Becoming Extraordinary Followers of Jesus Christ: #3 Joy Filled

Sparta Evangelical Free Church

Media

Becoming Extraordinary Followers of Jesus Christ: #3 Joy Filled

March 10, 2024 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Psalm 30:10–12

Give

Becoming Extraordinary Followers of Jesus Christ / #3: Joy-Filled

March 10, 2024

Psalm 30:11-12

Study Questions

1. Do you find it easy to be full of joy, or do you tend to let your circumstances rob you of joy? Explain.

2. Discuss the difference between happiness and joy. Read 1 Samuel 2:1, Psalms 40:16 and 51:12, Isaiah 61:10, and Habakkuk 3:18. What do these passages teach us about the joy of the Lord?

3. Read John 15:9-11 and 17:13. According to the Lord Jesus, how is our joy made complete?

4. What does James 1:2-3 teach us about the relationship between joy and trials? What is our responsibility in this as Christ-followers? What makes it difficult for you to retain joy in adversity?

5. What was the hard circumstance in each of the following passages, and how was each person able to obtain joy? Genesis 21:1-6; Exodus 15:1-3; Isaiah 35:10; Acts 16:16-40; 3 John 1:4.

6. Read Psalm 30:11-12. What hope is there in this passage? How does this passage bring you specific comfort today?

7. What can you do this week to embrace the joy of the Lord?

More from Becoming Extraordinary Followers of Jesus Christ

Becoming Extraordinary Followers of Jesus Christ: #7 Kingdom Focused (Colossians 3:1-4)

April 21, 2024 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Colossians 3:1–4

Becoming Extraordinary Followers of Jesus Christ / #7 Kingdom Focused April 21, 2024 Colossians 3:1-4 Study Questions 1. Read Colossians 3:1-4. Discuss the implications of being raised with Christ. (See also Romans 6:3-11; Romans 8:11; Philippians 3:20-21.) 2. What does “set your mind on things above” look like in the daily life of a Christ-follower? (See also Romans 12:2.) What does this look like in your personal walk with the Lord Jesus? 3. What are things you need to constantly “set aside” in order to “set your mind on things above”? (See also Colossians 3:5-9.) 4. How is your life “hidden in Christ”? Identify the theological truths about this statement. Discuss any other passages of scripture that may apply. 5. How does verse 4 affect the way we as Christ-followers ought to live every day? 6. Discuss the following points regarding being Kingdom-focused and what they look like practically in your life: a. Live for the Future b. Live in Community c. Live with Expectancy d. Live on Mission

Becoming Extraordinary Followers of Jesus Christ: #6 Prayerfully Driven

April 14, 2024 • Pastor Doug Thuen

Becoming Extraordinary Followers of Jesus Christ / Prayerfully Driven April 14,2024 Nehemiah 1:5-11; Acts 4:23-31 Study Questions 1. What is your understanding of the purpose of prayer? Use Scripture to support your answer(s). 2. What do you find most difficult or frustrating in your prayer life? 3. What is the difference between self-focused prayer and God-focused prayer? Why/Why not? How can you redirect your self-focused prayers to focus on God’s will and desires? 4. In the Bible we see many examples of individuals who were extraordinary in their prayer lives. Identify how 1) praying God’s character 2) praying God’s will and 3) praying Scripture are evidenced and expressed in the following passages: a. Nehemiah 1:5-11 b. Exodus 32:11-14 c. 1 Kings 8:22-56 d. Acts 4:23-31 5. How can you begin to integrate the attributes listed in question 4 into your prayer life? Without being rote, how has this study challenged you in your prayer life? How do you think these scriptural principles will help you pray? 6. Identify various passage of Scripture that you can apply as you pray for your needs and the needs of others. Use the following as a guide to God-focused prayer this week: a. Monday | Praying for your Christian brother/sister: Philippians 1:8-11 b. Tuesday | Praying for hope: Psalm 71:14-21 c. Wednesday | Praying praise and adoration: Nehemiah 9:5-6 d. Thursday | Praying for forgiveness: Psalm 32:1-5 e. Friday | Praying for deliverance: 2 Samuel 22:1-7 f. Saturday | Praying for mercy: Psalm 119:145-149 g. Sunday | Praying for the lost: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Easter Sunday | Adopted by God (Galatians 4:1-11)

March 31, 2024 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Galatians 4:1–11

Adopted by God / Easter 2024 March 31, 2024 Study Questions Galatians 4:1-11 1. Read Galatians 4:1-2. In what way(s) are the slave and the master’s child the same? Before the Galatians believed in Jesus, how were they like slaves? (4:3) 2. Why was it necessary for God the Son to be born under the Law? (4:4-5) 3. How did the believers benefit by becoming part of God’s family? (4:5) Describe what this promise means to you. 4. How does the Holy Spirit allow believers to address God now? (4:6) 5. Identify some of the benefits of being an heir in God’s family. (4:7) 6. To what were the Galatians enslaved before becoming Christians? (4:8) After they became believers, how did the Galatians turn back to their paganism? What were the ‘weak and worthless elementary things’ Paul was referencing (4:9-10)? What lesson(s) can you apply from this text?