August 4 - 10 -

Weekly Reading for August 4 – 10

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: Extreme Makeover
Sermon Title: The Bound Become Free

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on August 11, 2024:

SUNDAY: Mark 5, Mark 9,
MONDAY: Matthew 8, Luke 10,
TUESDAY: Matthew 12, Mark 16,
WEDNESDAY: Matthew 17, Mark 9,
THURSDAY: Luke 11, Mark 1,
FRIDAY: Luke 4, Matthew 10,
SATURDAY: Luke 13,

Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: Extreme Maleover
Sermon Title: God's Surprises, Our Surrender
Delivered On: August 4, 2024

VIEW SERMON NOTES

Memorize and Reflect

Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Prayer Direction

Lord, I want to surrender to You. As You are weaving together all the details taking place in our world today, I want to participate and advance Your mission here on earth, reaching neighbors and nations with the Gospel. Let me see people, places and situations through Your eyes so that I can be willing and open, like Mary, to sacrifice so that all You have planned can be accomplished. I realize this surrender could be costly for me, but let Your Holy Spirit surprise me, guide me and give me strength as I faithfully surrender to Your will.

“Live It!” Challenge

List some ways to surrender to God during this week. Pray about your list and surrender one thing to God this week. For example, you might surrender something you are worrying about to God, trusting Him to handle your worry. Or you might need to surrender and do something God is calling you to do that you have avoided or ignored, like forgiving someone or making amends for something you did that was wrong. Search your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you make a difference this week, surrendering to God, who will be with you as you faithfully follow Him during this season.

Small Group Discussion

What are some surprises God has given or allowed to come into your life that have changed the trajectory of your life?
What did the angel Gabriel share with Mary in Luke 1?
Share some reasons why you feel God chose Mary to be the mother of His Son.
How does Mary surrender her will and life to God in Luke 1?
Name some things that God calls you to surrender to Him during this season.

August 4 – 10