DISCIPLESHIP MOMENT
Engaging in a discipleship community is essential for spiritual growth and development. Whether you’re connecting with friends and family or participating in one of the FBCG ministries, the Discipleship Moment offers a valuable opportunity to delve deeper into Sunday messages. This initiative is dedicated to strengthening our journey of faith as we grow together as a church family. To maximize your experience, be sure to carve out time in your meet ups to collectively walk through the Discipleship Moment.
Message of the week:
Why I Shabach the lord
Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr.
Scripture: Psalm 147:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! 13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you. 14 He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest wheat.
Believers have every reason to “Shabach” the Lord—meaning to praise Him loudly, boldly, and intentionally. Praise is both a celebration and a declaration of God’s faithfulness. Pastor Jenkins shared personal testimony about overcoming depression through praise and trusting in God’s protection. He reminded the congregation that God has strengthened our gates, blessed our children, given us peace, and provided for us generously. Even when circumstances are not ideal, God remains worthy of praise.
Reflective Questions:
Question: Protection (Psalm 147:13a) - "He has strengthened the bars of your gates."
The devil wanted to take you out, but God protected you. Pastor shared about Marilyn Wills, who was in the Pentagon on 9/11 when the plane hit—she followed the light, crawled to a window, and God protected her. No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
Can you think of a time when God clearly protected you from danger or harm? Why do we sometimes forget to thank God for His protection? What specific protection has God provided for you that you need to thank Him for this week? How can you remind yourself daily of God's protective hand over your life?
Question: Product (Psalm 147:13b) "He has blessed your children within you."
God is blessing your children and your children's children. A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children (Proverbs 13:22). We spend too much time and resources on ourselves when God gave them to us to pour into our grandchildren. Pastor shared about his seven grandchildren and his commitment to looking out for them.
How have you seen God's blessing on your children or grandchildren? Why is it important to think generationally when it comes to blessing and inheritance? How does our culture encourage us to spend on ourselves rather than invest in future generations? What is one thing you can do this week to pour into a child or young person in your life? How can you shift your spending or resources to be more generationally minded?
Question: Peace (Psalm 147:14a) - "He makes peace in your borders."
Regardless of what is happening around you—the economy, wars, political turmoil—God gives you the capacity to have peace within. Pastor said, "I'm not worried about who the president is because God has the ability to keep me at peace. I am safe in the arms of Jesus." External chaos does not have to produce internal chaos.
How is it possible to have peace within when everything around you is chaotic? What external circumstances most easily steal your peace? What situation in your life right now is threatening your peace? How can you give it to God? What habits or practices help you maintain peace when life gets stressful?
Question: Provision (Psalm 147:14b) –"He fills you with the finest wheat."
God has you covered and gives you the best. Stop being stressed about whether you will have enough. Pastor reminded us, "I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25). God always makes a way out of nowhere. He will provide whatever you need.
How has God provided for you in unexpected ways? Why do we often stress about provision when God has always come through? What financial or material worry do you need to release to God this week? How can you remind yourself of God's past provision when you start to worry about the future? How can you be generous with others even when you feel like you don't have enough?
Prayer of Personal Transformation:
Father God, we Shabach You! We make a loud noise of praise for Your Protection, Your blessing on our children (Product), Your Peace, and Your Provision. Forgive us for the times we have only said "bye" when You have done so much for us. Help us to praise You regardless of our circumstances—whether we are on our way or have arrived. We give You all the glory and honor. In Jesus' name, Amen.