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Explore recent reflections, teaching articles, and encouragement designed to support spiritual formation, faithful presence, and Kingdom living in everyday life.

• Kingdom Influence Part 20 with Discussion Guide

  Kingdom Influence Part 20 Discussion Guide

  Summary

  In this final sermon of the Kingdom Influence series, Pastor Doug explores Jesus’ challenging statement that our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees. He explains that Jesus wasn’t calling for external rule-following but for heart transformation – a righteousness that flows from the inside out. The Pharisees appeared righteous externally but were spiritually dead inside, like whitewashed tombs. True kingdom righteousness comes through abiding in Jesus and allowing Him to transform our hearts, not through trying harder to be good.

  The message emphasizes that transformation happens through relationship with Jesus, not performance. When our hearts are aligned with God, right actions flow naturally. Jesus offers His righteousness as a gift, calling us to move from external performance to internal transformation. This heart change is the foundation of kingdom influence – we were created not just to try being good enough for heaven, but to transform the world around us through Christ.

  Intro Prayer

  Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, thanking You for gathering us together today. As we dive into Your Word and discuss what You want to teach us, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds. Help us to be receptive to what You want to show us through this time together. Give us soft hearts and hearing ears, and continue to change us for Your glory. We invite Your Holy Spirit to guide our conversation and reveal truth to us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

  Ice Breaker

  What’s something you’ve made or prepared that looked great on the outside but was a disaster on the inside?

  Key Verses

  • Matthew 5:19-20
  • Matthew 23:27-28
  • Ezekiel 36:26-27
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • Matthew 6:1

  Questions

  • What do you think the crowd’s reaction was when Jesus said their righteousness had to surpass that of the Pharisees? Why would this have seemed impossible?
  • How would you explain the difference between ‘outside-in’ righteousness and ‘inside-out’ righteousness in your own words?
  • Pastor Doug mentioned that the Pharisees’ issue wasn’t effort but focus. What does this mean, and how might this apply to our own spiritual lives?
  • What does it mean to ‘abide in Jesus’ rather than just trying harder to be good? How does this look practically in daily life?
  • The sermon mentioned that we can slip into wanting to serve God ‘in an advisory role.’ What are some ways this might show up in our relationship with God?
  • How does understanding that righteousness is a gift from Jesus rather than something we earn change the way we approach our faith?
  • What’s the difference between repentance as confession and repentance as heart transformation? Why is this distinction important?
  • Pastor Doug said ‘world transformation happens after heart transformation.’ How have you seen this principle at work in your own life or in others?

  Life Application

  This week, instead of focusing on doing the right things, spend time each day asking yourself: ‘Is my heart aligned with God?’ Practice abiding in Jesus through prayer, Scripture reading, or simply talking to Him throughout your day. Let God deal with the inside areas of your life by being honest with Him about where you need His transformation.

  Key Takeaways

  • True righteousness flows from the inside out, not from external rule-following
  • The Pharisees looked righteous externally but were spiritually dead inside, like whitewashed tombs
  • Jesus offers His righteousness as a gift – we don’t have to earn it through performance
  • Transformation comes through relationship with Jesus, not through trying harder
  • Heart transformation is the foundation of kingdom influence and world transformation

  Ending Prayer

  Lord Jesus, thank You for this time of discussion and fellowship. We’re grateful that You don’t call us to try harder but to draw closer to You. Help us to stop striving and start abiding in You. Transform our hearts from the inside out, and let Your righteousness flow through us to impact the world around us. May we be people who live with hearts aligned to You, bringing Your kingdom influence wherever we go. Continue to work in us throughout this week. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.

  Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

• Kingdom Influence Part 19 with Discussion Guide

  Kingdom Influence Part 19 Discussion Guide

  Summary

  In this Mother’s Day sermon, Pastor Doug explores Matthew 5:17-18 where Jesus declares He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. The message emphasizes that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament law and prophets, which were always pointing toward Him. Rather than external rule-following, God has always desired heart transformation and internal change. The law served as a necessary foundation, like a rocket booster, but Jesus represents the new covenant where God’s law is written on our hearts. Formation and transformation happen through relationship with Jesus, not through behavior management or trying harder to follow rules. Using the analogy of how we’re shaped by those around us, particularly mothers who model love through presence and service, the pastor illustrates how abiding in Christ transforms us from the inside out.

  Intro Prayer

  Holy Spirit, we invite You to come and be with us today. As we gather to study Your Word and discuss what it means for our lives, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us. Help us to be honest with one another and receptive to Your truth. Guide our conversation and use this time to draw us closer to You and to each other. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

  Ice Breaker

  What’s one way your mother or a mother figure in your life showed love to you that you still remember today?

  Key Verses

  • Matthew 5:17-18
  • John 15:4-5
  • Jeremiah 31:33
  • Ezekiel 36:26-27
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17

  Questions

  • What does it mean that Jesus came to ‘fulfill’ the law rather than abolish it? How does this change our understanding of the Old Testament?
  • The pastor used the analogy of a rocket booster to describe the law. How does this illustration help you understand the relationship between the Old Testament law and Jesus?
  • How have you seen the difference between external rule-following and internal heart transformation in your own life or in others?
  • The message emphasized that ‘formation happens through relationship.’ Can you share an example of how being around someone has shaped who you are?
  • What does it look like practically to ‘abide in Christ’ in your daily life? What are some specific ways we can remain connected to Him?
  • The pastor mentioned that we’re formed by what’s around us. What influences in your life are shaping your heart, and are they drawing you closer to or further from Jesus?
  • How does understanding that transformation comes through relationship with Jesus (not trying harder) change the way you approach your spiritual growth?
  • What’s one small step you could take this week to draw closer to Jesus and allow Him to continue His transforming work in your heart?

  Life Application

  This week, identify one area where you’ve been trying to manage your behavior through rules or willpower alone. Instead of trying harder, commit to spending intentional time with Jesus in that area – whether through prayer, reading Scripture, or simply talking to Him about it. Add one minute to your current devotional time, or if you don’t have one, start with just five minutes of connecting with Jesus each day.

  Key Takeaways

  • Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament law and prophets, not their replacement
  • God has always desired heart transformation over external rule-following
  • Formation and transformation happen through relationship with Jesus, not behavior management
  • We are shaped by what and who we’re around, making it crucial to abide in Christ
  • The Christian life is about becoming a new creation through relationship with Jesus, not trying harder to follow rules

  Ending Prayer

  Father, thank You for sending Jesus to fulfill the law and to transform our hearts from the inside out. Help us to remember that our relationship with You is not about perfect rule-following, but about abiding in Christ and allowing Him to shape us. As we go into this week, draw us closer to You. Write Your law on our hearts and continue the good work You’ve started in us. May we be people who reflect Your kingdom character to those around us. We love You and trust You to continue making us new. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.