Face to Face Introduction Sermon Guide

Face to Face: Introduction

Download the sermon guide to print here.

Pastor Jimmy Seibert delivered a compelling message about the transformative power of spending daily time with God through His Word, worship and prayer. This sermon launches a new 40-day journey called “Face to Face” that invites everyone — from seeking unbelievers to mature Christians — to experience the life-changing impact of consistent time in God’s presence. The following guide will help you reflect on and apply these vital truths.

This sermon emphasizes:

• God has good plans for every person and promises to be found by those who seek Him wholeheartedly
• A consistent devotional life is essential because we need God’s help wisdom, love and friendship daily
• We need His help to counter our natural drift toward fear, anxiety and other struggles
• We need His wisdom for every role and relationship in our lives
• We need His power and grace to love others well
• We need His love and friendship to live loved and whole
• We need to be satisfied in Him each morning to live with joy
• The four main barriers to spending time with God:
  • Being too busy
  • Being too tired
  • Not knowing what to do
  • Not believing it works

Key Scriptures:

“For I know the plans that I have for you declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11-14

“Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face just as a man speaks to his friend.” — Exodus 33:11

“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” — Matthew 26:41

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” — Hebrews 11:6

Lifegroup Questions:

• What is a something God is doing in your devotional life this week?
• Break up into 2’s and 3’s and ask each other:
  • How is your devotional life going?
  • Is it both the time and quality you want?
  • How can we help each other?

Table Questions:

1. What stage of spiritual life best describes where you are right now — searching unbeliever, new believer, tired believer or hungry believer? How does this affect your approach to spending time with God?
2. Of the five reasons Jimmy gave for having a daily devotional life, which one resonates most with you right now — and why?
3. What specific barriers (busy, tired, uncertain or unbelieving) most often keep you from spending consistent time with God? What practical steps could help you overcome these?
4. How have you experienced God’s restoration and return to “original intent” through time spent in His presence? What areas of your life still need this restoration?
5. What role has accountability played in your devotional life? How could your Lifegroup support each other in maintaining consistent time with God?
6. Jimmy emphasized early morning devotions. What time of day works best for you and why? How could you make your chosen time more consistent?
7. How does knowing that God actively listens to and wants to be found by His children change your perspective on spending time with Him?
8. What does it mean to you personally to live “satisfied in the morning with His loving kindness”? How would this impact your daily life?
9. Think about Moses speaking with God “face to face as a friend.” What keeps you from experiencing this kind of intimate friendship with God?
10. As we begin this 40-day journey together what is one specific hope or prayer you have for how God might transform you through consistent time in His presence?