Sermon-Based Small Group guides

(Sermons by  Dr. Tom Harrington Sept., Oct., and Nov. 2014)

 

In  (click to download)

Sermon 2 of 3 in the series “From Here to There”

Scripture Used: Genesis 2:18

Sermon Theme: Another part of moving from “here” to “there” involves the dimension of “in.” And, with the “in” dimension, “there” would be authentic community with each other that is so powerful that anytime anybody comes to one of our worship services or small group meetings, the primary thing they would notice is how caring and friendly the people are. Also, with the “in” dimension, “there” would involve not pretending — but only honesty and vulnerability — because that leads to healing. And, our church goal correlation to “in” is “grow.”

Sermon Outline:

  1. We were made for community.
  2. We grow in community.
  3. We find acceptance in community.
  4. We serve in community.
  5. We heal in community.
  6. We die in community.
  7. We will be resurrected in community.

Participant Guide

 Leader Guide

 

Out

Sermon 3 of 3 in the series “From Here to There”

Scripture Used: Genesis 12:1-3

Sermon Theme: Yet another part of moving from “here” to “there” involves the dimension of “out.” And, with the “out” dimension, “there” would look like this: Workplaces around the Milwaukee area are being redeemed. They’re being filled with innovative, creative joy. Families are being strengthened; marriages are getting better and better; divorce rates are going down; poverty is going down; graduation rates are going up; neighborhoods are getting safer; and, the name of Jesus is being increasingly appreciated from one neighborhood to the next. Our church goal correlation to “out” is “serve.”

Participant Guide

 Leader Guide

Who Is My Neighbor?

Sermon 1 of 3 in the series “Who Is My Neighbor?”

Scripture used: Mark 12:28-31

Sermon theme: The Bible indicates that “love for God” and “love for people” are inextricably intertwined — so much so that the former has no meaning, if the latter isn’t taking place. And, to love your neighbor means: “to intend their good as God defines good.” But, when it comes to our day-to-day living, how much time do we take “to get to know” and “to intend the good of” our neighbors?

Participant Guide

 Leader Guide

Additional Resource 

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Sermon 2 of 3 in the series “Who Is My Neighbor?”

Scripture used: Ruth 1:1-5

Sermon theme: This sermon considers how Ruth decides to live an unreasonable life — by betting everything on love for another. In doing so, she lives out the truth that, with God, there is no “them” — that every person should be embraced.

Sermon sub-theme: The reason we love people — is not diversity; it is because every human being bears the same image of God, who made and loves them.

Participant Guide

 Leader Guide

Additional Resource 

What’s Good for the “Hood”

Sermon 3 of 3 in the series “Who Is My Neighbor?”

Scripture used: Luke 10:1-7, 16

Sermon theme: This sermon looks at the account of Jesus sending out “the Seventy-two,” in order to consider how we can love our neighbors by sharing with them the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. In other words, this sermon examines how we can combine a commitment to “the Great Commandment” and “the Great Commission.”

Sermon outline: Six Steps for Us to Be Turned Loose to Love Our Neighbors:

  1. Just get out of the house.
  2. Do ministry in community.
  3. Pray regularly for your neighborhood.
  4. In your neighborhood, look for the person of peace.
  5. Love in true humility; not false superiority.
  6. Don’t be discouraged by rejection.

Participant Guide

 Leader Guide

Additional Resource 

 

When Life is Unfair

Sermon 1 of 3 in the series “Bulletproof”

Scripture used: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Sermon theme: This message considers how to respond when you feel like life has arbitrarily and unfairly singled you out and given you worse than you deserve.

Sermon outline: What does the Bible say is coming your way?

  1. You will come through this better than you were before.
  2. If the score needs to be settled, God will settle it.
  3. God will give you the chance to put your best ideas to work.

Participant Guide

 Leader Guide

Additional Resource 

 

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