Jamie Haxby

Hope / Jamie Haxby
finding faith in the darkness

The Cycle Begins” – Judges 3:7–11

Study Guide: “The Cycle Begins” – Judges 3:7–11

📖 Bible Reading

Judges 3:7–11
7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.
8 The anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.
9 But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.
10 The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him.
11 So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

🌀 Discussion: Recognising the Cycle

Judges presents a cycle that repeats throughout the book:
Sin → Oppression → Cry for Help → Deliverance → Peace → (Back to Sin)

“It’s not just a cycle—it’s a downward spiral to moral rock bottom.”
  • Where do you see this cycle in Judges 3:7–11?
  • Why do you think it only took 5 verses for the pattern to emerge?
  • Can you see similar patterns in society today—or even in your own life?

❓ Explore the Text

1. Verse 7: Forgetting God

“It’s ‘being-an-Israelite-101’: worship the Lord your God and no one else.”
  • What does it mean to “forget the Lord”? How does that happen today?
  • What idols might we be tempted to “serve” in our culture?

2. Verses 8–9: Consequences and Crying Out

“Actions have consequences. Sin has serious consequences.”
  • What do you notice about God’s response to Israel’s disobedience?
  • Why do you think it took 8 years for the Israelites to cry out?

3. Verse 10: God’s Deliverer

“God raises a deliverer immediately—no delay. That’s grace.”
  • How does God’s grace shine through in this passage?
  • What’s the significance of the Spirit coming upon Othniel?

🪞 Application: A Mirror, a Warning, and an Encouragement

Mirror

“We keep finding ourselves in the same place before God: ‘Lord, how have I done this again?’”
  • Are there repetitive patterns of sin in your life right now?
  • What influences might be pulling you away from God?

Warning

“Don’t let it get this bad.”
  • What compromises might you be tolerating in your life?
  • How can you guard yourself against slow spiritual drift?

Encouragement

“We serve a deeply compassionate God—just, but always leaning in grace.”
  • What does this story reveal about God’s character?
  • How does Jesus ultimately fulfil the role of deliverer that Othniel only points to?

🙏 Prayer Prompts

  • Confession: Lord, I confess where I have forgotten You—where I’ve allowed other voices or idols to take Your place in my heart.
  • Repentance: Help me break the cycle of sin. Show me where I’ve compromised, and lead me in a new direction.
  • Gratitude: Thank You for Your grace that raises up a Deliverer—again and again. Thank You for Jesus, who never fails.
  • Intercession: Pray for those who feel trapped in their own cycles. Ask God to help them cry out—and for His Spirit to move powerfully in their lives.

📖 Encouragement for the Week

“Acknowledge the cycle. Then cry out to God and look to Him for deliverance—because He’s the only one who can.”

Commit to reading Judges during this series—alone, with a friend, or as a group. Let it be a mirror, a warning, and above all, a signpost to Christ.

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For Me To Live Is Christ

Study Guide – Philippians 1:12–26

📖 Study Guide: For Me To Live Is Christ

Based on Philippians 1:12–26

📘 Read the Passage

Begin by reading Philippians 1:12–26 aloud.

💡 Key Themes from the Sermon

  • God-given dreams often take a different path than we expect.
  • Our calling is not primarily to success, but to faithfulness.
  • Even in suffering, God’s purposes cannot be thwarted.
  • “For me, to live is Christ” — the ultimate declaration of surrendered worship.
“Everything I dreamed of at the start of 2025 has started to come true… it’s just that in my dream I was at the centre of the action.”
“When stuff happens that thwarts God’s will, it doesn’t overcome His sovereign will… which will still be done.”

🧠 Discussion Questions

1. Understanding the Passage

  • What are the circumstances Paul finds himself in as he writes this letter?
  • How does Paul view his imprisonment? (vv.12–14)
  • What does he mean when he says, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain”? (v.21)
  • How do Paul’s words challenge your understanding of success and purpose?

2. Exploring the Sermon

  • The preacher says: “Every dream seems to take longer, be more difficult and involve more opposition than you ever expected.” — Do you relate to that? Share your experience.
  • Why do you think it’s so hard to keep going when the dream doesn’t unfold as expected?
  • How does Paul’s attitude model a godly response to disappointment and limitation?

3. Application

  • What dream (big or small) has God placed on your heart?
  • Where have you encountered delay, opposition, or suffering in pursuing it?
  • How might you reframe your circumstances like Paul did — seeing limitations as opportunities for God’s work?
  • In what ways can you echo Paul’s declaration: “For me, to live is Christ”?

🙏 Prayer Prompts

Take time to pray individually or together. Here are some prompts:

  • Surrender: “Lord, I offer my body as a living sacrifice. Use me as You will.”
  • Perspective: “God, help me to see Your purposes even when my plans fail.”
  • Courage: “Give me boldness to pursue the dream You’ve placed in my heart, even when it’s hard.”
  • Praise: “Thank You that Your will cannot be thwarted, and You redeem all things.”

🛠 Optional Challenge

This week, write down your “God-given dream” — however vague or specific. Reflect on where God might already be at work through your setbacks.

“All that really matters is showing up and worshipping Him with everything I have got.”
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Knowing him better

Study Guide for Sermon on Ephesians 1:15-23: “Knowing Him Better”

Opening Prayer

Begin with a prayer asking God to open the eyes of your heart to receive His wisdom and revelation. Ask for insight into the hope, power, and inheritance found in Jesus Christ.

Scripture Passage: Ephesians 1:15-23

“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”
(Ephesians 1:15-18)

Key Themes from the Sermon

  • The Power of Knowing God Better
    • Paul’s prayer centers on the Ephesian church knowing God deeply, transforming their relationship.
  • The Hope We Have in Christ
    • Knowing God includes understanding the eternal hope He provides.
    • “If you do know God, then this hopeless world gets a little glimmer of hope.”
  • Our Identity as His Inheritance
    • We are precious to God, His glorious inheritance, which changes how we see ourselves.
  • The Power at Work Within Us
    • The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us, empowering us to partner with the Spirit.
    • “We cannot, we must not, do these things in our own strength. We must do it by His power, His might, and His Spirit.”

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Passage

  • Why does Paul emphasize knowing God better in his prayer for the Ephesian church?
  • What does it mean for the “eyes of your heart” to be enlightened?

Applying the Message

  • How does knowing the hope God has called you to change the way you face life’s challenges?
  • How can you remind yourself daily that you are part of God’s glorious inheritance?

Living in His Power

  • How can you rely more on His strength rather than your own?
  • Share a moment when you felt God’s power at work in your life. How did it change the situation?

Application Prompts

  • Personal Reflection
    • Spend time this week reflecting on how well you know God.
  • Encouragement to Others
    • Use Ephesians 1:15-23 to pray for someone specific and commit to praying for them daily.
  • Walking in His Power
    • Identify an area in your life where you need God’s power. Take a step of faith this week, trusting in His strength.

Prayer Prompts

  • Thanksgiving
    • Praise God for the hope He has given you and for calling you His inheritance.
  • Confession
    • Acknowledge times when you’ve relied on your own strength rather than His power.
  • Intercession
    • Pray Ephesians 1:15-23 over someone in your life, asking God to open their heart to His hope, power, and love.

In

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Lord, Make Me Holy






Discussion Guide for Hebrews 12


Discussion Guide for Hebrews 12: Pursuing Holiness

Key Sermon Themes

  • Surrender to God’s Will: “Will you surrender that? Will you submit to me? Because when you do…you’ll find you really live.”
  • Confession: Specific confession is crucial. “Not just a general ‘God forgive my sins,’ but what are you asking God to forgive?”
  • Saying No to Sin: “The grace of God that brings salvation helps us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions.”
  • Repentance and Penance: Repentance is acknowledging sin; penance is taking practical steps to turn from sin.
  • Enjoy Pleasing God: “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free” (Psalm 119:32).

Discussion Questions

1. Understanding the Passage (Hebrews 12:1-14)

  • What does Hebrews 12 mean when it encourages us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles”?
  • How does the imagery of running a race help us understand our call to holiness?
  • In what ways does God’s discipline (v. 7-11) demonstrate His love for us?

2. Reflecting on the Sermon

  • Which of the five main points (Surrender, Confess, Say No, Repentance, Enjoy Pleasing God) resonates most with you, and why?
  • The speaker shared a vivid story about the lizard being transformed into a stallion (from The Great Divorce). How does this illustrate the transformation God offers through holiness?

3. Application Questions

  • What specific areas in your life might God be asking you to surrender to Him?
  • What practical steps can you take to “say no” to sin in your daily life?
  • How can you invite someone to hold you accountable for your struggles, as the speaker described with his confessor?

4. Prayerful Response

  • Take a moment to reflect: What sin might God be putting His “scalpel” on in your life? Are you ready to surrender it to Him?
  • How can your group or church support each other in the pursuit of holiness?

Group Prayer Prompts

  • Praise and Worship: Thank God for His love and discipline that shapes us into His likeness.
  • Confession: Encourage group members to silently or verbally confess specific sins to God.
  • Surrender: Ask for God’s help in surrendering areas of life that feel difficult to release.
  • Strength to Say No: Pray for the grace and courage to resist temptation and choose godliness.
  • Joy in Holiness: Ask God to help you experience the freedom and joy that comes from living a holy life.

This guide is designed to encourage deeper understanding of Hebrews 12, reflection on personal holiness, and practical application. Use it as a resource for personal or group study.


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All Aboard the Train of Salvation






Study Guide: Ephesians 1:1-14

Study Guide for Ephesians 1:1-14: “All Aboard the Train of Salvation”

Introduction

Ephesians 1:1-14 paints a breathtaking picture of God’s eternal plan for humanity—offering salvation, adoption, redemption, and the promise of an eternal inheritance in Christ. This guide explores key points from the sermon and includes discussion prompts, application questions, and prayer suggestions to deepen understanding and inspire action.

Key Points from the Sermon

  1. The Train of Salvation

    “On the front of the train, it says, ‘All aboard for healing, salvation, the good life, adoption into God’s family, and escape from pain and suffering.’”

    God’s salvation plan is unstoppable and predetermined, but we have the choice to get on board.

  2. Adoption into God’s Family

    “In God’s family, you are all sons… all of equal value, acceptance, and dignity.”

    Adoption means belonging fully and acting with the confidence of heirs in God’s kingdom.

  3. Redemption through Christ

    Redemption is freedom from the past—sin, trauma, and suffering—into a new, God-destined future.

    “He was ripped apart so you could be put back together.”

  4. Chosen for Glory

    God’s love is unwavering and faithful, likened to a train bound to its tracks.

  5. Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ

    “We HAVE every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus—past tense, already ours.”

    This truth should transform how we live, pray, and act.

Discussion Points

Understanding the Bible Passage

  • What does it mean to be “in Christ” according to Ephesians 1:3-14?
  • Discuss the concept of adoption into God’s family. How is it both radical and life-changing?
  • How do “redemption” and “inheritance” shape our understanding of salvation?

Reflecting on the Sermon

  • How does the imagery of a train help us understand God’s plan of salvation?
  • In what ways do we sometimes hesitate to “get on the train” or fully commit to Christ?
  • How does knowing we have “every spiritual blessing” challenge our current mindset or behavior?

Practical Application

  • What would it look like to live as though the city, creation, and people around us belong to our Heavenly Father?
  • How can we “shake off feelings of inadequacy” and live with confidence in Christ?
  • What steps can you take to actively invite others to “board the train”?

Application Questions

Personal

  • Are there areas of your life where you feel “stuck on the platform”? What’s stopping you from stepping onto the train?
  • How does knowing you are chosen and adopted into God’s family change the way you see yourself?

Group

  • As a church, how can we live out our identity as adopted sons and daughters of God?
  • How can we disrupt our city in a positive way, reflecting God’s kingdom?

Faith

  • If you truly believed you have every spiritual blessing in Christ, how would that affect your prayer life, relationships, and generosity?

Prayer Prompts

  • Thank God for His eternal plan of salvation and for inviting us to be part of His family.
  • Pray for confidence to live as heirs of God’s kingdom, free from fear and inadequacy.
  • Ask for opportunities to share the hope and blessings of being “in Christ” with others.
  • Pray for God to disrupt your city positively, transforming it with His love and justice.


Contact Info

Hope Church Lancaster

Psalm 119:114

'You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.'

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Hope Church is a part of the Free Methodist Church UK

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