Listen to Sunday's sermon by Joey Shaw: Why this Waste?

In Matthew 26:6-13, Mary breaks a jar, her most prized possession, and anoints Jesus with the perfume inside. This great sacrifice was made to worship Jesus.

Joey Shaw was attacked in South Asia and was put through suffering for the name of Jesus. Through his experience, God showed him his prized possession and allowed his scar to move people to pray for those men who attacked him. Here are some things to think about this week in response to what Joey shared:

Suffering:
What kinds of fruit have you seen in your life because of suffering?
How did you respond the last time God called you to do something, which might lead to suffering?
Why did you respond that way?

Worship:
Do you view worship as how much you give or how much you give up?
What sacrifices of incredible cost has God called you to make for His glory? Did you follow them?

Idolatry:
What is your most prized possession?
Pray that God would grant you the ability to give that to Him if He calls you to do so.

Posted by Ben McKown

On Sunday, Matt started a new series on Biblical Manhood (listen or download). Here are a few things to think through in light of his message. 

Biblical Manhood Pt.1- Gen. 3:2-9, Rom. 5:12-17
Men are called and commanded to be leaders in our marriages, in our families and in our church. Matt pointed out that most of our dysfunction in society could be traced back to the failure of men to lead biblically in each of those areas. He suggested seven particular sins many men are capable of:

• Sin of Bravado
• Sin of Materialism
• Sin of Anger
• Sin of Dominance and Control
• Sin of Laziness and Immaturity
• Sin of Emotional and Spiritual Absence
• Sin of Legalism and Hyper-spirituality
• Sin of Hedonism and Frivolity

Married Couples
Look at the list of common sins below. Have an honest conversation about each of those areas in your husband's life and pray that God transforms your heart in each of these areas.

Single Men
Review the list below and ask an older man in your life to speak into each of these areas in your life.

Single Women
Pray specifically for the male leaders in your life (brothers, fathers, ect.) to assume their positions of leadership.

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Bravado-If someone was to observe your day-to-day activities, would they learn what it means to be a servant?

Materialism-Which do you value more, the time spent providing for your family or the time spent with your family? Which is more effective for displaying the leadership characteristics of a biblical man?

Anger-Did the Lord lead you to Himself out of fear or out of loving-kindness?

Dominance & Control-Husbands, your wife has been placed in your life as a helper. Do you give her room to help by seeking her perspective in decision-making?

Laziness & Immaturity-Do you receive the majority of your biblical understanding from podcasts and pastors or from studying the Word of God for yourself?

Emotional & Spiritual Absence-When was the last time you led your family in prayer?

Legalism & Hyper-spirituality-When was the last time you revealed to someone else an area where you need to be healed by the Gospel?

Hedonism & Frivolity-How often do you trade the eternal for the immediate?

Posted by Rob Rossy

In Matt's sermon, he made it very clear that the husband is called to lead his wife in her sanctification. He used Ephesians 5:25-28, Deuteronomy 6:6-8, and Song of Solomon 2:1-7 as great guidelines on how to fulfill that call. (Listen to or download the sermon.)

Here are a few things to think through or do in light of this week's sermon... 

Married Men:

• Husbands, in what ways can you sacrifice in order to be a better spiritual leader of your home?
• Fathers, what are the everyday things you do with your children that can be used to teach them about Jesus and His Word?

Single men:

• How can you take initiative in your relationships to be a spiritual leader?
• What relationships in your life encourage you to be a spiritual leader?

Married Women:

• How do you respond when your husband suggests that you step out in faith and act on your spiritual gifts?
• Pray that your husband actively leads your home.

Single Women:

• In what ways do you take initiative to grow spiritually?
• Who are you most dependent on as a spiritual leader?

Posted by Rob Rossy