SERIES TITLE
Be / Do
SERIES OVERVIEW
One of the most frequently asked questions posed by followers of Jesus is, “What does God want me to do?” Should I go here or there? Should I say yes or no? But what if there is a better question? God is more interested in our character than the decisions we make. For three weeks let’s ask the question, “Who does God want me to be?”
SERMON TITLE
Truthful
Sermon Summary
The sermon titled “Truthful” by Pastor Jake Barker emphasizes the importance of embracing God’s truthfulness in our lives. It discusses the challenges of discerning truth in a constantly changing world. The sermon encourages questioning, doubts, and the process of rediscovering what God has truly said, separate from cultural norms. It concludes by presenting baptism as a symbolic response to Jesus’ assertion that He is the way, the truth, and the life, signifying a commitment to live in obedience to God’s truth.
WARM UP
DISCUSSion
- What challenges have you faced when trying to determine what is true in a world full of uncertainty and deception?
How can you apply the concept of embracing God’s truthfulness in these uncertain situations? - How does the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the serpent’s question (‘Did God really say?’) relate to our struggle with truth today?
In what ways have you experienced doubt or confusion in your faith journey, and how did you handle it? - Read 2 Corinthians 3:16-17, how can we become transformed to reflect the glory of the Lord and become more like Him?
What are some practical ways you can apply this transformation in your daily life? - How can we differentiate between creating our own version of truth and discovering what God has said?
What steps can you take to seek and embrace God’s truth in your personal life?
wrap up | prayer
- Start by asking for prayer requests. • Pray for the grace to embrace God’s truthfulness in our lives, especially in the face of a constantly changing world that often defines what’s cool or acceptable.
- Pray for wisdom to discern the truth from falsehood, especially in a world where “fake news” often confuses.
- Ask for the courage to face our doubts and questions about Christianity, focusing not on whether all Christians follow Jesus well, but whether Jesus himself is who he says he is.
- Pray for a growing desire to discover God’s truth as revealed in the Bible, rather than creating our own version of truth.
- Ask for guidance for those going through a process of questioning their faith, that they may not dismiss all of Jesus because of the poor representation of some who claim to follow Him.
- Finally, pray for the commitment to respond to Jesus’ proclamation, “I am the way and the truth and the life,” through baptism and a life of obedience to God’s truth.