Faith Talk – May 17, 2026
Faith Talks are designed to help you keep the conversation going beyond Sunday morning. Use this guide with your family or friends to reflect on the sermon and Life Group lesson, pray together, and put God’s Word into practice. Think of this guide as a starting place—then let God shape the conversation.
Sermon
Title: The Doctrine of the Church
Scripture: Colossians 1:17-18
Overview: The church is more than a building or an event we attend each week. Scripture teaches that the church is the body of Christ, created by God for His glory and the spread of the gospel. Jesus is the head of the church, and through Him, believers are united together for worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and evangelism. Even through hardship and persecution, God continues to build His church and promises a future where His people will be with Him forever.
Main Points:
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Application: Choose one intentional way to engage more deeply in the life of the church this week. Attend faithfully, encourage someone, serve in a ministry, invite someone to church, or spend time praying for your church family.
Scripture: Colossians 1:17-18
Overview: The church is more than a building or an event we attend each week. Scripture teaches that the church is the body of Christ, created by God for His glory and the spread of the gospel. Jesus is the head of the church, and through Him, believers are united together for worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and evangelism. Even through hardship and persecution, God continues to build His church and promises a future where His people will be with Him forever.
Main Points:
- The Foundation of the Church
- Promised
- Purchased
- Proclaimed
- Persecuted
- The Function of the Church
- Worship
- Discipleship
- Fellowship
- Ministry
- Evangelism
- The Future of the Church
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- Why is Jesus the most important part of the church?
- What are some ways people serve and help others at church?
- Why does God want Christians to gather together?
For Students & Adults
- Why is it important to remember that the church belongs to Jesus?
- Which function of the church stands out most to you right now, and why?
- How can you personally help strengthen and encourage the church this week?
Application: Choose one intentional way to engage more deeply in the life of the church this week. Attend faithfully, encourage someone, serve in a ministry, invite someone to church, or spend time praying for your church family.
Life Group
Scripture: John 3
Christ/Gospel Connections:
All of Scripture points back to Jesus. In our study each week, every age group’s lesson includes a note about how the message connects to Christ. Use these Christ/Gospel Connections as a springboard for meaningful discussion about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Preschool – Jesus is God’s one and only Son who came to the world to save sinners. When we trust in Jesus, He forgives our sins, and we have life with God forever.
Kids – Nicodemus was a religious leader, but he needed to be born again to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus shared how the Spirit causes people to be born again to new life. Anyone who believes in Jesus will be born again and receive eternal life.
Students – Jesus taught that new birth, not religious activity, is how a person enters the kingdom of God and receives eternal life. New birth is given from God the Father through faith in God the Son as a work of God the Spirit. Because of God’s love, we are no longer condemned because of our sin, but we have been given eternal life in Christ.
Adults – Because of His love, God sent His Son, Jesus, to sacrifice His life for us so that we might be born again and have eternal life.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Christ/Gospel Connections:
All of Scripture points back to Jesus. In our study each week, every age group’s lesson includes a note about how the message connects to Christ. Use these Christ/Gospel Connections as a springboard for meaningful discussion about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Preschool – Jesus is God’s one and only Son who came to the world to save sinners. When we trust in Jesus, He forgives our sins, and we have life with God forever.
Kids – Nicodemus was a religious leader, but he needed to be born again to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus shared how the Spirit causes people to be born again to new life. Anyone who believes in Jesus will be born again and receive eternal life.
Students – Jesus taught that new birth, not religious activity, is how a person enters the kingdom of God and receives eternal life. New birth is given from God the Father through faith in God the Son as a work of God the Spirit. Because of God’s love, we are no longer condemned because of our sin, but we have been given eternal life in Christ.
Adults – Because of His love, God sent His Son, Jesus, to sacrifice His life for us so that we might be born again and have eternal life.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- What did Jesus tell Nicodemus he needed in order to enter God’s kingdom?
- Why did Jesus come into the world?
- How can someone receive eternal life?
For Students & Adults
- Why is salvation more than simply trying to be a good person?
- What does John 3 teach us about God’s love for the world?
- How should new life in Christ change the way we live each day?
Pray Together
- Thank God for loving us enough to send Jesus to save sinners and give eternal life.
- Commit to growing as part of Christ’s church and living out your new life in Him.
- Ask God to help you boldly share the gospel and encourage others to trust in Jesus.
Activity
Building Together
Supplies:
Instructions:
- Plastic cups, blocks, or household items for stacking
- Index cards or slips of paper
- Marker
Instructions:
- Write different words on the cards that describe the church’s purpose, such as worship, prayer, serving, fellowship, evangelism, encouragement, and discipleship.
- As a family or group, build a tower using the cups or blocks.
- Each time someone adds a piece to the tower, they should pick a card and explain why that part of the church is important.
- After the tower is complete, talk about how the church is strongest when believers work together with Jesus as the foundation.
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