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Southside Church of Christ, Lexington, KY
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Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
LESSON NOTES
There is a connection between PURPOSE and PREPARATION.
When you have a great purpose in mind, it gives you the drive and direction to prepare for it. And in turn, the preparation ensures that when the moment arrives, you’re ready to live out your purpose.
How our students are preparing for their Croatia mission trip:
There is a connection between PURPOSE and PREPARATION.
When you have a great purpose in mind, it gives you the drive and direction to prepare for it. And in turn, the preparation ensures that when the moment arrives, you’re ready to live out your purpose.
How our students are preparing for their Croatia mission trip:
- Essay questions
- Gathering 5 prayer supporters
- Interviewing with trip leadership
- Studying and presenting on an aspect of Croatian culture
- Complete a guided Bible study
- Participate in a team fast
- Gather for training at a weekend retreat
- Contribute to and sign a team covenant
- Memorize Colossians 3:12-17
The way you live your life tells people what really matters.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What's something you've spent a lot of time preparing for? How did the preparation impact your life?
- What similarities are there between how a highwire walker lives and how a Christian should live?
- Consider the list of ways our students are preparing for their trip this summer. Do you practice any similar types of "preparation" for your Christian walk? What practices do you feel would be beneficial?
- What traits in Colossians 3:12-17 do you see modeled well? What traits there would you like us to grow in?
- What does Colossians 3:13 look like practically?
Sunday Nov 09, 2025
Sunday Nov 09, 2025
Mark 5:24-34
24 A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" 31 "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?'" 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
24 A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" 31 "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?'" 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
LESSON NOTES
Faith Is the Channel, Not the Cause.
The woman’s healing came by Jesus’ power, but her faith was the conduit through which His grace flowed. Faith doesn’t replace Jesus’ power—it connects us to it.
Faith Is the Channel, Not the Cause.
The woman’s healing came by Jesus’ power, but her faith was the conduit through which His grace flowed. Faith doesn’t replace Jesus’ power—it connects us to it.
Desperate Faith Leads to Dependence.
The woman’s long suffering left her desperate enough to reach for Jesus. Sometimes God allows desperation so that we learn to fully depend on Him rather than ourselves.
The woman’s long suffering left her desperate enough to reach for Jesus. Sometimes God allows desperation so that we learn to fully depend on Him rather than ourselves.
Dependent Faith Means Letting Go of Self-Effort.
She could not heal herself, and all her efforts only made things worse. True faith releases our grip on self-effort and holds fast to Jesus as the only source of salvation and wholeness.
She could not heal herself, and all her efforts only made things worse. True faith releases our grip on self-effort and holds fast to Jesus as the only source of salvation and wholeness.
Salvation is About a Relationship, Not a Transaction.
Jesus refused to let the woman quietly slip away. He called her “Daughter,” turning her faith from a private transaction into a public, relational transformation. Faith isn’t just believing—it’s belonging.
Jesus refused to let the woman quietly slip away. He called her “Daughter,” turning her faith from a private transaction into a public, relational transformation. Faith isn’t just believing—it’s belonging.
Even Small Faith Moves the Heart of Jesus.
The woman’s trembling, timid touch was enough to draw out His power and compassion. Jesus responds not to the strength of our faith, but to the sincerity of it.
The woman’s trembling, timid touch was enough to draw out His power and compassion. Jesus responds not to the strength of our faith, but to the sincerity of it.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. "You don't realize that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have." Talk about this quote with your group. Put into your own words what it means to be desperate for Jesus?
2. In what ways can we practice “touching His robe” in our daily lives—taking small steps of faith that connect us to His power rather than depending on our own effort?
3. Jesus calls her out of the crowd in order to deepen her faith. What might God be using in your life right now to deepen your faith?
4. Jesus didn’t just heal this woman — He called her “Daughter.” How does this shift from a transactional to a relational view of salvation encourage your walk with God?
5. How can this story encourage someone who feels like their faith is weak or hesitant right now? What does it reveal about the heart of Jesus toward imperfect faith?
1. "You don't realize that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have." Talk about this quote with your group. Put into your own words what it means to be desperate for Jesus?
2. In what ways can we practice “touching His robe” in our daily lives—taking small steps of faith that connect us to His power rather than depending on our own effort?
3. Jesus calls her out of the crowd in order to deepen her faith. What might God be using in your life right now to deepen your faith?
4. Jesus didn’t just heal this woman — He called her “Daughter.” How does this shift from a transactional to a relational view of salvation encourage your walk with God?
5. How can this story encourage someone who feels like their faith is weak or hesitant right now? What does it reveal about the heart of Jesus toward imperfect faith?
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
Mark 5:1-20
1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What questions do you have about the account of the demons and the pigs?
Why do you think Jesus says "yes" to both the demons and the people?
What do you think the man would have felt when Jesus told him "no"?
Jeremy mentioned 3 perspectives on Jesus - Jesus as Enemy, as Disruption, and as Lord. Where do you see these present today? Do you ever find yourself drawn to those different perspectives?
What makes it hard to say "yes" to Jesus' "no"?
What are some reasons Jesus might say "no" to something we think is a good request?
What questions do you have about the account of the demons and the pigs?
Why do you think Jesus says "yes" to both the demons and the people?
What do you think the man would have felt when Jesus told him "no"?
Jeremy mentioned 3 perspectives on Jesus - Jesus as Enemy, as Disruption, and as Lord. Where do you see these present today? Do you ever find yourself drawn to those different perspectives?
What makes it hard to say "yes" to Jesus' "no"?
What are some reasons Jesus might say "no" to something we think is a good request?
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
Mark 4:35-41
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him?" NIV 84
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him?" NIV 84
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Personal Reflection:
When have you found yourself asking, “God, don’t you care?” What circumstances led you there, and how did God reveal His care in that season?
Personal Reflection:
When have you found yourself asking, “God, don’t you care?” What circumstances led you there, and how did God reveal His care in that season?
Heart Check:
The sermon asks, “Who or what has your allegiance?” How might your use of time, energy, attention, and money reveal who truly rules your heart?
The sermon asks, “Who or what has your allegiance?” How might your use of time, energy, attention, and money reveal who truly rules your heart?
Faith in the Storm:
Jesus didn’t promise to end every storm, but to be present through them. How can we cultivate a deeper trust in His presence during our “megas” moments of life?
Jesus didn’t promise to end every storm, but to be present through them. How can we cultivate a deeper trust in His presence during our “megas” moments of life?
Hearing His Voice:
The wind and waves recognized the voice of Jesus immediately. What helps—or hinders—you from recognizing His voice amid life’s noise?
The wind and waves recognized the voice of Jesus immediately. What helps—or hinders—you from recognizing His voice amid life’s noise?
Holy Fear:
The disciples moved from terror to awe. What’s the difference between cowardly fear and holy reverence, and how can we develop more of the latter in our daily walk with Jesus?
The disciples moved from terror to awe. What’s the difference between cowardly fear and holy reverence, and how can we develop more of the latter in our daily walk with Jesus?
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Matthew 6:9-15
9 "This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. NIV 84
9 "This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. NIV 84
DISCUSSION NOTES AND QUESTIONS
1 The word "Our" forms an immediate bridge between you and me. Author David Timms says, "In a single word Jesus calls us together."
In your walk with Jesus, in what ways have you seen this bridge in your life?
2 Our faith in Jesus is both personal and communal. God created each of us to live life with Jesus and live live with others.
Do you see any overlap between these two aspects of our faith? If so, how?
When you examine the rhythms of your current season of life, how well are you living into these aspects of your walk with Jesus?
3 Jesus didn't reveal a new God to his original audience, He just showed then an aspect of God that they had been missing. Jesus perfectly revealed the Father to them in a way that they desperately needed.
In your walk with Jesus, what parts of God's character are you most familiar/comfortable with? Why?
What parts of God's character are you most unfamiliar/uncomfortable with? Why?
4 To speak of God's Fatherhood is to speak of our brotherhood, to speak of our sisterhood. The intimacy we have with our Father gives us the capacity to love our brothers and sisters well.
Why do you think it is so important that we remember that we are brothers and sisters in the family of God?
1 The word "Our" forms an immediate bridge between you and me. Author David Timms says, "In a single word Jesus calls us together."
In your walk with Jesus, in what ways have you seen this bridge in your life?
2 Our faith in Jesus is both personal and communal. God created each of us to live life with Jesus and live live with others.
Do you see any overlap between these two aspects of our faith? If so, how?
When you examine the rhythms of your current season of life, how well are you living into these aspects of your walk with Jesus?
3 Jesus didn't reveal a new God to his original audience, He just showed then an aspect of God that they had been missing. Jesus perfectly revealed the Father to them in a way that they desperately needed.
In your walk with Jesus, what parts of God's character are you most familiar/comfortable with? Why?
What parts of God's character are you most unfamiliar/uncomfortable with? Why?
4 To speak of God's Fatherhood is to speak of our brotherhood, to speak of our sisterhood. The intimacy we have with our Father gives us the capacity to love our brothers and sisters well.
Why do you think it is so important that we remember that we are brothers and sisters in the family of God?
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Mark 4:26-34
26 He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come. 30 Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." 33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. NIV 84
26 He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come. 30 Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." 33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. NIV 84
Lesson Notes
The Kingdom Begins Small but Grows Mighty
Jesus uses seeds—especially the mustard seed—to show that God’s kingdom often starts in small, unnoticed ways but grows into something extraordinary.
The Kingdom Begins Small but Grows Mighty
Jesus uses seeds—especially the mustard seed—to show that God’s kingdom often starts in small, unnoticed ways but grows into something extraordinary.
The Seed Represents the Word of God
Jesus identifies the seed as the Word. The power for growth and transformation lies not in human effort but in God’s Word itself—alive, potent, and productive “all by itself.”
Jesus identifies the seed as the Word. The power for growth and transformation lies not in human effort but in God’s Word itself—alive, potent, and productive “all by itself.”
Growth Belongs to God Alone
Just as a farmer cannot make a seed grow, we cannot produce spiritual growth in others. Our role is to sow faithfully while trusting God to bring about the increase in His time and way.
Just as a farmer cannot make a seed grow, we cannot produce spiritual growth in others. Our role is to sow faithfully while trusting God to bring about the increase in His time and way.
God Values the Insignificant
The parable of the mustard seed reminds us that God often chooses what seems small, weak, or unimportant to accomplish His greatest work—from Israel’s humble beginnings to Jesus’ own life.
The parable of the mustard seed reminds us that God often chooses what seems small, weak, or unimportant to accomplish His greatest work—from Israel’s humble beginnings to Jesus’ own life.
Small Acts Have Eternal Impact
A cup of water given in Jesus’ name or a quiet word of encouragement can be kingdom work. When done for Christ, no act of service is too small to matter.
A cup of water given in Jesus’ name or a quiet word of encouragement can be kingdom work. When done for Christ, no act of service is too small to matter.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. In what ways have you seen God bring growth “all by itself” in your life or someone else’s, apart from your effort or control?
1. In what ways have you seen God bring growth “all by itself” in your life or someone else’s, apart from your effort or control?
2. Why do you think God chooses to work through small, ordinary things rather than large, impressive displays of power?
3. What does it look like for you to “sow the seed” of God’s Word in your current season of life—at home, work, or in your community?
4. How can we keep from becoming discouraged when the results of our efforts for God seem slow or invisible?
5. What’s one small, faithful act you can do this week “in Jesus’ name” that could become a mustard seed moment for someone else?
3. What does it look like for you to “sow the seed” of God’s Word in your current season of life—at home, work, or in your community?
4. How can we keep from becoming discouraged when the results of our efforts for God seem slow or invisible?
5. What’s one small, faithful act you can do this week “in Jesus’ name” that could become a mustard seed moment for someone else?
Sunday Oct 05, 2025
Sunday Oct 05, 2025
Mark 4:21-25
21 He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on it's stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. 24 Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." NIV 84
21 He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on it's stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. 24 Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." NIV 84
Lesson Notes
The Secret of the Kingdom Is Revealed, Not Learned
Jesus says, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you.” This shows that the knowledge of God’s kingdom is revealed, not learned or earned. It’s an act of divine grace that invites us into intimacy with Him.
The Secret of the Kingdom Is Revealed, Not Learned
Jesus says, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you.” This shows that the knowledge of God’s kingdom is revealed, not learned or earned. It’s an act of divine grace that invites us into intimacy with Him.
The Kingdom’s Secret Is a “Good Secret” — Meant to Be Shared
Unlike most secrets meant to be kept hidden, the “secret” of the kingdom is like good news waiting to be told. It’s the kind of secret that begins with a few and is meant to spread to many — starting with the disciples and continuing through us.
Unlike most secrets meant to be kept hidden, the “secret” of the kingdom is like good news waiting to be told. It’s the kind of secret that begins with a few and is meant to spread to many — starting with the disciples and continuing through us.
The Parables Both Conceal and Reveal
Jesus’ parables act like a filter for the heart. They illuminate truth for those who are open and receptive, yet harden those who resist. Like sunlight that both melts wax and hardens clay, the same message produces different effects depending on one’s heart condition.
Jesus Is the Lamp of God — the Light That Cannot Be Hidden
Just as a lamp’s purpose is to illuminate a dark room, Jesus came to reveal the truth of God’s kingdom. His light exposes, reveals, and transforms. He is both the Lamp who brings light and the Lamb who gives life.
Jesus’ parables act like a filter for the heart. They illuminate truth for those who are open and receptive, yet harden those who resist. Like sunlight that both melts wax and hardens clay, the same message produces different effects depending on one’s heart condition.
Jesus Is the Lamp of God — the Light That Cannot Be Hidden
Just as a lamp’s purpose is to illuminate a dark room, Jesus came to reveal the truth of God’s kingdom. His light exposes, reveals, and transforms. He is both the Lamp who brings light and the Lamb who gives life.
The Lamp Is the Lamb — the Cross as the Ultimate Revelation
The greatest illumination of God’s kingdom comes through the cross. The King’s glory is revealed in His sacrifice. The light of the world shines brightest through the humility, love, and suffering of Jesus, the Lamb of God
The greatest illumination of God’s kingdom comes through the cross. The King’s glory is revealed in His sacrifice. The light of the world shines brightest through the humility, love, and suffering of Jesus, the Lamb of God
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 Can you recall a time when you had a "positive personal happening" that only you knew about and had yet to tell another person? A time when you "good news just waiting to be told." How did it make you feel? What do you think about the "the kingdom of God" being in that category of secret?
2 Jesus said parables reveal and conceal based on the heart’s condition. In what ways have you experienced this with your own heart - times when your heart has been more like wax or more like clay when it comes to receiving the truth of God?
3 How does it feel to know that Jesus has entrusted the secret of God’s Kingdom to you personally? The sermon described the “secret of the kingdom” as both a blessing and a burden. In what ways have you experienced both the wonder and the weight of sharing what God has revealed to you?
4 The sermon concluded that “the Lamp is the Lamb.” How does seeing Jesus’ light through His sacrificial love help you understand God’s kingdom — and shape how you live within it?
1 Can you recall a time when you had a "positive personal happening" that only you knew about and had yet to tell another person? A time when you "good news just waiting to be told." How did it make you feel? What do you think about the "the kingdom of God" being in that category of secret?
2 Jesus said parables reveal and conceal based on the heart’s condition. In what ways have you experienced this with your own heart - times when your heart has been more like wax or more like clay when it comes to receiving the truth of God?
3 How does it feel to know that Jesus has entrusted the secret of God’s Kingdom to you personally? The sermon described the “secret of the kingdom” as both a blessing and a burden. In what ways have you experienced both the wonder and the weight of sharing what God has revealed to you?
4 The sermon concluded that “the Lamp is the Lamb.” How does seeing Jesus’ light through His sacrificial love help you understand God’s kingdom — and shape how you live within it?
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Mark 4:1-20
1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered
because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." 9 Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is
said in parables 12 so that, " 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!' " 13 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown." NIV 84
1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered
because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." 9 Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is
said in parables 12 so that, " 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!' " 13 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown." NIV 84
Lesson Notes
The Kingdom Looks Different Than Expected: Instead of arriving with royal pageantry or military power, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a farmer sowing seed—small, quiet, and grassroots, yet destined for great harvest.
The Kingdom Looks Different Than Expected: Instead of arriving with royal pageantry or military power, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a farmer sowing seed—small, quiet, and grassroots, yet destined for great harvest.
Parables Are More Than Illustrations: Warren Wiersbe described parables as starting as a picture, becoming a mirror where we see ourselves, and then a window through which we see God and His truth.
The Progression of the Soil: Jesus’ parable shows a progression of the heart—from hard soil, to shallow, to crowded with weeds, to fruitful soil producing thirty, sixty, or even a hundredfold. Everyone is somewhere along this journey, and there is always room for growth.
The Weeds of the Heart: Worry, wealth, and worldly desires remain timeless distractions that choke out spiritual growth if not pulled up by the root. They may not always be “bad things,” but they become harmful when they take priority over God.
The Generous Sower: The parable ultimately reveals God as the Sower, who lavishly scatters His Word on all types of soil. His invitation is for everyone to receive the kingdom—promptly, deeply, totally, and abundantly.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. When you hear the phrase “kingdom of God,” what images or expectations come to mind, and how does Jesus’ description in Mark 4 reshape your understanding?
2. Looking at the “soil progression” Jesus describes, where would you honestly place yourself right now—and what would it look like for you to take the next step toward deeper fruitfulness?
3. Of the three weeds—worry, wealth, or worldly distractions—which one most often threatens to choke out your spiritual growth? What practical steps could help you “pull it up by the roots”?
4. Parables act as a picture, a mirror, and a window. Which of these three aspects of the parable of the sower (picture of the kingdom, mirror of the heart, or window into God) spoke to you most in this sermon, and why?
1. When you hear the phrase “kingdom of God,” what images or expectations come to mind, and how does Jesus’ description in Mark 4 reshape your understanding?
2. Looking at the “soil progression” Jesus describes, where would you honestly place yourself right now—and what would it look like for you to take the next step toward deeper fruitfulness?
3. Of the three weeds—worry, wealth, or worldly distractions—which one most often threatens to choke out your spiritual growth? What practical steps could help you “pull it up by the roots”?
4. Parables act as a picture, a mirror, and a window. Which of these three aspects of the parable of the sower (picture of the kingdom, mirror of the heart, or window into God) spoke to you most in this sermon, and why?
Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Mark 3:13-35
13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve[a] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”
13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve[a] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”
23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”
30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”
30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Lesson Notes
Outline of Mark 3:13-35
13-19 - Jesus appoints the 12
20-21 - Jesus' family notified
22-30 - Conflict with teachers of the law
31-35 - Jesus' family arrives
The teachers of the law have a new strategy to deal with Jesus. They don't question his actions. Instead they accuse him of being on the wrong team.
The key question of this text is "what team is Jesus on?"
NT Wright on the "unforgiveable sin" of 28-29:
“Once you label what is in fact the work of the Holy Spirit as the work of the devil, there’s no way back […] It isn’t that God gets specially angry with one sin in particular. It’s rather that if you decide firmly that the doctor who is offering to perform a life-saving operation on you is in fact a sadistic murderer, you will never give your consent to the operation.”
Family was the key to identity in the first century. Jesus' refusal to acknowledge his family indicate that he has a "new team".
Mark highlights moments of this narrative to demonstrate how Jesus identifies his allegiance not to the demons (as the teachers of the law accuse him of) nor his family, as society expects, but instead is creating something new to belong to.
- He begins (13-19) and ends (33-35) this section by showing who his new team is.
Outline of Mark 3:13-35
13-19 - Jesus appoints the 12
20-21 - Jesus' family notified
22-30 - Conflict with teachers of the law
31-35 - Jesus' family arrives
The teachers of the law have a new strategy to deal with Jesus. They don't question his actions. Instead they accuse him of being on the wrong team.
The key question of this text is "what team is Jesus on?"
NT Wright on the "unforgiveable sin" of 28-29:
“Once you label what is in fact the work of the Holy Spirit as the work of the devil, there’s no way back […] It isn’t that God gets specially angry with one sin in particular. It’s rather that if you decide firmly that the doctor who is offering to perform a life-saving operation on you is in fact a sadistic murderer, you will never give your consent to the operation.”
Family was the key to identity in the first century. Jesus' refusal to acknowledge his family indicate that he has a "new team".
Mark highlights moments of this narrative to demonstrate how Jesus identifies his allegiance not to the demons (as the teachers of the law accuse him of) nor his family, as society expects, but instead is creating something new to belong to.
- He begins (13-19) and ends (33-35) this section by showing who his new team is.
Ephesians 6:12 - Paul writes in a time of great Christian persecution that our enemies are not "flesh and blood" but rather spiritual force. People are not our enemy.
Jesus invites us to a new team - one that doesn't see people as enemies, but rather people who just haven't joined up yet.
- We are invited to see people how Jesus sees them, rather than boiling them down to a political idea or unlikable label.
- We can love those we would never otherwise love because Jesus has given us his undeserved love first.
Jesus invites us to a new team - one that doesn't see people as enemies, but rather people who just haven't joined up yet.
- We are invited to see people how Jesus sees them, rather than boiling them down to a political idea or unlikable label.
- We can love those we would never otherwise love because Jesus has given us his undeserved love first.
Sunday Sep 21, 2025