Gospel: A Response is Required

1. The Parable (Mk 4:19)
• Seed -
• Path -
• Rocky ground -
• Thorns -
• Good soil -


2. How have you responded to the message of Jesus? (Mk 4:14-20)


1. "I don't GET it." (Mk 4:15)


2. "I can't TAKE it." (Mk 4:16-17)


3. "I don't WANT it." (Mk 4:18-19)


4. "I RECEIVE it." (Mk 4:20)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 4:1-20

1. How can you tell which way someone is responding to the Gospel? What does it look like if they are hard-hearted, shallow-­hearted, or worldly-­hearted?
    
2. How do you know if someone truly receives Jesus? Can you really know? What evidence (or “fruit”) can you look for?
    
3. What determines if someone produces 30­-fold, 60­-fold, or 100-­fold?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for someone, by name, that you know needs to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. And pray for an opportunity to share with that person!

Depression caused by Unbiblical Expectations

Unbiblical STANDARDS lead to unbiblical expectations.

Unbiblical expectations can lead to DEPRESSION .

Read 1 Kings 17 and 18:

Getting In (and Out) of Depression: (1 Kings 19:3-18)

1. How to Get into Depression: (unbiblical expectations, life isn't what you planned)


1. RETREAT by yourself. (1 Kgs 19:3-8)


2. REPEAT the negative. (1 Kgs 19:10,14)


3. REMEMBER nothing of God's Goodness. (1 Kgs 19:4-7)


2. How to Get Out of Depression:


1. Return to GOD . (1 Kgs 19:9-11)


2. Return to WORK . (1 Kgs 19:15)


3. Return to PEOPLE . (1 Kgs 19:15-17)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Kings 19:1-17

1. What are some ungodly standards the world promotes? How can you protect your children from these? [If you don’t have children, think in terms of, “If I did, I would do this…”. If your children are grown, what advice would you give them today (for your current or future grandchildren) on the subject?]
    
2. How is depression tied into wrong expectations about life? How does being overly self­-absorbed tie into depression / expectations?
    
3. Why is isolating yourself a common habit for many people who struggle with depression? What would you say to a friend who seems depressed and isolating him/herself?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!

Depression caused by Crisis

Review:

1. Don't LISTEN to yourself.

4 Terrible Sermons after a Crisis (of any kind/degree):


1. "I'm the ONLY one that has to deal with this!"


2. "God doesn't CARE !"


3. "God is not in CONTROL !"


4. "I can't DEAL with this!"



1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.



2. PREACH to yourself. (Job 1-2)

4 Truths to Preach to yourself after a Crisis:


1. Nothing happens without God's PERMISSION . (Job 1:12, Job 2:6)


2. Nothing is MINE . (Job 1:21)


3. Nothing diminishes God's GOODNESS . (Job 1:21)


4. Nothing God does is "EMPTY". (Job 1:22)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Job 1-2

1. When facing a crisis, EVENT + INTERPRETATION = RESPONSE. How can you properly interpret an event? What are some wrong interpretations you need to avoid?
    
2. What is wrong with the oft-­repeated counsel from Christians, “God doesn’t give you any more than you can handle? (Read 1 Corinthians 10:13)
    
3. When Satan appeared before God, why do you think God initiated the conversation about Job’s uniqueness, blamelessness, and uprightness (Job 1:8)?

Breakout Questions:

Are there any hardships “causing” depression in your life? Share them and pray.

Depression caused by Sin

The Universal Requirement:

The path of Sin to Depression:

1. A SIN is committed.


2. We feel GUILTY over our mistake.


3. We DELAY confession and repentance.


4. The growing guilt caused by our conscience leads to DEPRESSION .

Defeating Depression "caused by" Sin: (Ephesians 4:17-32)

1. Get SERIOUS. (Eph 4:17-24)


2. Get SPECIFIC. (Eph 4:25-29)


3. Get STRATEGIC. (Eph 4:25-29)


4. Get SECURE. (Eph 4:30-32)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Ephesians 4:17-32

1. What does it mean to “grieve the Holy Spirit”? What does that have to do with sin and depression?
    
2. What should motivate Christians to turn from sin, even though they are already forgiven?

Breakout Questions:

Are there any sins in your life right now that are causing depression? What steps do you need to take in dealing with it?

Depression 101

Some stats about Depression:


Depression defined:


Three categories of Depression:

Category 1: Mild, biblical example JESUS

Category 2: Moderate, biblical ex. ASAPH (Psalm 73)

Category 3: Severe, biblical ex. DAVID (Psalm 32)

Five biblical truths about Depression:

1. Depression is expected in a FALLEN world.
   
   
2. Depression is expected from those that don't know JESUS .
   
   
3. Depression is dispelled by the WORD and WORK of God.
   
   
4. Depression is possible for believers, because we still live in the FLESH.
   
   
5. Depression someday will be HISTORY !

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

1. Why do you think depression is so prevalent? What do you think are the top reasons Christians get depressed?

Read, as a group, Psalms 73 and 32. Discuss: Why were Asaph and David depressed? How did it affect them? What did they do about it? Does the end of each Psalm have a different tone than the beginning? What principles can you pull out of these in dealing with depression in your own life?

Breakout Questions:

Are you dealing with depression, on any level, right now? Why? How can the group pray for you?