MTP Sermon Resources

“What Are You Doing Here?” Sermon Study Guide for January 27, 2019 Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-14 The God of the _____________ is the God of the __________. Elijah Mount Carmel - prophets of Ba’al “How much longer…?” “Behold…” 2. God’s Question: “What are you doing here…?” Elijah’s pity party…depression Hebrews 4:15 H.A.L.T. The still, small voice… John 10:3 Isaiah 40:31 Getting beyond the pit… What are you doing here? Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Reflect back over the last year. Recall “mountaintop” experiences. Recall “valley” experiences. Where did you experience God the most? What images come to mind when you think of “good vs. evil”? How does that help you understand Elijah’s context? What “opinions” do people waver between in today’s world? Why does God ask Elijah this particular question? What do you do when you feel like everything around you is falling apart? What helps you evaluate your...

Why Are You Crying Out? Exodus 14:10-18 January 20, 2019 • Mount Pleasant UMC This week, something extraordinary and fantastic happened over at South High School. On Monday evening, Bailey Halloran was crowned Winter Homecoming Queen, nominated and elected by her peers. And while homecoming activities aren’t particularly extraordinary, what is amazing is Bailey herself. In case you don’t know her, Bailey has Down’s Syndrome and participates in our Grace Unlimited Ministry. Our family got to know her when Rachel was on the South dance team. Bailey’s mom, Patti, was one of Rachel’s coaches and her sister, Payton, was Rachel’s dance partner for two seasons. But Bailey was one of Rachel’s biggest fans every year, always cheering for her and asking me about her. There are so many things I love about Bailey, but most of all is her determination not to let the challenges in her life slow her down. She had a goal for a long time of becoming homecoming queen, just like her mom ha...

“Why Are You Crying Out?” Sermon Study Guide for January 20, 2019 Scripture: Exodus 14:10-18 Grumbling and complaining… The Exodus At the “Sea of Reeds” Stuck… 2. The Will of God Intentional, Circumstantial, Ultimate Signposts… Two Questions… Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Do you experience today’s world as mostly upbeat or mostly grumbling? Why do you give the answer you do? Why do you think the Hebrews remember their time in Egypt with fondness? Have you ever had a similar “memory change”? How do you think Moses reacted to God’s question initially? Recall a time you were “stuck.” What happened? What caused you to get “unstuck”? Which of the “signposts” have been most helpful to you recently? Consider the two questions. Answer them as honestly as you are able to. Scripture for the Week: Monday - Isaiah 30:19-21 Tuesday - Jeremiah 18:1-10 Wednesday - Isaiah 6:1-8 Thursday - Habakkuk 1:1-11 ...

Where Are You? Genesis 3:1-13 January 13, 2019 • Mount Pleasant UMC Questions. We are constantly being asked questions. Go to a restaurant and they ask, “What would you like to drink? What do you want to eat? Do you want fries with that?” Go to the doctor’s office and you’re asked to fill out a form that has gobs of questions. “What issue brings you in today? How long have you been experiencing symptoms? Who is your insurance carrier?” Facebook asks us, “What’s on your mind?” and Twitter asks us, “What’s happening?” We ask each other questions of varying sincerity: “How are you?” “What’s going on?” “Did you see that game last night?” When you think about it, questions—asking and answering things—constitute a pretty big part of our conversational life. What’s true about our conversations with each other is also often true of our conversations with God. Maybe not publicly, but we ask God questions like, “Why did you do that?” “Why did this happen?” “Could you please gi...

“Where Are You?” Sermon Study Guide for January 13, 2019 Scripture: Genesis 3:1-13 Adam and Eve paradise hiding from God… being found… why God wants to be in relationship with us… 2. Turning Our Backs ways we “hide” from God… connections… Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What questions do you ask most frequently? What questions do you hear most frequently? What was it about the serpent’s temptation that was so intriguing? What do you make of the image of God “walking” with Adam and Eve? Why would this time have been important to God? Why do Adam and Eve try to hide from God? Do you think they really believed they could? Why or why not? What is it like to be “found”? Describe a time when you experienced being found. Why does God persist in wanting to have a relationship with us? What do you use to try to hide from God? Is that effective? What do you need to do this week to reconnect with God or to reconnect wi...