BACK TO THE FUTURE II
Growing in Faith: Part 2 of 6
A Biblical Worldview— How Jesus Thought about God

Opening Prayer & Confession of Faith

Worship (optional)

The Big Idea:
How did Jesus think about God? How did his thinking about God guide his life?

Summary:
Jesus is the perfect example of a person having a God-centered, biblical worldview as the focus for his life. Jesus lived with a proper understanding of God and of his purpose in life, which was to do the will of his Father in heaven. He submitted himself to God and aligned every decision to his mission and purpose. He prayed, he listened, and he obeyed. This focus helped him overcome the temptations to sin and to do things his own way. To the very end of his life, Jesus trusted in God and remained obedient to the will of his Father.

Discussion Questions: (read the scripture & discuss)

Matthew 6:5-13
In addition to providing us with an example of prayer, what does Jesus reveal about God’s nature in this prayer?

Luke 22:40-44
Do you pray with this kind of passion? What outcome did Jesus ultimately pray for? How can we pray like Jesus?

John 18:10-11
Did Jesus accept and trust the will of the Father or did he decide to do it his way? Do you have areas in your life where you are not submitting in obedience to God’s will? If appropriate, give some examples.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
What does Paul say is the will of God for your life? How does this affect how you think about your life?

2 Timothy 3:16-17
How do our knowledge, understanding, and application of Holy Scripture benefit our worldview? What is one way you can increase this influence in your life?

Taking Action: What do you plan on doing this week to make your life more God-focused? What changes will you make in your life to help you pray like Jesus, listen like Jesus, and obey like Jesus?

Ministry Time

BACK TO THE FUTURE II
Growing in Faith: Part 1 of 6
A Biblical Worldview—Thinking Like Jesus

Opening Prayer & Confession of Faith

Worship (optional)

The Big Idea:
Do you think and live like Jesus? Do you even know if you are thinking and living like Jesus?

Summary:
A follower of Christ will live life based on a biblical worldview. They will actually think and act like Jesus. This happens when we seek God’s will, replace our desires with his desires, and actually obey his commands. We can’t live like Jesus if our minds are filled with the things of this world rather than the things of God. Transformation happens in our lives when our minds are renewed. It is when we think like Jesus that we will then act like him too. This is important because God demands that we be doers of the word and not just hearers. Authentic discipleship is evidenced when we think like Jesus, do what Jesus did, and ultimately live our lives in submissive obedience to his teachings.

Daily Devotionals & Group Discussion:
Monday - Acts 2:40-42
Are you devoted to God’s Word or to the things of this world? Where do you spend your time – ible or TV?

Tuesday - Romans 12:1-2
How can we know how to live like Jesus and follow God’s will? Are you making time in his Word a priority in your life?

Wednesday - Ephesians 4:17-24
What is the cause of a darkened understanding, separation from the life of God, and ignorance? What can you personally “put off” in order to help correct your thinking?

Thursday - 2 Corinthians 10:2-6
What thoughts do you need to take captive? Now, what will replace those thoughts?

Friday - James 1:19-26
What happens when we hear the truth, but don’t live it? What are we promised when we are obedient to the Word of God?

Saturday - John 14:15-21
How does Jesus qualify who is his disciple? What does Jesus promise to those who think like him and therefore obey him?

Taking Action: What are you doing in your life to ensure you are thinking and then acting like Jesus? What are some things you could be doing?

Ministry Time

In addition to the weekly curriculum that complements the sermon series, we recommend the following resources for your LifeGroup.

• Design for Discipleship (NavPress) FYI, Book #2 is amazing.
  Begin your personal journey into biblical discipleship. You can learn more about the wealth that is available to you in Jesus Christ through this exciting Bible study series. You can discover what it means to be a Christ-centered disciple, how to develop Christian character, how to have victory over sin, and how to grow toward maturity in your daily walk with God.
• Biblical Foundations a.k.a. The Purple Book (Broocks, Bonasso & Murrell) The Purple Book is a twelve-part Bible study designed to help new believers and longtime followers of Jesus stand firm and grow strong in the Christian life. Take the challenge to build the foundation of your life on the Word of God. Do The Purple Book.
• Beth Moore Bible Studies
• 40 Minute Bible Studies, by Kay Arthur
  Length: 6 Session per study
  Format: Bible Study
  This Bible study series from Bible teacher Kay Arthur and the teaching staff of Precept Ministries tackles important issues in brief, easy-to-grasp lessons. Each book in the series includes six 40-minute studies designed to draw you into God’s Word through basic inductive Bible study.
• Enemy Access Denied, by John Bevere
• The Bait of Satan, by John Bevere
• Driven By Eternity, John Bevere
• The Attributes of God, by A.W. Tozer
  Length: 10 Sessions
  Format: Bible Study
  This study will help you to understand God’s attributes and challenges you to apply them into your own life.
•  Fasting and Prayer:
   Hunger for God by John Piper
   Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

You can order these resources from the City of Grace bookstore in Mesa. Email danam@wordofgrace.org.  

(Note: if you would like to use a resource not on this list, please submit it to eric.jones@cityofgrace.com)