MTP Sermon Resources

  “You Can’t Serve God” Sermon Study Guide for November 1, 2020 Downloadable Version Scripture: Joshua 24:14-28 1. Joshua at Shechem burying idols…   (Genesis 35:4) “As for me and my house…” God is… 2. Which gods? a. _____________________ b. _____________________ c. _____________________ d. _____________________ Choose this day… Stones of witness… Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What power is there in Joshua returning to a place that represents an historical place of decision? Why do “little-g” gods have such power in our lives? Have you had an “as for me and my house” moment? Share that experience. Of the three characteristics of God Joshua mentions, which is the most unsettling? Why? Why is it important to understand individual passages of Scripture in light of the whole story of the Bible? How does the god of money threaten to take over your life? What about the god of technology tempts you? Why do celebrities have such sway in our culture today? In what w...

Joshua 14:6-15 October 25, 2020 • Mount Pleasant UMC A few years ago, I started getting invitations from the Annual Conference to attend the annual “getting ready for retirement” seminar. And then, just this week, I got an invitation to a “Brunch with the Bishop” retiree Zoom meeting. I’m starting to wonder if they are trying to tell me something! When I turned 50, I started getting invitations from AARP to join their group, and that was followed by an invitation from our investment guy to “come in and talk about your retirement plans.” Seriously, is someone trying to tell me something? It is a bit amazing, isn’t it, that in our culture as soon as we start working, people start talking to us about retirement. In seminary, we were given advice on building our pensions and at our ordination, while the Conference was voting on whether or not to accept us, we were backstage filling out pension paperwork. When I googled “retirement,” two main themes came up: advice on how much to save...

  “Give Me This Mountain” Sermon Study Guide for October 25, 2020 Downloadable Version Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15 Retirement… 1. Caleb “wholeheartedly” “Give me this mountain…” 2. Being Like Caleb Older Adults… Middle and Younger Adults… What story do you want to tell? The faithfulness of God… Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What are your dreams or plans for retirement? Why is so much of Joshua’s book taken up by the division of the land? What is significant about that action? What does it mean for Caleb to be “wholehearted” toward God? What might that look like in your life? Think of someone you “want to be like when you grow up.” What characteristics or qualities in their life do you most want to exhibit? Recall how someone older in the faith influenced you in your spiritual journey. What do you do in your own life to make sure you are “filled” with God’s Spirit first so as to put off other distractions? What story do you want your life to tell? How does your life te...

  “And the Walls Came Tumbling Down” Sermon Study Guide for October 18, 2020 Downloadable Version Scripture: Joshua 6:15-21 1 Corinthians 10:11 1. Jericho Things we can learn… v. 21 - when we don’t understand God… Proverbs 3:5-6 2. Walls Tear Down 2 Corinthians 10:5 Build Up Ephesians 2:14-16 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: How do you see God working in the story of Jericho? How do you respond to the killing of the people of Jericho? What do you do when you don’t understand God’s actions? What walls most need to be torn down in your life? What part is yours to do and what part is God’s to do? Have worry or fear affected you during this pandemic? In what way? What have you done to confront those walls? What walls need built in your life? What one step will you take this week to begin that process? Scripture for the Week: Monday - Joshua 13:1-14:15 Tuesday - Joshua 15:1-17:18 Wednesday - Joshua 18:1-19:9 Thursday - Joshua 19:10-51 Friday - Joshua 20:1-21...

Joshua 1:1-9 October 11, 2020 • Mount Pleasant UMC Maybe you’ve heard the story of the mother who was tucking her little boy into bed in the midst of a thunderstorm. She was about to turn off the light when she heard his trembling voice say, “Mommy, will you stay with me all night?” The mother smiled and said, “I can’t, dear. I have to sleep in Daddy’s room.” She turned off the light and started to close the door, and just before the latch clicked, she heard the boy’s voice again: “Daddy’s a big sissy!” (Hubbard, NIV Application Commentary: Joshua , pgs. 97-98). Well, you may not be afraid of thunderstorms like the little boy was, but there is no question there is fear in the air these days. For the last six months, we’ve been frightened to varying degrees by a virus we cannot see. It’s keeping some people in lockdown and it’s made us all look for a mask when we go out. It’s a hard habit to get into, though. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten halfway to the store and h...

  “Equipping the Called” Sermon Study Guide for October 11, 2020 Downloadable Version Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 Fear… 1. Joshua’s Setting promised land… 2. Be Strong and Courageous v. 7: Choose ______________________ v. 8: Know _______________________ “meditate” v. 9: Know _______________________ “Moses’ aide” Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What is at the top of your “fear” list right now? Recall a time when someone significant in your life died. What impact did that have on you? How would Moses’ death have similarly impacted Joshua? What “promised land” are you looking toward? What frightens you about entering it? What do you need to change about your life to choose gratitude? What has been your experience with personal or corporate Bible study? How can you improve your practice of such study? In what situations do you most sense God’s presence? Who mentored you? Who are you currently mentoring? Scripture for the Week: Monday - Joshua 5:13-6:27 Tuesday - Joshua 7:1-...