Small Group Resources

november 16 | Revelation 6-7

In this powerful and challenging message from our “The Throne & The Storm” series on Revelation, we dive into the often-misunderstood and dark imagery of Revelation Chapter 6. As the Lamb breaks the seals on God’s scroll, we are confronted with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the reality of God’s unfolding judgment. In a world that often feels like it’s spinning into chaos, this passage reveals a profound truth: God is still on the throne, and Jesus is the only one worthy to execute His ultimate plan.

november 9 | Revelation 4-5

Dear Church, what is the ultimate reality behind our chaotic world? In this powerful message, we turn the corner in the Book of Revelation and are ushered into the throne room of heaven. Chapters 4 and 5 pull back the curtain to reveal the “war council” of the universe, where we see who is truly in control. We discover that the answer to the world’s crisis is not a ferocious lion, but a slaughtered Lamb—the only one worthy to execute God’s ultimate plan.

november 2 | Revelation 3:14-22

Dear Church, what does it mean to be a “lukewarm” Christian, and why does it provoke such a strong reaction from Jesus? In this concluding message of our look at the seven letters in Revelation, we examine the sobering performance review Jesus gives to the wealthy, self-sufficient church in Laodicea. They believed they were rich, successful, and in need of nothing, but Jesus reveals the shocking truth: their comfortable, complacent faith made Him want to “spit them out of His mouth.” This powerful sermon challenges us to move beyond a faith of mere reputation and into a life of earnest, all-in commitment to Christ.

OCTOBER 26 | Revelation 3:7-13

In a world full of instability, economic hardship, and persecution, where can we find the strength to remain faithful? In this message, we explore Jesus’s letter to the church in Philadelphia. Though they had “little strength,” they endured patiently and held fast to Christ’s name. Jesus meets them in their weakness with profound promises: He holds the keys, He opens doors no one can shut, and He will honor their perseverance for all eternity. 

OCTOBER 19 | Revelation 3:1-6

Dear Church, what happens when a church has a reputation for being alive, but Jesus says it’s dead? In this powerful message from our “Dear Church” series, we explore Jesus’s startling letter to the church in Sardis. This was a church resting on its laurels, known for its vibrant faith but spiritually asleep at the wheel. With a history of being conquered due to a lack of watchfulness, Sardis serves as a urgent warning for us today. Jesus’s command is simple and direct: “Wake up!” This sermon is a call to examine our hearts, move beyond the appearance of faith, and run the race of faithfulness to the very end.

OCTOBER 12 | Revelation 2:18-29

In this message from our “Dear Church” series, we dive into the longest of the seven letters: Jesus’s message to the church in Thyatira. This church was praised for its growing love, faith, and perseverance, yet was sternly warned for tolerating a “Jezebel”—a false teaching that led God’s people into idolatry and immorality. This challenging passage reveals a Jesus who sees all, disciplines those He loves, and offers a profound hope as the “Morning Star” to those who hold on in the darkness.

OCTOBER 5 | Revelation 2:12-17

Dear Church, how can a church be willing to die for its faith but still need a serious warning from Jesus? In this message from our “Dear Church” series, we examine Jesus’s letter to the church in Pergamum—a church that held fast under the threat of martyrdom but tolerated false teaching and immorality within its own walls. They kept the world out but let a “Trojan Horse” of compromise inside. This sermon challenges us to look inward, repent of the sin we tolerate, and reclaim the call to be a faithful, hopeful people in a decaying culture.

SEPTEMBER 28 | Revelation 2:8-11

Dear Church, what does it look like to be a faithful church in the midst of poverty, slander, and suffering? In this message, we explore Jesus’s letter to the church in Smyrna—one of only two churches that receives no rebuke. While they were afflicted, poor, and facing prison, Jesus calls them “rich.” Through the powerful historical example of Polycarp, we learn that courage is contagious and that our perspective in suffering changes everything when we know the final outcome. 

SEPTEMBER 21 | Revelation 2:1-7

Dear Church, what happens when a church does all the right things but loses the main thing? In this powerful message from our “Dear Church” series, we dive into Jesus’s letter to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2. This was a church known for its hard work, sound doctrine, and endurance—yet Jesus had one crucial thing against them: they had abandoned their first love. Join us as we explore this urgent warning and the path to rekindling a passionate love for God that defines everything we do.

SEPTEMBER 14 | Revelation 1:9-20

In this powerful message, we continue our series in the Book of Revelation, discovering a vision of Jesus that is anything but small. This is not the humble Jesus of the Gospels, but the glorified, cosmic Christ—the King of Kings who holds the keys to death and hell. In the midst of chaos, this sermon offers a profound call to trust in His ultimate authority, to be the church in a hurting world, and to find our hope not in the events of the day, but in the One who has already won the victory.

SEPTEMBER 7 | Revelation 1:1-8

Welcome to our new series diving into the Book of Revelation! After 35 years, Pastor Mike is finally tackling this often-misunderstood book of the Bible. In this introductory message, he shares why he’s come to see Revelation not as a source of anxiety, but as a profound source of hope, resilience, and a powerful revelation of Jesus Christ. Join us as we begin to pull back the curtain on this incredible letter.

RESTART

Life lessons from the parables of Jesus.

AUGUST 31 | Matthew 13:44-46

What if you were given two extra hours every day? How would you spend that time? In this final message of our Restart series, Pastor Paul Fowler challenges us to examine what we truly value by looking at Jesus’ powerful Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:44-46). This parable isn’t a gentle story—it’s a spiritual grenade designed to shake our priorities and restart our minds around what is truly of eternal value.

AUGUST 124 | Matthew 25:14-30

What does it mean to be successful? In this powerful and challenging message, we dive into the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). This isn’t a gentle story; it’s a spiritual bomb designed to shatter our assumptions about ownership, success, and our ultimate accountability to God. Jesus makes it clear that everything we have is on loan, and a perfect audit is coming. Are you investing what God has entrusted to you, or are you burying it in the ground?

AUGUST 17 | Luke 15:1-7

In this heartfelt message, we explore Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7). Just like a shepherd leaves the 99 to search for the one lost sheep, God relentlessly pursues you—no matter how far you’ve wandered. This parable shatters religious pride, exposes our deep need for grace, and reveals the overwhelming joy in heaven when even one person turns back to God.

AUGUST 10 | Luke 10:25-37

In this powerful message, we dive into Jesus’ famous Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). What starts as a simple question—“Who is my neighbor?”—turns into a radical call to love beyond boundaries, serve sacrificially, and recognize that everyone is our neighbor. Through this parable, Jesus not only exposes our biases and excuses but also reveals Himself as the ultimate Good Samaritan who rescues us when we were broken and left for dead.

WALK IN THE LIGHT

Join us for our 5-week Summer Sermon Series Walk In The Light.  In his Gospel, John introduces us to Jesus—the Light of the world. In his 1 John letter, he invites us to live in that light—turning from the shadows of sin, resting in God’s love, and letting that love flow through us to others. Walking in the light isn’t just what we believe about God—it’s how that belief reshapes the way we live, love, and show up in the world.

AUGUST 3 | 1 John 5:4-21

In this powerful conclusion to our Walking in the Light series, Pastor Paul Fowler explores 1 John 5, revealing how we can live with eternal confidence in Christ. Discover how the Holy Spirit testifies to the truth, how we can know we have eternal life, and how this assurance shapes our daily vision and purpose.

JULY 27 | 1 John 3:11-5:4a

Welcome to this week’s sermon at Christ Church! In this message, our Student Pastor Luke Babbe dives into 1 John 4, exploring what it means to live as children of God—marked by truth, confidence, and love. Drawing from personal stories and Scripture, we learn how to guard against deception, overcome fear, and walk in obedience through God’s love.

JULY 20 | 1 John 2:18-3:10

Welcome to today’s sermon from 1 John 2:18–3:10, where we explore what it means to truly live as children of God. In this message, we’ll unpack how abiding in Christ transforms us, helps us grow in righteousness, and empowers us to live for Him in a world full of distractions and false teachings.

JULY 13 | 1 John 2:3-17

Welcome to today’s sermon! In this message, we dive into 1 John 2, exploring the powerful connection between our love for God and how we live our lives. Pastor Syler Thomas unpacks key truths about obedience, temptation, and the transformative power of God’s love. If you’ve ever struggled with the gap between what you believe and how you act, this sermon is for you.

JULY 6 | 1 John 1:1 – 2:2

In this powerful message, Pastor Paul Fowler explores what it means to walk by faith and not by sight, especially when facing life’s uncertainties. Drawing from Scripture, he reminds us that God’s plans are greater than our fears and challenges us to trust Him fully—even when the path ahead isn’t clear.

RISE

A journey through the book of Psalms.

JUNE 29 | Psalm 134

In this final installment of our Rise: Psalms of Ascent series, Pastor Mike explores Psalm 134—a powerful call to worship that reveals how blessing God leads to our own flourishing.

JUNE 22 | Psalm 131

In a world filled with chaos, stress, and unrest, how do we find true peace? In this heartfelt message, we explore Psalm 131—a short but profound psalm that teaches us how to quiet our anxious hearts and rest in God like a weaned child in its mother’s arms.

JUNE 15 | Psalm 128

In this powerful message, we dive into Psalm 128 to explore what it truly means to live a blessed life. In a world filled with fear, uncertainty, and distractions, the Bible offers a countercultural answer: the fear of the Lord leads to true blessing, obedience, and lasting peace.

JUNE 8 | Psalm 130

On this Pentecost Sunday—the 2,000-year “birthday” of the Church—we reflect on Psalm 130, a powerful psalm for those feeling overwhelmed by guilt, shame, or life’s struggles. Whether you’re burdened by personal failures, anxiety about the future, or the chaos of the world, this psalm offers hope in God’s mercy and redemption.

JUNE 1 | Psalm 123

In this powerful message, Pastor Paul Fowler explores Psalm 123 from our Psalms of Ascent series, guiding us to discover where our true identity and hope lie.

MAY 25 | Ephesians 2:4-10

In this message, Pastor Cory dives deep into the transformative power of two simple yet profound words: “But God.” These words remind us that no matter our circumstances, God is greater, and His mercy changes everything.

MAY 18 | Psalm 120

In a world where trust is declining—in institutions, leaders, and even each other—where do we place our confidence? Psalm 120 gives us a raw and honest look at what it means to trust God when we’re under attack, lied about, or surrounded by conflict.

MAY 11 | Psalm 127

In this special message, we acknowledge the highs and lows that come with this day and dive into Psalm 127, a powerful Psalm of Ascent that speaks to the meaning of life, work, rest, and family. In a world of rapid change, uncertainty, and personal struggles, how do we anchor our lives in God’s truth? Join us as we explore timeless biblical wisdom for navigating life’s challenges with faith and trust in the Lord.

MAY 4 | Psalm 122

In this message from the Rise series, we explore Psalm 122, a song of pilgrimage celebrating the joy of gathering to worship God in Jerusalem. Just as ancient Israelites journeyed to the temple, we are reminded that the church is God’s dwelling place today—a community called to worship Him above all else.

APRIL 27 | Psalm 121

In this opening message of the Rise series, Pastor Paul Fowler explores Psalm 121, a “Song of Ascent” traditionally sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. This psalm reminds us that life is an uphill climb, but we have a Helper who never sleeps—God Himself.

JANUARY 19 | Mark 3:7-35

In this powerful message, Pastor Dustin explores how Jesus reveals humanity’s true deepest need through three key scenes in Mark chapter 3. While many today, like tech entrepreneur Brian Johnson, believe defeating death is humanity’s greatest need, Jesus shows us something far more fundamental.

JANUARY 12 | MARK 2:1 – 3:6

Join us as Pastor Ben Dockery takes us on an unusual “reverse drive-thru” journey through five controversial encounters in Mark’s Gospel, each revealing a different aspect of Jesus’s divine authority. Using a creative analogy from a backwards ice cream run with his family, Pastor Ben unpacks how these controversies help answer the fundamental question: Who is Jesus?

JANUARY 5 | MARK 1

Join us as Pastor Syler Thomas explores the profound questions of life and faith through the lens of Kacey Musgraves’ song “The Architect” and Mark chapter 1. This sermon kicks off our new series on the Gospel of Mark, examining Jesus’ first public message and what it means for us today.

Patience in the Promise

Patience in the Promise

This Advent season, join us for “Patience in the Promise,” a series that traces God’s faithfulness through four powerful stories of waiting and fulfillment. Beginning with Abraham and Sarah’s journey of trusting God’s seemingly impossible promise, we’ll move through Joseph’s testimony of God’s faithfulness amid suffering, then explore Mary’s extraordinary role in God’s unfolding plan. Finally, we’ll conclude with Simeon and Anna, whose story reminds us that while Advent is traditionally a season of waiting, we now celebrate from the other side of fulfillment – the promised Messiah has come.

DECEMBER 29 | MATTHEW 22:37

In this powerful message, Pastor Drew Gadsden shares personal stories and biblical insights about what it truly means to love God with all your heart. Drawing from his own transformation journey, Pastor Drew challenges us to examine what’s really in our hearts as we enter 2025. Through candid examples from his social media history and personal experiences, he demonstrates how God can transform even the most distant heart into one that fully loves and trusts Him.

DECEMBER 22 | SIMEON AND ANNA

Join Pastor Ben Dockery as he explores the profound story of Simeon and Anna encountering baby Jesus at the temple, and what their experiences teach us about finding true satisfaction for our souls. Drawing from Luke 2, Pastor Ben examines how these two witnesses recognized the promised salvation and found deep contentment in God’s faithfulness.

DECEMBER 15 | MARY

In this sermon, Pastor Mike explores the Annunciation – the moment when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary announcing she would give birth to Jesus. Through examining how the original readers would have understood Luke’s account, we discover profound insights about God’s nature and what true surrender looks like.

DECEMBER 8 | JOSEPH

In this powerful Advent message, we explore the story of Joseph (of the Old Testament) and how his response to betrayal and suffering mirrors Christ’s ultimate example. During this season of waiting and anticipation, Joseph’s story teaches us valuable lessons about forgiveness, perspective, and trusting God’s bigger plan.

DECEMBER 1 | ABRAHAM & SARAH

In a world of instant gratification and high-speed everything, Pastor Paul reminds us why we need Advent – a season of intentional waiting and patience. Drawing from Abraham’s story of waiting for God’s promises, this message explores how waiting shapes our faith and character.