The message for this week really focused on anger and how in most cases this can turn into a dangerous situation.
Manifestations of Anger:
1. Sulk, pout
2. Silent Treatment
3. Appease, placate
4. Sarcastic
5. Passive-aggressive
6. Full of anger
7. Go to a third party
Read Matthew 5:21-22. The attitude of being angry is harmful, just as acts fueled by anger are harmful. Read Exodus 20:16 "Do not murder" also means "Do not be angry"; God was calling us to something much more than what we thought. Read Genesis 4:5-6; Cain and Abel were the first example of murder in the Bible. But what led to this murder? Cain's anger. The anger itself was not wrong, but when this anger led to action is when it became dangerous. There is a difference between anger and righteous anger against sin. Read Matthew 5:23-24. We need to make things "right" with others, do not let the sun go down on your anger. If you've wronged somebody, apologize. Read Matthew 5:25-26. Go directly to the person who is making you angry. It's not just about your actions, it's about your heart and your words. "Stir and stones my break my bones, but words will kill me" is what this phrase should say. The only way to deal with anger is to get a new heart and let God fill us with His love, grace, and forgiveness so it spills out of us.
Other Verses on Anger:
James 1:19
Proverbs 15:1
Matthew 18:15
Ephesians 4:26-27; 4:31-32
Discussion Questions:
1. How does anger tend to manifest in you?
2. What easily stirs up anger in you?
3. Do you draw closer to or farther away from God when you are angry?
4. Do you think acts of anger and an attitude of anger are weighed equally? What about in the eyes of God?
5. Is "sorry" a familiar word in your vocabulary? Why? Why not?
6. Does "making things right" with somone always mean continuing the relationship?
7. How does pride get in the way of "making things right"?
8. How do you handle confrontation? Is it working?
Sermon on the Mount: Part 5
Jesus is the new and final covenant! Read Matthew 5:17-20. Christ's affirmation of the New Testament. The Bible is 100% God's word and truth. We cannot pick and choose what we want to believe. Jesus' salvation does not matter if you don't believe that the Scriptures are true. Christ's fulfillment of the Old Testament. Jesus embodied all that the Old Testament foreshadowed. Jesus is the only one who could accomplish all that the Old Testament required. The Bible is not a rulebook for life. It's a way to gather material for worshipping God. Christ's inauguration of the new covenant. Inauguration is a formal beginning or introduction to something. The Old Testament was based on a"you shall.... you shall not" concept. Whereas, the New Testament is based on "I will.." concept. It is not a code to live under, but a person to live through. Read Romans 10:4; this passage tells us that Christ is the end of the law for justification. Read Romans 15:18; God wants people to get out of the way and let Him move through them.
Discussion Questions:
1. What parts of the Bible are most commonly disputed as truth?
2. Are there any parts you have had a difficult time believing?
3. What do you think of the statement: "If the Bible doesn't bother you, then you've never really read it." - Dwight Edwards
4. Where do you see evidence of Christ in the Old Testament?
5. In what ways have you looked to the Bible as a rulebook for life?
6. How has loving Jesus created a new way to enjoy and love God?
7. Do you tend to mix old covenants laws with the new covenant?
Discussion Questions:
1. What parts of the Bible are most commonly disputed as truth?
2. Are there any parts you have had a difficult time believing?
3. What do you think of the statement: "If the Bible doesn't bother you, then you've never really read it." - Dwight Edwards
4. Where do you see evidence of Christ in the Old Testament?
5. In what ways have you looked to the Bible as a rulebook for life?
6. How has loving Jesus created a new way to enjoy and love God?
7. Do you tend to mix old covenants laws with the new covenant?
Find Your Calling
God wants to use each of us in the Kingdom to make a difference. Are we serving in the area that God has called us to?
Read Exodus 3:1-3; 4:1; 4:10; 4:13. Moses felt like God had forgotten about him. He felt inadequate for God's calling. God promised to be with Moses. God uses ordinary people - failures - to advance His Kingdom. He is not going to allow excuses to stop someone from serving. It's not about "ability", it's about "availability". You are on a mission for Christ here! What is your calling?
Others verses about serving:
I Peter 4:10
Matthew 10:8
I Corinthians 12:27
Discussion Questions:
1. What interests are you drawn to?
2. What hobbies/talents have you developed over the years?
3. What is your calling in ministry?
4. Do you feel like God is calling you to serve in a specific area?
5. In what ways do you feel ready for God's calling? In what ways do you feel inadequate?
6. Do you get excited about serving?
7. What is preventing you from serving?
8. Brainstorm serving opportunities with your small group.
9. Do you have ideas for new ministries?
Read Exodus 3:1-3; 4:1; 4:10; 4:13. Moses felt like God had forgotten about him. He felt inadequate for God's calling. God promised to be with Moses. God uses ordinary people - failures - to advance His Kingdom. He is not going to allow excuses to stop someone from serving. It's not about "ability", it's about "availability". You are on a mission for Christ here! What is your calling?
Others verses about serving:
I Peter 4:10
Matthew 10:8
I Corinthians 12:27
Discussion Questions:
1. What interests are you drawn to?
2. What hobbies/talents have you developed over the years?
3. What is your calling in ministry?
4. Do you feel like God is calling you to serve in a specific area?
5. In what ways do you feel ready for God's calling? In what ways do you feel inadequate?
6. Do you get excited about serving?
7. What is preventing you from serving?
8. Brainstorm serving opportunities with your small group.
9. Do you have ideas for new ministries?
Sermon on the Mount: Part 4
We are the salt and light of the world. God's plan is to save the world through us, we are here to bring glory to the Father!
Salt: Read Matthew 5:13. High importance of salt: our bodies need salt to live, for preservation, it was once used as a form of payment, and it was also used to bind covenants. Salt means "divine" in Greek. When salt is mixed with other minerals it loses its saltiness. This is what happens when believers mix with the world. God can fully restore our "saltiness" when we repent and confess our sins.
Light: Read Matthew 5:14-16. Our good deeds praise the Father in heaven. Salt works in secret, but light is out there for everyone to see. The good deeds we do should not gain attention for us, but should draw attention to God. God's plan the save the world is you and I. That's it! It's going to take all of us to save the world, so be that light.
Discussion Questions:
1. When in your life have you felt the most pure in saltiness?
2. When you first taste salt, what is your reaction? Do you find yourself wanting more? How has this been true in your relationship with Christ?
3. Have you witnessed someone taste the salf of a believer and keep coming back for more?
4. How pure is the saltiness of your small group? As a group, are you active preservers of souls?
5. Why, as believers, do we cover up our light?
6. When and where do you feel most comfortable letting your light shine? What situations make it dim?
7. Can you think of a missed opportunity to be salt and light? Can you go back and make a difference now?
Salt: Read Matthew 5:13. High importance of salt: our bodies need salt to live, for preservation, it was once used as a form of payment, and it was also used to bind covenants. Salt means "divine" in Greek. When salt is mixed with other minerals it loses its saltiness. This is what happens when believers mix with the world. God can fully restore our "saltiness" when we repent and confess our sins.
Light: Read Matthew 5:14-16. Our good deeds praise the Father in heaven. Salt works in secret, but light is out there for everyone to see. The good deeds we do should not gain attention for us, but should draw attention to God. God's plan the save the world is you and I. That's it! It's going to take all of us to save the world, so be that light.
Discussion Questions:
1. When in your life have you felt the most pure in saltiness?
2. When you first taste salt, what is your reaction? Do you find yourself wanting more? How has this been true in your relationship with Christ?
3. Have you witnessed someone taste the salf of a believer and keep coming back for more?
4. How pure is the saltiness of your small group? As a group, are you active preservers of souls?
5. Why, as believers, do we cover up our light?
6. When and where do you feel most comfortable letting your light shine? What situations make it dim?
7. Can you think of a missed opportunity to be salt and light? Can you go back and make a difference now?
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