May 24 – 30

Weekly Reading for May 24 – 30

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: Take it up a Notch
Sermon Title: Murder is More than Killing Someone

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on May 31, 2015:


Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: Super Powers
Sermon Title: Self-Control and Faithfulness
Delivered On: May 24, 2015

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Memorize and Reflect

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)


Prayer Direction

Thank God for setting you free from sin and death. Give Him praise for His victory over sin and the devil and pray that you can walk in power and strength by the Holy Spirit. Confess where you face temptation and need self-control and ask God to empower you.


“Live It!” Challenge

Do a Self-Control Inventory : Take time to read the passages in the self-control inventory and pray about which of these areas you need to grow in self-control. Memorize one or two passages that relate to your area of struggle, seek God’s powered to resist, and run when you need to: • Uncontrolled Acquisition (Proverbs 23:4) • Uncontrolled Consumption (Proverbs 21:20) • Uncontrolled Drinking (substances) (Proverbs 23:29-30) • Uncontrolled Temper (Proverbs 29:11) • Uncontrolled Eating (Proverbs 23:20-21) • Uncontrolled Lusting (Proverbs 6:26; Matthew 5:28) • Uncontrolled Sexual Behavior (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)


Small Group Discussion

  1. How has our cultural attitude toward self-control changed in the past couple of decades? What behaviors used to be seen as inappropriate and wrong that are now accepted and common place?

  2. Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
    What images does the apostle Paul use to paint a picture of self-control in this passage? How do these relate to our spiritual journey of learning to resist temptation?

  3. How is self-control a decision, a battle, and hard work? How is the Holy Spirit a partner in us growing in self-control and what happens when we seek to resist sin just in our own power?

  4. Read: Titus 2:1-8
    Why do you think the call to self-control is the strongest theme running through this exhortation to four different groups of people? What kinds of self-control are found in this passage?

  5. Why is it critical that we humbly and honestly identify and admit the areas we most need to grow in self-control? So…where do you need to grow in self-control and how can others be praying for you and encouraging you in this area of your life?

  6. Why is memorizing and meditating on specific Bible passages a great way to grow in self-control? If you have done this, how has it helped you in times of temptation?

  7. How can confessing your struggles to others (the right people) help you stand strong and resist temptation?

  8. Read: 2 Timothy 2:22
    What are specific and practical ways we can run from temptation and grow in self-control? Identify a specific area of temptation and talk about what it might look like to run away from this sinful enticement.

  9. How has our cultural attitude toward self-control changed in the past couple of decades? What behaviors used to be seen as inappropriate and wrong that are now accepted and common place?

  10. Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
    What images does the apostle Paul use to paint a picture of self-control in this passage? How do these relate to our spiritual journey of learning to resist temptation?

  11. How is self-control a decision, a battle, and hard work? How is the Holy Spirit a partner in us growing in self-control and what happens when we seek to resist sin just in our own power?

  12. Read: Titus 2:1-8
    Why do you think the call to self-control is the strongest theme running through this exhortation to four different groups of people? What kinds of self-control are found in this passage?

  13. Why is it critical that we humbly and honestly identify and admit the areas we most need to grow in self-control? So…where do you need to grow in self-control and how can others be praying for you and encouraging you in this area of your life?

  14. Why is memorizing and meditating on specific Bible passages a great way to grow in self-control? If you have done this, how has it helped you in times of temptation?

  15. How can confessing your struggles to others (the right people) help you stand strong and resist temptation?

  16. Read: 2 Timothy 2:22
    What are specific and practical ways we can run from temptation and grow in self-control? Identify a specific area of temptation and talk about what it might look like to run away from this sinful enticement.