Enthroned Over the Nations: World Mandate Sunday 2025

This message shared by Blake and Marci explores the transformative journey of radical surrender to Jesus. Their personal testimony of following God’s call from college to international missions illustrates how saying “yes” to Jesus — even when it feels uncomfortable or costly — leads to a fuller, more purposeful life. This discussion guide will help us explore what it means to live with complete devotion to Christ and how to maintain spiritual hunger in our daily walk.

Enthroned Over the Nations Discussion Questions

This sermon emphasizes:

– Our relationship with Jesus begins with heart transformation which naturally leads to surrendering external things like relationships, future plans and resources

– Discipleship and community play vital roles in spiritual growth — being around others who actively live out Scripture changes us

– God often uses one person’s radical devotion to impact entire families and communities

– The Christian life requires consistent forward movement — “just keep swimming” toward Jesus rather than looking to the right, left or behind

– Hard hearts (like in Nazareth) prevent experiencing God’s fullness while hungry hearts (like Mary of Bethany) invite His presence

– We live in urgent times that require intentional devotion — like the final minutes of a game where every play matters

– True discipleship often appears radical to others but Jesus says there’s no such thing as “overdoing it” in pursuit of Him

Key Scriptures:

“Be dressed in readiness and keep your lamps lit.” — Luke 12:35

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” — Isaiah 55:1

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” — Romans 12:11-12

Table Questions:

1. How has your understanding of surrender to Jesus evolved throughout your spiritual journey? What areas of surrender feel particularly challenging right now?
2. The Blake and Marci described how their “radical” faith made some friends uncomfortable while drawing others closer. Have you experienced similar reactions? How do you navigate those different responses?
3. What does it mean to you practically to “just keep swimming” toward Jesus in your current season of life?
4. The sermon mentioned how hard hearts prevented Jesus from working in Nazareth while hungry hearts in Bethany invited His presence. What helps you maintain spiritual hunger?
5. How does viewing our current time as the “final minutes of the game” impact how you approach your faith and daily choices?
6. Blake shared about his experience of depression in Lebanon and how God remained faithful. How has God’s presence sustained you through difficult seasons?
7. What “Narnia moments” have you experienced — times when God showed you there was more to His kingdom than you previously knew?
8. The speakers emphasized the importance of community in spiritual growth. How has being around others pursuing Jesus impacted your faith journey?
9. What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate greater devotion to Jesus in your daily routine?
10. Blake and Marci described how one person’s surrender often impacts others. How has someone else’s devotion to Jesus influenced your own walk with God?