Summary: Growth is a normal part of life. Growing is expected in our physical, emotional, relational, and social lives. In fact, a lack of growth in a person's life is usually a cause for concern and a red flag for a parent or family member that something isn't right. Growth in our spiritual lives is no different. God expects it, and if it isn't happening then it should be an indicator that something isn't functioning properly.
Text: Philippians 3:12-14, Hebrews 5:12-14
1. READ Hebrews 5:12-14.
a. What is the author of Hebrews challenging the Church with in these verses?
b. What are areas of your spiritual life that are still on milk? How have you moved from milk to meat in other areas?
2. READ Philippians 3:12-13.
a. The first step in our spiritual growth that Paul shares is "Forgetting."
-Paul took some great steps in his walk with Jesus before writing these verses. He grew tremendously throughout his ministry. What was the last growth step you took in your walk with Jesus?
-Have you become satisfied with that step? Are you so busy patting yourself on the back for your last step that you lost sight of taking your next step?
-On the flip side: Do your past sins, struggles, mistakes, and pains leave you nervous or feeling unready to take the next step?
-How can a negative experience in your life prevent you from seeing future spiritual growth?
b. The second step in our spiritual growth is "Straining."
-Are there areas of your spiritual life that are on cruise control? Are you playing it safe, not making much progress, and simply cruising effortlessly?
-Spiritual growth will NEVER happen by accident. It takes effort. It takes determination. It takes the will and desire to actually move forward and take the next step. What does "showing effort" look like in our spiritual lives? How can you strain spiritually towards something?
3. READ Philippians 3:14.
a. Have there been times where you have been discouraged in your spiritual life? Had a dry season? Spent a season without much growth?
b. How can you defeat those feelings of doubt, fear, anxiety, failure, and lack of results?
c. What does "pressing on" in your spiritual life mean? How can you do that practically this week to make sure you are growing and moving forward?
4. Everyone has a next step to take. So what's keeping you from taking yours? Out of these 3 growth steps (or others examples in your life), what do you think is your biggest hinderance to seeing spiritual growth? What's your practical solution for getting beyond that excuse and seeing some growth in your life?
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Saturday, August 15, 2015
BODY PARTS: Open Hand or Closed Fist
Summary: Generous is a word that should be constantly used to describe Christians and the Church. God has been so generous to us that generosity should be overflowing to others in our lives and in our city. Let's look at 3 points about generosity and being a generous person that are found in Scripture.
Text:
Malachi 3:8-10
Proverbs 11:24-25
2 Corinthians 9:6-13
1. Generous Starts with God
READ Malachi 3:8-10
a. How does God say that His people "rob" Him? It sounds like some over-the-top language being used for something that seems so insignificant to many Christians. What does the strong language that God uses in these verses communicate about His viewpoint of generosity and giving to Him?
b. Charities, non-profits, and "good causes" are great things to contribute to by Christians. However, the House of God takes precedence over those things when it comes to first fruits. How is giving to other organizations different than giving to God through His local church? (hint: Who gets the honor and glory and fame and recognition when a charity gives a lot of money? Now, who gets the honor and recognition and fame and glory when God's church meets a need and gives generously?)
c. Have you ever wanted to buy something, but couldn't afford it? Ever had to wait until you got paid again to be able to make a certain purchase? Ever had to do without something because you simply didn't have enough money at the time to get it? Of course, we all have.
The same idea works with your generosity. Giving to God is important, but why is it important to START with giving to God? (because if you start with God, you'll always have enough to be generous to Him. You'll never be "out" or "short" because you prioritized everything else if you'll keep God first).
2. Generous Ends with More
READ Proverbs 11:24-25 and 2 Corinthians 9:6, 8
a. What is the big promise made here in Scripture? (that if you're generous with God, then He'll be generous towards you). In what ways is God generous towards us?
b. Who is the person that suffers the most from a lack of generosity? (the person that isn't generous!)
READ 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
c. As a result of your generosity, how will people respond to God? What 'more' will God get? (worship, honor, glory, thanksgiving, credit)
READ 2 Corinthians 9:13
d. Generosity is contagious. Other people are oftentimes challenged by our generosity, which births a generous spirit inside of them. Have you ever been challenged by the generosity of someone else? Have you ever been inspired to be generous as a result of someone else's generosity?
e. How do you think your personal generosity towards God could spur on those around you?
3. Generous is Personal
READ 2 Corinthians 9:7
a. More than a number, more than a percentage, more than a dollar amount, what is God looking for specifically in our giving? (our heart, our motive, the joy and cheer behind the giving).
b. What is your current attitude and heart behind giving? (hate it, reluctantly do it, feel obligated, just following the rules, do it because that's how I was raised, cheerful, don't care about it)
b. What was the process that some of you went through to determine what you give to God? How do you ultimately decide how much? Is there a certain amount that is your "floor"? Is there a certain amount that is your "ceiling"?
NEXT STEPS:
What are your next steps personally in the area of generosity towards God?
1. Giving for the first time
2. Be more consistent in my giving
3. Evaluate my attitude and reason behind my giving
4. Evaluate the amount that I give
5. Be willing to set the bar for generosity to challenge those around me
Text:
Malachi 3:8-10
Proverbs 11:24-25
2 Corinthians 9:6-13
1. Generous Starts with God
READ Malachi 3:8-10
a. How does God say that His people "rob" Him? It sounds like some over-the-top language being used for something that seems so insignificant to many Christians. What does the strong language that God uses in these verses communicate about His viewpoint of generosity and giving to Him?
b. Charities, non-profits, and "good causes" are great things to contribute to by Christians. However, the House of God takes precedence over those things when it comes to first fruits. How is giving to other organizations different than giving to God through His local church? (hint: Who gets the honor and glory and fame and recognition when a charity gives a lot of money? Now, who gets the honor and recognition and fame and glory when God's church meets a need and gives generously?)
c. Have you ever wanted to buy something, but couldn't afford it? Ever had to wait until you got paid again to be able to make a certain purchase? Ever had to do without something because you simply didn't have enough money at the time to get it? Of course, we all have.
The same idea works with your generosity. Giving to God is important, but why is it important to START with giving to God? (because if you start with God, you'll always have enough to be generous to Him. You'll never be "out" or "short" because you prioritized everything else if you'll keep God first).
2. Generous Ends with More
READ Proverbs 11:24-25 and 2 Corinthians 9:6, 8
a. What is the big promise made here in Scripture? (that if you're generous with God, then He'll be generous towards you). In what ways is God generous towards us?
b. Who is the person that suffers the most from a lack of generosity? (the person that isn't generous!)
READ 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
c. As a result of your generosity, how will people respond to God? What 'more' will God get? (worship, honor, glory, thanksgiving, credit)
READ 2 Corinthians 9:13
d. Generosity is contagious. Other people are oftentimes challenged by our generosity, which births a generous spirit inside of them. Have you ever been challenged by the generosity of someone else? Have you ever been inspired to be generous as a result of someone else's generosity?
e. How do you think your personal generosity towards God could spur on those around you?
3. Generous is Personal
READ 2 Corinthians 9:7
a. More than a number, more than a percentage, more than a dollar amount, what is God looking for specifically in our giving? (our heart, our motive, the joy and cheer behind the giving).
b. What is your current attitude and heart behind giving? (hate it, reluctantly do it, feel obligated, just following the rules, do it because that's how I was raised, cheerful, don't care about it)
b. What was the process that some of you went through to determine what you give to God? How do you ultimately decide how much? Is there a certain amount that is your "floor"? Is there a certain amount that is your "ceiling"?
NEXT STEPS:
What are your next steps personally in the area of generosity towards God?
1. Giving for the first time
2. Be more consistent in my giving
3. Evaluate my attitude and reason behind my giving
4. Evaluate the amount that I give
5. Be willing to set the bar for generosity to challenge those around me
Saturday, August 8, 2015
BODY PARTS- Effective Prayer or Powerless Words
Summary: Prayer is the most powerful thing that the parts of the body can do individually, and the most powerful thing the Body can do together as a whole. Yet. prayer is oftentimes the most overlooked opportunity that we have been given. God gives us some great insights into His desire to communicate with us, as well as a promise of what He will do if we call out to Him.
Text: Jeremiah 33:1-3
1. Read vs 2.
a. What does the name YAHWEH communicate to us? Why does God choose to use this name more than any other name for Himself in the Old Testament? (it's a personal name, a loving name, the opposite of a title. God wants us to know Him as YAHWEH because He desires to have a relationship with us. We're not just robots created to mindlessly obey every command. We are made in the image of God to enjoy a relationship and live in community with God).
b. God is the creator of the world, He established everything in it, and rules over the world. What does it communicate about God that He would desire us to talk with Him? What does it communicate about how God views us in giving us this opportunity?
c. Have you lost some of your "wow" when it comes to talking with God? Is the reverence and awe still there? Or has it become mundane and routine. Pause for a moment: The creator of the world wants to talk to you!!! That's amazing, breathtaking, and incredible. We lose sight of how incredible prayer is when we lose sight of how incredible God is. What steps do you need to take in your prayer life to bring your awe and "wow" of God back into proper perspective?
2. Read vs 3
a. Call- This word communicates urgency, desperation, volume, tone, and emotion. When is the last time you have prayed like that? What were you praying about?
b. Read James 5:16 What kind of prayers end in result? What kind of prayers have power? Do your prayers have fervency and urgency?
c. What are the 3 main answers to prayer? (yes, no, and "yes, but wait"). Can anyone share a story of how God answered your prayers in any of these ways? What's the hardest answer for you to receive from God?
d. Are there things that you don't know? I don't know...
a. what to do
b. where to go
c. what decision to make
d. who to trust
e. how to respond
If so, that should be your red flashing light to pray. What does God say is the key to knowing great and hidden things? (Call out to Me) Take some time to write down a few things that you need to spend some time this week in calling out to God.
e. What are the "hidden things" in life you desire to find? Peace, understanding, answers, insights, joy, meaning, purpose, satisfaction. God promises to show you these things as you pursue Him.
What do you not know now that you could know through prayer? That should motivate you to get serious about calling out to God.
Text: Jeremiah 33:1-3
1. Read vs 2.
a. What does the name YAHWEH communicate to us? Why does God choose to use this name more than any other name for Himself in the Old Testament? (it's a personal name, a loving name, the opposite of a title. God wants us to know Him as YAHWEH because He desires to have a relationship with us. We're not just robots created to mindlessly obey every command. We are made in the image of God to enjoy a relationship and live in community with God).
b. God is the creator of the world, He established everything in it, and rules over the world. What does it communicate about God that He would desire us to talk with Him? What does it communicate about how God views us in giving us this opportunity?
c. Have you lost some of your "wow" when it comes to talking with God? Is the reverence and awe still there? Or has it become mundane and routine. Pause for a moment: The creator of the world wants to talk to you!!! That's amazing, breathtaking, and incredible. We lose sight of how incredible prayer is when we lose sight of how incredible God is. What steps do you need to take in your prayer life to bring your awe and "wow" of God back into proper perspective?
2. Read vs 3
a. Call- This word communicates urgency, desperation, volume, tone, and emotion. When is the last time you have prayed like that? What were you praying about?
b. Read James 5:16 What kind of prayers end in result? What kind of prayers have power? Do your prayers have fervency and urgency?
c. What are the 3 main answers to prayer? (yes, no, and "yes, but wait"). Can anyone share a story of how God answered your prayers in any of these ways? What's the hardest answer for you to receive from God?
d. Are there things that you don't know? I don't know...
a. what to do
b. where to go
c. what decision to make
d. who to trust
e. how to respond
If so, that should be your red flashing light to pray. What does God say is the key to knowing great and hidden things? (Call out to Me) Take some time to write down a few things that you need to spend some time this week in calling out to God.
e. What are the "hidden things" in life you desire to find? Peace, understanding, answers, insights, joy, meaning, purpose, satisfaction. God promises to show you these things as you pursue Him.
What do you not know now that you could know through prayer? That should motivate you to get serious about calling out to God.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
BODY PARTS: Mary Worship or Judas Worship
Summary: Martha, Mary, and Judas all respond to Jesus after they witness the miracle
of raising Lazarus from the dead. We see revelation and response. We see worship,
worship that is both pleasing and displeasing in the eyes of God.
Text: John 12:1-11
1. What is your definition of worship?
2. Read verses 1-2. Worship is public. What is the first response to Jesus that you see? If you just witnessed a miracle Jesus performed what response would follow? What response would not follow?
3. Read verse 4. Worship is God-centered. What makes Mary’s response so significant? What are some things that carry much value (doesn’t have to be exclusively monetary) in our lives that could be used to publicly show our worship? How are we allowing these things to hinder our worship or hold us back?
4. Read verses 5-6. Worship is heart level first. How does Judas respond? What does he reveal in his heart? Where in our hearts does our worship look like his? What needs to change?
5. Read verses 9-11. Worship is missional. How is our worship of Jesus reaching to the ends of the earth? To the ends of our family? To the end of our neighborhood?
Conclusion... Jesus is worthy of our worship. How can we make our worship more public? Is God at the center of our worship? What is your heart behind worshipping Him? How can we mobilize our worship and make it missional?
Text: John 12:1-11
1. What is your definition of worship?
2. Read verses 1-2. Worship is public. What is the first response to Jesus that you see? If you just witnessed a miracle Jesus performed what response would follow? What response would not follow?
3. Read verse 4. Worship is God-centered. What makes Mary’s response so significant? What are some things that carry much value (doesn’t have to be exclusively monetary) in our lives that could be used to publicly show our worship? How are we allowing these things to hinder our worship or hold us back?
4. Read verses 5-6. Worship is heart level first. How does Judas respond? What does he reveal in his heart? Where in our hearts does our worship look like his? What needs to change?
5. Read verses 9-11. Worship is missional. How is our worship of Jesus reaching to the ends of the earth? To the ends of our family? To the end of our neighborhood?
Conclusion... Jesus is worthy of our worship. How can we make our worship more public? Is God at the center of our worship? What is your heart behind worshipping Him? How can we mobilize our worship and make it missional?
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