A.11 Where does the church fit into my commitment?

/by

How does the Bible illustrate fellowship?

What has been your experience in fellowship with other Christians?

A Story

“YOU BELONG TO THE FAMILY” was the phrase used as we met Sue, Bernice, and Darrell. Another new believer expressed how lonely he was in this life. He wanted to meet Christ, but he also expressed his need for people. He said that he could not find people who would love and care for him. He was alone. When we told him that as a new believer he belonged to the family of God and our local family, a smile and tears began to run down his face. He had found what he was looking for as he discovered and made his commitment to follow Christ. It was very moving to see this emptiness be filled in his life.

Digging Into The Bible

When someone is born into God’s family as a result of a commitment to follow Jesus, the Bible describes them as “Born Again.” In John chapter 3 you can read more about being born again. This means you are born into God’s family. You belong to a family. That means there are relationships to develop in knowing others in this family. The strengthening of these family ties will help you grow and deepen relationships with others who belong to God’s family. The Bible gives some key steps for us to get involved with other followers of Jesus. This can happen in a local church fellowship small group or one-to-one relationship. A key verse to look at this is:

Hebrews 10:24-25

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and more as you see the Day approaching.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean to spur one another toward love and good deeds?
  2. Why is meeting together so important?
  3. How do you see these meetings happening?
  4. What should happen in these meetings? What is the day approaching?

Application & Accountability

  1. How have you been encouraged in your commitment so far?
  2. What steps can you take to find this level of relationship?
  3. When would you like to get started?
  4. What is hindering you so far from being with other family members in God’s family?
  5. How do we overcome that?
  6. How can I help?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

A.10 How do I listen to God and have a conversation?

/by

What is an example of something you have heard from God?

What has helped you be obedient to what God has said?

A Story

Scott grabbed his ancient King James Bible with the pages showing their age. He was new at following Jesus. He wanted to know how prayer and listening to God worked. We demonstrated to him how to listen to God by reading his Bible every day. We encouraged him to write down key thoughts that God gave him. We suggested certain Bible verses for him to meditate on. He began to do that, and you could see the joy on his face. “I heard from God,” he said. Now I just naturally respond with conversation about what I read and thought about. It was so exciting.

Digging Into The Bible

Jesus said to us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” So, this tells us that a relationship or conversation with the Father is going to have to happen through Jesus. When we hear his words then we can respond in prayer. We will look at a passage to give you a glimpse of how this communication will take place.

Let’s look at Romans 8:16,

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean the Spirit testifies with our spirit?
  2. What is our Spirit?
  3. How do we get a Spirit?
  4. What does Jesus teach in John 3 about being “Born again”?
  5. What does this tell us about being born again and our Spirit?
  6. What does his Spirit tell our spirit?

Application & Accountability

  1. How does this help you in listening to God?
  2. How can you grow in the conversation?
  3. Where does time fit into all this?
  4. When do you want to get started?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

A.9 What is the commitment Jesus is asking me to make?

/by

What do you think it means to follow Jesus?

What examples have you seen who successfully follow Jesus?

A Story

Steve was a student at San Diego State University. He was not a Christian. He heard the good news of the Gospel of Christ. He was so excited about the change in his life in knowing Christ, that he devoured the Bible and began to grow deeper in his relationship with Jesus. He came to hear Jesus say in Matthew…” Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.” Steve took this so deeply to heart he wanted to see God give him men who would come to Christ. He eventually prepared himself to go overseas to reach men in the Philippines for Christ. He followed, and Jesus made him a “FISHER OF MEN.” Filipino men trusted Christ. What is the commitment Jesus is asking of his disciples?

There are three questions that all people will ask in light of God’s will:

  1. Who am I going to live my life for? For God or Self?
  2. Who am I going to live my life with? Future Mate?
  3. What am I going to live my life doing? What will be my work?

If you are asking these questions, then let’s look at a few passages of scripture:

Digging Into The Bible

When Jesus began his public ministry, he began to teach about the Kingdom of God.  There were many people who came around to listen and try to understand this Kingdom’s teaching. He preached “Repent of your sins for the Kingdom of God is near.” From this teaching, there were some who were drawn to Jesus and wanted to know more.  There were four fishermen who heard this message and they began to spend time listening. Soon there was a time that Jesus said to them: 

Matthew 4:19

 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What is the commitment Jesus was asking for in this passage?
  2. What does it mean to follow Jesus?
  3. What does it take to trust Jesus in this invitation?
  4. What did Jesus say he would do?
  5. How does this request from Jesus work itself out?
  6. What did he promise he would do?

Application & Accountability

  1. Why are these statements relevant to us?
  2. What do you feel the commitment Jesus is asking from you?
  3. When will you make that decision?
  4. What will you start doing to follow Jesus?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

A.8 How do I know if the Bible is true?

/by

What questions do you have about the Bible’s authenticity?

What questions do you have about the Bible’s authority?

A Story

Jose was in class, and he questioned the group. “How can I trust this book the Bible? I have heard it has all kinds of errors and contradictions.“  Jose was not alone in questioning the validity of the Bible. Is it a book of myths? Do we have any evidence of the Bible’s authenticity? We shared with Jose that some don’t believe it because they don’t want to. Others have had experiences with people who believe in the Bible, yet their lives are in shambles. We asked him if he felt like his reasons for questioning were well thought out. Dale, responded, “I have never had anyone explain it to me to help me believe.” We shared our stories and helped him take steps in his journey toward truth.  The Bible is an amazing book that claims to be God’s inspired word. Either it is or it isn’t. There is much evidence for its reliability that is expressed in an excellent book called EVIDENCE THAT DEMANDS A VERDICT by Josh McDowell. If you need to strengthen your intellectual foundation of the Bible’s origin and historical and archeological evidence, you will find help in this book.

Digging Into The Bible

One verse that has been very helpful is John 7:17. Jesus in this Book written by one of his disciples is traveling about and speaking about what God has told him to say in proclaiming His Kingdom. He had some folks question whether his teaching was from God or not. He gave them these thoughts:

(John 7:17)

“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” 

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What is the choice one has to make to know whether this teaching is from God?
  2. How does one demonstrate that he has chosen to do the Will of God?
  3. What will he know if he chooses to do the will of God?

Application & Accountability

  1. What steps can you take to grow in your understanding and confidence in the Bible?
  2. How will you proceed to grow in your trust in the Bible?
  3. Can you think of any situation where you have told God you want to do His will? Would you like to pray that now and tell him you trust Him?
  4. How will you record your discoveries of truth?

A.7: I Have A Reading And Daily Devotional Plan

/by

What has been your experience in reading the Bible regularly?

What have been barriers to having a daily devotional?

A Story

George asked his businessman friend from a small group meeting, “How often do you read the Bible?”   Bill responded, “I read it when I can, but I am so busy I can’t find time between work, family time, house maintenance, and other activities.  George asked him how often he eats meals. He responded, “Three times a day when I can.” George responded, “What would happen if you didn’t eat?”  Bill, with a curious look, said, “I would get weak and eventually die.“  “It sounds like eating is important to a vibrant life,” said George. He continued with the metaphor and said, “IF we don’t feed on God’s Word, the Bible, we will get weak, and it will impact the strength of our spiritual vibrancy and life.” Bill responded, “That makes sense.” What must I do to feed on the Word of God regularly?  George, with excitement, said, “I will show you a scripture that lays a foundation for this and a few ideas on how to get started on your daily spiritual eating plan.

Digging Into The Bible

Jeremiah 15:16 was shared with Bill

“When your words came to me, I ate them; they were the joy and my heart’s delight for I bear your name.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. In this verse, what does “your words “mean?
  2. How does someone eat the words of God?
  3. What happens when you eat something? What is the metaphor here?
  4. Why do you think the words of God were a joy and a heart’s delight?
  5. What has been your experience in eating the Word of God?
  6. What happens when we eat the Word of God like our spiritual food?
  7. What do you think it means to bear his name?
  8. When you are born into a family, whose name do you take?
  9. When you were born into God’s family, who’s name do you bear?

Application & Accountability

  1. What has been your experience in reading or eating the Word of God?
  2. What will you experience if you read and eat the word of God daily?
  3. What will stop you from eating the Word of God daily, like physical food?
  4. What plans have you experienced in regularly reading the word of God?
  5. How open are you to begin a new Bible reading plan?
  6. What steps can you take to strengthen your Bible reading?

Digging Into The Bible (Part 2)

Let’s look at another verse, Revelation 1:3,

 “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near.”

Discussion & Discovery (Part 2)

  1. What does Blessed mean?
  2. What does the reading refer to?
  3. How does II Timothy 3:16 help us understand the value of reading?
  4. What are the two actions in this verse? Reading and Hearing
  5. How do we take it to heart?

Application & Accountability (Part 2)

  1. How can you put reading and hearing into your daily life?
  2. How much time could you devote daily to this practice?
  3. When would be a good time to practice feeding on the Word of God each day?
  4. How would you shape this into an action step?
  5. Would you be interested in seeing some suggested reading plans?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

A.6 How can I understand the Bible? II Timothy 3:16, 17 and John 16:13

/by

What is important about knowing the Bible?

What is your current grasp on how the Bible comes together?

A Story

Kenny looked at Dennis and asked, “Do you want to grasp and understand the Word of God? Dennis responded, “You bet!” Kenny began to tell Dennis,” The Bible is a huge book; it has 66 books, 39 books are from the Old Testament, which means the Old Covenant that God made with Israel. The New Testament has 27 books and represents the New Covenant that God made with all mankind. Many people have spent their lives seeking to know God through reading and studying the Bible. I will show you five ways to grasp the Bible.” He taught and modeled these five ways for Dennis to grasp the truths of the Bible.

First, Hear the Word of God…this can be done at church services, online, and by just listening to the Bible being read. Romans 10:17

Second, Read the Word of God…this can be done by setting up a reading plan that is in your capacity. There is a reading plan online called “THE BIBLE PROJECT.” It is a great plan in how to understand the major parts of the Bible. Revelation 1:3

Third, To study the Bible…Here is where you begin to study major subjects in the Bible or understand different Bible books. There are tools available for this step.

II Timothy 2:15

Fourth, To memorize key verses in the Bible…Here is where you can start with some memory systems to hide the Bible verses in your heart. This guidebook contains verses you can memorize under making your commitment to follow Jesus. Psalms 119:9-11

Fifth, To meditate on the verses in the Bible… The Bible teaches us that meditation will take you deeper in understanding. This takes time and skills of meditation. Joshua 1:8

Digging Into The Bible

A key passage of Scripture to discuss this is II Timothy 3:16-17:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for Teaching, for Rebuke, for Correction and training in righteousness that the person of God might be fully equipped rightly dividing the Word of Truth”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What are the four things that the Bible is profitable for?
  2. What do these four things mean?
  3. What does it mean to be inspired by God?
  4. How would understanding the Bible be profitable?
  5. What does it mean to divide the Word of Truth rightly?

Application & Accountability

  1. Of the five ways to understand the Bible, which one would you like to get started in?
  2. What can you do to improve your hearing of the Bible?
  3. What can you do to improve the reading of the Bible?
  4. What can you do to improve your study of the Bible?
  5. What can you do to improve the memorizing of the Bible?
  6. What can you do to improve the meditation of the Bible?
  7. What will be your first step?
  8. When will you get started on that step?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

A.5 Will God guide my life?

/by

What area of life are you seeking guidance?
How has God guided you in your life so far?

A Story

Rod was asking the question. “Should I move to Georgia?” He continued asking, “How will I know God’s will?  I love God and want to do his will. How will I know?” The friend responded, “Many questions roll through our minds as we try to make decisions. Depending on our background, we make those decisions from knowledge, counsel, selfishness, or generosity. If you are making a decision to follow Jesus, that means you are going to want to choose to do what Jesus would want you to do. How do we do that?” Rod wanted to know about Georgia and God’s direction in his life.

Digging Into The Bible

To get you started, we are going to look at the wisdom God gave Solomon about making decisions. You can find this one step of wisdom in

Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean to trust someone?
  2. How do you grow in trust?
  3. How do you know if you are trusting someone with all your heart?
  4. What is the problem of trusting in our own understanding?
  5. How do you acknowledge him in all your ways?
  6. What are some of the ways in your life that you have not acknowledged Him?
  7. What can you do with that area to trust Him with it?
  8. What is the promise in this verse?

Application & Accountability

  1. What experience have you had so far in God directing your path?
  2. What area of your life can you take a step in trusting Him to guide you?
  3. How and when will you take steps to seek his direction?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

A.4 How will I know that my sins are forgiven?

/by

What does it feel like to be forgiven?

How well do you forgive others?

A Story

“I can’t believe that I committed that sin again.” Deshona was feeling so bad about her actions and words. She had even committed herself to not sin again like that. Joan, who was meeting with her, said to her, “The reality is whether you are a new believer making your commitment to follow Jesus or you have been walking with God for quite some time, there is always the need to be assured that when you confess your sin that God will forgive you and will lead you into righteous decisions.

Digging Into The Bible

Let’s look at a verse of scripture that gives us God’s thoughts on forgiveness. We will look at I John 1:9,

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean to confess your sin?
  2. What is your definition of sin?
  3. What has been your biggest challenge in dealing with sin?
  4. What feelings do you experience when you know you have sinned against God?
  5. What did you discover about God in this verse?
  6. Why is it so important to see God as faithful?
  7. Why is it so important to see God as just?
  8. How can God forgive our sins?
  9. What does it feel like to be cleansed from all unrighteousness?

Application & Accountability

  1. When you know that this will happen when you confess and agree with God about your sin, what do you experience?
  2. What sin are you holding on to that you must confess and believe God has forgiven you?
  3. When will you do this time of confession?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

A.3 Will God help me with temptations?

/by

What are the temptations you have been facing?

How have you experienced God’s help in overcoming them?

A Story

“I lusted after a woman.” John shared this with his friend. He felt so guilty.  He wanted forgiveness and wanted to know if he could ever have victory over this temptation.  The friend shared that every one of us faces temptations, just as Adam and Eve in the Bible were tempted in three areas; Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil in three areas. We are usually tempted in three areas.

Digging Into The Bible

In I John 2:15-16, it gives us a look at the three areas of sin:

“Love not the world neither the things that are in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.”

Someone summarized these words: 1. The desire to indulge, 2. The desire to possess, and 3. The desire to impress. These three are common temptations for everyone, but especially for the new person seeking to commit to follow Jesus.

Each person on the journey needs to know.

I Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.    And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does this verse tell you about the heart of God?
  2. How do you feel when you know that we all experience temptations?
  3. What are the temptation or temptations that you struggle with the most?
  4. What does this verse tell you about the solutions to overcome temptations?

Application & Accountability

  1. What steps can you take first to find out what is the way God has made for you to overcome?
  2. What can you do this week to take steps toward victory in temptation?
  3. What do you remember from Matthew 4:4 about how Jesus dealt with temptation?
  4. How can you apply that in your life this week?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

A.2 Will God hear and answer my prayers?

/by

What has been your experience with God answering your prayers?

What do you do when you don’t get an answer?

A Story

A new Christian in the neighborhood came for breakfast. We discussed different concerns about her life. She shared about her sister. She was reluctant to pray and ask God to take care of the situation with this family member. It seemed to her to be fruitless. She was discouraged about the lack of answers to her prayer.

Digging Into The Bible

This question was facing the disciples of Jesus who were following him.  He taught them many things. He gave them commands and instructions about the Kingdom of God. One day, after teaching them many things, He made this statement:

John 16:24

“Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive that your joy will be made full.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What was Jesus telling his disciples, and why?
  2. What does it mean “Up till now”?
  3. Why do we ask in Jesus’ name?
  4. Why, from this verse, does God want to answer our prayers?

Application & Accountability

  1. How do we ask ‘In Jesus’ name?
  2. What can we ask for?
  3. What are we confident that we will receive?
  4. What does it mean to have your joy full?
  5. What will you do to take steps in your prayer communication with God?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible: