Jesus Is God—Yet Jesus Is Humble
Philippians 2:3–11 

• Jesus is fully God. 
• Jesus became fully human. 
• He willingly humbled Himself. 
• He took the form of a servant. 
• He was obedient to the Father. 
• His obedience led Him to the cross. 
• His humility was grounded in love and obedience. 

Jesus Lived Humbly

• Jesus' birth was humble. 
• His early life was largely lived in obscurity. 
• His ministry wasn't centered on self-promotion. 
• He often told those He helped not to publicize what He had done. 
• Jesus followed God's timing rather than seeking personal recognition. 

Jesus Entered Jerusalem Humbly 
Matthew 21:1–5

• Jesus intentionally fulfilled Zechariah 9:9. 
• He entered as the promised King and Messiah. 
• He came gently, riding on a donkey. 
• His coronation was unlike the world's idea of royal power. 

Jesus Received Worship 
Matthew 21:6–9

• The crowds laid coats on the road. 
• Palm branches represented hopes for victory and freedom. 
• The crowd shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” 
• They recognized Jesus as Messiah, but many misunderstood His mission. 

Jesus Stayed Focused on His Mission 
Matthew 21:10–11

• Jesus didn't come to impress the crowd. 
• He didn't come to seize political power. 
• He didn't come to defeat Rome. 
• He came to reconcile people to God. 
• His mission ultimately led to the cross. 

Jesus' Actions Spoke Louder Than His Words
Jesus didn't need to promote Himself.

His life demonstrated who He was.

And nowhere was that clearer than at the cross, where He humbled Himself to the point of death because of His love for us.

BIG IDEA: The King of Kings humbled Himself to obey the Father, serve humanity, and go to the cross. 

Jesus is God, yet He willingly humbled Himself by becoming human, living a sinless life, obeying the Father, and ultimately dying on the cross for our sins.
 
Matthew 21 gives us a picture of that humility as Jesus enters Jerusalem as the promised Messiah—not on a war horse or surrounded by political power, but by gently riding on a colt in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9.

Jesus received worship from the crowds, but He wasn't seeking applause, political power, or personal recognition.
 
He remained focused on His mission.

And His mission was not primarily to overthrow Rome.
 
It was to make peace between people and God.



Key Verse 
"Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus."
~Philippians 2:5

Rewatch the sermon here beginning at 00:28:01.

This Sunday continued our six-week series, Knowing Jesus: Discovering Him in the Gospels, discussing Jesus and his humility.
Sunday's message connected this week's theme of Jesus' humility with last week's teaching that Jesus is God.

Philippians 2 bridges those two truths. Jesus is God, yet He humbled Himself, took the form of a servant, became human, and obeyed the Father—even to the point of death on a cross.
 
Jesus' humility wasn't merely something He demonstrated occasionally.

Humility characterized His life.
 
His birth was humble. He spent His early years largely in obscurity. During His earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly avoided personal promotion and often instructed people He had helped or healed not to publicize what had happened.

Even when people wanted to elevate Him politically, Jesus remained focused on God's timing and God's plan.
 
Then, when the time came, Jesus entered Jerusalem.

He fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy by entering on a colt. The crowd spread coats and branches and shouted:
 
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

They recognized Jesus as Messiah, but many misunderstood what kind of Messiah He was.
 
Some were looking for a political ruler who would defeat Rome.

Jesus came to accomplish something far greater.
 
He came to make peace between people and God.

Jesus did not use the occasion to promote Himself. He did not give the crowd a speech about how important He was.
 
He remained focused on His mission.

And that mission would lead Him to the cross.
 
The ultimate demonstration of Jesus' humility was not the donkey. 

It was the cross. 

Jesus willingly gave His life because He loves us and chose to obey the Father.

We live in a world that tells us to promote ourselves.
 
Build your platform.

Make sure people know what you've accomplished.

Get noticed.

Get ahead.

Tell people what you're doing.

But Jesus shows us a completely different way.

Jesus is humble. 

And the remarkable thing about Jesus' humility is that He didn't have to be humble.

He is God.

Yet He willingly humbled Himself for us.

THE HUMILITY OF JESUS
Last week, we looked at the truth that Jesus is God.

This week, we see something that might seem surprising at first:

God humbled Himself. 

Philippians 2 gives us the clearest picture.

Jesus existed in the form of God, yet He willingly took the form of a servant. He became human. He lived in obedience to the Father.

And His obedience ultimately took Him to the cross.

Jesus didn't become humble because He was weak.

He was humble because He loved us and chose to obey the Father.

That changes how we understand humility.

Humility isn't thinking less of yourself.

It's being willing to put God's will and the needs of others ahead of your own.

Jesus demonstrated that perfectly.

A HUMBLE LIFE 
Jesus' humility wasn't limited to one moment.

His entire earthly life reflected it.

He was born in humble circumstances.

His early years were largely lived outside the spotlight.

Even during His ministry, Jesus repeatedly avoided self-promotion.
After healing or helping people, He sometimes instructed them not to tell others what had happened.

When people wanted to elevate Him or move His ministry in a direction that didn't fit God's plan, Jesus waited.

He followed the Father's timing.

Jesus wasn't interested in building His own platform.

He was interested in fulfilling God's mission. 

A HUMBLE KING 
Matthew 21 brings us to Jerusalem.

The time had come.

Jesus sent two disciples to find a donkey and its colt.

Why?

Because hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Zechariah had written:
“Behold, your king is coming to you... humble and mounted on a donkey.”

Jesus was declaring who He was.

He was the promised King.

He was the Messiah.

But notice how He entered.

Not on a war horse.

Not surrounded by soldiers.

Not with a grand speech.

Not demanding attention.

He came humbly. 

The King of Kings entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

THE CROWD WANTED ONE THING 
The crowd erupted.
 
They spread their coats on the road.

They cut branches and placed them before Him.

They shouted:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

They were looking for a Messiah.

But many of them had the wrong idea about what that Messiah would do.

They wanted freedom from Rome.

They wanted political victory.

They wanted a ruler who would defeat their enemies and restore Israel's political independence.

They wanted Jesus to save them from Rome.

But Jesus came to save them from something far more serious.

Sin.

Jesus didn't come to make peace between Israel and Rome.

He came to make peace between people and God.

JESUS DIDN'T NEED THE SPOTLIGHT 
There's something fascinating about this scene.

Imagine standing in front of a massive crowd that is shouting your name.

What would you do?

Most of us would probably say something.

We'd take advantage of the moment.

We'd make a speech.

We'd tell everyone who we are and what we're going to accomplish.

Jesus didn't.

He remained focused on His mission.

He didn't need to convince people through self-promotion.

His actions would speak louder than any speech.

His mission wasn't to impress the crowd.

His mission was to obey the Father.

And obedience would lead Him to the cross.

THE CROSS IS THE ULTIMATE PICTURE OF HUMILITY
The donkey wasn't the greatest demonstration of Jesus' humility.

The cross was.

Jesus—the Son of God—willingly gave His life for sinful people.

He didn't have to.

He chose to.

Why?

Because He loves us.

He humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross.

That is the heart of the gospel.

We don't have a Savior who stands far away from us and tells us to fix ourselves.

We have a Savior who came to us.

He entered our world.

He lived among us.

He experienced suffering.

He took our sin upon Himself.

And He died in our place.

That's humility.

WHAT DOES JESUS' HUMILITY MEAN FOR US? 
Philippians 2 doesn't simply tell us that Jesus was humble.

It tells us to have the same attitude.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

Jesus' humility becomes our example.

So this week, ask yourself:

Am I more concerned about being noticed—or being faithful?

Am I trying to promote myself—or serve others?

Am I seeking my own interests—or considering the interests of others?

Am I following my timing—or trusting God's timing?

Humility doesn't mean pretending you're unimportant.

It means understanding that life isn't ultimately about you.

It's about Jesus.

THE KING WHO CAME TO SAVE
The people in Jerusalem wanted a king who would change their political circumstances.

Jesus came to change their eternal circumstances.

They wanted freedom from Rome.

Jesus offered freedom from sin.

They wanted an earthly kingdom.

Jesus came to reconcile people to God.

And He accomplished that mission through humility, obedience, love, and the cross.

So when you think about Jesus this week, don't just think about the King riding into Jerusalem.

Think about why He came.

He came for you.

He came because He loves you.

He came to offer forgiveness.

And He came to make peace between you and God.

Jesus is humble.

And because He humbled Himself for us, we can trust Him, follow Him, and learn to live with the same humble attitude.

Not seeking our own glory.

Not demanding our own way.

Not promoting ourselves.

But serving others, obeying God, and pointing people to Jesus. 

Jesus' humility wasn't passive. It was demonstrated through obedience, service, sacrifice, and love.

Here are some ways to live it out this week:

1. Put someone else's needs ahead of your own.
Look for an opportunity to serve someone without expecting recognition.

2. Resist the need to promote yourself.
Before telling people what you've accomplished, ask whether the opportunity would be better used to encourage or highlight someone else.

3. Trust God's timing.
When you're frustrated because something isn't happening when you want it to, remember Jesus' example. He repeatedly waited for the Father's timing.

4. Serve without needing credit.
Do something helpful this week that nobody may notice.

5. Point people toward Jesus.
When you receive praise, look for an opportunity to give God the glory rather than making yourself the center.

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

Do one act of humble service that no one needs to know about.

Then thank God for the opportunity to serve as Jesus served. 

ICEBREAKER
What is the difference between confidence and pride?

READ TOGETHER
Matthew 21:1–11
Philippians 2:3–11

DISCUSS

1. Why might Jesus' deity and humility seem like contradictory ideas to us? 

2. What does Philippians 2 teach us about the connection between Jesus' identity and His humility? 

3. What stands out to you about Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem? 

4. Why do you think Jesus chose a donkey? 

5. What were the crowds expecting Jesus to do? 

6. How was Jesus' mission different from what the crowds expected? 

7. What does Jesus' silence and lack of self-promotion during the entrance into Jerusalem teach us? 

8. Why is the cross the ultimate demonstration of Jesus' humility? 

9. What does Philippians 2:3–4 mean when it tells us to consider others as more important than ourselves? 

10. Where does pride or self-promotion show up most easily in our lives? 

11. What would it look like for you to practice Jesus-like humility this week? 

GROUP CHALLENGE
Do one intentional act of service this week without receiving or seeking recognition. 

Come prepared next week to share what you learned from the experience.

Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.

Read Together: Matthew 21:1-11 andPhilippians 2:3–11

Talk about: 

1. What was unusual about the way Jesus entered Jerusalem? 

2. Why did the crowd welcome Jesus? 

3. What did many people expect the Messiah to do? 

4. How was Jesus' mission different from what the crowd expected? 

5. What does Philippians 2 tell us about Jesus' humility? 

6. Why is it difficult for us to be humble? 

7. What is one way our family can put someone else's needs ahead of our own this week? 

Family Challenge 
As a family, secretly do something kind for another person this week.

Don't tell them you did it.

Talk afterward about how it felt to serve without receiving recognition.

Family Prayer 
“Jesus, thank You for showing us what true humility looks like. Help us think about others instead of always thinking about ourselves. Help us serve without needing recognition and obey You even when it is difficult. Thank You for humbling Yourself and going to the cross for us. Amen.”

THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
"Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus."
~~Philippians 2:5

PRAYER: Teach Us the Humility of Jesus 

Father,
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You that the One who is fully God willingly humbled Himself and became human for us.
Thank You for His perfect obedience.
Thank You for His willingness to serve.
Thank You that He did not seek His own glory, but remained focused on Your will.
And thank You most of all for the cross.
Forgive us when pride takes over our lives.
Forgive us when we seek recognition, attention, or our own way.
Teach us to consider others more important than ourselves.
Help us serve without needing recognition.
Help us trust Your timing.
Help us put the interests of others ahead of our own.
And when we are tempted to make ourselves the center, remind us of Jesus.
The King who entered Jerusalem humbly.
The Savior who went willingly to the cross.
The Lord who gave His life because He loves us.
May our lives point people toward Him.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

This week, our focus is to move beyond simply knowing about Jesus to recognizing His identity, receiving His grace, honoring His name, and making Him known to others.

Help people see Jesus for who He truly is—God in the flesh—and respond to Him with faith, worship, and obedience.

Act 1 — Jesus Is God | John 1:1–5

• Jesus is the eternal Word. He was with God and was God. 
• Jesus was present before creation; He is not a created being. 
• All things came into being through Him. 
• In Jesus is life, and His life is the light of humanity. 
• The light shines in darkness, and darkness does not overcome or comprehend it. 

Act 2 — Jesus Enters the World | John 1:9–13

• Jesus entered the world He created. 
• The world did not recognize Him, and many did not receive Him. 
• Those who receive Him and believe in His name become children of God. 
• Our standing with God is not earned by human achievement or will; it is God’s gracious work. 

Act 3 — The Word Becomes Flesh | John 1:14

• The eternal Word became flesh and dwelt among humanity. 
• John and the other disciples witnessed Jesus’ glory. 
• Jesus is full of grace and truth. 
• His grace continues to overflow—bringing forgiveness, encouragement, healing, help, and salvation. 

Rewatch the sermon here beginning at 00:27:47.

We're in the middle of our series, Knowing Jesus: Discovering Him in the Gospels. Sunday, Pastor Terry taught that Jesus is God.

Pastor Terry taught from John 1 about Jesus’ divinity, incarnation, and saving work. John presents Jesus as the eternal Word who was with God and was God. Jesus was not created; all things came into being through Him, and He is the source of life and light.

The sermon then turns to Jesus entering the world He created. Although many did not recognize or receive Him, those who receive and believe in His name are given the right to become children of God. Salvation is not achieved through human effort; it comes through Jesus and God’s grace.
 
Finally, John declares that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus came in the fullness of grace and truth. His grace is not depleted or exhausted—it remains available for forgiveness, encouragement, healing, help, and salvation.

Reread John 1:1–5, 9–14

John does not begin his Gospel with a manger, shepherds, or wise men. He takes us farther back—before Bethlehem, before Mary, before creation itself. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

That opening gives us the foundation for understanding Jesus. He did not begin at Bethlehem. Jesus is eternal. He was with God, and He was God. John tells us that all things came into being through Him. The One lying in a manger would be the One through whom creation itself came into being.

Then John tells us something astonishing: the eternal Word entered the world He created. Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us. The disciples saw His glory, and John describes Him as full of grace and truth.

This matters because we can easily reduce Jesus in our minds. We may think of Him as a good teacher, a religious leader, or even simply our friend. He is certainly our friend for those who know Him—but He is much more. He is God.

And the God who came near came with grace. John says that those who receive Jesus and believe in His name are given the right to become children of God. We do not earn that relationship through achievement. We receive it through faith.

So this week, remember who Jesus is. Honor His name. Trust His power. Receive His grace. Follow His truth. And when someone around you needs hope, point them to the One who is full of grace and truth.

Icebreaker 
When you hear the name “Jesus,” what is the first description or characteristic that comes to mind?

Read: John 1:1–5, 9–14

Discuss

1. John begins his Gospel by calling Jesus “the Word.” What do verses 1–5 tell us about Jesus’ identity and eternity? 

2. Why is it important to understand that Jesus is God rather than merely a good man, prophet, or teacher? 

3. What does it mean that Jesus created the world and then entered the world He created? 

4. Verse 11 says that Jesus was not received by His own. Why do you think people reject or fail to recognize Jesus? 

5. What promise is given to those who receive Jesus and believe in His name in verse 12? 

6. Verse 14 says Jesus is “full of grace and truth.” What does it look like to live with both grace and truth? 

7. Where do you need Jesus’ grace, truth, forgiveness, help, or healing right now? 

8. How can our group help one another honor Jesus’ name and make Him known? 

Group Challenge
✅ Choose one person who may not know Jesus well—or may have a distorted view of Him—and pray for an opportunity to share one clear truth about who Jesus is.

Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.

READ TOGETHER
John 1:1–5 and John 1:9–14. If your children are younger, focus especially on John 1:1 and John 1:14.

TALK ABOUT IT
This week, help your family slow down and think about the most important truth from Sunday: Jesus is God. John 1 reminds us that Jesus was with God in the beginning, that all things were created through Him, and that He came into the world He created.

• How can our family honor Jesus this week? 
• What does it mean to receive Jesus? 
• Why is it important that Jesus came into the world as a person? 
• What did Jesus create? 
• Who does John say Jesus is?

FAMILY CHALLENGE
Choose one way to honor Jesus together this week. Practice using His name respectfully, show someone grace, or tell someone one thing your family has learned about who Jesus is.
   
PRAY TOGETHER
“Jesus, thank You that You are God and that You came into our world because You love us. Help our family know You, honor Your name, trust Your grace, and share Your truth with others. Amen.” 

THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1

Our greatest need is spiritual healing, and Jesus alone has the authority to forgive our sins.

In Mark 2, four friends bring a paralyzed man to Jesus. When they can't get through the crowd, they make an opening in the roof and lower their friend directly in front of Jesus.
 
Jesus sees their faith.

But instead of immediately addressing the man's physical condition, Jesus says:
“Son, your sins are forgiven.”

The physical healing that follows demonstrates something even greater: Jesus has authority to forgive sins because He is the Son of Man.

Next Sunday 
Knowing Jesus — Week3
We'll continue discovering Jesus through the Gospels, building on the topics of Jesus as Teacher and how He sees your faith.

Jesus Sees Your Faith 
Mark 2:1–5 

• The four friends refused to let obstacles stop them from bringing their friend to Jesus. 
• Their faith was demonstrated through action. 
• Jesus sees faith in ways other people cannot. 
• Jesus sees the heart, motives, and genuine faith behind our actions. 

Jesus Sees Our Greatest Need
Mark 2:5 

• Everyone could see the man's physical need. 
• Jesus saw something deeper. 
• His greatest need was forgiveness. 
• We can become so focused on temporary problems that we overlook our eternal condition. 

Jesus Has Authority to Forgive
Mark 2:6–12 

• The scribes correctly understood that only God can forgive sins. 
• They simply failed to recognize that God was standing in front of them. 
• Jesus demonstrated His authority through both forgiveness and healing. 
• His healing confirmed the authority behind His declaration of forgiveness. 

Forgiveness Is Found in Jesus

• Forgiveness isn't earned through good works. 
• It isn't achieved through religious rules. 
• It isn't purchased through giving. 
• It isn't earned through serving. 
• It isn't something we can accomplish ourselves. 
• Jesus alone provides forgiveness. 

Faith Leads Us to Jesus
Hebrews 11:1 
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.” 
We may not know exactly how Jesus will respond to our circumstances, but we can trust Him with them. 

The Greatest Miracle 
The man's physical healing was extraordinary.

But Jesus wanted everyone to understand that forgiveness was the greater miracle.

Our bodies will eventually fail.

Circumstances will change.

But forgiveness through Jesus addresses our eternal need.

Big Idea: Our greatest need is not merely physical—it is spiritual, and Jesus alone has the authority to forgive our sins. 

Key Verse 
"But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” -- Mark 2:10

Rewatch the sermon here beginning at 00:19:37.

This Sunday was the second in our six-week series, Knowing Jesus: Discovering Him in the Gospels.

Pastor Terry began Sunday's message by talking about triage—the process of determining what needs attention first. He connected that idea to our spiritual lives by asking an even more important question:
 
What is our greatest need? 

Mark 2 gives us the answer.

A paralyzed man is carried to Jesus by four determined friends. When the crowd prevents them from reaching Jesus, they refuse to give up. They climb onto the roof, make an opening, and lower their friend down in front of Jesus.
 
Jesus sees their faith.
 
But Jesus' first response isn't, “You're healed.”

Instead, He says:
“Son, your sins are forgiven.”

That statement immediately creates controversy among the scribes because they understand something important: only God can forgive sins.
 
Jesus then heals the man's physical condition to demonstrate His authority to forgive sins.
 
The miracle isn't simply about making a paralyzed man walk.
 
It is about showing the world who Jesus is.

Jesus is the Son of Man.
 
Jesus has authority to forgive.
 
Jesus is God.
 
And Jesus provides what no amount of good works, religious rules, money, service, or personal achievement can provide:
forgiveness of sin. 

Pastor Terry emphasized that while we may have many physical, emotional, relational, and circumstantial needs, our greatest need is ultimately spiritual. We all need forgiveness, and Jesus is the only One who can provide it.
 
The sermon leaves us with a simple truth worth remembering:
 
Stop looking for other things to provide what only Jesus can give.     

Reread Mark 2:1–12

Jesus Sees Your Faith
What do you do when you know someone needs help—but you can't seem to get them where they need to go?

Do you give up? Or do you find another way?

In Mark 2, four friends refused to give up.

Their friend was paralyzed, and they believed Jesus could help him. So they carried him to the house where Jesus was teaching.
But there was a problem.

The house was packed. There was no way to get through the crowd. So they went up on the roof.

And then they did something that would certainly get everyone's attention.

They made a hole in the roof and lowered their friend down in front of Jesus.

Can you imagine being inside that house?

You're listening to Jesus teach, and suddenly dirt and debris begin falling from the ceiling. Then a man on a pallet appears.

Everyone is watching. But Jesus wasn't distracted by the interruption.

Jesus saw their faith.

Jesus Sees What Others Cannot
The Bible says that Jesus, “seeing their faith,” spoke to the paralyzed man.

That's an important reminder for us.

People can see some evidence of our faith. They can see what we do. They can hear what we say. They may see us serving, praying, attending church, helping others, or talking about Jesus.

But Jesus sees something deeper.

He sees the heart.

He knows what motivates us. He knows whether our faith is genuine. He knows the doubts we struggle with and the trust we exercise even when we're afraid.

There may be times when you wonder, “Do I have enough faith to get through this?”

Jesus sees your faith. He knows what you cannot always see in yourself.

But Jesus Saw a Greater Need
The friends brought their friend to Jesus because they believed he needed healing. And certainly, he did.

But Jesus saw something they may not have recognized as his greatest need.

Jesus said:
“Son, your sins are forgiven.”

That wasn't necessarily what everyone expected. The man's physical condition was obvious. His spiritual condition wasn't.

But Jesus knew the difference.

We often do the same thing. We naturally focus on the things we can see.

We worry about our health. Our finances. Our relationships. Our jobs. Our families. Our circumstances. And those things matter.

But Jesus reminds us that there is a need deeper than all of them.

We need forgiveness.

Only Jesus Can Forgive
The scribes immediately questioned Jesus. “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

In one sense, they asked exactly the right question. The problem was that they didn't recognize the answer.

Jesus can forgive sins because Jesus is God.

Jesus then told the man to get up, pick up his pallet, and go home.
The man did exactly that.

He stood. He picked up his pallet. He walked out.

And everyone was amazed and glorified God.

The physical healing demonstrated the spiritual authority Jesus had already claimed.

He wanted them to know that He had authority on earth to forgive sins.

Our Greatest Need Has a Name
We live in a world filled with temporary solutions.

We look for ways to fix our problems. We try harder. We become better people. We follow rules. We serve. We give. We become involved in church.

Those things may be good, but none of them can forgive our sins.

Only Jesus can do that.

Our salvation isn't something we earn. It is God's gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

That's why the gospel is such good news.

We don't have to figure out how to save ourselves. We don't have to become good enough. We don't have to somehow pay our own spiritual debt.

Jesus has already done what we could never do.

He went to the cross.

He died for our sins.

He rose again.

And He offers forgiveness to those who place their faith in Him.

What Is Your Greatest Need?
That's the question Mark 2 places in front of us.

Maybe you have a physical need today. Maybe you're facing something difficult. Maybe you're carrying a burden that nobody else knows about.

Bring it to Jesus.

But don't overlook your greatest need. You need Jesus.

And if you already know Him, remember that you don't have to face life's challenges in your own strength.

Jesus sees your faith.

He sees your heart.

He sees your need.

And He has the authority to forgive.

Bring Someone to Jesus
There's one more beautiful part of this story.

The paralyzed man didn't get to Jesus by himself. Four friends brought him. They carried him. They persisted. They overcame obstacles. They refused to quit. They believed Jesus could help.

Who might God be asking you to bring to Jesus?

Maybe someone in your family. A friend. A coworker. A neighbor. Someone who is hurting. Someone who has wandered away from God. Someone who doesn't yet know Jesus.

You may not be able to solve their problems.

You may not know exactly what to say.

But you can bring them to Jesus.

Pray for them. Encourage them. Invite them. Listen to them. Show them the love of Christ.

And trust Jesus to do what only He can do.

Jesus Sees Your Faith

The four friends didn't know exactly what Jesus would do. They simply believed He was worth getting to.

That's faith.

And Jesus saw it.

So this week, remember:
Jesus sees your faith.

He sees the faith nobody else sees. He hears the prayers nobody else hears. He sees the struggles nobody else knows.

And He sees your greatest need.

When everything else competes for your attention, don't forget the most important question:
Do you know Jesus?

Because when it comes to forgiveness, there is only one answer.

Jesus—and Jesus alone.

This week's message gives us three practical ways to live out our faith.
 
1. Bring your greatest need to Jesus.
We often know exactly what we want Jesus to fix.
But take a step deeper.

✅Ask:
“Jesus, what do You see that I need most?”

Spend time this week confessing your sins and trusting Jesus with the things that concern you.
 
2. Have the faith to bring someone else to Jesus.
The four friends didn't keep their faith to themselves.
They acted on behalf of someone who needed Jesus.

✅Who is one person you can intentionally pray for this week?

Then look for an opportunity to encourage them, invite them to church, share your testimony, or simply let them know you're praying for them.

3. Remember that forgiveness is a gift.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking you need to earn God's favor.
Your good works are a response to God's grace—not a payment for it.
Jesus has already accomplished what you could never accomplish for yourself.

This Week's Challenge

✅Identify one person who needs Jesus.
Pray for that person every day this week.
Then ask God to show you one opportunity to help bring that person one step closer to Him.

Don't just study Jesus' teaching.
Practice it.

Icebreaker 
Have you ever had to work especially hard to get someone the help they needed? What happened?

Read Mark 2:1–12

Discuss
1. What stands out to you most about the actions of the four friends?
2. What does it mean that Jesus “saw their faith”?
3. Why do you think Jesus addressed the man's sins before his physical condition?
4. What does this story teach us about how Jesus sees our needs differently from the way we see them?
5. The scribes asked, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Why is that question so important?
6. How did Jesus demonstrate that He has authority to forgive sins?
7. What are some things people today try to substitute for God's forgiveness?
8. Why can Christians sometimes become more focused on temporary needs than eternal ones?
9. Who has helped bring you closer to Jesus?
10. Who might God be asking you to help bring to Jesus?

Group Challenge
Each person identify one person to pray for this week who needs to know or experience the grace of Jesus.

Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.

Read Together: Mark 2: 1-12

Talk About It

1. Why couldn't the four friends get the paralyzed man into the house? 

2. What did they do instead? 

3. What does their willingness to make a hole in the roof tell us about their faith? 

4. What did Jesus see when He looked at the man? 

5. Why were the scribes upset when Jesus said the man's sins were forgiven? 

6. What did Jesus do to demonstrate His authority? 

7. Why is forgiveness of sin an even greater need than physical healing? 

8. Who is someone our family can pray for and help bring closer to Jesus?

Family Challenge
Choose one person who needs Jesus and pray for them together every day this week.

Then look for a practical way your family can show that person the love of Christ.

Family Prayer
“Jesus, thank You for loving us and forgiving us. Help us recognize our need for You. Give us faith like the friends in this story. Help us bring others to You and trust You with their needs. Help our family point people toward Jesus. Amen.”

THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
"So that you may know the Son of Man (Jesus) has authority on earth to forgive sin."
Mark 2:10

Remember:
You don't have to bring something impressive to Jesus. Come poor in spirit.

Reflect:
Is Jesus' teaching actually transforming the way I live?

Practice:
Choose one Beatitude to intentionally live out this week.

Act: 
Look for one opportunity to show the love of Jesus to someone.

Shine: 
Don't hide your faith.

Point people to: 
Jesus—the Light of the world.

Next Sunday 
Knowing Jesus — Week 2 
We'll continue discovering Jesus through the Gospels, building on this week's introduction to Jesus as Teacher.

Big Idea: Jesus teaches us who we are so that we can live differently.
 
We come to Jesus poor in spirit, recognizing our need for His grace.

Jesus transforms us from the inside out.

Then He sends us into the world as salt and light.

We don't shine because we are impressive.

We shine because Jesus lives in us.


Key Verse 
"You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14

Rewatch the sermon here beginning at 00:28:25.

This Sunday began our new six-week series, Knowing Jesus: Discovering Him in the Gospels, by introducing us to Jesus as the greatest Teacher.

Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5 begins with the Beatitudes. Rather than simply giving people a list of religious rules, Jesus describes what life looks like when we live in a right relationship with God.
 
The first—and foundational—Beatitude is:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
 
To be “poor in spirit” is to recognize that we come to Jesus empty-handed. We cannot earn God's forgiveness by bringing our accomplishments, experience, money, personality, or religious performance. We come as broken and needy people, trusting completely in Jesus and His grace.

But Jesus doesn't leave us in our brokenness.
 
He transforms us.

The Beatitudes describe people who mourn, show gentleness, hunger for righteousness, extend mercy, pursue purity, make peace, and remain faithful even when persecuted. These aren't simply characteristics to admire. They are characteristics that should increasingly describe people whose lives have been transformed by Jesus.
 
Then Jesus moves from who we are to how we live.

He says:
“You are the salt of the earth.” 
And:
“You are the light of the world.” 

Our faith isn't meant to remain hidden. Jesus calls His followers to live visibly and actively so that others can see God's work in us and ultimately glorify our Father in heaven.     

Reread Matthew 5:1–10, 13–16

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

Who was the best teacher you've ever had?

Most of us can remember at least one teacher who made a difference in our lives. Maybe they taught us a skill we still use today. Maybe they encouraged us when we didn't believe in ourselves. Maybe they saw something in us that we didn't yet see in ourselves.

Teachers leave a legacy.

But there is one Teacher whose lessons don't simply give us information. His teaching transforms our lives.

His name is Jesus.

As we begin our new series, Knowing Jesus: Discovering Him in the Gospels, we begin by looking at Jesus as the Teacher.

JESUS TEACHES US WHO WE REALLY ARE
Matthew 5 begins with the famous Beatitudes.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

That may seem like a strange way to begin a sermon.

Why would Jesus call someone “blessed” because they are poor in spirit?

Because Jesus is talking about recognizing our true spiritual condition.

We come to Jesus with nothing to offer.

We can't impress Him with our accomplishments. We can't purchase His forgiveness. We can't earn His grace by being good enough.

We come broken.

We come empty-handed.

We come recognizing our need for Him.

And that's exactly where Jesus meets us.

The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who understand that they need the King.

BLESSED DOESN'T JUST MEAN HAPPY
Jesus continues with the Beatitudes:
These aren't promises that following Jesus will make life easy.

They're promises about living in a right relationship with God.

And they describe the kind of transformation Jesus produces in people who follow Him.

Jesus doesn't simply want us to know the Beatitudes.

He wants the Beatitudes to become visible in our lives.

FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO MONDAY MORNING
Then Jesus makes the application personal.

“You are the salt of the earth.”

“You are the light of the world.”

Jesus didn't call His followers to retreat from the world and hide their faith.

He called them to influence the world.

Salt makes a difference.

Light makes a difference.

And followers of Jesus should make a difference.

That's why Jesus says:
Notice where the attention ultimately goes.


We don't shine so people will admire us.

We shine so people will see something of Jesus in us and give glory to our Father.


YOUR LIGHT COMES FROM JESUS
There's an important distinction here.

We aren't the light because we're naturally good enough, religious enough, or talented enough.

Jesus is the Light. Our light comes from Him.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”

And now He tells His followers, “You are the light of the world.”

How can both be true?

Because the light we shine isn't ultimately our own.

We are reflecting His light.

That's why we don't have to wait until we're perfect before we serve Jesus.

We don't have to have every answer.

We don't have to pretend that life is easy.

We simply need to let Jesus shine through us.

DON'T PUT YOUR LIGHT UNDER A BASKET
It's easy to shine our light at church.

It's easy to talk about Jesus when we're surrounded by other believers.

But Jesus calls us to shine everywhere.
That's where our faith becomes visible.

The world doesn't simply need to hear that we follow Jesus.

It needs to see what following Jesus looks like:
These ordinary things can become extraordinary opportunities for God's light to shine.

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS' TEACHING?
As we begin this journey of Knowing Jesus, we're not simply going to learn facts about Him.





And, most importantly, we're going to ask what His teaching means for us.

Because the goal isn't simply to know more about Jesus.

The goal is to know Jesus—and let knowing Him transform the way we live.

So this week, start with humility.

Come to Jesus poor in spirit.

Admit your need for Him.

Then ask:
“Jesus, where do You want Your light to shine through me today?”

Don't hide it.

Don't keep it in the church building.

Don't put it under a basket.

Let it shine.

And when people see the difference Jesus makes in your life, may they not simply notice you.

May they glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Icebreaker 
Who was one teacher who had a lasting impact on your life—and what did they teach you that you still remember?

Pastor Terry began Sunday's message by reflecting on teachers who had influenced his life before turning our attention to Jesus as the greatest Teacher.
 
Read Together
Matthew 5:1-16
 
Discuss 
1. What stands out to you about the way Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount?
2. What does Jesus mean by being “poor in spirit”?
3. Why is recognizing our spiritual need essential to receiving God's grace?
4. Which Beatitude speaks most directly to something you're experiencing right now?
5. Pastor Terry said the goal isn't simply to become more aware of the Beatitudes, but to be transformed by them. What is the difference?
6. What does it mean for a Christian to be “salt”?
7. What does it mean for a Christian to be “light”?
8. What are some ways Christians unintentionally hide their light?
9. Why does Jesus say our good works should ultimately point people toward the Father?
 
THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
Choose one Beatitude and intentionally practice it this week. Then look for one opportunity to let your light shine for someone who needs encouragement, kindness, or hope.

Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.

Read Together: Matthew 5:13-16

TALK ABOUT IT
Jesus says His followers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  

ASK YOUR FAMILY

• What does salt do? 
• What does light do? 
• Why would Jesus compare His followers to salt and light? 
• What does it mean to let our light shine? 
• Where could our family show Jesus' love this week? 

FAMILY CHALLENGE
Choose one person your family can encourage or help this week.

It could be a neighbor, teacher, friend, coworker, family member, or someone who simply needs encouragement.
 
Do something kind for that person without expecting anything in return.

Then talk together about how that simple act can point someone toward Jesus.
   
PRAY TOGETHER
“Jesus, thank You for being our Teacher. Help us learn from You and allow Your Word to transform our hearts. Help us be humble, kind, merciful, peaceful, and faithful. Help our family shine Your light wherever we go so that people will see You and glorify our Father in heaven. Amen.” 

THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
"You are the light of the world."
Matthew 5:14

Big Idea: Because Jesus has set us free by His grace, we don't live to impress people—we live to honor Christ.
A Spirit-filled life invests in God's Word, does good to others, refuses to grow weary, and points everything back to the cross.

You Reap What You Sow
Galatians 6:6–10

• Spiritual growth requires spiritual investment.
• God's Word needs more than a passing glance.
• What we continually invest in shapes us.
• Sow into the Spirit.
• Don't grow weary in doing good.
• Take every opportunity to do good.

Boast Only in the Cross
Galatians 6:11–14

• Religious appearance isn't the same as spiritual transformation.
• Human achievement isn't our source of salvation.
• The cross reminds us that we cannot save ourselves.
• Our confidence is in Christ—not ourselves.

Walk as a New Creation
Galatians 6:15–18

• The Christian life is about transformation.
• Walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh.
• Don't make outward measurements the ultimate measure of success.
• Let your life point people toward Jesus.
• We continually need God's grace.

Key Verse 
“But may it never be that I would boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Galatians 6:14

Rewatch the sermon here beginning at 00:28:34.

Sunday marked the conclusion of our summer journey through Galatians. Paul ends his letter by bringing the message of grace, freedom, and Spirit-filled living into sharp focus.

Pastor Terry centered the message around three final truths from Galatians 6:

1. You reap what you sow.
2. Boast only in the cross.
3. Walk as a new creation.
The question for the week is simple but searching:
Pastor Terry's sermon emphasized that selling out means compromising our convictions for approval, comfort, status, money, or personal gain. Being sold out means being fully devoted, surrendered, and committed to Christ.     

Reread Galatians 6: 6-18

There is a difference between selling out and being sold out.

One means compromising what you believe for comfort, approval, status, or personal gain. The other means being fully devoted, surrendered, and committed to something greater than yourself.

As we concluded our study of Galatians, Paul gave us a powerful picture of what it means to be completely committed to Jesus.
His final words point us back to three simple truths: what we sow matters, doing good matters, and the cross is what matters most.

You Reap What You Sow

Paul writes:

“For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” — Galatians 6:7

We understand this principle in everyday life. What we plant eventually produces something.

The same is true spiritually.

If we continually invest ourselves in the things of the flesh, those investments will shape our lives. But when we sow into the Spirit—when we spend time in God's Word, seek Him in prayer, and allow His Spirit to guide us—we begin to see the fruit of that investment.

That is why our time with God matters.

It's easy to rush through a devotional thought or grab a quick Bible verse and move on with the day. But God's Word deserves more than a passing glance. We need to spend enough time in Scripture for God's truth to move from our hands into our hearts.


Don't Grow Weary in Doing Good

Paul continues:

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” — Galatians 6:9

That's an important word because doing good can become tiring.
Sometimes we serve and don't see immediate results. We encourage someone and never hear what difference it made. We show kindness and don't receive kindness in return.

But Paul says: don't give up.

“While we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.”

Our good works don't earn our salvation. Galatians has made that clear throughout the entire letter. We are saved by God's grace, not by adding our good deeds to what Jesus has already accomplished.

But grace changes the way we live.

Because we've received grace, we can extend grace.

Because Jesus has loved us, we can love others.

Because Christ has served us, we can serve others.

Boast Only in the Cross

Then Paul reaches the heart of his final message:

“But may it never be that I would boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Galatians 6:14

Paul could have pointed to his accomplishments. He could have pointed to his religious credentials. He could have pointed to the sacrifices he had made.

Instead, he pointed to the cross.

That's where our confidence belongs, too.

The cross reminds us that our salvation isn't something we accomplished. We couldn't save ourselves. We couldn't become good enough. We couldn't obey enough.


That changes the way we think about Christian success.

It's easy—even in church—to measure success by numbers, attendance, programs, accomplishments, or recognition. Those things may have their place, but they don't tell the whole story.

God is interested in something deeper:
Galatians 6:15 points us toward the reality of being a new creation. The goal isn't simply to look religious on the outside. The goal is to be transformed from the inside out.

Sold Out for Jesus

That brings us back to the question:


We all face moments when following Jesus costs us something.

Maybe it's our comfort.

Maybe it's our reputation.

Maybe it's someone's approval.

Maybe it's an opportunity we have to surrender.

Maybe it's simply choosing faithfulness when no one else is watching.

Selling out says, “What will this cost me?”

Being sold out says, “Jesus is worth it.”

Paul's life demonstrated that kind of commitment. His “brand marks” were reminders of the cost he had endured in serving Christ. But even those scars weren't something for Paul to boast about. They pointed beyond Paul to Jesus.

That's the Christian life.


Live It Out This Week

As we close our journey through Galatians, take three questions with you:

What am I sowing?
Am I investing in the things of the Spirit?

Where can I do good?
Who has God placed in my path this week who needs kindness, encouragement, or help?

What am I boasting in?
Am I finding my identity in my accomplishments—or in the finished work of Jesus on the cross?

And when you face the opportunity to compromise, remember Paul's example.

Don't sell out.
Boast in the cross.

Walk by the Spirit.

Do good while you have the opportunity.

And depend every day on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Am I selling out—or am I sold out for Jesus?

Read: Galatians 6: 6-18

Pastor Terry asked a particularly challenging question:
How much time do you spend in quiet devotion to the Lord every day?

The sermon challenged us not merely to hear God's Word, but to have it so we can recall its truth when we face temptation and difficult decisions.

Consider these questions this week:

1. What am I currently sowing into my spiritual life?
2. What receives most of my time, attention, and energy?
3. Am I tempted to measure spiritual success by outward things rather than heart transformation?
4. Where am I tempted to compromise my convictions for approval, comfort, or convenience?
5. What would being more fully “sold out” to Jesus look like in my life?
6. How can I intentionally do good to someone this week?
7. When people see my life, does it point them toward Jesus and His cross or toward me?

Icebreaker 
What is something you have invested a lot of time or energy into that eventually produced a noticeable result?
 
Read
Galatians 6: 6-18
 
Discuss 
1. “You reap what you sow.”
What does this principle look like in our spiritual lives?
2. What are some things Christians can unintentionally “sow” into the flesh?
3. What does it look like practically to sow into the Spirit?
4. Paul tells believers not to grow weary in doing good. Why is it sometimes difficult to keep doing good when we don't immediately see results?
5. What does it mean to “boast only in the cross”?
6. How can churches become overly focused on numbers, appearances, or outward measures of success?
7. What does Paul mean by being a “new creation”?
8. Pastor Terry contrasted selling out with being sold out. Where do you see that tension in your own life?

Application
Ask God each morning:
"Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today and show me what needs to be laid aside."
 
This Week's Challenge
Identify one thing you need to stop sowing and one thing you need to start sowing this week.

Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.

Read Together: Galatians 6: 6-18

TALK ABOUT IT
Talk with your family about the difference between selling out and being sold out.

Selling out means giving up what matters because we want something else—approval, comfort, popularity, money, or an easier path.

Being sold out means being completely committed to something.
 
ASK YOUR FAMILY

1. What does it mean to be sold out for Jesus?
2. What are some things that can distract us from following Him?
3. What does Galatians say we should “sow” into our lives?
4. Who is someone we can do good to this week?

FAMILY CHALLENGE
Do one intentional act of kindness this week without expecting anything in return.

Afterward, talk about how a simple act of kindness can open a door for someone to experience the love of Jesus.  

PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, help us not to live for the approval of other people. Help us live completely for You. Help us sow good things, walk by Your Spirit, and point others to the cross. Thank You for Your grace. Amen.

THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
"Keep your eyes on Jesus and do the next right thing."
Hebrews 12:1–2

Big Idea: A Christ-centered life keeps moving toward Jesus—filled by His Spirit, faithful to His calling, focused on Him, and consistent in obedience.

CHRIST-CENTERED
Hebrews 12:1–2

1. BE FILLED
Lay aside what hinders you and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you.

2. BE CALLED
God has a race marked out for you. Follow His calling even when you cannot see the whole path.

3. BE FOCUSED
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus instead of allowing circumstances and distractions to control your attention.

4. BE CONSISTENT
Persevere. Keep moving forward. When you don't know what to do next:
Do the next right thing.

Key Verse 
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Rewatch the sermon here beginning at 00:33:04.

     Hebrews 12:1–2 calls us to lay aside everything that hinders us and the sin that entangles us. We are then told to run with perseverance the race God has set before us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

     Dr. Hopkins connected that passage to what it means to be truly Christ-centered.

Be Filled
     When we are filled with the Spirit, there is less room for the things that pull us away from Christ. Our attitudes, actions, words, and priorities begin to look different because Christ is at work within us.
     Being filled with the Spirit isn't simply about knowing more about Jesus. It is about allowing His presence to transform us.

Be Called
     God has a race marked out for each of us.
     We aren't all called to the same assignment, but we are all called to follow Christ faithfully. Understanding God's calling gives us direction when circumstances become difficult.
     Dr. Hopkins shared how his own plans to become an astronaut changed when God called him into ministry. His calling eventually led him into music, education, administration, and leadership at Campbellsville University.

Be Focused
     Hebrews tells us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
     Just as a runner must remain focused on the race, Christians must resist the temptation to become distracted by everything happening around us.
     For First Baptist Church, that focus includes using the unique opportunities God has given this congregation in Pigeon Forge to reach people—including international students and visitors.
Hospitality can become ministry when our focus is Jesus.

Be Consistent
     The Christian life is not about one great spiritual moment. It is about faithfully taking the next step.
     Dr. Hopkins described the leadership principle used at Campbellsville University:
Do the next right thing.
     We may not know what the next ten steps look like. But God gives us enough light for the next step.

Reread Hebrews 12: 1-2

What does it really mean to be Christ-centered?
     It sounds like a simple phrase, but Sunday's message from Hebrews 12:1–2 reminds us that being centered in Christ affects every part of our lives.
     The writer of Hebrews gives us a picture of a runner.
     We are surrounded by witnesses. We are told to lay aside what weighs us down. We are told to run with perseverance.
     And then comes the most important instruction:That's where our focus belongs.

Be Filled
     A Christ-centered life begins with the work of God's Spirit within us.
     When we are filled with the Spirit, our lives begin to look different. Our words change. Our attitudes change. Our priorities change.
     The goal isn't simply to try harder to behave better.
     The goal is to allow God to transform us from the inside out.
     What needs to be pushed out of your life so there is more room for Christ?

Be Called
     God has a purpose for your life.
     That doesn't mean everyone has the same assignment. It means every believer has the opportunity to follow God's direction and faithfully run the race He has placed before them.  
     Sometimes God's calling takes us places we never expected.
     The important thing is not that we understand the entire plan. It's that we trust the One who does.

Be Focused
     Runners have to stay focused.
     So do Christians.
     Our world gives us an endless supply of things competing for our attention. Some are bad. Some are good. But even good things can become distractions if they take our eyes off Jesus.
     For our church, staying focused means recognizing the opportunities God has placed right in front of us.
     We live in a community where people from all over the world come through our doors. We have opportunities to welcome visitors, serve our neighbors, build relationships, and share Christ.
     Hospitality isn't just being friendly.
     Hospitality can be ministry.

Be Consistent
     Perhaps the most practical challenge from Sunday's message was this:
Do the next right thing.
   
     We often want to know what comes next, and then what comes after that.
     God may not show us the entire path.
     He may simply give us enough light for the next step.
     So take it.   
     You may never know what God does with your obedience.
     Sometimes you plant a seed and someone else gets to see the harvest.
     That doesn't make your obedience insignificant.
     It makes it faithful.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
     Being Christ-centered doesn't mean we will never stumble.
     It means that when we do, we turn our eyes back toward Jesus.
     Every morning we get another opportunity to begin again. Lay aside what weighs you down.
     Remember your calling.  
     Fix your eyes on Jesus.
     And do the next right thing.
     That's how we run the race.

This week...

ONE WEEK. ONE NEXT STEP.
Don't make this complicated.
Ask God:
"What is the next right thing?"
Then do it.
Not ten things.
Not everything.
Just the next thing God puts in front of you.
Be Filled.
Be Called.
Be Focused.
Be Consistent.
And keep your eyes on Jesus.

✅ Begin each day with prayer.
✅ Read Hebrews 12: 1-2 at least three times.
✅ Memorize Hebrews 12: 1.
✅ Look for one opportunity this week to do the next thing God puts in front of you.
✅ Encourage another believer who may be facing a spiritual battle.

Icebreaker 
When you think about "being Christ-centered," what does that look like in everyday life?
 
Read
Hebrews 12: 1-2
 
Discuss 
The sermon connected laying aside sin and distractions with being filled with the Spirit.

1. What are some things that can "weigh us down" spiritually?
2. Why is it sometimes easier to focus on removing bad things than on filling our lives with God's presence?
3. How does being filled with the Spirit affect the way we speak and treat other people?
4. Where do you most need the Spirit's transforming work this week?

Application
Ask God each morning:
"Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today and show me what needs to be laid aside."
 
This Week's Challenge
Write down one area where you believe God is calling you to be more obedient.

Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.

Read Together: Hebrews 12:1–2

TALK ABOUT IT
     Have you ever been on a long car ride and asked, “Are we there yet?”
     Sometimes following Jesus can feel a little like that. We want to know where we're going, how long it will take, and what is going to happen next.
     But Hebrews 12:1–2 reminds us that we don't have to see the whole journey.
     We just need to keep our eyes on Jesus.
     The Bible compares our life with Jesus to a race. A runner doesn't stop every few minutes to wonder where the finish line is.         The runner keeps moving forward.
     And sometimes the next step is all we need to know.
     Sunday's message gave us four ways to live a Christ-centered life:
Be Filled — Let God's Spirit guide you.
Be Called — Remember that God has a purpose for your life.
Be Focused — Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Be Consistent — Keep doing what is right, even when it's difficult.

ASK YOUR FAMILY

1. What do you think it means to "keep your eyes on Jesus"?
2. What are some things that can distract us from Jesus?
3. What is one thing our family can do this week to spend more time with Jesus?
4. What might be the next right thing God wants you to do?

TRY THIS TOGETHER
     Take a walk as a family.
     As you walk, talk about how you don't need to know every step of the journey before you begin.
     Then choose one family member to lead the way.
     The rest of the family follows.
     Talk about this:
     "Following Jesus means trusting Him to lead us, even when we can't see everything ahead."

FAMILY CHALLENGE
     This week, choose one "next right thing" to do as a family.
     It could be:

• Invite someone to dinner.
• Encourage someone who is having a hard week.
• Help a neighbor.
• Pray for someone who needs Jesus.
• Invite someone to church.
• Do something kind for someone without expecting anything in return.

     Whatever you choose, remember:
     Small acts of obedience can become seeds God uses in someone's life.

PRAY TOGETHER
Dear Jesus,
     Help us keep our eyes on You.
     Fill us with Your Spirit and help us follow Your calling for our family. When we become distracted, help us turn our attention back to You.
     Show us the next right thing to do, and give us courage to do it.
     Help our family love people, welcome people, serve people, and point people toward You.
     We trust You with the journey because You know where we're going.
     Amen.

THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
"Keep your eyes on Jesus and do the next right thing."
Hebrews 12:1–2

Big Idea
Walking in the Spirit means helping people find restoration—not condemnation.

Key Truths

• Restoration is always God's goal.  
• The Holy Spirit convicts; believers restore.  
• Gentleness is stronger than criticism.  
• Every believer needs grace.  
• Healthy churches help carry heavy burdens.  
• Restoration begins with humility.  

Key Verse 
"Brethren, if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness..."
Galatians 6:1 (NASB)

Rewatch the sermon here beginning at 00:26:55.

Every church is made up of imperfect people.

That shouldn't surprise us. Scripture tells us that "all have sinned."

The real question isn't whether believers struggle—it is how followers of Jesus respond when someone does.
 
In Galatians 6, Paul teaches that the goal is never humiliation or punishment. The goal is restoration.

Pastor Terry reminded us that only the Holy Spirit convicts hearts.
Our responsibility is not to condemn others but to lovingly help restore them with gentleness, humility, and grace.
 
Restoration requires mature believers who remember they too have received mercy. Before helping someone else, we must first examine our own hearts, making sure our motives are pure.
 
Paul also calls believers to bear one another's burdens. Some burdens are too heavy to carry alone, and God designed the church family to walk beside one another through those seasons. While each believer has personal responsibilities, none of us were intended to live the Christian life in isolation.
 
When we walk in the Spirit, the church becomes a place where broken people find healing rather than judgment. 

Reread Galatians 6:1-5

Churches sometimes gain a reputation for pointing out failures.
But Scripture paints a very different picture.
 
In Galatians 6, Paul reminds believers that when someone stumbles, our response should never begin with judgment. It begins with restoration.

That doesn't mean ignoring sin. It means helping people find their way back to healthy fellowship with God and His people.
 
Pastor Terry reminded us that conviction belongs to the Holy Spirit. Our role is to lovingly walk alongside those who are hurting, helping them experience God's grace while encouraging obedience.
 
The church should be the safest place in the world for someone who genuinely wants to follow Christ after failure.
 
Every one of us has received grace.
 
Every one of us still needs grace.
 
And every one of us has opportunities to extend that grace to someone else.
 
When we walk in the Spirit, restoration becomes more than a sermon—it becomes the culture of the church.

This week...
✅ Begin each day with prayer.
✅ Read Galatians 6:1-5 at least three times.
✅ Memorize Galatians 6:1.
✅ Look for one opportunity this week to encourage, pray with, or help carry someone's burden.
✅ Encourage another believer who may be facing a spiritual battle.

Icebreaker
Tell about a time someone showed you unexpected grace. 
 
Read
Galatians 6:1-5 
 
Discuss

1. Why is restoration God's goal instead of punishment?  

2. Why is gentleness so difficult when someone has sinned?  

3. What does it mean to "bear one another's burdens"?  

4. What's the difference between helping someone and enabling them?  

5. Why does Paul tell us to examine ourselves before helping others?  

6. How can our church become a place where hurting people seek help instead of hiding?  

 
This Week's Challenge
Look for one opportunity this week to encourage, pray with, or help carry someone's burden. 

Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.

Ask your children:

• What does forgiveness look like?  
• Why should Christians help people who make mistakes?  
• How has Jesus shown grace to us?  

Pray together for someone who may be struggling.

Big Idea
Victory isn't found by trying harder. It's found by walking closer with the Holy Spirit.

Three Truths
?️The Battle is Real
✝️ Grace is Still the Foundation
?‍➡️ Walking by the Spirit is a Daily Relationship

Key Verse 
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh." — Galatians 5:16 (CSB)

Every follower of Jesus experiences a battle—not merely against difficult circumstances, but within the heart itself. In Galatians 5, Paul reminds believers that the Christian life is a daily conflict between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Terry reminded us that salvation is never earned through rules or good behavior. We are saved by God's grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet after salvation, the battle begins. The Holy Spirit now lives within every believer, empowering us to resist sin and become more like Christ.
 
Walking by the Spirit isn't simply a good suggestion—it is God's command. Rather than relying on our own strength, we're called to surrender daily to the Spirit's leadership. As we do, the fruit of the Spirit naturally begins to grow in our lives. 
 
The question isn't whether we'll face spiritual battles. 
 
The question is:
Who will we follow today—the flesh or the Spirit?

Galatians 5:16–26
 
Every Christian knows what it's like to struggle. 
 
We want to do what's right, yet we're tempted to do what's wrong. We long to honor Christ, yet our old sinful nature still pulls us in the opposite direction. Sometimes that battle is obvious. Other times it takes place quietly—in our thoughts, attitudes, words, or reactions. 
 
The good news is that God has not left us to fight alone. 
 
This week's message from Galatians 5 reminds us that the Christian life is not about trying harder; it's about walking closer with the Holy Spirit. 
 
The Battle Is Real 
 
The Apostle Paul describes two opposing forces at work in every believer's life: the flesh and the Spirit. 
 
The flesh represents our old sinful nature with its selfish desires, while the Holy Spirit leads us toward obedience, holiness, and Christlikeness. Every day we choose which voice we will follow. 
 
Pastor Terry reminded us that this struggle doesn't mean we've failed. In fact, the very presence of the battle is evidence that God's Spirit is at work within us. Before we trusted Christ, we simply followed our sinful nature. Now the Holy Spirit lovingly calls us toward a different way of living. 
 
Grace Is Still the Foundation 
 
Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia because false teachers claimed that salvation required both God's grace and obedience to Jewish law. 
 
Paul couldn't have been clearer. 
 
We are saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. 
 
No amount of rule-keeping can earn God's forgiveness. 
 
Yet God's grace doesn't give us permission to live however we please. Instead, His grace empowers us to become the people He created us to be. The Holy Spirit works within us, changing our desires from the inside out. 
 
What Does It Mean to Walk by the Spirit? 
 
Walking by the Spirit isn't a one-time decision. It's a daily relationship. 
 
As we spend time in God's Word, pray, worship, confess our sins, and surrender our lives to Christ, the Holy Spirit shapes our hearts. He gives us strength when temptation comes and wisdom when decisions must be made. 
 
This is why Paul commands believers: 
"Walk by the Spirit, and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16) 
 
The focus isn't simply avoiding sin. 
 
The focus is staying close to Jesus. 
 
The Fruit Everyone Can See 
 
When we walk with the Holy Spirit, our lives begin to display His fruit: 

• ? Love  
• ? Joy  
• ? Peace  
• ⏳ Patience  
• ❤️ Kindness  
• ? Goodness  
• ? Faithfulness  
• ? Gentleness  
• ? Self-control 

 
Notice that Paul doesn’t call these “works.” Fruit grows naturally in a healthy environment.

Likewise, these qualities grow as we remain connected to Christ. They become evidence that God is transforming us from the inside out.
 
A Challenge for This Week 
 
Choose one fruit of the Spirit that you would like God to strengthen in your life this week. 
 
Pray each morning: 
"Holy Spirit, help this fruit grow in me today." 
 
Then watch for opportunities throughout the day to practice it. 
 
As Pastor Terry reminded us, the goal of the Christian life is not simply avoiding the deeds of the flesh—it's becoming more like Jesus. 
 
Every step you take in obedience is another step of walking by the Spirit. 
 
May God help each of us walk closely with Him this week. 

This week...
✅ Begin each day with prayer.
✅ Read Galatians 5:16-26 at least three times.
✅ Memorize Galatians 5:16.
✅ Look for opportunities to display one fruit of the Spirit.
✅ Encourage another believer who may be facing a spiritual battle.

Icebreaker
What's something people often misunderstand about the word "freedom"?

Read
Galatians 5:16-26

Discuss

1. Why is it important to remember that salvation comes by grace alone?  
2. What does "walking by the Spirit" look like in everyday life
3. Which "deeds of the flesh" seem especially common in today's culture?  
4. Which fruit of the Spirit do you see growing in your own life?  
5. What practical habits help you stay close to Christ during difficult seasons?  
6. How can our church encourage one another to walk by the Spirit?  

 
Weekly Challenge 
Choose one fruit of the Spirit this week.
 
Pray every morning: 
"Holy Spirit, help this fruit become visible in my life today." 

At the end of each day, spend two minutes reflecting: 

• Where did I walk by the Spirit?  
• Where did I rely on myself?  

Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.

For younger children

• What does it mean to follow Jesus every day?  
• What are some kind things the Holy Spirit helps us do?  
• How can we choose love instead of anger this week?  

For teens 

• What kinds of temptations do teenagers face today?  
• Why can't rules alone change our hearts?  
• How does spending time with God help us make wise choices?  

Big Idea
We are not free to sin—we are free to obey Jesus.

Three Truths
❤️ Love One Another 
✝️ Preach the Cross 
? Serve One Another 

Key Verse 
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." — Galatians 5:13 

Freedom is one of the most treasured words in the Christian life—but biblical freedom is often misunderstood. In Galatians 5, Paul reminds believers that Jesus didn't set us free so we could make our own rules or return to religious rule-keeping. He set us free to obey Him.

The Judaizers insisted that faith in Christ wasn't enough. They taught that believers also had to keep the Old Testament law, symbolized by circumcision, in order to be truly accepted by God. Paul boldly rejects this "grace plus" gospel. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
 
Pastor Terry challenged us to remember three simple truths:

Love one another.
The evidence of genuine faith isn't religious performance but Christlike love.

Preach the Cross of Christ.
The cross reminds us we cannot save ourselves. Jesus has already done everything necessary for our salvation. 

Serve one another.
Christian freedom is not self-centered. It is expressed by humbly serving others just as Christ served us.

The Gospel doesn't place us in chains of legalism. Instead, Jesus breaks our chains and empowers us through the Holy Spirit to live lives that honor Him.