Opening Question: Who are the most fulfilled and happy people that you know? Are these people usually selfish or not?
Read Philippians 2:12–18
Vs 12 - In what specific ways have you "worked out" your salvation with the body (church) of Christ?
How do you respond to the word "obedience"? Do you take obedience seriously?
Read 1 Samuel 15:22. Why do you think God values our obedience over worship and sacrifice?
Vs 13 - How have you sensed God working in you?
In what ways has God increased your desire and obedience?
In what practical ways have you grown spiritually in the last six months? What step of obedience have you taken recently?
Vs 14 - Why is it so hard to "do all things without complaining"?
How have you violated this command this week? Have you confessed your sin of whining to God and the person you shared with?
Vs 15 - Paul tells Christians to "live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." What can you do to ensure that your light shines bright to the world around you?
Vs 16 - As Christians, we are to learn and live God's Word. In what way has the world noticed your godly behavior (light)? How has this served as a witness? How can you improve?
Vs 17–18 - How do I sacrifice myself for my local church? How/why did you begin serving in the church? What brought you to that decision?
What has God taught you through your service?
How has serving in ministry brought others to joy? How has your service brought you joy?
What would you say to others who are contemplating whether or not to serve?
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Sunday, May 7, 2017
I Just Want to be Happy: Key to Happiness in Conflict (Humility)
Read Philippians 2:1–11.
Also read Matthew 20:26-27 and Matthew 23:12.
It seems these days that the word "great" is used for everything. Because the word is used so loosely, it is important to know what Jesus had to say about being "great". We're going to discuss the path to greatness (happiness), and it just might surprise you.
Why is it so easy to talk about our strengths and successes but hard to talk about our weaknesses and failures?
In Philippians 2:1-2, list all the words that describe the results of being "in Christ". What do you think it means to be "like-minded?" With your husband? With the men/women in your group? With your church?
Pride is the root of most conflict and frustration. Humility is the root of most peace and happiness.
In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul challenges us to "consider others better than yourselves". From your every day life, what are some ways you could put this into practice? Get specific.
How did Jesus exemplify the teachings of Philippians 2:4? (Answer is in vs 6-8.)
What is the reason Paul gives for humbling ourselves and seeing others as above us? (Because that's what Jesus did for you... See vs 5)
In Philippians 2:5-8, make a list of all the words and phrases that paint a picture of Jesus' humility.
What are some other passages or stories that demonstrate the humility of Jesus?
How can we have the mindset of Christ?
Who do you know that is a good example of humility? How is that evidenced in their life?
Read Philippians 2:5-11. What in this passage helps us see that Jesus was both fully God and fully man?
What would it look like for you to demonstrate humility...to your family?
...on the job?
...in your most difficult relationship?
Live It Out:
Identify someone who has humbled themselves to serve you. Reach out to them this week and thank them for serving you.
Identify a person in your life you could serve. Find a way to unselfishly serve that person this week. Come prepared next week to share what you did.
Pray about ways you can show more humility in your day-to-day routine. Ask God to show you any areas where there needs to be more humility.
Also read Matthew 20:26-27 and Matthew 23:12.
It seems these days that the word "great" is used for everything. Because the word is used so loosely, it is important to know what Jesus had to say about being "great". We're going to discuss the path to greatness (happiness), and it just might surprise you.
Why is it so easy to talk about our strengths and successes but hard to talk about our weaknesses and failures?
In Philippians 2:1-2, list all the words that describe the results of being "in Christ". What do you think it means to be "like-minded?" With your husband? With the men/women in your group? With your church?
Pride is the root of most conflict and frustration. Humility is the root of most peace and happiness.
In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul challenges us to "consider others better than yourselves". From your every day life, what are some ways you could put this into practice? Get specific.
How did Jesus exemplify the teachings of Philippians 2:4? (Answer is in vs 6-8.)
What is the reason Paul gives for humbling ourselves and seeing others as above us? (Because that's what Jesus did for you... See vs 5)
In Philippians 2:5-8, make a list of all the words and phrases that paint a picture of Jesus' humility.
What are some other passages or stories that demonstrate the humility of Jesus?
How can we have the mindset of Christ?
Who do you know that is a good example of humility? How is that evidenced in their life?
Read Philippians 2:5-11. What in this passage helps us see that Jesus was both fully God and fully man?
What would it look like for you to demonstrate humility...to your family?
...on the job?
...in your most difficult relationship?
Live It Out:
Identify someone who has humbled themselves to serve you. Reach out to them this week and thank them for serving you.
Identify a person in your life you could serve. Find a way to unselfishly serve that person this week. Come prepared next week to share what you did.
Pray about ways you can show more humility in your day-to-day routine. Ask God to show you any areas where there needs to be more humility.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
I Just Want To Be Happy: When and Then
Philippians 1:12–30
"When and Then" thinking: When I get _________, THEN I will be happy. Problem with that is, whenever we fill in the blank, we realize that we still aren't happy or it only makes us happy temporarily, and so we try to put another word in the blank.
What are some of the things you've placed in the "When" blank? What was it like in the short and long term when that thing happened?
Our unhappiness stems from 4 main areas in our lives:
• Pain in our life
• People in our life
• Pressures in our life
• Problems in our life
Read vs 12–14. How can you possibly be happy during pain in your life?
(Look at life through a godly perspective. Ask God to help you see problems through HIS perspective.)
Can anyone share an example of how their perspective of the pain they've dealt with changed after they realized God's perspective and purpose?
Read vs 15–18b. How should you behave when other people criticize, compete with, or tear you down?
What perspective do you need to have in order to not allow other people to control your attitude and responses?
(Don't let PEOPLE–good or bad–determine your joy or happiness.)
Read vs 18b–20. How do you deal with pressure?
What's your first instinct when you are pressured or overwhelmed? What's your last?
How does God want us to deal with pressure?
(Trust God to work things out. Have faith. Work like it depends on your, pray like it depends on God.)
Read vs 21–25. Problems are real. We have them all the time. How can you not let your problems rob your happiness?
(Never let problems trump your purpose. Purpose will make you go farther, push further, sacrifice more, dig deeper, and be happier EVEN when you face problems and barriers in life.)
Read v 27. "The one thing I would stress is this: your public behavior must match up to the gospel of the King."
Share how God can use a problem you find yourself in to witness to others or encouraging other believers.
What's the #1 thing you need to change about how you deal with pain, pressures, people or problems in your life? How will you change it? How does God get the glory?
"When and Then" thinking: When I get _________, THEN I will be happy. Problem with that is, whenever we fill in the blank, we realize that we still aren't happy or it only makes us happy temporarily, and so we try to put another word in the blank.
What are some of the things you've placed in the "When" blank? What was it like in the short and long term when that thing happened?
Our unhappiness stems from 4 main areas in our lives:
• Pain in our life
• People in our life
• Pressures in our life
• Problems in our life
Read vs 12–14. How can you possibly be happy during pain in your life?
(Look at life through a godly perspective. Ask God to help you see problems through HIS perspective.)
Can anyone share an example of how their perspective of the pain they've dealt with changed after they realized God's perspective and purpose?
Read vs 15–18b. How should you behave when other people criticize, compete with, or tear you down?
What perspective do you need to have in order to not allow other people to control your attitude and responses?
(Don't let PEOPLE–good or bad–determine your joy or happiness.)
Read vs 18b–20. How do you deal with pressure?
What's your first instinct when you are pressured or overwhelmed? What's your last?
How does God want us to deal with pressure?
(Trust God to work things out. Have faith. Work like it depends on your, pray like it depends on God.)
Read vs 21–25. Problems are real. We have them all the time. How can you not let your problems rob your happiness?
(Never let problems trump your purpose. Purpose will make you go farther, push further, sacrifice more, dig deeper, and be happier EVEN when you face problems and barriers in life.)
Read v 27. "The one thing I would stress is this: your public behavior must match up to the gospel of the King."
Share how God can use a problem you find yourself in to witness to others or encouraging other believers.
What's the #1 thing you need to change about how you deal with pain, pressures, people or problems in your life? How will you change it? How does God get the glory?
Sunday, April 23, 2017
I Just Want To Be Happy: Relationships
Philippians 1:1–11
(Please keep in mind that when we talk about relationships, we are not only referring to significant others. Relationships are with anyone you're around often (friends, coworkers, neighbors, kids, parents, family, spouse, etc.)
On a scale of 1–10, how happy are you with your relationships (friends, family, boy/girlfriend, husband/wife)?
What's one thing you've learned from someone else in the group that demonstrates what happiness in relationships looks like?
Read Philippians 1:1–11
How do you think Paul maintains an attitude of joy and thankfulness while in the worst of situations (tortured in prison)?
Read verse 3. What is linked to Paul's happiness? (Thankfulness) Discuss what happens to a relationship when this characteristic is missing?
Discuss how the difference between gratitude and expectations can lead to different paths in a relationship.
Read verses 4–5. How does praying in love change everything in relationships?
What do you often do instead of praying? What does that lead to?
Read verses 9–11. What 4 things are listed that you can pray about?
(grow in love, make the best choices, become pure and blameless like Jesus, live with integrity/fruits of the spirit)
How should the relationships and community within a church be different than relationships and community that is built in other clubs or organizations?
Read verse 6–7. How does this verse positively affect you when you are feeling discouraged by your or others faults?
Read verse 8. We are to love people like Jesus loved us. What's one relationship where you need to apply this most?
What are the biggest barriers to you experiencing happier relationships? How can you change that?
What would you like others in your group to pray for and keep you accountable with regarding your relationships?
(Please keep in mind that when we talk about relationships, we are not only referring to significant others. Relationships are with anyone you're around often (friends, coworkers, neighbors, kids, parents, family, spouse, etc.)
On a scale of 1–10, how happy are you with your relationships (friends, family, boy/girlfriend, husband/wife)?
What's one thing you've learned from someone else in the group that demonstrates what happiness in relationships looks like?
Read Philippians 1:1–11
How do you think Paul maintains an attitude of joy and thankfulness while in the worst of situations (tortured in prison)?
Read verse 3. What is linked to Paul's happiness? (Thankfulness) Discuss what happens to a relationship when this characteristic is missing?
Discuss how the difference between gratitude and expectations can lead to different paths in a relationship.
Read verses 4–5. How does praying in love change everything in relationships?
What do you often do instead of praying? What does that lead to?
Read verses 9–11. What 4 things are listed that you can pray about?
(grow in love, make the best choices, become pure and blameless like Jesus, live with integrity/fruits of the spirit)
How should the relationships and community within a church be different than relationships and community that is built in other clubs or organizations?
Read verse 6–7. How does this verse positively affect you when you are feeling discouraged by your or others faults?
Read verse 8. We are to love people like Jesus loved us. What's one relationship where you need to apply this most?
What are the biggest barriers to you experiencing happier relationships? How can you change that?
What would you like others in your group to pray for and keep you accountable with regarding your relationships?
Sunday, April 16, 2017
He is Here: Easter
John 11:17–44
Start by reading verses 17–22.
1. Why did Jesus not immediately go to Bethany?
Do you think it was difficult for Jesus to wait two days?
2. Have you experience times when the Lord seemed "slow" to respond to your prayers? Explain how you felt and acted.
How can these scriptures help us when we feel this way?
3. In verses 21–27, what does Martha say that shows she had faith?
What does she say that exhibits doubt?
Which one of those responses do you find yourself feeling the most often, and why?
4. What does Jesus tell Martha (v. 25) that stretches her faith? How does she react?
Can you remember a time when your faith was stretched?
How did you respond?
Why does Jesus do this?
5. Do you believe Jesus' statement in v. 25?
What does it mean to you?
6. What was Martha's objection when Jesus told them to remove the stone (v. 39)?
Can you think of a time when your natural understanding kept you from seeing a miracle?
7. According to Jesus' statement in v. 40, what do we do to see the glory of God?
Many people say: "Seeing is believing." Jesus tells Martha, "if you believed, you would see the glory of God" (v. 40). What does this mean? Does this have any implication for your life?
8. Does believing in Jesus mean we will never grieve? Explain.
9. What might the grave clothes (v. 44) represent in your life? Where might Jesus be asking you to "take off the grave clothes and let him (her) go"?
10. How does the story of Lazarus' resurrection give you hope?
Start by reading verses 17–22.
1. Why did Jesus not immediately go to Bethany?
Do you think it was difficult for Jesus to wait two days?
2. Have you experience times when the Lord seemed "slow" to respond to your prayers? Explain how you felt and acted.
How can these scriptures help us when we feel this way?
3. In verses 21–27, what does Martha say that shows she had faith?
What does she say that exhibits doubt?
Which one of those responses do you find yourself feeling the most often, and why?
4. What does Jesus tell Martha (v. 25) that stretches her faith? How does she react?
Can you remember a time when your faith was stretched?
How did you respond?
Why does Jesus do this?
5. Do you believe Jesus' statement in v. 25?
What does it mean to you?
6. What was Martha's objection when Jesus told them to remove the stone (v. 39)?
Can you think of a time when your natural understanding kept you from seeing a miracle?
7. According to Jesus' statement in v. 40, what do we do to see the glory of God?
Many people say: "Seeing is believing." Jesus tells Martha, "if you believed, you would see the glory of God" (v. 40). What does this mean? Does this have any implication for your life?
8. Does believing in Jesus mean we will never grieve? Explain.
9. What might the grave clothes (v. 44) represent in your life? Where might Jesus be asking you to "take off the grave clothes and let him (her) go"?
10. How does the story of Lazarus' resurrection give you hope?
Sunday, April 9, 2017
He is Here: Palm Sunday
Read John 12:12–19
Scripture Summary:
Jesus' so-called "Triumphal Entry" into Jerusalem at the beginning of Passion Week should perhaps be called His "Tragic Entry," because it triggered events that led to His death. Luke 19:41 says that when Jesus approached Jerusalem, He cried over it. The crowds lined the street and cheered for Jesus as the long-expected King of Israel, but they were hoping for a political king, who could lead a military victory against Rome and provide eventual peace and prosperity for their nation. They were not so interested in a Messiah with a spiritual kingdom, who would provide forgiveness for their sins and who would be Lord of every aspect of their personal lives. So within a week, the shouts of "Hosanna!" turned to "Crucify Him!" The fickle crowd was following Jesus for the wrong reasons.
Group Discussion Questions:
John 12:12–13 reveals that the crowd's perspective about Jesus was "What's in it for me?" Why is that perspective so easy to fall into?
How has that same perspective of focusing on how you're going to benefit left you empty before?
Think about what Jesus did with his life. How is it so different from "What's in it for me?"
John 12:16 reveals that the disciples perspective about Jesus was "I don't trust Him!" What happens when you feel this way?
What do you need to do in order to go from fear to trust in Jesus?
John 12:19 reveals that the religious leaders perspective about Jesus was "I want to be in control!" Jesus was a threat to their own kingdom. Have you ever related to this?
So, what is the right perspective to follow Jesus?
(See closing point for some answers)
Have you experienced disappointment with God? What was the source of your disappointment? How do you deal with it?
Are there any areas of your life (work, finances, relationships, goals, use of time, etc.) where Jesus is not your King?
What specifically do you need to do to yield these areas to Him?
Closing Point, Challenge or Prayer:
The right reason to follow Jesus is because of who He is: God's annointed one, the rightful King over every heart and life. He died for your sins, arose from the grave, and is coming back in power and glory to reign over all. Follow Jesus because of who He is, not for the temporal benefits that He might give you!
Scripture Summary:
Jesus' so-called "Triumphal Entry" into Jerusalem at the beginning of Passion Week should perhaps be called His "Tragic Entry," because it triggered events that led to His death. Luke 19:41 says that when Jesus approached Jerusalem, He cried over it. The crowds lined the street and cheered for Jesus as the long-expected King of Israel, but they were hoping for a political king, who could lead a military victory against Rome and provide eventual peace and prosperity for their nation. They were not so interested in a Messiah with a spiritual kingdom, who would provide forgiveness for their sins and who would be Lord of every aspect of their personal lives. So within a week, the shouts of "Hosanna!" turned to "Crucify Him!" The fickle crowd was following Jesus for the wrong reasons.
Group Discussion Questions:
John 12:12–13 reveals that the crowd's perspective about Jesus was "What's in it for me?" Why is that perspective so easy to fall into?
How has that same perspective of focusing on how you're going to benefit left you empty before?
Think about what Jesus did with his life. How is it so different from "What's in it for me?"
John 12:16 reveals that the disciples perspective about Jesus was "I don't trust Him!" What happens when you feel this way?
What do you need to do in order to go from fear to trust in Jesus?
John 12:19 reveals that the religious leaders perspective about Jesus was "I want to be in control!" Jesus was a threat to their own kingdom. Have you ever related to this?
So, what is the right perspective to follow Jesus?
(See closing point for some answers)
Have you experienced disappointment with God? What was the source of your disappointment? How do you deal with it?
Are there any areas of your life (work, finances, relationships, goals, use of time, etc.) where Jesus is not your King?
What specifically do you need to do to yield these areas to Him?
Closing Point, Challenge or Prayer:
The right reason to follow Jesus is because of who He is: God's annointed one, the rightful King over every heart and life. He died for your sins, arose from the grave, and is coming back in power and glory to reign over all. Follow Jesus because of who He is, not for the temporal benefits that He might give you!
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Jonah: Jesus is a Better Jonah
The Gospel and Jonah:
Jonah pictured the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Jonah boarded a ship to run from God. God sent a great storm that threatened the lives of all that were on board. The seamen attempted to save themselves, but failed. When the seamen asked how to be saved from the storm, Jonah said, "Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you (Jonah 1:12)." Jonah had to die for those on the ship to be saved. Jesus had to die for those on the earth to be saved. Jonah gave up his life. Jesus gave His life.
Jonah's body was in the fish's belly for 3 days. Jesus was in the tomb for 3 days. Jonah was then seen alive and preached to the people of Nineveh. Jesus was also seen alive and preached to His disciples.
The one sign that Jesus gave to prove His identity was the sign of Jonah. His critics demanded a sign. (Matthew 12:38-40, Luke 11:30)
Group Discussion Questions: (Possible answers are in italics)
The book of Jonah is filled with valuable information and lessons for our lives. Discuss how the following points are reflected in the book of Jonah, and how they relate to you:
• The Sovereignty of God
God employs his creation to accomplish His divine plan. The Lord controlled the elements of weather, and he prepared a large fish, a vine, and a worm to do his work.
• God's Interest in All People
God has compassion for all of the people of the earth. The sending of the missionary, Jonah, to these Gentile Ninevites was a clear demonstration of this.
• God is in Control
The Lord is in control of the destiny of nations. Nineveh was given forty days to repent. As a result, the nation was spared destruction for about a century and a half. Later, however, when Assyria degenerated again, she was destroyed and the prophet, Nahum, addresses this very matter. Nineveh fell to the Babylonians in 612 B.C.
• Mankind is Accountable to the Lord
The book of Jonah demonstrates that people who were outside of the Mosaic covenant relationship with Jehovah were still accountable to Heaven's moral law. Jehovah looked down upon Nineveh and observed the wickedness of this people.
• People Can Change
Jonah ran, then repented. The people of Nineveh were enemies of God, then saw their need for Him.
• Repentance Requires Work
Repentance requires a turning away from evil conduct. Jesus declared that "the men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah" (Mt. 12:41), while the book of Jonah says that God "saw their works, that they turned from their evil way" (Jonah 3:10).
Why is it important to see how the book of Jonah points to Jesus?
The past 4 weeks, we've placed ourselves in Jonah's shoes, and have realized how our sin is just like Jonah's. But when we compare Jonah to Jesus, we see that Jesus accomplished the mission without sin. What does this tell you about Jesus?
The Ninevites were lost, far from God, and enemies of Him. But God sent Jonah to them. What does this remind you about God, Jesus, and yourself?
We'll completely miss the importance of Jesus in the story of Jonah if we're not looking for it. We'll also completely miss what God is telling us if we're not searching and listening for Him. What have you seen/heard/learned/applied from the book of Jonah that has drawn you closer to God?
If you were to tell someone why God's Word (from the scriptures of Jonah) has been important for your life, what would you say?
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