Why do you think God does not allow people to know the future like he does? How could that be for your own good?
Read 1 Corinthians 16:5-7.
Paul is fully devoted to God's mission, but it's obvious he doesn't even know how tomorrow will go. Do you ever find yourself living the "Perhaps" in verse 6, and "if the Lord permits" in verse 7, like Paul? What's that like for you?
Why is Paul ok with this uncertainty? What can you learn from him?
Notes:
- Uncertainty (not reliant on self) becomes the norm when you follow God.
- Even Jesus submitted to the Father's will above his own.
- Don't trust the future, trust God.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:8-9.
Paul sees a great opportunity to be effective, and also sees many people oppose him. What does this tell you about opportunities and opposition?
Why is opposition (discouragement, burdens, setbacks, etc.) not a good reason to quit on opportunities God's placed before you?
So, what can you do in the midst of opposition? How can you handle it?
Notes:
Opportunities and opposition usually coexist. Nothing worth doing is easy.
Work hard, but trust (rely on) God.
Don't miss what God is trying to teach you through opposition.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:10-12.
Anything that involves people is difficult. Why is this?
Timothy is doing God's will, yet Paul knows that Timothy may run into difficult relationships or people that disagree with him on his journey. What would you do if you were Timothy?
Why should difficult relationships and disagreements not stop you from what God has called you to do?
We're often tempted to quit on ministry and people that God actually intends us to be involved with. How do you discern whether God wants you to quit or continue?
Notes:
We're all sinners, and we all need grace.
When we pursue God's plan, well-meaning people will not always understand our specific calling, and that may cause some people (even friends) to turn away.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.
What exactly are you watching out for? What are the benefits of being on guard?
Standing firm, and being courageous and strong are required for our faith. What does that look like in your life?
Do EVERYTHING in love. Jesus is the ultimate example of not quitting, and doing all that he did in love. Why is the "love" part so important to God?
Next Steps
If there are moments on your journey that you feel isolated while fulfilling God's calling, remember you have the power of the Holy Spirit in you and with you. You are not alone.
If you find yourself reluctant to continue to move forward with God's calling on your life, remember to look to Jesus.
If you're in a place of pursuing God's plan for your life and in the midst of uncertainty or lacking resources, remember that opposition and opportunity can coexist. God has already set provision in place for you to accomplish everything He's called you to do.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Messed Up Church: Gendered Lives Matter
1 Corinthians 11:3 and Genesis 1:26-27, 2:18-25
1. Do you agree or disagree that gender is in a state of confusion today? Explain.
2. How do you think Hollywood defines manhood? Womanhood?
3. In our society, what are some ways the lines of gender distinction are being blurred?
4. If you were to look around at adults in church on Sunday morning, how would you describe a Christian man? How would you describe a Christian woman?
5. Work as a group, and use your Bibles to come up with a definition of what it means to be a man or woman. How does your definition benefit others and glorify God in a way that is unique to your gender?
6. How would you explain to a woman that "helper" is not a negative thing to be called?
7. Why do so many men misuse the title "head" and what can Christians do to redeem it?
8. What should our response be towards people that have different viewpoints in sexuality and gender?
9. "But isn't loving, showing compassion, and opening up to transgender people an endorsement of their lifestyle and choices?" What's the right answer to that statement?
10. How did Jesus seem to be so close and personal with so many broken people and sinners, yet still remain firm in his convictions and sinless in his nature?
11. What are your action steps this week in response to the message, scripture, or this discussion?
1. Do you agree or disagree that gender is in a state of confusion today? Explain.
2. How do you think Hollywood defines manhood? Womanhood?
3. In our society, what are some ways the lines of gender distinction are being blurred?
4. If you were to look around at adults in church on Sunday morning, how would you describe a Christian man? How would you describe a Christian woman?
5. Work as a group, and use your Bibles to come up with a definition of what it means to be a man or woman. How does your definition benefit others and glorify God in a way that is unique to your gender?
6. How would you explain to a woman that "helper" is not a negative thing to be called?
7. Why do so many men misuse the title "head" and what can Christians do to redeem it?
8. What should our response be towards people that have different viewpoints in sexuality and gender?
9. "But isn't loving, showing compassion, and opening up to transgender people an endorsement of their lifestyle and choices?" What's the right answer to that statement?
10. How did Jesus seem to be so close and personal with so many broken people and sinners, yet still remain firm in his convictions and sinless in his nature?
11. What are your action steps this week in response to the message, scripture, or this discussion?
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Messed Up Church: The Amazing Race
When you wake up in the morning and start your day, what drives you? What's the biggest motivating factor in your life?
(Get people to think about WHY they do WHAT they do. Don't embarrass anyone for their answer.)
Read 1 Corinthians 9:22–23.
Paul knew what he was competing for, and he knew why he was in the competition. He also knew who he was competing against. He was in it to win it. Do you have the same attitude? Why or why not?
Paul says his discipline and determination are "for the sake of the gospel" and that he wants to partake with others in its blessings. How does the gospel motivate you in running the race?
(Helpful Answer: The benefits of the gospel are so awesome and transforming that Paul gave up his life to share it with others. The gospel is the only power that can transform and save people. Because of that, we should be determined more than ever to run the race.)
Read 1 Corinthians 9:24–27.
We're all running some race. Would you say you're running the right race? How do you know?
(Helpful Answer: The pursuit of Jesus is the right.)
Think of someone who is running the race well or someone who has been sidetracked. What can you learn from them?
Top athletes exhibit self-denial, self-control, and self-sacrifice for a prize that will fade. If an athlete is that self-controlled for a prize that is temporary, shouldn't Christians be just as disciplined for what is eternal? What does that kind of biblical discipline/training look like in our daily lives?
Being missional with a passion to "spark a revolution of life change through Jesus" is hardly natural for us. What are some roadblocks that the Devil, culture, and our flesh can put up when we try to run this race and fight for people's souls?
What are the temporal things that you spend a bulk of your mental attention, time, and money on? Where do those priorities get placed in regards to God and His purpose for you?
What can we do to keep the eternal at the front of our minds, so we do not waste our lives and waste opportunities to share the gospel?
Next Steps:
If you're alive, you're in this race. If you're in this race, then that means you constantly need to put one foot in front of the other. At REVO, we call these "next steps", and it's why one of our core values is to "move forward."
1. What is your next step in this race? What do you need to do right now in order to move forward with the gospel?
2. What weights, distractions, or sin is God asking you to give up today for the sake of the gospel?
3. Moving forward, what needs to change in order for you to either start running, get back in the right race, or continue running hard in order to finish well?
(Get people to think about WHY they do WHAT they do. Don't embarrass anyone for their answer.)
Read 1 Corinthians 9:22–23.
Paul knew what he was competing for, and he knew why he was in the competition. He also knew who he was competing against. He was in it to win it. Do you have the same attitude? Why or why not?
Paul says his discipline and determination are "for the sake of the gospel" and that he wants to partake with others in its blessings. How does the gospel motivate you in running the race?
(Helpful Answer: The benefits of the gospel are so awesome and transforming that Paul gave up his life to share it with others. The gospel is the only power that can transform and save people. Because of that, we should be determined more than ever to run the race.)
Read 1 Corinthians 9:24–27.
We're all running some race. Would you say you're running the right race? How do you know?
(Helpful Answer: The pursuit of Jesus is the right.)
Think of someone who is running the race well or someone who has been sidetracked. What can you learn from them?
Top athletes exhibit self-denial, self-control, and self-sacrifice for a prize that will fade. If an athlete is that self-controlled for a prize that is temporary, shouldn't Christians be just as disciplined for what is eternal? What does that kind of biblical discipline/training look like in our daily lives?
Being missional with a passion to "spark a revolution of life change through Jesus" is hardly natural for us. What are some roadblocks that the Devil, culture, and our flesh can put up when we try to run this race and fight for people's souls?
What are the temporal things that you spend a bulk of your mental attention, time, and money on? Where do those priorities get placed in regards to God and His purpose for you?
What can we do to keep the eternal at the front of our minds, so we do not waste our lives and waste opportunities to share the gospel?
Next Steps:
If you're alive, you're in this race. If you're in this race, then that means you constantly need to put one foot in front of the other. At REVO, we call these "next steps", and it's why one of our core values is to "move forward."
1. What is your next step in this race? What do you need to do right now in order to move forward with the gospel?
2. What weights, distractions, or sin is God asking you to give up today for the sake of the gospel?
3. Moving forward, what needs to change in order for you to either start running, get back in the right race, or continue running hard in order to finish well?
Monday, November 6, 2017
Messed Up Church: To Do or Not To Do?
This discussion could get heated. We're doing it wrong if it does. Be wise in how you lead this discussion, and help people move forward.
1 Corinthians 8:1-13, 10:31-32
What kind of process do you typically go through in order to discern whether gray areas are right or wrong for you? (for instance: evaluate pros vs cons, seek counsel, just try it out, do what's comfortable, search scripture, do what your parents taught you, go with the flow, etc.?)
--
5 Questions to ask ourselves as Christians when we begin to decide about gray area matters:
(For each question, ask your group to give an example in their life of when they've had to or should have asked these questions in order to discern the correct decision for something.)
1. Can I? - Does it violate Scripture? (8:4-6)
2. Should I? - It becomes a matter of personal conscience.
3. Is it my weakness? - Do I struggle with ____? (i.e. drinking too much, addiction, control, pride, putting this before God, etc.)
4. How will this affect others? - Will it cause another person to stumble, to sin, or push them away from Jesus? (10:32)
5. Does it honor God? - If it doesn't bring glory to God and point people to Jesus, then why would we do it? (10:31)
--
How could the action of a believer's freedom hurt a weaker Christian? (8:9)
How can a Christian's "superior knowledge" (pride) destroy someone? (8:11)
Read 1 Cor. 8:13. Do you think Paul is going overboard? Why or why not?
How did you come to your decision of whether or not it is appropriate to participate or not participate in traditions like Halloween, Santa at Christmas, the Easter bunny, etc?
Drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and marijuana is legal within certain age limits and states. When is it ok or not ok for you, personally, to do these things?
There are many areas (politics, lifestyles, habits, finances, etc.) that Christians disagree on. At the end of the day, what is the most important issue, and what is the danger in letting other secondary issues come before it?
--
Next Steps:
What decision or choice do you need to reevaluate in order to honor God and bring people closer to Him?
What issue have you placed above your identity in Christ, or have let become an idol before God? How will you go about repentance?
How can you help, encourage, or show love to another Christian who needs to apply these principles from scripture?
1 Corinthians 8:1-13, 10:31-32
What kind of process do you typically go through in order to discern whether gray areas are right or wrong for you? (for instance: evaluate pros vs cons, seek counsel, just try it out, do what's comfortable, search scripture, do what your parents taught you, go with the flow, etc.?)
--
5 Questions to ask ourselves as Christians when we begin to decide about gray area matters:
(For each question, ask your group to give an example in their life of when they've had to or should have asked these questions in order to discern the correct decision for something.)
1. Can I? - Does it violate Scripture? (8:4-6)
2. Should I? - It becomes a matter of personal conscience.
3. Is it my weakness? - Do I struggle with ____? (i.e. drinking too much, addiction, control, pride, putting this before God, etc.)
4. How will this affect others? - Will it cause another person to stumble, to sin, or push them away from Jesus? (10:32)
5. Does it honor God? - If it doesn't bring glory to God and point people to Jesus, then why would we do it? (10:31)
--
How could the action of a believer's freedom hurt a weaker Christian? (8:9)
How can a Christian's "superior knowledge" (pride) destroy someone? (8:11)
Read 1 Cor. 8:13. Do you think Paul is going overboard? Why or why not?
How did you come to your decision of whether or not it is appropriate to participate or not participate in traditions like Halloween, Santa at Christmas, the Easter bunny, etc?
Drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and marijuana is legal within certain age limits and states. When is it ok or not ok for you, personally, to do these things?
There are many areas (politics, lifestyles, habits, finances, etc.) that Christians disagree on. At the end of the day, what is the most important issue, and what is the danger in letting other secondary issues come before it?
--
Next Steps:
What decision or choice do you need to reevaluate in order to honor God and bring people closer to Him?
What issue have you placed above your identity in Christ, or have let become an idol before God? How will you go about repentance?
How can you help, encourage, or show love to another Christian who needs to apply these principles from scripture?
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