Grace Church

Big Idea: Your failures are not the end of the story if you're willing to meet the risen Christ.   Three Ways We Fail We fail to SHOW UP We fail to WISE UP We fail to STEP UP JESUS NEVER FAILS!  Come and meet the risen Lord Take a spiritual step at whoisgrace.com/next 

Awake the Lake- whoisgrace.com/awakethelake Vision: Imagine if, by 2035, a new dawn has arrived where 30,000 people have been mobilized to step into their kingdom, calling to bring gospel influence into the everyday places of life.Mission: Following Jesus as we live out God’s story every day, everywhere Dream Disciple Roles: Compassionate Storyteller, Savvy Follower, Embedded Influencer, Intentional Friend  Embedded Influencer: I understand how God has purposefully gifted and positioned me to multiply his work in the world.  3 Lessons for the Embedded Influencer from Joseph of Arimathea: Be aware: You have Influence. Beware: You are Influenced. Be prepared: God will call you out. BIG IDEA: Let Jesus be the greatest influence in your life.  Next Step:  As an Embedded Influencer, where has God placed me? As an Ordinary Hero, what is my next small step of obedience today? 

Big Idea: Jesus experienced the judgment day that we deserved,  3 powerful ways Jesus transformed our relationship with God on the cross:  1. As the Darkness Fell: Jesus absorbed God’s wrath (:33)  - When was the last time you truly reflected on what it cost Jesus to absorb God’s judgment for your sin?  2. As the Cry Echoed, Jesus endured God’s absence (:34-37)  - Jesus was separated from the Father so you would never have to be. How does knowing that change your perspective when you feel abandoned or alone?  3. As the Curtain Ripped, Jesus ushered us into God’s presence (:38-39).  - What barriers are you still keeping between yourself and God's presence, even though the curtain has been torn?   Next Step:  Practice Gratitude for the Cross.  For more series information go to: whoisgrace.com/mark 

3 Questions That Unveil God's Plan for the Guilty to Go Free  1. Are you the King of the Jews?Jesus answers, “I’m a different kind of King.” 2. Why aren’t you fighting back?  Jesus answers, “I wield a different kind of power.”  3. What shall we do with the king?  Why did the crowd choose Barabbas? The crowd chose Substitution.  Jesus answers, “I apply a different kind of justice.”   Next Step Respond to receive salvation Visit whoisgrace.com/next and choose “salvation”  Find more series resources at whoisgrace.com/mark 

Big Idea: Your greatest failures have both an origin story and a redemption story.   A Redemption Story: 5 Stages of a Spiritual Comeback.     Part I: Failure’s ORIGIN Story A PRIDEFUL ATTITUDE reveals early cracks in your spiritual foundation (Mk 14:27-29)  SPIRITUAL COMPLACENCY leaves you vulnerable in critical moments (Mk 14:37-42)  Major denials usually follow a series of COWARDLY COMPROMISES. (Mk 14:50, 54)   Part II: Failure’s REDEMPTION Story. Genuine restoration prepares you for greater purpose than before. (John 21:17)  Your REDEEMED BETRAYALS become the source of renewed strength (Acts 5:29) Next Step: Tell your spiritual comeback story to someone this week.   Their name____________________________________ For more series resources visit www.whoisgrace.com/mark 

Context:  High Priest and the Sanhedrin  Confronting the Claims of Jesus: LIES (14:55-61a) TRUTH (14:61-64) Next Step:  If you’ve never considered that Jesus is telling the Truth, read Mark’s whole story and ask yourself- “what if this is all true?” If you know that you’re the one who was condemned and Jesus took your place, you may need to be confronted by the Truth again. Not only that you’re forgiven, but that He is the Lord to whom you surrender your will. Read Mark’s gospel as if for the first time. If Jesus is the Son of Man, the Son of God- how does this picture of Jesus compel me to live differently? For resources to help you, visit whoisgrace.com/mark. 

Big idea: It’s worth it to stick with Jesus    3 Lessons from Gethsemane When you lose sight of Jesus’ glory, you’ll start seeking a savior in personal gain. When you don’t count the cost of following Jesus, your only options are fight or flight. When you lose control in the light, you'll seek control in the shadows.  What do we learn, and how can we live differently based on Jesus’ reaction? Staying in communication with God is vital to our spiritual growth and health. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Severe testing has the power to turn hesitant followers into dynamic leaders James 1:1-4 There is a cost associated to both sticking with and abandoning Jesus Next Step: Examine your heart 

Big idea: Under pressure to abandon God, Jesus is both our model and our strength.   Lessons from Two Gardens: What is Revealed Under Pressure.   Pressure reveals your CHARACTER: Adam chose blame … Jesus chose prayer: Genesis 3:11-13 | Mark 14:35-36 Pressure reveals your CONNECTIONS: Adam chose isolation … Jesus chose community: Gen 3:8-10 | Mark 14:32-34 Pressure reveals your MASTER: Adam surrendered to his own will … Jesus surrendered to God’s will: Gen 3:1-6 | Mark 14:36b-42 Next Step:  Worship Jesus for 2 profound truths: for being our model in times of pressure because he truly understands our struggles.  for enduring his suffering to accomplish our salvation.  Find more series resources at www.whoisgrace.com/mark  

Big Idea: There’s a place for you at the Lord’s table.   Four Historical Views  Transubstantiation (Catholic View).  Consubstantiation (Lutheran View).  Mystical Presence (Reformed Anglican).  Memorial (Zwingli & Anabaptist).   What a seat at the Lord’s table does for us:  Look Back: It’s a seat that points to your forgiveness (:12-16).  Look Now: It’s a seat that enables the power of the new covenant (:22-24) Look Ahead: It’s a Seat that Secures Your Future (:25)  Next Step: Express GRATITUDE to God for your seat at the table.  Find more series resources at www.whoisgrace.com/mark  

Big Idea: Jesus always prepares His people.  Jesus demonstrated to His disciples that He was in total control of the situation (Mark 14:12-16) and knew exactly what would happen next. (Mark 14:17-21)  --In what area of your life are you tempted to forget that God knows what will happen next and that He is in control? --In what area of your life do you struggle to believe that God is actively orchestrating everything for your ultimate good?  Jesus told His disciples that He would go ahead of them. (Mark 14:26-31)  God promises to prepare us for suffering - and often prepares us through our suffering. --Can you identify a difficult season or experience that God sovereignly prepared you for beforehand? --Can you identify a difficult season or experience that God used to prepare you for future opportunities?  Next Steps: Ask yourself: What’s your next small step of obedience? Find more series resources at whoisgrace.com/mark. 

Big Idea: Surrendering to Jesus is worth whatever sacrifice it may cost.   How to respond to the true worth of Jesus Make Jesus the highest value that shapes everything else (:3a).  Break your backup plans (:3b)  Let criticism confirm your scandalous conviction (:4-5)  Offer what you have in timely moments of surrender. (:6-8a)  Let Christ’s story become your story (8b).   Next steps:   3 Acts of Surrender Name your alabaster jar. Identify your most precious thing.  Break the bottle. Give what you have back to God.  Pour yourself out in scandalous surrender. What would extravagant obedience look like?   Find more series resources at www.whoisgrace.com/MARK 

Do you live your life like Jesus is coming back?   Big idea: What you believe about the future will have a dramatic impact on how you live now.  The Lesson from the Fig Tree (:28-30).- When you see the signs of the times, his return is just around the corner.  Jesus’ authority is timeless!- Every person has to make a decision about Jesus.  Jesus urges us to live a life of readiness (:32-37).   Next Steps:  4 Ways to Live a Ready Life  Live a life on mission.  Live a life of purity  Live a life of helping those in need.  Live a life of forgiveness.   Which of these steps did the Holy spirit highlight for you? Talk to Him about it this week.  Find more series resources at www.whoisgrace.com/mark  

Grace’s mission statement: Following Jesus as we live out God’s story every day, everywhere.   Big idea: A rhythm of missional living will move your faith from boring to breathtaking.   5 Timeless Truths about Missional Living Look for missional opportunities during times of personal difficulty (:1-4)   Open your heart to people who are not like you (:5-8)  Follow the promptings of God (:26-29)  Pay attention to the smallest details in front of you (:30-31) Start where people are at and then point them to Jesus (:32-38)    3 Entry Level Tips to Live on Mission.  Be more interruptible.  Ask great questions.  Reclaim Mealtimes.   Next Step  Find your chair. Access whoisgrace.com/read to get started  Pick one of these missional living truths or tips you could incorporate into your life this week?  

You are in the disciple-making business.  Big Idea – A rhythm of discipling relationships is the main path to bearing spiritual fruit.   A Disciple-Making Model (2 Timothy 2:2)  Four generations of discipling relationships - Paul to Timothy to faithful men to others   A New Testament Example: Everyone needs a Barnabas, a Paul, and a Timothy.  Bring in a Barnabas. Pursue a Paul. Train a Timothy.  Elements of an Effective Discipling Relationship:  Natural Connection Time & Presence  Ordinary Moments  Centrality of Scripture  Ask Good Questions  Transparency  Provide Wisdom for Life Decisions  Activate Discipleship Roles in Real Life -  www.whoisgrace.com/dreamdisciples Next step Find your chair and answer “who?”  Who is your Paul, who is your Barnabas, who is your Timothy?    Find more series information and reading plans at www.whoigrace.com/read  

Big Idea: A rhythm of prayer properly positions you to move through life on God’s agenda.     3 Ways the Lord’s Prayer Postures you to Move Through Life on God’s Agenda  1. God is the loving Father; You are his Child (:6-9a)    Be RELATIONAL  2. God is the rightful Ruler; you are his Servant (:9b-10)  Be RESPONSIVE.  3. God is the generous Provider; you are Dependent upon him (:11-13)  Be REPENTANT   What is your rhythm of prayer?Next Step  Find your chair. More information on this tool at www.whoisgrace.com/dreamdisciple  Practice the Lord’s prayer. Find the prayer tool at www.whoisgrace.com/read  

Let’s declare 2025 the year that we don’t settle for a mediocre faith!  Big idea: A rhythm of scripture reflection helps you choose a wise life instead of a wicked one.   The progression of a wicked way of life Avoid ungodly thoughts: don’t walk in the counsel of the wicked. Avoid ungodly behaviors: don’t stand in the way of sinners.  Avoid an ungodly identity: don’t sit in the seat of scoffers.   The Key to a Flourishing Life: Make time for the Word of God   3 things God does when you reflect on His Word.  God reveals who He is and who you are.God reveals the wisdom of the ages.  God reveals the path ahead.    Next StepFind Your Chair Find more details about this tool at www.whoisgrace.com/dreamdisciple  Find series resources and read plans at www.whoisgrace.com/read 

Big Idea: A painful path in this life leads to our glorious future in the next.    The Great Tribulation = a time of outpouring of God’s wrath on all the earth that will mark the end of history.   5 Markers of the Great Tribulation  Growing numbers of Spiritual Imposters (:5-6, 21-22)  Increasing Global Calamities (:7-8)  Unparalleled defections and betrayal (:12-13; 21-22)  The rise of the Antichrist (:14)  Historic violence and suffering (:15-20)  The Second Coming of Christ (:23-27) 1 Thessalonians 4:16  Hebrews 9:28  Revelation 19:11-16   Next Step  Be on guard | Live ready   Embrace a way of life that anticipates Jesus’ return.  For more series resources go to www.whoisgrace.com/mark  

Big Idea: When the world goes crazy, be ready with the gospel.  Context: Herod’s Temple  Living in the Birth Pains: Watchful (Mark 13:5-8) Withstanding (Mark 13:9, 11-13a; Philippians 4:5-7) Waiting (Mak 13:b; Ephesians 6:10-18) Welcoming (Mark 13:10; Acts 1:8)  Next Step:  When the world goes crazy, will you be sidelined by fear, distracted by prophecy, or ready with the gospel? Choose one of the “Ws” as your posture this week (Watchful- Withstanding- Waiting- Welcoming). 

Big Idea: Appearances are deceptive, trade your self-promotion for self-sacrifice.   3 Surprising Lessons from the Story of the Widow’s Mite  Jesus is the ultimate proof of the truth of Christianity (:35-37) Spiritual imposters will incur God’s wrath (:38-41).  The kingdom of God is built on small acts of total surrender (:42-44)   Five things giving is NOT Giving is NOT TRANSACTIONAL  Giving is NOT MEMBER DUES.  Giving is NOT a means to gain INFLUENCE.  Giving is NOT a STRATEGY to combat WEALTH GUILT.  Giving is NOT to PACIFY GOD.   Find more series resources at www.whoisgrace.com/mark