Christian Worldview - Part 2: Pleasure Prison
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
June 07, 2026
YouVersion
Sermon Page
Podcast Audio
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Volunteer Softball Game - June 14
Join us for a fun evening together as we celebrate our incredible volunteers! We’ll gather for a relaxed night of softball, great food, and time to connect outside of a Sunday morning. Whether you want to jump in the game, cheer from the sidelines, or just hang out and enjoy a burger, this night is for you. This is simply a chance to slow down, laugh together, and build community with the people you serve alongside each week. Bring your family, bring a lawn chair, and come ready for a great night together.
Softball will be casual and open for anyone who wants to play — no skills required! We’ll have food, drinks, and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the evening. The time for the event is 4pm to 7:45pm. Ball Road will meet at Nicholas Park: 8734 Ball Camp Pike and Knox Center will meet at Fountain City Ball Ball Park: 3701 Ludo Rd. To register just go to onelifeknox.com/volball. To join a volunteer team simply mark the “volunteering” box on your connection card.
Night of Worship, June 24 – 6:30pm – Knox Center Campus
OneLifers from both campuses are coming together for a powerful Night of Worship centered around worship, prayer, and communion. As we gather, we’ll take time to reflect on what God is doing in us, celebrate the grace of Jesus, and lean into the ways He continues to shape and transform our lives. This will be a meaningful night to slow down, seek Him together, and prepare our hearts for what’s ahead.
Come expectant. Come ready to worship. And don’t come alone—invite someone and live on mission with us. Childcare available for kindergarten and younger.
Women’s Bible Study - July 6
What if the thoughts holding you back aren’t actually true? Join us for a six-week Women’s Bible Study through Jennie Allen’s The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe. Together, we’ll uncover the lies that keep us stuck, discover God’s truth, and learn how to walk in the freedom He offers. The study begins July 6 and meets every Monday through August 10 at both campuses. Whether you're new to studying the Bible or have been walking with Jesus for years, there’s a place for you. Come connect with other women, grow in your faith, and be encouraged along the way. For more info or to register go to onelifeknox.com/events
Join a Volunteer Team
There’s never been a better time to join a OneLife volunteer team. From our Kid City team, to First Impressions & Security, to Production & Worship, OneLife Students on Wednesdays, and our Connections Team during the week - there are tons of opportunities for you to get involved. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
_____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
----------------------------------------
START TALKING:
Think back to an earlier season of your life when you wanted that next thing or that next step. Maybe it was to make the next salary number, have the newer car or house, or get to the next step of your career. How long did reaching that place make you happy before you wanted more or to take the next step.
START THINKING:
Read Genesis 25:29-34.
Where do you see the effects of hedonism in Esau's story?
Where did the immediate moment take precedent over the longterm, better alternative?
Where did desires get distorted as needs?
Where did what mattered most get devalued?
Read Hebrews 12:16-17.
What was the ultimate result of Esau's choices?
START SHARING:
When have you believed the lie of hedonism without even realizing it because something that was an immediate pain in the moment became your entire focus? As you look back on it, what was lost by making that the focus? How would a long-term thought and prayer discipline have changed the way you worked through that?
When have you seen wants distorted to be needs for you? What were you willing to do to get those wants met? What was the cost? As you look back, how are you able to see now that it wasn't really need but truly was just want?
When you have been looking through the lens of minimizing pain and maximizing pleasure at all cost, how did what mattered most get devalued? What excuses did you tell yourself or what lies were you believing?
This worldview always ends in regret. What have you found yourself regretting because choices you made when looking through the wrong lens?
START DOING:
What issue, concern, or want can you ask a better question about today and this week: what does God want?
In that issue, concern, or want, what does God value most? What are the biblical principles or verses that come to mind or that you can find to answer that question?
What can you do today and this week to think and pray long-term rather than simply short term? What is something you can pray every day to develop this discipline?
What will you do to find your greatest joy in Jesus, no matter what else is going on around you? What daily, weekly, and other regular rhythms can you establish to develop this discipline of finding your greatest joy in Jesus?
START PRAYING:
The reality is, we all experience pain. In those moments, the lens we choose to see that moment determines everything. Pray for each person in the micro church and for their issue, concern, or want that was shared above. Pray Psalms 16:11, Proverbs 3:5, and Colossians 3:2 over each person. Pray that God will use this to impact the people around us where live, work, and play, and that our "one" will see Jesus in and through us as a result.
_______________________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
June 07, 2026
YouVersion
Sermon Page
Podcast Audio
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Volunteer Softball Game - June 14
Join us for a fun evening together as we celebrate our incredible volunteers! We’ll gather for a relaxed night of softball, great food, and time to connect outside of a Sunday morning. Whether you want to jump in the game, cheer from the sidelines, or just hang out and enjoy a burger, this night is for you. This is simply a chance to slow down, laugh together, and build community with the people you serve alongside each week. Bring your family, bring a lawn chair, and come ready for a great night together.
Softball will be casual and open for anyone who wants to play — no skills required! We’ll have food, drinks, and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the evening. The time for the event is 4pm to 7:45pm. Ball Road will meet at Nicholas Park: 8734 Ball Camp Pike and Knox Center will meet at Fountain City Ball Ball Park: 3701 Ludo Rd. To register just go to onelifeknox.com/volball. To join a volunteer team simply mark the “volunteering” box on your connection card.
Night of Worship, June 24 – 6:30pm – Knox Center Campus
OneLifers from both campuses are coming together for a powerful Night of Worship centered around worship, prayer, and communion. As we gather, we’ll take time to reflect on what God is doing in us, celebrate the grace of Jesus, and lean into the ways He continues to shape and transform our lives. This will be a meaningful night to slow down, seek Him together, and prepare our hearts for what’s ahead.
Come expectant. Come ready to worship. And don’t come alone—invite someone and live on mission with us. Childcare available for kindergarten and younger.
Women’s Bible Study - July 6
What if the thoughts holding you back aren’t actually true? Join us for a six-week Women’s Bible Study through Jennie Allen’s The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe. Together, we’ll uncover the lies that keep us stuck, discover God’s truth, and learn how to walk in the freedom He offers. The study begins July 6 and meets every Monday through August 10 at both campuses. Whether you're new to studying the Bible or have been walking with Jesus for years, there’s a place for you. Come connect with other women, grow in your faith, and be encouraged along the way. For more info or to register go to onelifeknox.com/events
Join a Volunteer Team
There’s never been a better time to join a OneLife volunteer team. From our Kid City team, to First Impressions & Security, to Production & Worship, OneLife Students on Wednesdays, and our Connections Team during the week - there are tons of opportunities for you to get involved. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
_____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
The Lie: Pleasure is my purpose.
The Truth: When pleasure becomes my purpose, pleasure becomes my prison.
The Truth: When pleasure becomes my purpose, pleasure becomes my prison.
Genesis 25:29-34 NLT
One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry.Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”)“All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.”“Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.
Hedonism focuses on the immediate.
Hedonism distorts wants into needs.
Hedonism devalues what matters most.
Hedonism's result is always regret.
The Christian Worldview Alternative: Faith over feelings.
1. Ask a better question: What does God want?
Matthew 6:33 NLT
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Proverbs 3:5 NLT
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
2. Think and pray long-term.
2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
3. Value what God values.
Colossians 3:2 NLT
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Matthew 6:21 NLT
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
4. Find my greatest joy in Jesus.
Psalms 37:4 NLT
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Psalms 16:11 NLT
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
----------------------------------------
START TALKING:
Think back to an earlier season of your life when you wanted that next thing or that next step. Maybe it was to make the next salary number, have the newer car or house, or get to the next step of your career. How long did reaching that place make you happy before you wanted more or to take the next step.
START THINKING:
Read Genesis 25:29-34.
Where do you see the effects of hedonism in Esau's story?
Where did the immediate moment take precedent over the longterm, better alternative?
Where did desires get distorted as needs?
Where did what mattered most get devalued?
Read Hebrews 12:16-17.
What was the ultimate result of Esau's choices?
START SHARING:
When have you believed the lie of hedonism without even realizing it because something that was an immediate pain in the moment became your entire focus? As you look back on it, what was lost by making that the focus? How would a long-term thought and prayer discipline have changed the way you worked through that?
When have you seen wants distorted to be needs for you? What were you willing to do to get those wants met? What was the cost? As you look back, how are you able to see now that it wasn't really need but truly was just want?
When you have been looking through the lens of minimizing pain and maximizing pleasure at all cost, how did what mattered most get devalued? What excuses did you tell yourself or what lies were you believing?
This worldview always ends in regret. What have you found yourself regretting because choices you made when looking through the wrong lens?
START DOING:
What issue, concern, or want can you ask a better question about today and this week: what does God want?
In that issue, concern, or want, what does God value most? What are the biblical principles or verses that come to mind or that you can find to answer that question?
What can you do today and this week to think and pray long-term rather than simply short term? What is something you can pray every day to develop this discipline?
What will you do to find your greatest joy in Jesus, no matter what else is going on around you? What daily, weekly, and other regular rhythms can you establish to develop this discipline of finding your greatest joy in Jesus?
START PRAYING:
The reality is, we all experience pain. In those moments, the lens we choose to see that moment determines everything. Pray for each person in the micro church and for their issue, concern, or want that was shared above. Pray Psalms 16:11, Proverbs 3:5, and Colossians 3:2 over each person. Pray that God will use this to impact the people around us where live, work, and play, and that our "one" will see Jesus in and through us as a result.
_______________________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
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