Sermon Notes
1. Identity (Mark 1:11)
You are my son/daughter, whom I love; in YOU I am well pleased!
2. Formation (Mark 1:12-13)
3. Community (Mark 1:14-20)
4. Mission (Mark 1:21-28)
5. God is not so loving that He stops being just.
God is fully loving. God is fully just.
He doesn’t compromise one for the other.
Circle Group Questions
Ice Breaker – As a child or teen, what trends did you participate in to try to fit in with your peers?
Share your personal journey with God and your own Spiritual Growth with the group. (Everyone’s journey is different. Remember to honor each other’s stories.)
Share one of your Personal Reflections from the week.
Pastor Dave told the story of Harmony Dust and how her negative self-view resulted in a destructive lifestyle until she was able to embrace God’s view of her value. His challenge to us was: “It is up to us to actively replace the lies we believe with the truth.”
What lies have you told yourself?
What lies have others told you about yourself (either directly or implied)?
How have these lies negatively impacted your life?
What do Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 say about how we can change these lies into truth?
Mark 1:9-28 shows Jesus’ progression as he developed his leadership among the disciples. Pastor Dave identifies Four Areas of Spiritual Growth:
Identity – (Mark 1:9-11) What identity was given to Jesus? How does God’s view of you affect how you view yourself?
Formation – (Mark 1:12-13) How did Jesus respond to attacks and adversity? (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13). When have you grown from experiencing adversity?
Community – (Mark 1:14-20) Jesus chose people to share his ministry journey. How do our friends help determine the direction and quality of our lives?
Mission – (Mark 1:21-28) Jesus began his teaching ministry. Pastor Dave said, “Mission is not earning favor, it is expressing the favor we have already received.” What is your reaction to this definition of Mission? How does it translate in our lives?
Which of these areas of Spiritual Growth do you most identify with at this time? Why? (Keep in mind that this is an ongoing process, not always experienced in order. Each stage may be encountered many times in a lifetime.)
Personal Reflections
Sunday
What stood out to you from today’s sermon? What teaching can you apply this week?
Monday
Who in your life has had the greatest impact in shaping you as a person? In what way? What have you learned from this experience?
Tuesday
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Are you more likely to follow the world or God’s Word?
Wednesday – Reflect
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
What thoughts do you need to take captive and to make obedient to Christ?
Thursday – Reflect
And a voice came from Heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Mark 1:11
Who are you to God? How does God view you?
Friday – Reflect
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1
How does God view you? Who are you to God?
Saturday
How can God use you to express His love to others this week?