FAITH: The Man That Never Died

Text: Hebrews 11:1-6, Genesis 5:21-24

Summary: Faith invites us to turn away from the world and find true contentedness, hope, and confidence in God as we walk with him. 

Understanding God’s Word: Know and Understand the Truth

READ Hebrews 11:1

• Everybody who has ever lived has faith in something. As we look at the world around us who or what do you see people putting their hopes and confidence in? (Hint: Money, politicians, technology, achievements, ect.) 
• As Christians, we've been changed so that we put our hopes and confidence (faith) in something new, something different from the rest of the world. What are those things?
• As Christians, when Jesus is the object of our faith, do we have more or less assurance and hope than people who put their faith in the things of the world? Why?

Living and Applying God’s Word: Give a Vision of Life With God. 

READ Hebrews 11:5-6

• These two verses give us a picture of what it looks like to live a life in faith. What can we learn from Enoch’s life about hopeful confidence?
• What is God offering us when we live in faith like Enoch? (Hint: Walk with God, we will never experience death, living a life that pleases God, assurance of all the rewards He’s offered us {Ephesians 1 gives us a good idea of what some of these rewards are.} ) 

Assessing the Heart: Identify and Address Sin. 

• However, as Christians, there are times when we become content with the things of this world, when we put our hopes in them, and when we pursue and draw near to them. How are we in danger when we choose those things over God? (Hint: We can get burned by them when they fail us, they don’t give us truly fulfilling or lasting rewards, we can end up living a life void of eternal purpose and significance, etc.)
• What does it communicate to God when we turn our hearts from Him and give them over to these other things of the world? (Hint: Pride - We think we know what is best for us; Unbelief - We don’t believe that God is inviting us into a life that is better than what the world can offer; Idolatry - We elevate people or things to the status that only God should have.)

Turn to God: Confess and Renew Belief in God

• What do you feel God is calling you personally to confess and repent of? 
• Psalm 119:105 —> God is using His Word as a gracious reminder to help us see how empty the things of this world truly are. It’s His Word, these reminders, that give birth to a holy discontentedness to the things of this world. This holy discontentedness becomes a catalyst for our faith; God is inviting us to draw near to Him instead and walk with him. What are some practical ways God is inviting you to walk in the same direction as Him this week, or what are next steps He’s inviting you to take in faith? 

BODY PARTS: Follow or Fail

Summary:  There are spectators, fans, and players in the Body of Christ.  Which one are you?  How can you move from being on the outside looking in to actually using your gifts to be a part of the life change through Jesus that we see inside the Church all over the world?

Text: Matthew 16:13-18, Matthew 4:18-20, Matthew 28:19

1. Jesus saw people that thought he was 1 of many good prophets, people that thought he was just a good guy doing good things, and people that actually believed he was the Christ.  This is a difference between spectators, fans, and players.
There is 1 thing that moves you from a spectator/fan to a player in the body of Christ.  It's commitment.  What are things that you are currently committed to in your life?  What does commitment look like for you in the local church, and what commitments do you need to make to take the next step?


2. READ Matthew 16:18.
What's one thing that can stop the church from being effective in its mission.  Is it God?  Is it Satan?  (It's the church.)  What are ways that the body actually hinders itself from being effective?


3. READ Matthew 4:18-20
Pastor Nathan said in his message that "to truly follow Jesus, you have to be willing to STOP following what you are currently following."
a. What are things in our lives that we follow?  How are they distracting us from following Jesus?
b. What nets do you need to drop in order to be a faithful member of the body?  Vs 20 says they IMMEDIATELY dropped their nets.  What nets have you been holding on to that you know that you need to drop?  What's keeping you from dropping it and finally being a player in the body of Christ?

4.  READ Matthew 28:19
"Followers help other people follow."  There's no way around it.  Unfortunately, most Christians cannot point to a single person that they have helped to follow Jesus.
a. What is the big command from vs 19 that Jesus gives his followers?  (MAKE DISCIPLES)
b. Making disciples is easy as "1 beggar telling another beggar where to find the bread."  Practice on each other!  What would you say to someone if they asked you about being a follower of Jesus?  What parts of your story would you share?

BODY PARTS: Together or Alone

Summary: As a part of the body, we were made to function in relationships with God and one another. But even though community can be divided by walls of hostility, we can experience truly satisfying and meaningful community through a bloody man on a cross.  

Text: Ephesians 2:12-22

Understanding God’s Word: Know and Understand the Truth

-Paul is speaking to the church in Ephesus, a people that were challenged by the division of Greeks and Gentiles. Who are the kinds of people that we see divided in the world around us today?

-What kinds of dividing walls of hostility do we notice around us? What are the root causes of those walls?

-What is the ultimate reason that we are called to live in community as Christians?

-How can the way we live in community be a great way of sharing the gospel with unbelievers?  

Assessing the Heart: Identify and Address Sin. 

-Who is someone in your life that you are are struggling to getting along with?  

-What kind of walls of hostility might you be bringing to that relationship? What is the root issue in your heart that is causing this?

-What are the consequences of our actions? 

Turn to God: Confess and Renew Belief in God

-There’s ultimately nothing that we can do to change our hearts towards this person/people. Why do you need the cross?

-As long as we’re in this world, there’s going to be times when we'll inevitably struggle with our desire to be loved and accepted by others. There will inevitably be times when we aren’t having that need met. How might living in light of your acceptance in Christ change the way you work through those struggles? 

Living and Applying God’s Word: Give a Vision of Life With God. 

-Since our ultimate relationship with God has been restored, what kind of hope can that give you for the torn or hostile relationships that you mentioned in your life?

-What are some practical ways that we, as a community, can live out our family identity by serving, caring, and loving one another?

-How can we as a community be a place where we can invite others to experience God by the way we live in relation with one another? How can we be this kind of community outside of the rGroup setting?

BODY PARTS: Real of Fake

Summary:  What does it mean to be a "real" follower of Jesus?  The Bible is very clear about what a true disciple looks like, what true disciples do, and what true disciples say.  Are you are real or fake?

Texts:
Matthew 7:21-23


1. What's most intimidating about the idea of being a disciple of Jesus?  What's the most compelling about it?

2. Jesus said that not everyone who calls out to me "Lord Lord" is a real follower.  Here, we see that simple belief that God is real or that Jesus walked on earth does not make you a disciple.  Belief always leads to behavior.  How has your belief led to a change in behavior as you've grown as a follower of Jesus?

3. Read Matthew 15:8.  What's so bad about poeple that honor God with their lips, but are far from Him in their hearts?  Isn't honoring God with your lips good enough?  Why is it important for behavior to coincide with beliefs?

4. Read Titus 1:16 and Luke 6:46.  What are some characteristics of "fake" Christians?

5. Read John 13:34-35.  Talk about someone who loved you well when you were growing up.  How has that person's influence carried over into your adult life?

How has your obedience led to action in your life?

BODY PARTS: Grow

Summary: Growth is a normal part of life.  Growing is expected in our physical, emotional, relational, and social lives.  In fact, a lack of growth in a person's life is usually a cause for concern and a red flag for a parent or family member that something isn't right.  Growth in our spiritual lives is no different.  God expects it, and if it isn't happening then it should be an indicator that something isn't functioning properly.

Text: Philippians 3:12-14, Hebrews 5:12-14


1. READ Hebrews 5:12-14.
a. What is the author of Hebrews challenging the Church with in these verses?
b. What are areas of your spiritual life that are still on milk?  How have you moved from milk to meat in other areas?


2. READ Philippians 3:12-13.
a.  The first step in our spiritual growth that Paul shares is "Forgetting."
-Paul took some great steps in his walk with Jesus before writing these verses.  He grew tremendously throughout his ministry.  What was the last growth step you took in your walk with Jesus?
-Have you become satisfied with that step?  Are you so busy patting yourself on the back for your last step that you lost sight of taking your next step?
-On the flip side: Do your past sins, struggles, mistakes, and pains leave you nervous or feeling unready to take the next step?
-How can a negative experience in your life prevent you from seeing future spiritual growth?

b. The second step in our spiritual growth is "Straining."
-Are there areas of your spiritual life that are on cruise control?  Are you playing it safe, not making much progress, and simply cruising effortlessly?
-Spiritual growth will NEVER happen by accident.  It takes effort.  It takes determination.  It takes the will and desire to actually move forward and take the next step.  What does "showing effort" look like in our spiritual lives?  How can you strain spiritually towards something?


3. READ Philippians 3:14.
a. Have there been times where you have been discouraged in your spiritual life?  Had a dry season?  Spent a season without much growth?
b. How can you defeat those feelings of doubt, fear, anxiety, failure, and lack of results?
c.  What does "pressing on" in your spiritual life mean?  How can you do that practically this week to make sure you are growing and moving forward?


4.  Everyone has a next step to take.  So what's keeping you from taking yours?  Out of these 3 growth steps (or others examples in your life), what do you think is your biggest hinderance to seeing spiritual growth?  What's your practical solution for getting beyond that excuse and seeing some growth in your life?

BODY PARTS: Open Hand or Closed Fist

Summary:  Generous is a word that should be constantly used to describe Christians and the Church.  God has been so generous to us that generosity should be overflowing to others in our lives and in our city.  Let's look at 3 points about generosity and being a generous person that are found in Scripture.

Text:
Malachi 3:8-10
Proverbs 11:24-25
2 Corinthians 9:6-13


1. Generous Starts with God
READ Malachi 3:8-10
a. How does God say that His people "rob" Him?  It sounds like some over-the-top language being used for something that seems so insignificant to many Christians.  What does the strong language that God uses in these verses communicate about His viewpoint of generosity and giving to Him?

b. Charities, non-profits, and "good causes" are great things to contribute to by Christians.  However, the House of God takes precedence over those things when it comes to first fruits.  How is giving to other organizations different than giving to God through His local church?  (hint: Who gets the honor and glory and fame and recognition when a charity gives a lot of money?  Now, who gets the honor and recognition and fame and glory when God's church meets a need and gives generously?)

c.  Have you ever wanted to buy something, but couldn't afford it?  Ever had to wait until you got paid again to be able to make a certain purchase?  Ever had to do without something because you simply didn't have enough money at the time to get it?  Of course, we all have.

The same idea works with your generosity.  Giving to God is important, but why is it important to START with giving to God? (because if you start with God, you'll always have enough to be generous to Him.  You'll never be "out" or "short" because you prioritized everything else if you'll keep God first).


2.  Generous Ends with More
READ Proverbs 11:24-25 and 2 Corinthians 9:6, 8
a.  What is the big promise made here in Scripture? (that if you're generous with God, then He'll be generous towards you).  In what ways is God generous towards us?
b.  Who is the person that suffers the most from a lack of generosity? (the person that isn't generous!)

READ 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
c. As a result of your generosity, how will people respond to God?  What 'more' will God get? (worship, honor, glory, thanksgiving, credit)

READ 2 Corinthians 9:13
d. Generosity is contagious.  Other people are oftentimes challenged by our generosity, which births a generous spirit inside of them.  Have you ever been challenged by the generosity of someone else?  Have you ever been inspired to be generous as a result of someone else's generosity?
e. How do you think your personal generosity towards God could spur on those around you?


3.  Generous is Personal
READ 2 Corinthians 9:7
a. More than a number, more than a percentage, more than a dollar amount, what is God looking for specifically in our giving?  (our heart, our motive, the joy and cheer behind the giving).
b. What is your current attitude and heart behind giving? (hate it, reluctantly do it, feel obligated, just following the rules, do it because that's how I was raised, cheerful, don't care about it)
b. What was the process that some of you went through to determine what you give to God?  How do you ultimately decide how much?  Is there a certain amount that is your "floor"?  Is there a certain amount that is your "ceiling"?


NEXT STEPS:
What are your next steps personally in the area of generosity towards God?
1. Giving for the first time
2. Be more consistent in my giving
3. Evaluate my attitude and reason behind my giving
4. Evaluate the amount that I give
5. Be willing to set the bar for generosity to challenge those around me

BODY PARTS- Effective Prayer or Powerless Words

Summary: Prayer is the most powerful thing that the parts of the body can do individually, and the most powerful thing the Body can do together as a whole.  Yet. prayer is oftentimes the most overlooked opportunity that we have been given.  God gives us some great insights into His desire to communicate with us, as well as a promise of what He will do if we call out to Him.

Text: Jeremiah 33:1-3


1. Read vs 2.
a. What does the name YAHWEH communicate to us?  Why does God choose to use this name more than any other name for Himself in the Old Testament? (it's a personal name, a loving name, the opposite of a title.  God wants us to know Him as YAHWEH because He desires to have a relationship with us.  We're not just robots created to mindlessly obey every command.  We are made in the image of God to enjoy a relationship and live in community with God).

b. God is the creator of the world, He established everything in it, and rules over the world.  What does it communicate about God that He would desire us to talk with Him?  What does it communicate about how God views us in giving us this opportunity?

c.  Have you lost some of your "wow" when it comes to talking with God?  Is the reverence and awe still there?  Or has it become mundane and routine.  Pause for a moment: The creator of the world wants to talk to you!!!  That's amazing, breathtaking, and incredible.  We lose sight of how incredible prayer is when we lose sight of how incredible God is.  What steps do you need to take in your prayer life to bring your awe and "wow" of God back into proper perspective?


2.  Read vs 3
a. Call- This word communicates urgency, desperation, volume, tone, and emotion.  When is the last time you have prayed like that?  What were you praying about?

b. Read James 5:16  What kind of prayers end in result?  What kind of prayers have power?  Do your prayers have fervency and urgency?

c.  What are the 3 main answers to prayer?  (yes, no, and "yes, but wait").  Can anyone share a story of how God answered your prayers in any of these ways?  What's the hardest answer for you to receive from God?

d. Are there things that you don't know?  I don't know...
a. what to do
b. where to go
c. what decision to make
d. who to trust
e. how to respond

If so, that should be your red flashing light to pray.  What does God say is the key to knowing great and hidden things?  (Call out to Me)  Take some time to write down a few things that you need to spend some time this week in calling out to God.

e. What are the "hidden things" in life you desire to find?  Peace, understanding, answers, insights, joy, meaning, purpose, satisfaction.  God promises to show you these things as you pursue Him.

What do you not know now that you could know through prayer?  That should motivate you to get serious about calling out to God.