Six Week Summary Week 1 QUIT EXPECTING TO WAKE UP IN HEAVEN Week 2 QUIT GIVING YOUR MONEY AWAY Week 3 QUIT HELPING OUT Week 4 QUIT HOPING PEOPLE WILL COME Week 5 QUIT STOPPING BY Week 6 QUIT YOUR CHURCH FRIENDS
SERMON OUTLINES Week 1 QUIT EXPECTING TO WAKE UP IN HEAVEN Unity and Loyalty Read Chapter 1 of Quit Church Opening Illustration Tell a story about a time someone, or yourself, yelled at someone else for not getting something perfect. (and maybe realized afterwards the mistake was yours) Base Idea Your true self surfaces when things don t go your way. Key Passages John 13:35 1. The only perfect person in your church is Jesus. 2. God calls us to loyalty & love. 3. You are only responsible for your response. 4. Attack the problem, not the person. Closing Challenge Take a moment to examine your heart & ask God to show if there s an area where you ve been disloyal with a person or program in the church. If so, make it right this week.
Week 2 QUIT GIVING YOUR MONEY AWAY Tithing and Generosity Read Chapter 2 of Quit Church Opening Illustration Tell a story about a parent giving kid something & then asking for a bit back & the kid refusing because they ve quickly assumed ownership & forgotten where it came from. Base Idea You can give & not be a Christ-follower, but you can t be a Christ-follower & not give. Key Passages Matthew 6:21 1. Every belongs to God (Psalms 89:11, Haggai 2:8, Deut. 8:18). 2. Giving is more about your heart than your money. 3. Giving makes you resemble God. 4. Giving is an act of worship. 5. Giving blesses you in return. Closing Challenge Begin or increase your giving on a consistent basis. Encourage your church to participate in a small group this week
Week 3 QUIT HELPING OUT Volunteerism and Serving Read Chapter 3 of Quit Church Opening Illustration Tell a story about the difference of being a dinner guest at someone else s house and having someone over to your house & the way you feel about the work. Base Idea You were made to serve something bigger than yourself & won t be fulfilled until you do. Key Passages Ephesians 4:25 1. Serving is the antidote to self-absorption. 2. Serving provides you with purpose & fulfillment. 3. Serving nourishes the soul (John 4:32-34). 4. Serving is joining God in His plan to reach your community. Closing Challenge Encourage your people to join a church serve team; to find a need & fill it.
Week 4 QUIT HOPING PEOPLE WILL COME Invest and Invite Read Chapter 4 of Quit Church Opening Illustration Tell a story about missing an opportunity to share your faith you later regretted. Base Idea God has a brilliant strategy to reach your city, and you re it. Key Passages Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 9:9-12 1. Invest Relationally connect with those in your circle of influence. 2. Invite Ask your friends & coworkers to a place where they can meet Jesus. 3. Include Get them around your church friends & those you serve with. Closing Challenge Encourage your people this week to find someone they can invest in, someone they can invite, and someone they can include.
Week 5 QUIT STOPPING BY Consistency and Commitment Read Chapter 5 of Quit Church Opening Illustration Tell a story about something you didn t realize how much you relied on until you had to go without it (IE cell phone, electricity, GPS). Base Idea You won t experience the full benefits of church with partial attendance. Key Passages Exodus 17:8-11, Hebrews 10:25, Luke 4:16 1. Dependability is a big deal to God & should be a big deal to us. 2. Spiritual maturity is choosing what is right over what is easy. 3. God takes note of those who are dependable & rewards those who are faithful. 4. You kids will mimic what you model. Closing Challenge Encourage your people to decide to make their church attendance a non-negotiable, rain or shine.
Week 6 QUIT YOUR CHURCH FRIENDS Community and Groups Read Chapter 6 of Quit Church Opening Illustration Tell a story about a time when you were so busy, you felt disconnected from those you want to be close to & the impact that had on you. Base Idea God doesn t just want you to attend, He wants you to belong. Key Passages Acts 2:42-46 1. Road Blocks: (1) Painful Past, (2) Personality, (3) Too Busy 2. Benefits: (1) Spiritual Growth, (2) Accountability, (3) Support During Difficulty Closing Challenge Encourage people to continue meeting in their groups (provide materials). Have congregants fill out the I QUIT card to indicate what they re committing to quit.