Bricks or Sticks | Week 1 | “Green Flags”

Bible Passages:

“Green Flags”

Song of Songs 1… ¹ Solomon’s Song of Songs.

She…² Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine. ³ Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the young women love you! ⁴ Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers.

Friends…We rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine.

She…How right they are to adore you! ⁵ Dark am I, yet lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon.
⁶ Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother’s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I had to neglect. ⁷ Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your friends?

Friends…⁸ If you do not know, most beautiful of women, follow the tracks of the sheep and graze your young goats by the tents of the shepherds.

He…⁹ I liken you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariot horses. ¹⁰ Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels.¹¹ We will make you earrings of gold, studded with silver.

She…¹² While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. ¹³ My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts. ¹⁴ My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.

He…¹⁵ How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!  Your eyes are doves.

She…¹⁶ How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how charming!  And our bed is verdant.

He…¹⁷ The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are firs.

SOME GREEN FLAGS…

(POINT ONE) THEY HAVE CHARACTER 

She

² Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine. ³ Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the young women love you! ⁴ Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers.

Friends

We rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine.

(POINT TWO) THEY MAKE YOU FEEL CERTAIN

She

How right they are to adore you! ⁵ Dark am I, yet lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon.
⁶ Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother’s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I had to neglect. 

(POINT THREE) THEY LIVE WITH CONVICTIONS 

She

⁷ Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your friends?

Proverbs 18…22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.

(POINT FOUR) THEY’RE CONSIDERATE  

He

⁹ I liken you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariot horses. ¹⁰ Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels.
¹¹ We will make you earrings of gold, studded with silver.

She

¹² While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. ¹³ My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts. ¹⁴ My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.

He

¹⁵ How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!  Your eyes are doves.

Philippians 2… ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

(POINT FIVE) THEY’RE CHEERFUL 

She

¹⁶ How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how charming!  And our bed is verdant.

He

¹⁷ The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are firs.

Key Points:

• Summarize the main points or key messages of the sermon.
• Highlight any memorable quotes or phrases from the sermon.

Scriptural Foundation:

• Discuss the Bible passage(s) that were the basis of the sermon.
• Explore the context and significance of the chosen scripture.

Personal Reflection:

• Share your personal thoughts and feelings about the sermon.
• How did the sermon impact you? What resonated with you?
• Were there any moments of conviction, inspiration, or clarity?

Discussion Questions:

List a set of open-ended questions to facilitate discussion. These questions can help attendees engage with the sermon’s content on a deeper level.

Example questions:

1. What do you think the Steve’s main message or takeaway was from the sermon?

2. How does the scripture relate to the sermon’s message?

3. Were there any practical applications or actionable insights that stood out to you?

4. Did the sermon challenge any of your beliefs or perspectives?

5. How can we apply the sermon’s teachings in our daily lives?

Group Sharing:

• Encourage participants to share their thoughts, questions, or personal experiences related to the sermon.
• Create an open and respectful environment for discussion.

Additional Resources:

• Provide information about any recommended books, articles, or further readings related to the sermon’s topic.
• Mention upcoming events or opportunities for Group members to explore the sermon’s theme further.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the key takeaways from the discussion.
• Emphasize the importance of applying the sermon’s teachings in daily life.
• Announce any follow-up actions or future discussions related to the sermon.

Closing Prayer:

• Take the time to ask members of the Group if they have any prayer requests.
• Conclude the discussion with a brief prayer, asking for guidance and wisdom in applying the sermon’s message to be on mission.