Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE: John 4:4-26
Key Points
- We demonstrate grace when we listen well.
- We listen well when we listen:
1) actively and attentively
2) seeking to learn and love - We love where we live when we listen well.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”
- Jeremiah 2:13 ESV
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: What do you think is the difference between hearing and listening?
2: What does listening have to do with learning? What does listening have to do with loving?
3: How would you describe grace? Why is listening a demonstration of grace?
4: When is the last time someone showed you what grace looks like by listening to you? How did it make you feel?
5: What keeps you from listening well to others? What helps you listen well to others?
6: What keeps you from listening to God? What helps you listen to God?
7: Read James 1:19-27. What does this passage teach us about listening well to God and to others?
8: What is the Holy Spirit opening your eyes to see (and your ears to hear) today? How will you respond?
Pray
Lord, will you give us not only ears to hear and eyes to see, but hearts to listen, love, and learn? We confess we have not listened to you as we ought. We confess we have not listened to others as you taught. Father, forgive us. May we be quick to listen and slow to speak. Help us to love where we live by listening well to you and to others.
DOWNLOAD OUR 2021 LENTEN JOURNAL HERE AND JOIN US AS WE SEEK TO BLESS 4 PEOPLE OVER 40 DAYS BY LOVING WHERE WE LIVE!
references
For those interested in further study, our pastors want to share resources that have aided them in their sermon preparation (in conjunction with the Bible and the Holy Spirit):
· B.L.E.S.S. 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World by Dave Ferguson and Jon Ferguson
· 40 Days of Blessing: Love Your Neighbor. Change the World. PCBC 2021 Lenten Journal
· The Gospel According to John (Pillar New Testament Commentary) by D. A. Carson
· Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels by Kenneth E. Bailey
· The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande
Find more Lenten resources here.
