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Zealous Faith

Ryan Garrett [Middle School Student Minister]

Scripture References & Sermon Points

Sermon Takeaway = Zealous Faith

• Scripture Reference: Colossians 3:16–17

• Scripture Reference: Acts 9:15

Sermon Point 1: Zeal for the Word

Sermon Point 2: Zeal for Worship

Sermon Point 3: Zeal for the Name

Sermon Discussion Questions

Get to know me: The purpose of these questions is to generate responses that are self-revealing and informative. Feel free to ask all of these questions to your group or simply choose the one that best fits your group.

1. Think of a time when you were so excited and passionate about something in your life you wanted everyone you knew to know about it. What was it? Why was it important for everybody to know?

Into the Bible: The purpose of these questions is to draw group members into the Bible to discover the truth from passages that were not the primary text for the weekend message.

1. Read John 2:13-17; Mark 11:15-17. We love table-flippin’ Jesus, don’t we? He rolls in and shakes things up! But what happens is we end up missing the reason why He’s doing it. Where this trade market was set up was in the area before Jews would enter the temple. Not only would people be taken advantage of in the market but this area was the last place Jewish women and God-believing non-Jews could come to worship and pray. Why would Jesus care about Jewish women and God-believing non-Jews worshiping and praying? What does it say about Jesus that He does not want anyone getting in the way of worshiping Him?

2. Read Philippians 3:3-6; Galatians 1:13–14. Paul had the credentials. As he said, he was a “Hebrew of Hebrews.” (Phil. 3:5) He had letters from the high priest (Acts 9:2) to continue his persecution of the followers of Jesus. Nothing was going to stop his zeal to put an end to the Christians, except the One they were named for. How does Paul go from violent zeal in one direction to grace-filled zeal in the opposite direction? How have you seen your zeal change in your time as a believer?

Application: The purpose of these questions is to apply the main points from the weekend message.

1. Read Colossians 3:16a. Sermon point - Zeal for the Word. Paul says that God’s Word should dwell in us richly. His letters are filled with references to the OT. He was a man who meditated on God’s Word day and night. What are some reasons why knowing and understanding Scripture is critical? How do you become zealous for Scripture?

2. Read Scripture 3:16b. Sermon point - Zeal for Worship. Paul knew that the Christian life is plural - it’s we, not me. The Christian life was meant to be shared. From the moment Paul got saved, he plugged into community, seeking out disciples in the cities where he went. What does “teaching and admonishing one another” say to you about the community of believers in Jesus? 

3. Read Scripture 3:17. Sermon point - Zeal for the Name. The real danger for Paul wasn’t Emporer Nero’s sword, it was cowardly silence. How could he not proclaim Jesus? Acts shows Paul, from the moment he is converted, laser-focused on proclaiming Christ. Everyone he came in contact with was going to hear about what Jesus did for him. How can you become zealous for the name of Jesus without causing harm to the name of Jesus? In your life specifically, in what ways could you suffer for speaking the truth of the Gospel to those around you who don’t know Jesus?