HOPE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

Wrestling: Motherhood, Promise, and Living Water

Genesis 21 ; John 4:4-14
(Intro) Abraham’s habits: God guards the promise we cannot protect (Gen. 20:1–18; 21:22–34)
Sarah’s laughter: God gives life where human strength has ended (Gen. 21:1–7)
Hagar’s wilderness: God sees the mother whose water has run out (Gen. 21:8–21) 
Jesus and the living water: Christ satisfies thirsty souls (John 4:1–26)
 
Reflection Questions
 Sarah’s laughter moved from disbelief to joy. Where have you seen God bring joy after a long season of waiting?
How does this passage help us speak honestly and tenderly about Mother’s Day, especially for those who experience it with grief, longing, or complicated emotions?
Read Galatians 4:21–31. How does Paul use Sarah and Hagar to contrast slavery and freedom, flesh and promise, and human effort and God’s grace?
How does Galatians 4 help us see that the story of Sarah, Hagar, Isaac, and Ishmael is ultimately pointing us to the gospel?
How does Jesus meet the thirsty soul in John 4, and how does that deepen the message of Genesis 21? 

Wrestling: Rejecting or Receiving and Remembering Lot's Wife

Genesis 18-19
1. Two Ways to Receive the Lord (walkthrough) 
2. Side-by-Side Comparison
3. Warnings from the Text 
Reflection Questions
 Compare and contrast Abraham (18) and Lot (19), as you walk through the basic storylines of Genesis 18-19.  
How can we cultivate a heart like Abraham’s: eager, responsive, and hospitable to God?
Why is hospitality such a central theme in both chapters? What does it reveal spiritually?
What does it practically look like to “remember Lot’s wife” in your daily walk with Christ? 

Heaven & Earth & The Home We Long For

Isaiah 65:13–25
1. The World Made New (17)
2. The New Earth Colored In (18–25)
A. Joy Restored
B. Life Restored
C. Justice Restored
D. Peace Restored
3. Living Now in Light of That Coming Day 
 
Reflection Questions
What stands out to you most from Isaiah 65:13–25? How does this passage reshape your understanding of heaven and eternity?
Which picture of restoration/new earth (joy, life, justice, peace) feels most needed in our world right now? In your life?
How can our church reflect the joy of the New Earth as a foreshadowing of what's to come? How can it champion joy, life, justice, and peace now, and how are we already doing this? 
What is one step you can take this week to live with “eager expectation” rather than passive waiting

Heaven & Earth & Our Forever Home

2 Cor. 4:7-18 ; 2 Cor. 5:1-10
1. This Is the Plan:  So Do Not Worry (Eph 1:10; 2 Peter 3:13)2. This Is the Power: So Do Not Lose Heart (2 Cor. 4:7–18)  
3. This Is the Truth: So Be of Good Courage (2 Cor. 5:1–10)  
Reflection Questions
Share one “tent moment” from your life — a time when you felt sore, uncomfortable, or worn out (could be literal camping or just a hard season).
Paul uses the image of a tent (temporary shelter) versus a solid building/home (permanent dwelling). What stands out to you about this comparison, and how does it make the idea of death feel less scary? (2 Cor. 5:1-2) 
Paul says the treasure (the light of the gospel and resurrection power) is kept in fragile jars of clay. Why do you think God chooses to put such great power in such weak containers? How have you seen this in your own life or someone else’s? (2 Cor. 4:7-14)
How does the picture of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee (like an engagement ring) give you courage? (2 Cor. 5:5)
The sermon ends with: “Do not worry — the plan is sure. Do not lose heart — the power of God is within you. Be of good courage — the future is secure.” Which of these three encouragements do you most need to hear right now, and how can the group pray for you this week?

Heaven & Earth Intro

Easter: Jesus and the Tree of Life

MESSAGE | Pastor Jordan MoodyJesus and the Tree of Life1 Corinthians 15:3–7, 50–57
Death at the Tree 
What Is This Victory? (Nike) 
1. Victory — A Gift (1 Cor. 15:54–57)
2. Overcomer — A Faith Response (1 John 5:4–5)
3. Conqueror — A New Identity (Revelation 2–3)
4. Super Victory — Total Triumph (Romans 8:37)
Back to the Tree
 
Reflection Questions
Wildfire Renewal Where in your life has something that felt like total destruction eventually led to new life or renewal?
Victory and Nike Here are different forms of the Greek word “nike” — victory, overcomer, conqueror, and super-conqueror (hyper-nike). What stands out to you about these different layers of victory that Jesus gives us?
Overcoming by Faith Read 1 John 5:4-5. What challenge are you facing right now that needs you to stop striving and simply trust in Jesus’ already-won victory?
Already and Not Yet Read Romans 8:37-39 (“more than conquerors”). How do you handle the real pain of grief and loss while believing that death has been defeated?
Tree of Death to Tree of Life Compare Genesis 3 (death at the tree) with Revelation 2:7 and Revelation 22 (the promise of the Tree of Life). In what ways does this help us understand the story of the Bible and our lives?

Palm Sunday 2026

Coronation- Celebration of the installation of a King or victory in war.
Palms- Connects to the Feast of Booths celebrating God’s provision and presence through the 40-year wilderness journey
Donkey- An arrival marked by humility.Hosanna- “Save us now” - a cry for help that developed into a joyful declaration of praise, similar to "Hallelujah."Passover- The final passover lamb has arrived.3 ViewsThe Religious - Cynical and self-interested moralistsEmpty religiosity can be a barrier to experiencing and understanding God.The Crowd - Enthusiastic AdmirersGod’s Invitation does not begin with full understanding.The Disciples - Imperfect yet sincere apprentices of JesusA life of following Jesus is often lived moment by moment and understood in reflection.

Wrestling: The God Who Can (El Shaddai)

When God Reaffirms His Promise (Genesis 17:1–8)
 
When God Marks His People (Genesis 17:9–14)
 
When God Confronts Our Unbelief (Genesis 17:15–27)
Reflection Questions
 
Icebreakers: When you hear the phrase “That’s unbelievable!” what’s something that comes to mind from sports or life? Do you tend to be more skeptical or trusting when something sounds too good to be true?
What’s the difference between trusting God’s promise vs. trying to produce it yourself?
How does knowing God is El Roi (God Who Sees Me) and  El Shaddai (God Almighty) change the way you view your situation?
Read Romans 2:28-29 and Romans 4:1–12. What does this teach about faith vs. outward signs? What’s your takeaway here?
Why did Abraham and Sarah initially respond with laughter to God’s promise? Then read Romans 4:20–21. How does Paul describe Abraham’s faith? What would it look like for us to do the same today?

Wrestling: The God Who Sees and the God Who Can

Genesis 16-17
1. When We Take Matters Into Our Own Hands (Genesis 16:1–6)
 
2. When No One Sees Your Pain (Genesis 16:7–14)
3. When God Renames Your Story (Genesis 17:1–14)
 
4. When We Laugh at God’s Promises (Genesis 17:15–27)
 
Reflection Questions
Where do you see people in this story trying to control their own future instead of trusting God? Where have you seen your own impatience and scheming causing harm to yourself and others? 
What does it mean to you that God calls Hagar by name? Why do you think this moment mattered so deeply to Hagar?
Do you tend to relate more to Sarai (trying to control), Hagar (feeling unseen), or Abraham (struggling to believe)? Why?
What is the significance of the names changed and revealed in this passage? Look up the names and their meanings: El Roi, El Shaddai, Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, and Isaac. 
What would it look like this week to trust God’s timing instead of trying to force your own solution?
Where do you struggle to believe that God not only sees your situation but can actually change it?

Wrestling: Between Faith and Promise

Introduction
1. The Waiting Room of Faith (Genesis 15:1–5)
 
2. The Breakthrough of Faith (Genesis 15:6)
 
3. The Covenant that Secures the Promise (Genesis 15:7–21)
Reflection Questions
The sermon described the “waiting room of faith.” What does that phrase mean to you personally right now? Recall the story of Adonirum Judson in relation to this topic and his quote, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” 
What is the difference between wrestling with God in faith and walking away from God in unbelief?
Genesis 15:6 says Abram’s faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” Why is it important that righteousness was credited, not earned?
Read Romans 4:1–5 and 16–25. How does Paul use Abraham’s story to explain justification by faith? What do these verses teach us about the difference between earning righteousness through works and receiving righteousness through faith in God’s promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ?
“Sometimes the greatest work God is doing is not the mission field you’re running toward, but the waiting room where He teaches you to trust Him.” How might God be shaping you in a season of waiting?