BODY PARTS: Many Parts, One Body

Text:

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Recap:

For legitimate followers of Jesus, belonging to the Church is not a matter of your decision to participate. It is a reality to which we must submit. Just like the hand can't say to the body, "I'm not a part of this," so the Christian cannot say it to the Church. If you are a Christian you are a part of the Church, you just might be abdicating your responsibility to her and thereby harming the body of which you are a part.

Questions (*indicates assistance with answers):

1- 1 Cor. 12:12-26 puts forth "good vibes" regarding the Church, and it certainly seems to say that the Church should be a priority in our lives, but does it really mean that Christians have to involve themselves specifically in a local church or could it be that these are just broad references to the universal Church (all Christians everywhere working toward the same goal though not in the same location)?

          *The does command local church membership (Hebrews 13:17)
          *Furthermore, the analogy of the body functioning together and in concert infers local participation.
          *The body carries out the universal commands of Christ locally by organizing itself into small groups of believers who are obedient together. 

2- Read verses 14-16. Not acknowledging or acting like a part of the body doesn't mean you aren't still attached...It just means the rest of the body is carrying your weight because you refuse to participate. How can we encourage and stimulate inactive Christians toward activity in the local church?

3- Read verse 18. This means that your area of service to the Church is not based upon your desire...it is based upon God's design. He chooses to wire and gift people such that they edify the Church in specific ways. Your area of gifting may not be your area of greatest passion. The test is not personal satisfaction, it's edification. How can we determine where God would have us serve in the local church?

          *The early church didn't have spiritual gifts tests, they had needs. As people saw the needs in their local church they stepped up to meet them and as they served in different areas of need the things at which they were gifted became more obvious.

4- Read verse 21. A lot of 21st century Christians say to the body, "I have no need of you." Why is this wrong?

          *It's arrogant; assuming that we are strong enough to develop spiritually without local assistance.
          *It's presumptuous; assuming that the local church exists for us rather than assuming that we exist for the local church.
          *It's insensitive because if the person is so strong a Christian that they don't need the local church then they should stick around and let some of their awesomeness rub off on others.
         *It's disobedient because the Bible tells us we should not neglect participation in the local church (Hebrews 10:24-25).

-ADULT CONTENT: 5 Marks of a Righteous Life-

Summary: Paul shows Timothy what a man of God should look and act like by giving examples of what a righteous life looks like.  We have to know what to fight for, what to look for, and what to avoid in life as we strive to stay focused on what God has called us to do as His followers.

Text: 1 Timothy 6:11-16

1.  In vs 11, Paul instructs Timothy to “pursue” a life of righteousness through 5 marks. 

a. What are the things that you are pursuing in your life right now?  What are the things that are setting the course of your life and defining it? 

b. If you stay on that course, what will the result of your life be in 5 years?  10 years?  When you die?

2. Take a look at the 5 marks of a righteous life:

a. Godliness- Being aware of God in and around your life.

b. Faith- Trusting and believing in God

c. Love- Our response when we put our trust in Him and respond to our awareness of what He’s done for us

d. Steadiness and Endurance- Stable, steady, consistent, available.

e. Courtesy and Gentleness- Kind, compassionate, courteous.

Which of these marks is the easiest for you?  Which areas need improvement?  Which mark has someone else shown to you or that you've experienced that impacted you in a powerful way in your walk with Jesus?

3.  In vs 12, Paul says to fight the good fight.

a.  What is the “good” fight?

b.  What “bad” fights do you see people pursuing in their lives today?

4. How are you taking hold of the eternal life that God has given you?  What actions and attitudes do you show on a consistent basis that would illustrate your drive to think beyond just the “here and now”?

5.  Paul charges Timothy to keep the commandment “unstained.”  What are things that stain the Gospel?  The Church?  Our lives as Christians?  What steps do you need to take to keep these areas of our lives unstained?

6.  What do you need to do this week to turn your Sunday knowledge into Monday-Friday action?  Share it with the group and stay accountable to those things!

-Backward, Forward, Inward, Outward-

Summary: Communion is a powerful observance of the sacrifice Jesus gave for us.  Like anything in our lives that have repeat exposure, it can become mundane and ordinary in the life of the worship service.  To prevent that, let's look in 4 directions to help keep our hearts focused on this incredibly powerful symbol of love and sacrifice.

Text: Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:26-29, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Psalm 51, and 2 Peter 3:9-10


1.  Backward-
READ Luke 22:14-20
a. When Jesus tells his followers to "do this is remembrance of me," what are we suppose to be remembering specifically?

b. The Gospel is preached every week.  The promises of God are repeated constantly.  Worship songs are sung 3-4 times every service.  Even communion services can have an element of routine.  Has the symbol of communion and the Gospel ever become "ho-hum" to you?  Do you find it losing the "wow factor" in your life sometimes?  How can we keep it fresh and meaningful in our lives?


2. Forward-
a. Why is it so important that Jesus promised to return?  (no more pain or suffering.  Reap the rewards of the Gospel work you did on earth, get to enjoy the presence of God in heaven).

READ 1 Corinthians 15:58
b. Since Jesus is coming back, then how does that affect the way we should live our lives everyday?


3. Inward-
READ Psalms 51-
a. Do you have regular routines of confessing and repenting of sin in your life?  Do you ever take the time to look inward and see if there are things that need to be taken care of with God?

b. How does your viewpoint of sin affect how you view confession?  David obviously thought sin was a big deal in front of a holy God, and responded accordingly.  Is confession and repentance sincere and intense as it was in David's repentance in this passage?

c. How does remembering that your sins are forgiven through Jesus' death on the cross actually make confession and repentance a great, freeing opportunity as opposed to an embarrassing, guilt ridden time before God?


4. Outward-
a. READ 2 Peter 3:9-10.  What is the reason Scripture gives as to why God is patient and hasn't sent Jesus back yet?

b.  READ 1 Corinthians 11:26. What do we "proclaim" about Jesus when we observe communion?

c.  How can you turn what we observed on Sunday into action during your Monday-Friday?

ADULT CONTENT: Guarding is Better

Summary:  In the final 2 verses of his first letter, Paul warns Timothy of something that happens to even the most spiritual people: swerving.  We learn 4 things about the Gospel in these verses as Paul urges Timothy to guard what has been entrusted to him.

Text: 1 Timothy 6:20-21


1.  a. What are ways that people "swerve" from the faith?  Not a u-turn or totally turning their back on God, but a gradual, slight, deviation from the faith?  (Legalism, adding anything to Jesus for salvation and spiritual growth, stop attending a local church, stop studying Scripture, stop honoring God with specific parts of your life).

b.  Can "swerving" be more dangerous and costly for people that a total derailment?  Why?  (swerving goes unnoticed so many times, and people don't even realize they are off target and need to realign.  A total derailment can result in you hitting rock bottom and turning back towards God in a more noticeable fashion.)


2.  Paul uses strong language when he instructs Timothy.  GUARD is an all-consuming word and not simply a half-hearted effort. 

a. What are the areas of our lives that are easiest to let down our guard when it comes to the Gospel?  Where have you slacked off in guarding it?  What do you need to do to get that back on track?

b. How can we relentlessly GUARD the deposit that has been given to us?


3.  In this passage, we see 4 characteristics of the Gospel.
a. It's personal.  "O Timothy, guard the deposit that has been entrusted TO YOU."
Read John 3:16, inserting your name in the blanks: "For God so loved _____ that he gave his only Son Jesus so that if ______ would believe in Him then _____ would not perish but have eternal life."
-How is the Gospel personal to you?
-What does it mean that the Gospel is personal for you and me, and not some high brow religious statement or generic church creed?

b. It's enough. "Avoid the irreverent babble..."
-Where is the danger in focusing in on peripheral issues and teachings outside of the Gospel? (you can become more dedicated to secondary commands and teachings and lose your focus on what really matters.

c. It's practical. "...contradictions of what is falsely called 'KNOWLEDGE,' for by PROFESSING it..."
-Most religious people loved to study and gain knowledge and teach those things, but weren't interested in actually living it out.  What does it communicate to people when you say and preach one thing, but live something totally different?
-How has what you have been learning from the Adult Content series actually changed your life?  How has your Monday-Friday been impacted by what you've learned on Sunday?

d. It's grace. "Grace be with you."
-The MSG translation of the Bible puts that phrase as, "May you experience the life changing gift of God that will keep you and sustain you."  What impact do the words "gift" and "grace" have on your understanding of the Gospel?  How does that change how you receive the Gospel?  How does that impact how you view the giver of this incredible gift?

ADULT CONTENT: Rich is Better

Summary: Paul tells Timothy that if we will put our trust in God instead of our money, then He will richly bless us with everything we need for our enjoyment.  We are exposed here to "God's economy," in which we are shown how we can use our finances to make a difference in the world and experience true life through Jesus.

Text: 1 Timothy 6:17-19


1.  Our entire lives are heavily influenced by money: making it, earning it, saving it, spending it, and using it.  Why is money and our finances often the acid test for our faith in God?  Why is money oftentimes the variable used to measure our trust and faithfulness in Him?  If not money, can you think of a better indicator of what our heart and mind is dedicated to other than our finances and calendar?


2.  In vs 17a, we see the world's view of your economy.  In 17b, we see God's view of your economy.  a. What are the differences in what the 2 teach about money?
b. What are the 2 promises that the world gives you about money (the more you have the happier you'll be, and the people with more money are better than the people without money)?  What are the promises from God found in this verse about money?  (what will He provide, what is the word used to describe how much He'll provide, and what is the purpose behind His provisions?)


3.  In vs 18, we see 4 characteristics that should mark the financial lives of Christians.
a. Do good: Are you using your money for more than just yourself?  Share some ways.
b. Rich in good works: Are you giving faithfully with your finances, but neglecting the other areas of your life?  What about serving others?  What about volunteering?  What about your calendar outside of Sunday morning?
c. Be generous: Is "generous" a word that your friends and family would use to describe your lifestyle?  Are there certain areas of your life that are marked by generosity while other areas are more stingy?  What areas do you need to focus on giving more generously in?
d. Ready to share: so many Christians have a heart to meet needs and would love to give generously in all areas of their lives.  The breakdown is the failure to be ready to do so.  Is there margin in your life?  Your schedule?  Your budget?  If God called you to do something this week with your time and finances, would you be ready to share or would you be apt to say "I'd love to, but I just can't right now"?


4.  In vs 19, Paul urges Timothy and the Church to invest in what really matters.
a. What does it mean to invest in eternity?  What are investments that you need to focus on that are really going to last and will actually matter in the long run?
b. Paul says that investing in the eternal gives "true life."  Is what you are investing in bringing true life to you and others around you, or is it simply about temporary gains that will be soon forgotten?  Answer this question by pulling up your bank statement online.  Pull our your calendar on your smartphone and go down the list.  Is this item investing in the eternal or the temporary.

-Remember not every dollar you spend or hour you have can be spent on something of eternal significance, but hopefully you are building a foundation and leaving a legacy for something that will bring true life long after you are gone.

ADULT CONTENT: Contentment is Better

Summary: Paul writes to Timothy explaining the importance of contentment in life.  Contentment is obtainable if we know where to look and we know what true contentment really is in life.  Don't waste your life looking for contentment in all the wrong places.

Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Ecclesiastes 5:10, James 4:14, and Philippians 4:11-13.


1.  READ 1 Timothy 6:7 and James 4:14.
a.  Many people postpone happiness and contentment to "a later date."  Some are discontent at work on M-F to hopefully find contentment in the freedom of their weekend.  Some are dissatisfied with their lives but say they are grinding it out so they can be content in their retirement and do whatever they want in the latter stages of life.  Some are miserable at home all year hoping to find contentment on a beach vacation or a weekend get-a-way.  What's the problem with delaying contentment according to these 2 verses?
b.  What makes sense about discontentment for 5 days a week to only enjoy 2?  That you work 50 weeks a year only to find happiness in 2 weeks off?  That some people work until they are 65 and then "enjoy" retirement for only a few years with limited mobility and health?  Is that your idea of working toward contentment?


2.  READ 1 Timothy 6:9-10.
a.  Most people are convinced that if they just had "more" then they would be content and happy.  What are the different areas in which people look to find contentment?  (Money, success, acceptance, lifestyle, relationships).
b.  Contentment is a major theme in 4 passages of Scripture in the New Testament, and all of them have to do with money.  Read Ecclesiastes 5:10.  What's the problem with trying to find contentment in money?
c.  What results are seen in the lives of people that sell out to pursue contentment through riches?  What words are used to describe their lives in 1 Tim 6:9-10?


3.  READ 1 Timothy 6:6.
Contentment is translated as being "settled" in life.  Not "settling" in life, but being settled.  Its finding security, safety, satisfaction, and happiness in life.
Godliness comes from the phrase "God aware."  It's knowing who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He has promised you.
So knowing these words, how can being aware of God bring you contentment in life?


4.  READ Philippians 4:11-13.
Paul says he has had it both ways.  He has lived a great life of plenty and riches.  He has also lived a hard life of pain and want.  After experiencing both, what "secret" does he share to being content regardless of your outside circumstances?  Who does he say to rely on?  What is the source of true contentment?


Try out these ideas to find contentment in life.
1.  Be grateful.  Remember what you have and what God has done for you already.
2.  Look in the right place.  Realize that contentment isn't achieved by acquiring more stuff.
3.  Stop comparing.  Comparing and coveting others is a sure path to discontentment in your life.
4.  Serve Others. It quickly takes your mind off of your wants, your desires, your goals, and your needs and onto others.
5.  Be content with what you HAVE, but not with who you ARE.  Keep striving, straining, working, goal setting, and Moving Forward in your life, but learn to be content with what God has given you.

ADULT CONTENT: Doctrine is Better

Recap:

Some people believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin (accomplish by His death on the cross), but they dismiss His offer of righteousness (accomplished by His perfect life on earth). If you don't believe that Jesus' righteousness has been imputed to you then you'll work your booty off trying to create your own righteousness. Disbelief in imputed righteousness gives way to legalism. Trust in imputed righteousness gives way to a life of praise and glad obedience for what Jesus has done.

Questions (*indicates assists with answers):

1- Read 1 Timothy 4:1. What are the teachings of demons, and how might one protect him/herself from them?

*Demonic teaching is the assertion that there is something better...more fulfilling that God. We see this clearly in the enticement of Eve in Genesis 3.

2- Read 1 Timothy 4:2. The text says that the purveyors of demonic teaching have seared consciences. Searing is a process (a relatively expeditious one, but a process none the less). How do you suppose that happens and are you engaged in any activities that may be producing a "searing" effect on you?

3-Read 1 Timothy 4: 3-4. The particular legalism to which Paul responds taught that through abstention from certain pleasures (marriage and good food) one might prove himself righteous. Why is this teaching inaccurate?

*Righteousness is an internal issue, not an external one. The problem of unrighteousness is ingrained in our nature. It will take something more than abstention to transform us.

4-Read 1 Timothy 4:5. How do the Word of God and prayer make things clean?

*The Word of God refers to the Gospel, and prayer is the thing that aligns us with God's heart. When the Gospel and prayer are transforming your heart it allows you to partake in all of the pleasure God created without worshiping/going after the pleasures. Instead those pleasures actually become catalysts for worship/going after God who gave you the pleasure. That makes things clean because they are being used for their intended purpose (e.g. Sex is a great gift from God, but when misused it can become one of the filthiest practices in which we engage).