Jesus Is... Sept 23 - Sept 29

 

Video question-It is interesting that in the age of mega churches and attractional ministry that sometimes hides from the Bible and bold truth we look back at Jesus ministry and realize that He didn’t need to read a book on cultural relevance to have a booming ministry. He taught the Word! What implication does this have on the way we should do ministry and engage our friends with the Gospel?

-In that same vein of thinking what do you think the source of Jesus ministry success and popularity was? God’s power and the Word. The same two things we need for successful ministry today…God’s power in the Church and proclamation of and submission to the Word.

Read Mark 2:1-10

-The paralytic had some pretty legit friends. When was the last time you were relentless in your effort to get someone to Jesus?

-Considering Jesus isn’t on earth tangibly teaching in people’s homes, what might it look like for you to relentlessly pursue getting someone to Jesus?

-It was inconvenient for the paralytic’s friends to get him to Jesus. Do you care enough about people to be inconvenienced for the sake of their salvation and God’s glory? The answer to this question may very well be discouraging and reveal your sin. Praise God for the opportunity to repent and begin asking God to change your heart that it may no longer beat for trivial things.

-Jesus perceived the four men’s actions as a display of their faith in His ability to heal their friend. They never had to verbally assert their faith because their actions had already made that proclamation for them. How does this shape your thinking about faith? Is faith something that you simply claim to have verbally or is it something you display through your actions? What are some practical ways we show or fail to show faith in Jesus?

-Why did Jesus say “Son, your sins are forgiven?” instead of just saying, “Get up and walk?” Jesus' healing heals the whole person! Jesus is acknowledging the Hebrew understanding that death and disease are the effects of sin and healing is predicated on God’s forgiveness. So Jesus is here dealing with both the cause and effect of this man’s problem.

-As humans we put a lot of stock in tangibles. We want to see the physical healings, the water into wine stuff…but Jesus focuses first and most importantly on healing this man’s heart issue. As hard a question as this may be…are you satisfied with what Jesus has already done for you on the cross to provide you access to the Father or do you find yourself expecting, wishing, and hoping that He will do something more…tangible?

Announcements:

Coats for Kids…Now!

The Big Serve...October 6-13 (www.thebigserve.net)

Drive for Freedom…October 20 (www.driveforfreedom.com)

Baptism Celebration…October 28

Jesus Is... Sept 16 - Sept 22

Jesus Is…Legit

Go ahead and tell your group to strain all of their responses to the first three questions through the colander of Jesus’ authority.

-Why is it significant that Jesus was teaching in the synagogue?  Was everyone allowed to do that?

Teaching in the synagogue was by invite only, so the ruler of the synagogue apparently regarded Jesus as a respected and authoritative figure, otherwise he wouldn’t have invited Jesus to teach.

-Why might Jesus have been viewed as authoritative before He had even taught in the synagogue?

This suggests that Jesus was already respected and reveals that His interaction with people in the community and His knowledge of God was preceded Him. It also shows that John the Baptist was successful in setting the stage for Jesus ministry.

Power statement:

Verse 22 says “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority…” On Sundays, Pastor Nathan preaches using the Bible which is authoritative. Never once has he stood on stage and said “do this because I say,” he says “do this because the word of God says.” The people were so astounded by the way Jesus taught because He taught from His own authority and knowledge because He is the Word of God. Jesus wasn’t dependent on truth revealed in the yet to be written New Testament in order write a good sermon. He is the source material for a good sermon!

-Read verse 23 & 24. Unclean spirit is singular, denoting one demon, but when the demon speaks it says, “Have you come to destroy us?” What might that mean?

In this dialogue the demon affirms Jesus dominion and authority over all demonic power! When the demon said have you come to destroy us it didn’t mean there was more than one demon in the man, it meant that the demon feared that Jesus would eradicate all demonic power. The demon feared Jesus’ authority. Jesus proves power and authority over evil spirits which also confirms His message from verse 15, the Kingdom of God is near, i.e. “I’m the agent of God’s rule.”

- After the scene in the synagogue Jesus had arrived; this dude was recognized as legit and could have successfully assimilated into the upper rungs of society, but instead He leaves and goes to hang out with His fishermen. What does this say about Jesus?

-Read verse 35. This is a descriptive verse, but a valuable assertion proceeds from it. That being that communion with the Father is better, more important, and more satisfying than sleep, so sacrifice your sleep for something better! “I don’t have time,” is a lie, “you don’t have motivation,” is unfortunately true. Does the effort you put into your relationship with God look like you believe He is better than sleeping?

- Before Jesus begins interacting with people or doing ministry He is found alone with God… Is it significant that Jesus starts His day communing with the Father? How so?

Jesus’ consistent pursuit of intimacy with God early, before the day starts and before He begins ministry, reveals that He works from His intimacy with God! It is consistent communion with the Father, the blessing and treasure of the Gospel, that produces a gratefulness for that Gospel and so spurs us on to be fishers of men, that they too may taste and see the goodness and glory of the Father! Where intimacy is lacking genuine ministry is not found.

-What does verse 40 tell us about Jesus?

                  He doesn’t lord His authority and power over people He uses it to benefit them. He has compassion. This is excellent news!

-Why did He heal people?

                  He can! He is compassionate! His deeds authenticate His message!

-What role did the leper’s faith play in his healing?

-When you share the gospel are you confident that your deeds actually help add credibility to what you’re preaching?

Bottom Line:

-Jesus has all authority!

-Jesus didn’t just claim authority; His deeds command belief in His authority!

-Jesus' compassionate use of His authority is great news for you and I!

Close your time grateful that Jesus is both compassionate and authoritative! One without the other is a scary thing!

Jesus Is... Sept 9 - Sept 15

Video Kick Start Question (Note that this question has no definitive biblical answer and is simply designed to generate conversation; if the question fails to accomplish this simply move on):

When they were initially called, Simon, Andrew, James, and John didn’t fully understand who Jesus was, what He was calling them to, or the end goal, but still they dropped their nets, left their livelihood behind and followed. We have the Bible which reveals to us fully who Jesus is, what He is calling us to, and what the end result entails. Why is it that despite all of this revelation many of us still fail to follow?

-Read our text for this week out loud- Mark 1:1-20

Why does Jesus go find His own disciples instead of waiting at the temple for pupils to volunteer their devotion as was the custom? Urgency- the importance of the message drove Him to action. He also had a limited amount of time.

Why did Jesus choose the fishermen? The other rabbis only accepted disciples from among the intellectual community. It is obvious that the disciples Jesus calls in this text were the 1^st century equivalent of college drop outs, they failed to advance to the next academic level that’s why they were working as fishermen.

In verses 14-20 Jesus models three things very clearly: There is a clear message (v:15), that message is to be proclaimed (v:15), and Jesus appoints and empowers the messengers (v:17).

-What is the meaning of the message Jesus is proclaiming in verse 15?

-What does it mean to be a fisher of men?

-Does your understanding of the content of Jesus message intensify the importance of becoming a fisher of men?

 -Do you feel like your church, rGroup and service involvement is developing you in a fisher of men? If not, what do you think would help equip you? Document responses to this question and send them to Paul.

-Do you make excuses about your inability to present the Gospel well or your lack of knowledge regarding Scripture, hiding behind these reasons as an acceptable pardon from Jesus’ call to be fishers of men? Your presentation of the Gospel and your knowledge of Scripture are reflective of your relationship with Jesus…ouchies!

Bottom line:

1)     Jesus offers us reconciliation to God as prophesied in the O.T. that is an important and urgent message!

2)     Jesus can use the most unequipped nobodies to accomplish His mission.

3)     If your life feels mundane and routine you aren’t a fisher of men! Jesus calling is extreme, see how boring things are when you walk up to the barista at Krankies and say, “you know Jesus?”

Announcements: 
-Coats for Kids begins this Sunday September 16th! Our goal is 200 coats.
-Drive for Freedom Oct. 20th (http://www.driveforfreedom.com/)
-Baptism Oct. 28th

"Deceived" Word Night, Aug 26-Sept 1

Texts:

Isaiah 64:6
1 John 1:5-10
Genesis 3:14-15

Unpack it: As a result of following Jesus, his holiness amplifies our unholiness.  That confrontation brings us to confession and repentance.

1.  Look at the language that God uses to describe our good deeds and attempt at holiness and righteousness apart from Jesus.  Knowing that's how God views your attempt at good, how does that impact how you view your sin?

2.  Look back in the OT at ways that God handled sin.  Death, famine, plagues, killed off an entire generation of people in the wilderness, discomfort, removing of his provision and presence, etc.  Do you think God still has the same viewpoint of sin today?  Why of why not?  What's different?

3. What does light do to darkness?  It pushes it back and exposes it.  Think about the light/dark analogy when it comes to God and our sin.  How is our sin exposed?  It should be a natural reaction to walking with God.  So is that process evident in your life?  If not, what does that communicate about your relationship with God?

4.  What does it mean to know Jesus?  What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?  Your reaction to sin helps show which team you are on.  Why is this such a critical question?

5.  What is the one case that Satan has against humanity?  How does Satan try to manipulate people into thinking that they are hopeless, shameful, and guilty?  His secret weapon is convincing people that you are too long gone to confess and turn around now, so don't even try.  He is literally fighting to keep you from confessing and repenting and finding Jesus.  Once you find Jesus, his only case against you in nullified.

6.  What is your natural reaction to darkness in your life?  Run away from it, ignore it, hide it, put lipstick on it to make it look better, downplay it, confess it, embrace it?  We all have darkness and sin in our lives (if you don't think you do, then you're calling God a liar).  So the important question is what is our reaction going to be to the light?  If you are to comfortable with your sin, the light will annoy you and you will turn away from it.  However, when we are willing to be exposed by the light in order to rid the darkness from our lives, we will start to be dependent on the light and will welcome it in our lives.

At first, the light will be hard to look at (embarrassing, humbling, will show you things you don't want to have to look at), but keep going towards it!  Keep depending on it!

Deceived Word Night, August 19th-25th

Confession
Text: Psalm 51:1-17

Aspects of Confession:
1. Conviction: vs 1-2
2. Confession: vs 3-6
3. Sorrow: vs 7-12
4. Beg for Mercy: vs 13-17


1. What terminology do you use for your sin?  Do you dumb it down with phrases like "I messed up, I slipped up, I did some things I shouldn't have done" or are you real about the severity of your sin?  Start using words like "guilty, sinful, separated from God, and broken."  Even your language can have an impact on the conviction of your sins.  Start calling your sin our for what it is.  Not something small and insignificant, but something with HUGE ramifications and consequences.

2. Why should you confess?  Doesn't God already know what you've done?  Doesn't he already offer his people forgiveness through Jesus?  So why do we need to ask for it?  The death of Jesus on the cross doesn't negate the fact that we need to confess.  It just ensures that the availability of forgiveness is there.

3.  Does your sin ever remind you of an instant replay?  Does it constantly come to your mind?  How can un-confessed sin take over your life and force you to make decisions through a tainted mindset in the future?

4.  How can you be a slave to your sin?  Guilt, shame, remorse, depressions, guilty conscience, lose sleep, etc.

5.  Does God know your sin?  Yes, so does that make confession less scary?  Knowing that you aren't going to surprise Him, what else is there to fear?

6.  You were born a sinner, but don't use that as a crutch!  Don't fall into the trap of passing your sin off and blaming it on "your sinful nature, the depravity of man, etc."  Just because you were born a sinner doesn't mean it's an excuse to sin!

7.  What is the real problem of sin that you need to ask for help with?  Is it the actual actions, or your heart?  How is being forgiven for your outward sins and having an unchanged heart not actually helping the problem at all?

8.  God wants to use your story.  God wants to use your brokenness to impact people.  What do you need to do in order for your darkest hour to be used by God to draw people to Jesus?  How could God actually accomplish that and make your sinful life all about the Gospel?

 Some great prayers about your sins and confession:
1. God please break me of the sin in my life.
2. God use my broken life story to bring people to Jesus and to glorify God
3. God help me eliminate excuses in my life when I avoid confessing my sins to you
4. God set me free from myself and the bondage of guilt/shame/sin so that I can have freedom in Jesus

Deceived Word Night, August 12th-18th

Texts:
Psalm 1:1-2
Matthew 7:1-5


-Ask your group this:  Do you think you have a sin problem?  (Sometimes straight up admitting and verbalizing that will be a big step is fixing it).
-If you have friends or family that don't think they have a sin problem, what is your response?  What can you tell them?  What scripture can you point them too?  After all, if people don't think sin is an issue, it's hard to convince them of their need for Jesus!

Why is it so easy to see the sin in other people's lives and so difficult to see it in our own?
-Do you think we get used to it, like Psalm 1:1?
-Do you think we are in denial, deceived that we don't have a sin problem?
-Do you think we are just ignoring our problem, focusing on other's to make us feel better?

What are the dangers of leaving this sin untouched?
-Being Judgmental
-Being Hypocritical
-You'll never overcome your sinful issues

How can focusing on your own sin more make you less judgmental and hypocritical?

What are healthy ways of handling your sin issue?
-Confessing, repenting (when is the last time you really had an intense time of confession?)
-Accountability (is there someone close that you can be real with?)
-Focusing on God's word and his promises (Psalm 1:2)

Take the doctor's approach:  Diagnose the issues in your life.  Then, figure out what you need to do to make it better.  Then, you can track your "healing" process and monitor your condition to make sure you keep the problem in check.


Challenge your group to include a time of reflection and repentance in their daily prayer time.  Realizing our sin problem helps the Gospel become more alive in our lives.  Your appreciation and gratitude goes way up when you realize how little you deserve of what God has given you.

Deceived Word Night, Aug. 5th-11th

Text:
Genesis 3:1-13

Opening question:  What is sin?  Describe it with 1-2 word phrases.  (responses will let you know how serious your group takes the concept of sin and how they really feel about it).  Are the responses strong and intense?  Or are the responses light, almost like admitting that sin is really not that big of a deal?

-One of the goals of this new series is to help communicate the severity of sin.  If we don't get offended by sin, then we really don't see a need for a savior.  If sin is no big deal, then why do we need Jesus?  What do we need saving from?

Here are 3 reactions to sin that we have to guard ourselves against.  A great exercise is to get out a piece of paper and get the group to privately write down sins in their own lives that fall into these categories.  One of the first steps to eradicating sin in our lives is identifying them and admitting they are a problem!

vs. 1-7: When we sin, we often try to justify is or downplay it.
1.  Are some sins more serious to you than others?  Do you have some that are heinous, yet others that are "little white lies?"  Do you know that God does not categorize and differentiate between levels of sin?  Sin is sin, and God detests it all.

2.  What are ways that we try to downplay or justify our sins?  a. we look at the sins of other people and consider them more severe (oftentimes simply trying to make our own sins more palatable).

3. How can we avoid downplaying or trying to justify our sins?  By constantly confessing them, realizing our depravity, depending on God.  Again, if we don't think it's a problem, then we'll never more towards fixing it!

4.  What are some sins in your life that you are downplaying or justifying?


vs. 8-9: When we sin, we often try to hide it.
1.  When Adam sinned, he used a fig leaf to hide behind.  What is your fig leaf?  Warning: fig leaves can even be good things in-and-of themselves.  However, when they are used to hide the real issues in our lives, they can be destructive.  Is it possible that people are using their involvement in rGroup as a way to hide behind their sin and keep it a secret?

2.  Share some things that you have used as a fig leaf in your past to help others in your group from making the same mistakes.  Have you used your past or your hard life as a crutch?  Are you allowing a difficult past to be the enabler for your current sin?  Maybe your leave is the sin of others, which pushed you towards the mentality of "as long as I'm not as bad as they are, then I'll be ok."

3.  What are the sins in your life that you are trying to hide?


vs. 10-13: When we sin, we often try to blame someone or something else.

1.  When you are at work and you are busting it hard, and one of the other teammates isn't doing their job, it's frustrating when they make excuses.  It's even worse when they mess up and then try to blame someone else for their failure.  Our sin is no different.  It seems like we live in a society where no one is willing to take the blame for their actions!

2. Would anyone be willing to share a story of when you blamed God, your family, your friends, your circumstances, etc, for the sin in your life?  How did that turn out?

3.  What are the sins in your life that you are trying to blame on something or someone else.


Let's compare those 3 to the biblical response to sin.
1. Admit that you are a sinner and that sin is a problem.
2. Confess your sins to God.
3. Repent of your sins.

Spend some time in prayer this week responding to God in these three simple steps.  Sin is a serious issue that separates us from God.  I hope that we can begin to realize how God views sin, and that our reaction will be similar when we see sin in our own lives.