Sermon Study Guide | Series: Let’s Be Honest | Sermon: Week 3 - Buddhism
Scripture: Isaiah 53:4–5; Philippians 2:5–11; John 6:35; Matthew 11:28–30  | Date: July 12, 2026

For this series we’ve developed a Let's Be Honest — Resource Guide

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

Think about a season when you were chasing something you believed would finally make you feel secure, fulfilled, or happy—a promotion, a relationship, financial stability, recognition, or something else. Did reaching that goal satisfy you the way you expected, or did it simply lead to another desire? Looking back, what did that experience teach you about where lasting peace is found? Share with your group

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

Read Matthew 11:28–30, John 6:35, Philippians 2:5–11, and Isaiah 53:4–5 together, then discuss:

• One of Buddhism’s central questions is, “Why do people suffer?” How does Christianity answer that same question? Where do you see similarities, and where do you see important differences?
  
  
• The message explained that Buddhism identifies craving as the cause of suffering, while Christianity identifies sin as the deeper root of our brokenness. Why is that distinction important?
  
  
• In what ways have you experienced temporary things promising lasting satisfaction? What happened when those things eventually changed or disappeared?
  
  
• Philippians describes Jesus as emptying Himself to serve and ultimately die for us. How does Jesus’ self-emptying differ from the path of self-emptying presented in Buddhism?
  
  
• Jesus invites weary and burdened people to come to Him for rest. Why is receiving God’s grace often more difficult than trying to earn or achieve peace ourselves?
  
  
• The message warned about syncretism—blending different belief systems together. Why can combining pieces of different religions sometimes blur who Jesus truly is?
  
  
• If someone asked you, “In a world full of suffering, how do you find peace?” How would you answer today?

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

• Spend time this week reading Matthew 11:28–30 each day. Instead of trying to solve every burden you carry, intentionally bring those burdens to Jesus in prayer.
  
  
• Identify one area where you’ve been looking to temporary things for lasting fulfillment. Ask God to help reorder that desire toward Him.
  
  
• If you know someone who practices Buddhism, look for an opportunity to simply listen and learn. Consider asking, “In a world full of suffering, how do you find peace?” Listen with respect, curiosity, and compassion.
  
  
• Evaluate any spiritual practices, apps, or habits you regularly use. Ask yourself, “Is this drawing me toward greater dependence on Jesus or simply toward greater dependence on myself?”
  
  
• Thank Jesus each day this week for what He has already done for you instead of focusing only on what you still need Him to do.

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

Jesus, thank you for loving us enough to enter our broken world and carry the burden of our sin and suffering. Thank you that we do not have to earn your love or free ourselves by our own effort. Thank you for emptying yourself so that we could receive the fullness of life found only in you.

Help us to bring our burdens, fears, and striving to you instead of looking to temporary things for lasting peace. Give us wisdom to love our neighbors with humility, grace, and respect, while remaining firmly rooted in the truth of your gospel.

Fill our hearts with your peace, and help us point others to the hope that is found in you alone. Amen.

If you have feedback on this guide or ideas that would help your group engage more deeply, we’d love to hear from you. 

Your insight helps us continue growing as a church that wrestles honestly and walks faithfully together. Contact msummers@menlo.church

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