
Pulpit Curriculum: Keep Hope Alive
September 22nd – 28th, 2024
Sermon Summary
The preacher in his sermon “Keep Hope Alive,” reminds us that Hope is more than wishing, longing, or dreaming. Instead, it is described throughout the Bible, both Old and New Testament, as an assured expectation of something to happen. It presupposes that the thing being desired is set to happen. Therefore, hope waits patiently because it must happen. Hope then is simply not a positive view of the future, it is an assured view of the future. The sermon anchored in Psalm 42, challenges both believer and non-believer to (1) Remember Past Victories; and (2) Consider God’s Character.
In addition, the preacher offered the following takeaways:
Be honest with God about your feelings - He is there to provide comfort and lead us out.
Rejoice in small victories - it reinforces and cements our hope in God.
Share your testimonies - as believers, we sharpen each other in our uncommon community by sharing of the goodness of God in our lives.
See all of God, not the bad side of God – endeavour to see all of God during suffering and not assume that God is trying us.
Spend time with God (listening and discerning) - practice hearing God’s voice and intentions, especially in new or unfamiliar places and experiences.
Choose to hope in God - Hope requires a deliberate effort to choose the reality we want to experience - either one that is defined by our 5 senses, or one that is defined by the words and intentions of God our Father.
Verse of the Week
Psalm 42:5-6a
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God.”
Application
Reflect on what God has done for you. Commit to sharing your testimony of God’s goodness and renewed hope this week.
5 Day Study Plan
Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.
Follow these steps
1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)
3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)
Day 1 - Isaiah 40:28-31
What I learned / How I will Respond?
Day 2 - Romans 12:12
What I learned / How I will Respond?
Day 3 - Romans 15:4
What I learned / How I will Respond?
Day 4 - Ephesians 1:18-21
What I learned / How I will Respond?
Day 5 - Hebrews 10:23
What I learned / How I will Respond?
For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.