Sermon Notes

Spiritual Growth in a Stagnant World: Cultivating Godliness (2 Peter 1:4-15)

V.5 For this reason, I make every effort: what reason? V.4: The mechanism and motivation for change happens when I realize that it is through his great and precious promises that flow from a good and glorious God that we experience the true God intended life while escaping worldly disfunction.

How do I grow spiritually? (build my spiritual house) V. 5 add to my faith: If my Christian life is a structure, Faith is the foundation that makes the rest possible.
1. – moral excellence. Goodness gives shape to our faith because it makes faith visible in daily decisions lived out. (framing)
2. – a growing understanding of God’s Word. (The systems in a house that make a house usable and functional).
3. : (doors and windows) as self-control determines what gets in and what stays out. Gatekeeper. Knowledge tells me what is true so self-control can help me decide what I let in to my home.
4. – (hurricane straps and load bearing beams). This is exercising self-control over time.
5. – a God centeredness. (orientation of house)
6. – (living room and kitchen table) true vertical godliness spills out horizontally on others.
7. – (roof) holds all these things in place and what makes it complete.
Why? V.8 a promise to be victorious and effective in our Christian walk. V. 9 Neglect runs a structure down making it useless. The maintenance motivation key: constantly remembering the cleansing. What Jesus has done. So, V. 10-11 follow the blueprint.

V. 12-15 Peter is like a spiritual building inspector. Remember how to build!

GROW Group Discussion Questions

In 2 Peter 1:3-4, Peter emphasizes that God has already given us everything we need for life and godliness through His power and promises. How does this truth shift our approach from “trying harder” to “cooperating with God’s resources,” and what does that look like in your daily life?
Using the building analogy, faith is the foundation, and we add virtues like goodness, knowledge, and self-control (vv. 5-7). Which of these virtues do you find easiest to “add” to your faith, and which is the most challenging? Share a practical example.
How have you seen a lack of perseverance or godliness lead to spiritual stagnation in your own life or others, and what steps can we take to build endurance? (V.8)
Brotherly affection and love (v. 7) are described as the living spaces and roof of our spiritual house, spilling out horizontally from vertical godliness. How can we practically foster hospitality and love within our church family, like hosting small groups or serving others?
How does regularly remembering what Jesus has done (e.g., through communion) motivate us to make every effort in cultivating these qualities, and why do we need constant reminders (vv. 12-15)?

Family Corner Summary

God has given us everything we need to grow spiritually, like providing all the materials and tools to build a strong house of faith, and we cooperate by adding virtues such as goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness to others, and love. This keeps our lives fruitful and secure in Jesus, helping us escape trouble that we bring on ourselves by following our own hearts.

Questions for Parents to Ask Kids

If our faith is like building a house, what do you think goodness or self-control looks like in everyday choices, like sharing toys or choosing what to watch?
How can remembering what Jesus did for us help us keep adding love to our lives, and why is love like the roof that covers everything

2 Peter 1:1-3; Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything

Big Idea: God has lavishly given us everything we need for true, abundant life through intimate, relational knowledge of Jesus; but we only experience it when we fully surrender our plans and trustingly live out His precious promises.

All we need for life has already been given V.3 (like a gift, but you have to open it) but how to appropriate it?
1. Through his –
2. Through our of Him

Result? Through our knowledge of him, we have a progression:

c. We experience his amazing glory and goodness and (v.4a) see our great and precious promises his goodness give us. Growth is automatic.

2. Result of applying his great and precious promises:

a. Escape in the world caused by our own evil desires.

b. Experience the (divine nature).

V.3-4 summary– God has shown us His own amazing glory and goodness in Jesus, and because of that He’s given us incredible promises; so that by trusting and holding onto those promises, we can actually share in His divine life, live in a way that truly pleases Him, and break free from the sinful mess that ruins everything.

Application:

Hand Over the Last Key
Challenge: ask Him to reveal any area you’ve kept back, write it down, and pray a prayer of full surrender: “Lord, I can’t, but I’m willing for You to take this key too.” True freedom and power begin when nothing is held back.
Trade Head Knowledge for Heart Knowing
Challenge: Pick one specific struggle this week—anxiety, temptation, emptiness, or a relationship issue. Find one precious promise that speaks directly to it. Don’t just read it; pray it, speak it out loud, act on it in faith throughout the day. Journal what happens when you move from knowing about God to trusting and experiencing Him in that area.
Lay Down Your Plan
Challenge: Identify the one “best-laid plan” you’re still gripping (career trajectory, relationship timeline, financial security, personal comfort). Bring it honestly before God in prayer and say, “Not my will, but Yours. I’ll move when You move, stay when You stay.” Then take one concrete step of obedience this week that proves you’re following His leadership instead of your own. The life you’ve always wanted is on the other side of that surrender.

Grow Group Questions

The world is obsessed with finding a neat “answer” to life’s meaning, but often ends up with something absurd like “42.” Where have you seen or felt that search for ultimate meaning in your own life or culture, and why does it so often feel empty?
The two most important spiritual events are salvation and full surrender. Many Christians experience salvation (leaving “Egypt”) but still wander in the wilderness because they haven’t fully surrendered. What differences have you noticed in your own life (or others’) between being saved and living in full surrender?
Peter says God’s divine power for life and godliness flows through epignōsis; deep, experiential, relational knowledge of Jesus; not just head knowledge (gnōsis). Share an example from your life when knowing a Bible fact moved to actually trusting and experiencing Jesus in a situation (or a time when it stayed as mere head knowledge).
God has given us over 300 promises in the New Testament, but they only become effective when we know and apply them by faith. Which one or two promises of God have been most meaningful to you and how have you seen them become “alive” when you’ve acted on them?

Family Corner
In a funny story, people built a giant computer to find the meaning of life, and it said “42”, but that didn’t help at all! God says the real answer to a great life isn’t a number or a secret formula; it’s knowing and trusting Jesus like a best friend, because He has already given us everything we need to live the very best life with Him.

Car-Ride-Home Discussion Questions

If someone asked you, “What’s the secret to a great life?” what would you tell them now after hearing today’s message?
Jesus has already given us a huge gift with everything we need inside; like a big present waiting to be opened. What might it look like for us to “open” that gift more this week (maybe by praying, reading a Bible promise together, or obeying when it’s hard)?

Why We Must Be In The Word:

I want 2026 to be the year of:

Trends when reading the Bible 4+ days a week

less likely to be an alcoholic or drink to excess

less likely to be an have bitterness in relationships

less likely to have anger issues

less likely to have difficulty forgiving others

less likely to experiencing loneliness

Scripture Passages:

Psalm 119 – notes:

- Reason #1 we must be in the Word – so that when;

1 Samuel 17 – Notes:

- Reason #2 we must be in the Word – so that when;

Matthew 4 – Notes:

- Reason #3 we must be in the Word – so that when;

Sermon Notes:

The Promise in the Prophecy

Big Idea: God made promises through prophecy and pictures, and every one of them finds its “Yes” in Jesus.

Prophecy predicts Jesus with words. Types portray Jesus with pictures. Both are promises, given by the same faithful God.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Luke 24:13-16 The disciples completely missed God’s plan.

Point 1: V.16 Can Us.

V.17-27 Beginning with Moses Jesus began to connect the dots.

Point 2: Chases Even When We’re Away They were in the opposite direction of God’s unfolding plan, yet Jesus meets them in their low point.

Luke 24:28-35

Point 3: opens our Jesus explained the Scriptures, but they didn’t recognize Him until invited Him into relationship. 2026 is an invitation into the disciplines of reading, fasting and prayer that build communion.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BIBLE READING PLAN: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/53928

Grow Group Questions

How can unmet expectations or disappointment with God cloud our spiritual vision today? What are some common expectations we place on God that may not be biblical?
Jesus explained the Scriptures to the disciples before their eyes were opened.
Why do you think understanding God’s Word is essential for recognizing what God is doing in our lives?
Jesus pursued the disciples even as they were walking away from Jerusalem.
Where have you seen God pursue you during a season when you were drifting, doubting, or discouraged?
The disciples’ eyes were opened when they invited Jesus to stay. What are some practical ways we can “invite Jesus to stay” in our daily rhythms this week (Word, prayer, fasting, community)?

Family Corner

God promised a Savior long before Christmas, and every promise pointed to Jesus.
When the disciples were sad and confused, Jesus walked with them, explained the Bible, and showed them that He was the promised Savior all along.

Kids Application Questions (Car Ride Dialogue)

How do you think the disciples felt when they realized Jesus had been walking with them the whole time? (Follow-up: Have you ever felt sad or confused and then realized God was still with you?)
What are some ways we can invite Jesus to “stay with us” this week—at home, at school, or before bed? (Ideas: praying, reading the Bible, being kind, trusting Him.)

The Promise Through the Patriarch NOTES Genesis 12:1–3; 15:1–6; 22:1–18

When we don’t see our life inside God’s grand story:

1. We we are the main character. Without the bigger picture, we become:

Confused, wondering if we fit somewhere.
Anxious, because we feel like we should fit somewhere, but can’t figure it out.
Self-centered, because we naturally obsess over my piece.

But in God’s story, Jesus is the center. If we don’t see this:

2. We events because we can’t see where they lead. If we only view our piece, we will:

mistake pruning for punishment, where every setback feels like failure,
confuse hardship with meaninglessness where every conflict feels personal.

3. We ourselves trying to write our own end. Without the grand story, we:

Build our own exhausting and failing identity,
Find our own truth and write our own purpose. When we do that:

4. We hope when things don’t make sense

Genesis 12:1-4

V.1-3 He gives the mission statement of the Bible:

The Plan: 3 promises to reverse the curse
A V.1-He sends Abram to a land. The reverse of the loss of Eden.
A V.2– He reversed the curse on childbirth and the lost family from Babel
A V.3- A people blessed to bless.

But… How can God bless a guilty people without violating His own holiness?

The V.4: Restoration has a price and comes through a Substitute and through faith. It is a promise signed in blood.

Genesis 15:5-10; Suzerain treaty (cutting a covenant with people)

V.17-18 God is saying: My relationship with you is based on My faithfulness, not yours.

Paul explains in Romans 4:1-5; v.9-15 Paul says it was before circumcision, before the law that he was credited as righteous the moment he believed. V. 16,20-25;

The Promised Child: From Isaac to the True Son

Gen. 21:1-3 Isaac is the dress rehearsal. Jesus is the main event.

Genesis 22. God says, “Take your only son Isaac, whom you love… and offer him.”

Grow Group Questions:

1. Where in your life right now are you most tempted to interpret your “puzzle piece” without considering God’s bigger story—and what changes when you intentionally view it through His grand narrative?

2. God told Abram, “Leave…and go to the land I will show you.” What is one area where God may be asking you to trust Him without a map? What step of obedience could you take this week?

3. Abraham believed God even when the promise seemed impossible. What promise of God feels hardest for you to trust right now, and what would “resurrection faith” look like in that situation?

4. Genesis 15 shows that God alone walked through the pieces. How does knowing that your relationship with God rests on His faithfulness—not your performance—change how you see failure, repentance, and daily life?

5. Isaac’s near-sacrifice points to Jesus’ actual sacrifice. How should seeing Jesus as the true promised Son reshape the way you celebrate Christmas, suffer hardship, and pursue holiness?

Family Corner

The Bible is one big story about how God promised to save us, and He began that promise with Abraham. Like his son, Isaac, Jesus is the promised Son who came to rescue us, proving that God always keeps His promises.

Questions for the Ride Home

What is one promise of God you want to remember this week?
How can our family trust God even when we can’t see the whole picture yet?

SCENE 1: up.

1. “impatient because of the journey” – They had to go far around the land of Edom and back into the desert.

But Edom answered him, “You will not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.”

“We will go on the main road,” the Israelites replied to them, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay its price. There will be no problem; only let us travel through on foot.”

Yet Edom insisted, “You may not travel through.” And they came out to confront them with a large force of heavily-armed people. Edom refused to allow Israel to travel through their territory, and Israel turned away from them. — Numbers 20:18-21 (CSB)

· This was a challenging journey, but also an opportunity to trust God.

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” — John 16:33 (CSB)

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. — James 1:2-4 (CSB)

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: As a follower of Jesus, we are never promised a life absent of difficulties. However, we are promised a companion through those difficulties.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior. — Isaiah 43:2-3 (CSB)

2. “spoke against God and Moses” – The previous generation spoke against Moses, this one complained against Moses and God Himself.

o “to die in the wilderness” – Assumed the worst.

o “we detest this wretched food” – Detest- a sickening dread, Wretched – worthless without value

o Their complaining against bread from heaven was the sin of ingratitude.

For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. — Romans 1:21 (CSB)

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people. — 2 Timothy 3:2-5 (CSB)

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: Constant complaining against and unwillingness to follow spiritual leaders in almost always a symptom of a deeper heart issue with God Himself.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. — Hebrews 13:17 (CSB)

3. “Then the LORD sent” – (DAVID GUZIK)

· They despised the bread from heaven; God gave them serpents from the earth.

· They despised God’s blessings; God gave them burning poison.

· They despised the life God sustained for them; God gave them death.

4. “The people then came” –

· “We have sinned…” – This is always a good first step with God.

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.” ’ — Luke 15:18-19 (CSB)

· “Intercede with the LORD..” – Moses interceded to the LORD.

What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? — Romans 8:31-35 (CSB)

SCENE 2: Then the LORD said

· Serpent in the Bible refers to evil.

· Bronze is created by fire which represents judgement.

· Looking is an act of faith.

EMERALD CITY: John 3: 1-21

1. Have you looked on the one that was lifted up?

2. Is there an area of your life that needs to come into the light?

You Can Have Boldness on the Day of Judgment

1 John 4

The 3 self tests that reoccur through out the book of 1 John are:

Thetest

Spiritual discernment is needed – Just because someone or something has real spiritual power does not mean that they are from God.

Fake jesus vs. Jesus of scripture. Jesus is Emmanuel, which means . Blessed and only Potentate, King of Kings, Lord of lords, the Word and Creator, All things were made by Him and without Him nothing was not anything made that was made, He is the brightness of God’s glory, and the express image of His person, He is the second person of the Trinity, He is the Son of God and God the Son with a capital G.

Who have we overcome as children of God? How many of them?

The love test – Is there a measure of God’s love evident and ideally increasing in your life?

List a couple of the attributes of love….love is love is

Where are all of the attributes of love found?

How can we abide in love? By allowing the Holy Spirit to move in us and cause us to manifest the attributes of love in our lives.

You can have boldness on the day of judgment. Why? Because you are a co-heir with Christ… His victory over sin, death, and hell makes you a complete benefactor of the victory and makes you a victor over sin, death, and hell. God the Father sees you as righteous as His Son Jesus!

If you say you love God, how can you show Him that love in a practical way? By directing that love toward your and __________________ in Christ.

Haggai: The Anti Harvest Festival NOTES

Big Idea: The Anti-Harvest Festival: Where God ruins your appetite for everything that isn’t Him, so you finally taste what you were made for.

V. 1:1-6 The Diagnosis: In the grind, effort, we wonder why it never seems enough.

V. 4 The reason: misaligned

V.5-6 The symptoms of a life built around the wrong center: You’ve aimed your entire life at a target that was never designed to hold your soul’s weight.

V.7-8 The solution: Teshuvah: repentance. Think of it like this:

You walked away (or drifted away) from God. Maybe you chased comfort, success, pleasure, or just got busy and stopped putting Him first.
Teshuvah is turning around and walking back home to Him. It’s not mainly “I’m going to try harder to be good.” Not “cleaning yourself up so God will take you back.” It’s “I’m coming back to the One I belong to.”

3 steps to teshuvah:

Regret: “I see where I left You.”
Confession: “God, I was wrong; this was sin.”
Change of direction: “I’m turning back to You right now; with my heart, my priorities, my schedule, my wallet, everything.”

V.9-11 The Consequences: God’s not cursing your harvest, he’s exposing that they were working the wrong fields and planting the wrong seeds.

V.12-15 The Response. Teshuvah. Zech. 1:3 Return to me and I will return to you.

V.13 The Result: I am with you.

2:1-3 We, like the temple, exist for God’s glory and if we are indifferent to Jesus’ Mt. 6:33 admonition to seek first the kingdom and all these things will added, life will be a chronic frustration.

V.4-9 Don’t be discouraged. There is time between the sowing and reaping when God is at work, though unseen.

V.10-19 God uses the planting season to teach us that unless He is first, nothing we plant, no matter how hard we work, will ever be fruitful.

v.20-23 The far fulfilment of the prophecy: the ultimate Zerubbabel, King Jesus, will finish what was started and fill this house with a glory greater than Solomon ever saw and it will outshine the former (Hag 2:9), when every nation will stream up to Zion for the ultimate harvest party.

Grow Group Questions

Where in your actual life (schedule, budget, energy, dreams, worries) have you been “paneling” your own house while God’s house (His glory, your walk with Him, His church, His mission) is still sitting in rubble? (Haggai 1:4)
Be brutally honest: in what area of your life right now do you feel that chronic leak-money, relationships, joy, peace, sleep, food, success; and you know deep down it’s because something else has quietly taken first place over God?
This Thanksgiving week, what part of your holiday (food, football, family photos, shopping, rest) feels most in danger of becoming a “fake feast” because God’s glory isn’t actually the center?
What “small thing” is God asking you to start (or restart) right now; giving, serving, praying, repenting, joining a group, forgiving someone?
How does knowing Jesus is the ultimate Zerubbabel (the true King finishing what we started) change the way you feel about your own tired, leaky, half-built life today?

Family Corner
God looked at His people stuffing their faces and fixing up their own houses and said, “You’ll never be full until My house is first.” So this Thanksgiving, let’s make Jesus the biggest deal in our house—bigger than turkey, bigger than pie, bigger than football; because only He can make our hearts truly happy.

Ride-Home Questions

Kids, if God walked into our house this week and looked around, what would He say we love more than Him?
What is one thing we could actually change this week (money, time, attitude) to make God’s glory feel more at home in our family?

INTRODUCTION:

· Once again, we continue with the parade of kings in the northern Kingdom Israel following the failure of King Jeroboam their first king.

King Jeroboam:You behaved more wickedly than all who were before you. — 1 Kings 14:9 (CSB)

King Nadab:Nadab did what was evil in the Lord’s sight and walked in the ways of his father and the sin he had caused Israel to commit. — 1 Kings 15:26 (CSB)

King Baasha: He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight and walked in the ways of Jeroboam and the sin he had caused Israel to commit. — 1 Kings 15:34 (CSB)

King Elah: This happened because of all the sins of Baasha and those of his son Elah, which they committed and caused Israel to commit, angering the Lord God of Israel with their worthless idols. — 1 Kings 16:13 (CSB)

· This week’s king, Zimri, is the shortest reign in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, 7 days.

· King Zimri obtained the kingship by leading an organized conspiracy to assassinate King Elah.

· After the assassination and declaring himself king, King Zimri murdered the entire household of King Elah.

· Would eliminating Elah’s household secure his position and power?

· The larger question might be, where is God in all of this? It seems that the northern kingdom has lost its way. Will God intervene and put a stop to the obvious decline in the north?

SCENE 1: Crowned to .

1. Where he came from.

His servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots, conspired against him while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza, who was in charge of the household at Tirzah. — 1 Kings 16:9 (CSB)

· Zimri had been a mid-level military commander.

2. Unwelcome news. (16)

· Zimri made a miscalculation; he did not insure the support of the military.

· Obviously, the news of a mid-level commander making himself king without consulting the military upset, “Omri along with all Israel”.

3. Unwelcome response. (17)

4. Unwelcome choice. (18-19)

· Rather be captured, Zimri committed suicide.

· Is suicide an unforgiveable sin?

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. — Job 1:21 (CSB)

So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. — Genesis 1:27 (CSB)

· Does the Bible talk about an unforgiveable sin?

· Matthew 12: 22-32 and Matthew 21: 33-45

o Interpretation 1: Rejecting Jesus as Lord and dying becomes the unforgivable sin.

o Interpretation 2: Unique sin committed by the religious leaders who saw Jesus’ miracles firsthand and knew who he was telling people he was empowered by Satan.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: Taking one’s life is a sin, but struggling with suicidal thoughts is a pain issue and not a sin issue. The devil lies about emotional pain. The devil tells anyone who will listen that emotional pain is permanent, that pain has no solution, that there is no one to help them. The devil tells anyone who will listen it is better to end your life than continue to carry your emotional pain. The devil is a liar.

EMOTIONAL PAIN LADDER

1. Hurt

2. Pain

3. Frustration

4. Anger

5. Depression

6. Anxiety

7. Stop talking

8. Pull away from relationships

9. Lose your sense of personal identity

10. Impulsive decisions

11. Despair

12. Suicidal thoughts

BIBLICAL TRUTHS:

1. Emotional pain is not permanent.

The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, — Isaiah 61:1 (CSB)

2. Emotional pain has a solution.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB)

3. There is someone who will help.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will also share in the comfort. — 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (CSB)

4. Your life is precious. You have tremendous value.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:6-8 (CSB)

EMERALD CITY:

1. Zimri went from king to killed in one week. Zimri’s death was just and payment for, “the sin he committed by doing evil in the LORDS’s sight”.

2. There was another man who to was ushered in as king and he also died 7 days later.

Matthew 21: 1-10

Matthew 27: 37

Matthew 27: 45-56

· If not for Chapter 28, Jesus would be a blip in history like Zimri. Yet Chapter 28 did happen.

Matthew 28: 1-10

Table 1 — The Final Week of Jesus

Day

Events

Scripture (CSB)

Palm Sunday

• Triumphal entry into Jerusalem

• Crowds shout ‘Hosanna’

• Jesus enters the temple and looks around

Matthew 21:1–11

Mark 11:1–11

Luke 19:28–44

John 12:12–19

Monday

• Curses the fig tree

• Cleanses the temple

• Heals the blind and lame

Matthew 21:12–22

Mark 11:12–19

Luke 19:45–48

Tuesday

• Fig tree found withered

• Authority of Jesus questioned

• Parables of judgment (Two Sons, Tenants, Wedding

Banquet)

• Question about paying taxes to Caesar

• Greatest commandments

• Seven woes against the scribes and Pharisees

• Widow’s offering

• Olivet Discourse

Matthew 21:23–25:46

Mark 11:20–13:37

Luke 20:1–21:38

Wednesday

• Likely quiet day in Bethany

• Anointing at Bethany

• Judas agrees to betray Jesus

Matthew 26:6–16

Mark 14:1–11

Luke 22:1–6

Thursday (Passover)

• Preparation for Passover

• Last Supper with the disciples

• Foot washing

• Upper Room teaching and prayer

• Institution of the new covenant

• Prayer in Gethsemane

• Arrest in the garden

Matthew 26:17–56

Mark 14:12–52

Luke 22:7–53

John 13–18:11

Friday (Crucifixion Day)

• Trials before Jewish and Roman authorities

• Scourging and mocking

• Crucifixion at Golgotha

• Seven sayings from the cross

• Death of Jesus and earthquake

• Temple veil torn

• Burial by Joseph of Arimathea

Matthew 26:57–27:66

Mark 14:53–15:47

Luke 22:54–23:56

John 18:12–19:42

Saturday (Sabbath)

• Tomb sealed and guarded

• Disciples hiding in fear

Matthew 27:62–66

Sunday (Resurrection

Day)

• Women discover the empty tomb

• Angelic announcement

• Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene

• Jesus appears to the women

• Peter and John run to the tomb

Matthew 28:1–10

Mark 16:1–8

Luke 24:1–12

John 20:1–18

Table 2 — The Forty Days (Resurrection to Ascension)

Day / Period	Events	Scripture (CSB)
Resurrection Day	• Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene • Jesus appears to the women • Jesus appears to Peter • Emmaus road encounter • Appearance to disciples in locked room (withoutThomas)	Luke 24:13–49 John 20:11–23 1 Corinthians 15:5
Eight Days Later	• Jesus appears to Thomas and the disciples	John 20:24–29
Galilee Period	• Miraculous catch of fish at the Sea of Galilee • Restoration of Peter (‘Do you love Me?’) • Great Commission on the mountain in Galilee	Matthew 28:16–20 John 21:1–23
Various Later Appearances	• Appears to more than 500 brothers and sisters at onetime • Appears to James • Continues teaching about the kingdom of God	1 Corinthians 15:6–7 Acts 1:3
Final Day — Ascension	• Final instructions to remain in Jerusalem • Promise of the Holy Spirit • Ascension from the Mount of Olives	Luke 24:50–53 Acts 1:6–12

1 Peter 5:7-14 Cast your cares on Jesus

Big Idea- Cast Your Cares, Claim His Care – Conquer the Storm.

Context V.6 Control is a massive human problem, so, we humble ourself and let God decide what good (exaltation) should come our way in his proper time.

V.7a

How do I cast my cares?

1. Radical Phil. 4:6-7 Prayer admits we are powerless: Here it is God. I present it to you.

Why is casting a good metaphor?

Where you cast matters– Anxiety says I must stay shallow where I can see and control.
Casting is strategic surrender. Aim with prayer; obey promptly and throw to Jesus.
Wait: The deep means waiting and the waiting builds trust.

2. V.7b in Relentless love- Because he cares for you.

3. V.8 with Ready Faith; So how can I be alert/ready?

a. V.9 Remain in community: The lion goes for the vulnerable and isolated.

b. V.9 Resist with the right weapons. Eph. 6 spiritual weapons. Stand firm. Resist.

c. V.10 Rest in God’s promises. God Himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, establish.

d. v.11 Replace worry with worship– Worship places the outcome in God’s hands.

Grow Group Questions

Release: What’s one care you’re still gripping with both hands? How might “two-handed casting” look practically this week?
Rest: When have you seen God’s care show up in a way that surprised you? How does Peter’s double-miracle-fish story reinforce that?
Resist: Which of the four weapons (community, scripture truth, God’s promises, worship) feels weakest in your life right now—and how can the group help?
Rhythm: Casting is a daily boomerang. What trigger (alarm, journal, prayer) could remind you to re-throw tomorrow’s worry?
Reach: Who in your circle is isolated and needs a “holy fist bump” invitation into community this week?

Family Corner
Big Church sermon summary: Peter says stop clutching your cares and start casting them into God’s deep water—because He cares for you more than you can control. When worry roars, we stick together, we trust in the truth and we give it to God even if it feels we are out of control. Worry and cares are God’s way of building faith in this ability to watch over us.

Ride-Home Discussion Questions for Kiddos:

If worries were fish in a net, which one would you throw to Jesus first?
When you feel scared, who in our family “herd” can you run to before the lion gets close?