Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Isaiah 35:3-10
Strengthen the feeble hands,
     steady the knees that give way;
⁴ say to those with fearful hearts,
     “Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
     he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
     he will come to save you.”
⁵ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
     and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
⁶ Then will the lame leap like a deer,
     and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
     and streams in the desert.
⁷ The burning sand will become a pool, 
     the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
     grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
⁸ And a highway will be there;
     it will be called the Way of Holiness;
     it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
     wicked fools will not go about on it.
⁹ No lion will be there, 
     nor any ravenous beast;
     they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
     ¹⁰ and those the LORD has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
     everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
     and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Two focal points of sorrow and sighing:

theories

“Do not call conspiracy
     everything this people calls a conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
     and do not dread it.
The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy… Isaiah 8:12-13a

rhetoric

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ¹⁶ Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Timothy 2:14-16

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32

The smear campaign of Sennacherib, King of Assyria:

You speak only empty words () (Isaiah 36:5)

Come, make a bargain () (Isaiah 36:8)

The LORD told me to invade this country () (Isaiah 36:10)

Do not let the Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD when he says, “The LORD will surely deliver us…do not listen….do not let Hezekiah mislead you… (from Isaiah 36)

The response of the people:

But the people remained silent, and said nothing in reply, because the King had commanded, “Do not answer him.” Isaiah 36:21

Hezekiah’s response:

When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the LORD. Isaiah 37:1

“Therefore, pray for the remnant that still survives…” Isaiah 37:4b

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. ¹⁵ And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD… Isaiah 37:14-15

James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Hezekiah’s prayer:

¹⁶ “LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. ¹⁷ Give ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD , and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.
     ¹⁸ “It is true, LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. ¹⁹ They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. ²⁰ Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that kingdoms of the earth may know that you, LORD, are the only God.” Isaiah 37:16–20

God’s response to that prayer:

³³ “Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning the king of Assyria: “He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it. ³⁴ By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city,” declares the LORD . ³⁵ “I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant!” Isaiah 37:33–35

Matthew 12:25
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” 

Small Group Questions

1. What do you love the most—Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas?
2. Read Isaiah 35:3-10. Which promise in this passage resonates most deeply with you? Why?
3. How do you seek God’s wisdom when it comes to your vote? Do you follow Hezekiah’s example?
4. Do you believe God can use both good and bad leaders to accomplish his purpose?
   Why or why not?
5. How do you need to be praying as election day nears?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

If you are an authentic follower of Jesus, you have a King!

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
       “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
              the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:1-3

Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. 2 Chronicles 26:26

[Amaziah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.

Uzziah discovered the power of .

Uzziah discovered the power of .

Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD… 2 Chronicles 26:3–4

Uzziah discovered the power of .

He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success. 2 Chronicles 26:5

Uzziah discovered the power of .

He went to war against the Philistines and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod. He then rebuilt towns near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabs who lived in Gur Baal and against the Meunites. The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, because he had become very powerful. 2 Chronicles 26:6-8

Uzziah discovered the power of .

Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate and at the angle of the wall, and he fortified them. He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.
        Uzziah had a well-trained army, ready to go out by divisions according to their numbers as mustered by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officials. The total number of family leaders over the fighting men was 2,600. Under their command was an army of 307,500 men trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies. Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and slingstones for the entire army. In Jerusalem he made devices invented for use on the towers and on the corner defenses so that soldiers could shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped… 2 Chronicles 26:9-15

He built
He fortified
He dug
He planted
He loved the soil
He provided
He made
He was greatly helped

In the first portion of his life, Uzziah discovered the .

His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped, until he became powerful.
      But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD… 2 Chronicles 26:15b-16a

In the last portion of his life, Uzziah discovered the .

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God.” 2 Chronicles 26:16-18

King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house—leprous, and banned from the temple of the LORD. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
      The other events of Uzziah’s reign, from beginning to end, are recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. Uzziah rested with his ancestors and was buried near them in a cemetery that belonged to the kings, for people said, “He had leprosy.” And Jotham his son succeeded him as king. 2 Chronicles 26:21-23

Small Group Questions

1. Fill in the blank. I love pumpkin .
2. Uzziah became king at 16. Describe yourself at 16 years of age.
3. Read 2 Chronicles 26. What stands out to you about the life of Uzziah?
4. Review the verbs listed in the outline from verses 9-15. Take one and apply it to your life right now. How can you pursue the area you chose to a greater extent?
5. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

If you are an authentic follower of Jesus, you have a King!

The Challenge: Can you put your above your ?

The Story of Two Kings

King 1: Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem. ² He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly. 2 Chronicles 25:1-2

If you want God to , with your whole heart.

King 2: Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. ² He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. ³ He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished, he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. ⁴ He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the Lord had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” ⁵ In both courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. ⁶ He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger. 2 Chronicles 33:1-6

But this wasn’t the end of his story:
¹⁰ The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.¹¹ So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 2 Chronicles 33:10-11

¹² In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. ¹³ And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. 2 Chronicles 33:12-13

If you will not humble yourself, you will .

“This is the one I esteem:
       he who is humble and contrite in spirit,
       and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

Let’s make this personal:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Jesus offers help to us in tough decisions:
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

Listen to this description of heavenly wisdom from James:
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

Small Group Questions

1. Have you ever had an uncomfortable political conversation? What made it go badly?
2. What’s your track record when it comes to putting your faith above your politics?
3. Read 2 Chronicles 33:1–11. Where do you see these practices happening in our modern world? What, do you believe, is an appropriate response for a Jesus follower?
4. What are some of your takeaways about pride from the story of Manasseh in 2 Chronicles 33?
5. Read 2 Chronicles 7:14 out loud. Can you wholeheartedly participate in every piece of the verse? Do that now!
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Kings & Kingdoms Bible Reading Plan
Download & Print at ctk.link/kings

If you are an authentic follower of Jesus, you have !

The People of Israel Demand a King

They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”
      ⁶ But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. ⁷ And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. ⁸ As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. ⁹ Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” 1 Samuel 8:4–9

The Legacy of Ahab, King of Israel

²⁹ In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. ³⁰ Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. ³¹ He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. ³² He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. ³³ Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the LORD , the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.  1 Kings 16:29–33

The Legacy of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah

³ The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals ⁴ but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. ⁵ The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. ⁶ His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah. 2 Chronicles 17:3–6

The Word of the Lord to Jehoshaphat (and to all of us)

This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20:15–17

Do not be or

your battle is with

Do not put your trust in princes,
      in human beings, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God. Psalm 146:3–5

“‘Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20:17

Take up your position

Stand firm

The LORD will be with you

Kings & Kingdoms Bible Reading Plan:
ctk.link/kings

Small Group Questions

1. How do you feel about political seasons? Love ‘em, hate ‘em, don’t care? Why?
2. What do you pray during election cycles?
3. What lessons do you learn from the contrasting legacies of Ahab and Jehoshaphat?
4. Which of these is the most difficult for you: do not be afraid, know who your battle is with, take up your position, or stand firm? How could the Holy Spirit help you in that area?
5. Is there a “high place” that King Jesus is calling you to submit? What kind of help do you need to remove it from your life?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Therefore go…

“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”  – Mister Rogers

…make disciples of all nations…

Follow me as I follow Christ. – 1 Corinthians 11:1

…baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…

…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.

Luke 10:27-28
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
      “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk 
      through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
      for you are with me…

Small Group Questions

1. Who’s the most mission-minded person you know? What do they do that impresses you the most?
2. What are some of the least effective ways to make disciples that you have seen? What about most effective? Why do you think that is?
3. What are some ways Jesus went about making disciples?
4. What are some challenges or fears you face when it comes to sharing your faith?
5. What’s one way we can be faithful to Jesus’ invitation to “therefore go” this week? How can we encourage and support one another as we seek to be more faithful to this calling?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

With God, sometimes the is the destination.

Acts 16: Paul’s detour to a new destination

⁶ Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸ So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹ During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
      ¹¹ From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. ¹² From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

Philippians 1:3–8: Paul’s word to his spiritual family

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
      ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:9–11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Small Group Questions

1. What was the last anniversary of any kind that you celebrated? Why was it significant to you?
2. Read Philippians 1. Why so you believe Paul is able to speak about joy from a Roman prison?
3. Is there an area of your life where you believe God is “doing a good work”? What kind of progress is he helping you achieve?
4. Is there a person or a group of people that are truly your spiritual family? What makes them a part of your safest circle? What do they offer you that has changed your life?
5. Read verse 9 out loud. What is God saying to you through Paul’s prayer?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Jesus prayed. Therefore, we pray!

Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17

My personal definition of prayer:

I believe that prayer is a deep, personal, continual, Spirit-led opportunity to and to God.

In John 17:

Jesus prays for

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
       “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. ² For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³ Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴ I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:1-4

Jesus prays for

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
     ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13–16

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” John 17:15-18

Jesus prays for

Jesus, the King of kings, is !

²¹ …that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:21-23

3 Practical ways we can champion what Jesus is praying for:

1. Identify the real
2. Celebrate the wins of
3. Pray for the

Small Group Questions

1. What is your favorite location for a conversation with a friend?
2. We usually save this till the end, but, in light of the topic, how can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
3. What is your personal definition of prayer? What’s the greatest obstacle to a consistent prayer life for you?
4. What changes in your heart to know that Jesus is praying for you right now?
5. How can you add prayer to your daily life in a way that allows you to accomplish the mission of Jesus?
6. How could you be the answer to Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17? Read it out loud before you answer!

 

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

Generosity is

Romans 12:4–8
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Generosity is something we

1 Timothy 6:18–19
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Generosity is an honest to a real

Mark 12:41–44 (New Living Translation)
Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.
        Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Small Group Questions

1. Who’s the most generous person you know and why do you think they give so effortlessly?
2. What does generosity mean to you? Has your understanding of it changed over time?
3. Why do you think God asks us to give, both in terms of our finances and other resources?
4. What are some barriers that can prevent us from being generous, and how can we overcome them?
5. What is one thing you can do this week to cultivate a heart of generosity in yourself?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

Hebrews 10:23-25 
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Why do we gather?

1. We gather to

2. We gather to

Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

3. We gather for

Mark 16:15
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone…”

Small Group Questions

1. Have you ever wondered why we do church the way we do? Which part of the church gathering do you have the most questions about, and why?
2. What are the benefits of worshiping together with other believers? How does corporate worship differ from personal worship at home?
3. How has being part of a church community helped you during difficult times?
4. What are some potential obstacles to regularly attending the church gathering, and how can we encourage one another to prioritize it?
5. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Why does Jesus want his people to be actively involved in serving?

Because serving connects us to the .

A Conversation About Serving – Matthew 20:20-28

²⁰ Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, and sked a favor of him.
         ²¹ “What is it you want?” he asked.
         She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

James and John—the “Sons of Thunder”

Why do we focus on serving at CTK?

Because serving changes your and your .

²² “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
       “We can,” they answered.

Application:

Most of us vastly overestimate our value to God’s kingdom in the and vastly underestimate our value to God’s kingdom in the .

²³ Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup….

…but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

²⁴ When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 

²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 

²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Application:

Greatness isn’t about elevating , it’s about elevating .

Jesus introduces another “Divine Opposite” (verses 26–27)

Application:

In the Kingdom of Jesus, greatness is not about status, title, or wealth. It’s about .

Key Question

What is your heart position in whatever position God has placed you?

Serving connects us to the humility of Jesus.

Jesus reinforces and restates his mission and his invitation:

“…the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Application:

Jesus came to serve, and he to the same mission.

Visit our serving websites:

• serve.ctk.church – opportunities here at CTK
• ctkserves.com – opportunities out in the community serving our Community Partners and the CTK Food Share & Farm

Small Group Questions

1. What was the highlight of your summer?
2. Where do you serve at CTK or in the community? Why do you do it?
3. Read the parallel passages of Matthew 20:20-28 and Mark 10:35-45. What do you learn about the heart of Jesus to serve in these scriptures?
4. How has serving changed your life? What excuses often keep you from serving?
5. Jesus is calling us all to serve. What is one way that you can be obedient to that call this week and in the weeks to come?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?