Summary: The head of the Church (Jesus) specifically defines the mission and purpose for the body (Christians). We see clear instructions for us from Jesus in the following ways: 1. Do what Jesus did, 2. Rely on the power that Jesus relied on, 3. Proclaim the message that Jesus proclaimed, and 4. Be bold like Jesus was bold.
Text: Ephesians 1:22-23 and Acts 5:12-42
1. Do What Jesus Did
READ Acts 5:12-16
a. What things do you see this early church doing that Jesus did during his ministry on earth? (people being loved, people being saved, people being healed, and people being delivered from evil spirits).
b. How does the world today see the actions and love of Jesus since he isn't physically here on earth? How are people going to feel loved by Jesus today? (we have to show them). How are people going to be saved today? (we have to tell them)
c. Do you think you are doing a good job as his representative? What are you doing right? What areas are you struggling in? Does the Church today look like the Jesus it claims to represent? How?
DOING GOOD THINGS PUBLICLY IN THE NAME OF JESUS IS WHAT THE HEAD HAS TOLD THE BODY TO DO.
2. Rely On The Power That Jesus Relied On.
READ Acts 5:17-24
a. Many of the healings, miracles, and incredible spiritual milestones that seem so common in the book of Acts are very rare in the American Church today. Why is that?
(God is still moving and active, but man gives the credit for His power to more easily explainable things. We don't believe God can or is willing to do the same things in the world today. We don't think we need God to do those things for us anymore. We are trying to tap into our own power instead of the power of God.)
b. Which statement better describes your spiritual life:
-I want to lead a safe, contained, explainable existence that produces average results and maintains the status quo.
-I want to lead a risky, contagious, unexplainable life that produces results that can only be attributed to a supernatural move of God.
What steps do you need to take to move from where you are to where you want to be spiritually?
YOUR POWER, YOUR ABILITIES, YOUR STRENGTH, AND YOUR RESULTS ARE UNIMPRESSIVE AND WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE RESULTS THAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO.
3. Proclaim the Message that Jesus Proclaimed.
READ Acts 5:17, 20, 25-33
a. Albert Einstein once said, "If you can't explain it simply, then you don't understand it well enough."
-What is the "message" of Jesus? Brainstorm with your group a strong definition of the Gospel in 2-3 sentences. Can you explain the Gospel in 1 minute or less?
b. What are the different components of Peter's Gospel talk? (Died on cross, raised from the dead, savior of the world, repentance, forgiveness of sins, receive power of Holy Spirit)
4. Be Bold Just Like Jesus Was Bold
READ Acts 5:21, 33, 40-42
a. What are some of the excuses we give of not being bold? What were some of the excuses that the disciples could have given? (told not to, threatened, imprisoned, and beaten).
b. Close with vs 42. Talk about how these 3 phrases impact you today.
-"Everyday"- The Church was not just a Sunday event, but a lifestyle
-"In the temple"- The Church was dedicated to worshiping together
-"House to House"- The Church was dedicated to learning, encouraging, and challenging each other together
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Friday, April 17, 2015
W.I.H.N.? He's Praying For You-
Summary: Jesus is actively praying for his followers today. He prayed specifically for Peter that he would not lose his faith in the face of failure, hardships, and the sifting process. Without Jesus praying for us to the Father, our lives will be shipwrecked, our faith lost, and Satan will tear us apart.
Text: Hebrews 7:23-25 and Luke 22:31-62
1. Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and Hebrews 7:23-25. What does it mean that Jesus is our "priest?" What does he do for us in that role? How should you approach Jesus as the priest in your life?
2. Sifting of wheat happens in 2 steps: Threshing and winnowing. Threshing means spreading out on the floor and seperating the wheat grains off of the stalk with a wide mallet. Once the grains are separated and cracked open, the winnowing occurs as the grains are tossed into the air and allowed to fall back and hit the ground. This process is repeated many times until the grain is refined and ready for use.
a. Why does sifting happen in our lives? Why would God allow it to happen to us?
b. Have their been seasons in your life where you felt like you were being sifted? What happened? How did you respond? How are you refined now as a result of it?
c. We all have "stalks" and "hard skins" in our lives that have to be removed. Many times God has to remove things from our lives before we can be effectively used for his mission. What are the stalks and skins in your life? What areas do you find yourself struggling in?
3. Too many times, people allow their past failures to determine their future trajectory as a disciple of Jesus. Are there things that are lurking in your past that are keeping you from being bold for Jesus? Keeping you from following him wholeheartedly? Keeping you from taking your next step and living a life of significance on mission for Jesus?
b. How can you eliminate those? Have you ever had to get over a failure in your life? How did it happen, and how did you move beyond it?
4. READ Luke 22:34.
a. What does Jesus tell Peter to do once he turns back to God after he denied Jesus 3 times?
b. Read Hebrews 10:21-25. How can you use your past seasons of sifting to accomplish the things listed in this verse, especially in vs 24-25?
c. It sounds like one of the big reasons God allows us to go through things in life is to turn around and help others that may be facing the same struggles. Are there people that you need to reach out to this week? Is there a way that you can use your story of sifting to help build up and encourage another follower of Jesus so that their faith can remain strong and rooted in Jesus?
Text: Hebrews 7:23-25 and Luke 22:31-62
1. Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and Hebrews 7:23-25. What does it mean that Jesus is our "priest?" What does he do for us in that role? How should you approach Jesus as the priest in your life?
2. Sifting of wheat happens in 2 steps: Threshing and winnowing. Threshing means spreading out on the floor and seperating the wheat grains off of the stalk with a wide mallet. Once the grains are separated and cracked open, the winnowing occurs as the grains are tossed into the air and allowed to fall back and hit the ground. This process is repeated many times until the grain is refined and ready for use.
a. Why does sifting happen in our lives? Why would God allow it to happen to us?
b. Have their been seasons in your life where you felt like you were being sifted? What happened? How did you respond? How are you refined now as a result of it?
c. We all have "stalks" and "hard skins" in our lives that have to be removed. Many times God has to remove things from our lives before we can be effectively used for his mission. What are the stalks and skins in your life? What areas do you find yourself struggling in?
3. Too many times, people allow their past failures to determine their future trajectory as a disciple of Jesus. Are there things that are lurking in your past that are keeping you from being bold for Jesus? Keeping you from following him wholeheartedly? Keeping you from taking your next step and living a life of significance on mission for Jesus?
b. How can you eliminate those? Have you ever had to get over a failure in your life? How did it happen, and how did you move beyond it?
4. READ Luke 22:34.
a. What does Jesus tell Peter to do once he turns back to God after he denied Jesus 3 times?
b. Read Hebrews 10:21-25. How can you use your past seasons of sifting to accomplish the things listed in this verse, especially in vs 24-25?
c. It sounds like one of the big reasons God allows us to go through things in life is to turn around and help others that may be facing the same struggles. Are there people that you need to reach out to this week? Is there a way that you can use your story of sifting to help build up and encourage another follower of Jesus so that their faith can remain strong and rooted in Jesus?
Saturday, April 11, 2015
W.I.H.N.? He's Your Divine Attorney-
Summary: Jesus is the advocate of Christians today, serving as a divine attorney. The Accuser is working day and night to prove us guilty and worthy of the wrath of God, but the cross of Jesus pays the debt we owe. In John 8, we see another public trial where Jesus argues for the grace and forgiveness of a sinner.
Text: 1 John 2:1-2; John 8:2-11
1. Read John 8:8-11. Imagine that you are in the crowd watching Jesus, watching those who wanted to condemn this woman, and watching how Jesus responds. You see all of those who had condemned her walk away. You know that she is guilty, but yet Jesus does not condemn her.
a. What would you tell your family about Jesus when you returned home from witnessing this public trial?
b. Would witnessing this change the way you look at your sin and the sins of others?
2. The religious people saw the law as punishment, sentencing, and guilt. Yet, Jesus shows how the law can lead to forgiveness and grace.
a. How is the law actually freeing for Christians as opposed to ending with condemnation?
b. Why is it so important for us to admit our guilt and not pretend like everything is ok because overall we're "a good person"?
3. 1 John 2:1-2 says that Jesus is your divine attorney. Revelation 12 shows that Satan is a spiritual accuser.
a. As a spiritual accuser, what is Satan telling God about your life? What "evidence" does he show to build the case for your guilt and punishment?
b. As your divine attorney, what is Jesus telling God about you life? What "evidence" does he show to build the case for your forgiveness?
4. Knowing what your Advocate has done and continues to do for you, what should your response be...
a. To God?
b. To Christians?
c. To non-Christians?
Text: 1 John 2:1-2; John 8:2-11
1. Read John 8:8-11. Imagine that you are in the crowd watching Jesus, watching those who wanted to condemn this woman, and watching how Jesus responds. You see all of those who had condemned her walk away. You know that she is guilty, but yet Jesus does not condemn her.
a. What would you tell your family about Jesus when you returned home from witnessing this public trial?
b. Would witnessing this change the way you look at your sin and the sins of others?
2. The religious people saw the law as punishment, sentencing, and guilt. Yet, Jesus shows how the law can lead to forgiveness and grace.
a. How is the law actually freeing for Christians as opposed to ending with condemnation?
b. Why is it so important for us to admit our guilt and not pretend like everything is ok because overall we're "a good person"?
3. 1 John 2:1-2 says that Jesus is your divine attorney. Revelation 12 shows that Satan is a spiritual accuser.
a. As a spiritual accuser, what is Satan telling God about your life? What "evidence" does he show to build the case for your guilt and punishment?
b. As your divine attorney, what is Jesus telling God about you life? What "evidence" does he show to build the case for your forgiveness?
4. Knowing what your Advocate has done and continues to do for you, what should your response be...
a. To God?
b. To Christians?
c. To non-Christians?
Saturday, April 4, 2015
W.I.H.N.? He's Looking For You-
GROUP LEADERS: Take a minute to brag on the people in the group that brought guests with them on Easter. Celebrate that! That was a huge step for your group members to take, and for many that would have been uncomfortable and a little risky. Let them know you're proud of them and that what they did could change that person's life. WOO HOO!!
Also, remind your groups members to follow up with the people that came. Don't let Easter be a one-hit-wonder. If they came last week, chances are they'll come again if reminded and asked. Be bold!!
Finally, take time to pray for those that came last week. Pray for their salvation, that God would work on their heart, and that they would find a church home to get plugged into.
Summary: Jesus made it clear what one of his purposes was to seek and save the lost. With a simple story combined with the powerful message of Easter, Jesus illustrated how much people mean to God and what He was willing to do to have a relationship with you.
Text: Luke 15:1-7
1. Be honest, what would your response have been as a shepherd in this story?
a. After a long day of work, you're tired, hungry, and just want to take a break. After a count, you realize that one of your sheep is gone. That means more work for you. That one sheep that you've had to pursue countless times has wandered off again. What are your feelings going back out into the darkness? Are you frustrated? Thinking about leaving the sheep out there and maybe trying again later? Tired of the sheep disobeying you time after time? Do you even go out after it?
Now, contrast that with how the Good Shepherd responded.
b. After an intense search, you find the sheep. How do you respond? What do you say? (hint: If you're a parent, how have you responded to your kids after they disobey countless times? If you own a dog and it runs away from you, what do you do when you finally chase it down after yelling for it to stop and it won't obey?)
Now, contrast that with how the Good Shepherd responded.
c. When you finally get back home, after the long day of work, after the long tiring search, after the long walk back home, how do you respond? What is your attitude towards the newly found sheep?
Now, contrast that with how the Good Shepherd responded.
2. After reading this story and realizing that YOU are the lost sheep and that God sent Jesus out to find you, what is your response? How should your life be lived in response to what God has done for you?
3. Scripture says that there is more joy in heaven over 1 person that is found than the other 99 that are already following Jesus. Does that surprise you? What does that say about how God views people that are far from Him?
Now, contrast that with how YOU respond to the lost people of the world.
Do you care about people that are far from God? Do you search for them? Do you call them to Jesus? Do you work hard, are you willing to be tired in your pursuit of them? Do you lose sleep over their lostness? Are you willing to get involved and serve on a weekly basis in the local church so that more people can be found?
4. Read Mark 2:17. What did Jesus say his purpose was? As followers of Jesus, what should our focus be on? Why do you think you have been placed in your sphere of influence? In your job, in your social circles, for your family and friends? What do you need to do to live up to the calling that God has put on your life as a Christian to reach people that are far from God?
ACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:
a. What lost friend do you need to reach out to this week?
b. What area of the local church do you need to get plugged in to and volunteer so that you can reach more people?
c. Who do you need to follow up with this week (people you invited that said they might come but didn't attend, and friends of yours that did attend).
Also, remind your groups members to follow up with the people that came. Don't let Easter be a one-hit-wonder. If they came last week, chances are they'll come again if reminded and asked. Be bold!!
Finally, take time to pray for those that came last week. Pray for their salvation, that God would work on their heart, and that they would find a church home to get plugged into.
Summary: Jesus made it clear what one of his purposes was to seek and save the lost. With a simple story combined with the powerful message of Easter, Jesus illustrated how much people mean to God and what He was willing to do to have a relationship with you.
Text: Luke 15:1-7
1. Be honest, what would your response have been as a shepherd in this story?
a. After a long day of work, you're tired, hungry, and just want to take a break. After a count, you realize that one of your sheep is gone. That means more work for you. That one sheep that you've had to pursue countless times has wandered off again. What are your feelings going back out into the darkness? Are you frustrated? Thinking about leaving the sheep out there and maybe trying again later? Tired of the sheep disobeying you time after time? Do you even go out after it?
Now, contrast that with how the Good Shepherd responded.
b. After an intense search, you find the sheep. How do you respond? What do you say? (hint: If you're a parent, how have you responded to your kids after they disobey countless times? If you own a dog and it runs away from you, what do you do when you finally chase it down after yelling for it to stop and it won't obey?)
Now, contrast that with how the Good Shepherd responded.
c. When you finally get back home, after the long day of work, after the long tiring search, after the long walk back home, how do you respond? What is your attitude towards the newly found sheep?
Now, contrast that with how the Good Shepherd responded.
2. After reading this story and realizing that YOU are the lost sheep and that God sent Jesus out to find you, what is your response? How should your life be lived in response to what God has done for you?
3. Scripture says that there is more joy in heaven over 1 person that is found than the other 99 that are already following Jesus. Does that surprise you? What does that say about how God views people that are far from Him?
Now, contrast that with how YOU respond to the lost people of the world.
Do you care about people that are far from God? Do you search for them? Do you call them to Jesus? Do you work hard, are you willing to be tired in your pursuit of them? Do you lose sleep over their lostness? Are you willing to get involved and serve on a weekly basis in the local church so that more people can be found?
4. Read Mark 2:17. What did Jesus say his purpose was? As followers of Jesus, what should our focus be on? Why do you think you have been placed in your sphere of influence? In your job, in your social circles, for your family and friends? What do you need to do to live up to the calling that God has put on your life as a Christian to reach people that are far from God?
ACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:
a. What lost friend do you need to reach out to this week?
b. What area of the local church do you need to get plugged in to and volunteer so that you can reach more people?
c. Who do you need to follow up with this week (people you invited that said they might come but didn't attend, and friends of yours that did attend).
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