Message Notes for June 14, 2020

Series: Finding Strength

Title: Finding Strength to Love

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Three Biblical Truths:

• All people are created in the image of God.

Genesis 1:27

• All people are loved by God.

John 3:16

• All people are sinners before God.

Romans 3:23

Guiding Principles for Closing Divides:

THE GRACE PRINCIPLE

Matthew 5:38-39

THE SEEK TO UNDERSTAND PRINCIPLE

Matthew 15:15-20

THE FEAR BUSTING PRINCIPLE

1 John 4:18-19

Family/Group Study Notes for the Week of June 14, 2020

Series: Finding Strength

Title:  Finding Strength to Love

• What are your hopes and dreams for what our country could be as each person values every human being? What could you do to help this become a reality?  What could we do together as a church?

• Read Jeremiah 29:7. What does this passage mean to you?  What does it say about our collective responsibility for all people? 

• Read Matthew 5: 38-48. What is Jesus’ intent in this passage?  How does He want us to live with grace and love?  How did Jesus represent this in His own life? Where have you found yourself in this situation? How did you respond? Why is this difficult?  Where do we need God’s strength to live this way?

• Read Matthew 18:15-18.  How has social media gone against this principle?  How have you seen needless damage of relationships because people would not talk about their differences?  What are the promises in this passage?  What makes it hard?  What are the consequences of not following Jesus’ plan?

• Read 1 John 4:18-21. How does fear keep us from loving?  How does love keep us from fearing?  How can we cross this divide with others?  How did Jesus cross the divide with us?  What are the key truths in this passage? How is our relationship with God affected when we don’t love others?  What does that look like in everyday life?