MAKING THE MOST OF CHURCH SERVICES IN 2025
We hope today’s message was encouraging and helpful. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a Bible/sermon group study. Enjoy!
Main Scripture: HEBREWS 10:23-25
Other scripture mentioned: Psalm 119:15 and Ephesians 5:19-20
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read or paraphrase through some of the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Overview:
Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Spend time with God in worship, prayer, and the Word all week
Psalm 119:15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
We may not come to church as easily when we don't feed ourselves. We may be beaten up a little bit by trials, worries, or sin and feel ashamed to even be in the presence of God.
When we don’t feed ourselves we may come wanting something that God could have met already, so when we don’t get it, we are discouraged.
When we don’t feed ourselves we tend to come empty and struggle to focus on God and only for ourselves.
But when we feed ourselves we come to church spiritually full and overflowing and useful to God and helpful to others in worship, serving, and fellowship.
When we come to church spiritually fed and ready, free from sin and shame, we have the posture to receive more and give more.
But no matter what your week was like and no matter your spiritual condition, come to church. If you’re empty or broken still attend. If you’ve been faithfully fellowshipping with God all week please attend. We need each other.
Follow Jesus and be the church all week
When we follow and live like Jesus and be the church in our homes, work places, and communities we minister and experience God more than we would on a Sunday morning.
When we live like Jesus and His church all week we shine God and help people around us go towards God. We tend to invite people to church too.
When we live like Jesus and the church all week the sermons make more sense because we experience what the Bible says and what the sermons teach.
Prepare physically and spiritually on Saturday evening and Sunday morning
Pray for the unsaved to be saved, the unchurched to attend, and the church body to be strengthened and encouraged
Pray God would strengthen and use the pastors, worship team, and volunteers
Pray for the tithes and offerings to be given faithfully and cheerfully
Pray for God to manifest His presence and power among us
Go to bed at a reasonable time on Saturday night
Wake up early enough to pray and prepare
Worship in the car on the way
Arrive earlier to avoid being hurried, flustered, or frustrated
Connect, encourage, and care for each other before service starts
Engage with the Sunday Service
Sing praises and thanksgiving even if you don’t feel like it or don’t like your voice - Ephesians 5:19-20
Pray for those sitting around you and everyone conducting the services
Bring and use a physical Bible
Take notes during the sermon
Listen to apply. Be open to applying the sermon in the ways being presented and the ways the Holy Spirit is directing you
Prepare and pray over your tithes and offerings
Purposely connect with others to meet and encourage one another.
Live out the sermon
Get involved in the activities of the church
Prayer Topics:
God, stir in us a longing and desire for more of you. Stir in us a determination to be faithful and devoted to you.
God, prepare us to receive and experience an outpouring of your Holy Spirit in our services and daily lives.
God, give us faith to obey what your Word says to do and eyes to see you are with us when we step out in faith.
God, increase our faith to believe and ask for miracles, deliverance, and healing. God show us your glory and power!
God, stir in us a passion and commitment to fulfill the great commission…to be disciple makers who reach and teach the unsaved and new believers.
Discussion:
What is one thing from the message that resonated with you?
Pastor Ryan shared 4 ways to make the most of church services in 2025. Are there any that you currently practice? Are there any that you can improve in this new year?
Are there additional prayer topics you plan to include in your prayer life?
A new year is often the time many make resolutions to accomplish in the year to come. What are your faith-based resolutions and what plans do you have to accomplish them?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!