“Wrestling with Grace” // September 29, 2024

Read: Genesis 26:34-28:9

1. What about the sermon most impacted you or left you with questions?

2. Read the passage out loud together. Read slowly, allowing space for comments and observations.

3. It was said in the sermon that this story could be summarized like this - Though this family was an absolute mess, God was at work in the mess by his grace. In the passage, what specific aspect of this family’s mess stood out to you? Where do you the signs of God’s grace at work?

4. It was also said in the sermon that the main application for us in this story is - Though we are an absolute mess, God is at work in the mess by his grace. What part of this statement do you most wrestle with? If you don’t have a problem with this statement, how do you see it’s truth working on in your own life? There are 3 truths regarding God’s grace that are revealed in this story. A person will, at some point, have to wrestle with these 3 things to become a Christan, to grow as a Christian and stay a Christian:

   1) The Front Door of Grace – The front door of grace is admitting we are an absolute mess just like this family. Are you able to admit that? Do you resist this? Do you find freedom in this? How do Jesus words in Mark 2:15-17 say the same thing but in a different way?

   2) The Freeness of Grace – Have you ever wrestled with the idea that if grace is free for sinners who are a mess, then does that mean we can do whatever we want?... and get away with it? How does this story address this question?

   3) The Fairness of Grace – We rightly recoil at Jacob receiving the blessing by deceit. That’s not fair! It’s not. This is just a hint of the scandal of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:13-14 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us so that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus.

   Jesus takes the curse to give the blessing to those who don't deserve it. Why? So, we can live in the blessing he deserves - the fullness of life in the presence of the Father. We come as we are – with all our mess – saying, “Have mercy on me, a sinner, an absolute mess!” God say, “That’s the life I bless.” What difference would it make if we believed this? (think especially in the ways we dress up and pretend to be something to get or earn blessing from others or from God)?

5. BONUS – Which of the 3 aspects of grace do you most wrestle with? how does it play out in your life. What might it look like if this aspect of God’s grace got a hold of your life?

Because of His Great Love // May 26, 2024

READ: Ephesians 2:1-10

The letter to the Ephesians serves as a foundational text for understanding Christian belief and life. Unlike other New Testament letters addressing specific issues in particular churches, Paul wrote Ephesians as an overview or “handbook” for Christianity. This makes it an excellent guide for both new and seasoned Christians. Our passage is well-known because it most clearly displays the Gospel and how God's plan and power work in our lives, offering a transformative message of hope and renewal.

1. The Diagnosis

Paul begins by providing a stark diagnosis of the human condition: spiritual death. In verses 1-3, he describes humanity as "dead in trespasses and sins." This condition is not limited to a specific group but includes everyone, both Jews and Gentiles. Even though humans are physically alive, all are spiritually dead, unable to live as intended by God. This diagnosis explains the persistent problems of human history—oppression, war, and brokenness—and even our personal struggles. The doctrine of "total depravity" indicates that sin affects every part of our being and existence. There is no pocket of human life outside of this death. Recognizing the severity of our spiritual condition is crucial to understanding the need for a profound remedy.

2. The Remedy

The remedy for spiritual death is found only in God's intervention, driven by His great love and mercy. Verses 4-7 introduce the pivotal phrase "But God," signifying that God acts to make us alive with Christ despite our dire state. This transformation is entirely a gift of grace, unearned and undeserved. The reason behind this gift is God's abundant, steadfast love. Because of His great covenant love, God is fully committed to making us fully alive in Christ. This love that calls us out of darkness and sustains us is a divine gift that could only be reversed if God ceased to love Christ, which is impossible! Keeping the playback loop in our hearts that God is fully committed to making us fully alive can transform our lives, driving out fear, anxiety, and the need for approval from others. It empowers us to trust in God's power and direct all our forces against the idea that sin no longer kills and we can’t earn His love.

3. The Result

Salvation by grace alone leads to a new purpose in life. In verses 8-10, Paul explains that we are created for good works, which God has prepared for us to walk in. We are described as God's workmanship (poiema), implying that our lives are unique works of art crafted by the ultimate artist. This identity as God's poiema, or poem, means that our good works are not efforts to earn God's favor but expressions of the new life and purpose we have been given. Just as Michelangelo's sculpture “David” is a testament not to David but to Michelangelo’s vision and skill, so our lives reflect God's creative power and love. This understanding infuses our actions with meaning and purpose, motivating us to live out the good works for which we were created.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What about the sermon most impacted you or left you with questions?

2. What does it mean to be "dead in trespasses and sins"? How can we see evidence of this in the world today? In your own life?

3. Why is it important to acknowledge the severity of our spiritual condition before we can understand the need for salvation? Do you struggle with the doctrine of “total depravity”? Why or why not?

4. What is the significance of the phrase "But God" in this passage? How does it change the narrative of our lives? Was there a moment in your life when the “breaker switch” clicked? Are there times now when you forget that the power is already turned on?

5. How does recognizing God's steadfast and abundant love help us combat fear, anxiety, and the need for others' approval? Where is a place in your life where the love of God speaks more powerfully and particularly to you?

6. How does the concept of being God's workmanship affect your understanding of your identity and purpose? What examples in our culture compete for claims upon your identity and purpose? How do we resist these for us and our children?

7. What are some examples of good works that you feel God has prepared for you to walk in? Be specific! Are there concerns, gifts, or abilities you have to contribute that you have leaned into or left off the table? Why or why not?

Powerful Prayer // May 19, 2024

Read: Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians is unique among all the letters in the NT because the apostle Paul wrote it as a general letter to be read and circulated among many churches in one region. He wrote it as a summary of the Christian faith and life, so we should not be surprised to find it saturated with prayer. Prayer can feel intimidating for Christians at any season in their faith. That is why Paul invites us into prayer as he writes about the most precious truths of our faith. Would you listen if someone told you they had something powerful to help your Christian life grow in any season? In our passage, Paul reveals to us that it is prayer.

1. Why We Pray

Paul's unwavering commitment to prayer comes from his understanding that God is constantly at work in the world and our lives. The “I never stop giving thanks” in v. 16 points back to God's loving plan of redemption in v. 3-14. We don’t pray because God isn’t at work but because He is already at work in the world and our lives. We often pray as if He is absent or inactive and needs to intervene. Instead, our prayers should be anchored in gratitude, recognizing and appreciating how God's grace is already manifest in our lives. This posture of gratitude connects our prayers to the praise of God's glorious grace lavished upon us in Christ.

Just as it is unhealthy for any relationship to focus exclusively on what the other person is not doing, it is even more detrimental to our relationship with God. We pray to recognize how God is at work, which guards us against cynicism and disillusionment. We can truly develop eyes to see and discern God's grace at work, even amid many imperfections and struggles in our lives. We find such an example in Barnabas, who rejoiced in seeing God's hand upon the early church in Antioch despite their shortcomings (Acts 11:21-24). 

2. What We Pray

Paul's approach to prayer stands in stark contrast to the customary well-wishes and prayers for health that were prevalent in ancient letter writing. Rather than focusing on external circumstances, Paul directs his prayers to the very core of our being – our hearts. His central prayer is that, by the work of the Spirit, the “eyes of our hearts” would be enlightened to see that “what is” is what is. “What is” the hope of his calling, the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us are not contingent upon the fervor of our prayer or our moral performance. These truths are unshakeable realities for all who have placed their faith in Christ. What if the secret to Christian prayer is not in something you don’t yet have but in knowing what you already have?

If Paul’s prayer is for the eyes of their hearts to be enlightened, then one way to describe our greatest spiritual problem is when our hearts are darkened and our vision is cloudy. Powerful prayer is prayer that clears the fog to help us see what is real and true. It is only because of the Gospel that we have real hope, value, and power. Here is where the fog can become the thickest. It is a “hope of his calling” (v. 18) and not merely our own. Our value is not found in working for our own inheritance but in being God’s inheritance in Christ. Power does not come from us but from Christ’s resurrection (v. 20-23). His resurrection power alone brings life to what is dead in us and light to what is dark in us. Through prayer, we can see our true hope, value, and power in Christ through any fog and thus face anything in this life. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What about the sermon most impacted you or left you with questions?

2. Read Ephesians 6:18 as a group. Do you find this encouraging or intimidating? What makes it difficult to pray like this? Share something that distracts you from prayer and how you have faced it over time.

3. When you do pray, what do you pray for most? Why do you gravitate toward that? How might your prayers be more “what is” prayers rather than prayers for “what isn’t?” Where is God at work in your life right now?

4. Where have you found pockets of doubt, cynicism, or disillusionment in your prayer life? Is it toward God, others, or both? How can the “why” in v. 3-14 contribute to gratitude in your prayer life as it does for Paul? Is there a promise that stands out most that keeps you oriented?

5. Is there a moment in your life where you realized God had truly provided you with precisely what you needed or more? What about a friend or family member? Did you pray more or less during that time? What does this have to do with praying for God to enlighten the “eyes of your heart” right now?

6. Where is the fog thickest in your prayer life? Is it about a struggle to find hope in your circumstances? Is it in recognizing your value? Are you intimidated by your own lack of power or what seems to be more powerful forces around you in our culture and time? How are these three related in your life?

7. How might this passage provide you with a new powerful way to pray? Where do you need to rely upon God’s resurrection power and not your own? Is it a particular sin, struggle, relationship, work/family situation, or fear about the world?

8. Close your group by praying for one another using this prayer as a springboard. Pray for what was shared in response to question #6.

The Church: Reexamined and Reimagined // May 12, 2024

Read: 1 Corinthians 12

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What about the sermon most impacted you or left you with questions?

2. What aspects of our modern church do you believe go against what Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 12? Where might we have gone wrong? How much is related to the influence of secular culture (outside) or specific issues within churches (inside)?

3. What recommendations would you give to help reimagine the modern church to look more like 1 Corinthians 12? As you listen to others, what kind of people, ministries, qualities, or gifts come up?

4. Which gifts and ministries are valued highly in the modern church? Which are valued lower but are just as important? How might you pray for and encourage those who serve in these ministries?

5. What are some qualities, roles, or commitments you expect from a pastor or an elder? What about an individual church member? A group of church members? How and why are they different? Have you ever changed your expectations over time? Why or why not?

6. How has God used others in the church to minister to you and your family? How have you witnessed the variety of God’s gifts, services, or activities on display in seasons of joy and contentment? Seasons of hardship and disappointment?

7. Did you find it challenging to hear that our church may need you more than new staff or pastoral roles? Have you found a way to share the variety of your gifts and abilities in our church? Why or Why not? Where might the Lord be calling you to serve more? Rest more?

8. Take some time to share what gifts and abilities you see in those in your group. Let this be a time of encouragement and affirmation.

A Loving Plan // May 5, 2024

read ephrsians 1:1-14

Ephesians is unique among all the letters in the NT because the apostle Paul wrote it as a general letter to be read and circulated among many churches in one region. If you have ever wondered how to summarize the Christian life or what it is all about, this is a great place to begin. Paul begins with the big picture, which will not only help us not only survive through another day. It will give us a vantage point to help us grow and mature. No matter what is happening in your life now, what has happened, or even what will happen, we must never forget that our loving, wise, and powerful God is sovereign. His ways might not look like ours, but they are more loving than we could ever imagine.

1. There Is A Plan

Despite how random, chaotic, and devoid of deeper meaning the world can seem, our lives are part of a purposeful, divine plan orchestrated by God. Paul’s passionate and powerful language assures us we don’t need to be bogged down by doubts about the what, how, or why of the plan. The text calls us to focus on the "Who" behind the plan, and it is not a language of debate or speculation but pure worship. God, our Father, is working out everything according to His wise and gracious plan for the praise of His glory. Just as children can trust their parents' care on a trip, so can we find peace and security in knowing our lives are unfolding according to God's providence, which goes back before the foundation of the world. 

2. It Is Not Our Plan

Knowing there is a divine plan behind our lives can bring comfort, but it can also be deeply frustrating. God's plan for this world and our lives does not always align with our own desires. As Prov 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." We are free to make plans, and we should! But we must ultimately accept that God's purpose will prevail, even when things unfold in ways we did not expect or want. There are two levels, without which we will never mature:

Head Level - Verses 8-9 remind us that God makes known the mystery of His will with perfect wisdom and insight that far surpasses our finite human understanding. To object to His plan is to claim we have more wisdom than God.

Heart Level - Verse 4 reveals the goal behind God’s plan is to make us holy and blameless before Him. The struggles, losses, and humbling experiences we would never choose for ourselves are exactly what God uses to shape our maturity in Christ. Though painful, accepting that God's plan transcends our own is vital to our growth.

3. It Is A Loving Plan

To possess the confidence and courage to grow and mature as a Christian, we must be convinced deep in our souls of one thing: God's plan is a loving plan moving towards our ultimate good and His ultimate glory. In verses 4-6, we see that the driving force behind God's plan is the same perfect love He has for His beloved Son, Jesus. From eternity past, God has lavished this divine, covenantal, and unassailable love upon us "in the Beloved One." It is not based on our merit but only achieved through faith alone. The love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the very fabric of all reality. They will forever exist in an eternal fellowship of good pleasure and joyous delight that can never be broken. Are you looking for a new vantage point? This is the peak! If we are in the beloved, we are beloved nothing can separate us from God’s loving plan for us. 

No matter how fragmented or broken our lives may seem, verse 10 reveals God's plan is to unite all things in Christ. He is merging our stories with the greater cosmic narrative that unveils His glory. Though its unfolding remains a mystery, we can trust that every piece (even the most painful) will ultimately be redeemed and built to showcase God's passionate love for us. If God set his love on you before the world began – you didn’t earn it, you can’t lose it. The Holy Spirit helps us embrace this truth in the midst of our present struggles. Allow God’s loving plan to fill you with joy, peace, and hope. Most of all, let it give you rest!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What about the sermon most impacted you or left you with questions?

2. Would you call yourself a planner? Why or Why Not? What are the strengths and weaknesses of establishing your own detailed plans? How do you typically react when things don’t go according to your plans?

3. What words or verses in this passage stick out to you as you reflect on God’s plan for us? Which ones encourage you the most? Which do you wrestle with the most?

4. Are there specific questions or doubts you have (or have had before) that distract you from the “Who” of the plan? Can you narrow it down to the head level or heart level? Why are both essential?

5. Share an experience when something didn’t go according to your plan but ultimately led to your growth or maturity in Christ. What did you learn about God? Yourself? How do you encourage others from your own experiences without diminishing the difficulty of these experiences for others?

6. Why is it so difficult to believe that God’s plan for you is a loving plan? How does the gospel provide us with assurance that no matter what - God’s plans for us are loving? What are some areas in your life where you are tempted to doubt or ignore the loving plan of God? What would it look like to believe wholeheartedly that God’s love drives al his plans for you? 

7. What is a psalm, song, or hymn that reminds you of God’s loving plan? How might you prepare for those times when it goes silent? How do you make sense of these moments if you can’t earn or lose God’s love?