Zion Methodist Community Church

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

A Promise is a Promise

Genesis 12:1-8 – Do you remember when you first met God? For some of us, there is a dramatic experience. For others, God has been there. In either situation, God promises to be with us.

In Genesis 12, we can see the start of a relationship between God and Abram. We don’t know if God has always been with Abram, but there is a dramatic experience. God says that he will make Abram’s descendants more numerous than the stars. God will be with Abram wherever he goes. As Abram leaves his home, his wife and his nephew go with him. They were not there with Abram when God spoke to him, but they trusted Abram. They knew Abram and eventually would have their own experience of God and God’s salvation. Each of them would learn that God delivers on His promises, which did not look like what they thought.

What promises has God made to you?
How is God delivering on those promises?

09/07/2026

Stay In Your Lane

Psalm 40 – How do you handle those who seem to know all there is to know about everything? This is one of my weaknesses. I tend to speak in situations where I am not qualified to speak. Those who love me tell me to stay in my lane, meaning speak to what I know. Honestly, I don’t know much, but I know Jesus loves me.

David, who wrote Psalm 40, was a great leader and endured tremendous suffering. He wrote about what he knew and what he experienced. He knew God as his refuge because God rescued him from the struggles that he found himself in. Psalm 40 starts with God lifting him out of the slimy pit and setting his feet on solid ground. David continues to say that he will tell everyone who God is and what God has done. David’s life experience qualifies him to share God’s love and salvation.

What has David endured that qualifies him to speak about God?
What have you endured to enable you to speak about God’s love, forgiveness, and salvation?

09/07/2026

Our Journey for September 7 – September 13, 2026

One of the bigger questions that organizations ask is, “What is our purpose?” Organizations want to stay true to who they are, just as stores want to sell products that add value to their customers, or freight businesses want to deliver what they haul safely and on time.

What about churches? Churches try to find unique ways to share their purpose, and it goes back to what Jesus said: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

The follow-up question is how? How do we, as a church, do this? Jesus answers in Matthew 28:16-20, more specifically in verses 19-20, by telling his disciples to go and make disciples through baptizing and teaching what they have learned from Jesus. How are we living out Jesus’ words?

~ Pastor Seth

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

09/05/2026

How Do I Look?

Colossians 3:15-17 – There is a trap most men fall into. An innocent question sets the trap, “How do I look?” It could turn out good or bad, depending on how it is answered.

Paul doesn’t ask the question, “How do I look?” directly, but shares what a person looks like as they grow in their faith. In verses 12-14, he tells them to put on these new clothes or take these next steps in their faith journey.

In verses 15-17, he shows what the person will look like. They will let the peace of God rule in their hearts, which helps them be unified in the body of Christ. They will let the word of Christ dwell within them and hold others accountable.

What does it look like to have the peace of God in your heart?
How can we let the word of Christ dwell within us?
What do your actions say about Jesus?

09/04/2026

What Makes You Wise?

2 Timothy 3:10-17 – Our parents have taught us many things. Some of those lessons brought joy to us and those around us. There are some lessons that we are trying to let go of because they are not beneficial.

Paul is Timothy’s spiritual father, and he is giving his son some lessons in following Jesus. One lesson is to know who is teaching you. What do they believe? How have they lived out their faith?

Another lesson is to keep learning about the Holy scriptures. They are God-breathed and useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. The more we learn about God’s word, the more we grow in our faith and become like Jesus.

Who teaches you about God?
How does their life reflect God?
How is scripture training you in righteousness?

09/03/2026

A Great Truth

Matthew 22:35-40 - Jesus taught us how to live for God. He not only taught us, but also showed us how we can live for God. One of the great teachings is what we read for today.

An expert in the law comes to Jesus and asks what the greatest commandment is. Jesus answers him by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5. This verse is one everyone was taught when they were old enough to learn. Jesus replaces the word strength with the word mind. Jesus emphasizes that one should love God with all they have. Jesus goes on to quote Leviticus 19:18. This verse may not be as well- known as the Deuteronomy verse, but it says to love your neighbor and not hold a grudge against them.

Jesus used the Old Testament to lead the people into a deeper walk with God. Jesus continued to see God’s truth as the guide they needed to deepen their trust and obedience.

How often do you read God’s word?
How does God’s word change your life?

09/02/2026

Misplaced Deeds

Isaiah 5:9-17 – Have you ever wished that you could undo your actions? Maybe you accused someone of wrongdoing, and as time passed, you realized they didn’t do it. Maybe someone came to you for help, and you didn’t help them.

Isaiah is a prophet who shares God’s words. In our reading, he shares why life is about to become burdensome for God’s people. They have disregarded God’s deeds and shown no respect for the works of His hands. How have they done this? They had opportunities to give justice to their neighbors, but chose to enrich their own pockets instead. They didn’t value the lives of those around them; instead, they chose to crush the poor. They were self-centered rather than other-centered.

What does it look like to be other-centered?
How do we show respect for what God is doing?