Recap:
God inspires obedience in His people by casting an incredible vision of what He will accomplish through our obedience. We saw in Acts chapters 7 and 9 that God used the obedience of Stephen, Ananias, and the disciples to transform a murderer named Saul into the Apostle known as Paul.
Questions:
-Are there times when your obedience to God is produced out of a misplaced sense of fear? Why is this wrong? (Because Jesus already removed our penalty for disobedience so that is no longer viable option for motivation).
-Are there times when you disobey God? What does this reveal about your relationship with Him?
-What does Saul's conversion experience reveal about how men and women are saved? (Salvation isn't based on human desire. It is based on God's desire and when He decides it's time...it's time. Saul wasn't looking for Jesus, Jesus came for him.)
-What does Saul's transformation process reveal about how men and women are changed? (God does it through the example and leadership of people who already follow Him...in Saul's case he used Stephen, Ananias, and the disciple at Damascus.)
-Do you have story of how God has used your obedience to transform someone else's life?
Monday, January 26, 2015
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Vision 2015: 6 Commands
Summary: Jesus gives his disciples 6 commands in a series of verses called "The Great Commission." These were his last minute instructions before he left the earth. Jesus also sandwiches the 6 commands with 2 promises that make an otherwise impossible task actually obtainable.
Text: Matthew 28:18-20
1. Read 28:19-20a.
a. What are the 6 commands that Jesus gives us?
b. When most people think of the great commission, they think "Go and Make Disciples." Are there commands that you see now that you didn't see earlier or had never thought of with these verse?
c. What are the easiest of those commands for you? What are the most difficult ones? Which ones, if any, have you never done before as a follower of Jesus?
2. Read 28:20b. What promise does Jesus make to his followers in these verses? Why is that promise such a big deal coming on the heels of an absolutely impossible task?
3. What is the difference between "teaching them to KNOW" and "teaching them to OBSERVE"? How will observing the teachings of Jesus actually impact people around us and make disciples?
4. Read 28:18. Why do we often treat this command and commission by Jesus more like just a suggestion? The language is very clear that ALL authority belongs to Jesus. So why do we struggle with these commands so often?
5. Baptism is a very public display. Jesus is calling his followers to a public life of devotion to him. What are areas of your life that you need to "go public" in? Not just with actual baptism, but even areas like your attitude, actions, and language? Does it look like your life is hiding what Jesus has done for you and the great message that he has entrusted you with?
Text: Matthew 28:18-20
1. Read 28:19-20a.
a. What are the 6 commands that Jesus gives us?
b. When most people think of the great commission, they think "Go and Make Disciples." Are there commands that you see now that you didn't see earlier or had never thought of with these verse?
c. What are the easiest of those commands for you? What are the most difficult ones? Which ones, if any, have you never done before as a follower of Jesus?
2. Read 28:20b. What promise does Jesus make to his followers in these verses? Why is that promise such a big deal coming on the heels of an absolutely impossible task?
3. What is the difference between "teaching them to KNOW" and "teaching them to OBSERVE"? How will observing the teachings of Jesus actually impact people around us and make disciples?
4. Read 28:18. Why do we often treat this command and commission by Jesus more like just a suggestion? The language is very clear that ALL authority belongs to Jesus. So why do we struggle with these commands so often?
5. Baptism is a very public display. Jesus is calling his followers to a public life of devotion to him. What are areas of your life that you need to "go public" in? Not just with actual baptism, but even areas like your attitude, actions, and language? Does it look like your life is hiding what Jesus has done for you and the great message that he has entrusted you with?
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Vision 2015: The Lord's Prayer
Summary: The disciples submit to Jesus a simple request: "Teach us how to pray." Were they doing it wrong? Is there a certain way we should pray? Could frustrations in our prayer life stem from a real lack of understand about prayer and what it is? Jesus answers the request for the disciples by laying out a simple prayer that addresses the "how" of prayer for us today.
Text: Luke 11:1-13 and Matthew 6:6-13
1. READ Luke 11:1. The phrase "in a certain place" infers that prayer for Jesus was habitual. He had a "spot" that he went to pray. Throughout Scripture we see Jesus praying very early in the morning and very late at night, so maybe Jesus even had a favorite time of day to spend with God.
-Do you have any prayer "habits"? A certain time of day, a certain place, a certain thing that you do during that time?
-If so, how have these habits strengthened and helped your prayer life?
2. READ Matthew 6:6. One of the reasons why prayer isn't gaining traction in your life may be that you don't have an environment that is conducive to talking and hearing from God. Yes, you can pray in the car on the way to work or while you are in school or shopping for groceries. However, if prayer is about gaining intimacy with God, listening to Him, hearing His voice, and growing closer to Him, does location and atmosphere of environment matter?
-Do you think you could be getting so much more out of prayer if you were intentional about where you prayed? Or does it not really matter?
-What are some examples of locations and times of day in your schedule and life that would be the prime time and spots for prayer? Would you commit to those moving forward to increase your intimacy level with God?
-TRY THIS: this week, switch it up. Pray in a place that is distraction free. Pray at a time of day when you are sharp (not tired, distracted, or rushed) and see what a difference it makes in your time spent with God. Come back next week ready to share.
3. What are the various aspects of prayer given in this story? Remember, it's not just the words that Jesus says, it's what he means by the words that he said.
a. Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your name. You kingdom come, your will be done.
-Here, we are praying for God's glory.
b. Give us this day our daily bread.
-Here, we are praying for the gifts that God gives, and acknowledging that they come from Him.
c. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
-Here, we are thanking God for his grace, asking for forgiveness, and being reminded of how we need to extend those same things to others.
d. Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.
-Here, we are asking for God's guidance. Help us not to make the same mistakes, and protect us from poor decision, sins, the wrong path, and destruction in our life.
-Do you see elements of those things in your prayers? Which one is the most frequent? Which ones do you do the least? What order do you usually pray these things in? How much time do you spend on each item? (Chances are, our prayers are dominated by "asking" for things and thanking God for things. Most prayers are lacking in the Glory given to God for who he is, confession of sins, and protection for later).
4. Read Luke 11:9-10. "Asking" is one of the easier aspects of prayer. What about seeking? What "seeking" do you need to focus on to back up your asking? What practical steps are involved in "finding?"
BONUS:
Here are 2 great outlines that are easy to remember when you are praying.
A- Adoration. Start off by worship of God, who He is, His greatness, His power, His majesty.
C- Confession. Confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness and protection from future sins.
T- Thanksgiving. Thank God for what He's given you, done for you and in you, and blessed you with.
S- Supplication. Bring your requests to God. This is last! Don't ask for more until you thank for what He's already done! Don't ask until you've elevated Him and humbled yourself through adoring Him and confessing your sins.
P- Praise
R- Repent
A- Ask
Y- Yield (listen to God)
Text: Luke 11:1-13 and Matthew 6:6-13
1. READ Luke 11:1. The phrase "in a certain place" infers that prayer for Jesus was habitual. He had a "spot" that he went to pray. Throughout Scripture we see Jesus praying very early in the morning and very late at night, so maybe Jesus even had a favorite time of day to spend with God.
-Do you have any prayer "habits"? A certain time of day, a certain place, a certain thing that you do during that time?
-If so, how have these habits strengthened and helped your prayer life?
2. READ Matthew 6:6. One of the reasons why prayer isn't gaining traction in your life may be that you don't have an environment that is conducive to talking and hearing from God. Yes, you can pray in the car on the way to work or while you are in school or shopping for groceries. However, if prayer is about gaining intimacy with God, listening to Him, hearing His voice, and growing closer to Him, does location and atmosphere of environment matter?
-Do you think you could be getting so much more out of prayer if you were intentional about where you prayed? Or does it not really matter?
-What are some examples of locations and times of day in your schedule and life that would be the prime time and spots for prayer? Would you commit to those moving forward to increase your intimacy level with God?
-TRY THIS: this week, switch it up. Pray in a place that is distraction free. Pray at a time of day when you are sharp (not tired, distracted, or rushed) and see what a difference it makes in your time spent with God. Come back next week ready to share.
3. What are the various aspects of prayer given in this story? Remember, it's not just the words that Jesus says, it's what he means by the words that he said.
a. Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your name. You kingdom come, your will be done.
-Here, we are praying for God's glory.
b. Give us this day our daily bread.
-Here, we are praying for the gifts that God gives, and acknowledging that they come from Him.
c. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
-Here, we are thanking God for his grace, asking for forgiveness, and being reminded of how we need to extend those same things to others.
d. Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.
-Here, we are asking for God's guidance. Help us not to make the same mistakes, and protect us from poor decision, sins, the wrong path, and destruction in our life.
-Do you see elements of those things in your prayers? Which one is the most frequent? Which ones do you do the least? What order do you usually pray these things in? How much time do you spend on each item? (Chances are, our prayers are dominated by "asking" for things and thanking God for things. Most prayers are lacking in the Glory given to God for who he is, confession of sins, and protection for later).
4. Read Luke 11:9-10. "Asking" is one of the easier aspects of prayer. What about seeking? What "seeking" do you need to focus on to back up your asking? What practical steps are involved in "finding?"
BONUS:
Here are 2 great outlines that are easy to remember when you are praying.
A- Adoration. Start off by worship of God, who He is, His greatness, His power, His majesty.
C- Confession. Confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness and protection from future sins.
T- Thanksgiving. Thank God for what He's given you, done for you and in you, and blessed you with.
S- Supplication. Bring your requests to God. This is last! Don't ask for more until you thank for what He's already done! Don't ask until you've elevated Him and humbled yourself through adoring Him and confessing your sins.
P- Praise
R- Repent
A- Ask
Y- Yield (listen to God)
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Vision 2015: Parable of the Talents
Text: Matthew 25:14-30
1. In the story, the master gives each of his servants a "talent" (a sum of money). For this story applied to our lives, God is the master, we are the servants, and the "talent" is what God has entrusted each of us with in this life.
1. In the story, the master gives each of his servants a "talent" (a sum of money). For this story applied to our lives, God is the master, we are the servants, and the "talent" is what God has entrusted each of us with in this life.
READ 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Scripture says that every follower of Jesus has been given a gift by God. Looking at the list in this text, what are some of the talents or gifts that God has given you? The passions, the skills, the desires, and the giftings? Are you using those talents to help others follow Jesus, or are you simply using them for your own advantage? What are some ways that you could utilize those skills more to honor God?
(Different approach: Let others tell YOU what they think your talents and giftings are as they have seen you and talked with you).
(Different approach: Let others tell YOU what they think your talents and giftings are as they have seen you and talked with you).
2. The man that was given the 5 talents refused to stifle future growth by sitting back and being satisfied with what he had already.
Are there areas of your life in which you have become "satisfied"? Where has growth stopped? READ Matthew 25:28-29. What happens to God-given gifts and talents that aren't utilized effectively for God?
3. The man in the story that had 2 talents was still faithful with what he'd been given, even though it wasn't as much as other people had.
READ Luke 16:10-12. What are the little ways that we can be faithful? The everyday tasks, relationships, and "small" areas of our lives? Sometimes it's easier to focus on the big things and harder to remember to be faithful with the little things. Remember, the easiest step to being entrusted with more in life is to simply be obedient and faithful with what you currently have.
4. The men that were given the 5 and 2 talents risked it all to make more.
What risks do you need to take it 2015? READ Mark 12:30. The key word in that verse is "all." What areas do you need to take a step of faith in? What excuses have you been telling yourself as to why you haven't taken the step yet?
What risks do you need to take it 2015? READ Mark 12:30. The key word in that verse is "all." What areas do you need to take a step of faith in? What excuses have you been telling yourself as to why you haven't taken the step yet?
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