“At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.” – 1 Timothy 6:15-16.

There is a lot of conversation happening about “kings” these days, either in the form of real kings or perceived kings as people. We imagine kings as powerful leaders, wise and just. They have wealth and riches. They have authority and influence. As Christians, we should have a different view: we should be concerned that our country doesn’t have a king because we do need a king, and that king is the King of kings and Lord of lords,  Jesus Christ. Out of every king in history, none can compare to  Jesus. Our Messiah is unlike any other king who has ever lived.

Fundamentally, the idea of Jesus being King of kings and Lord of lords means that there is no higher authority. His reign over all things is absolute and inviolable. God raised Him from the dead and placed Him over all things, “Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” (Ephesians 1:21–23).

Jesus is the only King whose scepter will never depart from Him, as Genesis 49:10 tells us: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.”

He is the only King who is all-wise: ”For the time is coming,”  says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

He is the only King who rules all the earth: “And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped.” (Zechariah 14:9).

In John 1:9-13, the Bible describes the tragedy of failing to see Jesus for who he truly is, as well as the blessing that comes when we honor Him as King: “The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”

Every day of our lives, we face the same fundamental question. Who’s wearing the crown? What’s the most important thing in my life? Am I honoring Christ as King? Or is something else king in my life?  There’s only room for one king in our lives, and that king is Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

1. What comes to mind when you hear the title “King” applied to Jesus? How does this differ from your understanding of earthly kings? 
2. In what ways does Jesus’ kingship differ from the expectations or images of power we see in the world around us? 
3. How does recognizing Jesus as King impact your daily life, your decisions, and your perspective on the world? 

“…A time to be quiet and a time to speak.” – Ecclesiastes 3:7.

You are in the middle of a conversation with a group of friends, and suddenly, the words come to a halt. You assume everybody is thinking, but the short pause stretches and then stretches some more. Suddenly, it is awkward. You rewind the conversation to see if you said something wrong. This uncomfortable experience is something many of us would prefer to avoid.

Silence is hard because everything in our culture, everything in our hearts, and everything in our world pushes us to share our thoughts and express our opinions. Op-eds in the paper, conversations around the water cooler at work, the news media, social media, and other platforms tempt us to voice our opinions, rather than remain silent. Being still is not easy for us in this modern age. It means that we have to stop doing things like scrolling, planning, talking, watching, and hashtagging. It means that we cease all activity. It seems unnatural to be still, and there is a tendency to want to fill the silence.

Psalm 46:11 says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” In this verse, God is strongly urging us to be still and silent. Silence isn’t necessarily a command from God, but rather a practice that can foster a deeper connection with the Lord. It’s often seen as a way to quiet the noise of the world and our thoughts, allowing us to hear God’s voice better, whether through intuition, guidance, or a sense of peace. Additionally, silence can be a powerful tool for self-reflection, growth, and discernment.

Our relationship with God is the most important thing in our lives. Just as we need to nurture our relationships with family and friends, we need to nurture our relationship with God. Quiet time helps us do this. During these moments of prayer and spiritual contemplation, we can slow down and connect with God on a deeper, more profound level. We can reflect on God’s Word, ask for guidance in our lives, and discover God’s will for our lives.

In a world that constantly pulls our attention in different directions, taking time to be still and spend time with God helps us stay focused on what is truly important. It gives us a chance to step away from the distractions of everyday life and to refocus our attention on God. Scripture tells us that we need to be still to hear from God. Psalms 37:7 says, “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm  46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” In the silence, we can hear God’s voice speaking to our hearts.

When our minds are constantly filled with outside stimuli, it becomes impossible to make space for the lessons that silence can teach us about God, about ourselves, and His work in the world each day.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to be silent before God?
2. How can silence help us hear God’s voice?”
3. What are some ways we can practice silence in our daily lives?

“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” – Hebrews 1:3.

Have you ever sat back, taking in the chaos around you, and decided that you need to get your life back in order? Most people live their lives at such a fast pace that they barely have time to keep up with life, so it seems natural for us to strive to bring order to chaos. The Bible gives us a clear picture of what a well-ordered life looks like.

Did Jesus live an orderly life when He was here on this earth? Yes, the life of Jesus can be described as well-ordered. While He was often busy and faced many demands, His life was characterized by a deep sense of purpose, intentionality, and alignment with God’s will. He prioritized prayer, retreat, and teaching His disciples, demonstrating a balanced approach to ministry and personal life.

Take a moment to reflect on just how orderly and sustainable our universe is. The fact that the universe has remained this way for untold thousands of years should solidify our faith in Christ more than ever. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Christ sustains everything by His power. Not only did God create and order it, but He, by the same word, sustains it. Everything has remained in its proper place and orbit, and it will remain that way until Christ comes again.

Jesus created, ordered, and sustained the universe, and created, ordered, and sustained the new life of those who chose to follow Him. The Psalmist in Psalms 119:133 (KJV) says, “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalms 37:23-24 (NKJV) adds, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.” And 1 Corinthians 14:40 says, “But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.”

God has not called us to live our lives in a happenstance manner, but to live our lives in a way that reflects Him. It’s easy to think that a disciplined life is a stiff and burdensome existence, but that is not true. Discipline is a matter of dedication, and it starts from the most minor things, but it builds up to be so much more. It’s not enough to have good intentions about the way we want to live life daily; it’s allowing God to order your life by surrendering your will to His and trusting that His plans are better than your own.

This involves actively seeking God’s guidance through His Word and prayer, recognizing that His path may not always be easy but is ultimately for your good. It’s about acknowledging that God’s wisdom surpasses our understanding and choosing to follow His lead, even when it’s difficult.

Discussion Questions:

1. How would you define a “well-ordered life” in the context of your faith?
2. What does it mean to have a life that is “decent and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40)?
3. What are the key characteristics of a life that reflects God’s design?

“We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and privacy.” – C.S. Lewis.  

C.S. Lewis wrote in The Weight of Glory, “We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and privacy, and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.” Most of us have grown accustomed to what truly does amount to being “starved” for solitude. We are bombarded by so much noise that solitude is a scarce commodity, and we can’t find enough time to be with our Creator.

Solitude is a spiritual practice. Solitude can seem a little esoteric, or it may just be that many people are simply out of practice with being alone and quiet, both with themselves and with God. However, solitude is essential for maintaining mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

We need solitude for one reason—Jesus needed it. Throughout the New Testament, numerous examples of Jesus going off by Himself to pray are found. Jesus began His ministry with solitude (Matthew 4:1-11). After a long day of ministry, “he went up into the hills by himself to pray” (Matthew 14:23). Before the cross, Jesus goes to Gethsemane with His disciples and says, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” (Matthew 26:36). Mark 1:35, tells us “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”

Jesus, who practiced perfect communion with His heavenly Father while here on earth, still needed to spend time in solitude. Jesus, who was God and man simultaneously, needed time alone. When Jesus was facing His crucifixion, He spent time alone in the Garden of Gethsemane in conversation with His heavenly Father. Solitude is one of the most important and life-giving spiritual disciplines. If we want to hear God, we must practice solitude.

So, how can you practice solitude effectively? First, we need a place where we can spend time with God free from distractions or interruptions. Then, set aside a specific amount of time to spend with God in silence and solitude. It could be two minutes or an hour. Connecting with God in solitude is crucial for spiritual growth, offering a space for introspection, healing, and a deeper understanding of God’s love and purpose. It allows for a quiet contemplation of one’s own life, the nature of God, and one’s place in His story, fostering intimacy and clarity in God’s presence.

The goal of practicing the discipline of solitude is to engage in an extended conversation with God about your life, your relationship with Him, and His perspective on your life together. Your practice is to remove as many distractions as possible so you can give God your undivided attention.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “There is a wonderful power of clarification, purification, and concentration upon the essential thing in being quiet.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your current experience with solitude? Do you intentionally seek it out, or do you tend to avoid it? 
2. What are some of the biggest distractions that keep you from experiencing silence and solitude? 
3. How did Jesus model the practice of solitude, and how can His example shape our pursuit of time alone with God? 

“Don’t drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit and controlled by him. Talk with each other much about the Lord, quoting psalms and hymns and singing sacred songs, making music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:18-20.

If you read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, you will probably conclude that living for God can be pretty dangerous based on some of the stories. Job, Joseph, Moses, David, Isaiah, Ruth, Jeremiah, Peter, and many others all faced major trials. The three Hebrews were thrown into a fiery furnace. Daniel spent a night with hungry lions. John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded, and Paul was stoned and left for dead.

In the book of Daniel, the faith of Daniel and his friends was tested time and again. Taken from their homeland as young men, they were dropped into a different culture and expected to adapt to their new reality. Yet, despite every difficulty they faced, they never wavered in their devotion to the one true God. When King Darius came to check on him after Daniel’s night with the lions, he asked, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions” (Daniel 6:20)? Daniel was able to answer, “My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty” (verse 22). What a testimony of God’s power and faithfulness Daniel gave to this pagan king.

There are many modern-day Daniels. No, they weren’t carried away to a strange land or turned a lion’s den into a petting zoo, but they have endured challenging situations. In A Martyr’s Grace, Marvin Newell tells the biographies of 21 Moody Bible Institute alumni who gave their lives for Christ. The book describes where they served and how their legacy and testimony live on in the rainforests, villages, churches, and cities where they died.

A Christ-like response to trials validates what Jesus is accomplishing in a believer’s life. A testimony is your story of how God has transformed your life, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some are very dramatic, with wild turning points and big “ah-ha moments.”  Others are some are far less so and have a slow build, but they are no less inspiring. Some testimonies may involve great struggles and the story of how Jesus helped them through it. Some may involve a few different incidents that make far more sense after some time and reflection enables you to see the hand of God working in your life.

Trials and tribulations, though challenging, can deepen our understanding of faith, strengthen our character, and provide powerful stories to share as part of our testimonies. James 1:2-4 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some practical ways to prepare a testimony that is both authentic and impactful? 
2. How can our trials help make the point when sharing our testimonies? 

“ Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” – Matthew 21:8-11.

Halftime in sports is crucial for a variety of reasons, primarily offering a strategic and physical advantage to teams. They provide an opportunity for coaches to assess the game, make necessary adjustments to strategy, and offer a breather for players to recover and refuel.

Jesus has been busy. Numerous miracles have been performed. Hundreds of people have been healed. Lazarus has been raised from the dead. When Jesus and the disciples arrive in Jerusalem, the crowd is waiting, shouting “Hosanna.” Everyone is expecting Jesus to soon proclaim Himself as the King. The disciples probably thought this was half-time and the second half was going to be epic. It’s the Passover meal, and they are celebrating the feast that honors God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt. In the midst of high fives and smiles Jesus tells them that one of the people there will betray Him (Mark 14:18-20). Then he says all of you will desert me (Mark 14:27-31). They were probably taken back, and Peter declared emphatically. “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the others vowed the same.

Think about this half-time talk. The 12-man team is going to fall apart because they are not ready to handle the latter part of the game. Their opponent is probably too much for them to handle. And you have to finish the game without your leader because Jesus is arrested in the garden. How does his “team” react? They did exactly what Jesus said they would do, including Peter. The realization of defeat settled in and the old life-style came back John 21:3:” Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” Peter seemed to be throwing in the towel and reluctantly going back to their old life. But they had forgotten about the new coach Jesus had promised them.

In John 16:7, Jesus says, “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate[a] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” Jesus had tried to prepare them: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you” (John 14:16-17).

He left them with a power. We see that power manifested in the team. Peter preached a sermon under the power of the Holy Spirit that resulted in the birth of the church. And what a second half it has been.

Discussion Questions:

1. If it’s halftime, what should we do going forward?  

“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” – Matthew 5:48.

Jesus called us to live a perfect, sinless life in righteousness. But as we discover, righteousness does not come without a fight. And sometimes that fight is not a fight you win because even though you do your best to follow Jesus, you fall. You sin. You lose the battle. But the good news is you haven’t lost the war.

Christianity is war. But this war is unlike any war that’s been fought before. Our war is not against people but against evil spiritual powers and the rulers of darkness. (Ephesians 6:12) A war tends to be a messy affair. There’s a lot of back and forth. You win some, you lose some. You fire a shot. You fire another. You hit. You miss. You take a bullet. You give in to sin. A war, you may think, is not won without a few losses.

If you’re a Christian, you know war. War with your pride, war with your lust, war with your anger. War at home, war at work, war when you’re alone. War in your head, war in your heart, war in your mouth. Defeat one enemy, and another seems lined up to take its place. Fight your way up one hill, and another hill needs to be scaled. It is easy to wonder if this is the Christian life. In those moments, we must remember that war is winnable and that it will ultimately come to an end.

Yes, the battle against sin is winnable. Though sin is a powerful force, the victory has already been secured through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Jesus decisively defeated sin and death through His crucifixion and resurrection. This victory is the foundation for believers to experience freedom from sin’s power.  The Holy Spirit empowers believers to resist temptation and live a life pleasing to God, and the Bible provides principles and strategies for overcoming sin, including abstaining from sinful desires, meditating on God’s Word, and remaining in constant prayer. Believers can have confidence that they can win the battle against sin by relying on God’s power.

He will be with you in every battle (Matthew 28:20). He will uphold you with His victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10). He will sanctify you completely (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

The “war against sin” will ultimately culminate in a future state of complete freedom from sin and its consequences. This belief is rooted in Jesus’s return and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth. In this future state, sin will be eradicated, and believers will experience perfect fellowship with God and one another. We can find hope in Revelation 21:1-8, which describes a new heaven and new earth where God will dwell with His people and wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

While we acknowledge our ongoing struggle with sin in this life, we also believe that in Christ, we are already freed from the penalty of sin and empowered to overcome its influence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can you actively resist temptation and put sin to death? 
2. What practical steps can you take to guard your heart and mind against sin? 
3. How can you use the Word of God and prayer to fight sin? 

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God,  the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:28-3.

 I just committed a sin. It doesn’t matter what it was. It does matter that I knew it was wrong; I tried not to do it, and did it anyway. What was wrong with me that I couldn’t stop myself from doing evil? And how did I get from a place of wanting to obey God to doing the very thing He hates?

It wasn’t the first time I’ve sinned and asked those questions, and it sure won’t be the last. Those questions pop up when we feel stuck in a cycle of sin, seemingly unable to break a pattern that we tried to break over a period of time. It brings Romans 7:18-19 to memory: ”And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.”

Ever since Eve gave in to temptation, sin has been a part of human nature. We all sin every single day. However, God is forgiving of all sins, big or small, because He loves us and wants to save us from all things evil and all of our sin. Whether it is lying, cheating, stealing, or anything else, God views all sin the same. Sin breaks His heart and separates us from Him. So God made a way for us to be restored to a relationship with Him. Jesus paid the penalty for sin through His substitutionary death. Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, proving that God accepted His payment for sin. Jesus was punished for our sins so that we could be forgiven and escape the punishment of sin.

Jesus offers forgiveness for sins to those who sincerely ask for it. This forgiveness is rooted in God’s grace and mercy so no matter what you do, you can be forgiven. God wants to forgive you and love you. He wants to have a relationship with you.  “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” – 1 John 1:9

We therefore need to learn not to underestimate the seriousness of sin; instead, we must watch out for its subtleties and insinuations. To fight against sin, we must come to understand its addictive and enslaving power.  We make a grave mistake if we think that we are the ones who can overcome sin’s indwelling power. On our own, we are powerless to fight sin. Our only option is to surrender to the One who can.  Our ability to achieve total victory over sin will never come in this life. But it will come. It will come because Christ will return.

As Christians, we can live in hope — hope that God’s grace is sufficient for our fight against sin, hope that the Spirit is renewing us and restoring our ability to fight sin day by day, and finally, hope that we will one day be remade entirely. It is Christ’s ability that is behind each of those hopes. He conquered sin and death to rescue us. He sent His Spirit to redeem us. And He will return again to restore us fully.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your definition of sin? How does it differ from a mistake or error in judgment? 
2. How does sin impact our relationship with God and with others?
3. What can you do better in your struggle with sin?
   

  “Most people want to hear or tell a good story. But they don’t realize that they can and should be the good story. That requires intentional living. It is the bridge that crosses the gap to a life that matters. “If you want to live a life that matters, don’t start when you get good; start now so you become good.” – John Maxwell, Intentional Living.

We can sing together, and listen to God’s word spoken and learn together as members of the Body of Jesus Christ. We can leave with new insights into Scripture. But there’s one thing we cannot do among several thousand people, and that is to have fellowship. For real fellowship, you need a small group. Small groups provide an opportunity for members to grow spiritually and deepen their faith. The intimacy of a small group setting enables open discussion, prayer, and Bible study in a way that may not be possible in a larger church setting. Small group Bible studies provide an opportunity for members to receive more personalized attention and support. But none of that happens without intentionality.

God made us not just as individuals, but as individuals who are part of a community. You cannot grow spiritually unless you’re connected relationally. God wants to use other people to grow us, and He wants to use us to develop other people. Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” The writer uses the words “us,” “our,” “together.” It’s not “me” but “we.”

It takes intentionality to build community. Relationships don’t automatically happen; they develop over time. Community is about doing life together. At the end of the book of Romans, Paul mentions more than 30 names of people he traveled with, stayed with, visited, worked alongside, and sang with in prison. He encouraged his friends and was encouraged by his friends. Community takes time, energy, and effort. But it is worth it.

Small groups are crucial in large churches because they foster discipleship, build meaningful relationships, and create a sense of community where individuals can experience personal growth and accountability. They offer a more intimate setting for engaging with faith, learning, and serving one another, which can be harder to achieve in a large congregational setting.

Small groups provide a space for individuals to connect with others on a deeper level and receive personalized encouragement and guidance. They can help create a sense of belonging and foster strong relationships among members, which can be vital in a large church where individuals might feel anonymous. Small groups provide a platform for members to hold each other accountable, offer support during challenging times, and encourage one another’s spiritual growth.

Rick Warren said, ”Once people are in a small group, I stop worrying about them because I know their needs are going to be taken care of.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the risks of not having biblical fellowship in your life? How honest are you willing to be with others in your community?
2. What is one tangible step you can take this week to build more intentional community with others?