Welcome to The After Sermon by Plum Creek Church.

This bite-sized discussion is where we get to sit down with our communicators and ask a few follow up questions connected to the weekend message, unpack it on a deeper level, and explore how it all relates to our journey of following Jesus more fully.

In this episode of The After Sermon Eric sits down with Doug to unpack the launch of the new series Next Is Now. Doug reflects on the metaphor of running a race—drawing from scripture, personal experience, and Plum Creek’s 20-year journey—to remind us that the work God has called us to isn’t finished. Together, the conversation looks back with gratitude at the faithfulness of those who have gone before us, while also looking ahead with passion and urgency toward what God is doing next. Doug shares how saying yes to God not only builds something greater than ourselves, but also shapes us personally, forming us into deeper followers of Jesus. As the church steps into a new season, the encouragement is clear: don’t coast, don’t be overwhelmed—run your leg of the race with faith, expectation, and joy, remembering that every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story needs Jesus.

This conversation is also available on our YouTube channel along with the full message that this discussion is based on.

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@plumcreekchurch

You can learn more about Plum Creek Church by visiting our website as well.

Website: https://plumcreek.church/

We're so glad you've chosen to listen to our online experience! Here at Plum Creek, we’re all about changed lives, changing lives; and what that simply means is that what Christ has done in us is not just for us, but it’s for us to share with others in our community and around the world.

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If you're using this teaching for a Home Groups setting, we've included discussion prompts to help guide your conversation:

1. When the teaching describes faith as a relay where others ran before us and handed us the baton, what responsibility does that place on how you are living your faith right now for those who will come after you?

2. Look up Hebrews 12:1–2 and talk about what weights or distractions might be slowing your own race, not just obvious sin but good things that are keeping you from running with endurance.

3. The message pushes back on comparing your race to everyone else’s and calls you to focus on your own leg, so where do you notice comparison stealing energy or clarity from how you follow Jesus?

4. Think about the stories from Hebrews 11 that were mentioned, like Abraham, Moses, Gideon, or Rahab, and discuss which testimony most encourages you that faith can work even when fear, uncertainty, or a messy past are present.

5. As the church steps into this Next Is Now moment, how do you personally sense God inviting you to say yes in this season, and what might obedience look like even if the outcome is not guaranteed yet?

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Wondering what Plum Creek Church is all about? Watch this video.

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Links

Home: https://www.plumcreek.church/

Next Steps: https://www.plumcreek.church/next

Ministries: https://www.plumcreek.church/ministries

Give: https://www.plumcreek.church/give

We're so glad you've chosen to listen to our online experience! Here at Plum Creek, we’re all about changed lives, changing lives; and what that simply means is that what Christ has done in us is not just for us, but it’s for us to share with others in our community and around the world.

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If you're using this teaching for a Home Groups setting, we've included discussion prompts to help guide your conversation:

1. How does the Fosbury Flop illustration challenge the way you usually approach faith, and where might you be tempted to keep doing things the old way even after Jesus changed the game?

2. Look up John 16:7 and discuss why Jesus says it is better that he goes away, then talk about how that idea affects the way you think about the Holy Spirit’s role in your daily life.

3. When the teaching described small promptings like choosing Scripture over doom scrolling, what are some subtle moments in your own routine where obedience could shape your character over time?

4. The story about praying for a stranger at the airport ended without a visible success, so how do you personally measure faithfulness when outcomes are unclear and obedience feels awkward or risky?

5. Look up Romans 8:6 and 8:12–14 and reflect on what it means to let the Spirit lead instead of relying on willpower, then share an area where you feel stuck and might need to ask what is blocking growth.

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Wondering what Plum Creek Church is all about? Watch this video.

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Links

Home: https://www.plumcreek.church/

Next Steps: https://www.plumcreek.church/next

Ministries: https://www.plumcreek.church/ministries

Give: https://www.plumcreek.church/give

We're so glad you've chosen to listen to our online experience! Here at Plum Creek, we’re all about changed lives, changing lives; and what that simply means is that what Christ has done in us is not just for us, but it’s for us to share with others in our community and around the world.

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If you're using this teaching for a Home Groups setting, we've included discussion prompts to help guide your conversation:

1. When the word obey brings up resistance for you, what do you think that resistance is really protecting?

2. Michele reframed obey as “keep, guard, hold fast, carefully preserve.” Which teaching of Jesus do you sense you need to guard more intentionally right now, and what would that look like this week in real life?

3. In the three step cycle Michele shared (choose your ruler, remain in relationship, rearrange your life), which step are you most likely to skip, and what is one specific change you could make to practice it this week?

4. Look up Joshua 24:14 to 15. What “ruler” or functional authority competes for your trust and loyalty, and how do you see that show up in your choices, schedule, or reactions?

5. Thinking about the line “no choice is neutral,” what is one small prompting from the Holy Spirit you recently ignored or delayed, and how might you respond differently next time?

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Wondering what Plum Creek Church is all about? Watch this video.

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Links

Home: https://www.plumcreek.church/

Next Steps: https://www.plumcreek.church/next

Ministries: https://www.plumcreek.church/ministries

Give: https://www.plumcreek.church/give

We're so glad you've chosen to listen to our online experience! Here at Plum Creek, we’re all about changed lives, changing lives; and what that simply means is that what Christ has done in us is not just for us, but it’s for us to share with others in our community and around the world.

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If you're using this teaching for a Home Groups setting, we've included discussion prompts to help guide your conversation:

1. According to the sermon, identity is the story you believe about who you are. What story do you think has been shaping you most lately, and how do you see it showing up in your reactions or habits?

2. Pastor Eric described baptism as initiation, not graduation, and about direction, not perfection. Where might you be waiting to feel ready instead of stepping forward in trust?

3. Look at Matthew 28:19 and notice that baptism comes early in the disciple making process. Why do you think Jesus connects belonging to Him with baptism before long term behavior change?

4. Shifting the center of life from yourself to Jesus was a big theme in the message. What is one area where you still feel the pressure to carry everything on your own?

5. Look at Titus 3:5 and reflect on the idea that renewal is something God does in us, not just something we work harder at. How does that reshape the way you think about growth right now?

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Wondering what Plum Creek Church is all about? Watch this video.

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Links

Home: https://www.plumcreek.church/

Next Steps: https://www.plumcreek.church/next

Ministries: https://www.plumcreek.church/ministries

Give: https://www.plumcreek.church/give

We're so glad you've chosen to listen to our online experience! Here at Plum Creek, we’re all about changed lives, changing lives; and what that simply means is that what Christ has done in us is not just for us, but it’s for us to share with others in our community and around the world.

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If you're using this teaching for a Home Groups setting, we've included discussion prompts to help guide your conversation:

1. The sermon says following Jesus was meant to turn our lives outward. Where do you notice your faith turning inward instead, and what would it practically look like to reorient it outward this year?

2. The message acknowledges that sharing faith often feels uncomfortable even though it is no longer dangerous. What do you think actually causes that discomfort for you personally, fear of awkwardness, fear of rejection, lack of confidence, or something else?

3. Read Mark 1:16–17 and reflect on Jesus’ invitation to fish for people. Why do you think Jesus made this the starting point of his ministry rather than teaching, miracles, or spiritual disciplines?

4. The message framed discipleship as invest and invite, not argue or perform. Who is one real person in your life you could invest in relationally this year, and what is one small, realistic step that would not feel forced or fake?

5. Read Matthew 28:18–20 and discuss the idea that the church does not have a mission but the mission has a church. How does that challenge the way you think about church attendance, programs, and your role as a follower of Jesus?

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Wondering what Plum Creek Church is all about? Watch this video.

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Links

Home: https://www.plumcreek.church/

Next Steps: https://www.plumcreek.church/next

Ministries: https://www.plumcreek.church/ministries

Give: https://www.plumcreek.church/give

We're so glad you've chosen to listen to our online experience! Here at Plum Creek, we’re all about changed lives, changing lives; and what that simply means is that what Christ has done in us is not just for us, but it’s for us to share with others in our community and around the world.

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Try a SOAP Study on a key verse from this message. SOAP is just another way of reading your Bible and applying what you read in a practical way.

SOAP stands for:

Scripture – Read a passage of scripture and write down a verse or two that jumps out to you.

Observation – What are your personal observations that you note from this scripture?

Application – How does it now apply to your everyday life? What can you do to apply this in your life today?

Prayer – Write a personal prayer based on your observation and application.

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Wondering what Plum Creek Church is all about? Watch this video.

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Links

Home: https://www.plumcreek.church/

Next Steps: https://www.plumcreek.church/next

Ministries: https://www.plumcreek.church/ministries

Give: https://www.plumcreek.church/give

We're so glad you've chosen to listen to our online experience! Here at Plum Creek, we’re all about changed lives, changing lives; and what that simply means is that what Christ has done in us is not just for us, but it’s for us to share with others in our community and around the world.

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If you're using this teaching for a Home Groups setting, we've included discussion prompts to help guide your conversation:

1. The sermon describes life seasons that feel like silence or waiting. Where in your life does hope feel thin right now, and how does the idea of an “and then one day” moment challenge or encourage you?

2. Mary and Joseph both faced fear when God interrupted their ordinary plans. What fears tend to guide your decisions more than you would like, and what might it look like to choose trust over fear in one small area this week?

3. Look at Luke 1:26–31. What stands out to you about how quietly and unexpectedly God enters Mary’s story, and how does that shape the way you think about God working in your own everyday life?

4. The sermon says Christmas is not about pretending everything is okay, but about holding onto hope. What is one thing you may need to release or entrust to God in order to make room for hope again?

5. Look at Isaiah 9:2 or Isaiah 9:6. How do these verses connect to the idea that light enters darkness in small, easily missed ways, and where might God be inviting you to notice His nearness right now?

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Wondering what Plum Creek Church is all about? Watch this video.

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Links

Home: https://www.plumcreek.church/

Next Steps: https://www.plumcreek.church/next

Ministries: https://www.plumcreek.church/ministries

Give: https://www.plumcreek.church/give