Text:  Psalm 91 Big Idea: Because God Himself is our refuge, we can trust Him to protect and provide for us in every trouble.1. The blessing of confidence: God will protect and cover you2. The blessing of covenant: God will guard you in all your ways. 3. The blessing of comfort: God will satisfy you and show His salvation. Psalm 91 — Discussion Questions 1. What does it practically mean to “dwell in the shelter of the Most High”? How does trusting God as your refuge change how you face fear? 2. Psalm 91 says we will face real danger — yet we need not fear (vv. 5–7).How can faith reorder our fears when threats feel overwhelming? 3. How does Jesus’ response to Satan (Matt. 4:5–7) help us interpret promises like vv. 11–12 without twisting them? What does true trust look like? 4. Where do you go for “refuge” besides God? What would it look like this week to run to Him first for protection, provision, and comfort?

Main idea:  God overturns human evil through His sovereign providence, the intercession of His mediator, and justice that secures His people’s salvation. God’s Providence Sets the Stage (6:1–14)God’s Mediator Identifies with the Condemned (7:1–6)God’s Justice Secures His People’s Salvation (7:7–10) Discussion Questions:1. Anxiety often comes from believing we must control everything. How does recognizing God’s providence help us respond to fear or worry about circumstances beyond our control?2. God’s timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed or hidden. How do we cultivate patience and trust in God’s timing, especially when the results of His providence are not yet visible?3. How does Esther’s courage and identification with her people point to Jesus’ work as our mediator? How does seeing Christ as fully identifying with sinners deepen your understanding of the gospel?

Main idea:  Humble faith quietly advances God’s purposes, while proud ambition rushes toward its own downfall.1. Humble faith quietly advances God’s purposes (v.1-8)2. Proud ambition rushes toward its own downfall (v.9-14) Discussion questions:1. How does Esther’s strategy demonstrate wisdom, patience, and shrewdness? How is this different from deceit?2. How might approaching God with confidence change the way we pray or make difficult decisions?3. In your own life, where do you see joy or satisfaction anchored in things other than God? How does this make you vulnerable to frustration or sin?4. How does reflecting on Haman’s folly encourage you to examine your own motives, ambitions, or sources of satisfaction?

BIG IDEA:  Praise God with Confident joy by resting in His eternal plan, and hoping in His Steadfast love.  I. Trust in His good word (4-11) II. Rest in His eternal plan  (10-12) III. Fear God, not false saviors (13-19)    Discussion Questions:  1. When joy feels far, which truth in vv.4–9 most lifts your praise—and why? 2. What’s your modern “war horse” (money, control, approval), and how will you shift that trust to the Lord this week? 3. What’s one concrete way you’ll practice joyful waiting (vv.20–22)—sing, give thanks, or meditate on truth—and when?

Main idea: God’s providence calls His people to courageous obedience in every situation. 1. God’s people lament the world’s brokenness (vv. 1–4)2. God’s providence places His people in uncomfortable positions (vv. 5–11)3. God’s sovereign plan calls for faithful risk (vv. 12–14)4. God’s salvation often comes through substitutionary courage (vv. 15–17) Discussion Questions:1. How can we recover the biblical practice of lament in our worship service, our prayers, and our relationships?2. How does the myth of “safe Christianity” show up in modern church life?3. When have you faced a moment where obedience to God carried personal risk?4. How does viewing Esther as a signpost to Christ rather than merely an example change the way we read this story?

Main Idea:  Human pride and hatred pursue God’s people, as darkness fills the land. When men demand respect (1–6)When leaders deceive (6–11)When darkness invades (12–15) Discussion Questions:1. What risks come with standing by conviction in a culture that rewards compliance?2. Why does Scripture urge us to pray for our leaders—even when they are ungodly?3. In what ways are we experiencing God’s patience right now?4. How do distraction, indifference, or apathy serve Satan’s purposes just as effectively as open rebellion?Where do you notice this kind of spiritual dullness creeping into your own walk with God?

Main Idea:  God sovereignly works behind the scenes to position His people for His saving purposes, even in a world that seems ruled by chance. God’s Providence in human decisions (1-11)God’s Power in human deification (12-18)God’s Preparation in human deception (19-23) Discussion Questions:1. How can we cultivate relationships where “faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6) rather than only surrounding ourselves with affirming voices?2. How do you see believers today facing similar tension between two worlds—faithful to God while navigating secular culture?3. Why is it comforting—or perhaps uncomfortable—to realize that God can use sinful people and unjust systems to accomplish His purposes?4. How can the truth that “God’s grace is greater than our sin” change the way we respond to personal failure or the failures of others in the church?

Main idea: God’s providence is quietly at work even when human pride and power seem to rule the day. The Narcissist KingThe Noncompliant QueenThe Nonsensical Advisors Discussion Questions:1. Why do you think worldly glory fades so quickly? What does Scripture teach about the things that truly endure? (See 1 Peter 1:24–25, Matthew 6:19–21.)2. How can resting in God’s sovereignty make you a more humble and secure leader, parent, or friend?3. What encouragement can we draw from knowing that “God’s providence is not limited to the obedience of people”?4. Pastor Jeff said, “The harder we try to secure life apart from God, the more fragile and anxious we become.” How have you seen this truth play out personally? How does unbelief lie at the root of our need to control others or outcomes?

Psalm 23 - Worship our Great Shepherd Guest Preacher - Ben Spector from South Hill Baptist Church

Acts 16 Big Idea: God saves whom He wills, when He wills—through the proclamation of His people.” 1. The Spirit summons and sends (1-15) 2. The Son saves and secures (16-40)   Discussion question:  1. When has God closed a door in your life to lead you somewhere better? What should you do if you don't know if he has changed your plans? 2. How can parents and grandparents play a key role in passing on faith like with Timothy? 3. What do Lydia, the slave girl, and the jailer show us about the gospel’s reach? 4. How can we worship God when facing suffering like Paul and Silas? 5. If God is the one who opens hearts, how should that change the way we share the gospel?    

Acts 15:22-41 Big Idea: God provides His word and His people so the church will agree on what to do and who should do it.  1. Embrace God’s word–it brings peace. (22-35) 2. Lean into conflict–it will strengthen the church (36-41)     Discussion Questions  1. What do we learn about how the early church made decisions from the letter sent in Acts 15:22–29? 2. How do God’s Word, God’s Spirit, and God’s people work together in discerning His will? 3. Why do you think Luke tells us about the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (vv. 36–39)?  4. What’s the difference between unity and uniformity? How does this passage illustrate that? 5. Where are you tempted to avoid conflict in your life, and how might God use His Word and His people to help you face it faithfully?

Main idea:  The gospel is not Jesus plus something—it is grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone. The Danger of a Distorted Gospel—v.1-5The Encouragement of a Clear Gospel—v.6-11The Grace of a Shared Gospel—v.12-21 Discussion Questions:1. How can you tell the difference between faithful obedience to Christ and slipping into legalism?2. If grace saves us, what role does the law play in the Christian life today?3. Where are you tempted to add to the gospel in your own life—whether through spiritual performance, cultural expectations, or personal convictions?4. How might our church better display the humility, love, and unity that flow from the shared gospel of grace?

Main Idea:  The gospel does not advance in comfort, but through costly obedience. 1. Courageous Preaching and Mistreatment (v.1–7)2. Confirmed Power and Misplaced worship (v.8–18)3. Constant Perseverance and Making disciples (v.19–28) Discussion Questions:1. What encouragement can we take from knowing that the gospel itself—not our eloquence—is what God uses to save people?2. Why was Paul and Barnabas’ response (tearing their clothes, emphatically refusing worship) so important? What danger would there have been if they had passively allowed it?3. Why do you think so many Christians (especially in the West) are surprised when faith is costly?4. How does God use trials to strengthen His church, and how can we encourage one another to endure faithfully until we see Christ?

Main idea:  The gospel divides but it also multiplies The Gospel Proclaimed (13-41)The Gospel Divides (42-45)The Gospel Advances (46-52) Discussion Questions:1. What does Paul emphasize by retelling Israel’s history before pointing to Jesus?2. Paul ends with both a promise of forgiveness and a warning. How should we respond when we hear the gospel?3. Why do you think opposition to the gospel is often stirred up, even when the message brings joy and life to others?4. How can we hold on to joy in Christ when our circumstances are hard or when people resist the gospel?

The guest preacher is Bryan Winchester from Saving Grace Church in Milwaukie, OR

BIG IDEA: The Holy Spirit Makes Straight the Way to the Lord 1. Look to the Holy Spirit to Send 2. Look to the Holy Spirit to Speak   Discussion Questions  1. How should we make  significant ministry or life decisions today? How might we be tempted to skip this step? 2. What are some practical signs that apathy has set into our walk with God? How can fasting, prayer, and community help revive our zeal for Him? 3. What are some ways we can train ourselves to recognize and obey the “voice” of the Holy Spirit through Scripture and godly counsel, especially when the path ahead is confusing? 4. What are some modern “Elymas”-like influences that oppose the gospel today, and how should the church respond to such deception? 5. How does this passage challenge our tendency to elevate a few “superstars” in ministry rather than value the role of the whole body?  

Big Idea: Trust in the word of God not in the word of man1. Pray when the word of man suppresses God’s word.  (v.1-5)2. Remember his word and wait expectantly (v.6-17)3. Trust in the word of God, not man (v.18-24)  Discussion Questions: 1. It is likely the early church prayed before James was executed, yet he was still killed. How might we avoid hopelessness in our prayer in the face of disappointment? 2. Rhoda believes; the prayer meeting doubts. Why is it sometimes hardest to recognize God’s intervention when we’re in the middle of pleading for it?  3. What practical indicators help us discern when we’re seeking God’s glory versus our own? How can we cultivate humility that resists the subtle pull of self-exaltation? 4. Where have you seen God advance His gospel despite opposition—globally, locally, or personally? In light of that track record, what specific step of faith or obedience is He calling you to take this week?

Big Idea: God’s grace grants life, gives time, and gathers generosity.  God’s grace grants life (1-18)God’s grace gifts time (19-26)God’s grace gathers generosity (27-30) Discussion questions  1. How has God personally shown His generosity to you—whether in creation, the Word, salvation, or the church—and how does that shape your worship and life.  2. Peter said, “Who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17). Have there been times when your assumptions or traditions got in the way of sharing God’s grace with others? 3. In what ways can you, like Barnabas and Saul, give the gift of time to help others grow in faith? Who has done that for you? 4. What needs—spiritual, physical, or emotional—do you see around you, and how can you take part in “seeing needs and meeting them” as the Antioch church did?

Main idea:  Our prejudices will not stop an unstoppable Gospel from going to all people 1. The Setup: God’s Sovereign Initiative2. The Encounter: Gospel proclaimed without prejudice3. The Implication: The church must GO to all people  Discussion Questions:1. What does Peter’s vision reveal about God’s attitude toward Gentiles and the future of the gospel?2. Why is it significant that Peter was hungry during the vision?3. How might we today, like Peter, “bundle up whole groups of people” into the metaphorical unclean sheet?4. When was the last time you intentionally shared a meal or had a meaningful gospel conversation with someone different from you culturally, politically, or economically?

Main idea: Walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit brings Gospel growth. 1. The Persecution of Saul2. The Ministry of Peter