Message Notes for November 3, 2024

Series: Faith and the Ballot

Title: Christian Values and Voting

Voting is a part of Christian responsibility and must be carried out in prayer, discernment, awareness and grace.

Living like Jesus in an un-Christian world!

· See the person!

John 9: 1-38

Mark 12:30-31 ESV And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.

· Embrace your calling!

1 Peter 2:9-16

· Hold to faith!

Hebrews 11:1 NLT Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

1 Corinthians 15: 24-26

· Prepare and listen!

Proverbs 11:14 ESV Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Romans 8:6-8 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

· Pray!

1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 Family/Group Study Notes for the week of November 3, 2024

Series: Faith and the Ballot

Title: Christian Values and Voting

* Discuss with each other what this election experience has been for you. What did you find frustrating? What did you find enlightening? What feelings or attitudes do you need to repent of that have compromised your Christian character?

* Read Mark 12:30-31. How would this passage apply to the voting and post-election process? How does this serve as a Christian witness? How could you improve in living out this command? How can your friends and family help you?

* Read 1 Peter 2:9-16. How is the Christian defined in this passage? What is the Christian role and responsibility in the world? What does verse 11 mean to you? How is being a Christian like being in exile on earth? What is the good news of verse 10? How does this passage prioritize your loyalty to God first over anything or anyone else?

* During this election and post-election, how has your faith increased or decreased? Where are you leaning on God right now?

* Read John 14:26-27. How present do you feel the Holy Spirit is in your life? Explain. How do you engage the Holy Spirit in your decisions, voting, understanding? After doing your own discovery or research how can the Holy Spirit help you in final decisions?

* How have you gotten beyond the extreme rhetoric of political ads and opinion radio and TV to discover for yourself a fuller understanding of what is involved in a candidate’s policy or direction? How can you do this better next time.

* Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4. What is this passage saying about prayer? What are your challenges in praying for political leaders right now? How can God move through prayer in your own life?