Morningside Live

Palm Sunday:1. Trusting God’s Plan Over Your Own PathProverbs 19:21 — “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”As you think about your major, career path, or future plans, where are you tempted to prioritize your own agenda over God’s will? What would it look like to truly surrender your plans to Him?2. Handling Anxiety About the FuturePsalm 139:16 — “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me…”What specific fears do you have about your future (job, marriage, finances), and how does this verse challenge the way you think about those uncertainties?3. Obeying God Without Having It All Figured OutHebrews 11:8 — “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out… And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”Where is God calling you to step out in faith right now—even if you don’t have clarity on the outcome?4. Letting Jesus Have Authority Over Your LifeColossians 1:16–17 — “For by him all things were created… and in him all things hold together.”What area of your life (relationships, dating, time, money, social media) do you struggle most to fully place under Jesus’ authority?5. Choosing Humility in a Self-Promoting CulturePhilippians 2:5–8 — “Have this mind among yourselves… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death…”In a culture driven by image and followers, what would it look like for you to intentionally choose humility this week?6. Redefining Success and GreatnessMatthew 20:26–28 — “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant…”How does Jesus’ definition of greatness challenge the way you think about success, platform, or influence?7. Serving Instead of Being ServedGalatians 5:13 — “Through love serve one another.”Where on campus, at work, or in your friend group can you intentionally serve others instead of seeking recognition?8. Avoiding Superficial Christianity2 Timothy 3:5 — “Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.”In what ways is it easy for you to “look Christian” (church attendance, social media, language) without truly surrendering your heart to Christ?9. Answering the Question: Who Is Jesus to You?Matthew 16:15–16 — “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”If your daily choices were the answer, what would they say about who Jesus is to you?10. Following Jesus Fully, Not HalfwayLuke 9:23 — “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”What is one specific area of your life where you need to stop “coasting” spiritually and start fully following Jesus as King?

1. Knowing Christ PersonallyPhilippians 3:10“That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”Question:What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and truly knowing Him, and how can you tell which one describes your life?2. The Limits of ReligionPhilippians 3:7–8“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…”Question:What “spiritual credentials” or good works are you tempted to rely on instead of fully trusting Christ?3. Counting All as LossLuke 9:23“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”Question:What might God be calling you to surrender in order to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus?4. Resurrection as Reality1 Corinthians 15:3–6“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins… that he was raised on the third day… and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time…”Question:How does the historical evidence for the resurrection strengthen your faith in difficult or doubtful moments?5. Experiencing Resurrection PowerPhilippians 4:13“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”Question:Where in your life do you most need Christ’s resurrection power right now?6. Peace Beyond UnderstandingPhilippians 4:6–7“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”Question:How do you typically respond to anxiety, and what would it look like to let Christ guard your heart and mind?7. Contentment in All CircumstancesPhilippians 4:11–12“…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound…”Question:What circumstances are currently testing your contentment, and how can Christ reshape your perspective?8. Fellowship in Suffering1 Peter 4:13“But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”Question:How have you experienced Christ’s presence in suffering, or how might He be inviting you to trust Him in it now?9. Purpose in PainRomans 8:18“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”Question:How does the promise of future resurrection help you endure present struggles?10. Responding to the GospelRomans 10:9–10“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…”Question:What is one step of faith or obedience God is calling you to take in response to the resurrection?

From our 2026 Missions Conference:Discussion questions 1. How should the passion revealed in this text (for my sake and the gospel’s) shape your day-to-day life?2. Have you ever experienced tension between choosing Christ and the Gospel and choosing family and possessions? Have you ever made the wrong choice in a particular situation? How can you be prepared, by God’s grace, for the next opportunity?3. How can you increase your appreciation and gratitude for the “hundredfold” increase in the blessing of spiritual family in Christ?4. Do you believe that these blessings are more vivid for those who literally leave all? If so, how?5. Would you share practices that help you keep your perspective on “the world to come” and eternal life?6. How can you cultivate in others (especially your children, if you have them) a passion for Christ and His cause, a preference for the rewards Jesus names in this text, and a holy ambition for the glory of God (not self)?

From our 2026 Missions Conference.1. The Dangerous OmissionJohn 17:15“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” How does knowing that Jesus chose not to remove you from the world reshape the way you see your daily environment (home, work, school)?2. The Meaning of MissionJohn 17:18“As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”If you are “sent,” where specifically has God sent you right now, and to whom?3. Manifesting the Father’s NameJohn 17:6“I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world.”In what practical ways are you displaying God’s character to others—and where do you need growth?4. In the World but Not of ItJohn 17:11, 14“These are in the world… The world hath hated them.”Where do you feel the strongest cultural pressure to compromise your faith?5. The Joy of MissionJohn 17:13“These things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”How have you experienced joy when actively serving Christ?6. Enduring for JoyHebrews 12:2“Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.”What hardship are you currently facing, and how might focusing on mission change your perspective?7. Finishing the CourseActs 20:24“That I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”If you were to “finish your course” faithfully, what would need to change in your life today?8. Ambassadors for Christ2 Corinthians 5:20“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.”If someone observed your life for one week, what would they conclude about the King you represent?9. Let Your Light ShineMatthew 5:16“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”What is one specific action you can take this week to shine Christ’s light in your neighborhood or workplace?10. Unity as WitnessJohn 17:21“That they all may be one… that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”How does your commitment to church unity strengthen—or weaken—your gospel witness?

Discussion Questions1. A Divided HeartJames 2:4 – “Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”In what ways do we subtly show partiality? What does this reveal about our hearts?2. God Alone Is JudgeJames 4:12 – “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”How does remembering God as Judge change the way we treat others?3. Discernment vs. DiscriminationJohn 7:24 – “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”How can we be discerning without becoming prejudiced?4. God’s Choice of the PoorJames 2:5 – “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith…?”Why does God often choose those the world overlooks?5. True Riches in ChristEphesians 3:8 – “The unsearchable riches of Christ.”What does it mean to be rich in faith?6. The Danger of Despising OthersJames 2:6 – “But ye have despised the poor.”How might we unintentionally look down on others?7. The Deception of Worldly Status1 Corinthians 1:27 – “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”Why are we drawn to status and success?8. Honoring the Wrong PeopleJames 2:7 – “Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?”Where are we tempted to admire those who oppose God?9. Guarding Against External Prejudice 1 Samuel 16:7 – “For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”What are some outward appearances that most strongly influence your first impressions? How can you intentionally train your heart to see people the way God does?10. A Welcoming ChurchRomans 15:7 – “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”What practical steps can we take to welcome all people without favoritism?

1. The Incompatibility of Faith and FavoritismJames 2:1 – “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.”How does James connect faith in Christ with the command to avoid favoritism, and why are the two incompatible?2. God’s Standard vs. Ours1 Samuel 16:7 – “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”In what ways do we tend to evaluate people differently than God does?3. The Danger of External ImpressionsJames 2:2–3 – “For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly…”Why are we so easily drawn to wealth, success, or appearance?4. Favoritism as a Heart IssueMatthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”What does favoritism reveal about what we treasure most?5. Jesus as the Model of ImpartialityActs 10:34–35 – “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality…”How did Jesus demonstrate impartial love in His ministry?6. Going Through SamariaJohn 4:4 – “And he had to pass through Samaria.”Who are the “Samaritans” in your life that you’re tempted to avoid?7. The Gospel Levels Us AllIsaiah 64:6 – “All our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”How does remembering our own spiritual condition before Christ change how we treat others?8. Christ Became Poor for Us2 Corinthians 8:9 – “Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor…”How does the humility of Christ motivate us to reject favoritism?9. Unity in the Kingdom of GodRevelation 7:9 – “A great multitude…from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages…”What would it look like for our church to reflect this kind of unity now?10. Repentance and Real ChangeRomans 2:11 – “For God shows no partiality.”What is one specific way you need to repent of favoritism this week, and what step will you take?

1. What Does True Religion Look Like?James 1:26–27“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”Question: What stands out most to you in how James defines true religion, and why?2. What Do Your Words Reveal?Matthew 12:34“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”Question: In one sentence, what do your recent words reveal about your heart?3. How Do You Bridle Your Tongue?Psalm 39:1“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”Question: What is one practical way you try to stop yourself from saying something you shouldn’t?4. Do Your Words Carry Weight?Matthew 12:36“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”Question: How does this verse change the way you think about everyday conversations?5. Who Needs Your Help Right Now?James 1:27“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…”Question: Who is one person in your life right now that you could practically help this week?6. Serving Others = Serving ChristMatthew 25:40“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”Question: How does seeing service as something done for Christ change your attitude toward it?7. What Holds You Back?Proverbs 21:13“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”Question: What is one thing that most often keeps you from helping people in need?8. Where Do You Feel the Pull of the World?1 John 2:16“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”Question: Which of these—flesh, eyes, or pride—do you feel most tempted by right now?9. How Do You Stay Spiritually Guarded?John 17:15“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”Question: What is one habit that helps you stay spiritually protected in a worldly environment?10. How Does the Gospel Motivate You?1 Peter 1:18–19“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold…But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”Question: How does remembering what Christ has done for you motivate you to live differently this week?

1. Examine Yourself Through the WordJames 1:22“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”Question:In what ways can a Christian deceive himself by hearing God’s Word regularly but not applying it?2. The Danger of Auditing ChristianityRomans 2:13“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”Question:What are some ways believers today can treat church or Bible teaching like “auditing a class” rather than pursuing transformation?3. When the Word Reveals Our HeartsHebrews 4:12“For the word of God is quick, and powerful… and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”Question:Can you recall a time when Scripture exposed something in your heart that needed to change?4. Responding to the Spiritual MirrorJames 1:23–24“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass…”Question:Why do you think it is easier to fix problems we see in a physical mirror than problems we see in the mirror of Scripture?5. The Problem of Spiritual ForgetfulnessDeuteronomy 6:12“Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt.”Question:What practical habits can help believers remember and apply God’s Word throughout the week?6. Examining Our PrioritiesPsalm 103:2“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”Question:How can worldly priorities crowd out obedience to what we hear from God’s Word?7. Approaching God’s Word with HumilityPsalm 139:23–24“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”Question:What does it look like practically to approach Scripture with humility and openness to change?8. Understanding the Law of LibertyJames 1:25“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein…”Question:Why does James describe God’s Word as a “law of liberty” rather than a burden?9. Building Life on the RockMatthew 7:24–25“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them… is like a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.”Question:How does obedience to Christ’s teaching prepare believers to withstand life’s trials and temptations?10. From Hearing to DoingJames 1:25“…this man shall be blessed in his deed.”Question:What is one specific truth from God’s Word that you sense the Lord calling you to apply this week?

1. Listening to God FirstJames 1:19“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”Question:What does it practically look like to be “swift to hear” when it comes to God’s Word in your daily life?2. Guarding Against Spiritual DullnessHebrews 5:11“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.”Question:In what ways can Christians become “dull of hearing,” and how can we guard against spiritual dullness?3. Listening Before SpeakingProverbs 18:13“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”Question:Why is listening before speaking an important mark of wisdom in relationships?4. The Accountability of WordsMatthew 12:36“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”Question:How does knowing we will give account for every careless word change the way we speak?5. Wisdom in Fewer WordsProverbs 10:19“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”Question:What are some situations where speaking less might actually reflect greater wisdom?6. Why Anger Fails to Produce RighteousnessJames 1:20“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”Question:Why does human anger fail to produce the righteousness that God desires?7. Examining the Source of AngerGenesis 4:6“And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?”Question:When anger rises in your heart, what questions should you ask yourself about its root?8. Removing Spiritual FilthJames 1:21“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”Question:What kinds of sinful habits or influences can prevent us from truly receiving God’s Word?9. Learning Humble TeachabilityPsalm 25:9“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”Question:Why is humility necessary if we want God’s Word to truly shape our lives?10. Cultivating Hunger for GodPsalm 42:1“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”Question:What practical steps can help cultivate a deeper hunger for God’s Word this week?

1. Are You Enduring by God’s Strength or Your Own?James 1:12James says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.” Are you trying to white-knuckle your trial, or are you consciously trusting that God is the One upholding you? What would it look like this week to rely more intentionally on His sustaining grace rather than your own grit?2. Where Are Your Eyes Fixed During Trials?Hebrews 12:2Scripture tells us to look unto Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Are you focused primarily on your present pain, or are you looking through your trial to the promised crown? How would fixing your eyes on Christ reshape your response to your current hardship?3. Do You Truly Believe the Crown Is Worth the Cost?James 1:12The “crown of life” is promised to those who love Him. Do your daily decisions show that you believe eternal life is better than temporary comfort? What sacrifice might God be calling you to make because you believe the future reward outweighs present relief?4. Are You Blaming God for Your Temptations?James 1:13James commands, “Let no man say… I am tempted of God.” Have you ever subtly blamed God — your circumstances, your upbringing, your stress — for your sin? What would repentance look like in taking full responsibility for your choices?5. Have You Identified Your “Designer Lusts”?James 1:14“Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust.” What specific desires most often lure you? Comfort? Approval? Control? Pleasure? How can recognizing your personal patterns help you guard your heart more intentionally?6. Do You Recognize the Process of Sin Before It Is Full-Grown?James 1:15Lust conceives, sin is born, and death follows. Where in your life might something “small” already be in the conception stage? What practical steps can you take to cut off temptation before it matures into destructive sin?7. Are You Deceived About God’s Character?James 1:16“Do not err, my beloved brethren.” In moments of hardship, do you ever question whether God is truly good? What lies has Satan whispered to you about God’s motives, and how does Scripture correct those distortions?8. Is God’s Unchanging Nature Your Anchor?James 1:17“With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” When life feels unstable, are you anchoring your faith in God’s immutability? How can meditating on His unchanging character bring steadiness to your anxious heart?9. Do You See Your Salvation as Proof of God’s Goodness?James 1:18“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth.” Have you paused to consider that your new birth is a gift of God’s sovereign goodness? How does remembering your regeneration strengthen you to resist present temptation?10. Will You Trust the Cross More Than the Lure?Romans 8:32“If he spared not his own Son… how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” In the heat of temptation, will you believe that the Father who gave His Son is not withholding anything truly good from you? What practical habit could help you recall the gospel in your moment of testing?

1. Joy in Financial Trials“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” — James 1:2 Question:How does James’s command to “count it all joy” challenge the way you normally respond to financial stress or uncertainty? 2. Divided Loyalties“Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” — Matthew 6:24 Question:What are some subtle ways money competes with God for your trust, affection, or decision-making? 3. When Worth Feels Tied to Income“Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted.” — James 1:9 Question:In what ways have you felt tempted to measure your worth by your income, job title, or lifestyle? 4. Comparing Toys“A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” — Luke 12:15 Question:Where do you most feel the pull of comparison—possessions, experiences, vacations, or lifestyle? 5. Exalted Though Poor“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” — Ephesians 2:6 Question:How does remembering your position in Christ reshape the way you think about present-day lack? 6. The Humbling Ground at the Cross“But the rich, in that he is made low.” — James 1:10 Question:Why is it difficult—especially for successful people—to embrace spiritual humility? 7. Trusting Uncertain Riches“Nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God.” — 1 Timothy 6:17 Question:What practical steps help you shift trust from financial security to the living God?8. The Withering Flower“For as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.” — James 1:10–11 Question:What experiences have reminded you how quickly success, comfort, or security can fade? 9. The One-Inch Life“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” — Isaiah 40:8 Question:If your life is one inch on the rope of eternity, what are you most tempted to spend that inch on? 10. What Are You Living For?“So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” — Luke 12:20–21 Question:What would most devastate you if God took it away—and what does that reveal about your heart?

Preached Friday night, January 30, 2026, hours before a Saturday snowstorm.

1. Counting Joy, Not Denying PainJames 1:2; 2 Corinthians 4:17James commands believers to “count it all joy,” not to feel joy automatically. What is the difference between denying pain and choosing a joyful perspective rooted in faith?Leader Prompt:Emphasize that biblical joy acknowledges real pain while interpreting it through trust in God’s purposes.2. “When” Trials Come, Not “If”James 1:2; John 16:33James assumes trials are inevitable. How have your expectations of the Christian life shaped how you respond to suffering?Leader Prompt:Help the group surface and gently challenge comfort-centered or prosperity-driven expectations of the Christian life.3. Your View of Suffering Reveals Your TheologyJames 1:3; Romans 8:18The sermon said, “Theology matters most in the ICU.” How do trials expose what we really believe about God?Leader Prompt:Guide participants from emotional reactions toward specific truths they believe—or struggle to believe—about God.4. Pulling Out the Spiritual CalculatorJames 1:2; Hebrews 12:11What does it look like practically to “do the math” during a trial rather than reacting instinctively?Leader Prompt:Encourage concrete examples of faith-based evaluation rather than rushed positivity.5. Multicolored Trials, Multicolored GraceJames 1:2; 1 Peter 4:10The sermon described trials as “multicolored.” What kind of trial are you facing right now, and how does God promise matching grace?Leader Prompt:Affirm every kind of trial and point to God’s specific, sufficient grace for each one.6. Tested Faith or Untested Faith?James 1:3; 1 Peter 1:6–7Why is it merciful for God to test our faith now rather than leaving it untested?Leader Prompt:Stress that testing strengthens assurance and reveals genuine faith, not insecurity or fear.7. Remaining Under PressureJames 1:3–4; Hebrews 10:36James calls believers to perseverance—to “remain under” trials. What are your common escape strategies when pressure increases?Leader Prompt:Normalize the desire to escape while helping the group identify unhealthy responses versus faithful endurance.8. Avoiding Short-Circuited GrowthJames 1:4; Hebrews 12:5–7How can bitterness or complaining interrupt God’s refining work in us?Leader Prompt:Frame this as an invitation to growth and repentance, not guilt or self-condemnation.9. God’s Goal: Maturity, Not ComfortJames 1:4; Colossians 1:28How does God’s goal of spiritual maturity challenge the idea that His primary purpose is our comfort?Leader Prompt:Help the group distinguish between temporary comfort and lasting Christlike maturity.10. From Furnace to GloryJames 1:2–4; Philippians 1:6Looking back, can you identify a trial God used to grow you? How does remembering past faithfulness help you trust Him now?Leader Prompt:Encourage testimony that highlights God’s faithfulness rather than personal strength.

Sermon Application Questions1. Do I Rejoice or Resent When God Shows Mercy?Scripture: Jonah 4:1; Luke 15:7Question: When I see God show grace to people I think “don’t deserve it,” do I rejoice or do I feel resentment in my heart?Leader Insight: Help your group see resentment toward grace often reveals hidden pride. Emphasize that heaven celebrates repentance, even when we struggle to.2. Have I Forgotten My Own Need for Grace?Scripture: Romans 2:4; Ephesians 2:8–9Question: In what ways might I be acting like someone who thinks I needed less grace than others to be saved?Leader Insight: Gently remind participants that spiritual pride is subtle. Guide them to reflect on where they would be without God’s mercy.3. Is My Theology Transforming My Heart?Scripture: Jonah 4:2; James 1:22Question: Do I merely know truths about God, or are those truths actively shaping my attitudes and reactions?Leader Insight: Stress that head knowledge without heart change leads to hardness, just as seen in Jonah’s life.4. What Is My “Plant”?Scripture: Jonah 4:6; Matthew 6:21Question: What is the thing in my life that brings me the most comfort and security, and how do I react when it’s threatened?Leader Insight: Encourage honesty. This question exposes functional idols like success, relationships, control, or reputation.5. How Do I Respond When God Sends a “Worm”?Scripture: Jonah 4:7–8; Hebrews 12:11Question: When God allows discomfort or loss in my life, do I grow bitter or become teachable?Leader Insight: Remind your group that God’s discipline is an act of love, not cruelty, and is meant to realign our hearts.6. Do I Care More About Comfort Than Calling?Scripture: Jonah 4:5; Matthew 16:24Question: In my daily life, am I more focused on protecting my comfort or obeying God’s mission?Leader Insight: Help members see how easily busyness and ease can replace obedience without us noticing.7. Do I See People or Just Categories?Scripture: Jonah 4:11; Matthew 9:36Question: Do I view lost people as individuals made in God’s image, or as problems, enemies, or stereotypes?Leader Insight: Encourage compassion by helping the group imagine real faces, families, and stories behind “groups” of people.8. What Makes Me More Emotional — Plants or People?Scripture: Jonah 4:9–10; Romans 9:2–3Question: What do I get most excited or upset about, and does it reflect God’s heart for souls?Leader Insight: This question helps expose priorities. Let silence work and allow people time to think deeply before answering.9. Who Is My Nineveh?Scripture: Jonah 4:11; Matthew 5:44Question: Who are the people I have written off, avoided, or secretly hoped would fail rather than be saved?Leader Insight: Gently steer the group away from political debate and toward personal heart examination and prayerful compassion.10. Which Heart Am I Choosing to Reflect?

Opener: "Hymn of Heaven" (Men's Quartet)OutlineI. Jonah’s Repenting — Revival Begins With Me (vv. 1–4)-Jonah as a living picture of the Gospel-Revival starts with the awakening of God’s people-Repentance before evangelism; humility before powerII. Nineveh’s Repenting — Revival Can Come to Anyone (vv. 5–8)-Genuine faith evidenced by sorrow, prayer, and turning from sin-Repentance dethrones pride and changes behavior-No one is beyond the reach of God's mercyIII. God’s Relenting — Revival Comes From God’s Grace (vv. 9–10)-God does not change in nature, but responds to human repentance-Mercy is not earned; it is granted-God always gives judgment to sinners and grace to repenters-Substitutionary atonement as the foundation of forgivenessSERMON APPLICATION QUESTIONS1. Revival Starts With MeScripture: Jonah 3:1–2Question: What attitudes, habits, or hidden sins might be preventing revival from beginning in your own heart?Leader Insight: Focus discussion on personal responsibility rather than cultural critique. The aim is conviction without shaming—confession leads to hope, not despair.2. Repentance Before MinistryScripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14Question: Do you spend more time praying for revival around you than repenting before God personally?Leader Insight: Emphasize that effective evangelism flows from personal holiness, not strategy, talent, or outrage at society.3. Getting Off the ThroneScripture: Jonah 3:6Question: Where in your life are you still “on the throne”—trusting your comfort, control, or resources instead of God?Leader Insight: Encourage concrete examples: finances, parenting, schedule, reputation, marriage conflict, Morningside involvement.4. Repentance Involves Humility, Not Just EmotionScripture: Jonah 3:5Question: When you experience conviction, do you respond with brokenness or do you defend and justify yourself?Leader Insight: Contrast worldly sorrow (“I feel bad”) with biblical repentance (“I change my ways”). Encourage testimonies of humble obedience.5. Repentance Changes How We PrayScripture: Jonah 3:8Question: Does your prayer life reflect desperation for God like the Ninevites, or convenience and routine?Leader Insight: Challenge small group members to evaluate prayer not by length but by dependence, urgency, and surrender.6. Turning From Sin, Not Just Feeling Bad About ItScripture: Jonah 3:8; James 2:18Question: What specific action steps should you take to turn away from patterns of sin this week?Leader Insight: Help the small group move toward practical repentance—blocking websites, seeking accountability, apologizing, deleting apps, setting boundaries.7. Repentance Affects Our RelationshipsScripture: Matthew 5:23–24Question: Who do you need to reconcile with as an expression of genuine repentance?Leader Insight: Encourage humility and forgiveness, but avoid forcing disclosures that require privacy or safety considerations.8. No One Is Beyond God’s ReachScripture: Jonah 3:5; 2 Peter 3:9Question: Who are the “Ninevites” in your life—the people you’ve written off as unreachable or undeserving of grace?Leader Insight: Challenge heart attitudes, not political opinions. Discussion should cultivate compassion, not controversy.9. Will You Obey Without Guaranteed Outcomes?Scripture: Jonah 3:9Question: Do you obey God only when you believe it will benefit you, or will you obey even when results are uncertain?Leader Insight: Tie to the king’s “Who knows?” posture—obedience without entitlement is true faith.10. Revival Is a Continual Return to ChristScripture: James 4:8Question: What rhythms of confession and spiritual renewal do you need to build into your life to keep from drifting spiritually?Leader Insight: Encourage ongoing repentance as a lifestyle, not a crisis response. Point toward communion, Morningside community, and daily Bible reading.

1. Hearing God AgainScripture: Jonah 3:1Question:What does it reveal about God’s character that He spoke to Jonah “the second time,” and how should that shape the way believers respond after failure?Leader Insight:Highlight that God’s faithfulness is anchored in His covenant love, not our flawless obedience. Encourage the group to view setbacks not as disqualifications but as invitations to return to God through repentance.2. When God Seems SilentScripture: Psalm 66:18Question:How does Jonah’s experience illustrate the difference between God’s chastening silence during sin and His restoring voice after repentance?Leader Insight:Help your group examine whether known, cherished sin has muted God’s Word in their lives. Encourage confession that leads to renewed intimacy with God.3. The Pattern of New BeginningsScripture: Philippians 1:6Question:What does God’s commitment to “finish the good work” mean for believers who feel stuck in recurring struggles?Leader Insight:Steer the conversation toward hope rather than self-condemnation. Remind them that sanctification is not linear, and God often uses repeated repentance to deepen humility and dependence.4. Restored, Not ReplacedScripture: John 21:15–17Question:How does Peter’s restoration help believers understand God’s willingness to re-commission failure-prone people today?Leader Insight:Encourage discussion on how God’s grace both forgives and restores purpose. Emphasize that past failures do not define future usefulness.5. God’s Mission for the BrokenScripture: Jonah 3:2Question:Why is personal experience of grace essential before someone can faithfully carry out God’s mission to others?Leader Insight:Guide participants to recognize that evangelism flows from gratitude. Those who understand how much they’ve been forgiven will love much (Luke 7:47).6. Reaching Great and Godless CitiesScripture: Jonah 4:11Question:What does God’s compassion for Nineveh teach believers about engaging today’s morally confused or hostile culture?Leader Insight:Challenge the group to resist the temptation toward cynicism or withdrawal. God’s heart beats for even the darkest places—and for the people in them.7. The Message That Cuts Before It HealsScripture: Jonah 3:4Question:Why is a message of judgment (“Yet forty days…”) necessary for true Gospel repentance, and how can believers communicate truth with both love and clarity?Leader Insight:Help the group see that grace makes no sense without the reality of sin and judgment. Encourage them to balance compassion with conviction.8. The Power Is in the Word, Not the MessengerScripture: Romans 1:16Question:How does Jonah’s unpolished bleached-from-the-whale appearance underscore God’s power to use weak vessels?Leader Insight:Direct the group to focus on the sufficiency of Scripture. God often uses ordinary, unimpressive people so that His power is unmistakable.9. The Greater JonahScripture: Matthew 12:40–41Question:How does Jesus’s identification with Jonah (death and resurrection) call believers to sobriety about sin and joy about grace?Leader Insight:Emphasize that the cross reveals both the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of mercy. True worship grows where both are held together.10. No One Is Beyond HopeScripture: Isaiah 55:6–7Question:How does Nineveh’s repentance challenge believers to broaden their confidence in God’s power to save even the “worst” people?Leader Insight:Encourage members to name people or groups they’ve quietly written off. Lead them to pray boldly for unlikely conversions, knowing the same grace that saved them can save anyone.

1. Prayerlessness and Spiritual DriftScripture: Jonah 2:1–2 – “Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me…”Discussion Question:Where are groups or individuals tempted to drift into prayerlessness, and how does that tendency often affect spiritual direction or decisions?2. Honest Admission Before GodScripture: Psalm 32:5 – “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid…”Discussion Question:What does genuine honesty before God look like in real life, and why is it sometimes easier to wait for God to “bend” to our desires rather than confess our disobedience?3. Recognizing God’s Hand in CircumstancesScripture: Jonah 2:3 – “For thou hadst cast me into the deep…”Discussion Question:How can believers discern when God is using circumstances to get their attention, rather than simply blaming other people or situations?4. Worship When Feeling DistantScripture: Jonah 2:4 – “I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.”Discussion Question:What helps believers choose worship and faith when they feel spiritually distant, discouraged, or overwhelmed?5. When God Allows a Person to “Sink”Scripture: Psalm 119:67 – “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”Discussion Question:Can the group identify situations where God allowed someone to “sink” or struggle in order to bring repentance or renewed dependence on Him?6. Remembering the Lord at Rock BottomScripture: Jonah 2:7 – “When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD…”Discussion Question:Why does hitting “rock bottom” often awaken spiritual memory and desire for God in a way prosperity does not?7. Genuine Sorrow vs. Being CaughtScripture: 2 Corinthians 7:10 – “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation…”Discussion Question:What distinguishes godly sorrow from merely being sorry for consequences, and how can a church like Morningside cultivate an atmosphere where genuine repentance is encouraged?8. Forsaking Idols, Receiving MercyScripture: Jonah 2:8 – “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.”Discussion Question:What are some “lying vanities”—false saviors or modern idols—that commonly draw believers away from receiving God’s mercy?9. Thanksgiving Before DeliveranceScripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”Discussion Question:How can believers practice thanksgiving even when deliverance has not yet come, and why is that an important part of repentance?10. Renewed Commitment to ObedienceScripture: Jonah 2:9 – “I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed…”Discussion Question:What commitments or areas of obedience does God often revive in a believer’s life after a season of spiritual discipline or repentance?

1. When Life Feels Out of ControlJonah 1:17a — “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.”How does remembering God’s control over every detail of creation change the way you respond to unexpected or painful events?2. The God Who PreparesMatthew 17:27 — “The first fish that thou takest up... shalt find a piece of money.”If God can prepare a fish with a coin to meet a tax need, how might He already be preparing circumstances to meet your spiritual or practical needs?3. Learning from the PastPsalm 77:11 — “I will remember the works of the Lord.”When you look back over your life, what “prepared fish,” storms, or detours can you see God used to get your attention or shape your faith?4. When God Says “No”Proverbs 16:9 — “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.”Has God ever closed a door that you wanted open? How can rejection or redirection actually be a form of His grace?5. The Descent of DisobedienceJonah 1:3 — “But Jonah rose up to flee... and went down to Joppa.”Where do you see yourself going “downward” in disobedience—running from God’s calling, commands, or convictions?6. Repentance Through DisciplineHebrews 12:6 — “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.”How can God’s discipline, though painful, be a mark of His love and a call to repentance in your life right now?7. Saved Through JudgmentRomans 2:4 — “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.”In what ways has God used difficulty or loss to bring you to repentance or renewal? What does that reveal about His goodness?8. Hope in the DarknessJonah 1:17c — “And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”Jonah’s “belly of the fish” was both his lowest point and his turning point. How might God be using your current darkness to prepare resurrection hope?9. The Greater JonahMatthew 12:40 — “As Jonah was three days and three nights... so shall the Son of man be.”How does Jesus’ death and resurrection give meaning and hope to your own seasons of failure, fear, or spiritual death?10. From Running to RestingPhilippians 2:8 — “He humbled himself... unto death, even the death of the cross.”Are you running from God’s will like Jonah, or resting in God’s will like Jesus? What would repentance and surrender look like this week?

1. Running from God in "One Area" (v. 3)Is there one specific area of your life where you're "running from God"—perhaps in matters of lust, greed, gossip, or unforgiveness—even as you try to be an obedient Christian elsewhere? What practical steps can you take this week to stop running and turn toward obedience in that area?2. The Ripple Effect of Disobedience (v. 12)Jonah realized his sin was the reason for the storm, affecting the innocent sailors. When you consider a compromise or habitual sin in your life, who are the people being injured by the ripple effect (spouse, children, friends, unsaved coworkers, church body)? How does realizing your sin's external cost motivate you toward repentance and change?3. Abdicating Christian Leadership (Joshua 7:24)Dads, where are you letting comfort, distraction (e.g., video games, entertainment), or fear cause you to fail to lead your family spiritually? How will you reclaim your God-given role this week? Where is your sin affecting others?4. Efforts to Save Yourself (v. 13)The sailors "rowed hard" but couldn't save themselves. In what life-storm (guilt, anxiety, relational issue) are you currently "rowing hard" through human effort (self-help, busy-ness, performance) instead of relying completely on God's grace and finished work in Christ?5. Escaping God's Judgment on Your Terms (Titus 3:5)You cannot escape the judgment of a holy God on your own terms. What false assurance or good work are you secretly trusting in to stand before God (your church attendance, your morality, your giving) rather than the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ alone?6. Moving from Terror to Trust (v. 14)The sailors' "prayer of terror" eventually led them to a prayer of trust when they called on Yahweh. If you are currently in a storm, is your prayer a bargain ("God, if you save me, I'll...") or a submission of trust ("Lord, You have done as it pleased You")? How can you cultivate the latter?7. Practical Recognition of God's Sovereignty (Psalm 115:3)The pagan sailors came to the realization that the Lord "hast done as it pleased thee" (v. 14). How does this truth of God's complete sovereignty over all circumstances (country, world events, personal trials) practically change the way you view your current difficulties and fears?8. Fearing the Storm vs. Fearing the God of the Storm (v. 16)The sailors moved from being "exceedingly afraid" of the storm (v. 10) to "exceedingly afraid of the Lord." What is the object of your greatest fear right now (financial loss, disease, failure, etc.)? How can you intentionally shift your focus and worship to the God who sovereignly controls all those things?9. Worship After the Storm (v. 16)The sincerity of the sailors' faith was confirmed when they "offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows." How do you worship God after He calms a storm in your life? What "sacrifices" (of time, resources, praise) or "vows" (commitments to obedience) should you make now to reflect genuine, lasting faith?10. Resting in the Substitute (1 John 4:18)Jonah's plunge calmed the storm, symbolizing Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Do you still live with a "religion of fear"—worried God is angry with you or waiting for you to mess up—or are you resting in the "perfect love" of Christ's finished work as your Substitute, knowing God looks on you with love?

1. When Storms Are RagingJonah 1:4: "But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to break up."What are the specific "storms" (e.g., financial, relational, health, or fear of people) you are currently facing, and what is your default place of refuge (before you consciously turn to Christ)?2. Running and PursuedJonah 1:3: "But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord."We saw that "even when you try to run away from God, you’re still His child. He loves you. He will pursue you with grace." In what area of your life have you experienced God's "pursuing grace" when you were actively trying to avoid His will or calling?3. The Nature of FearProverbs 9:10: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."Biblical fear is "reverential awe, respect, and trust," not "cowering, craven dread." How does understanding this definition help you practically approach God in worship, obedience, and daily life?4. Exposing Hidden SinNumbers 32:23: "but if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out."God, in His grace, will expose our sin ("The lot fell upon Jonah"). Can you recall a specific instance where God used a circumstance or a person (perhaps even a non-believer) to expose a hidden sin or blind spot in your life? How did you respond?5. Seeking Wisdom vs. Special RevelationJames 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."We now have the complete Bible and the indwelling Holy Spirit, so we don't need to "cast lots" to determine God's will. What practical steps do you take (or need to take) to consistently "ask God" for wisdom and seek His will through the Scripture before making major life decisions?6. Identity Confusion2 Corinthians 5:20: "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."When we run from God, we "forget who we are." In what ways do you allow sin or the pressures of the world to confuse your identity, causing you to act more like Jonah than an ambassador for Christ?7. Confrontation through UnbelieversHebrews 12:6: "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."When an unbeliever or skeptic points out hypocrisy or criticizes your actions, how do you typically react? How can you cultivate a humility that seeks to hear God's voice even through unexpected sources?8. Fearing God vs. Fearing ManMatthew 10:28: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."This is why so many Christians like Jonah have gone below deck and fallen asleep—because they fear men more than they fear the Lord. What specific opinions of people (family, friends, coworkers, or culture) are you allowing to dictate your behavior, silence your faith, or prevent you from being obedient to Christ?9. Confession vs. ConductJames 2:19: "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!"Jonah had a theologically correct confession about God ("the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land") but his conduct did not match. In what areas of your life (e.g., trusting God's sovereignty during a crisis, giving generously, or loving your enemies) is your conduct falling short of your confession?10. Spreading the Fear of GodJonah 1:10: "Then the men were exceedingly afraid... and said to him, 'Why have you done this?'"The world gets a fear of God from us—when they see believers who fear God. How would your coworkers, neighbors, or customers answer the pagan sailors’ question about your life: "Why have you done this?" (i.e., Do they see a visible, God-fearing difference that prompts them to ask a question of faith or conviction?)

1. When Storms Come, Where Do We Turn?“They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.” (Psalm 107:27)When life spins out of control, do we first cry out in panic, or do we trust the God who controls the storm?2. What “Natural Religions” Compete for Our Worship?“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them… so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:19, 20)Have we replaced the worship of the true God with idols like career, sports, money, or entertainment?3. Are We Relying on a God Who Cannot Save?“They have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.” (Isaiah 45:20)Are there areas in our lives where we are putting our hope in powerless substitutes instead of the living God?4. Do We Only Pray Out of Fear, or Also Out of Faith?“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)When we pray, is it only when we are afraid—or is prayer a consistent expression of trust in our loving Father?5. Has Our Conscience Become Dull or Seared?“Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” (1 Timothy 4:2)Are we sensitive to the Spirit’s conviction, or have we become comfortable with sin and spiritually asleep like Jonah?6. Are We Spiritually Asleep While Others Perish?“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34)Do we ignore the lostness and needs around us while remaining indifferent to their eternal destiny?7. Do We Live With a Sense of Urgency?“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11)Are we awake to the reality that Christ’s return is nearer than ever, or are we wasting our lives in distractions?8. Have Unbelievers Put Us to Shame by Their Urgency?“So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.” (Jonah 1:6)Have non-Christians ever shown more desperation for truth or prayer than we have in our walk with God?9. Are We Using the Resources of Our Faith to Help Others?“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.” (1 Peter 4:17)Instead of complaining about culture, are we actively praying, witnessing, and serving in ways that point people to Christ?10. How Will We Wake Up Spiritually This Week?“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:12)What specific step can we take this week to move from spiritual slumber to active faith and prayer—so God’s grace will be displayed through us?

1. Can Anyone Outrun God?Proverbs 15:3 – “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”What are some of the common “Tarshishes” people run to when trying to avoid God’s presence?2. Pride or Grace?Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”Why do so many resist God’s grace, even when it is freely offered? How does pride often stand in the way?3. The Price of DisobedienceJonah 1:3 – “He paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.”In what ways does disobedience usually end up costing more than people expect?4. The Downward Path of SinJames 1:15 – “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”How does one small step of disobedience often lead to a downward spiral?5. When God Sends a StormJonah 1:4 – “But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.”What kinds of storms might God use to interrupt someone’s plans and turn them back to Him?6. Chastening as LoveHebrews 12:6 – “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”How can God’s discipline be seen as an expression of love and grace rather than only punishment?7. The Storms That Wake Us UpNumbers 32:23 – “Be sure your sin will find you out.”What are some examples of storms or consequences that serve as warnings before sin fully destroys?8. Loving the ProdigalLuke 15:17 – “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”What are wise ways to show love to prodigals without preventing them from experiencing the storms that may bring them home?9. Grace in the Hard PlacesRomans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”How have storms or hardships often been used by God to bring about spiritual growth and deeper trust in Him?10. Responding to God’s Pursuing LovePsalm 139:7–8 – “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”If God pursues people with relentless grace, how should that truth shape the way His people live, worship, and obey?

1. Am I Listening to God's Word or Avoiding It?Jonah 1:1–2 "Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah... Arise, go to Nineveh..."Have you been actively listening to God's Word, or have you been tuning it out when it's inconvenient?What specific area of your life is God speaking into that you might be avoiding?2. Where in My Life Am I Running from God's Will?Jonah 1:3 "But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord..."Is there a part of God's will you know but are resisting—out of fear, pride, or self-preservation?Where are you boarding your own "ship to Tarshish"?3. Do I Believe God’s Word Is For Me or Against Me?2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is... profitable... for reproof, correction..."When God’s Word confronts you, do you see it as God restricting you or rescuing you?How might you need to shift your attitude toward His correction?4. Do I Trust God's Character When His Commands Are Hard?Jonah 4:2 "For I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful..."Can you obey God even when you don’t fully understand or agree with His plan?What does your response to God's Word reveal about your trust in His heart?5. How Am I Justifying Sin Because I See Myself as 'Good'?Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."Are you like Jonah—thinking sin is for “bad people” but not for you?Where might you be blind to your own self-righteousness?6. Am I Running from God’s Presence or Toward It?Psalm 139:7 "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?"Are there habits, relationships, or attitudes where you’re distancing yourself from the “face” of God?What would it look like to return to His presence this week?7. Is There a Group of People I Believe Are Beyond God’s Grace?2 Peter 3:9 "...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."Are there individuals or groups you, like Jonah, secretly hope God doesn’t forgive?How can you pray for your own heart to align with God's heart for the lost?8. Am I Using God's Word Selectively—to Justify Myself or Love Others?Luke 24:27 "...he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."Are you reading God’s Word to be transformed or just affirmed?How can you better see Jesus—and grace—at the center of Scripture?9. Where Am I Believing the Lie That God Is Holding Out on Me?Genesis 3:1–5 “Did God actually say...?”Where are you doubting God’s goodness or wisdom—thinking your way is better?What truth from God's Word do you need to cling to instead?10. What Is One Area This Week Where I Need to Obey God’s Word Immediately?James 1:22"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only..."What is one specific, practical way you can stop running and start obeying God this week?Will you trust that obedience brings blessing—even when it’s hard?

Presented with Spanish translation1. Bowing the KneePhilippians 2:10 – “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…”Am I willing to bow the knee to Christ now, or am I resisting His authority until it will be too late?2. True SubmissionMatthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…”In what areas of my life (finances, family, career, desires) have I not fully submitted to Christ as Lord?3. Worship in EternityRevelation 5:11-12 – “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels… saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb…’”How does the reality that angels and saints will worship Christ forever shape the way I worship Him today?4. Living Among UnbelieversRomans 14:11 – “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”How should the certainty of unbelievers one day confessing Christ affect the way I live and witness among them now?5. Confession of the TongueRomans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart…”Do my words daily reflect a heart that truly believes Jesus is Lord?6. The Cost of ConfessionJohn 20:28 – “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”Am I willing to confess Jesus as Lord even when it costs me—whether in reputation, relationships, or comfort?7. Unity in the BodyJohn 17:21-22 – “…that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you…”How am I promoting unity in my church family, reflecting the love and mutual submission within the Trinity?8. Glory to the FatherPhilippians 2:11 – “…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”Do I live in such a way that Christ’s exaltation in my life brings glory to God the Father?9. The Urgency of Now2 Corinthians 6:2 – “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”Am I waiting to get serious about following Christ, or am I bowing the knee and confessing Him as Lord today?10. The Mind of ChristPhilippians 2:5 – “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…”How can I imitate Christ’s humility and obedience this week in my home, work, and church relationships?

Christ's ExaltationPhilippians 2:91. Will I Choose Humility Over Self-Promotion?Scripture: James 4:10 — “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”In what situations this week might I be tempted to push myself forward instead of serving others?2. Am I Seeing My Suffering as a Path to Glory?Scripture: Romans 8:17 — “…we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”Do I view my trials as God’s way of shaping me for future glory, or only as obstacles to escape?3. Where Do I Need to Lay Down My Rights?Scripture: Philippians 2:5 — “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”What personal rights or preferences could I surrender this week to love someone well?4. Do I Believe God Rewards Humility?Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6 — “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”Am I willing to trust God’s timing for exaltation, or do I feel the need to exalt myself now?5. Is Jesus Truly Lord of My Life?Scripture: Philippians 2:11 — “…every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”Are there areas of my life where I’m resisting Christ’s authority—my money, habits, relationships, or time?6. Am I More Concerned With My Name or His Name?Scripture: Philippians 2:9 — “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.”Whose reputation matters most to me in conversations, decisions, and conflicts?7. Do I Practice the Mind of Christ in Relationships?Scripture: Philippians 2:3–4 — “…in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but…on the things of others.”How can I intentionally put someone else’s interests before my own this week?8. Am I Letting Jesus’ Example Shape My Response to Conflict?Scripture: Romans 12:18 — “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”In my most difficult relationship right now, what would humility look like?9. Do I Worship Jesus as the Exalted King?Scripture: Psalm 24:9–10 — “Lift up your heads, O ye gates… and the King of glory shall come in.”How often do I consciously worship Christ for His exaltation—resurrection, ascension, and reign?10. Am I Ready to Confess Christ Before Others?Scripture: Matthew 10:32 — “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”When given opportunities, do I boldly declare my allegiance to Christ as Lord?

Episode 4 of Humble Lights: Unity That Shines1. Am I Willing to Be Humbled Like Christ?“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself…”—Philippians 2:8When I am humbled—whether by failure, correction, or life’s circumstances—do I receive it with the same willingness Christ demonstrated, or do I resist and blame others?2. What Area of My Life Do I Need to Step Down From?“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God… made Himself of no reputation…”—Philippians 2:5–7Where am I holding on to status, control, or comfort instead of willingly stepping down to serve others like Christ did?3. How Is My Life Marked by Daily Sacrifice?“Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.”—Luke 9:23Am I only willing to serve in big, visible ways—or do I regularly give myself away in small, unnoticed acts of love and service?4. Do I Remember That Christ’s Humiliation Was Willing?“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord…”—John 10:18How does the truth that Jesus chose each step of His humiliation affect the way I view my obedience—even when it's hard or costly?5. Am I Living as One Exalted by Christ?“If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him…”—2 Timothy 2:12Do I walk in the confidence and identity of a child of God, or do I still chase the world’s approval?6. How Do I Respond to Authority and Obedience?“And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them…”—Luke 2:51Do I submit willingly to God’s will, even when it’s uncomfortable or when others misunderstand me, as Jesus did with His earthly parents?7. Do I Truly Believe That Christ Died So I Can Live?“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”—1 Peter 2:24Is the reality of Jesus’ death for me shaping the way I live, speak, and prioritize my life today?8. How Often Do I Reflect on the Shame Christ Endured for Me?“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’”—Galatians 3:13When I consider the brutal shame and pain of the cross, does it stir in me a deeper gratitude—and a greater willingness to bear discomfort for the sake of others?9. Am I Trying to Follow Christ’s Example Without Trusting Him as My Savior?“Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.”—1 Peter 2:21Have I made Jesus merely my role model, or have I trusted Him as the Rescuer of my soul?10. Where Can I Sacrifice This Week—for the Sake of Someone Else?“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”—1 John 3:16What specific, tangible way can I give my life away this week—at home, church, work, or school?

Application questions:1. Do You See Jesus Clearly?The incarnation is God “poking His head out”—making Himself visible in Christ.When your relationship with God feels distant, what truths about the incarnation can anchor your faith and comfort your heart?“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory...) full of grace and truth.” – John 1:142. Are You Grateful for Sheer Grace?Jesus made Himself “of no reputation” and chose humiliation—for you.How deeply does the reality of Christ’s voluntary descent into suffering affect your gratitude, worship, and daily living?“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:93. Are You Holding Tightly to Your Rights?Christ laid aside His divine rights—glory, authority, comfort, and riches—to serve.What rights or comforts are you unwilling to give up for the sake of others? Where might God be calling you to lay something down?“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation...” – Philippians 2:6–7a4. Do You Reflect the Heart of a Servant?Jesus didn’t just look like a servant—He became one.Are you known as a servant in your home, workplace, or church? Or do you wait to be served? How can you grow in practical service this week?“...and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” – Philippians 2:7b5. Are You Minimizing the Physical or the Spiritual?God became flesh—matter matters to Him.Do you overemphasize physical health and success, or neglect it? How can you reflect God’s concern for both bodies and souls in your life?“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” – Colossians 2:96. Do You Follow Christ’s Example in the Mundane?Jesus chose the ordinary—learning, building, obeying, depending.Are you content to serve God in the quiet, unnoticed, or “mundane” areas of life? What small acts of faithfulness might God be calling you to today?“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” – Luke 2:527. Do You Let Christ’s Humanity Comfort You?Jesus experienced sorrow, loneliness, rejection, and temptation—yet without sin.When you suffer or face trials, do you run to Him as One who truly understands your pain and weakness?“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews 4:158. Do You Serve in Deed, Not Just in Thought?Saying “I care” isn’t the same as helping carry the groceries.Where are you tempted to substitute good intentions for sacrificial action? What’s one way you can serve someone tangibly this week?“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:189. Are You Giving Your Life Away?Christ came to give His life as a ransom for many.What does it look like in your season of life to live a “poured-out” life? Are there people God is calling you to serve even when it's costly?“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” – 1 John 3:1610. Do You Imitate the Humility of the Incarnate King?Jesus shows us that the way up is the way down.How does Christ’s humility confront your pride or self-focus? In what ways can you intentionally pursue a mindset of humility this week?“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 2:5

Episode 3 of "Humble Lights: Unity That Shines"Application questions:1. Do I instinctively grasp for my rights—or give them up for others?Our flesh says, “I deserve better,” but Christ shows us the way of surrender. True humility gives up its rights for the good of others.Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.—Philippians 2:32. How do I respond when others overlook, insult, or inconvenience me?Christ didn’t retaliate when mocked, beaten, and crucified. Humility chooses patience over payback.When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.—1 Peter 2:233. Do I use my position or resources to serve—or to be served?Jesus had divine status, yet took the lowest role. Greatness is found in service.For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.—Mark 10:454. How does my understanding of Christ’s deity affect my humility?The more I grasp who Jesus truly is, the more amazed I am at how far He stooped for me.Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation...—Philippians 2:6–7a5. Do I look to the Incarnation when tempted to assert my preferences?Looking at Jesus’ birth, life, and death reminds us how small our complaints often are.Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 2:56. Am I being progressively sanctified in my mindset?Humility isn’t a one-time event—it’s a lifelong transformation.But we all… beholding… the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image… by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3:187. Am I committed to a local church that helps me grow in Christlikeness?God works in us through community, not isolation. Christ’s mindset grows in the body.Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.—Proverbs 27:178. How would adopting Christ’s mindset change my marriage/family dynamic?Many conflicts come from selfishness. Christ-like humility brings healing and unity.Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.—Ephesians 5:259. What glory am I tempted to grasp—praise, success, beauty, influence?We crave glory in shadows, forgetting that Christ gave up eternal glory for us.How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?—John 5:4410. What is one area today where I can choose to give rather than grasp?Obedience starts small. Humility begins with one choice: to serve, to forgive, to surrender.Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself…—Romans 15:2–3a

Humility Builds Unity (Philippians 2:3–4)Main Idea: Selfish pride destroys unity, but Christlike humility builds it.Outline:Three Ways Humility Builds Unity1. Humility Changes Your Self-Perception (Philippians 2:3a)“…in lowliness of mind…”Unity comes when we stop thinking so highly of ourselves.To be like-minded (v. 2), we must be low-minded (v. 3).Humility means thinking of yourself less—not thinking less of yourself.2. Humility Changes Your Self-Esteem (Philippians 2:3b)“…let each esteem other better than themselves.”The world says the problem is low self-esteem; Scripture says it's too much self-focus.True unity comes when we value others above ourselves.This isn’t false humility—it’s intentional, Christlike concern for others.3. Humility Changes Your Selfishness (Philippians 2:4)“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”Christ, Timothy, and Epaphroditus all modeled this mindset.Humility doesn’t ignore your needs—it puts others’ interests alongside or above your own.Humble people study others, pray for others, and serve others.Application Questions:1. Heart Check: What’s Driving You?Are your words and actions in relationships driven more by selfish ambition or a desire to serve?“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory…” — Philippians 2:3a2. Pride’s Impact: Who’s Been Hurt?Has your pride or desire for recognition damaged unity in your home, church, or workplace?“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:183. Mirror or Window?Do you spend more time looking at yourself (your needs, image, desires) or looking out for the needs of others?“…look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” — Philippians 2:44. Servant Identity: How Do You See Yourself?Do you genuinely view yourself as a servant of others, or do you expect others to serve you?“…[Jesus] took upon Him the form of a servant…” — Philippians 2:75. Esteem Shift: Who Comes First?Do you consistently esteem others better than yourself—not in talent, but in value and priority?“…let each esteem other better than themselves.” — Philippians 2:3b6. Jesus’ Example: Are You Imitating Him?In what specific ways are you following Christ’s example of humility this week?“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” — Philippians 2:57. Marriage & Family: How Do You Lead?In your marriage or family, are you looking to your own interests or striving to meet the needs of others?“…but every man also on the things of others.” — Philippians 2:48. Church Life: Who Are You Lifting?Are there church members who need encouragement or support that you’ve overlooked?“…forbearing one another in love…” — Ephesians 4:29. Discipleship & Prayer: Who Are You Studying?Are you taking time to learn others’ needs—praying for them, listening well, and bearing their burdens?“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:210. Cultural Lens: Have You Bought the Lie?Have you adopted the world’s view that more self-esteem is the answer—or are you letting Scripture reshape how you value others?“…in lowliness of mind let each esteem other…” — Philippians 2:3

Series: "Humble Lights: Unity That Shines"Text: Philippians 2:1–21 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.Questions:1. Are You Encouraged by Your Union with Christ?“If there is any encouragement in Christ…” (Phil. 2:1a)Have you recently taken time to reflect on your position "in Christ"? Does your identity in Him shape how you treat others in the body of Christ? When conflict arises, do you respond as someone deeply encouraged by your Savior?2. Are You Sharing the Comfort You've Received?“…any comfort of love…” (Phil. 2:1b)How have you experienced God’s comfort during trials? Are you passing that same comfort on to others in your church family—or are you isolating and withholding love? Who in your life needs to experience that comfort through you?3. Are You Living in the Fellowship of the Spirit?“…any fellowship of the Spirit…” (Phil. 2:1c)Are you walking in step with the Spirit and building relationships with others who share that same Spirit? Is your church community marked by shared spiritual life or merely shared social activities?4. Are You Showing Tender Affection and Mercy to Others?“…any bowels and mercies…” (Phil. 2:1d)Do you reflect God’s deep compassion toward your brothers and sisters in Christ? Is there someone you’ve been emotionally cold toward whom God is calling you to embrace with mercy and affection?5. Are You Pursuing Reconciliation?“Be likeminded, having the same love…” (Phil. 2:2a)Is there a broken relationship in your life that needs healing? Are you obeying Jesus’ commands in Matthew 5 and 18 to pursue reconciliation whether you were the offender or the offended?6. Are You Contributing to the Joy of Others in the Church?“Fulfill my joy…” (Phil. 2:2a)Are you making your pastors, leaders, and fellow members rejoice because of your unity and service—or are you a source of tension and disunity in the body?7. Is Your Unity Driven by Internal Transformation or External Pressure?“Being of one accord, of one mind…” (Phil. 2:2b)Is your unity with others shaped by inward change from Christ, or by external conformity and performance? Are you allowing God to mold your heart so you align with others spiritually, not just behaviorally?8. Are You Letting the Mind of Christ Shape Your Attitudes?“Let this mind be in you…” (Phil. 2:5)Are you daily seeking to adopt Christ’s mindset of humility and service? In moments of irritation or disagreement, do you stop and ask, “What attitude did Christ display, and how can I imitate it?”9. Are You a Light in the Darkness—Together with the Church?“…shine as lights in the world…” (Phil. 2:15)Is your witness strengthened or dimmed by your unity with fellow believers? Are you pursuing Gospel partnership with your church as a visible light in a dark culture—or have you become isolated and dim?