938 Church: Recent Episodes
938 church
A church in West Chester, PA that seeks to build community, strengthen faith, and extend compassion.
Episode begins about one third of the way into the message due to a power outage. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Pastor Marc explores transforming work through a biblical lens, focusing on identity in God, meaningful work, and true leadership as followership based on Colossians.
Lew Smith explores authentic evangelism, urging personal witness and reliance on the Holy Spirit to share faith, starting with close relationships and adapting to context.Recorded on June 22, 2025, at 938 Church.
Time is not measured in minutes, it's measured in moments. How did Joseph respond when it was hard to obey?
Has science disproven Christianity? Check out week 2 of our series on "The God Questions."
In week one of our series, The God Questions, we ask the question you've always wanted to ask: Aren't Christians hypocrites?
Jesus tells the story of repentance and forgiveness. This is what we are to preach to the world.
What does it mean to preach the good news to all creation?938 ChurchSpeaker: Marc LuceniusDate: September 3, 2023
Speaker: Marc Lucenius 938 Church Series: Prayer for Normal People Date: August 6, 2023
What's the secret to struggling well?938 ChurchSpeaker: Marc LuceniusDate: May 21, 2023
Who are you? Someone who is accepted and belongs in Christ.938 ChurchSpeaker: Rachel ShortDate: April 23, 2023www.linktr.ee/938church
With all of the labels that get applied to us throughout our lives, which ones do we hold to? Who are we at the end of our lives?938 ChurchSpeaker: Marc LuceniusDate: April 16, 2023
Pastor Marc preaches on Easter Sunday.Are you stuck? What day are you living in: Friday, Sad Saturday, or Sunday?April 9, 2023www.lintr.ee/938church
Have you ever thought about what it means to "follow" someone, whether in real life or on social media? Are we supposed to only follow people we agree with? This week, Rachel Short reminds us what following Jesus can teach us about "following" others.Series: Together - The Good News for Relationships (Week 8)Speaker: Rachel ShortDate: April 2, 2023www.linktr.ee/938church
If you're a Christian, here's Paul's direction: don't complain or grumble; labor to help one another grow so that we might all shine together. Series: Together - The Good News for Relationships (Week 7)Speaker: Marc LuceniusDate: March 26, 2023www.linktr.ee/938church
Speaker: Marc LuceniusPastor Marc speaks about the importance of Jesus being both fully God and fully man, and what this has to do with healthy relationships.
Week One of our new series, Together: The Good News for RelationshipsSpeaker: Marc Lucenius
Series: Apostle's Creed
Speaker: Marc Lucenius
Scripture: Romans 4:13-25; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-16
Date: 09/18/22
Series: Jesus Went
Speaker: Marc Lucenius
Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38
Date: 09/04/22
JesusWent #938Church #Jesus
Series: Jesus Went
Speaker: Marc Lucenius
Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38, Mark 4:13-20
Date: 08/28/22
Jesuswent #938Church #Jesus
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Series: God For the Rest of Us
Speaker: Marc Lucenius
Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25
Date: 08/21/22
Series: God For the Rest of Us
Speaker: Lew Smith
Scripture: Exodus 15, Mark 5:21-34
Date: 08/14/22
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Series: God For the Rest of Us
Speaker: Graham Bowen
Scripture: John 4:1-26
Date: 08/07/22
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Series: God For the Rest of Us
Speaker: Rachel Short
Scripture: Judges 6
Date: 07/24/22
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Series: God For the Rest of Us
Speaker: Marc Lucenius
Scripture: Exodus 3
Date: 07/24/22
Series: God For the Rest of Us
Speaker: Marc Lucenius
Scripture: Genesis 16
Air Date: 07/10/22
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Series: A Town Called Restoration Speaker: Rachel Short Scripture: Ruth 4 Date: 07/10/22
Series: A Town Called Restoration Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Ruth 3 Date: 07/03/22
Finding rest and seeking "Rest" is a common theme in the book of Ruth. While rest, many times, refers to God's favor, it also relates to marriage and the types or rest that can come with such a relationship. While you don't need marriage to experience rest, God offers this type of rest to all of us.
Hesed is the Hebrew word that expresses God's deep covenant commitment to you, no matter what the cost, to bless you as he PROMISED. You can rest in His love, which never fails or evades you.
Unfortunately, it's easy to have a distorted view of marriage based on our experiences and the experiences of others. This message addresses these concerns and clarifies this view of rest, found in Ruth, to marriage and God's PROMISE to you.
Series: A Town Called Restoration Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Ruth 2 Date: 06/26/22
Series: A Town Called Restoration Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Ruth 1 Date: 06/12/22
Series: A Town Called Restoration Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Ruth 2 Date: 06/19/22
Romans chapter 8 has been chosen by many as their favorite chapter in all of the Bible, making it the Greatest of All Time. You are more than a conqueror. You are a SUPER conqueror.
Series: G.O.A.T. Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Romans 8:31-37 Date: 05/29/22
Romans chapter 8 has been chosen by many as their favorite chapter in all of the Bible, making it the Greatest of All Time.
Series: G.O.A.T. Speaker: Lew Smith Scripture: Romans 8:18-27 Date: 05/15/22
Romans8 #938Church #Jesus
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace (Easter Sunday) Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Luke 23 Date: 4/17/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Rachel Short Scripture: Luke 23 Date: 4/10/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Luke 22 Date: 4/3/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Lew Smith Scripture: Luke 18 & 19 Date: 3/27/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Lew Smith Scripture: Luke 14 Date: 3/20/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Luke 16 Date: 3/13/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Luke 12 Date: 2/27/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Luke 11 Date: 2/20/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Rachel Short Scripture: Luke 10 Date: 2/13/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Luke 10 Date: 2/6/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Luke 10 Date: 1/30/22
Series: The Surprising Awkward Winding Path of Grace Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Luke 9 Date: 1/23/22
Series: Radiant 3 Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Matthew 5 Date: 1/2/22
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Series: Christmas At The Movies Speaker: Rachel Short Scripture: Matthew 1 Date: 12/19/21
Series: Christmas At The Movies Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Matthew 2 Date: 12/12/21
Series: Christmas At The Movies Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: John 1 Date: 11/28/21
Series: A New Kind Of Community Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Matthew 5 Date: 11/25/21
Series: A New Kind Of Community Speaker: Rachel Short Scripture: Matthew 5 Date: 11/21/21
Series: A New Kind Of Community Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Matthew 5 Date: 11/14/21
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Series: A New Kind Of Community Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Matthew 5 Date: 11/7/21
Series: A New Kind Of Community Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Matthew 5 Date: 10/31/21
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Series: A New Kind Of Community Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Matthew 5 Date: 10/24/21
Series: A New Kind Of Community Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Matthew 5 Date: 10/17/21
Series: A New Kind Of Community Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Matthew 5 Date: 10/10/21
Hope for Our City Week 7 (Sermon)
Speaker: Marc Lucenius, Lead Pastor
Scripture: Acts 17:16-34
Date: 8/22/2021
Series: Hope For Our City Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Acts 11, 12, 13 Date: 8/1/21
Series: Begin Again (Week 2) Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Acts 2:1-41 Date: 6/13/21
Series: Begin Again (Week 1) Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Acts 1:1-11 Date: 6/6/21
Series: One Another (Week 4) Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Romans 15:7 Date: 5/30/21
Series: One Another (Week 2) Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12 Date: 5/23/21
Series: One Another (Week 2) Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Colossians 3 Date: 5/16/21
Series: All In - Invested (Week 4) Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9 Date: 5/2/21
Series: All In - Indivisible (Week 3) Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:21-26 Date: 4/25/21
Series: All In - Inseparable (Week 2) Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 Date: 4/18/21
Series: All In - Invaluable (Week 1) Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Date: 4/11/21
Series: Tell Me Something Good - The Resurrection Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Mark 14 Date: 4/4/21
Series: Tell Me Something Good - The Cross Speaker: Rachel Short Scripture: Matthew 16 Date: 3/28/21
Series: Tell Me Something Good - The Kingdom Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Various Date: 3/21/21
Series: Tell Me Something Good - The Church Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Mathew 16 Date: 3/14/21
Series: Free Spirit - Self-Control Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Galatians 5 Date: 3/7/21
Series: Free Spirit - Gentleness Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Galatians 5 Date: 3/7/21
Series: Free Spirit - Faithfulness Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Galatians 5 Date: 2/21/21
Series: Free Spirit - Goodness Speaker: Rachel Short Scripture: Galatians 5 Date: 2/14/21
Series: Free Spirit - Kindness Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Galatians 5 Date: 2/7/21
Series: Free Spirit - Patience Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Galatians 5 Date: 1/31/21
Series: Free Spirit - Peace Speaker: Marc Lucenius Scripture: Galatians 5 Date: 1/24/21
July 12, 2020 Marc Lucenius Joel 2:23-27, Amos 2:6-7, Matthew 5:5 Financial Health: The potential, the principals and pitfalls of prosperity.
Kevin Giannotti
June 28, 2020
Joel 2:28-31, Acts 2
Spiritual Health: the Spirit is poured out broadly, not just on our church…Until every child has a church…
June 14, 2020 Marc Lucenius Joel 1:13-20/Daniel 1 & 3:8-30 Relational Health: Gathering is the way we heal from the wounds of isolation.
We Flourish
May 31, 2020
Marc Lucenius
Jeremiah 29
Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which you have been sent.
Jesus Among Us May 17, 2020 Rachel Short John 6 Bottom line: Jesus is the one that satisfies our deepest hungers and meets our truest needs.
Jesus Among Us
May 3 2020
John 3
We prefer the dark because we are afraid of the light. Bottom line, you must be born again.
Jesus Among Us
April 26 2020
John 2
Jesus confronts the selfishness of their religion and places himself as the fulfillment of God's promises to be near ALL people. Bottom line, church is for others.
Jesus Among Us
April 19 2020
John 2
Like any good wedding, this has alcohol and family drama. Bottom line: Jesus came to bring you joy. No one can take that away from you.
This Easter walk consists of 12 Chapters and lasts 40 minutes. You will be asked to interact with and meditate on portions of scripture, spoken word, and poetry which were all written concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The walk will begin and end at the same point. It is our hope that you will be blessed by this experience during Holy Week.
Idolatry is at the heart of a life that looks to the law instead of the gospel. The law, or any sort of law, attaches us to rules that have a deeper meaning in that laws are designed to arrange our hearts for affection, worship and love. To add laws is to add false worship to the Christian life. These rules are managing for other outcomes than that which God would choose for us.
Idolatry is at the heart of a life that looks to the law instead of the gospel. The law, or any sort of law, attaches us to rules that have a deeper meaning in that laws are designed to arrange our hearts for affection, worship and love. To add laws is to add false worship to the Christian life. These rules are managing for other outcomes than that which God would choose for us.
We are no longer under the custody of the law but we are children of God heirs according to the promise of scripture.
Why has God given us rules? And what is the purpose of the law? How can they help and how can they hurt?
What do we need to untangle ourselves from to be available to attach to the right things?
Why is Christianity so restrictive? And really is it relevant anymore in an age of progress?
Project 938 comes from Matthew 9:35-38. This Sunday we dive into what that looks like in how we relate to others.
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based Recapture the Wonder: December 30 , 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Community Question: How can you recapture wonder, even in the face of unexpected situations where there may appear to be none?
Read Luke 2:22-35 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- Mary and Joseph were thrust into a life situation that was completely unplanned. There were to raise God as a child. However, Simeon’s blessing caused them to pause and “marvel” (aka “wonder”) at what was said because Simeon’s blessing was not what they expected. Jesus was coming to save Israel AND the Gentiles.
Have you ever been in a situation where the result was unexpected?
Did that result cause you to marvel, or wonder? If so, how? * **We lose our wonder when we wonder why God has let certain things happen. You
may find yourself in situations where you think “It’s not going like I wish it would.” Mary and Joseph were thrust into such a situation and might have desired that things happen differently.**
Have you ever had a situation that caused you to think this thought?
If you could have changed that situation, what would you have changed?
If you made those changes, would the situation have yielded the same
result? * Three ways to recapture the Wonder:
*Claim a promise: Salvation is promised. Approach each situation knowing that God has promised to be with you at every step. Hardships are a part of life, but we can’t let them take our wonder.
*Anticipate heaven (Read Revelation 21:3-4.): In heaven there will be no more pain, crying, death, or mourning. Take time to reflect on the wonder that God has presented to us in His creation, the joy that we share together today, and the joy that is yet to come.
*Center your life in Jesus: When you think of heaven, what does it look like? Read Revelation 21:1-3. Jesus will be at the center of heaven. Can you picture heaven without Christ? God sent His son for us. Focus on Christ’s impact in your life, and picture him at the center of your life.
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based Recapture the Wonder: December 24 , 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Community Question: How does God’s unique entrance into this world change His relationship with you and enhance the wonder of this life?
Read Luke 2:1-21 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- God entered the world in a very insufficient way. God needed swaddling, warmth, and comfort. Someone else was in control. None of us likes to experience insufficiency, so we may reduce the value of the situation, so we do not feel insufficient.
How do you react when you experience insufficiency?
How did this insufficiency impact God’s life on this earth?
How does this insufficiency impact your view of the wonder
associated to Jesus’ birth? * **The Angel did not choose a king, but rather chose shepherds to whom the
birth of Jesus was announced. As shepherds these men were very exposed to the elements and other dangers. With exposure comes risk. However, risk can bring great opportunity to experience wonder, such as the announcement of Christ’s birth.**
Have you ever faced an unexpected situation where multiple choices could lead to different results?
Have you avoided such exposure, perhaps as a result of our insufficiency? How might you embrace insufficiency to experience wonder? * This Christmas, take a step toward wonder in three ways:
Give up being right: Rather than working to make people wrong so
you can be right, open your eyes to see the wonder of who they are.
Give up the need to be good: We may feel entitled to receive certain
things, but we miss the wonder of the daily grace extended to us.
Give up the need to think you know the Christmas story: We miss the
wonder of what could be true of a baby who experiences life insufficiently so he may understand every aspect of your life.
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based Recapture the Wonder: December 16 , 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Community Question: Mary shared with Joseph that her child was God’s child. Joseph was presented with an unexpected situation, but his life expectations set a limit on what was possible. What we see sets our expectations on reality, but there is a world of wonder beyond our own expectations. When things do not go as you expect, how do you respond?
Matthew 1:18-25 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- Joseph’s unexpected situation was immersed in tension that could lead to his and Mary’s being outcasts in their society. We live in constant tension between what we expect God to do and what he actually does.
Have you experienced any situations where you felt this tension?
How did you respond? * **Joseph’s response could have had a life-threatening result for Mary or a
negative impact on both of their lives. However, Joseph walked through the door of acceptance and remained with Mary, named their child Jesus, and raised him as his father. Mary and Joseph’s trust in God enabled them to accept the situation, which was very hard.**
Have you ever faced an unexpected situation where multiple choices could lead to different results?
Is there a situation that you are struggling to accept? * **Acceptance: Accepting our situations as that which God is using to bring
great wonder is not always easy. Mary traveled to see Elizabeth and wrote her song during this visit.**
How did your expectations impact that decision?
Did your expectations put a limit on what was possible?
Did you try to justify your own desires, or did you trust God? * Joseph had his own plan for his life, but God presented him with a situation that changed everything. Through that change came great wonder.
You might try to justify your own desires and force your own plans, but how can you trust God and see how he wants to show you the path to great wonder?
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based Recapture the Wonder: December 9, 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Community Question:Mary, after becoming pregnant with Jesus, was placed in a situation that caused isolation and worry as she was isolated from her community. Luke records Mary’s song of praise, known as The Magnificat, in which she accepts her situation and praises God. How did Mary arrive at the point where she was able to accept and rejoice in the wonder that was about to come?
Read Luke 1:46-56 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- Worry: When we worry, we become stuck. When we are stuck, we are unable to experience wonder. Mary was stuck and we can relate to the burden she carried.
Are you stuck?
Do you consider yourself someone who easily worries?
How has worry impacted your life? * Wonder: Acceptance leads to wonder. The pathway of humility is the only way to acceptance. However, Resentment, “Uniqueitis”, Regret, and Pride are all barriers to this doorway. Mary struggled to accept her situation as something that would lead to Wonder.
Are you experiencing any of these barriers? If so, how?
Is there a situation that you are struggling to accept? * **Acceptance: Accepting our situations as that which God is using to bring
great wonder is not always easy. Mary traveled to see Elizabeth and wrote her song during this visit.**
How was Mary able to find acceptance?
How might you be able to find acceptance? * **Recapture the Wonder: Mary’s path led to the wonderful birth of Jesus. Via
this path, as “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” states, Jesus may “be born in us today.” Jesus knows the path from worry to wonder and lives within each of us.**
How can you allow him to show you the way to wonder?
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based ONE: November 25, 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Community Question:Paul states that “From him [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph 4:15). As we saw in the Lego videos, we can do more together. But do you think of yourself as part of the body?
Read Eph. 4:11-16 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- The Truth: Paul states, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head” (Eph 4:15)
Christians have been known to be guilty of truth bombing (“you should repent”), where sharing the “truth” tends to blow up relationships. Have you “truth bombed” any of your relationships or perhaps shared false truths (“God will not give you more than you can handle)?
How were those relationships impacted as a result? * **Know the truth: Paul refers to “every wind of teaching” and “infants,
tossed back and forth by the waves” (Eph 4:14). Knowing the truth enables us to avoid being blown about by every teaching. We become more united in this truth as our faith and knowledge grow together.**
How have you come to know Jesus further? Where do you need help in building your understanding of the truth of Jesus?
Using your spiritual gifts, how can you help others grow in their faith and knowledge? * Speak the truth in love: Christians have been known to be more condemning than loving. Read and reflect on John 4:8-26. Jesus could have shamed the Samaritan woman for her sin but spoke to her out of love instead.
How can you model Jesus’ loving delivery of the truth in your relationships? How could this approach impact your relationships?
As we use our gifts, we shape who we become. How can you help the church reach its potential?
As a body, how can WE build ourselves up in love, together?
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based ONE: November 18, 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Community Question:Paul states that “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph 4:11). The challenge is organizing ourselves as one church. What might your role be in maturing our church and pulling us forward in faith?
Read Eph. 4:1-13 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- The Gift: Christ gives us the apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers as a gift to equip His people for service.
There is an aspect of each gifted role in each of our lives, but you might excel in one more than the others. Reflecting on last week’s discussion regarding spiritual gifts, in what role are you particularly gifted?
How might we all come together, using the gifts Christ has given us, to mature our church? * The Purpose: Paul states that this gift is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:12). However, the biggest mistake a church can make is to outsource ministry solely to professionals rather than raising up leaders from within the body.
When we lead out with our gifts, we expand who WE (the church) are. How can you use your gifts to expand our church?
How can we foster the use of our gifts to grow more fruit on the vine with the support of the trellis, which is the church leadership? * **The Goal: Paul says, “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ” (Eph 4:13). Our potential in Christ is greater than any of us can imagine.**
How might you apply your gifts in service to God’s church?
As we use our gifts, we shape who we become. How can you help the church reach its potential?
How can we figure out that potential together?
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based ONE: November 11, 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Community Question: Paul refers to Psalm 68, stating “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people” (Eph 4:8). Jesus has imparted a diverse list of gifts to His people. What spiritual gifts has He given you?
Read Eph. 4:1-10 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- Paul mentions that there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God.
What does this oneness mean to you?
Does all of this oneness mean that there is uniformity?
How can we honor diversity while experiencing oneness? * The passage takes a turn in verse 7 where Paul states “to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” Each one of us has been given unique spiritual gifts.
Looking at your “wake” (your impact on others) can help in determining your gifts. Do you know your spiritual gifts?
What impact have your gifts had on others?
Reflecting on last week’s message regarding purpose, what impact or
influence have these gifts had on your God given purpose? * **The Pattern: Ascent – Jesus descended first, in service to others, before he
ascended. Rather than flexing his authority over others, Jesus submitted to others, first descended in service. (Reflect on Philippians Chapter 2 verses 6-8)**
How might you apply your gifts in service to God’s church?
As one church body, how can we serve together?
Do you know someone who might need encouragement to use their
gifts in service to others? How can you encourage them? * **There is no limit to the potential of Jesus using your gift. How might you
descend in service, developing your gifts in relationship with Jesus?**
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based When Love Comes to Town: October 21, 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Community Question: What is it that you really want? What would people say about you (are you good, bad, nice)?
Read Ephesians 3:14-21 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- In his prayer, Paul prays that “Christ may dwell in your hearts.” Experiencing love is an experience of closeness, because love is local.
Who are you closest to? What is your proximity to Christ?
Have you prayed that God’s love would enter your heart? * **Paul prays that “he may grant you to be strengthened with power through
his Spirit in your inner being.”**
If you pray for additional strength, how could that bring you closer to
God’s love?
Where do you need strength in your life?
When do you feel the fullness of God’s love the most?
How might you be able to limit your consumption of the “fillers” in
your life (TV, social media, ambition, etc.) to experience his fullness
more? * **We tend to overestimate what we can do in a week and underestimate what
God can do in a year. Paul says that God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.**
What does that statement mean to you?
How does the word “immeasurable” add weight to this prayer?
How has God done more in your life than you could have imagined or
asked? * **We pray for love because THAT is what we really want. For whom can you
pray this prayer over the next week?**
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based When Love Comes to Town: October 14, 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Community Question: What does freedom mean to you? How do you experience freedom?
Read Ephesians 3:1-13 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- Paul speaks of grace two times in this passage. How has grace has been extended to you?
What is the difference between grace and religion? What is the difference between “do” and “done”?
How has God’s grace met you where you are/were?
We all have experienced varied challenges and situations. How can
you extend grace to others based on your experiences? * Paul says that he’s a prisoner of Christ Jesus. How does Paul view his identity?
How do you identify yourself?
From where do you draw your identity?
Does grace play a role in your identity? * Paul says we should approach God with freedom and confidence and not be discouraged by suffering..
What has your suffering revealed to you?
How can you remain confident despite the circumstances? * Paul’s bottom line in this passage is that we should not be discouraged. How can you be encouraged and not discouraged?
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based When Love Comes to Town: October 7, 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Community Question: Describe the biggest rivalry that you have had in your life? (examples: neighboring HS, The Dallas Cowboys, a competitor for the heart of a loved one, that family member who always takes your seat)
Read Eph. 2:11-22 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- What is your preferred, natural method to get peace in a relationship? Do you prefer to take control and try to get people to see things your way? Or would you rather pretend there is not a problem at all?
- How does looking for peace through the lens of our relationship with Jesus change the way we think about it?
How does it give us hope?
What are the limits for what we can hope for? (see Romans 12:18)
How can we have peace personally, when there isn’t peace
relationally? * The passage says that Jesus “preached peace” to those near and far. Paul gives us four examples of how we can demonstrate them.
As a new humanity, how do we rehearse and demonstrate the peace Jesus offers?
As new citizens, how do we honor the differences in our spiritual family without getting too distant from them to fear them?
How does your Spiritual family expand your life as you get to know them?
What would you say are the unique cultural dimensions of Project 938’s particular expression of the temple of God? What parts of our church most reflect God’s beauty? What parts continue to need God’s redemptive work? * Who is someone that is different than you that you can reach out to get to know this week?
Eph 2:1-10
You have been detoured from walking a path of sin and are now on a path of love, grace and good works.
Project 938 Small Groups Guide Sermon Based When Love Comes to Town: September 23, 2018 1. What stood out in the Bible about this week’s sermon? 2. What stood out to you most about the sermon as a whole? 3. What was the application of this week’s sermon for our church? 4. What was the application of this week’s sermon for your personally?
Read Eph. 1:15-23 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
- In Eph. 1:17, Paul prays for the Ephesians to know Christ better. As a Christian, how can we have the Holy Spirit but still be disconnected in our relationship with Jesus? Examples: Not gathering together with other Christians; not spending time reading God’s Word; not praying
- What are you tempted to turn to in your vulnerability? Examples: overworking, sleep,spending all our time on kids’ activities, distancing ourselves from close relationships
- Can you share a time where you found the relationships in your life more valuable than anything else?
- What application(s) can we draw from looking closely at Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians?
We don’t need to be afraid from our vulnerability as Christians – God will protect us!
Go for depth, not breadth in our relationships.
Who is a trustworthy friend I can ask to stand and pray in the vulnerability with me?
Where did everyone go?
Mark 15:33-39
Jesus is abandoned by the father, the curtain is torn for us
Mother's Day
What can I have?
Mark 10:32-45
3rd Prediction--Jesus challenges James, John and their mother's interest in entitlement.
Palm Sunday: The anti-community.
Mark 3:20-35
Jesus is rejected by his family and he is rejected by those with influence.
Circles - Part 1
Crowds and Community
Mark 3:7-19
Jesus can continue to grow a crowd, but he builds his "Core for" the community.
Good News: Good news is Inside Out
Mark 2:1-12
It was the faith of the man's friends that moved Jesus to heal the man paralyzed. Also, Jesus forgave the man before he healed him.
Project 938 LAUNCH DAY!!
Good News: The Gospel of God
Mark 1:14-20
We celebrate the good news of the arrival of the Kingdom of God in the king who has finally arrived!