Session 3: Part 2 Life in the Church

Session 3: Part 2(pgs 51-64)

Icebreaker/Challenge Review:

With you group, share your experiences about learning to become consistent in spiritual disciplines. How has God given you opportunities to share your experience with others?

Videos:

Part 2: Life in the Church

Discussion/Prayer:

“While every individual needs to obey Jesus’s call to follow, we cannot follow Jesus as individuals.”

1. How does the above statement change the way you view the Church?

1. What are some practical ways this changes the way you interact with people in the church?
2. What is one way you can intentionally work on interacting with people in the church this week?

Read 1 John 2:3-11, 15-17

2. How does 1 John 2 affect the way you interpret Matt 28:18-20?

1. What kind of image do these passages paint about what discipleship looks like practically?
2. What issues do you have about with this image of discipleship? What frustrations/objections do you think other people might have about this picture of discipleship?

3. What do Christians mean when they talk about not being “of the world?”

1. What is an example of a Christian that loves the world and is of the world?
2. What does vs 16 say is the stuff that comes from the world?
3. What is contrasted/compared in vs 16-17?
4. How can you articulate vs 16-17 to a non-churched person in plain English?

Read Ephesians 4:1-16

4. How does this passage clarify your role in the church?

1. What are some tips from Ephesians 4 that you can ask other believers to keep you accountable in?
2. How does this passage affect the way you view pastors/ministers? Their role or job in the church?

“Ministry sounds intimidating until you develop a realistic view of what ministry is really about….do you know people who struggle with sin? Do you know people who are carrying burdens? If so, then your first steps toward ministry are easy: help them.”

5. Who are some people in your life God’s given you the opportunity to help?

1. How does the above definition of ministry influence how you’ll interact with those people?
2. What obstacles do you face in letting people help you?

Read Mark 7:18-23, Ezekiel 36:26-27

“if we are trying to address these problems by regulating a person’s circumstances or behavior, then we are wasting our time.  These things come ‘out of the heart of man.’ Whatever help we can offer people who are struggling with sin has to be aimed at transforming hearts, not behavior.”

6. What kind of guardrails or warning signs can we put up to determine if we are trying to just change someone’s behavior?

1. What would does it look like practically to a person’s heart to transform?

“Helping people change is what discipleship is all about.  As we help other Christians follow Jesus, we are going to run into the temptations, lies, and idols that hold them back. It will be difficult, but we know what Jesus has accomplished, and we know how this story will end.  We have  apart to play in God’s plan of redemption.  It won’t always be fun, but we must be faithful to God’s calling.”

7. How has this session added to your understanding of how to disciple?

1. What have you learned from this session that you will be applying to how you follow Jesus this week?

Individual Challenge:

Find at least one person of the same gender you can ask to become your prayer partner this week.  Meet with this person in person/or on the phone(not text) and let them into your areas of struggle, ask that person to pray with you on that area.