Zion Methodist Community Church

06/04/2026

What Should I Do?

Matthew 25:31-46 – One of the struggles we face is how to live a life of kindness. Kindness is not always rewarded or seen as a good trait. Some people take advantage of others' kindness. Once someone has taken advantage of us, it’s hard to be kind again.

Jesus tells a parable of how we should live. He starts with sheep and goats. As they are divided, he begins to explain what each of them does. The sheep help those around them. They feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick. They are kind to those around them without expecting anything in return. The goats aren’t kind. They see the needs, but don’t do anything to help. Jesus points out that the sheep will be those who enter the Kingdom of God.

How can you guard your heart so that you can be kind?
Why is it important to serve those around you?

06/03/2026

He Tried to Hide

Jonah 1:1-3:10 – Fear leads us to do some strange things. It can lead us to scream at little insects or jump high in the air when someone shouts at us.

When God calls Jonah to speak to the people of Nineveh, Jonah wasn’t necessarily afraid of the Ninevites. He was afraid God would be merciful instead of wrathful. There is no record of why Jonah did not like the Ninevites. He just didn’t like them. His dislike for them was so great that he tried to disobey God and go in the opposite direction from Nineveh.

It was difficult to disobey God, but to willfully go in the opposite direction takes a lot of courage. Jonah didn’t make it far when God brought him to Nineveh. When Jonah obeyed God, the people repented, and God relented just like Jonah knew He would.

When have you willfully disobeyed God? How did it turn out?
Why would God lead Jonah to Nineveh?

06/02/2026

Trusting in God

1 Samuel 17:1-50 - Fear is a powerful force. It has kept us safe throughout time. Fear keeps us from walking too close to the edge of a canyon. Fear keeps us from driving too fast. Fear keeps us from sabotaging our relationships. Fear also stops us from taking risks. It keeps us from sharing our emotions because of what others may think.

David understood fear. He faced it when fighting wild animals from eating the sheep. He faced it when he heard Goliath denouncing God. He understood it when he picked up the five stones as he walked towards Goliath. David knew that God would be with him whether he failed or succeeded. David knew he was chosen and anointed by God to do amazing things for the nation of Israel. His faith overcame his fear.

When did fear protect you? When did it cost you?
When has faith overcome fear in your life?

06/01/2026

What Do I Say?

Psalm 40 – What do we say when we talk about Jesus? The easiest way to share is to explain how Jesus made a difference in your life. You are following Jesus for a reason. What is that reason? At some point, you were far from Jesus. You lived a different life, but now you are different. Jesus forgave you and continues to lead you into a life that points to him.

We may not have the deep theological words or the sharp logical arguments to prove our faith, but we have our life story and the difference Jesus makes in our lives as we choose to obey his teachings and follow
the way he lived.

What difference has Jesus made in your life?
Who needs to hear your story? If no one comes to mind, then take some time to pray about who needs to hear your story.

06/01/2026

Our Journey for June 1 – June 7, 2026

What creates urgency in your life? Is it a deadline? Is it an activity that you are passionate about? Is it something on your to-do list? What about sharing our faith? Is that urgent? What about putting our faith into action?

Often, we find ourselves in a state of urgency in our everyday lives, but our Christian journey does not share that sense of urgency. Why is that? Is it fear of what others think?

For decades, the prevailing thought has been that the United States was a Christian nation, but it was still hard to share our faith. There was no sense of urgency in the churches or in the pulpits about telling others about Jesus or the forgiveness Jesus offers. I guess that people assumed that everyone knew about Jesus and the forgiveness he offers. The problem is that not everyone knew. Now, we live in a time where talking about faith is difficult because many people have no reference to who Jesus is. It’s time to feel the urgency of sharing our faith in Jesus.

~ Pastor Seth

05/31/2026

05/30/2026

How Do You Know?

1 John 1:1-4 – When you are convinced of something, what does it take to change your mind? It should take substantial evidence and reflection to change your core convictions.

The opening of John’s letter tells us that John is convinced that Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Man. He says that he has seen with his own eyes, heard with his own ears, and touched with his own hands the resurrected Jesus. There is nothing that will convince him of anything else. John will share who Jesus is and what Jesus has done to all those he meets. He is not going to leave a place without telling them about his beliefs in Jesus.

How convinced are you that Jesus is who he said he is?
How have your convictions come out through your daily activities?
How do people know about your convictions?

05/29/2026

A Way of Life

2 Timothy 3:10-17 – Do you have rules for your life, like forgiving others? Or helping those in need? What are those rules based on? Are they based on scripture? Are they based on culture or what feels right?

Paul writes a letter to his spiritual son, Timothy, about the calling on his life. In this part of his letter, Paul shares with Timothy the source of how he should live, the Bible. Paul says that all scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness. Paul shares this because he sees God’s call on Timothy’s life and knows that Timothy can empower the people around him to follow Jesus.

We may not be Timothy, but we have the scriptures that give us the knowledge and the ability to live out God’s calling on our lives.

What rules do you live by that are inspired by God?
How are you living them out and explaining them to others?

05/28/2026

You Heard It Said... But I Tell You...

Matthew 5:1-7:29 - This is a lengthier passage than what we usually read. As you read, take note of how many times Jesus says, you heard it said…but I tell you.

As Jesus teaches on the mountainside, he raises expectations for how people should live out their faith. They understood how they were supposed to live according to the religious leaders, but Jesus’ heart is for them to take the next step in living out their faith.

Think of it like this: when you were younger, you ate pureed food. As you grew older, you ate solid food. You can still eat pureed food, but you don’t want to. You want the steak and potatoes whole, not mashed up. You changed and grew. Jesus is leading the crowd and us to change, to grow in our faith, and take the next steps.

How are you living out Matthew 5:1-7:29? What needs to change?
How is the Holy Spirit helping you to change?

05/27/2026

Watering Our Soul

Isaiah 55:1-13 – What would happen if it stopped raining for a month? We have a glimpse of this in July and August. The grass dries out, flowers wilt, and leaves of trees die off.

There are times when our souls feel dried out. We question our faith and God. As Isaiah is listening for God, he hears this message about people without money buying food and water, the things they need to be nourished. Later in the text, he hears that as the rain and snow water the earth, so His word goes out and does what it is designed to do, water our souls.

There is a part that we play in this. We are to go to Him. We are to go and seek Him. The questions about our faith help us seek Him and discover who He is. The questions open a door for us to know the truth.

How dry is your soul?
Where will you find the nourishment that you need?