April 24 – 30

Weekly Reading for April 24 – 30

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: May 2016
Sermon Title: Religion vs. Christianity: Does It Really Matter?

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on May 1, 2016:


Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: Heaven
Sermon Title: Heaven Is Costly
Delivered On: April 24, 2016

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Memorize and Reflect

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)


Prayer Direction

Praise God for His amazing love and the inexpressible sacrifice He made for us. Ask for a heart that is aware of His goodness and love on a moment-by-moment basis. Pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you how to sacrifice with greater passion and frequency for the sake of Jesus. Thank God for going ahead of you to prepare an amazing place you will spend eternity.


“Live It!” Challenge

Let Me Count the Ways - Begin a list of the many things God is preparing for you in heaven. Dream, imagine, and write down as many good blessings as you anticipate to experience in heaven one day. Look at this list when you feel discouraged or disheartened.


Small Group Discussion

  1. Read: Romans 5:6-9 and 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 How does the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross reveal the depth and greatness of God’s love for us? What do we learn about our condition outside of Jesus in this passage? What do we learn about the power of God revealed in Jesus?

  2. Tell about when you first realized that the sacrifice of Jesus was true, for you, and enough for your sins. How did you respond to this amazing truth?

  3. We are called to be ambassadors of God’s grace and reconciling work in Jesus. What does it mean to be God’s ambassador in your daily life? How can you be a more effective ambassador?

  4. Read: Matthew 16:24-26 and 1 John 3:16-17 When we sacrifice and lay down our lives, we look more and more like Jesus. What are ways you can lay down your life for the sake of Jesus?

  5. What is one area of your life, right now, where you need to serve another person with greater humility and consistency? What action do you need to take and how can your group members encourage you and pray as you seek to count the cost and live for Jesus in this area of your life?

  6. Read: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and 1 Peter 4:12-13 What are some of the good and beautiful things in this life that can catch our attention and keep us focused more on this life than the glory of heaven? Is this all bad? Explain.

  7. What are some of the things waiting for us in heaven that we should look forward to, be excited about, and keep focused on?

  8. What are some ways we can strike a healthy and God-honoring balance between enjoying this life and looking forward to heaven?

  9. Who is one person you really want to see in heaven when you get there (that is not yet a follower of Jesus)? How can your group members pray for you as you seek to share the love and message of Jesus with this person?

  10. Read: Romans 5:6-9 and 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 How does the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross reveal the depth and greatness of God’s love for us? What do we learn about our condition outside of Jesus in this passage? What do we learn about the power of God revealed in Jesus?

  11. Tell about when you first realized that the sacrifice of Jesus was true, for you, and enough for your sins. How did you respond to this amazing truth?

  12. We are called to be ambassadors of God’s grace and reconciling work in Jesus. What does it mean to be God’s ambassador in your daily life? How can you be a more effective ambassador?

  13. Read: Matthew 16:24-26 and 1 John 3:16-17 When we sacrifice and lay down our lives, we look more and more like Jesus. What are ways you can lay down your life for the sake of Jesus?

  14. What is one area of your life, right now, where you need to serve another person with greater humility and consistency? What action do you need to take and how can your group members encourage you and pray as you seek to count the cost and live for Jesus in this area of your life?

  15. Read: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and 1 Peter 4:12-13 What are some of the good and beautiful things in this life that can catch our attention and keep us focused more on this life than the glory of heaven? Is this all bad? Explain.

  16. What are some of the things waiting for us in heaven that we should look forward to, be excited about, and keep focused on?

  17. What are some ways we can strike a healthy and God-honoring balance between enjoying this life and looking forward to heaven?

  18. Who is one person you really want to see in heaven when you get there (that is not yet a follower of Jesus)? How can your group members pray for you as you seek to share the love and message of Jesus with this person?