Families of Promise Part 01
Sermon Summary
This message calls us back to the foundational question that shapes everything else in our faith journey: who is Jesus? Pastor Jimmy shared about his encounter with Mark Zuckerberg in 2017, where he identified four questions everyone is asking, whether they realize it or not: Who is God? Who am I? Who are my people? What is my purpose? While the world offers countless solutions to these questions through technology, politics, or personal achievement, Jesus alone provides the true answers.
Key Scriptures
Matthew 16:13-19 (NASB1995)
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
John 14:6 (NASB1995)
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."
Matthew 24:14 (NASB1995)
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come."
Instructions for Groups
Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don't need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding
1. What do we learn about the setting and context of Matthew 16:13-19? Where was Jesus when He asked this question, and who was His audience?
2. In Matthew 16:13-17, what different answers do people give about Jesus' identity, and what does Jesus' response to Peter reveal about the source of true spiritual revelation?
3. What specific promises and authority does Jesus give to Peter (and by extension, the church) in Matthew 16:18-19? What does each element mean?
Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony
4. The sermon mentioned four foundational questions everyone is asking: Who is God? Who am I? Who are my people? What is my purpose? How have you seen people (including yourself) try to answer these questions apart from Jesus, and what was the result?
5. Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" This is described as an eternal question we must continually re-answer throughout our lives. When have you had to "re-up" on who Jesus is after facing challenges, disappointments, or seasons of doubt?
6. The message ended with Clint's story about ministry emerging from deep brokenness and betrayal. What does this story reveal about God's redemptive power and His ability to use our most painful experiences for kingdom purposes?
Putting it into Practice
7. The sermon emphasized that the church has been given keys to the kingdom and authority to bind and loose. What specific spiritual "prison" or area of bondage in your life or someone else's life is God calling you to unlock with the authority He has given you?
8. As we begin 2026, the message called us to "get back up, shake it off, find the grace of God" and reconnect to His purpose. What is one concrete step you will take this week to reconnect more deeply to Jesus and His purpose for your life?
Prayer
9. Listening to the Holy Spirit
We're going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let's sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
[After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
10. Prayer Requests from Tonight's Study
What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?