Read Matthew 7:7-12
When you prayed as a child, what were the things that you asked God for? How did that work out for you?
In what ways have your prayers changed as you've matured?
Do you tend to easily ask God for things, or do you hesitate to ask God for things? Why?
What kind of doubts do you face when you're waiting (needing to be persistent) for God to answer your prayers?
What are you pleased or encouraged about regarding your prayer life? What area do you struggle with?
What have you prayed for that in hindsight would have been a "stone" or a "snake" had God given you that which you requested?
Imagine that your prayers were recorded for others to read. (Yikes!) What would people learn about your view of God?
If you could ask God to do something significant in your life today and knew that He would grant your request, what would your request be?
What way does God want to use you to answer others' prayers? (Think about your passions and gifts.)
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Summer on the Mount: Judging Others
Matthew 7:1-5
1) Imagine somebody walked through the door right now and they were openly against your views, and wanted to join our rGroup and participate in the discussion. What is your response?
• Would your response be the same for a non-believer and believer, or different? Explain.
2) Have you judged people in the past that made you look like a Pharisee? What were your intentions? What would you do differently?
3) If we are required to remove the "log from our own eye" before we remove the "speck from our brother's eye" when do you suppose it is necessary to "judge" our brother (or sister)?
• What is the objective in our judgments?
• Give an example of when you did this? What was the outcome? How was it received?
4) Matthew 18:15-20 says that judgment of our brother in Christ's sin is necessary for edification of the body. Discuss why this is important.
5) Discuss with the group a practical approach to how we should "judge" all people. What is the biblical protocol to these situations?
Homework:
1) Who have you been judging that you shouldn't have been? Approach that person and apologize for your sin.
2) Who is openly sinning that you feel you should lovingly approach so they can repent? Approach that person and explain to them biblically why it is necessary.
3) Do you still feel like you have "a log" in your eye, and are in no position to do either of these two things? If so, talk to a trusted friend, your rGroup leader or Elder to help work through these issues. Strive for a lifestyle that is holy and reflective of our God and Savior, Jesus.
1) Imagine somebody walked through the door right now and they were openly against your views, and wanted to join our rGroup and participate in the discussion. What is your response?
• Would your response be the same for a non-believer and believer, or different? Explain.
2) Have you judged people in the past that made you look like a Pharisee? What were your intentions? What would you do differently?
3) If we are required to remove the "log from our own eye" before we remove the "speck from our brother's eye" when do you suppose it is necessary to "judge" our brother (or sister)?
• What is the objective in our judgments?
• Give an example of when you did this? What was the outcome? How was it received?
4) Matthew 18:15-20 says that judgment of our brother in Christ's sin is necessary for edification of the body. Discuss why this is important.
5) Discuss with the group a practical approach to how we should "judge" all people. What is the biblical protocol to these situations?
Homework:
1) Who have you been judging that you shouldn't have been? Approach that person and apologize for your sin.
2) Who is openly sinning that you feel you should lovingly approach so they can repent? Approach that person and explain to them biblically why it is necessary.
3) Do you still feel like you have "a log" in your eye, and are in no position to do either of these two things? If so, talk to a trusted friend, your rGroup leader or Elder to help work through these issues. Strive for a lifestyle that is holy and reflective of our God and Savior, Jesus.
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Summer on the Mount: View of Money
Read Matthew 6:19–20
What is Jesus so concerned about our perspective of money?
How do we invest in eternal things?
What are the purposes of money?
What are treasures in heaven? How do you know if you have treasure there?
How can your time be used for eternity?
How can your money/stuff/resources be used for eternity?
Read Matthew 6:21–23
What does a satisfied heart look like in practicality?
How can you be satisfied with little? Do you think you'll be satisfied with much?
What are you focused on from Monday thru Saturday? Why does your daily focus effect eternity?
Read Matthew 6:24
What does serving money look like? How do you serve money?
What does serving God look like? How do you serve God?
Why can't you serve both God and money?
Why is Jesus better than anything this life could give you?
What is Jesus so concerned about our perspective of money?
How do we invest in eternal things?
What are the purposes of money?
What are treasures in heaven? How do you know if you have treasure there?
How can your time be used for eternity?
How can your money/stuff/resources be used for eternity?
Read Matthew 6:21–23
What does a satisfied heart look like in practicality?
How can you be satisfied with little? Do you think you'll be satisfied with much?
What are you focused on from Monday thru Saturday? Why does your daily focus effect eternity?
Read Matthew 6:24
What does serving money look like? How do you serve money?
What does serving God look like? How do you serve God?
Why can't you serve both God and money?
Why is Jesus better than anything this life could give you?
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Summer on the Mount: Fake Christians
Matthew 6:1–18
1. Fake faith gives to get noticed. (vs. 2–4)
The key is: why do you give? What's your motive?
Why should you give without fanfare (in secret)?
Does this mean that you should never tell anyone what you give and who you give to?
2. Fake faith performs prayers for people. (vs. 5–15)
Which side of the spectrum do you find yourself: Afraid OR Proud to pray in front of others?
How does your pride get in the way of your prayers?
What are the advantages of private prayer?
If God/Jesus walked into the room right now, how would you talk to Him? Do you find your answer to be the same way that you usually pray to Him? Why or why not?
3. Fake faith sacrifices to impress others. (vs. 16–18)
How did hypocrites fast (sacrifice)? What was wrong with this?
Why should we fast? What's the purpose?
Closing:
Why does Jesus put the emphasis on the motive of giving, praying, and fasting but not just the practice?
How might you pray, give, and fast differently as a result of Jesus' teaching?
Do you think you can apply this passage in your life without the help of other Christians? Why or why not? How can we help each other in these areas?
1. Fake faith gives to get noticed. (vs. 2–4)
The key is: why do you give? What's your motive?
Why should you give without fanfare (in secret)?
Does this mean that you should never tell anyone what you give and who you give to?
2. Fake faith performs prayers for people. (vs. 5–15)
Which side of the spectrum do you find yourself: Afraid OR Proud to pray in front of others?
How does your pride get in the way of your prayers?
What are the advantages of private prayer?
If God/Jesus walked into the room right now, how would you talk to Him? Do you find your answer to be the same way that you usually pray to Him? Why or why not?
3. Fake faith sacrifices to impress others. (vs. 16–18)
How did hypocrites fast (sacrifice)? What was wrong with this?
Why should we fast? What's the purpose?
Closing:
Why does Jesus put the emphasis on the motive of giving, praying, and fasting but not just the practice?
How might you pray, give, and fast differently as a result of Jesus' teaching?
Do you think you can apply this passage in your life without the help of other Christians? Why or why not? How can we help each other in these areas?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)