Marion Methodist Church
Unbreakable Faith
Sunday morning worship
Locations & Times
Marion Methodist Sanctuary
5050 Rec Dr, Marion, IA 52302, USA
Sunday 8:15 AM
Sunday 10:15 AM
The World Offers Superficial Strength, Christ Offers Everlasting Hope
Christ Is Our Support in Suffering
He Is Our Contentment in Chaos
We Find Everlasting Strength in Our Savior
Let Go of Control — Let God Take Over
Give Online
https://marionmethodist.org/give/July 20, 2025
Session 4 | Unbreakable Faith
Before you begin this session, read the inside cover of your materials and pray the prayer.
Background:
This will help set the context of the session if someone from your group reads this aloud.
No matter our circumstances, we need to remember that our strength comes from Christ. As Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” The word strength is used over 360 times in the Bible, and is often linked to God’s power. We learn in Mark 14:38 that even Christ said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. But we find encouragement from Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that Christ told him “My power is made perfect in weakness.”
In the Fantastic 4, The Thing is a constant source of strength. His super power allows him to lift nearly one hundred tons. His rock-like skin provides durability against a variety of attacks and cold temperatures. His primary goal is to overcome evil in the world. As Christians, we do not need rock-like skin such as The Thing, because our strength and durability come through Christ. With faith and trust we are assured in 2 Chronicles 20:15 to not be afraid or discouraged because “the battle is not yours, but God’s.” And in Romans 8:31 we learn “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13
Have someone in your group read the Scripture passage aloud.
Sermon Reflection:
1. What stands out to you about today’s sermon?
2. What did you learn about God? About people?
3. Any life-lessons to apply? How do you plan to apply them?
4. How can we pray for one another?
Questions for Application:
1. In Psalm 28:7, the psalmist states: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” If asked to explain the source of your strength to persevere in working to grow God’s kingdom here and now, what words would you use?
2. In Ephesians 6:10, Paul instructs the people of Ephesus to “be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.” What spiritual disciplines do you rely on to allow you to “be strong in the Lord and His mighty power”?
3. When you are discontented how does the world tell you to deal with it? How does this compare to what we read in Philippians?
4. What is the difference between relying on the Lord for your strength instead of yourself for your strength?
5. Read Isaiah 40:29-31. Describe a time when you felt like you were able to “soar on wings like eagles” by the strength of the Lord?
6. Here is the Power Grid card for The Thing that identifies his strengths. What do you think your Power Grid card would look like for your strengths in growing God’s kingdom here on earth?
Dig Deeper: Consider starting one of these Bible reading plans to go deeper on this topic
Taking Hold of God’s Strength – 6 day reading plan: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/15348-taking-hold-of-gods-strength
Praying for Strength – 6 day devotional: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/13002-praying-for-strength
Questions for Discussion:
1. What are you reading in the Word this week?
2. How is your reading growing you in the Marks of Discipleship – prayers, presence, gifts, witness, service?
Growth Challenge:
Pray to God asking Him to change your heart’s desires to match His.
Session 4 | Unbreakable Faith
Before you begin this session, read the inside cover of your materials and pray the prayer.
Background:
This will help set the context of the session if someone from your group reads this aloud.
No matter our circumstances, we need to remember that our strength comes from Christ. As Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” The word strength is used over 360 times in the Bible, and is often linked to God’s power. We learn in Mark 14:38 that even Christ said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. But we find encouragement from Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that Christ told him “My power is made perfect in weakness.”
In the Fantastic 4, The Thing is a constant source of strength. His super power allows him to lift nearly one hundred tons. His rock-like skin provides durability against a variety of attacks and cold temperatures. His primary goal is to overcome evil in the world. As Christians, we do not need rock-like skin such as The Thing, because our strength and durability come through Christ. With faith and trust we are assured in 2 Chronicles 20:15 to not be afraid or discouraged because “the battle is not yours, but God’s.” And in Romans 8:31 we learn “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13
Have someone in your group read the Scripture passage aloud.
Sermon Reflection:
1. What stands out to you about today’s sermon?
2. What did you learn about God? About people?
3. Any life-lessons to apply? How do you plan to apply them?
4. How can we pray for one another?
Questions for Application:
1. In Psalm 28:7, the psalmist states: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” If asked to explain the source of your strength to persevere in working to grow God’s kingdom here and now, what words would you use?
2. In Ephesians 6:10, Paul instructs the people of Ephesus to “be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.” What spiritual disciplines do you rely on to allow you to “be strong in the Lord and His mighty power”?
3. When you are discontented how does the world tell you to deal with it? How does this compare to what we read in Philippians?
4. What is the difference between relying on the Lord for your strength instead of yourself for your strength?
5. Read Isaiah 40:29-31. Describe a time when you felt like you were able to “soar on wings like eagles” by the strength of the Lord?
6. Here is the Power Grid card for The Thing that identifies his strengths. What do you think your Power Grid card would look like for your strengths in growing God’s kingdom here on earth?
Dig Deeper: Consider starting one of these Bible reading plans to go deeper on this topic
Taking Hold of God’s Strength – 6 day reading plan: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/15348-taking-hold-of-gods-strength
Praying for Strength – 6 day devotional: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/13002-praying-for-strength
Questions for Discussion:
1. What are you reading in the Word this week?
2. How is your reading growing you in the Marks of Discipleship – prayers, presence, gifts, witness, service?
Growth Challenge:
Pray to God asking Him to change your heart’s desires to match His.