Maybe you’ve heard the old saying, “Good fences make good neighbors.” That’s probably true! In a spiritual context, good fences make stronger believers. When God places a fence or boundary in our life, it’s not to steal our joy or restrict us from something good. God’s boundaries protect us from ourselves, from others, from sin and great harm. As believers, we’re called to live within certain boundaries that flow from the holiness of God, the authority of Scripture, and love for our neighbor. When we break the boundary, we pay the price. In this series, we will explore key boundaries that lead to spiritually healthy believers and stronger relationships.
April 12, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(#1 in series)
Joshua 1:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Series Truth #1: God’s boundaries bring __, protection, __ and blessing.
In Scripture, God gives us…
• Responsibility Boundaries that define a person’s God-given load and responsibilities.
• __ Boundaries that protect us from others and others from us
• Moral Boundaries that lead to holiness while limiting the influence of the world, the flesh and the devil.
• __ Boundaries that guide our happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger and love.
• Sexual Boundaries that keep intimacy within God’s design.
• __ Boundaries that guard our tongue and encourage edifying speech.
• Work/Rest Boundaries that set the healthy rhythms of work, rest and worship.
• __ Boundaries that establish love, discipline, honor and provision within the home.
Series Truth #2: When God establishes a boundary, it’s because He’s __ you well by __ what’s His.
“When you __ the Bible, the Bible __ you.” –Adrian Rogers
How does Scripture create a good boundary for believers?
1. Scripture __ our speech, transforms our minds, and __ our actions. (Joshua 1:8a)
2. Scripture shows us God’s path for __ and successful living. (Joshua 1:8b)
3. Scripture is inspired by God and __ for us. (2 Timothy 3:16a)
4. Scripture __, reproves, corrects and __ us. (2 Timothy 3:16b)
5. Scripture __ us for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:17)
Response and Reflection:
• Where are you currently living outside the boundary of Scripture? What’s keeping you from living inside the boundary?
• Is Scripture on your lips, in your mind, and seen through your actions? If not, what can you do to change that?
• Are you meditating on Scripture? If so, what is God teaching you?
• As you read the Word, what reflection do you see more (who you were by nature or who you can be by grace)?
• Take some time to read about the benefits of Scripture in Psalm 119. As you read that chapter, write down the benefits.
April 19, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(#2 in series)
Matthew 22:39; Romans 12:18; Matthew 7:12
Matthew 22:39: “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (NIV)
Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (NIV)
Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (NIV)
Series Truth #1: God’s boundaries bring clarity, protection, direction and blessing.
Series Truth #2: When God establishes a boundary, it’s because He’s loving you well by protecting what’s His.
Key Truth 1: When relating to others, God’s general boundaries are to __ people, pursue __ and do __.
• Love People: (Matthew 22:39)
• Pursue Peace: (Romans 12:18)
• Do Good: (Matthew 7:12)
Key Truth 2: When relating to others, God’s specific and circumstantial boundaries give greater __, limit deceptive __ and provide additional __.
God tells us not to associate with certain people. Who are those people?
• Habitually sinful or __ “believers” (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)
• Divisive and __ people (Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:9-11)
• False __ and deceivers (1 Corinthians 15:33; Romans 16:17; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 John 1:10-11)
• People marked by last-days __ (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
• Habitual __ and scoffers (Proverbs 13:20)
• __ and hot-tempered people (Proverbs 22:24-25; James 1:19-20)
• Chronic __ and those who sow strife (Proverbs 20:19, 20:3, 16:28, 17:9, 6:16-19; Romans 1:29)
Response/Reflection:
• Where are you currently living outside God’s relational boundaries?
• Ask God if you are loving people, pursuing peace, and doing good to others. Journal what He shares.
• Could you be characterized by any of the categories on the “do not associate” list? If so, what’s holding you back from repentance?
• Where is God calling you to establish one of His relational boundaries in your life?
• What is your greatest fear of standing on a relational boundary?
• Think back over major points of relational division in your life. Would adherence to one of these boundaries have protected you from that pain?
• If our ability to relate well to others is based on our knowledge of God’s Word and reliance upon the Holy Spirit, how are you growing in each discipline?
April 26, 2026
Dalton Moore
(#3 in series)
1 Peter 1:13-16
Series Truth: When God establishes a boundary, it’s because He’s
loving us well by protecting what’s His.
Key Truth: For the follower of Christ, all of life is meant to
bear __ to His __and His __.
A Holy Mindset: (v.13)
• prepared and __
• __ and self-controlled
• has its hope fully set on __
God’s children must choose __ over __. (v.14)
Two Holy Filters:
1. What does the __ say?
2. If something cannot be done to the __ of God, then we can be sure it must be __ the will of God.
Holiness is not __ gratitude, but the necessary outworking of __ itself. (v.15-16)
Reflection Questions:
1. Where has culture pressured you to blur God’s boundaries?
2. What “net” is Christ asking you to drop for holy living?
3. How does fixing your hope on Christ’s return reshape daily decisions?
4. What fence has God placed in your life that you’re tempted to resist and/or cross?
May 3, 2026
Ken Bevel
(#4 in series)
Matthew 14:13-23
Key Truth: The boundaries God has established in Scripture, along with the examples He has provided, will help us to serve in __, __ and GOD honoring ways.
• Our serving must be motivated by __, not pressure, guilt or compulsion. (Mark 1:41, Luke 7:13)
• Our serving should allow time for physical __. (Mark 6:31)
• Our serving must remain anchored in the __ God has entrusted to us.
(Luke 4:18–19 )
• Our serving must not create __. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
• Our serving should never be a substitution for __ with GOD. (Psalm 105:4)
• Our serving should always include times of __.
Biblical Rhythm of Serving Within Boundaries
1. __ people with compassion.
2. Serve people with love.
3. __ the Lord through prayer.
4. Spend time resting.
Reflection Questions:
1. What are my motives when I serve?
2. Am I serving from an empty cup?
3. Am I staying focused on the mission GOD has entrusted to me?
4. Am I teaching someone not to depend on GOD, but depend on me?
5. Is prayer a regular part of my service to others?
May 17, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(#5 in series)
Download a PDF of the charts here.
Various Passages
Series Truth #1: God’s boundaries bring clarity, protection, direction and blessing.
Series Truth #2: When God establishes a boundary, it’s because He’s loving you well by protecting what’s His.
• There are GENERAL instructions about how to engage people as a whole
• There are SPECIFIC instructions about how to engage individual relationships.
• There are CIRCUMSTANTIAL instructions about how to engage individual relationships under certain conditions.
Key Truth #1: Family boundaries have __ and missiological implications. The relationships and instructions support God’s creation __ and His redemptive __.
General Instruction: When relating to others, God’s general boundaries are to love people, pursue peace and do good.
Key Truth #2: You cannot disconnect God’s __ from God’s __.
What are some specific boundaries within the family?
• Husbands and __ (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Corinthians 7:3-5):
• __ and Children (Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 22:6; 1 Timothy 5:4, 8):
• Extended Family and __ Care (1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8, 16; Genesis 5, 12, 17):
• __ Family and the Priority of Christ (Matthew 12:46–50; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; Matthew 10:34-37):
• Brokenness, Sin and __ in Families (Genesis 3, 4, 16, 27, 38; 2 Samuel 11, 13, 16; Hosea):
When persistent evil or grievous harm do not allow a relationship to be restored to its former shape, believers are still to respond in a Christlike way:
• Set wise __
• __ cheap reconciliation
• __ before God
• Find __ in the church
Response/Reflection: Take time to go through these carefully.
• Can the world see Jesus better through your marriage and family? If not, what can you do to change that?
• Are there certain family boundaries you’re unwilling to address or obey? If so, why is that?
• Does your marriage reflect God’s design of leave, cleave and weave? What’s keeping you from obedience?
• Are you ignoring or interfering with God’s design for someone else’s marriage? If so, you are potentially separating what God has joined together.
• How are you following God’s design for children?
• Do you have extended family in need?
• Is lack of forgiveness interfering with God’s best in your family?
May 24, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(#6 in series)
Ephesians 4:29 and various passages
Truth 1: We cannot consistently __ grace until we’ve __ grace.
Truth 2: Our words are not morally __; they either lead towards __ or edification.
Paul contrasts two types of words:
| Unwholesome Words | Wholesome Words |
|---|---|
| Rotten (Spoiled fruit; rotten fish) | Edifying (helping others grow) |
| Foul, decaying, useless | Pleasant, uplifting, helpful |
| Hurt the hearer | Heal the hearer |
| Are like poison | Are like medicine |
| We should never use them | We should always use them |
| Part of old self | Part of the new self |
Truth 3: Our words should be __, appropriate and __.
Three diagnostic questions before we speak:
If “no” to any of these, Scripture would urge either silence or a different way of saying it.
Response/Reflection: Prayerfully reflect upon the following questions.
May 31, 2026
Tim Johnson
(#7 in series)
Psalm 39:4-6; Ecclesiastes 3:1; Ephesians 5:15-16
Key Truth: Life is __. Your season is specific. Steward it with __.
Two biblical perspectives on time:
“A __ perspective on time recognizes life is short, embraces the season it is in and stewards it with wisdom.”
“A __ perspective on time treats time as unlimited, resents the season it is in and drifts through it.”
Psalm 39:4-6 (NIV)
Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; The span of my years is nothing before You. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.
Boundary #1: __ your time and recognize that it is short
When you recognize life is short, you stop __ it on the things that do not matter.
Boundary #2: Name your __ and accept it
Time is not just passing; it’s __.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NASB1995)
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.
Boundary #3: __ your season with wisdom
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Romans 12:2 MSG
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.
Response/Reflection: Prayerfully reflect upon the following questions.
1. Name your __
2. Name your __
3. Identify the __ in the fences around your time
(Examples: screen time, constant busyness, saying yes to everything, never slowing down)
4. Build __ that lead to wisdom
June 7, 2026
Paul Gotthardt
(#8 in series)
1 Corinthians 4:2 and various passages
How should Christians view money and possessions?
• God owns __ (Psalm 24:1; Haggai 2:8; 1 Chronicles 29:11; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
• God blesses us with work, __ and the ability to make money
(Deuteronomy 8:18; 1 Chronicles 29:11-12).
• We are __ of what God has entrusted to us (1 Corinthians 4:2; Luke 16:11).
The first statement is about __.
The second statement is about __.
The third statement is about __.
What is a quick summary of God’s financial boundaries?
• __ that God owns everything.
• Steward money __ (i.e., working, spending, saving and giving under
His lordship).
• __ enslaving debt and greed.
• Prioritize His __ over material gain.
What is an expanded understanding of God’s financial boundaries?
1. God owns everything, and we are __ (1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Psalm 24:1;
Haggai 2:8; Luke 12:42-46; 1 Corinthians 4:2).
2. Work __ but remember, God is the Provider (Psalm 37:25; Proverbs 13:4, 14:23; Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 3:23).
3. Live on __ than you earn (Proverbs 13:22, 21:20; 1 Timothy 6:6-10).
4. Save wisely, but do not __ (Proverbs 3:27-28, 10:4-5, 11:26, 13:11, 13:22;
Luke 12:15-21; Hebrews 13:16).
5. __ first and give generously (Proverbs 3:9, 10:4; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 19:21; Luke 6:38; Acts 4:34).
6. Avoid enslaving debt and rash __ (Psalm 37:21; Proverbs 11:15, 22:7; Ecclesiastes 5:5; Luke 14:28; Romans 13:8).
7. Reject __, materialism and the love of money (Proverbs 15:27, 28:25; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Mark 8:36; Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Hebrews 13:5).
Response/Reflection: Prayerfully reflect upon the following questions.
• Am I handling resources according to God’s boundaries?
• What does my spending say about my heart?
• What is the biggest issue that’s keeping me from following God’s
financial boundaries?
• Is fear or greed keeping me from God’s best? If so, how do I address it
with God?
• Do I trust God to be my Provider? Where am I having to trust God
to provide?