Monday, August 25, 2014

"Who do you say that I am?" - Matthew 16:13-20 (8/24/14)

1. Have someone read the passage.
2. The profession, "You are the Christ" is a statement that concerns our belief about Jesus and about ourselves. When we make this profession, what are we saying about who Jesus is? What are the implications of this for us?
3. In this passage we see that we believe in Christ because God revealed it to us, why does God's revealing himself to us humble us?
4. What is the sure promise that is made to us in this passage?
5. As a result of the promise, we have a stunning privilege, what is it and how can we live this out?

Monday, August 18, 2014

"Whose Likeness is This?" - Matthew 22:15-22 (9/17/14)

1. Read through the passage together.
2. Ryan said that this passage is, "less about political leanings, and more about personal loyalties." What are the different things, ideas, groups, etc. around us that are competing for our personal loyalties?
3. Jesus' instruction, "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's," leads us to give to our country our "allegiance" and our "resistance." Discuss ways that we can and need to do both.
4. While we have an obligation to our country, we see from this text that we have a greater obligation to our Creator. Where do we see Jesus teaching us that we are to give our whole lives to him?
5. Where are the places in your life that you are prone to give greater to allegiance to rather than to Christ?
6. What are practical ways we can grow in giving all of our humanity and all of our hearts to Jesus?

Monday, August 11, 2014

"How much is that sparrow?" - Matthew 10:26-33 (8/10/14)

1. Have someone read through the passage aloud.
2. Why does Jesus ask the question about the sparrows?
3. What does this say about God's character and who he is?
4. What are the things in your life that you fear? What is a situation you've experienced recently that caused you to act or respond with fear?
5. How does what Jesus says in this passage address our everyday fears?
6. The doctrine of God's sovereignty is a wonderful truth, but often it can used in our relationships in unhelpful ways. Discuss how we can appropriate God's sovereignty with sympathy in our relationships.
7. Spend some time in prayer, thanking God for his sovereign care over all things. Ask him to give you wisdom and sympathy when speaking of God's sovereignty to others who are hurting or fearful.

Friday, August 8, 2014

"Do you understand what I have done to you?" - John 13:1-17 (8/3/14)

1. Have someone read the passage out loud.
2. Charles talked about us chasing greatness, how does the world around us define greatness? Where are the places that the world looks for greatness? Where are the places that we look for greatness?
3. How does Jesus, by his actions and his words, re-orient our understanding of greatness?
4. What was so revolutionary about Jesus' redefining of greatness?
5. How can you live out this new form of greatness (service / foot washing) in your family, church, work, neighborhood, etc? Try and be specific and don't limit yourself to just your service as an individual but include service as a community.