Fellowship Baptist Church

Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor) - ​​​John 21:1-25 (John 13:12-17 & 31-38; 18:25-27; 21:1-25; Matthew 26:75; 1 John 1:6-10; 1 Peter 2:20-25)   In John 21, we find one of the most tender and powerful scenes in the resurrection accounts—Jesus meeting Peter after his greatest failure. After denying Christ three times, Peter returns to fishing, only to encounter the risen Lord on the shore. What follows is not rejection, but restoration. This lesson explores how Jesus meets us in our failure, restores our identity, and redefines our purpose. If you’ve ever wondered whether your past disqualifies you from being used by God, Peter’s story offers a powerful answer: grace has the final word!   Series description: In the days after He rose, Jesus met His followers in their most real and raw moments—grief, doubt, and failure. This series explores those encounters and invites us to experience the same living Jesus who still meets us, restores us, and calls us to a deeper faith.   Risen Savior Encounters After the Resurrection Lesson 5: Jesus ​& Our Failure John 21 Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor)   I. The Temptation to Retreat A. the pull of the familiar B. the reminder of Divine power C. a movement toward Jesus II. The Humble Service of Jesus III. The Restoration of Peter A. the renewal of purpose B. a call to faithful endurance C. a need for focus on Jesus   Lesson 5 - Notes

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - ​Matthew 15:21-28 (Matthew 7:7; 15:21-28; John 10:10; 1 Samuel 15:23)   There are so many incredible stories in the Bible—but some are unexpected. Stories that catch you off guard and even leave you a little uncomfortable. In Matthew 15, Jesus goes out of His way to encounter a desperate, broken mother. She comes to Him with bold persistence and unwavering faith, refusing to give up until she finds mercy. Her response moves Jesus to call her faith “great faith”—a faith that led to a life-changing miracle. What does it take to have that kind of faith? The kind of faith that touches the heart of God and keeps praying even when the answer seems delayed?   Keep Praying: God is Faithful 1. A desperate situation 2. A difficult silence 3. A persistent faith   When you need a spiritual breakthrough: A. intercede B. seek God C. claim His power D. keep praying   Illustration #1: Map with Tyre & Sidon

Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor) - ​​​John 20:24-31​ (John 1:1​ & 14-17​; 5:16-24​; 11:14-16​; 14:1-6​; 20:24-31​; Matthew 10:1-4​; Luke 24:20-21​; Hebrews 10:22-25​; Psalm 42:1-5​; 1 Peter 1:8​)   In this lesson, we walk through one of the most honest and relatable moments in the Gospels—the story of Thomas after the resurrection of Jesus. Often remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” his journey is really about something deeper: what happens when faith is tested by disappointment, silence, isolation, and waiting. If you’ve ever wrestled with uncertainty, felt distant from God, or struggled to reconcile belief with experience, this conversation is for you. Thomas’ story reminds us that doubt is not the end of faith—it can become the place where faith is refined, deepened, and strengthened in the person of Jesus Christ.   Series description: In the days after He rose, Jesus met His followers in their most real and raw moments—grief, doubt, and failure. This series explores those encounters and invites us to experience the same living Jesus who still meets us, restores us, and calls us to a deeper faith.   Risen Savior Encounters After the Resurrection Lesson 4: Jesus ​& Our Doubt John 20:24-31 Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor)   ​I. The Struggle with Doubt A. ​doubt from ​disappointment B. ​doubt from ​isolation C. ​doubt from ​silence II. The Heart of Jesus A. Jesus ​pursues B. Jesus ​invites III. The Confession of Thomas A. ​the Deity of Christ B. ​the ​hope of the Gospel   Lesson 4 - Notes

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - ​Proverbs 5:18-19; Ephesians 5 (​Proverbs 5:15 & 18-20; Ephesians 5:1-3, 8-9 & 25; 1 Corinthians 7:2-3 & 5; Matthew 5:28; Psalms 101:3; 1 John 4:4; 1 Peter 2:11; Genesis 2:23 & 25; Revelation 2:5)   Let’s be real about marriage… God created it. Marriage was designed and established by a great God who does great things. When it’s done God’s way, it shouldn’t merely exist, survive, or just be “okay”—it was created to be something great. A great marriage doesn’t just exist; it grows stronger over time. Closeness deepens. Romance strengthens. Passion and intimacy flourish. And if those things feel missing right now, there is good news: it’s not too late. God has a plan to restore, renew, and strengthen what feels broken. With His help, your marriage can become all He designed it to be—and yes, you really can experience your own “happily ever after.​"   Series description: Let’s be honest—most marriages aren’t nearly as strong as they look. Behind the smiles, many relationships are slowly falling apart. Not overnight, but little by little. Communication breaks down. Attention fades. The compliments stop. The flirting disappears. What once felt exciting and full of life becomes routine, distant, and cold. And eventually, people begin saying what they never thought they would: “I love them… but I’m not in love anymore.” That’s not where it started—but it’s where many end up. This series is about getting real. No pretending. No sugarcoating. We’re going back to “The Best Day Ever”—the wedding day—and walking through what actually happens next. The highs, the lows, the struggles, and the seasons no one prepares you for. Because real marriage is hard. It takes work. It takes humility. It takes God. But here’s the truth—your marriage doesn’t have to stay broken, distant, or empty. With God’s help, what feels dead can live again.   Real Marriage God's Design - Imperfect People - Lasting Love Happily Ever After   How to live happily ever after 1. Live pure A. sex outside of marriage is sin B. porn of any sort is sin   2. Have sex A. God created sex B. sex is a need in marriage C. sex is a bonding agent in marriage D. sex is designed to satisfy E. Godly intimacy brings happiness F. God's love continues and thrives   3. Be romantic A. be affectionate B. do the unexpected (Jesus did) C. be spontaneous D. make an effort to improve your marriage E. take care of yourself F. grow spiritually together G. plan things that are fun H. get help if things are off track

Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor) - ​​​John 20:19-23​ (John ​3:16-18; 16:19-22; 20:19-23​ & 30-31​; Romans 5:1​; Matthew 28:18-2​0; 1 Peter 1:3-9​; Luke 24:44-48​; Acts 1:8​)   This lesson unpacks how Jesus meets us in our own seasons of confusion, offering peace through His finished work, assurance through His presence, confidence through His Word, and hope through His resurrection. But He doesn’t stop there! He sends us out with a mission and empowers us with His Spirit to live it out. If you’ve ever wondered “What now?” in a difficult season, this message will remind you that your peace, purpose, and power are all found in the risen Christ.   Series description: In the days after He rose, Jesus met His followers in their most real and raw moments—grief, doubt, and failure. This series explores those encounters and invites us to experience the same living Jesus who still meets us, restores us, and calls us to a deeper faith.   Risen Savior Encounters After the Resurrection Lesson 3: Jesus ​& Our Confusion John 20:19-23 Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor)   ​1. Jesus Gives Us Peace A. ​peace from His ​presence B. ​peach from His Word C. ​peace ​from His ​resurrection ​2. Jesus Gives Us Purpose ​3. Jesus Gives Us Power A. ​the Holy Spirit B. ​the Authority of Jesus   Lesson 3 - Notes