Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 9 with Discussion Guide

Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 9 Discussion Guide

1 Sermon Summary

In this sermon, we explored the concept of the “Ten Words” or the Ten Commandments, emphasizing that they are not merely rules to follow but a love document given by God to guide His rescued and delivered people. The sermon highlighted the importance of loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. This love is not about following rules to earn salvation but about living a life transformed by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to love well and live fully human lives as God intended.

The sermon also connected the Old Testament teachings with the New Testament, particularly focusing on Galatians 5, where Paul speaks about living by the Spirit and not gratifying the desires of the flesh. The freedom we have in Christ is not for self-indulgence but for serving one another humbly in love. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—which are relational and help us to love others well.

2 Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts for the opportunity to gather and learn from Your Word. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive what You have for us today. Help us to be attentive to Your Spirit and to understand the depth of Your love for us. May we be transformed by Your Word and empowered by Your Spirit to love You fully and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Guide our discussion and let it be fruitful and edifying for everyone here. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

3 Ice Breaker

What is one thing you enjoy doing to relax or unwind after a busy day?

4 Key Verses

1. Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV) – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
2. Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV) – “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
3. Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV) – “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
4. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
5. Matthew 7:12 (NIV) – “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

5 Questions

1. How do you understand the concept of the “Ten Words” as a love document rather than a set of rules?
2. In what ways can we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind in our daily lives?
3. How does loving our neighbors as ourselves fulfill the entire law, according to Paul in Galatians 5?
4. What does it mean to live by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh?
5. How can we serve one another humbly in love within our community?
6. What are some practical ways to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in our interactions with others?
7. How can we better love people we disagree with, as mentioned in the sermon?
8. What steps can we take to ensure we are yielding to the Holy Spirit in our daily lives?

6 Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to intentionally love someone you find difficult to love. Whether it’s a neighbor, a coworker, or a family member, ask the Holy Spirit to help you show kindness, patience, and love towards them. Reflect on how this act of love impacts your relationship and your own spiritual growth.

7 Key Takeaways

1. The Ten Words as a Love Document
   The Ten Commandments are not just rules but a love document given by God to guide His people. They are meant to show us how to live as rescued and delivered individuals, loving God fully and loving our neighbors as ourselves.
2. Living by the Spirit
   True freedom in Christ is not about self-indulgence but about serving one another humbly in love. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live this way, producing fruit in us that helps us love others well.
3. Connection Between Old and New Testament
   The teachings of the Old Testament, particularly the Ten Commandments, are deeply connected to the New Testament teachings of Jesus and Paul. Loving God and loving our neighbors are central themes that run throughout the Bible.
4. The Role of the Holy Spirit
   The Holy Spirit is given to us as a deposit, guaranteeing our inheritance and helping us to live fully human lives as God intended. He produces in us the fruit of the Spirit, which are relational and essential for loving others well.
5. Loving Those We Disagree With
   One of the biggest challenges we face is loving people we disagree with. The sermon emphasized the importance of loving others regardless of differing opinions, as this is a key aspect of living out our faith and partnering with God to transform the world.

8 Ending Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the time we’ve spent together discussing Your Word. We ask that You help us to apply what we’ve learned in our daily lives. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to love You fully and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to serve one another humbly in love and to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in all our interactions. Guide us as we go forth from this place, and may our lives be a testament to Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.

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