Big Idea Those who know Jesus are united by truth. Read: 2 John 1-3 Discussion Questions What insight, principle, or observation from this week’s sermon did you find to be the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain. John referred to himself as the elder, most likely referring to his status as an older man or mature believer and not to the office of elder. Name some reasons you think that is significant and what can we learn from that designation? Most of us have a bias toward being either loving or truthful. Which characterizes you? How do you become more balanced? Believers are to be united by truth, but we sometimes have different beliefs. How do we stay united within the church when we disagree? John said, “the truth will be with us forever.” Name some ways that statement encourages you or gives you hope. Next Steps Read 2 John every day this week and write down what you observe. Be prepared to discuss your observations in small group next week. ...

Main Idea: You can trust that God is able to keep you from stumbling and present you blameless before Him. Jude 24-25 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. ...

Ice breaker question What is the best fruit? Main Idea: Remember Warnings & Stand Firm in The Face of Danger Jude 17-23 17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. ...

Ice Breaker If Rebecca was a dessert, what would she be and why? Main Idea: We must be active listeners to contend against apostasy Jude 11–16 Bible app link Discussion Questions What stood out to you, made you think, or was something that you like, or remember from the sermon? What are some of the hidden reefs (hidden dangers) being preached in churches and religions today? Why do you think people don’t see them? ...

Big Idea: Believers in Christ need to remember the judgment of God on apostates, and be able to identify them through their ungodly behavior and lifestyle, and contend with them concerning the faith. Jude 5-10 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. 8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. ...

Main Idea: As children of God, it is necessary to be alert and ready to stand on truth and proclaim the truth in the midst of opposition and persecution. Read Jude 1-4 (1) Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: (2) May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. (3) Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (4) For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (ESV) ...

Big Idea God often allows difficulties to expose the orientation of your heart. Read: Esther 5:1-14 Bible app link Discussion Questions Describe, in your own words, God’s sovereignty and discuss why this doctrine is viewed as either troubling or comforting. How should we view God’s sovereignty, especially when difficulties come? Describe a time when you followed a plan that was determined by your will rather than God’s Word. How did this turn out for you (and others)? How did Esther display courage in this text? Discuss what the Bible teaches about courage and how this virtue should impact your life. What are some of the dangers of living for your personal joy and happiness? How can you avoid these things? In what ways can we feed idolatry in our lives rather than forsaking it? Next Steps Think about the difficulties you’ve experienced in your life and then consider how God has used those things to shape and sanctify you. Write down three lessons you’ve learned through the difficulties you’ve faced. ...

Big Idea God doesn’t need you, but He desires to use you for His purpose. Read: Esther 4:1-17 Bible app link Discussion Questions Describe a time the Lord directed you to do something, but you were full of fear rather than faith and did not obey. Why is Esther 4 a good chapter for many of us who have been in this position? How does the gospel fuel obedience to God in the life of a believer? Mordecai didn’t hide his grief but displayed it publicly for all to see. Why do we tend to conceal our grief or struggles rather than sharing them openly? What does the Bible say about being honest with each other in our struggles? We are often hopeful that somebody in the church will step up to meet a need or create an outreach ministry, why do you believe we continually hope someone else will do what we see needs to be done? Verses 15-17 uncover a substantial reversal from earlier in Esther’s story. Identify and discuss what this reversal means for Esther’s development and how it applies to you personally. Next Steps God desires to use you, not because you are perfect, not because you are highly gifted, not because you are intelligent, wealthy, well-educated, or skillful. God desires to use you because He is full of grace and mercy—it is an honor to be used by the King of Kings. This week read and meditate on 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, then journal your thoughts about how this passage applies to you. ...

Big Idea Evil rises in the world around us, but God is always going before us. Read: Esther 3:1-15 Bible app link Discussion Questions What was the most impactful thing from the text and the sermon this week? Has there ever been a situation in your life when you’ve been passed over and someone less deserving was promoted? How did you handle the disappointment? What are some dangers you must be aware of that can poison your heart in those situations? The king’s servants said Mordecai transgressed the king’s command when he refused to bow to Haman. Do you believe Mordecai was right or wrong in refusing to bow? Explain your answer from Scripture. Read verses 7-11. What does the text reveal about King Ahasuerus? What should we learn and apply from his response? How does this inform your decision making of what of leaders you look for or the kind of leader you yourself want to be? ...

Big Idea Compromise with the world will always complicate the life of God’s people. Read: Esther 2:1-11 Bible app link Discussion Questions What was the most impactful thing from the text and the sermon this week? Mordecai and Esther were caught by years of compromise and became like the Persians. Discuss some of the ways are you most tempted to compromise with the world? Verse six focuses our attention on the fact that the Jews were exiles in Persia. What are some similarities believers share with exiles and in what ways is God’s grace given to exiles? Esther gained favor throughout this narrative (see, vs. 9,15,17). What can we assume about Esther from the text? How does this apply to our lives in this world? What character trait of Esther is revealed in verses 10 and 20? How does that trait impact the story of Esther and what can we learn from her example? Next Steps This week, read 1 Peter 2:1-10; Revelation 1:6; Colossians 1:13; and Ephesians 4:1 and consider what it means that you are a citizen of two kingdoms and what that means for how you live daily? What responsibilities and hope has God given you? ...