Sunday, November 8, 2026
Redacted #9 - To Do Nothing Is to Do Harm

WELCOME   (15 minutes)
Ice Breaker: What's a rule you followed growing up without really understanding why it existed?

WORSHIP (10 minutes)
Use your favorite streaming service & sing, “Worthy of it All” by CeCe Winans.

WIN   (15 minutes)
Pray for people who live around you who are facing a Christless eternity.

WORD   (25 minutes)

Read this aloud together first: This week isn't primarily about what the government should do, what other churches aren't doing, or how other Christians should be more compassionate. The question is whether the Bible in your heart matches the Bible in your hands. You can't solve every problem or meet every need. But you can respond to the opportunities God puts in front of you

1. Read Mark 2:23–28 and Matthew 12:7. Jesus confronted the Pharisees because they were so concerned with their interpretation of Sabbath regulations that they missed God's heart of mercy. Why do we naturally look for minimum requirements rather than asking what kind of people God wants us to become?
2. Read Amos 5:12, 21–24. Sunday's message challenged us to examine how we treat people we have authority over, people who inconvenience us, and people who can't give us anything in return. Which of those examples is most challenging to you? How can someone be genuinely devoted to religious activities while neglecting justice and mercy? What might our treatment of others reveal about the condition of our hearts?
3. Read Micah 6:6–8. What's the difference between showing mercy occasionally and actually LOVING mercy? Is it possible to do merciful things without having a merciful heart? We sometimes try to compensate for mistreating people by pointing to other good things we do. Why is it tempting to think our generosity, church attendance, serving, or other religious activities can offset areas of disobedience?
4. Read Jeremiah 22:13–16 and James 1:27. Chapter 9 in the book argues that the Church has often outsourced its responsibility to care for the hurting to governments, nonprofits, and other organizations. How have we personally done that? Why do we sometimes treat knowing God as a spiritual activity and caring for the vulnerable as an optional ministry interest?
5. Read Mark 3:1–6, James 4:17, and Proverbs 3:27–28. Where are we most likely to excuse inaction by convincing ourselves that someone else's suffering isn't our responsibility? What's the difference between being unable to meet every need and refusing to respond to a need that's within our power to address?
6. Read Ephesians 2:1–10 and 1 John 3:16–18. Chapter 9 in the book challenges us to recognize that the world is broken and God has called His people to respond. What would it look like for our small group, our families, and our church to live as though we really believed that? What practical needs could we meet together that would be difficult for any one of us to meet alone?