Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Found What She Was Looking For: The Woman at the Well / Come with Me series
Pastor Andy Sieberhagen, Missions Pastor
March 13/14, 2010
John 4:1-26

Outline

I. The World’s Water

II. Jesus, the Living Water

III. Transformed by the Living Water

Content

1. Jesus broke down man-made religious and cultural barriers when he talked to the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar.
2. The woman didn’t understand what Jesus meant by “living water” because her experience was limited.
3. We try to fill our deep desires with worldly solutions (for example, a spouse, friend, job, addictions, money, power…)
4. Sometimes we ask God to meet our physical needs but He intends much more for us.
5. The living water is Jesus Himself (John 7:37-39).
6. We are loved, accepted, treasured and adored by our Heavenly Father.
7. We aren’t simply satisfied by the living water, it flows through us when we are transformed by Jesus. Just as the woman at the well accepted the gift and brought revival to her town, we want to show others the love of Jesus once we know Him.
8. Jesus didn’t ask the woman to clean up her act first. He asked her to believe.
9. It’s about Jesus. Nothing about us is too terrible for him to deal with. He cuts through all the mess and offers us Himself.

Aim

To be truly fulfilled and secure, we need to set aside our quest for worldly satisfaction and accept the living water Jesus offers.

Application Questions

I. What are your deepest desires? How do you normally go about getting these met? Does your quest to satisfy physical needs ever get in the way of God’s desire to fill you with Himself? Explain.

II. Is there anything that people need to fix before they say “yes” to Jesus’ offer of living water? Is it possible to fix ourselves enough to be “acceptable” to God? What does God want for us? How do we get it? If you do not know Jesus as Saviour, what will you do next? If you know Jesus, what difference has it made?

III. How will you support someone who wants to come to Jesus? How has the living water of Jesus flowed through you to others? How does God want to use you? What difference does putting Jesus first make in your life?

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Catching the Big One: Peter / Come with Me series
Pastor Jim Zippay, Lead Pastor
March 6/7, 2010
Luke 5:1-11

Outline
1. It starts with a connection.   v. 1-3
2. It goes deeper with an invitation.   v. 4-5
3. It requires waiting for a response:  God and man.   v. 6-10
4. You’re caught by words of affirmation.   v. 11

Content
1. It’s hard to imagine some people becoming Christians.   Peter was one of those unlikely types.
2. When Jesus called His first disciples it was a turning point; Jesus became more relevant to them.
3. How Jesus “caught” Peter is important, not just that He did.
4. Jesus is subtle and meets us where we are; we’re still comfortable and don’t notice anything happening.  Jesus asked Peter for a favor and he felt needed.
5. Don’t underestimate the significance of someone’s “yes”; it helps them be involved and connected.
6. Once Jesus has us in the boat, He wants to take us out to the deep so that we move from self-reliance to dependence on Him.
7. For us to see Jesus, we need to go out in the deep where we couldn’t do it on our own.  God uses hardships, failures and disappointments as an invitation to go deeper with Him.
8. We often can’t make things happen, but we can wait for them.
9. God will move in ways that show He’s relevant in our lives and that He’s able to make a difference.  Once God moves, the next move is ours.
10. God showed Himself to Peter in an area he thought he knew best and was in control of (fishing).
11. Peter told Jesus to get away because he was embarrassed and ashamed and didn’t think Jesus would want a guy like him.
12. We shouldn’t let our past and our “stuff” keep us from God’s future for us.  It’s not about what kind of person we are, but what a God He is.
13. Don’t let our complaints or things we don’t understand keep us from God.

Aim
Jesus meets us where we are and uses circumstances in our lives to help us go deeper into dependence on Him.

Application Questions
1. Have there been people you know who you were surprised they became a Christian?  Describe.
2. Describe a time when someone asked you to help or be involved, or a time when you asked someone.  What was your reaction when asked?  What was their reaction when you asked them?
3. What have been times when you worked hard and had nothing to show for it but frustration and exhaustion?
4. Describe a time of hardship or failure when God met you there and you grew closer to Him.
5. What have been some barriers you couldn’t get past, when you were stuck?
6. When has been a time when you wanted something to happen but had to wait for God to act?
7. Describe a time when you were overwhelmed by God’s goodness and grace.

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
The Blind Man - Seeing is a Miracle
Jim Zippay, Lead Pastor
February 27/28, 2010
Scripture Passage: John 9

Outline
I. Seeing is a miracle…it’s the work of God
II. Seeing is a miracle…but it causes division
III. Seeing is a miracle…it’s the path to faith
IV. Seeing is a miracle…but it reveals blindness

Content
1. The disciples draw a connection between sin and sickness, either of the parents or of the man. It’s a legitimate link because children often suffer from the sins of their parents (crack babies, fetal alcohol syndrome, etc), and all of us are born into the world sinful with the result that we live in a broken and fallen world.
2. Jesus points them to a different level - rather than looking at what happened, look at what’s happening - God is working and wants to use this situation to show us something about Himself.
3. There’s no mention of faith here. The man didn’t cry out, but Jesus saw him and sought him out. When your in darkness, you don’t even know there’s light until the light of the world steps in and gives sight.
4. When you begin to see after having been blind, don’t expect everyone to believe you - there will be divisions.
5. The miracle is given to lead you towards a faith that acknowledges Jesus as Lord. Note the blind man’s progression:
   - “The man they call Jesus”
   - “He is a prophet”
   - “I was blind, now I see”
   - “He must be from God”
   - “Lord, I believe”
6. A lot of people may have an experience of God and come to believe something without seeing the light which reveals Jesus for who He is.
7. Jesus is the true light, but when that light shines people run from it because it expose their sin.
8. Jesus gives us clarity to see darkness vs. light, our sin and our need for a savior. The closer you get to Him, the more of your stuff gets revealed to you.

Aim
That our eyes might be opened to see Jesus for who He is, that His light mine shine to expose our sin, and that we might worship Him as our Lord.

Application Questions
I. Would you describe your coming to Christ as similar to the blind receiving sight? In what ways did you see things differently in the darkness, and what has changed?
II. Since Jesus sought the blind man out and gave him sight (see also Acts 26:17-18 and 2 Cor. 4:1-6), what hope can this give us for unbelievers with whom we engage but show no interest? what confidence can this give us in our prayers?
III. Have you seen, in yourself or in others, the negative reaction to the light of Christ exposing sin? What is the result? What would be a positive reaction to that exposure?

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Mary/Come With Me
Dr. Scot McKnight, Guest Speaker
February 13/14, 2010
Various Scriptures

Outline
I. Her Vision is Our Vision (Luke 1:46-55)
II. Her Question is Our Question (Luke 2:41-52, esp. v. 51)
III. Her Scandal is Our Scandal (John 2:1-11; Mark 1-3, but especially 3:21,31-35)
IV. Her People are Our People (Acts 1:14; 2:42-47)
V. Her Response is Our Response (Luke 1:38)

Content

1. (Luke 1:46-55, the Magnificat) This passage embodies the dream of Israel living in community as God desires, with God’s  justice and peace.
2. Mary’s vision was community vision (salvation for the nation) rather than individual (salvation for me).
3. Mary was there for Jesus’s entire life and ministry.
4. Mary was trying to understand who Jesus really was as she “treasured these things in her heart,” referring to Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem (Luke 2: 42-51). We are also trying to understand who Jesus is.
5. Mary’s “scandal” was that Jesus couldn’t be controlled. He did (and does) what He wants, when He wants, with whom He wants, and how He wants.
6. Jesus understood Messiah through Isaiah (including suffering) rather than through Moses and the Hebrew traditions (which made it difficult for many to understand how Messiah could be crucified).
7. Mary was part of the community in Acts.
8. Mary surrendered from the beginning (Luke 1:46-55).

 Aim

Our response to Jesus should be the same as Mary’s: I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said (Luke 1: 38).

Application Questions

I. How far reaching is your vision or dream for the future (salvation for you, your family, beyond?) What is the dream God wants you to have?

II. What questions do you think Mary had about Jesus? What questions do you have about Jesus? As you live with Him, what are you learning about Jesus?

III. In what ways are you trying to control Jesus? What is Jesus asking you (or your children or parents) to do that seems “dangerous” to you?

IV. What do you think of when we talk about “community?” Does the Christian community in Acts 2 appeal to you? Explain. How is God expanding your idea of His community?

V. Have you surrendered to Jesus as Mary did when the angel gave her the Good News? What is keeping you from coming to Jesus? What is keeping you from following Jesus? What can learning about Mary teach us about living for Jesus?

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Say it So They Can Hear It / Carry on the Gospel Life
Jim Zippay, Lead Pastor
Feb. 6/7, 2010
2 Tim. 4:1-5

Summary of the series is in verse 5 of this passage
1. Keep it all in perspective.  Don’t sweat the small stuff; it’s Jesus’ work.
2. Stay at it even when it’s hard.  Difficulties and setbacks don’t mean that God isn’t in it.
3. Make an effort to communicate Christ.  Because many of us aren’t gifted at it and are uncomfortable doing it, sharing Christ is work and requires effort.
4. Stick with the plan.  Do your job; stay at your post; follow the instructions.

Outline
1. Sometimes I still have a hearing problem.
2. Good delivery really does increase reception.
3. The impact of these words couldn’t be greater.

Content
1. The impact of words on people’s lives requires more than hearing; we need to hear them with our hearts.
2. We need to preach the gospel so people hear it.
3. It’s easy to blame the audience if they don’t hear, and then we stop communicating.
4. There are many options of things to do in our culture, and often we’d rather do other things (entertainment, sports, etc.) than go to church or learn about God.
5. People usually don’t like to hear the truth about themselves; it’s hard to hear negative feedback.  But we like what we hear when we agree or it makes us feel good.
6. Remember that we have hearing problems and that other people do, too.
7. Put an emphasis on being prepared with patience and careful instruction.  Communicate the truth to people as it relates to their lives and issues:  dating, parenting, etc.
8. Since we can’t control the listener, the emphasis should be on how we say things.  Tone and body language are important.
9. We need to take the log out of our eye — deal with ourselves first — before we try to take the speck out of someone else’s eye.
10. Pray that God will use you in at least one person’s life.

Aim
We need to remember that everyone has a “hearing problem” and share the gospel in such a way that the person to whom we’re speaking can really hear it.

Application Questions
1. Describe a time when you had problems communicating with someone.  How did you correct the problem, or how could you have corrected it?
2. Describe a time of good communication with someone and what made it effective.
3. When was a time you had to correct someone; how did you handle it and how did they react?  When was a time you were corrected and how did you react?
4. Has there been a time when someone in your life really heard from someone else what you’d been trying to say for years?
5. Describe a time when you told someone about Christ and how they reacted.