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Scripture teaches that the heart is the wellspring of life. Just as your physical heart is essential for living, your spiritual heart is central to who you are and what you do. It is the seat of your emotions, affections, and desires. It reflects what’s really inside you. When circumstances or sin creates issues in the heart, they must be addressed. In this series, we’ll see how issues like brokenness, grief, bitterness, contentment, and the state of being overwhelmed can impact people to their core. God’s Word reveals the path to help and healing. When the heart changes, the person changes. Join us as we address the issues that weigh on the heart.
October 16, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#1 in series)
Proverbs 4:23
Big Truth: Your life becomes a __ of your heart. Changing the portrait requires changing the __.
The Hebrew word for “heart” (lêb) is used figuratively for the __, the will, the intellect, the seat of __ and feelings. It’s the center of __ and thought.
There are several truths that help us see the importance of guarding the heart.
1) Your heart has __.
2) Your heart is under __.
3) Your heart is the __ of life.
How do you know what’s in your heart right now?
Luke 6:45
How can we intentionally guard our hearts?
For additional resources that help issues of the heart, check out www.ChristLifeResources.com.
October 23, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#2 in series)
Psalm 34:18
“Brokenness is God’s __ for maximum __.” – Charles Stanley
What are the major categories of brokenness found in Scripture?
What’s the RIGHT next step?
“God, here’s my __. What’s Your __?”
If we’re not careful, our next step while broken may only lead to greater __ of brokenness.
Conclusion
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” – Proverbs 4:23, NLT
“God is not __ among the __.” – Eric Liddell
For additional resources to help with issues of the heart, go to www.ChristLifeResources.com.
October 30, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#3 in series)
Various Passages
The formula for “looking” like a good Christian:
Avoid huge public __ + do good __ things = looking like a good Christian
I’m burdened about “respectable sins” for many reasons…
Key Texts:
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” – James 3:16
“Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” – Romans 13:13-14
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these…” – Galatians 5:19-21a
What’s the difference between these words?
What are some biblical steps to freedom?
1) Recognize __ as sin.
2) __ of sin often and quickly.
3) __ to Jesus (put on Christ).
4) Remember to live with __ and gratitude.
For additional resources that address heart issues, check out www.ChristLifeResources.com.
November 06, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#4 in series)
Proverbs 28:25; Philippians 4:11-13
“The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.” – Proverbs 28:25, NIV
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:11-13
Important Concept: The __ of our faith determines the __ of our life.
Definition: Greed is a strong and __ desire for more of something irrespective of need.
What is the biblical prescription for greed?
1) Trust God over __, work ethic, or worldly self-interest.
2) Trust and __ the promptings of the Holy Spirit in relation to giving.
3) Trust God to prompt you when biblical __ devolve into selfish and sinful desires.
Definition: Contentment refers to being happy or __ with what one has or the circumstances in which one exists.
Contentment is a __ virtue.
Contented people __ in the Lord and delight in His Word.
“You cannot find complete satisfaction in any temporal gift, because you were not created to find your delight in them. Even if you possessed all the good things God has created, you could not feel happy and glad; all your gladness and happiness rest in the God who created those things.” – Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
What do you do if God prompts you about greed or discontentment?
1) Recognize __ as sin.
2) Repent of sin often and quickly.
3) __ to Jesus (put on Christ).
4) Remember to live with joy and gratitude.
For additional resources that address heart issues, check out www.ChristLifeResources.com.
November 13, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#5 in series)
John 7:19-24
Ask God, “Where in my life is judgmentalism or a critical spirit destroying relationships, distorting truth, fostering pride, and dishonoring God?”
Big Idea: Discern __, judge __!
What’s the difference between discernment and judgmentalism?
Thoughts of Self-Reflection
What gets under my skin? Who do I not like, and what bothers me? Where can I recognize a pattern of repeated anger, frustration, and agitation? Where am I quickly forming opinions? Where am I so convinced that I’m right that I’m not willing to wait for the facts? Where does my anger rise when challenged? List what God shares.
Am I spending time with God in His Word—daily? Am I taking time to ask God to reveal any sin in my life? Am I living in a state of repentance? Have I taken the time to study both sides, learn key facts, and understand biblical truth in context? Do I have a heart to learn, or have I already made up my mind? If truth and the leading of the Holy Spirit revealed that I was wrong, would I repent of my wrongs and seek forgiveness from others?
Do I think I’ve figured it out (pride), or am I leaving room for God to correct me (humility)? Am I seeking a biblical understanding of a topic? When I enter a conversation, do I take the humble path of seeking to understand, giving the benefit of the doubt, or recognizing that I may be wrong? Instead of looking for everything that’s wrong, have I stopped and asked God to show me what’s right in my areas of frustration?
For additional resources that address heart issues, check out www.ChristLifeResources.com.
November 20, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#6 in series)
Psalm 73:21-26; Matthew 5:23-24
Your life becomes a portrait of your heart; changing the portrait requires changing the heart.
Sins of unhealthy desire: covetousness, envy, jealousy, greed, and discontentment
Sins of unrighteous pride: judgmentalism and a critical spirit
Sins of __ tension: bitterness and unforgiveness
Big Truth: The path of reconciliation is paved through __ and humble acts of __.
Both parties must ask:
“What’s __, what’s right, what’s __, and what’s best?”
In humble acts of submission, you are submitting to whatever God wants to do in that situation.
Solomon’s thoughts on speech:
Proverbs 15:1; 29:11; 10:19; 12:16; 12:18; 13:3; 17:27-28; 18:2; 18:6-7; 18:13
You could do everything you know to do, and it doesn’t guarantee the outcome. There are at least three possible outcomes:
How do you know if repentance has happened? Here are at least six indicators of true repentance:
For additional resources that address heart issues, visit www.ChristLifeResources.com.
December 04, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#7 in series)
1 Thessalonians 4:13
Let’s process grief and sadness by asking three important questions…
1) What does __ teach us about grief?
Grief is not limited to physical death. Grief is a natural response to __.
2) What does it look like to grieve __?
Learn to pray: “God, I’m __ today; what’s __ tomorrow?”
3) How can we lovingly __ others as they grieve?
For additional resources that address heart issues, check out www.ChristLifeResources.com.
December 11, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#8 in series)
Mark 1:35-39
Scripture mentions multiple types of “rest,” and most are connected to a rhythm of life.
Rest is generally defined as “peace, ease, or refreshment.”
Here are a few principles from this scene that help us achieve balance between busyness and rest.
I. Rest must be a priority __ when you’re busy. (vv. 32-35)
II. __ we rest determines __ we rest. (v. 35)
For Christians who try to gain time by cutting corners devotionally, here are a few thoughts:
1) We never gain __ by losing __.
2) Gained leisure is a poor substitute for neglected __.
3) The Scriptural categories of rest are not __.
III. Our __ is often clarified through our rest. (vv. 37-38)
For additional resources that address heart issues, check out www.ChristLifeResources.com.
December 18, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#9 in series)
Mark 6:1-6
1) Unbelief begins in the __ of our questions.
Asking God questions is not the same as questioning God’s __.
A few misconceptions about asking God questions:
2) Unbelief continues in the __ we take.
3) Unbelief shows in the __ we withhold.
4) Unbelief culminates in the __ we miss.
Faith is the vehicle of all spiritual growth.
The Christian life __ in faith, is lived by faith, and even the __ itself is about faith.
If the enemy can __ our faith, he can __ our progress.
“I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the Lord.” – Proverbs 22:19
For additional resources that address heart issues, check out www.ChristLifeResources.com.
