Here is a Day by Day guide to learning and applying:
Read: the daily Scriptures and Answer the Question from the sermon.
Create: Create your own questions/comments from the scriptures
Discuss: Talk about your questions and reactions to the scriptures.
8/16/26
REMINDER:
A Disciple...
● Loves All People
● Discovers Identity in Jesus
- Deepens Relationship with Jesus
Community Builder:
What have I done this week to…
● Feed my soul?
● Feed others?
- Feed my flesh?
Scripture Study Tip:
Ask these three questions when reading…
1. What does it say?
2. What does it mean?
3. How do I apply it to my daily life?
Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16
Title: What is Most Important?
BIG IDEA: We bring to God our first and best because God first loved us by giving His best.
Study Guide: **What Is Most Important?**
Main Truth
The story of Cain and Abel is not primarily about two different occupations or two different offerings—it is about two different hearts. God desires our first and best because He is worthy of first place in our lives. He demonstrated this by going first, loving first, and giving His very best through Jesus Christ. Our giving, worship, obedience, and priorities are a response to His grace—not an attempt to earn it.
Key Scriptures
* Genesis 4:1–16
* John 1:1–3
* Colossians 1:15–20
* 1 John 4:19
* John 3:16
- Exodus 20:2–3
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
Think about something in your life that consistently gets your "first" attention each day. What does that reveal about your priorities?
Observation Questions
1. What differences do you notice between Cain's offering and Abel's offering?
2. How did God respond to each offering?
3. What warning did God give Cain before he sinned?
4. What happened after Cain ignored God's warning?
5. How did God show both justice and mercy toward Cain?
Interpretation Questions
6. Why do you think God cares about giving Him our "first and best" instead of simply "something"?
7. What does it mean that God "went first" in the Gospel?
8. How does understanding God's love change our motivation for obedience and generosity?
9. Why is anger so dangerous when left unchecked?
10. What can we learn about God's character from His interaction with Cain?
Personal Application Questions
11. What currently competes with God for first place in your life?
12. Is there an area where you've been giving God your leftovers instead of your best?
13. How does your calendar reflect your priorities?
14. How does your spending reflect what matters most to you?
15. What practical change could you make this week to intentionally put God first?
16. Where have you sensed God warning you before making a poor decision? How did you respond?
17. What does giving your "first and best" look like beyond finances?
Digging Deeper
Read the following passages this week:
* Matthew 6:33
* Proverbs 3:9–10
* Romans 5:8
* Colossians 3:23–24
* Hebrews 11:4
* Malachi 3:10
As you read, ask:
* What do these passages teach about putting God first?
* How do they reinforce the truth that God acted first in our salvation?
* What motivates faithful obedience?
Weekly Challenge
This week intentionally evaluate every major area of your life:
**Time:** Does God receive your first attention each day?
**Relationships:** Is Christ shaping your priorities?
**Finances:** Are you honoring God with your first and best?
**Talents:** Are you using your gifts for His kingdom?
**Heart:** Is there anything competing with God's rightful place?
Choose one specific area where you need to reorder your priorities and commit to putting God first this week.
Memory Verse
**1 John 4:19**
*"We love because He first loved us."*
Closing Prayer
**Father, thank You for loving us first and giving Your very best through Jesus Christ. Forgive us for the times we place other priorities ahead of You. Help us to trust You enough to give You our first and best—not out of obligation, but as a joyful response to Your grace. Reveal any idols in our hearts, strengthen us to resist sin, and teach us to honor You with our time, our resources, our worship, and our whole lives. May You truly be first in everything we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.**
8/9/26
REMINDER:
A Disciple...
● Loves All People
● Discovers Identity in Jesus
- Deepens Relationship with Jesus
Community Builder:
What have I done this week to…
● Feed my soul?
● Feed others?
- Feed my flesh?
Scripture Study Tip:
Ask these three questions when reading…
1. What does it say?
2. What does it mean?
3. How do I apply it to my daily life?
Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24
Title: Whats My Problem?
BIG IDEA: God sent His Son Jesus on a rescue mission for all of us who have run from God.
Genesis 3 explains why the world is broken. Sin entered through Adam and Eve's disobedience, bringing shame, guilt, suffering, and death. Yet even in humanity's greatest failure, God pursued His people and revealed His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. From the very beginning, God was not merely exposing sin—He was preparing a rescue mission.
Key Scriptures
- Genesis 3:1-7 – The temptation and fall
- Genesis 3:8-9 – God pursues Adam and Eve
- Genesis 3:10-13 – Blame replaces repentance
- Genesis 3:14-15 – The first promise of a Savior
- Genesis 3:21 – God provides a covering through sacrifice
- Genesis 3:22-24 – Humanity is removed from Eden
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
Describe a time when you realized something wasn't as good as it first appeared. What happened?
Observation
- What tactics did the serpent use to tempt Eve?
- What three desires led Eve toward sin?
- Why did Adam and Eve hide after they sinned?
- What does God's question, "Where are you?" reveal about His heart?
- How did Adam and Eve each respond when confronted?
Interpretation
- Why do you think Satan begins by causing people to question God's Word?
- What does Genesis 3 teach us about human nature?
- Why do people naturally blame others instead of accepting responsibility?
- How does Genesis 3:15 point ahead to Jesus?
- Why is God's provision of animal skins such an important picture of the Gospel?
Application
- What lies are people most tempted to believe today that sound like "Did God really say...?"
- Which of the three temptations (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life) do you struggle with the most?
- Are you more likely to run toward religion (trying to earn God's acceptance) or rebellion (running from Him) when you fail?
- Is there an area where you've been blaming someone else instead of taking responsibility?
- What would it look like this week to stop hiding and honestly respond to God, "Here I am"?
Digging Deeper
Read these additional passages:
- John 1:29
- Romans 5:12-21
- Romans 6:23
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- 1 John 2:15-17
- Hebrews 4:15-16
How do these passages expand the hope first introduced in Genesis 3?
Life Application Challenge
This week, prayerfully consider these three questions from the sermon:
- Am I trying to cover my own sin through religion or good works?
- Am I hiding from God because of rebellion or unconfessed sin?
- Am I avoiding the calling God has placed on my life because of fear, comfort, or outside influences?
Memory Verse
Genesis 3:9
"But the Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you?'"
Closing Prayer
"Father, thank You for pursuing us even when we run from You. Thank You for not leaving us in our sin but sending Jesus on a rescue mission to save us. Help us recognize the enemy's lies, stop hiding behind excuses or self-righteousness, and walk in the freedom Your grace provides. Give us courage to answer Your call with willing hearts and to pursue Christ first in every area of our lives. Amen.
Constant Reminder
Judas was a consumer not a worshiper… Mary was a worshiper.
Consumer: its all about me Worshiper: its all about Jesus
Consumer: rolls up and says I hope this church meets all my needs. A Worshiper pulls up and says I hope this church points me to THE ONE WHO HAS MET ALL MY NEEDS.
Consumer: comes in and says this music better be good. A worshiper says I hope the Worship Leader points me to THE GOOD GOOD FATHER.
A consumer says I want to be entertained by todays sermon… A worshiper says I want some Cross centered preaching that makes a difference.
A consumer says it better be fun for my kids. A worshiper says this better equip me to disciple my family.
A consumer says this better make me sit and feel comfortable… A worshiper says this better SEND ME OUT!
Six questions for gospel-centered discernment. Memorize and ask these six questions to discern and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life.
G - God's glory: Will this decision primarily be about my glory or God's glory?
O - Other Christians: What do other gospel-saturated, Christ-centered, wise friends say about this upcoming decision?
S - Scripture: Does the Bible command, permit, or prohibit this decision? What does inerrant, infallible Scripture say?
P - Prayer: Have you abided with, rested in, asked from, listened to and waited on God in this decision over time?
E - Evangelism: Will this decision give me the opportunity to share the gospel and invite people to faith in Jesus?
L - Lifestyle: Will this decision lead me to live a lifestyle of love marked by the Fruit of the Spirit and holiness?