Gradually, Then Suddenly | Based on Mark Batterson Book

3 Weeks

Big Idea of the Series

This three-week series was created in partnership with Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church and author of Gradually Then Suddenly: How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Leave a Lasting Legacy (Multnomah, 2025).

This series unpacks the truth that what often feels like an “overnight success” is really the result of small, faithful steps of obedience over time. Drawing from Scripture, history, and leadership insights, it will help your congregation embrace long-term faithfulness, leverage daily decisions that compound into lasting impact, and trust God’s timing. For anyone stuck in the “gradually” phase, this series is a beacon of hope—reminding us that God is preparing us for His “suddenly.”

Using This Series Guide

What is the Series Guide?

The Series Guide is a comprehensive resource designed to help you lead your congregation through this sermon series. It includes weekly sermon outlines, discussion questions, and key theological insights to support your teaching preparation.

Each guide has been thoughtfully crafted to provide you with both depth and flexibility as you prepare your messages.

This series includes 3 weeks of content.

What is the Series Guide Not?

The Series Guide is not a word-for-word sermon script. It's not meant to replace your own study and preparation, but rather to complement it with additional resources and structure.

It also doesn't include all media assets - those are available in the downloads section.

How Do I Use this Series Guide?

We recommend starting with the series overview to understand the big picture themes. Then, for each week, review the scripture passages, main points, and illustrations provided.

Use the discussion questions for small groups or to spark your own thinking. Feel free to adapt any content to fit your congregation's specific needs and context.