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Do (Study Guide)

“Do” Sermon Study Guide for June 14, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: James 1:22-27 1. James on Religion John 7:5 - unbelief “to the twelve tribes scattered” 2. The Things We Make Religion Into a. _______________________ b. _______________________ c. _______________________ 3. True Religion Matthew 5:17-18 - the Law will not disappear a. A tight _______________________________ (1:26) b. Look after ____________________________ (1:27) c. Don’t get _____________________________ (1:27) Questions to Discuss or Ponder: In what way(s) does “love” underlie each of these “words of life”? What is the significance of James’ letter being sent to “the twelve tribes scattered”? How does that include us? What attitudes have you encountered about “religion”? What is true and what is false about each attitude? How are each of the things we make religion into actually a false idol? In what ways can the tongue do damage to people and to our world? Who are the vulnerable and marginal...
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The Path to Peace (Study Guide)

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“The Path to Peace” Sermon Study Guide for June 7, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: Ephesians 2:14-18 1. Peace a Biblical definition John 10:10 - the abundant life Romans 5:1 - peace with God peace within - deeper than circumstances 2. The Path to Peace peace of God John 16:33 John 14:27 Philippians 4:4-8 pursuing the __________________________ Colossians 3:15; Isaiah 26:3 pursuing _____________________________ Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14 pursuing _____________________________ Psalm 4:8 Four Laws of Peace and Contentment Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What images come to your mind when you think of peace? How does the Biblical definition of peace contrast with the world’s definition? Where do people look for peace today? Why do so many go after substitutes for peace rather than looking for true peace with God? If God’s will is for us to have peace, why do so few seemingly find it? Read Philippians 4:4-8. Which part of Paul’s message do you most ...
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Unexpected Hope

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 May 31, 2026 • Mount Pleasant UMC How would you describe the color blue to someone who is blind (cf. Wright, Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians , pg. 123)? Think about that for a moment. Those of us with sight don’t even think about what blue is. It just is. But if someone has never seen blue, never experienced the color of the sky or the ocean, how would you describe it to them? Or not just blue, but any color? How do you help someone understand what they have never seen or experienced? This morning, in our continuing journey through these New Testament “Words of Life,” we come to a word that is a little like that: hope. It’s one of the hallmarks of Christian faith, but when you try to describe what it is, it’s a bit like describing the color blue to a blind person. We think we know what “hope” is, but we really use the word to describe all sorts of different things. I hope he will be okay. I hope my flight won’t be delayed. I hope it doesn’t st...
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Unexpected Hope (Study Guide)

 “Unexpected Hope” Sermon Study Guide for May 31, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1. Thessaloniki questions about those who have died questions about the return of Christ Matthew 24:36-44 the basis of our faith: “Jesus died and rose again” 2. Christian Hope getting in line parousia - Matthew 25:1-6 Revelation 11:15 a. holy ____________________________ b. live _____________________________ Philippians 1:4-6 Romans 5:3-5 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: How would you describe the color blue to someone who is blind? In the last week, what have you said that you “hoped” for? Why were the Thessalonians concerned about friends who had died? When has grief threatened to consume your life? How does Paul compare sleep to death? How does that communicate hope? How does the promised return of Christ make you feel? How does it give you hope? Why does Paul tell the Thessalonians to “encourage one another” with the promised return of Christ? ...
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One

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Philippians 1:27-30 May 24, 2026 ( Pentecost / Aldersgate Day ) • Mount Pleasant UMC Fifty days ago, the tomb had been found empty and the savior had been found alive. Ten days ago, that same savior, after teaching them for forty days, had gone back to heaven. And while he had promised to return one day, he also promised a comforter, an advocate, someone called the Holy Spirit, to come and be with them, to teach them and remind them what he had said (cf. John 14:25-26). That promise of the Holy Spirit was also tied to a prayer he had prayed on the last night before the crucifixion: “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21). So now, on the fiftieth day after the resurrection, on the agricultural festival called Pentecost, they were all gathered in a room in Jerusalem, waiting just as Jesus had told them to do, hoping and praying for the arrival of this “promise of...
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