Where Every Student Belongs

Where Every Student Belongs

The Where Every Student Belongs podcast exists to provide weekly sermons for the student ministry of Fellowship Bible Church.

  1. 4d ago

    Life of a Disciple: The Life of the Heart

    In 1 Chronicles 28:9, David calls Solomon to know God, serve Him wholeheartedly, and seek Him, remembering that God knows our hearts completely. Yet Solomon’s story in 1 Kings 11:4 warns us that even wisdom and a strong spiritual beginning cannot protect us from a divided heart. A disciple’s life is about more than outward obedience; when our hearts wander, we turn to Jesus in repentance and trust His grace to reshape our desires. Check out these discussion questions below for further conversation: Read 1 Chronicles 28:9. David tells Solomon to know God, serve Him wholeheartedly, and seek Him. What do you think it means to seek God with your whole heart? How is that different from simply going to church or doing what Christians are supposed to do?What do you think your heart truly longs for? What are some things students look to for happiness, identity, security, or approval?Read Matthew 22:37. Jesus calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. What would it look like for loving God to shape your everyday priorities, relationships, and decisions?Read 1 Kings 11:4. Solomon’s heart eventually turned away from the Lord. How can someone who knows a lot about God and has a strong spiritual background still develop a divided heart? What are some warning signs that this might be happening? Sometimes even good things—friendships, sports, academic success, relationships, or future plans—can begin to compete with God for our hearts. How can you recognize when something good has become too important to you?What should we do when we realize our hearts are not aligned with the gospel? How do repentance, God's grace, and our relationship with Jesus help us respond rather than hide, pretend, or simply try harder?What is one area of your heart where you want to grow in your love for God? What is one practical step you can take this week to seek Him more wholeheartedly? Close in prayer, asking God to help you love Him with all your heart!

  2. 4d ago

    Life of a Disciple: The Life of the Mind

    This week, we’re starting a new series covering the inner life of a disciple - the Life of the Mind, Will, and Heart. Tonight we will discuss the overriding temperament of Jesus’ mind - relaxed. The modern mind seems to grow in anxiety, but Jesus teaches that the mind set on the Spirit is “life and peace”. How is it then that so many Christians feel the strong pressure of anxiety? In Matt. 8, we will see that Jesus credits fear to a lack of faith and an overabundant desire for control. As we surrender our fear for faith and practice taking on the mind of Christ, we can be confident that the peace that allowed Jesus to sleep through a storm can be ours as well. Check out these discussion questions below for further conversation: Read Matt. 8:23-27. Why do you think the disciples were so afraid in the storm? Why do you think Jesus blamed the disciples’ fear on a lack of faith? Do you think there are situations in which  you can have faith and still be legitimately afraid? Why/why not? Why do you think Jesus was so relaxed that He could take a nap in a boat during a storm? Is it reasonable to think that we could ever be as relaxed as Jesus was? Why?  Consider the similar story of Jonah asleep in a boat during a storm. What is it about obedience to God that can bring peace, while disobedience brings fear?  Read Matt. 3:16-17. What about Jesus’ identity as the “beloved Son of God” contributed to His mind being relaxed? How does what we think about ourselves inform how we feel? How could becoming convinced of your own identity in Jesus affect your mind? Name some practical ways to: train your mind with God’s word; stop thoughts that don’t align with the kingdom of God; make space for your mind to settle in God’s presence? Pray, asking God to help us to grow minds that operate the way Jesus’ mind does.

  3. Oct 6

    Life of a Disciple: Making Disciples

    In 2 Timothy 2:1–3, Paul reminds Timothy that following Jesus is not a journey we make alone or a faith we keep to ourselves. Just as Timothy received the gospel and was discipled by Paul, he was called to entrust what he had learned to faithful people who could teach others. Jesus calls every disciple to this same multiplying life: follow Jesus, invest in others, and help them become disciples who make disciples. Check out these discussion questions below for further conversation: • Read 2 Timothy 2:1–3. What stands out to you about Paul’s instructions to Timothy? What does this passage tell us about what it looks like to follow Jesus? • Paul tells Timothy to “entrust” what he has learned to “faithful men” who will be able to teach others also. Why do you think Paul expected Timothy to pass what he had learned on to other people? What does this tell us about the purpose of discipleship? • Think about the progression in this passage: Paul → Timothy → faithful people → others. What do you think Paul is trying to accomplish through this kind of multiplication? Why is it important that disciples eventually help make other disciples? • Read Matthew 4:19–20. Jesus says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” What do you notice about the connection between following Jesus and helping other people follow Jesus? Why do you think those two things belong together? • What are some ways a Christian can accidentally make their faith mostly about themselves? What would it look like instead to intentionally invest in someone else's relationship with Jesus? • Who are some people God has already placed around you that you could intentionally invest in? What could it look like to help one of those people take a next step toward Jesus? • Paul tells Timothy to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Why do you think making disciples can require courage, sacrifice, patience, or even discomfort? What might keep you from taking the risk of investing in someone else? • If you were to take one step toward becoming more intentional in making disciples this week, what would you do? Who could you pray for, encourage, invite, serve, share with, or invest in? How can this group pray for you as you take that step this week?

  4. Sep 17

    Relationships - Dating as a Disciple

    This week, we’ll be diving into the final topic in our series on Relationships - Dating. Though there are no passages in the Bible directly aimed at dating itself, we will discover the Biblical paradigm for romance by looking through the lens of marriage. The goal is to turn students’ hearts away from the pressure of dating and toward becoming a mature son or daughter of the King. In Matt. 19, Jesus shows that marriage is the end goal of romance in God’s design. It requires a spiritually, mentally, and emotionally mature man and woman made one by God. Check out these discussion questions for further conversation: DISCUSS: What were a few points from the message that connected with you the most?  Read Matt. 19:3-6. What do you think is the “point” of dating? What do you think your friends at school think is the point of dating? Do you think it’s wise to date without thinking about marriage as the end goal? How do you know if someone is “ready” to enter an exclusive dating relationship? What would you say are the necessary character traits someone should possess to be considered “worth your time” to date? (Homework - Make a list if you haven’t already!) How do you know if you are ready to “leave your father and mother”? What skills (phys., emotional, mental, etc.) would you need to have? Are you building them? How? Read Song of Sol. 2:7. How can we “awaken love” at the wrong time? What are the risks? What does that look like in a relationship? Can you do that outside of dating?  What do you think it would look like to “set up” a romantic relationship so that you could date someone without unnecessary regret? What are some ways you could intentionally “evaluate” someone you’re dating to see if they are a good fit for you?

  5. Sep 17

    Relationships - The Trials of Friendship

    This week, we’ll be diving into the second sermon from our series in Relationships - Friendship. We will take a look at the Biblical paradigm of friendship from Proverbs 27. The hope is that students understand the necessity of friendship and leave small group having discussed how to be and find true friends. According to Proverbs, true friends are secure (rather than jealous and provoking), are “in it for the long haul”, and refine each other over time. God’s design for human connection is challenging, but it offers deeply rooted community in the midst of a transient world. DISCUSS: What were a few points from the message that connected with you the most?  Read Genesis 2:18. What does God say about loneliness and friendship in the garden? Does that still apply to us today? How does the way Jesus lived His own life impact the way we think about friendship?  Read Proverbs 27:3-10, 17. What is the difference between friendship and “friendliness”? How is loving our enemies (Luke 6:27) different from the way we connect with true friends?  What does it mean to “commit” to a friend? How do we know when we should stay beside a struggling friend vs. break ties with someone who has a bad influence on us? How can we “lock shields” (practically) with our friends as we stand firm in our faith? What would it look like for you to “sharpen” your friends? Do any of your current friendships reflect that sort of “refining” relationship? Why/why not? What would it look like to practice (wise) transparency with close friends? Pray, asking God to sustain our friendships that honor Him.

  6. Sep 17

    Relationships - Relationship with God

    As a Disciple of Jesus, the most important thing is our relationship with Him. God’s Word points out the foolishness of devoting our lives to anything other than our relationship with Him. When we put our ultimate trust in ourselves, other people, achievement, or anything else besides God, those things will eventually fail us. But when our relationship with God has deep roots, He becomes our source of life, security, and hope. Check out these discussion questions for further conversation: Jeremiah 17 says that everyone puts their trust in something. What are some things students are tempted to look to for significance, security, happiness, or purpose instead of God? • What is the difference between trusting God and trusting God to give you what you want? Why do you think it is possible to confuse the two? • Michael said, “A disciple of Jesus wants Jesus for Jesus. Trust in Jesus to get more of Jesus!” What do you think that means? Why can this be difficult? • What is something good in your life that could become a bad thing if you made it your ultimate trust? How could that thing begin to “twist” or distort you in you depended on it for your identity or happiness? • Jeremiah 17:9 says that “the heart is deceitful.” Why is it sometimes difficult for us to recognize where we are really putting our trust? What can help us see what our hearts are actually trusting? • What’s the difference between a relationship of trust with someone and merely being familiar with them? Which of these most closely describes your relationship with God at the beginning of the new school year? What needs to change for you to move into a deeper relationship with God? • As you begin this semester, where do you think you need to put down deeper roots in your relationship with Jesus? What is one practical way you could pursue Jesus this week- not just for what He can give you, but because He is better? Pray for each other to live this way.

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The Where Every Student Belongs podcast exists to provide weekly sermons for the student ministry of Fellowship Bible Church.