where you've seen this in your own life or in the church? How can we guard against it?

4. How does the idea of being "more than conquerors" in Christ impact your approach to facing challenges and persecution as a Christian?

5. The pastor spoke about the danger of hiding sin. Why is it important to bring our struggles into the light? How can we create a safe environment for confession and accountability in our group?

6. Discuss the statement: "You can't claim to follow Christ and worship Christ if you refuse to help people in need." How can we practically live this out in our community?

Practical Applications:
1. Choose a book of the Bible to study together as a group over the next few weeks, focusing on deepening your biblical literacy.

2. Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to "stretch out your hand" in faith. Share with the group and commit to taking action this week.

3. Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal any areas of "withered faith" in your life. Journal about what He shows you and develop a plan to address these areas.

4. As a group, brainstorm ways to actively reach out and help those in need in your community. Choose one initiative to implement together.

5. Practice vulnerability by sharing one struggle or sin you've been hiding. Pray for one another and discuss how you can support each other in overcoming these challenges.

6. Commit to sharing your faith with at least one person this week, remembering that you have the authority of Christ within you.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, we thank you for your Word and the conviction it brings. Help us to have a faith that is alive and active, not withered by fear, doubt, or complacency. Give us the courage to confront our own sins and to stand boldly for you in a world that often rejects your truth. May we be agents of your love and liberation, always ready to help those in need and share the hope we have in Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.