Sermon Series - Legacy

Weekly Study Guide

Week 1: Mission Minded

Begin with Prayer.

Key Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15 (NIV)
‍"Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

‍Overview:
Pastor Brent spoke of being mission-minded, what it looks like, and what it requires. This passage captures a pivotal moment in Israel's history as Joshua, nearing the end of his life, calls the people to commitment. To be mission-minded, we must be resolute in our commitment. Joshua tells us how by emphasizing the necessity of fearing God and choosing to serve Him above all else. It’s a choice, a pivotal moment where we must once and for all choose for ourselves whom we will serve.

Key Themes:
1. Fear of the Lord: Understanding what it means to fear the Lord.
2. Faithfulness in Service: Serving God with dedication and sincerity.
3. Choice and Commitment: The importance of making a deliberate choice in whom to serve.
4. Family Leadership: The role of leaders in setting an example for their households.

Discussion Questions:
1. Encourage sharing of what it means to “fear the Lord” in today’s society. How can this impact decision-making? How does a biblical posture of “Fear” impact how you approach God and prayer? Consider the following scriptures: Proverbs 9:10, Ecclesiastes 12:13, and Psalm 34:9.
2. What idols or distractions could hinder your service to God? What are practical ways to "throw away" these distractions or false gods in your life or family?
3. Why did Joshua feel it was necessary to have such a direct, line-in-the-sand challenge to the Israelites? In what way does this challenge you? Joshua’s mission was to faithfully obey the Lord to lead the Israelites into the promised land. In Joshua 24:14-15, he states the key element of being mission-minded: to be resolute in our commitment to serving God and only Him.
4. What does Mission Minded mean to you personally? How can we as a group become more mission-minded?

Application:
Personal Reflection: Encourage participants to pray, asking God to reveal areas where they may be serving other gods or lacking commitment to His service.
Family Discussion: Families can discuss their values and commitments to serving God and establish goals for spiritual growth.
Community Engagement: As a group, brainstorm ways you can support the church's mission to reach people in your community. Choose one action step to implement in the coming month.

Weekly Study Guide

Week 2: We Leave What We Live

Open in Prayer.
‍
Overview:
Pastor Brent states, “We leave what we live.” He refers to Abraham and his faith, which was credited to him as righteousness. He includes the faith and walk of Eunice and Lois, Timothy's mother and grandmother, in 2 Timothy 1:5. Both are examples of lives lived well, walking out their faith in integrity. When we live with integrity, we leave a legacy.

Key Insights:
Integrity is defined as honesty, sincerity, and genuineness, as well as living in accordance with one's values. It is foundational for a life that honors God and positively influences others. It creates a legacy of trust and respect.

Key Scripture: Psalm 25:21
'May integrity and uprightness protect me because my hope, Lord, is in you.'

Study:
1. Define integrity. What is the Hebrew definition? Compare it with the modern definition.
2. Look up synonyms and antonyms?
3. How are the following words/phrases related to integrity, righteousness, faithfulness, honesty, and blamelessness?
4. Look up the key verse in a different translation and discuss whether it brings more insight to living a life of integrity.

Discussion Questions:
1. How does integrity relate to legacy? Reference the following verses, Psalm 101:2, Proverbs 10:9, 11:3, 20:7. Look up further verses referencing integrity and discuss their relation to legacy. How do these verses help you live out your life authentically?
2. Integrity is more than just a virtue; it's the essence of a life well-lived. It demands honesty, consistency, and the courage to do what is right, even when difficult. Discuss practical ways to ensure we are living a life well-lived. How does living this way equip us to implement these principles in our daily lives?
3. Considering the definition of integrity and Pastor Brent's point about "faith killers" like hypocrisy and passionless routine, have you struggled with these challenges? How can we combat them?
4. Integrity reflects God's character. A legacy built on integrity influences future generations by setting an example of godliness and morality. It's our responsibility to model this godliness and morality for our children and others we influence, ensuring a legacy of integrity for the future.
5. Is there someone in your life who has or has not modeled a life of integrity for you to follow? Discuss what influenced you about their life. What would you do the same or differently? If they affected your life positively, consider writing them a letter of gratitude.

Application:
1. Consider how your actions align with your values. Are there areas in your life where you need to strengthen your integrity?
2. Reflect on the legacy you want to leave behind and who is in your circle of influence. What traits do you want others to remember about you?
3. Identify one relationship or situation where you can demonstrate integrity this week.

For further study:
Read Genesis 20 and compare and contrast Abraham’s integrity with Abimelech's actions. Reflect on Abraham’s legacy and how this passage gives us more insight into doing the same.

Close in Prayer.

Weekly Study Guide

Week 3: Beyond Borders

Begin in Prayer.

Opening Question:
Share about a time when you felt your actions, no matter how small, made a difference in someone else's life.OverviewGod calls every believer to participate in His global mission to spread the Gospel. Each person has a role—whether by embracing the call to go, giving generously, or living with an eternal perspective. Saying "yes" to God's leading may mean traveling to foreign lands as a missionary or supporting those who do through prayer and financial giving. Even small acts of obedience can have a profound impact in advancing God's kingdom.

Key Points:
- Embracing the global mission as part of the church's mandate
- Giving generously to support mission work and expand God's kingdom
- Living with an eternal perspective by praying for and supporting global mission efforts
- The power of saying "yes" to God's call, regardless of personal qualificationsPearl Street Church's involvement in global missions, including sponsorships and partnerships

Scripture Reference:
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
‍Matthew 28:19 - Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
‍2 Corinthians 9:7 - "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
‍Revelation 7:9-10 - "After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

Discussion Questions:
1. Acts 1:8 – What does Jesus mean by "witnesses," and how does the progression from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth shape our understanding of global missions?
2. Matthew 28:19 – How does the command to "go and make disciples" challenge cultural, personal, or geographic barriers in fulfilling the Great Commission?
3. 2 Corinthians 9:7 – How does the attitude of giving reflect one's understanding of God’s provision and mission?
4. Revelation 7:9-10 – How does this vision of a diverse multitude worshipping before God inform our perspective on the ultimate purpose of missions and evangelism?
5. The sermon mentions that "God isn't looking at my qualifications. He was looking at my availability." How does this statement change your perspective on serving God?
6. How can we maintain an "eternal perspective" in our daily lives? What practical steps can we take?
7. The sermon shared the story of Edward Kimball's impact through D.L. Moody to Billy Graham. How does this story encourage you about the potential impact of your own faithfulness?

Practical Applications:
- Prayer Challenge: Commit to praying daily this week for a specific country or unreached people group.
- Giving Challenge: Prayerfully consider how you might increase your giving towards global missions efforts.
- Serving Challenge: Register and serve at Day of Difference.

Closing Prayer: Lord, give us Your heart for the nations. Help us to see the needs around us and be willing to respond. Show us the unique role each of us can play in Your global mission. May our "yes" to You make an eternal difference. Amen.

Weekly Study Guide

Week 4: Lighting it Up

Begin in Prayer.

Summary:
Active compassion and service are essential aspects of the Christian life. Rather than stopping at feelings of compassion, believers are called to take action, meeting the needs of those around them. The challenge is to move beyond spiritual complacency and embrace the church's role as a sent people—change agents who demonstrate God’s love through practical service. Making a tangible difference requires using resources, time, and gifts to serve others, reflecting the heart of God in everyday life.

Key Takeaways:
- The church is called to be active and engaged in meeting the needs of the community.
- Compassion should lead to action, not just feelings.
- Every believer is a missionary in their own context (home, workplace, neighborhood).
- The Holy Spirit empowers us to love and serve others effectively.
- Generosity and service are essential aspects of Christian living.

Key Scriptures:
- John 20:21 “Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”’
- Matthew 9:36 - “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”’
- Luke 10:30-37 “ Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”’

Discussion Questions:
1. John 20:21 – If Jesus was sent into the world to serve, heal, and sacrifice for others, how does His commission to "send" His followers shape our responsibility to actively meet the needs of our communities?
2. Matthew 9:36 – How does Jesus’ compassion for the crowd challenge believers to move beyond simply feeling sympathy and instead take concrete action to care for those who are lost and struggling?
3. Luke 10:30-37 – In what ways does the parable of the Good Samaritan illustrate the difference between passive concern and active service, and how should this shape the way the church engages with the needs of the world?
4. PB emphasized that the church "doesn't exist for itself." How does this perspective challenge our typical views of church?
5. Reflect on the statement: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." How have you seen this play out in your own life or ministry experiences?
6. The sermon mentioned several times that Jesus was "moved with compassion." Share a time when you felt deeply moved by someone's need. Did you act on it? Why or why not?
7. How does the idea of being "spiritually lean and strong" rather than "spiritually obese" challenge you personally?

Practical Applications:
1. Evaluate your current involvement in serving others. Are you using your gifts and resources effectively? If not, what's one step you can take to become more engaged?
2. Practice generosity this week in an unexpected way (e.g., paying for a stranger's meal, blessing a coworker with a gift).
3. As a group, consider partnering with one of the local organizations or initiatives mentioned in the sermon (e.g., school programs, Opportunity House, food packs). Discuss how you can get involved.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, Open our eyes to needs around us that we can help serve. Fill us with Your Spirit to act with love and compassion. Help us take one step this week to shine Your light in our world. Amen.

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