LifeSpring Church


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.


8/23/26


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 6:5-14, 22, Genesis 7:1-5, 17-24 Genesis 9:7-14, 20-24

Title: How Can You Save the World?

Big Idea: Jesus is the greater ark of our salvation. God is on a rescue mission.


Read: Genesis 6:5–7

Discussion Questions

  1. What stood out to you about the description of humanity in Genesis 6:5?
  2. Why do you think people tend to minimize sin or treat it as “not that big of a deal”?
  3. What is the difference between saying, “I made a mistake” and acknowledging, “I sinned against God”?
  4. Can you think of areas where our culture encourages us to “follow your heart” rather than follow God?
  5. How should understanding the seriousness of sin change the way we view God’s grace?


Personal Application

Is there an area of your life where you have been minimizing sin rather than confessing it and bringing it to God?


2. God Uses Ordinary People Who Trust Him


Read: Genesis 6:8–14, 22

Discussion Questions

  1. What does it mean that Noah “walked faithfully with God”?
  2. Why is it encouraging to know that Noah wasn't perfect?
  3. What do you think Noah must have thought when God told him to build an ark?
  4. What would have made obedience difficult for Noah?
  5. What does Noah's story teach us about what God can do through ordinary people who trust Him?
  6. Do you sometimes feel like you aren't “good enough” for God to use you? How does Noah's story challenge that thinking?


Personal Application

Where might God be asking you to trust Him right now?


Read: Genesis 7:1–5

Discussion Questions

  1. Why is obedience easy when we understand the reason behind the command?
  2. Why is obedience much harder when God's command doesn't make sense to us?
  3. What does our obedience reveal about what we believe about God?
  4. Can you think of a time when you obeyed God even though you didn't understand what He was doing? What happened?
  5. The sermon said, “Every command from God is for your provision and protection.” How does that change the way you view God's commands?
  6. Why can rebellion feel freeing at first but eventually lead to bondage?


Personal Application

Complete this sentence:

“I know God is asking me to ________, but I have been hesitant because ________.”

What would trusting God look like in that situation?


Read: Genesis 7:17–24

Discussion Questions

  1. How does this passage change the way you view the story of Noah?
  2. Why is it important to understand both God's holiness and God's mercy?
  3. What does the ark represent in this story?
  4. How is the ark a picture of what Jesus does for us?
  5. What does it mean that Jesus is the “greater ark of our salvation”?
  6. How should the reality of God's judgment affect the way we think about people who don't know Jesus?


Personal Application

Who is one person in your life who needs to hear about the rescue Jesus offers?


Read: Genesis 9:7–14

Discussion Questions

  1. What is the difference between a contract and a covenant?
  2. Why is it significant that God chose to establish a covenant with Noah?
  3. What does the rainbow remind us about God's character?
  4. Why is God's faithfulness so important when we know that we are not always faithful?
  5. How does God's covenant with Noah point us toward the greater covenant we have through Jesus?
  6. What promises of God do you need to remind yourself of right now?


Read: Genesis 9:20–24

Discussion Questions

  1. What does Noah's failure teach us about human nature?
  2. Why is it dangerous when we begin to think that being used by God means we are no longer capable of sinning?
  3. What is the difference between covering someone's sin in love and condoning someone's sin?
  4. Have you ever experienced someone who wanted to shame you for your failures? How did that affect you?
  5. What does it look like to respond to someone's sin the way Jesus would?
  6. How can we create a church culture where people are honest about sin without being crushed by shame?


Discussion Questions

  1. What are the similarities between the ark and Jesus?
  2. What are some ways Jesus is greater than the ark?
  3. Why can't we save ourselves through good behavior?
  4. What does it mean that Jesus completely paid for and covered our sin?
  5. How does the gospel change the way we respond when we fail?
  6. If Jesus has completely rescued us, how should that change the way we live?


Final Challenge

The sermon gave us three challenges:

1. Acknowledge that sin is a big deal.

Don't minimize it. Confess it. Bring it into the light.

2. Acknowledge that obedience is a big deal.

Especially when obedience doesn't make sense.

Ask yourself:

“Do I trust God enough to obey Him even when I don't understand Him?”

3. Remember the sacrifice Christ made to completely cover and pay for our sin.

Our salvation isn't based on how good we are.

It is based on what Jesus has already done.


Closing Prayer

“God, thank You that You are a God who rescues. Help us to take sin seriously without forgetting the incredible depth of Your grace. Give us the faith of Noah to trust You and obey You, especially when we don't understand. Thank You for sending Jesus, the greater Ark, to rescue us from sin and judgment. Help us to live as people who have been rescued and to share that rescue with others. Amen.”


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.**




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?