Getting to Know You...On Purpose!

Some thoughts for reflection:

There is a strong correlation between spiritual progress in one’s life and one’s relationships.   Pastor Andy Stanley speaks about establishing intentional relationships.  He reminds us that when we apply for a job, because we need the money and we seek a certain vocation, we choose to invest in the relationships with whom we work.  When we pursue an education to gain knowledge and open doors of opportunity, we form relationships with fellow students and instructors.  When we move to a new neighborhood, because we like the house, we choose to meet and get to know our new neighbors.  Why then would we not seek intentional relationships within the realm of church?  Why would we only respond to those who seek us out first?  Why are we not more intentional about joining groups for the purpose of making spiritual progress? 

Read Acts 2:42-47. 

1.        How did the believers show intentionality in becoming a community?

2.       How well do you think these Christians knew each other?

Significant relationships require some transparency.  Yet, we live in a culture that is very much image oriented.  We can be whoever we are on facebook!  To get real, we have to allow others to know what is beneath the surface.  When people come in for counseling there is a predominant belief that everyone else in the church has it together except themselves.  This is simply not true.  We are all human and we all struggle!  Only God has it all together! 

Read James 5:16.

3.        If we are forgiven by confessing our sins to God through Jesus, our High Priest, why does this verse admonish us to confess our sins to each other? 

4.       Why do you think it is healing to open up to another trusted individual, whom you admire in the faith, and confess your sins? 

5.       Can you name someone who knows your struggles and can pray for you with a real knowledge of your life?

Read Romans 15:7. 

6.       Give an example of when you felt accepted by someone?

7.       Explain what it means to accept someone.

Read Romans 15:5.

8.        Who gets the glory when we are real with each other, work through difficulties, become transparent with each other, confess our sins to each other and pray for each other?

9.       After working through this study have you become more convinced that it is necessary for your spiritual progress to be intentional about establishing and nurturing relationships?  What specific step will you take as a result of what you learned? 

The Speck

Matthew 7:1-5
Sermon: Recovery Road part 1

1. Have your ever seen the T.V. show “Judge Judy?” What do you think of her quick decisive judgments?

2. Read Matthew 7:1-5. In this Scripture passage and in the sermon series, Recovery Road, we are going to be learning about attitude – which is our own personal responsibility. Specifically, we are going to talk about our propensity to judge others before we judge ourselves. Why do you think, as human beings, we are prone to do this?

3. How does Matthew 23:12 and I Corinthians 11:31 give us direction in this area?

4. Our culture would tell us that self-exaltation and self-gratification are o.k. and we should build ourselves up. There is a lot of emphasis on “self-esteem.” But the Bible speaks very differently on these subjects. Read Luke 6:41-42. What is Jesus directing us to do?

5. Commentator Matthew Henry shares the insight that while we are not to judge, some in the body of Christ are to “reprove,” which is somewhat different. A good contemporary word would be to “admonish”. Answers.com defines “admonish” as to reprove gently but earnestly or to counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution. What, in your opinion is the difference between “judging” and “admonishing?”

6. According to Jeremiah 17:9-10 and Mark 7:20-23, what is the true condition of the human heart?

7. What does Luke 9:23-24 say in regards to the way Christians are to deal with ourselves?

8. Human nature is such that there is a constant temptation to self-centeredness. The outgrowth of a self-centered mindset will result in thoughts, words and actions that re hurtful to one’s own walk with the Lord, and then to others around us including one’s church family, friends, church family and other believers.

According to Proverbs 28:13, what are we to do to guard against self-centeredness and the inclination to judge others unfairly?

9. This is a personal question for reflection and self-examination this week. Think through a recent situation in which you were upset. In the quietness of your heart read II Corinthians 5:9; Colossians 1:10; Colossians 3:2 and 3:17 and then determine whether you were seeking to please God or please yourself in this situation?

10. Another question for your own quiet devotion time: Human beings tend to judge the sins of others on a scale. There are sins as big as “logs” and sins that seem as insignificant and minor as “specks.” Yet, when a speck is in our own eye, it is incredibly painful! All of our sins – no matter what size we think they are stand between us and a Holy God. That is why we need a Savior – to forgive us of our sins. As a personal exercise, list the things for which God has forgiven you recently. Include thoughts, words and actions. Look up I John 1:9 and write the words of this verse over your list.

How does looking through the filter of forgiveness change the way we view the shortcomings, faults and outright sins of others?

The Games People Play

Sermon for New Years – It All Starts by Stopping - Hosea 6

1.      What is your all time favorite game?  Why do you think you like it so much?

2.       A song popular in the 70’s was called ‘The Games People Play.’  One of the lines went:  “Oh the games people play now, every night and every day now, never meaning what they say, now, never saying what they mean.”  What do you think the lyric writer meant?  Contrast this meaning of “games” with the kind of “games” mentioned in question number 1.  

3.       Read Hosea 6.  Starting in verse 4, God was addressing the nation of Israel and their tendency to “play games” with Him.  What are some common “games” people play with God?

4.       At the heart of the issue was a sense of loyalty.  God stayed completely loyal to His people and continually tried to draw them to Himself.  Sometimes He did this by giving times of blessing.  Other times when they strayed He would discipline them in order to bring them to their senses and cause them to return to Him.  Compare God’s relationship to the people of Israel with His relationship to you.  When do you purposely seek God more – in seasons of blessing or times of trouble?

5.       How has God used trouble in your life to draw you to Himself for restoration and spiritual healing?

6.       What does it mean to ‘just get by’ in your relationship to the Lord?  Describe what bare minimum Christianity looks like in your own words.

7.       Read Psalm 62:7-8.  Human beings tend to have mixed motives in one’s relationship to God.  The purity of wanting to please the Lord out of a sense of gratefulness for His sacrifice tends to get tainted by our own human desires.  Stop and think back to a time when your heart was in the best place that you can remember.  What was it that preceded that time of love and commitment to the Lord?  What did you read in these verses that helps you in your relationship with the Lord right now?

8.        Read I Samuel 7:3-6.  The prophet Samuel was addressing the nation of Israel and instructing them what to do if they were really serious about returning to the Lord.  He talked about giving up things that had become more important to God than God Himself, obeying the Lord, praying, fasting and confessing their sins.  For group discussion, consider how engaging in some of these “spiritual disciplines” is quite different than a simple “New Year’s Resolution.”   In the quietness of your heart determine in what area God is speaking to you and what your response will be at this time.

9.       How would you describe someone whom you respect (without naming names) that is totally devoted and loyal to God?  What commitment would it take on your part to become more like that person?