07-03-2022
07-03-2022 Dr. E. Dale Locke (LOX, WPB, LW & Online), Rev. Efrain Silva (COH Español)
Sermon Series: Word of God Speak
Week 1: “Say What?”
PDF file for printing. 1. Read the theme verse for this series - Psalms 32:8 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”Talk about what you notice about this verse of scripture. 2. In this series we are going to focus on engaging with scripture regularly together as a church community. This is a value we at Community of Hope have held up since our church began 25 years ago.
Read together the COH Mission Statement: We exist to interest disinterested people in Jesus Christ and grow together into fully devoted followers of Him.
3. Hearing God’s voice isn’t for a select few.
If you can, share an experience you have had when you’ve heard God’s voice. What were the circumstances? How did you know it was God?
4. Hearing God’s voice doesn’t have to be weird.
Why do you think some people think that not everyone can hear God’s voice, or that it’s weird to hear him?
5. Hearing God’s voice happens best in God’s Word.
Read John 14:15-17 - “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Jesus tells the disciples he is leaving them (John 14:1-2) just before telling them this. What does he mean by an ‘advocate’? What are some other terms that could be used to describe what Jesus meant by ‘advocate’?
6. John Tyson, pastor of The Church of the City New York, says: “We’re all being evangelized! We’re all being solicited for our attention and our affection. And what we give all of our attention to gets our devotion, right? I mean, what monopolizes our time, and our affection – we become those things.”
Discuss the different ways the world is ‘evangelizing’ for our attention and our affection.
7. God wants your attention.
Can you share a time you knew God was trying to get your attention? What are some other ways God might try to get our attention?
8. God wants our affection.
He wants a relationship with each of us that matters. What are some ways to share our affection to God on a daily basis? Why is it important to do so on a daily basis (think about the value you place on your valued human relationships – how frequently you communicate; how you communicate; ways you express appreciation/gratitude, etc)?
9. Read John 14:26 – “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
How does this scripture demonstrate how deeply God cares for each one of us?
10. If you haven’t done it yet, download the YouVersion Bible App onto your phone or device by clicking the Link to Word of God Speak, Part Three.
Commit to reading the scriptures daily, and each week over the next several weeks, you’ll hear some insights from the pastors regarding ways to really hear God’s voice in His Word. Encourage one another to read the scriptures each day, and share your thoughts on what you’re reading. You CAN hear God’s voice!
Ready for your next step? – If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as trusting your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.
News and Announcements:
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Kids of Hope Around Town – Watch for the fun events we’re planning around Palm Beach County for kids and families to take part in all summer long. Our next event is at Adrenaline Trampoline Park on Thursday, July 7 at 10:00 a.m. More information at https://communityofhope.church/kohsummer.
Fam Jam, July 19 | 5:30pm - 8:00pm | All Campuses - Fam Jams are fun, high-energy evenings for our families with pre-school and elementary-age children! Come and spend time as a family and enjoy dinner, activities and bible teachings! We will have lots of outdoor games and activities set up for the kids to run around, too. Dinner will be served for $3 and if you invite a friend , their meal will be FREE!
4 Kids Backpack Drive - As part of our partnership with 4Kids, a wonderful ministry that brings hope, homes, and healing to foster kids and families in crisis in our area, we donate back-to-school backpacks for them to give to foster children each fall. Our goal this year is to donate 75 filled backpacks to 4Kids. You can find a list of items to fill the backpacks with and get more information at: https://www.4kids.us/PBBacktoSchool. The deadline to bring the filled backpacks to any of our church campuses is Sunday, July 17.
Thank you for your regular financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to you and to our community! To give to Community of Hope go to https://communityofhope.church/give.