Game Over: Week 4

-Why do you think so many believers waste time wondering when the end will be rather than just living each day in a way that shows that they believe the end is coming?

 -Verse 32 says,  “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." What does this verse say about Jesus' divinity? If He is fully God how is it that He doesn't know when He'll return?

-Jesus says that because we don't know when the end will come we need to be on guard and alert. Considering the context we can conclude that Jesus is saying to be on guard and alert to watch out that no one deceives you and that you aren't discouraged by persecution (verses 5 and 9). How can you be on guard against deception? 

-What does "sleeping" look like for us? Mark states emphatically that it would be negative for God to come back and find us sleeping. How can we avoid that? 

-Jesus gives us 4 things to do in this passage:

a. Listen to what Jesus has said.

b. Watch for the signs

c. Pray regularly and stay close to God

d. Keep doing God's work

 

Are you doing these things well?

 

Rubber meets the Road:

 

-What did this text teach you about God?

-What did this text teach you about yourself?

-What are you going to do about it? 

 

Game Over: Week 3

Merry Christmas! 

Pastor Nathan preached a great Christmas Eve Eve sermon this week and I'm excited about the conversations it will produce. Here is a link to the sermon in case you missed it: http://discoverrevo.com/sermons#series_18

Discussion Questions:

-Was it striking for you to hear Pastor Nathan say, "Christmas is not about the birth of Jesus."?  What were your initial thoughts?

-What was the purpose of Jesus birth?

-Mark 13:24-27 paints a radically different picture of Jesus then the portrait celebrated during Christmas. No longer is Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes. He is clothed in glory and power. How does your thinking about Jesus second coming effect how you think about His first coming?

On the Ground:

-What did this text teach you about God?

-What did this text teach you about yourself?

-What are you going to do about it?

Game Over: Week 2

1.  One of the main thrusts of the message on Sunday was, "Tell me how your life is better WITHOUT Jesus?"  For us to effectively communicate the Gospel, we have to answer the question, "How is your life better WITH Jesus?"  So, how do you answer that?

2.  A second question from Sunday has do with what the very definition of the Gospel.  Many people ask the question, "Why now?"  I'm young, happy, successful, and not thinking about mortality or the end of the world.  Why do I need to respond to the Gospel now?  What's the rush?  What does a decision to follow Jesus mean for people RIGHT NOW?

3. Let's look at the characters in this passage.  What does the language, emotion, and style of this text say about Jesus?  What does it say about us and what our response should be?

4.  Below is the video Pastor Nathan mentioned on Sunday.  Listen to it and answer these two questions:  1. Why am I not telling people about Jesus? (fear, anxiety, embarrassed, not sure how) and 2. Who do I need to tell THIS WEEK about the good news? (people that are experiencing the same negative emotions that were mentioned on Sunday, people that are struggling, searching, scared, unfulfilled, etc.)

Make a list, share it with others, and ask each other about it next week.  We hope that we'll hear stories of life change coming from our rGroups as a result of your boldness and the power of the Holy Spirit!

Game Over: Week 1

-When confronted with the reality that the “end” is coming (whether through death or Jesus return) what thoughts come to mind? (does it scare you, stress you out, excite you, etc…)

-In verse 9 Jesus says believers will be severely persecuted as we get closer to the end. While we don’t currently encounter intense physical persecution in the US, all around the world believers are being put to death for their faith in Jesus and bold proclamation of the Gospel. How does this make you feel about your boldness in comfortable circumstances?  

-Read verse 13. Does this suggest that we’re saved by our ability to persist in faith during hard times?

Practicality

-What did this text teach you about God (any of the Persons of the Trinity)?

-What did this text teach you about yourself?

-What are you going to do about it?

Announcements

-Christmas Eve Eve service on the eve of Christmas Eve...Be there!

Super Church: Give

*Open with prayer. Ask God to change your hearts through this study and discussion time.
*Make sure you read the announcements to your group. They're at the bottom of the page.

-When Jesus instructed the disciples to provide for a need (to give), what was their response?  (We can't afford to give!)  

 

-What did their response say about their viewpoint of Jesus?  (Can't provide, crazy, out of touch with society/life/bills for their time).  

 

-Do your giving habits reflect your beliefs about who God is, what He can do, and how He can provide for you? (6:37b, 8:4 whether you think they do or not, they do.)

 

-The parallel of this story in John 6, we see that the bread and fish come from a boy in the crowd.  What describes the giving of the boy?  Sacrificial (he gave all that he had).  Willing (he gave what he had).  The boy gave what he had in his hands.

 

-What was the result of the boy’s giving?

 

-Having looked at this text, why should we give?

 

Nitty Gritty:

 

What did this text teach you about God?

 

What did this text teach you about yourself?

 

What are you going to do about it?

Announcements!

-Next week is Communion so our rGroups will have an invite night! Throw a party and bring people with you.

-rWorld update: We are teaching our kids to be generous givers as well.  We gave each of them a $5 Walmart Gift card and told them to pick out a present for a kid that wouldn't get one this Christmas.  We are partnering up with the Salem Pregnancy Care Center, and will hand deliver these presents on December 23rd and 24th to kids that wouldn't get presents otherwise.

-We will have services on Sunday, December 23rd.  This will kind of be our Christmas Eve service.  Great service planned, Christmas songs, the whole deal.  Christmas is the #1 time of year that people go to church, and over 70% of people say that if they were invited by a friend or family member then they would come. Invite them!

Super Church: Be

Begin by reading Mark 6:1-13.

-Does this text teach that we have the power to hinder Jesus’ ability to perform miracles?

-If not, then what does verse 5 really mean?

-Is it unhealthy for faith to be built solely on what God has done for you? What are the negative repercussions of faith that is grounded in how God has blessed you in the past?

-If healthy faith is rooted in who Jesus is rather than what He has done, how do we get and keep strong faith?

-In verses 7-8 Jesus sends the disciples out without any tangible provisions. What was the point of this?

Bring it Home:

-What did this text teach you about God?

-What did this text teach you about yourself?

-What are you going to do about it?

Super Church: Send

-What is “missions?”

 -Why does it seem so much easier to go to a place we've never been before, to people we've never spoken to before, and to be bold with the Gospel?  

 -Why did Jesus heal the man?

-Why did Jesus heal/save you?

The Staple Questions:

-What did this text teach you about God?

-What did this text teach you about yourself?

-What are you going to do about it?

Cuba Prayers:

1. Tuesday - Nov 13 - Our team will be involved with some playground construction at Pastor Santiago's church. Pray that the construction of a playground by the church would present ample opportunities to share the Gospel with people in this small community. There will also be a team doing Backyard Bible Clubs and a nurses station. Pray for Pastor Santiago. He's a younger pastor with little experience, but an incredible vision to reach his community with the Gospel.


2. Wednesday - Nov 14 -Complete the playground construction at Santiago's church. Then do some Backyard Bible Clubs and Nurses Station at Juan Carlos's church (pastor who REVO is supporting financially). Pray that the work we would do would be influential in helping him to launch and sustain this new church. Pray for Pastor Juan Carlos! Pray for his family. Pray that Jesus would sustain him and continue to give him favor among his people. This is Pastor Juan Carlos's 3rd churchplant in 5 years.

3. Thursday - Nov 15 - Our team will go to Pastor Bacilla's church for a Women's Conference and house visitations. Pray for God to prepare the hearts of the Cuban women who will come to the Women's conference. Pray that they will grow deeper in their faith in Jesus, drawing closer to Him, and finding their source of life in Him. Pray for Gospel Centered conversations to happen as we go house to house, sharing the Gospel with those in the community that the church has already developed trust with and relational equity with. Pray for life-change!

4.Friday - Nov 16 - Friday evening team divides and goes to house church services. Pray for our team as we experience worship in a different context and culture. Pray that we would learn from the Cuban people in the areas of worship, prayer, sacrifice, evangelism, discipleship, and persecution. Pray that God would give us a learners attitude and a servants heart.

Super Church: Go

-The Great Commission is for every follower of Jesus. Do you think of yourself as sent out by Jesus? Or does this escape your everyday thinking?

-Do you live strategically? (Intentionally pursuing Gospel centered conversations or do you just wait for someone to bring it up, ask the question, etc…) We should be deliberate, intentional, proactive, insert actions word here. 

-Pastor Paul said that the same Gospel that makes disciples matures disciples. What does this mean, and how does it flesh out?

-Mature disciples embrace the great commission and live strategically. If these are marks of maturity how are you doing? (If you’re doing well don’t feel like you’re self-righteous to say so. Let others be encouraged by your growth!)

Lets get practical:

-What did this text teach you about God?

-What did this text teach you about yourself?

-What are you going to do about it?

Cuba Prayers:

1. Tuesday - Nov 13 - Our team will be involved with some playground construction at Pastor Santiago's church.  Pray that the construction of a playground by the church would present ample opportunities to share the Gospel with people in this small community.  There will also be a team doing Backyard Bible Clubs and a nurses station.  Pray for Pastor Santiago. He's a younger pastor with little experience, but an incredible vision to reach his community with the Gospel.

2. Wednesday - Nov 14 -Complete the playground construction at Santiago's church. Then do some Backyard Bible Clubs and Nurses Station at Juan Carlos's church (pastor who REVO is supporting financially).  Pray that the work we would do would be influential in helping him to launch and sustain this new church.  Pray for Pastor Juan Carlos!  Pray for his family.  Pray that Jesus would sustain him and continue to give him favor among his people.  This is Pastor Juan Carlos's 3rd churchplant in 5 years.  

 

 3. Thursday - Nov 15 -  Our team will go to Pastor Bacilla's church for a Women's Conference and house visitations. Pray for God to prepare the hearts of the Cuban women who will come to the Women's conference.  Pray that they will grow deeper in their faith in Jesus, drawing closer to Him, and finding their source of life in Him.  Pray for Gospel Centered conversations to happen as we go house to house, sharing the Gospel with those in the community that the church has already developed trust with and relational equity with.  Pray for life-change!

 

  4.Friday - Nov 16 -  Friday evening team divides and goes to house church services.  Pray for our team as we experience worship in a different context and culture.  Pray that we would learn from the Cuban people in the areas of worship, prayer, sacrifice, evangelism, discipleship, and persecution.  Pray that God would give us a learners attitude and a servants heart.

Jesus Is...Crazy!

To the Leaders:
We're rolling with scaled back blog content this week because I want to give each group an opportunity to get personal and deal with the important message Jesus sends us in Mark chapter 3.

As the rGroup leader prepare for this session by getting your notes out from the October 7th sermon and re-familiarize yourself with the content.

You may even want to let your group listen to a bit of the sermon together to reconnect with it. If you choose to do this start listening about 13 minutes in. You can find the sermon here: http://discoverrevo.com/sermons/sermon/2012-10-07/jesus-is---crazy

Remember that if people eliminate the excuses for why they can't be used by God we'll see crazy things start to happen in our church. God intentionally used some losers in Scripture so that we might be encouraged by knowing that He can and will use us if we make ourselves available to Him. Start your group time by sharing that thought.

Read Mark 3:13-21

Conversation Questions:
 
-What did this text teach you about God?

-What did this text teach you about yourself (i.e. what excuses have you been giving God)?

-What are you going to do about it?

 On the flip side:

-How many of you know the dude that doesn't have any excuses for why God shouldn't him? (this guy thinks he is God's gift to the world)

-Do you think God is going to use the humble guy who realizes he is unworthy and ill-equipped or the guy who thinks he is a super start?

-Do you struggle with pride in thinking that God should use you instead of others?

Because this gets a bit personal make sure that you lead in vulnerability so that others feel comfortable sharing. 

Jesus Is...Smart

I’ve provided supplemental videos in this blog that address questions raised by the text. These are optional, but may help draw more meaning out of the verses. The video will appear above the question(s) to which it is related.

Read Jesus’ answer to the question posed in verse 28 (His answer is found in verses 29-31).

1.      

 What does it mean to love God internally?

2.      

 What does it look like to love God tangibly?

3.      

 How does one love his neighbor and why is it so important?

The teacher who posed the question in verse 28 responds to Jesus’ answer in verses 32-33. Read this response.

4.      

 In what way is comprehensive love for God and a tangible love for ones neighbor more important than offering whole burnt offering and sacrifices?

A burnt offering just symbolized submission to God, but keeping the two greatest commandments demonstrated submission to God!

5.      

 Hopefully Jesus’ questions in verses 35-37 aren’t as random as they seem. What might Jesus be saying about Himself in these verses?

 Street Level

-What did this text teach you about God?

-What did this text teach you about yourself?

-What are you going to do with it?

Announcements Recap:

*Baptism October 28^th

*Pray for Cuba team (fever for the Gospel and burden for the people of Cuba)

Jesus is... Enough

Mark 9:2-13
5 Major topics to hit in this passage:

1. The glory of Jesus

2. The fulfillment of the law and the prophets

3.  Listen to Jesus

4.  Jesus is enough

5.  Come Down off the mountain


1. The Glory of Jesus (vs. 2-3)
-Jesus was fully God and fully man.  How does that work?  Why is that important?  Why couldn't Jesus just be fully God?  Or maybe just fully man?  Why is it significant now that Jesus has been shown to have the glory or God?  What does that do for his authority here on earth?

2.  The fulfillment of the law and the prophets (vs. 4)
-Who was the celebrity when it came to authority in the biblical world up until this point?  Moses.  So why was is significant that Jesus come to fulfill the law (written by Moses?).  Because the limited access to God was known blown open.  That's a big deal!
-Who was the biggest celebrity when it came to the prophets?  Elijah.  So why was it significant that Jesus came to fulfill the words of the prophets?  Because the people of God didn't have to wait any more!  The one that was sufficient was here.  The savior was here.  The very presence of God was with them.  That's a big deal!

How have these things changed then?
1. The prophets were the spokesmen of God to the people.  What's different now that Jesus is here?  Priesthood of the believer.  We all have access to God now, not just a priest inside the temple at certain times.  That's a great freedom!
2. The prophets demonstrated the power of God to help people believe in God.  What's different now that Jesus left in Acts 1?  Holy Spirit now dwells in each of us as believers.  It's our responsibility to demonstrate the power and authority of God in order to point people to Him.  That's a huge task!
3.  The prophets talked about the future coming of Jesus.  What's different now that Jesus came?  It's our responsibility to tell people about not only when Jesus was here on earth, but also that he's coming back.  That's an urgent mission!

3.  Listen to Jesus
-I bet that every person in your rGroup knew all of those responsibilities listed in the list of 3 mentioned above.  Why?  Because you have heard them before.  Now, here's another question: Are you doing them?  If not, it's probably because you have heard them before, but just weren't listening.  Listening leads to comprehension, which leads to learning, which leads to action!  Go back up and list them again.  Go over our responsibilities that God has entrusted us with.  Listen so that you can apply them in your life!
-What are some of the best known commandments from God that we are most guilty of hearing instead of listening to?  Telling others about Jesus, spending intense time in prayer and in the Word to know God more, being fishers of men, etc.

4.  Jesus is enough
-Peter wanted the experience.  Peter wanted the guy that wrote the book (Moses) and the most powerful communicator (Elijah).  But God knew that he just needed Jesus.  What is the 1 in your "Jesus + 1"equation?  What are the things that are in your life that are keeping you from saying "Jesus (and Jesus alone) is enough?

5.  Come down the mountain
-What has God taught you lately?  What have you been studying in the Word?  What do you think God has been saying to you lately?  The follow-up question has to be, "Now what are you doing with it?"  How are you taking what God has been teaching you and coming back down to your everyday life and applying it?

List out some of the main points your group has gotten out of the Jesus is... series.  Now, write down some ideas on how your group can move forward and put those principles into practice.  Come off of the mountain of Sunday morning and put into practice what God taught you on Monday!

-Maybe you can each write down 1 name that you are going to talk to this week about Jesus.  Then next week when you get back together you can pull the names back out and talk about how those conversations went.
-Maybe you can go ahead and plan out the next service opportunity for the month of November so your group can "grab a corner of the mat" and get people to Jesus.

No rGroups this week! It's Big Serve time! 

We've cleared the schedule this week to make sure that every rGroup has the opportunity to plug into the big serve. If you aren't signed up yet go to www.bigserve.net.

Don't forget:
-2 more weeks left in Coats for Kids drive
-Band Auditions October 18th (Details at www.discoverrevo.com) 
-Drive for Freedom Oct. 20th (Details at www.driveforfreedom.com)
-Baptism Oct 28