Weekly Reading for May 21 – 27
Preparing for Next Week’s Message
Sermon Series: The 7 Deadly Sins: This Is No GameSermon Title: The Enticement of Greed
This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on May 28, 2023:
- SUNDAY: 1 Timothy 6,
- MONDAY: Luke 12,
- TUESDAY: Proverbs 11,
- WEDNESDAY: Ecclesiastes 5,
- THURSDAY: Hebrews 13,
- FRIDAY: Proverbs 1,
- SATURDAY: 1 John 3,
Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon
Sermon Series: The 7 Deadly Sins: This Is No GameSermon Title: The Danger of Envy
Delivered On: May 21, 2023
VIEW SERMON NOTES
Memorize and Reflect
James 3:16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Prayer Direction
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any area(s) in your life where envy has taken hold. Confess to God any thoughts, feelings, or actions you have taken to pursue envy and ask for forgiveness. Ask God to show you how to realign your pursuits, passions, and perspectives with His will and for His glory. Commit to living in gratitude, contentment, humility, and generosity to others in response to God’s unconditional love for you.“Live It!” Challenge
Find some space in your schedule this week and get alone with God. Begin by meditating on who God is and thanking Him for all that He has done for you. Take a look at your social media and other sources that may be contributing to envy in your life. Commit to fasting from these sources for a defined period this week and ask someone to hold you accountable to do so. Following your fast, share what you discovered with that same person.Small Group Discussion
When you hear the word envy what comes to mind?
What are situations and circumstances in life and in our world that can lead to envy in our lives?
Read: Genesis 4:1-10: What role did envy play in Cain’s life? What did Abel have that he wanted? How did envy ruin Cain’s life?
Read: Genesis 37:1-11. What were Joseph’s brothers envious of? How did Jacob foster that envy among his sons?
As a parent, how can we ensure that our children are secure in our love and do not grow up envying one another?
Read: 1 Samuel 18:1-9. What fueled envy in King Saul’s heart? How did that negatively impact his relationship with David and even his own son, Jonathan?
When you consider the dangers and effects of envy on the different lives contained in these biblical accounts, how does that impact our understanding of the serious nature of envy and the gravity of avoiding it altogether?
What are some of the ways our culture and media serve as catalysts for envy and envious behaviors?
What has helped serve as an antidote to envy in your own life? How has that helped you escape or avoid the dangers of envy in your own life?
Spend some time thanking God for His unconditional love in your life and the security, peace, and contentment you enjoy in your heart because of His great love lavished on you in Jesus.