All I Want For Christmas... JOY

Summary:
Joy... the angels talked about it, the shepherds experienced it, the wise men found it, and Mary sang about it.  So how can we have joy?  Scripture gives us great insight into how we can experience joy as we look forward to 2015, and how our response to this joy will shape the outlook of our lives.


1.  Read Luke 2:8-12.  Are you looking for joy?  Where are you looking for it?  The shepherds were simply living their normal lives, and when God showed up they experienced joy.  Did you know that you can have joy in your current job, relationship, marriage, income level, professional level, and social status?  If the shepherds can have it, then so can you!

-Joy was given to us by God.  You can't buy it, earn it, be optimistic enough to obtain it, or get lucky enough to win it.  Yet, so many people spend their entire lives trying to find something that God has already made available for them right where they are.  The message from the angels was "Good News of Great Joy."  How can you get this great joy?  By understand that the "Good News" is personal to you.  What is the "Good News" and how is it for you?


2.  READ Luke 2:17-18.  Joy should always be shared with others.  If someone asked you to tell them about the joy that Jesus gives you, what would you share with them?


3.  Read Matthew 2:10.  The wisemen had been traveling for 2 years to find the new King that had been born.  When they finally arrived, they were filled with joy.  Part of their joy experience included a 2 year journey.  What do you think were the difficulties they experienced along the way.  Can you imagine having to wait 2 years for a pay-off?  What faith!  What patience!  What endurance!

Read Psalm 30:5 and John 16:20.  Think about a difficult "journey" that you have had, where you allowed God to lead in your life during difficulty.  How did God shows up in the journey, and how did you experience joy in the end?


4. Read Luke 1:29-30.  How does Mary respond to the Good News of Great Joy when she first hears it?  Now read Luke 1:46-48.  How does she respond to the same news later?  So what changed?

-Joy is a choice for us, and oftentimes a hard choice.  Read Hebrews 12:2.  Jesus made the hard choice to endure the cross.  Do you think that decision was hard for him?

-Read John 15:11.  Since Jesus died on the cross, what does that mean for us?  Who is the source of joy?  Who defines it? (Jesus is the source, and he defines it!  Therefore, he is the only place to get it from!)

All I Want for Christmas... PEACE

Summary: If any character in the birth narrative was lacking peace, it would have been Joseph.  His fiancé is pregnant, and he's not the father.  She still claims she is a virgin and that God gave her the son.  What a mess!  So Joseph has a personal plan in place to gain peace in his life.  God steps in with a gracious interruption, and we learn 3 things from this story that can bring us real peace in life today.

Text:  Matthew 1:18-25


1.  Read Matthew 18:18-19
a. Joseph reveals his personal plan (divorce her quietly) for obtaining peace in life despite the crazy situation in which he finds himself.  What are the personal plans that we strive towards in life that we think will bring us peace?  (Money, relationships, family, professional/career, retirement, etc)

b.  How have some of those things let you down?  Have they come up short in your life despite your consistent striving and straining?


2.  READ Matthew 1:20-21
The angel told Joseph to "do not fear" his current situation.  Be at peace with what is going on around him, because God is working things out.  What areas of your life is God telling you "do not fear", but instead find peace in Him?  Why is that so hard sometimes?


3.  READ Matthew 1:21
-How does "for Jesus will save his people from their sins" bring about peace in life?

-What is your "peace" story (your personal testimony) of the day you realized that Jesus paid for your sins?  (Now would be a great time to share your Jesus story.  It may be the first time the group has heard each other's spiritual journey).


4.  READ Matthew 1:23
-Why does "God with us" matter?  What's the big deal?  How does that empower Christians?  How does it help eliminate excuses?

-Do you have a "peace" story in your life that was possible because God was with you, and you knew it?

5. READ Matthew 1:25
-How can "he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him" result in peace for your life?

-Do you think you are lacking peace because you don't know what to do, or because you know what to do and are filled with fear, anxiety, and worry?  How can you address both of those issues in your life?  What are the action steps?

-Do you have a "peace" story in your life that was a result of you listening to God and doing what He said?

All I Want for Christmas... LOVE

Summary: Love is defined in many different ways, shown in many different ways, and sought after in many different ways.  In a culture that had many different definitions and understandings about what "love" was, Paul wanted to communicate with clarity to the church how followers of Jesus are to show the true love of Jesus to others (both inside and outside of the church).  Paul gives a simple equation for us:

Grace -->  Joy --> Generosity = LOVE

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 8; 2 Corinthians 9:7-8


GRACE:
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1
1. What is grace?  How would you define it or describe it?  A dictionary definition of grace is "receiving something that you did not deserve."  According to that definition, what has God given or made available to you that you don't deserve? (God's grace that Paul is talking about is the forgiveness of sin, salvation, and the Gospel of Jesus being made available to us).

2.  God's grace is not only a one time grace given by Jesus, but grace given to us each day.  What grace does God give you each day?  (life, health, provisions, family, friends, job, influence, etc).

The first step to understanding how to love Jesus and how to show the love of Jesus to others is to embrace this gift of grace and remind yourself of it daily!


JOY:
Read 2 Corinthians 8:2
Next Sunday we are going to talk about how you can have real joy in life.  DON'T MISS IT! BRING A FRIEND!
1.  Imagine that you were in the middle of facing some hard tests in life.  What if right now your life was filled with agony, suffering, and great pain (affliction defined).  Financially, put yourself in someone's shoes that is facing "extreme poverty."
Paul mentions that some Christians in Macedonia (Northern Greece) were experiencing these same things.  Yet, he described them as having "abundant joy."  How can that be?  How could those terrible things not choke the joy out of their life?  What would your response be?

2.  Read Habakkuk 3:17-18.  EVERYTHING (and I mean EVERYTHING) went wrong in this guys life!  But his response was rejoicing and joy in God.  Here is the key:  Joy is linked to your source of life, not your experiences in life.  God's grace (the source) produces joy no matter what your experiences (death, loss, hardship, poverty, pain, suffering) may be.

Without focusing on the source, you'll never have joy; and remember that the source that Paul mentions is the understanding of the grace of God.


GENEROSITY:
Read 2 Corinthians 3-5.
1.  List some of the things that happen when Grace leads to Joy, and Joy produces generosity.
a. Gave according to their means (obedient to the tithe in their giving)
b. Gave beyond their means (faithful generosity over-and-above the basic tithe)
c. Of their own accord, begging us to give (no one forced them to give or guilted them into it)
d. Taking part in the relief of the saints (they identified needs around them and tackled them)
e. Gave themselves first to God (their lives, their heart, their soul, that went first)
f. By the Will of God (did you know that God's will for your life is to be generous unto Him?)
g. Gave themselves to us (they didn't just look after their own needs/ministries/church, but to other needs as well)


READ 2 Corinthians 8:8
1. An understanding of grace, joy, and generosity lead to a powerful show of the love of Jesus.  The church in Macedonia had no idea that their obedience and faithfulness would produce a story that was told not only 350+ miles south in Corinth, but in the pages of Scripture for billions of people to read.

What is your "love" story?  If the story of your response to grace, your joy, and your generosity were told, would it be a powerful show of what the love of Jesus looks like?  Or would you be embarrassed or ashamed?  You can start a new story today!  Start with embracing grace in your life, and see what God does in you and through you to show the love of Jesus to the world.

All I Want For Christmas... HOPE

Summary: Hope today is at best "wishful thinking."  It's like a Christmas wish list for most people.  Maybe you'll get lucky.  Maybe something good will happen.  Maybe you'll receive what you asked for.  All you can do is hope.
Scripture shows a very different viewpoint of hope.  For Christians, what we hope FOR is always secondary to what we hope IN.  Because of the faithfulness and power and love of God, our hope is strong, steady, and stable.

Text: Hebrews 6:13-20


1.  Part of our Hope is built on what God has already done for us.  So many times He has proven Himself reliable, faithful, powerful, and true.
a. Read Hebrews 6:13-16 and Genesis 12:1-3.  What were the promises that God made Abraham?  Why would these things make Abraham so full of hope?

b. What has God done for you already that would reinforce the hope you have in Him moving forward?  How has God already shown his faithfulness to you that should make your future hope in Him easier?

c.  We don't always put our hope in God, though.  What are some of the other areas of our lives in which we rest our hope? (job, money, family, spouse, ourselves, government, others)


2.  Read Hebrews 6:17-18
God wants to show you the hope that He offers.  He wants you to see Him for who He really is through that hope.

a. What does scripture say that this hope will do for us?  (it will encourage us).  We often desire hope when times are hard, but why is hope important for us even when life is going well?  (the Christian life will be filled with risk and steps of faith. If you're ever going to be obedient in your relationship with God, then your hope in Jesus is essential).

b.  How do you "hold fast" to this hope?  (study it, wrestle with it, be familiar with it, remind yourself of it, embrace it, keep in on the forefront of your mind, live in a constant state of hope).


3.  Read Hebrews 6:19-20 and Hebrews 10:23
What we hope FOR is secondary to what (or who) we hope IN.

a.  How is the "hope" that Christians have significantly different from any other "hope" in the world today?  (Because our hope is in someone, not something.  And that someone is perfect, true, righteous, flawless, fully God, fully man, sacrificial, and loving).

b.  When scripture says that the hope of God is like "an anchor for the soul" what is God promising to us?  (steadiness, stability, firm foundation, provision).  What does this language NOT communicate?  (won't remove us from all storms, won't make the waves always go away, won't take us out of all tough situations, won't totally eliminate storms).

Love Handles: I Don't Need Friends

REMINDER:  Communion is next week, so that means INVITE NIGHT for rGroups Dec 1st-6th.  Group leaders, check your inbox for an email from your pastor about rGroups for next week.



Summary:  Friendship not only helps us show people what Jesus was like, but it also helps us get other people to Him.  There are 4 things that we can learn from the friendship of David and Jonathan that illustrate what a godly friendship looks like today.

Godly friends...

1.  Are Willing to Sacrifice for Others.
Read 1 Samuel 18:1-4.  How did Jonathan sacrifice for David?  What was so significant about the items that Jonathan gave?

-In your friendships, do you give your best to others, or do you just give the leftovers?  Do you sacrifice for your friends, or are you the only person that you sacrifice for?

-Read Philippians 2:4.  What are tangible ways that you can look out for the interests of your friends?

-How does "sacrifice for others" gel with our cultures mindset of "looking out for yourself"?  How could an attitude of sacrifice open up doors to tell others about Jesus?


2.  Come to the Defense of Others.
Read 1 Samuel 19:1-5.  Instead of making himself look good and setting his own life up for success, what did Jonathan do for David?  When is the last time you've set your own agenda and priorities and desires aside for the sake of someone else?

-Read Proverbs 18:24.  Do you have friends in your life that are more like close brothers and sisters?  What did they do to obtain that level of deep friendship?


3.  Encourage Others
Read 1 Samuel 23:15-18.  Why is it a game changer in your life when a friend comes along and encourages you during a hard time?

-Read Romans 15:2.  Spiritually, why is encouragement from close friends so important in your walk with Jesus?  How many times would you have given up or turned around if it weren't for a close godly friend spurring you on?

-What were some difficult times in your life that were made easier by an encouraging friend?  Dealing with death and loss, a set back, bad report, hardship at work or in relationships, etc.


4.  Are Faithful
Read Romans 12:15.  A true, faithful friend is there for you during the ups and downs, highs and lows, good and bad.  Are you a faithful friend?

-Read Proverbs 20:6. How many "friends" do you have in your life?  Now, how many "true" friends do you have?  The ones you can call on for help, encourage you, are always there for you, would give you anything you need?  These verses say your friends may be many, but the true friends are a lot more scarce.

-Read Proverbs 19:22a and 1 Corinthians 13:7.  Simple, basic love isn't enough for a true friendship.  What are the words used to describe a close, godly friendship in these verses?


So why is being a godly, true friend an important thing for you to do?
a.  It shows the world what Jesus was really like.
b.  It helps get other people into a relationship with Him when they realize what a great friend Jesus is for them.

Love Handles: Biblical Friendship

Summary:

True friendship is evidenced when we love our friends enough to have hard conversations with
them about each other's sins, with the goal of helping one another look more like Jesus each
day.

Questions:

• Describe a time in your life when a friend has had to have a hard conversation with you about
sin. What was good or bad about that conversation? What happened in your life as a result of
this conversation? (Or maybe you can share what it looked like for you to have this kind of
conversation with somebody else.)

Read 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

• In this passage Paul is talking about how a Christian is supposed to interact with other
Christians vs. people who are not Christians. Paul tells us that it is our place as Christians to
judge and confront other Christians who are in sin, but we don't act in the same way towards
people who aren't really followers of Jesus. Why shouldn't we hold non-Christians to the same
standards that we hold Christians to? What should it look like to lovingly address sin in the
lives of our friends who are not Christians?

Read James 5:16

• A lot of times we need friends to call us out on our sin, because we might not even know it is
there. However, many of us have an intimate knowledge of the sin in our lives. This passage is
talking about confessing our sins in the context of healing, but how is confessing our sins to
our friends, who want to help us look more like Jesus, helpful to us?

• How can we cultivate a culture in our rGroup of being able to lovingly point out sin in the lives
of our friends, as well as being able to confess our sins to each other?

Love Handles: Man-Eater vs. Man-Maker

Summary:

We typically attract the caliber person we are. Stop worrying about Mr. or Mrs. right and start focusing on Mr. or Mrs. you.

Questions:

-Read 1 Peter 3:3-4

This text calls women to be more concerned with who they are than what they look like. What does it look like for a woman to cultivate her soul rather than having an inordinate focus on externals?

-Read Genesis 1:27

What does it mean to be made in God's image and how should this shape an individuals identity and activity?

**Group Leader Aid: Being made in God's image means that humans are unique and set apart from the rest of creation. We bear God's image primarily in our person-hood: intellect, emotion, and will. There is a value placed upon us that is not ascribed to any other created being. Being this valued should cause us to act valuable.

-Read Acts 18:24-26

This text shows a man "competent" in the Scriptures being sharpened further by two women who were theologically astute (they read the Bible more than Buzzfeed). Ladies- Are you biblically literate enough to help sharpen others? Dudes- Would dating or marrying a spiritual beast of a woman intimidate you or help keep you in pursuit of Jesus?

-Read Proverbs 31:17

This woman is described as having dressed herself with strength. A logical question may be: "How are you working to strengthen yourself," but that is actually a lame question. Note that her strength was not developed in some kind of training...it was developed by her living! It is living obediently now that will strengthen you for later. Are you walking in obedience to Jesus at work, at school, in dating, in marriage, in finances? If not you are only getting weak.

Love Handles: King of the Castle

Summary: There are 4 responsibilities that we see from Ephesians 5 that men should be doing in their relationships: Accept responsibility, sacrifice, protect, and rely on God.  These are 4 things men should be striving for in relationships, and 4 things that women should be looking for in a man.  If you're married, these will be a good evaluation for your relationships to determine if you're on the right track.

Texts: Proverbs 16:9, 18:21, and 28:26.  Ephesians 5:22-30

1. Every Great King Accepts Responsibility for everything in His Kingdom. (Eph 5:22-24)

a.  What did Jesus take responsibility for?  Was it his fault?  

b.  What does the example of Jesus tells us about what we should do in our relationships?

c.  What does in communicate about a man that isn't willing to accept responsibility for things in his life?

2.  Every great king sacrifices for his kingdom (Eph 5:25-26)

a.  How did Jesus sacrifice for his kingdom?

b.  What ways do we sacrifice in our relationships?  What does our "sacrifice" communicate to the other people in our relationships?

3.  Every great king leads the fight to protect his kingdom (Eph 5:28-29)

a. How do you protect your kingdom with your time?  With your words?  With your influence?

4.  Every great king teaches his people that he relies solely on God. (Prov 28:26)

a. How did Jesus rely on God?  (Read Matthew 26:36-46) 

b. How can you communicate your reliance on God in your relationships?

c. In what areas of your life and relationships do you tend to rely on your own wisdom the most?  What areas are easier for you to rely on God?

Baptism: We Call It A Party for a Reason

Summary:  9 people from both the Downtown and the North campuses went public in their relationship with Jesus through baptism on Sunday.  YES!  We answered 3 questions: why should Christians get baptized, what does baptism symbolize, and why should we celebrate baptisms?

Text: Matthew 28:18-19, Romans 6:3-6, and Luke 15


1.  Why should Christians get baptized?
a. Read Matthew 28:18.  What is Jesus saying about himself?  Who gave him this "authority"?  What does this statement mean for people that claim to be Christians?

b.  Read Matthew 28:19.  "Therefore" means that if you believe what Jesus said about himself in vs 18, then you'll follow through with his commands in vs. 19.  Here is what Jesus commanded us to do:
-Go: What does "go" look like for you?  Where are some places that you have "gone" with the Gospel message?  It could be across the street or across the world.  How are you being obedient to his first command?
-Make Disciples: Are you helping other people follow Jesus?  Are you introducing others to Jesus?  Are you sharing your story of life change?  How are you being obedient to his second command?
-Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:  If you are a follower of Jesus, have you been baptized?  If not, then what are your hesitations?  What is keeping you from being obedient to his third command?  If you have been baptized, then take a minute and share your story with others.

So why should Christians get baptized?  Because Jesus said so.  It's an act of obedience to him.


2.  What does baptism symbolize?
Read Romans 6:3-6.  This is a great picture of the Gospel message.  List out the similarities to the Gospel message in these verses and the act of baptism by immersion. (death, buried, raised from the dead, newness of life, united in resurrection).

-What part of the story of Jesus is told when the person goes under the water?
-What part of the story of Jesus is told when the person come up out of the water?

What is baptism designed to remind us of?
-The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
-How Jesus changed your life.
-How Jesus is still in the business of changing lives today.


3.  Why should we celebrate baptisms?
Read Luke 19.  There are 3 different stories recorded here.
a.  In all 3 stories, what is the reaction when the lost item is found? (vs 6. Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost, vs 9, Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost, vs 20, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him).
b.  The lost item symbolizes someone that doesn't know Jesus.  The item being found symbolizes someone that begins a relationship with Jesus.  So, list out some words that describe how we should respond when someone becomes a follower of Jesus.

One version of the Bible (The Message) paints a vivid picture of what it's like when someone that is "lost" is then "found."
Luke 15:9-10: "And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me!  I found my lost coin.' Count on it- that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one soul turns to God."


Challenge:  Who are some people in your life that you would like to see become a follower of Jesus?  Would you as a group commit to pray for these people by name each week?  Would you pray that God would change their heart?  Would you pray that one day they will be a follower of Jesus and we'll get to see them be baptized as they go public in their relationship with Jesus?

PG Week 3

Summary: The #1 responsibility that a parent has is to lead and teach their kids.  Scripture makes it clear that parents are to be teachers, leaders, and models for their kids spiritually.

Text:
-Proverbs 1:8; 2:1-2; 3:1; 4:1-2; 5:1; 6:20; 10:1; 15:20.
-2 Timothy 3:15-17
-Psalm 145:4
-Deuteronomy 6:7
-1 Timothy 4:8

1.  Reread the verses from Proverbs chapters 1-6.  The repetition shows the significance of the task that Solomon is undertaking.  List out the top 5 responsibilities that you think a parent has/should have.  Where does "spiritual leader/teacher" fall on your list?

2.  Read Proverbs 10:1 and 15:20.  Why should a parent be focused on passing down wisdom to their kids?  What results will be produced in YOUR life if your kids grasp Godly wisdom?  Do you have any stories in your family or maybe of families that you know where the parents are living a difficult life because of the folly, lack of discernment, and bad decision making by their kids?

3.  Read 2 Timothy 3:15-17 and answer the following questions:
a. When were the people taught about the Bible?
b.  What were the kids given when their parents teach them the Bible?
c.  What does Paul say that the Bible is good for?
d.  What does God use the teaching of the bible by the parent to do in the life of the child?

4.  Read Psalm 145:4.  Whose responsibility is it to tell the next generation about God?  What are some of the things that we try to push this responsibility off on? (church, pastor, relatives, school, friends, let them find their own way).

5.  Deuteronomy 6:7 is a great example of how you can lead and teach your kids in a simple and effective way.  What are ways that your parents taught you?  What really worked and had an impact on you?  What are the ways that you are trying to lead and teach your kids spiritually?

6.  Read Luke 11:2-4.  Look at the list of phrases below and talk about why each one is important.  How can you use this model to help teach your kids about Jesus.
a. Father (God's relationship with you)
b. Hallowed be your name (you are worthy of my praise and honor and worship)
c. Your kingdom come (whatever you want with me and with this day God, then so be it!)
d. Give us each day our daily bread (provide for my needs)
e. forgive us our sins (forgiveness and repentance)
f. help us to forgive others (showing forgiveness to others)
g. lead us not into temptation (help show us the right path and protect us)

PG, Week 2

Summary: Last week we talked about engaging in your child's life.  Now, how do you do that exactly? Scripture teaches us 2 basic truths to help parents engage in the life of their children: training your child and doing everything for your child in love.

Texts: 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Corinthians 9:25 and 16:14; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21; Proverbs 22:6; 13:24; 3:11-12; 4:10; 19:18.


Training As Discipline:
Proverbs 22:6, 1 Timothy 4:8, 1 Corinthians 9:25.

1. When we hear the word "discipline" we usually associated it with something negative.  Yet in Scripture, Paul describes athletes and soldiers as people with great discipline in that they have habits, routines, and positive aspects of their life that they practice and do daily in order to achieve a goal.

a.  In parenting, what are the things you are training and disciplining your children to do?
If you're not a parent, what are the things you are training and disciplining yourself to do right now in various aspects of life?

(examples: finances, school, job, relationships, health, other goals you are working towards).

b.  In 1 Timothy, Paul mentions that all of the things listed above are great to do.  But what about spiritually?  What are you doing in your life to train spiritually?

(examples: Bible reading, evangelism, discipleship, finances, church involvement, serving).

c.  What are the big things that you are passing (or would want to pass) on to your kids?  How do you plan on teaching them these things?

d.  1 Corinthians 9:25 mentions that many people train for something that is perishable and doesn't last long.  How is spiritual training more important?  Why should you be interested in your spiritual health even more than your financial/physical/professional health?  Why is there such an urgency about our kid's health and academics and success in life, but generally a lack of urgency and intentionality with spiritual things?


2.  As parents (and with other relationship in our lives as well), our motto should be to do all things in love.

a.  What does Proverbs 13:24 and 3:11-12 say about loving your kids?  What should you do for them and in their lives?  (reproof, discipline, training, equipping, encouraging).  What does Scripture say you are doing to them if you don't do these things?  (hating them, causing their life to be harder and shorter)

b.  Oftentimes, kids struggle with discipline because they don't see the love and purpose behind it.  Read Proverbs 19:18, Ephesians 6:4, and Colossians 3:21.  What are practical ways that you can show love to your kids, even during discipline?  If you dont' have kids, what are ways that you can show love even during a difficult conversation at work, during a conflict, or when dealing with a difficult person?


Read Luke 22:42.  Did you know that even though we sinned against God, that Jesus took our punishment, the wrath of God?  John 3:16 explains that he did that because God loves us.  When it comes to sin in our lives, what does this story say about you?  What does this story say about God?  Now, how should you respond to this incredible gift?

Breaking Point: Writing on the Wall

Text: Daniel 5

Summary:  King Belshazzar leads a life of sin and turns his back on God, despite seeing his Father's example (Daniel 4) and how God dealt with King Nebuchadnezzar.  Daniel interprets the writing on the wall, which foretells the death of King Belshazzar.


1.  In vs 1-4, we see the sinful lifestyle that the king is living, and in verse 5, we see God put "the writing on the wall."  That phrase means that it's easy to see what's going to come next in life.  Has God ever revealed himself to you through some "writing on the wall?"  Not in a literal fashion, but in the sense that you were confronted with some choices in life that you had made or a lifestyle that you were currently living?  How did you heed that warning?


2.a.  Did you turn back to God?  How did your life change?  How did that event shape your future and where you are today?

b.  Did you continue to live a life outside of God's instruction?  What damage was caused as a result of that decision?  How did that decision effect where you are today?


3.  Some people are in the middle of a breaking point, and some are coming out of one.  David's advice on Sunday as it pertains to perseverance during the tough times was to remain faithful wherever you are in whatever you do as you wait on what's next from God.  How are you being faithful where you are right now?  What does it mean to be faithful where you are currently?  How can you show faithfulness to God in the different areas of your life so that your obedience and faithfulness in the small things ensures that we are given opportunities with the bigger things (relationships, finances, family, job).

Breaking Point: Fear

Text: Daniel 3:8-30

Summary:  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago faced a huge fear when their lives were threatened if they refused to worship another god.  However, God used the fire in their life to teach them and the king a few things.  God uses fire in our lives to help us draw closer to Him.  We can actually benefit from the correct response to fears in our lives, and can also help get other people to Jesus in the process.


1.  Some of our greatest fears can be curbed through good planning.  What am I going to do when I can't work anymore? (we save for retirement from the time we start working).  What happens to my family when I die? (we get life insurance to cover our expenses and take care of our families).  What happens if I have an unexpected expense? (we save money in a rainy day fund to cover car repairs, emergencies, and other unplanned expenses).

So what are you doing to plan spiritually to avoid facing fears in the future?  Is your relationship with God solid so that it can withstand the grip of fear?  Is your familiarity with Scripture strong so that you can remember the promises that God has told you?  Do you have a rehearsed response when bad things happen so that you'll be faithful instead of buckling to fear and making irrational decisions?


2.  The 3 men were walking around in the fire, unharmed and unfazed by what had happened.  How could they possibly have peace at a time like that?!  How can YOU have peace despite your troubles, worries, and fears?  These men decided that no matter what happened, they would remember that God loved them, God would never leave them, and that God would always take care of His people.  Have you decided that no matter what fears hits you, you can rest in the same 3 things?


3.  When these 3 men were thrown in the fire, the only thing that was burned off was the rope that had them BOUND.  Sometimes God uses the fires of life to free you from the things that you keeping you enslaved (like fear) and helps purify your life to be closer to Him.

Would anyone be willing to share a story of a time in your life that you had to walk through "the fire," but God used it for your benefit and growth and prosperity once you got through it?


4.  Scripture shows that the way that the 3 men handled the fire that they were going through actually had a profound effect on the king.  Did you know that the way you handle fear and worry and anxiety in your life can actually help other people know more about Jesus?  Let's compare and contrast.  How should a person that knows Jesus respond to difficulty?  How is that different for someone without a relationship with Jesus?  How can you use this difference as a way to help your non-Christian friends understand the incredible value of an authentic relationship with Jesus?

Breaking Point: The Economy

Text: Daniel 3:1-7, 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Summary: In Daniel 3, we see a society that is controlled by money, and worships it.  In 1 Timothy 6, we see a biblical outline of how to properly respond to the economy (world, national, and personal) and avoid a financial breaking point in your life.


1.  In Daniel 3, the king makes sure that the financial symbol is visible for everyone to see.  He rallies the politicians and the leaders to convey the same message.  He puts pressure on people to have the same mindset and beliefs about finances as he does.  So what about the world today?  What is the message that culture is telling us about money?  What pressures do we often fall into when it comes to money?


2.  There are many sayings about how money proves things about us.  "Put your money where your mouth is."  "If you want to know what matters most to someone, then look at a person's checkbook."  So let's look at our spiritual lives.  Are you putting your money where your mouth is when it comes to God?  Do you believe that you can follow Jesus and be surrendered to him without giving generously to him?

Take a look at your checkbook and calendar.  The places you spend the most amount of money and time are the things that matter the most to you.  So what are the top 3 things?  Where on the list does God appear?


3.  There were 4 things that Paul tells Timothy in order to find true peace, happiness, and contentment when it comes to finances.

a.  Life is short.  If you were told you were going to die tomorrow, what would your regrets be?  It probably won't be "I wish I would have worked more" or "I wish I would have made more money" or "I wish I would have grown my business more."  Scripture says that we aren't promised tomorrow, so how can you live your life NOW and enjoy and value the things that God has already given you?

b.  God takes care of His people.  When we fret over money and the economy, we are really showing what we place our trust and faith in.  When we worry over money, what does that communicate to God?  (You can't handle it, you're not good enough, you can't provide for me, you need some help, I don't trust you).

c.  Remember where your hope is.  Why do people want money so much?  Why do we always want more?  Why is it so important to us?  (because it gives us security and it gives us hope in the future).  As Christians, our hope and security is found in Jesus.  A dangerous result of being rich is that we begin to lose our trust and hope and reliance on God and trust/hope/rely on ourselves and our money.  No wonder God warned rich people so often in the Bible!

d.  Remember the purpose of your economy.  Why do you think money exists?  Why does God provide it?  Do you believe that God provides it for you?  Which makes more sense: that God would give you something like money to distract you from Him, to cause your faith and trust to dwindle as a result of His gift of money to you?  OR, do you think God gives us money in order to use as a TOOL to accomplish His mission here on earth?


REMINDER:  There IS a great reason for you to constantly worry about finances.  That reason is if you aren't being faithful with what God has given you.  God won't continue to give you money and bless your life if you are just going to throw it away on selfish, useless things.  If you're doing that, then you should be VERY afraid about your financial stability and future.

If you're being faithful, obedient, and generous with your finances, and treating them as a tool to use to get other people to Jesus, then Scripture is very clear that God will give you everything you need AND MORE to accomplish what He's called you to do, and promises to take care of you!

Breaking Point: When Bad Gets Worse

Text: Daniel 2

Summary: The king asks his wise men to tell him about a dream that he had, and when they can't deliver the entire group of men (including Daniel who wasn't present for the meeting) are ordered to be killed.  Daniel focused on God, spent time with his godly friends in prayer, and God gave Daniel what he needed.  Daniel told the king his dream and Daniel was elevated to a higher position in the kingdom.

1.  When you reach a breaking point, what are the directions that you turn to?  (parents, friends, self-help books, Oprah, culture, yourself).  Why do we tend to try to fix the problem ourselves and turn to everyone else before turning to God?  In verses 10-11 and 27-28, scripture makes is clear to us that there are some situations that can only be handled by God.  So go to Him first!


2.  There are 2 great examples of what Daniel DID do and what he DID NOT do in response to reaching his breaking point:

What he DID:
1.  Pray.
2.  Involved his godly friends.

-Read Psalm 50:15 and Lamentations 2:19.  What are our instructions when we reach a breaking point? (call out to God and depend on God).

-What does prayer do to your focus?  (It turns your attention and focus to God.  You are admitting that you can't handle it anymore and you are asking for help).

-Here are 4 easy steps that you can take in order to help a friend that is at their breaking point.
1.  Show up.  Just being there for someone and being with them is a big comfort and help.
2.  Shut up.  Don't think you have to explain anything to them or get theological.  Most times that only complicates things and make it worse.
3.  Share the pain.  Grieve with them, cry with them, mourn with them.
4. Take the initiative.  Never say "call me if you need anything."  That puts the responsibility on them.  Everyone has to eat, so take them meals.  They need a break, so watch their kids.  Their house and yard are going to get messy, so help with work.

-What are some examples of how these 4 things have helped you in the past when godly men/women stepped up and did them for you?

What he DID NOT do:
1.  Ignore the problem.
2.  Play the blame game.

-Daniel didn't just slam the door in the face of the man trying to kill him in verse 13.  He didn't ignore it, pretend like it wasn't a big deal, or play it off.  He confronted it, acknowledged it, and knew that it had to be fixed.  Are there issues in your life that you have been closing the door on?  What usually happens when problems are ignored and swept under the rug?

-What's more productive to get you through your breaking point:  Asking "why is this happening to me" or "what do I need to do in response to it?"


3.  In verse 46-49, God used Daniels difficult situation to save other people around him.  Have you ever used a difficult situation that you've been through to help, encourage, or bring other people close to Jesus?  God can turn your situation into someone else's salvation!

Breaking Point: FOCUS

Text: Daniel 1

Summary: God allows Daniel's city to be sacked, overtaken, and overthrown by a foreign government that doesn't worship God.  Daniel and his friends are taken to Babylon and are victims of human trafficking.  Everything in Daniel's life gets turned upside down and he reaches a breaking point.  Instead of focusing on his problems and letting his identity be defined by his circumstances, Daniel focuses on God and finds His identity in Him.


1.  In verse 1-2, Scripture records that God "allowed" His people in His city to be taken captive.  Why would God allow bad things to happen, especially to His people?  (to teach them something, to draw them closer to Himself, to simply give them what they are asking for and allow them to reap the negative consequences of their sin).

What is God's desired response from us when we encounter hardships in life?  (seeking Him, turning away from our sin and coming back to Him, growing our relationship with Him, gaining more intimacy with Him, seeing our own folly in the bad decisions we've made and in return learning to trust in Him more).


2.  When you are at your breaking point, what happens when you start focusing on your problem?  (it consumes you, it depresses you, it discourages you, and overwhelms you).

What happens when we focus on God instead of our current situation?  (it helps put things in perspective of how big and grand God is compared to our situation, it reminds us who is in control, and it redirects our trust to the savior as oppose to the situation).


3.  Read verse 9.  When Daniel chose to focus on God, God gave Daniel favor, compassion, and elevated him above his circumstances.  What does verse 9 mean for us today?


4.  Read verse 10.  What are your most common doubters and haters when you decide to move forward in your relationship with God and fully focus on Him?  Does the discouragement come from the outside?  Or does the doubt creep in from inside because of the lack of dedication and failed attempts in your life in the past?  How can you put those doubts aside and continue to be faithful?

Man Up!

Text: Deuteronomy 6:6-13

Summary: God tells Moses what the spiritual leaders of the family need to do.  These characteristics include 6 things:

1.  Allow the Gospel and God to transform your life first (vs 6)

2. Take responsibility for teaching your kids who God is and what He commands. (vs 7a)

3.  Make God's Word a priority in your life and your kids will see its value (vss 7b-8)

4.  Make God's Word prominent in your home and in the life of your family (vs 9)

5. Teach your kids gratitude towards God (vss 10-12)

6. Teach your kids to worship (vs 13)

1. (Deut 6:6) The first step in leading anyone else (spouse, family, friends, coworkers) into a meaningful journey with God is to have a solid relationship with God yourself.  It all starts with you!

a. Make a quick list (just say them out loud in your group) of the things that you want to instill in your kids spiritually.  (examples: involved in a church, growing in their relationship with God, to have a strong relationship with Jesus, to be a generous giver financially, to be generous with their time, to serve others around them, to know and read the Bible, to treat others around them in a godly way, etc.)

b. Now, take a look at that list and do a self evaluation.  Are you asking your kids to do something that you're not doing?  Do you have dreams and aspirations for them that you aren't even fulfilling?

2. (Deut 6:7a) What are you doing to take responsibility for your kids spiritually?  That does involve attending church, but does it stop there?  Are you personally reading the Bible with them, teaching them about Jesus, taking ownership of their journey with God?  Remember, our kids ministry wants to be YOUR biggest fan!  That means we come alongside YOU and help YOU lead your family, not do all of those things for you or in place of you.

-So what are ways that you are doing that now with your family?  If you don't have kids, what are habits that you can put into place now to lay a good foundation?

3.  (Deut 6:9) What are ways that you are making God's word prominent in your home?  What has worked well for you?  (Apps, games, devotional books, bedtime stories, rWorld blog, etc).

4.  Read Proverbs 22:6.  That could be both a comforting word and a seriously intimidating warning as well.  All of us are training our kids in something (if you don't have kids, your current lifestyle will be used to teach them when they do arrive).  It may be negative training that will lead them down a path of destruction, or positive training that will lead them down a path of spiritual success.  Either way, process proceeds product.  If your kids copied your training today, would you be proud of the life they were living?

The Journey: REMEMBER

I hope Sunday was a powerful time to REMEMBER what Jesus has done for you and what Jesus has called you to do.  Throughout your journey with Jesus it is important to stop and REMEMBER what this is all about.  Let's get other people to Jesus!

This week is "Invite Night."  As you throw a party and invite people to hang out with your group, be sure to be intentional about spending time with the guests and building relationships.  We've had people come to REVO, give their life to Jesus, and be baptized, and their first encounter with REVO was to come to a rGroup invite night.  This week matters!

Have a great week!


-Nathan

The Journey: GO

REMINDER:  Next week is communion, so that means it's rGroup INVITE NIGHT!  Throw a party, cook some good food, and most importantly INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!  Invite Nights aren't just designed for the groups to throw a party for themselves.  It's designed to be an easy, non-threatening on-ramp for people to come into your group and have a good time.  Let's lower some barriers for people so that they'll be more likely to attend a worship experience or rGroup in the future when you follow up with them and give them the invitation.



Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:13

Summary:  Paul connects the title of Ambassador with one of the responsibilities of Christians.  He also gives 2 strong statements for Christians: do not receive the grace of God in vain, and do not place any obstacles in anyone's way of meeting Jesus.


1.  "Vain" is defined as "producing no results; useless."  So Paul says don't take the grace and gift of God and do nothing with it!  What are ways that people take the gift of God's grace in vain?  What areas of our lives is the Gospel "producing no results"?


2.  So how are you really an ambassador?  Here is a list of what Ambassadors do.  Take this list and explain how it relates to your Christian life and responsibilities as ambassadors of God's kingdom.
a.  The Ambassador advances the mission of the king/president/leader.  The Ambassador does what is best for the president and the home country, not what is the best for himself or for the country in which he lives and works.
b.  The Ambassador is given all of the authority and power of the president.  He is a direct representative of the home nation when the president is not there.
c.  The Ambassador is a liaison that brings 2 nations or people groups together.  When people have questions about policy, a decision, or something that was said, they approach the ambassador and he acts as a reconciler between the 2 parties.


3.  Paul urges the Church not to put any obstacles in the way of people as they move forward in their Journey with God.  What are some examples of obstacles that we put in the way?  What would be the opposite of these obstacles (a.k.a., things we SHOULD be doing so that more people can hear about Jesus and becomes followers of His?)


4.  What are some of the practical excuses that we offer up for not GOING? (no money, no time, inconvenient, too long, too hard).  Those excuses turn into obstacles for other people hearing the Gospel message.  How can we move past those excuses, find answers for them, and move forward together?  Let's eliminate excuses that we have for not living up to the title of Ambassador!


5.  Let's get a game plan together!  As an organization, REVO provides opportunities twice a year to GO globally (Italy is in July, and Cuba is November 11-17 of this year).  Now, read Acts 1:8.  This is the last thing that Jesus tells his followers to do (a step in their journey) before he ascends into heaven.  "You are to GO."  Jesus ends with "to the end of the earth."  We often refer to that as "going to the nations."  However, Jesus starts with a different place: Jerusalem.  That's the home base of the apostles.

So here is your homework.  Formulate a strategy that starts on your doorstep (in your Jerusalem).  What can you and your group do to Reach This City?  How can you work together to GO in your own neighborhood?

Secondly, what is your strategy to GO globally?  Whatever your excuse is, make a game plan to overcome it (e.g., put a monthly savings plan in place if money is an issue.  Map out your vacation time at work to ensure you have time to take off when the opportunity to GO presents itself).

The Journey: SHARE

Text: Ephesians 4:17-32

Summary: Evangelism is talking about someone or something that you enjoy or love.  For Christians, that person is Jesus.  Paul gives us a 2 step approach to effective evangelism:  the language and content that we share combined with our actions or conduct.

3 things to remember about Evangelism:
1.  You can't be a follower of Jesus and not care about people that are far from Jesus. (Luke 19:10)
2.  Evangelism is a command from Jesus to his followers. (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15, Luke 25:45-48, John 20:21, Romans 10:14-17)
3.  People need Jesus and one of our main jobs as followers of Jesus is to get other people to Jesus (Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21).


1.  Why do we find it so difficult to share the good news about Jesus, yet so easy to evangelize about our favorite restaurant, brand names, stores, or company?  We don't hesitate to tell people how incredible the newest tech gadget is, how great the food was, or how good our employer is to us.  So why the hesitation with the Gospel?

2.  Paul talks about taking off the old self and putting on the new self.  The fact is, your life changes after you meet Jesus.  How has your life changed?  How has it gotten more fulfilling and satisfied with Jesus?  (All of that is part of the story that you can tell to others!)

3.  Paul lays out a simple list in Ephesians 4 that we can implement this week as we strive to make our actions match up with our words.  Which ones are you good at?  Which ones need improvement?
a.  Don't lie, be a trustworthy person (25)
b.  Don't let your emotions get out of control (26)
c.  Work hard and be generous to others (28)
d.  Encourage others, build other people up, don't talk bad about other behind their backs (29, 31)
e.  When people deserve justice, give them grace.  Look for ways to offer grace and forgiveness to those who least deserve it when they least expect it. (32)

The Journey: FOLLOW

Text: Luke 9:23-25

Summary: Jesus asks the people that have taken the previous steps in their journey to take a step that is no doubt the most difficult and costly step so far.  The step to FOLLOW is a hard step, a costly step, and a step that you have to take daily.  Many people have stopped moving forward in their journey with Jesus over this bold command.  However, the people in Scripture that decided to FOLLOW Jesus changed the world.


1.  When you FOLLOW someone, what are you giving up?  (Your preferences, control over your life, your opinions about what you should do and where you should go).

2.  Why do you think so many people are reluctant to take the step to really FOLLOW Jesus with all of their life?

3.  Jeremiah 29:13 talks about seeking God with ALL of your heart.  In Mark 10:21-22, the rich young ruler walked away discouraged because there was an aspect of his life that was going to be hard to turn over to Jesus.  Are there areas of your life that you find it difficult to FOLLOW Jesus?  Are their areas of your life that are easy to FOLLOW Jesus?

4.  Jesus starts out the challenge in Luke 9 helping people take the next step that have a "desire" to follow.  Do you really have a desire to follow Jesus?  It's hard, it's costly, it's daily, and could include you giving up the things that matter the most to you.  Do you still have the desire?  If so, then why?  Why would you want to take a step that is so high in commitment?

5.  In Luke 14:27-30, Jesus says that each person must first weigh the costs of following Jesus.  Many people will claim to want to follow Jesus, but when they find out how much it costs they turn and walk away.  So what are the costs of following Jesus?  What is it going to cost you personally?

6.  How can you follow "daily"?  What are the things you need to do in order to ensure that following is a lifestyle and not just a one-time event?

The Journey: GROW

Text:  Luke 5:1-11

Summary:


1.  When kids grow up, they change.  Their looks change, their attitude changes, and their maturity level changes.  In fact, one of the most telling signs of growth is change.  With that being said, how has your spiritual life change recently to show growth?  What are some of the exciting milestones you've reached?  Remember, if you're not changing then you're not growing.  If you're not growing, then you're not taking the next steps in your journey.


2.  There were 2 words highlighted in the text on Sunday: Master and Lord.  What is the difference between the two?  What are characteristics of people that treat Jesus as a Master?  What are the characteristics of people that treat Jesus as Lord?  What are the areas of your life that you need to grow in, to move from Master to Lord?


3.  How do you grow?  What has been the model for your successful growth areas in the past?  What are the specific words associated with it?  (sacrifice, increased prayer about the certain area, having a growth strategy for certain areas, acknowledging the areas that need growth, etc)


4.  Take a moment and look up these passages about Peter and read them aloud.
a. Matthew 16:18- Jesus tells Peter he will be a strong leader in the early NT church.
b. Acts 2:37-41- Peter preaches one of the first sermons in the early church and 3,000 people get saved.
c. Acts 1:13- Peter is listed first in the list of disciples, noting his position of leadership over the group.
d. Acts 3:1-10- Peter makes the Lame walk
e. Acts 5:15-16- Peter makes the sick to be healed and casts our spirits
f. Acts 9:32-35- Peter makes a paralyzed man move again
g. Acts 9:36-43- Peter raises a man from the dead
h.  Acts 10:1-11- Peter has a vision from God laying out that the Gospel message is not just for the Jews, but for Gentiles as well (that would include Americans!)

It's hard to believe that NONE of these amazing things would have been possible if Simon hadn't taken the step to grow into a relationship with Jesus.  What is the significance about your next step?  Why is it important?  What's at stake?  (Your family/career/finances/relationships/marriage/LIFE could be DRASTICALLY altered by your next step.  What are you waiting on?!)

The Journey: KNOW

Text: Philippians 3:1-16

Summary:  After taking the first 2 steps in a journey with Jesus (1. Just Believe, and 2. Baptism), we have to fight the desire to stop moving.  If you're not taking steps, then you're not following Jesus.  Even a knowledgable, successful, influential Christian like the apostle Paul recognized the need for him to KNOW Jesus more and more as his journey continued.

GROUP LEADERS:  Each week I want your group to simply verbalize and summarize the different steps in this process.  I want to make sure everyone knows what their next step is in this journey.  Also, offer some help for anyone in your group that wants to take the next step.  Make yourself available to talk with them, answer questions, and help them know not only what the next step for their journey is, but how they can take it.

Steps in the Journey
1.  Just Believe (The relationship begins with believing in Jesus as the Son of God, savior of the world).
2.  Baptism (Going Public in this relationship with Jesus).
3.  Know (Learning more about Jesus, what He has done for you, and how he has called us to live).


1.  In vs 4-6, Paul describes his pedigree as a religious person.  Sometimes what we have already accomplished in our past gives us a lack of urgency about taking the next steps.  What are the "accomplishments" or steps that you have achieved in the past in your journey?  If someone were to ask you what your journey with Jesus is all about, what steps would you tell them?

2.  In vs. 10-11, Paul says that even he wants to KNOW Jesus Christ more.  If Paul admits that he doesn't KNOW enough about Jesus to be satisfied, what does that say about you and me?

3.  What is stopping you from taking the next steps in your journey with Jesus?  Paul mentioned some possible barriers in vs 13-14.
a.  Forgetting what is behind:  Are you so stuck on your past experiences that they are keeping you from Moving Forward?  Do you find yourself satisfied with what you've done so far, so much so that it takes the urgency away from what's next?

b.  Straining towards what is ahead: Are you actually putting any effort into Moving Forward on the Journey.  You'll never "accidentally" get closer to Jesus.  You'll never fall into the next step of the journey.  It takes effort on your part to Move Forward.  So what you are doing now to strain and strive towards the next steps?

c. Pressing on towards the goal:  Have you stopped in the middle of the race?  Have you said some things, done some things, and accomplished some things spiritually that are tempting you to take a break or put your spiritual life on hold?  Don't forget what the final goal is!  It's not just a few steps early on in life.  It's about finishing what you started and continuing to run this journey in life.

4.  Why is it important to KNOW?  What results will it produce?  (Knowing Jesus will determine how you talk to him, how you respond to him in worship, how generous you are to his mission, how you treat others, and what you do with your life.  The more you KNOW Jesus, the more your life continues to change for him.)


Challenge:  Did everyone in your group download the Bible app?  If so, why don't you pick a 7-day devotional guide to read together this week.  Exchange emails and text messages with insights that you've learned together.  Get in the habit of studying the Word daily and beginning to KNOW Jesus more individually and in a group setting together each week.

The Journey: BELIEVE

Text:  John 6:22-40

Summary: Many people were seeking Jesus and wanted what he had to offer.  Jesus very clearly tells them how to obtain what they are seeking: just believe.  He starts with 1,000's of years worth of religious traditions that focused on outward motions of religion and transitions to an inward change in our lives.  It's no longer what WE must DO to get to God, but about what JESUS has DONE for us.

1.  Why is it so difficult for people to "just believe?"  It sounds and looks so simple.  But many times we would prefer to do it ourselves, to try to earn our way to Jesus, to simply ask for a checklist of things that we can do to get to God.  You would think that simply "accepting a gift" would be a huge upgrade from "work hard and hope you do enough."  So what are the hang-ups with just believing in Jesus?


2.  The people in this text wanted to know what must we do to get to God?  What are some of the things that people are trying to do to get to God and earn his favor?  What would your response be if someone came up to you and asked that question?  What must they do in order to know God?


3.  "You don't have to know EVERYthing to believe in SOMEthing."  When you "just believe" there are still questions to be answered.  There are still things that you don't know.  There are still details of the journey that have not been laid out yet.  What were some of the unanswered questions and unclear details that you had when you first decided to believe in Jesus?  How did you get over those questions in order to take the first step?  (Someone in your group may be struggling with some questions right now, and it's keeping them from taking the first step and believing in Jesus).


4.  Sometimes we base our faith in God on signs and wonders that He has done for us.  The people in John 6 demanded that God give them a sign or do something before they would believe.  Have you ever asked God for a sign?  What's the danger of making God prove Himself?  (You'll never be satisfied.  One sign always leads to the demand for something bigger and better).  These people just witnessed Jesus feed 5,000 people, and yet they needed more "proof."  Do you ever catch yourself requesting more "proof" from God in order for you to follow Him and believe?


REMINDER:  Next week is baptism at Winston-Square Park!  11am.  Cookout, games for kids, celebrating life change through Jesus!

We've Got Spirit: The Gift Giver

REMINDERS:
*EASTER is next Sunday!  Who are you bringing with you?!

*Also, BAPTISM is in 2 weeks (April 27th).  Remind your group about the location, time, and to show up ready to celebrate like CRAZY!


Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-11; Romans 12:6-8

Summary:  We close out our series on the HS with Paul telling us about the best gift giver ever!  The HS gives every follower of Jesus gifts to use in order to help others, to advance the kingdom of God, and get other people to Jesus.


1.  In this text, Paul makes it clear that EVERY follower of Jesus has been given a gift (passion/ability/gifting) by the HS.  Take a minute and ask your group what they think their spiritual gift is.  Allow other groups members to chime in and share the gifts that they see in other people.  Use it to challenge and encourage one another!

2.  Now that you've had some time to identify your God-given talents and gifts, how are you using them for the common good?  How are/can you use them in the local church setting so that more people can know Jesus?  How can your gifts be used for more than just your own personal benefit?

3.  Read Matthew 25:14-30.  What happens when people don't use the gifts/passions/talents that God has given them?  In Romans 12:6-8, Paul instructs the people to be faithful and use the gifts that God has given them!  So, are you being faithful to use the gifts?

4.  Take a moment and reflect on the We've Got Spirit series.  What were the most helpful aspects of this series?  What did you learn that you didn't know?  What has helped you the most?  What are some concrete ways in your life that you can turn this information into action?

We've Got Spirit: You've Got the Power

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19

Summary: Scripture is filled with descriptions of how followers of Jesus should talk, act, and treat other people.  Paul lays out a list of things that we're called to do in this text.  That's when we realize that there is no way that our lives will look like that if we don't have the power of the HS.


1.  Are you capable of accomplishing what God has called you to do on your own?  Why not?


2.  Here is a list of things that Paul lays out in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 that we should do for others and also in our lives:
a. Respect Others
b. Love Others
c. Challenge People to Grow
d. Encourage Others
e. Help Meet Needs
f. Be Patient With People
g. Treat People Fairly
h. Do Good to Other People
i. Rejoice in Everything
j. Pray Without Ceasing
k. Be Thankful in Everything

Do these things come naturally for you?  Which are the hardest for you?  Which are the easiest?  Will you ever be able to accomplish these in your life everyday without some help?  (So now we're learning our need for the power of the HS more and more).


3.  So how are you going to accomplish those things?  Paul gives us another great example in Ephesians 3 to instruct us on what steps we need to take in order to live the lives that God has called us to live.  Read Ephesians 3:14-21

vs 14-15 Approach God with humility.  Any time you ask for help, you are admitting that you can't do it on your own.  Are you willing to swallow your pride and seek God for help?

vs 16 Your power to accomplish God's plan comes from the Spirit.  What other areas of life are you looking towards to gain the power for life?  (ourselves, our money, our abilities and talents, our jobs, our experience, etc.)

vs 17-19 When you start to get tired of giving, serving, loving, forgiving, encouraging, and helping others, it's great refocus on Jesus and remind yourself of what he did for you.  Nothing helps you to keep going like being reminded of how much has been done and given to you already by Jesus!

vs 20 What does it mean that God can do abundantly more than we can ask or think?  Think of the absolute best solution to all of your problems, and Scripture says that God knows and can give you MUCH more and EVEN better than that!  What do you think about that?  (Wouldn't you rather lean on and trust in Him?)

vs 21 Why do we do all of this?  To bring God glory and get other people to Jesus.  That's the whole reason the HS wants to help and encourage and comfort and empower, so that more people can know Jesus.

We've Got Spirit: The Cheerleader

Text: John 16:8-15

Summary: One of the great roles of the HS is the helper.  The greek word for HS is "paraclete" (para-cleat) which means "the helper alongside us."  John then gives us 4 ways that the HS is our helper throughout life.

GROUP LEADERS:

Be prepared to share your personal story this week for each of these questions.  That will get the ball rolling and break the ice for other stories to be told.

1.  Read John 16:8-11.  One of the ways that the HS helps us it to convict us of our sins in a process of drawing us to God.  Share your story of salvation and how God used the HS to convict you of your need for a savior.  Encourage others to share their story of salvation as well and identify how the HS was working in and around their life.  Share your story!

2.  Read John 16:12.  A second way that the HS helps is to convict us towards righteousness in a process of making us look more like Jesus.  Without even knowing it, the HS is working in the lives of Christians every day.  Some Christians call it a "guilty  conscious" or "a bad feeling," but we're actually experiencing the HS work in our lives to help us turn away from sin and live a life that resembles that of Jesus.  How has the HS been working in your life lately to push you to look, act, talk, and treat others like Jesus would?  Share your story!

3.  A third way that the HS helps us is to give us guidance and teach us to make solid decisions in our lives.  Remember the WWJD bracelets?  How cool would it be to be able to ask God a question about a certain situation or relationship or decision and have him give you His insight?!  Well, through the HS, God does just that!  

Read John 16:13 Romans 8:26, James 1:5, and Psalm 143:10, then answer the following questions:

a. The HS inspired the writing of Scripture.  How has God been using the Word lately to help guide, teach, and make solid decisions in your life?  Share your story!

b. The HS is also active in using other things to help guide and teach us.  How has the HS been active in your life in others areas that have helped to guide and teach? (sermons, Christian brothers and sisters, prayer time, quiet time listening to God, etc).  Share your story!

4.  Read John 16:14-15.  In this text, the last thing that John says the HS helps us with is to bring glory and honor to God.  Do you want your life to make a difference and have meaning and purpose?  Scripture says that the HS can help you answer that!

  

a.  Corporate Worship:  How do you know how to worship?  The things to do?  How to respond to God?  Have you ever prayed and asked the HS to help you know how to respond to God to bring Him glory and honor in your worship at REVO?  How has that played out already in your life?  Share your story!

b.  Personal Life:  How do you bring glory and honor to God in your life?  How are you supposed to "worship" at work, school, or at home?  Have you ever prayed and asked the HS to help you know how to respond to God and bring Him glory and honor in your personal life everyday?  How has that played out already in your life?  Share your story!

We've Got Spirit: Got Spirit?

Text:  John 15:26-27, John 16:5-7, and Acts 1-2

Summary:  Who is the Holy Spirit?  The HS is the presence of God in the world today, specifically working in the Church.  Why does it matter to you?  The HS empowers you to accomplish what God has called you to do and be the follower that He has called you to be.

1.  If you grew up going to church, what are some of the things you grew up hearing about the HS?  Was it ignored?  Looked over?  Secondly, go ahead and give it your best shot!  How would you describe the HS to someone that didn't grow up in church?


2.  Read Genesis 1:2 and 1:26.  These are the first mentions of the HS in Scripture.  Why is it significant that the HS was there from the beginning? (he's not a secondary God or a lesser God.  He's been a part of the Trinity from the beginning).  If he's not secondary to God, then why do most people treat Him differently, less important or less significant?


3.  Jesus tells his disciples that it would be BETTER for him to leave the earth so that the HS could come to them.  Jesus was fully man (one man at one place at one time).  Why do we have it better today with the HS living inside of us as oppose to Jesus walking around us?


4.  What does it mean that "God lives in you"?  Why is that a big deal?


5.  Read Acts 1:4-8.  What does Jesus say the HS will do?  (empower believers).  Is there any way to be obedient to God and follow Him through life without having this power source?


6.  Do you have any HS stories from your life?  Stories of how there is no explanation of how you could have said/done/accomplished something in your life apart from God?

Christianity 101: Prayer

Text: James 5:7-20

Summary:  James closes his book by giving a reminder that we must be patient yet diligent in the things that God has called us do.  One day, Jesus will return.  Until then, be faithful with what James has challenged us with through the book.  Continue to develop your relationship with God through prayer, and examine your heart as you ask God to use you to bring other people to Jesus.

1.  In James 5:7, although James uses the word "wait," farmers still have a job to do while they are waiting for their crops to come in.  Tilling, planting, weeding, watering, etc.  While we are waiting for the return of Jesus, what are our tasks to be completing and working on?  (Prayer, evangelism, discipleship, missions).  Read Luke 12:43.  What does Scripture call the servant that is found working hard when the Lord returns?

2.  In verses 13-15, and James 1:5, James gives us 5 instances in life where we should pray.  What are they?  When you are in those situations, is prayer your first call or your last resort?  Why?

3.  James also instructs us to pray for each other.  Read Colossians 1:9-10, Ephesians 1:16-18, and 1 Timothy 2:1-4.  What else does the Bible say about the power of praying for each other?  Why don't you close the group time out tonight by praying for each other.

4.  How would you say that you have changed through the Christianity 101 Series through the book of James?  (doers, not just hearers)


5 WEEKS UNTIL EASTER!  Set up a challenge for your group that each group member is going to bring someone with them to the Easter Service on April 20th!!

Christianity 101: Time and Money

Text:  James 4:13-5:6

In this passage, James challenges the church about how they use their time and money.  Since our life is so short we must have urgency with the Gospel and with decision we need to make to Move Forward spiritually.  James also gives us some teaching on how followers of Jesus handle their finances.  James hints at the same question with both our wealth and our time:  The most important thing is to answer, "What are you going to do with it?"


1.  What has God called you to do NOW that you keep putting off until tomorrow?  What areas of your life do you need to be obedient in?  What steps of faith do you need to take now to act on the things that God has called you to do?  What spiritual things have you been promising yourself that you will start doing, only to see the deadline continued to be pushed back?  Are there areas of your life that you are trying to cram spiritually?

2. Making plans for our lives is a great, responsible thing.  However, making plans for our lives without the input and consideration of what God has called us to do is folly and disobedient.  Read Proverbs 16:9.
a.  Who is in ultimate control of our lives?
b.  Should we still plan our lives?
c.  What should we remember as we plan our lives?

3.  Three times in James 5:1-6 (1 3, and 5b), James pleads with the people to remember what's coming.  God will return and we will stand in front of him.  Our eternity is quickly approaching.  How does remembering eternity and what you are facing help you to make better decision in your life, specifically about your time and wealth?

4.  Scripture looks at us and our wealth as a middleman of sorts.  God gives us what we need, and then blesses us with excess.  Needs arise around us, and people cry out to God for help.  God then allows us to be the bearer of blessings and good news.  We get to step up and take God's money and meet needs with it.  That's a great opportunity and priveledge we have!  Explain some tangible, specific ways that you can be God's middleman this week.

Homework for this week:
a.  Open up to God, and allow the Holy Spirit to do an inspection of your life this week.  Ask God to show you what you need to change when it comes to your time and money.
b.  Look for ways to help others.  Make a list, do some research, and have your thumb on the heartbeat of the needs of the city around us.
c.  Deny yourself something to help others.  Would you be willing to give something up (a luxury or something otherwise self-indulgent) to meet a need for someone else?

Christianity 101: Submit to God

Text: James 4:1-12

Summary:  James continues his challenge to the church by addressing the disagreements that they have with others.  James notes that our own selfishness is the root of our frustrations and confrontations, but ultimately God offers us forgiveness and reconciliation through His grace.  He closes with a practical approach to confession and repentance that will keep our hearts pure both towards God and towards others.


1.  What are the different things that you pray for?  Is it always just asking God for stuff?  What about adoration, confession, and thanksgiving?  READ Matthew6:9-13.  Identify the different parts of the prayer that Jesus speaks as he instructs his disciples on how to pray.

2.  Read John 15:7 and 16:24.  What do these verses say about our prayers?
a.  Why ask in Jesus' name?
b.  What is the condition in receiving what we ask for? (Remaining in Jesus)
c.  So how do you "remain in Jesus?"

3.  Why does James refer to the church as "you  adulterous people" in verse 4?  (Read Isaiah 57:2-3, 8 and Jeremiah 3:20 for insight).

4.  The first 5 verses of this chapter are pretty firm, in your face, and unapologetic.  They highlight how sinful we are, how our frustrations are our own fault, and how we try to manipulate God sometimes through our prayers.  That's a pretty long list of things that we are guilty of.  Then we see vs. 6.  Ask everyone in the group to read the first sentence of that verse out loud.  Vocalizing it makes it even more stunning!  After all of that, God still offers us grace and forgiveness through Jesus.  What is your response to that?  How do you feel about that?

5.  Verse 6 can be very humbling, and that's exactly what James calls us to as we respond to Jesus.  Read Isaiah 55:6-7.
a.  What are the promises of this verse?
b.  How do they relate to our verses in James?
c.  What is one way that you can humble yourself this week?
d.  What is one way that you can draw near to God this week?

6.  In vs 7-10, the following phrases are used to describe what we need to do in our lives as we confess our sins, repent, and turn to God.  How do you do these in your daily life?
a.  Submit to God
b.  Resist the Devil
c.  Wash your hands and purify your heart
d.  Grieve, morn, and wail (when is the last time you were broken over your sin?  Broken to the point of tears?)


HOMEWORK:  What's one thing from the message/text this week that you are going to commit to do so that you can be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer?

Christianity 101: Wisdom

Text:  James 3:13-18

Summary:  Everyone wants to make better decisions, to know what God's plan and will for their life is, and avoid mistakes in the future.  To do those things, it's going to take wisdom.  James not only helps to define wisdom in these verses, but also gives us a sneak peak into how different our lives will look if we choose Godly wisdom over earthly knowledge.


1.  Wisdom vs Intelligence.
a.  How would you describe someone that is wise?  Is it age, life experiences, etc?
b.  How would you describe someone that is smart or intelligent?  Is it education, a large vocabulary, book sense, or common sense?
c.  What is the difference between wisdom and intelligence?  (wisdom comes from God and is defined in Ecclesiastes and Proverbs as knowing God and His Will for your life.  Intelligence is simply head knowledge, education, or common sense).
d.  According to verse 13, how does a person prove himself to be wise?  (Wisdom is shown by a person's actions, decisions, and their life, not just their eloquent speech or large vocabulary).

2.  READ Proverbs 9:10.
a.  Where does wisdom begin?
b.  How does a person gain insight?

3.  READ James 3:16.

a.  One indicator that a person may be caught up in worldly knowledge verses Godly wisdom is that their life will be marked by "disorder."  Some other translations use the word "chaos."  Would anyone be willing to share a story where your life was in disorder or chaos as a results of trying to do things on your own and using your own abilities as oppose to seeking and obeying Godly wisdom?

4.  READ James 3:17.
a.  What do you like about this description of a wise person?
b.  What do you find most challenging about this description? 

5.  READ Proverbs 3:5-6.  What is the key that we have to learn in order to jump from relying on our own personal intelligence, smarts, or experience, and start to seek, listen, and trust in God?  (Stop leaning on your own talents, abilities, and knowledge, and trust in God and lean on His wisdom and understanding of your life).


When it comes to wisdom and having the ability to decipher the voice of God, here's a simple phrase to remember:  "Intimacy determines clarity."  Do you want to know God's Will for you life?  Do you want clarity?  Then the pathway to clarity starts with having intimacy with God through prayer, the Scriptures, worship, and an authentic relationship with Him.


Read James 1:5 and Matthew 7:7-8 to close out your time together.  Remember that if you want wisdom, the Bible is very clear what your next step needs to be, and also promises what God's response will be to those that request wisdom.

Christianity 101: Taming the Tongue

Text: James 3:1-12

Summary:  This week, James mentions the importance of our speech as followers of Jesus.  He gives us examples of how powerful our words really are and how negative and divisive speech is actually just a symptom of a much deeper problem.


1.  Take a minute to list the people that you have influence over.  Everyone is a "teacher" to someone.  (Parents are teaching their kids, higher employees teach newer employees, friends teach other friends that seek them out for advice and counsel).  How are you doing with those people?  Are you teaching, equipping, challenging, encouraging, and pushing them towards a relationship with Jesus?  What feeling does it produce in you that you'll be held responsible one day for what you told them?


2.  Big things come in small packages.  Rudders steer the entire ship.  A small metal bar controls an animal that can weigh 1,000 pounds.  A small spark can burn down an entire forest of trees.  What have been some times in your life when a small word or act of the tongue caused huge ramifications (good or bad)?  How has language changed the entire course of your life?  (possible phrases: I do, It's cancer, I'm sorry, You're fired).


3.  Your tongue has the ability to build up or tear down.  It can be used to give life or to bring death.  Scripture encourages us to use our tongues for good:
a.  Read Ephesians 4:29 and Ephesians 5:1
b.  Read Proverbs 10:19-21and Proverbs 17:27
c.  Ephesians 4:1-3
What good is described in these verses?  How do these verses help show us how to use our tongue?


4.  What is the real problem that we have, and how do we fix it?
a. Read Matthew 12:34 and Matthew 15:19


HOMEWORK:  What's one thing from this week's message that you will commit to applying in your life to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer only?