Printer friendly copies of curriculum: LifeGroup Curriculum: November 30, 2008.

Advent 2008 - Us without God - In the Dark

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:

Without God in our lives, we walk in darkness. With God in our lives, we walk in the light, because Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace.

Summary:

Many of us still seek guidance and direction in darkness and dead ends and we are surprised when this results in anger, depression, restlessness, emptiness and fear. Because of his great love for us, God has sent Jesus to be our Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace.

He has given us wisdom from the Scriptures to guide our lives. He has sent another Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to be our comforter and helper and to walk alongside of us. God is with us to guide us and to transform us.

God is a loving father who sometimes disciplines us for our good. He doesn’t always give us what we want, but what we need. He is transforming us into the image of his son. He is completing in us the work that he has begun.

Jesus is Wonderful Counselor, full of grace and truth.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Isaiah 8:19-22; 9:1, 2, 6

When you choose to seek God and depend upon him rather than other resources how have you walked in the light rather than the darkness? How have you come to know Jesus as Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace?

Psalm 119:104-105

How have the Scriptures come to guide your path? How have they changed your worldview and perspective on life?

Isaiah 7:14; John 14:6

Jesus is called Immanuel, which is God with us. How have you known Jesus in this way? Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit as another counselor to walk alongside of us. How have you known the Holy Spirit as a comforter, counselor, advocate and helper?

Hebrews 12:5-10

How has God cared for you as a loving parent? How has he guided you? How has he disciplined you? Has he always given you everything that you wanted or what he thought best for you? Have you always understood his parental role in your life?

Taking Action:
Seek to know Jesus as Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace. Choose to walk in the light rather than the darkness. Seek to understand God as your loving father who disciplines you for your best. Choose to listen to the still, small voice of God rather than the many loud voices of this world.

Ministry Time

Printer friendly copies of curriculum: Life Group Curriculum: November 23, 2008.
Red Plastic Viewer - Four

(Life)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
Each of us is the Lord’s prized possession. He loves us, cares for us, has redeemed us, is forming us, has called us by name and we are his. Many times, we feel insignificant, but he desires that each one of us experience the sanctity, significance and security of life.

Summary:
Almost all of us struggle with feelings of insignificance because of comparison to others, past hurts and rejection, or past mistakes. We may feel distant from God because we think that he is busy with other things or more important people. We are using the world’s Viewmaster and not God’s. We don’t reach out to God or others because we have a fear of rejection.

We need to believe the truth about who God says that we are. Your life is precious to God. You were created in the image and likeness of God. Life was designed for living—God desires that you enjoy the life he has given you.

God has redeemed you from the Viewmaster of this world and given you a new identity in Christ. Who you believe you are will always affect how you live. God has called us by name to a life of new identity, of destiny and of significance.

Our life in God is secure. We belong to him. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We are more than conquerors through God who loves us! See yourself as God sees you and live as a child of God.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Isaiah 43:1-7
How does this Scripture affect the way that you view yourself? How does God care for you as an individual? How much does God love you? If we embrace this, how will it affect how we live?

Psalm 139:13-16
Do you believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made? Do you believe that God is involved in your daily lives? Does God have a purpose for you and your life? How does this affect our self-image?

Proverbs 23:7
What is your view of yourself? What lies do you struggle with from the old Viewmaster? Who has God said that you are? How can you allow God to transform your mind so that you will think correctly about who you are?

Romans 8:37-39
Do you truly believe that nothing can separate you from the love of God? What does it mean to be more than a conqueror? What would it look like if we lived from a place of security rather than fear?

Taking Action:
What will you do this week to begin living a life of sanctity, significance and security? How will you begin to be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom 12:1-2)? Begin to believe who God says you are. Begin to say out loud who God says you are. Ask others to help you in areas of in which you feel insignificant. Speak well of others in your family, LifeGroup and community. Believe what the Viewmaster has said about you.

Ministry Time

Printer friendly copies of curriculum: full version. 

Red Plastic Viewmaster
(Worldview — Suffering)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
Suffering is everywhere, and people want to know why. Why do bad things happen to good people? What do you believe about human suffering, and why do you believe it?

Summary:
The presence of suffering is universal. It is impossible to sneak through life without being touched directly or indirectly by the pain of being human. The topic of suffering often raises a few questions. What does suffering teach us about God? Is God the architect of human suffering? What does suffering teach us about ourselves? Is my suffering somehow my own fault? Or, is it the fault of those around me? Prior to the disobedience in Eden, mankind existed in a pain-free environment. Adam and Eve knew nothing of aches and pains, arthritis, or cancer. They lived free from anxiety and fear - free from addictive, destructive behavior. In the beginning, a good God created a good world and filled it with goodness. But man’s sin opened the door to defilement and destruction, which distorted the goodness of God’s in the world. Adam’s sin left us in a world of hurt. So the presence of suffering in our world is the result of original sin, but there are still definite consequences of personal sin.

Let’s look at four simple reasons for suffering. (1) We suffer because we live in a fallen world. The world in which we live is not the world as God made it. (2) We suffer because of the operation of God’s moral law. When a person breaks God’s moral law, someone or something is going to suffer. The Bible calls it the “law of sowing and reaping.” (3) We suffer because we are in a spiritual war. We have a mortal enemy who is determined to destroy us. When we do not exercise our spiritual authority, we needlessly suffer under the attack of the enemy. (4) We suffer because of the chastening of the saints. There are times when God chooses not to insulate us from pain and there are times when He allows us to suffer, knowing that He is working in us a far greater reward. What does Christianity offer, if not a way around the pain? It offers strength to endure suffering and healing in the midst of pain. How can a follower of Christ approach suffering? (1) Release your need to know why. (2) Believe for a better future; trust God and expect the best. (3) Choose joy over despair. You may not be able to choose whether or when you are tried by fire, but you can choose how painful and prolonged your trial is.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Romans 5:12-17
What does this passage reveal about the original source of sin and suffering? When God created the world, He said it was good – what happened? In this light, discuss why bad things happen to good people.

Ephesians 6:10-18
What does Paul mean when he says our battle is spiritual and not against flesh and blood? Discuss how this reality has affected your life and the way you deal with suffering. How do you prepare for battle, and how do you fight? Give examples.

James 1:2-12
Why can Christians actually consider suffering a good thing? How have trials and suffering been used in your life to develop and mature you as a follower of Christ? 

Taking Action: Draw up your battle plans. Put on the armor of God every day. Make sure you have a battle plan that involves deliberate time in God’s Word. After you have prepared each day, stand in the assurance and confidence of your position in Christ Jesus.

Ministry Time

Printer friendly copies of curriculum: full version. 

Red Plastic Viewmaster
(Worldview — Success)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
How do you define success? What drives you? The world has its explanation and prescription, but as Christ followers we must embrace the definition and truth of success presented to us by the View Master – God.

Summary:
What is success? Is it the accumulation of things? Is it simply about achieving more, acquiring more, and possessing more? Your answer will be based on the source of your worldview. The world’s view of success is really quite straightforward: getting what you want while gaining fame or prosperity.  However, the ultimate view master, God Himself, reveals to us that the purpose of life does not exist in the abundance of things. There is more to life than what you own, where you live, what you drive, and who you know.  But for many people, even some Christians, having more is the prime motivation in their lives. Why do people exchange what is eternal for what is temporary? It is so sad and frustrating to see people giving up the victory, freedom, joy, and peace found in Christ for the trappings of this world. It is heartbreaking to watch the destruction of holy matrimony over the pursuit of momentary pleasure.

God has provided us with several criteria for determining whether or not we are living a successful life. He tells us that relationship matters. Our relationship with Jesus Christ must matter more than anything else. He tells us that serving others and putting the interests of others above our own is a measurement of successful living. God tells us that living lives of faithfulness to Him, our families, our church, and our kingdom assignment is success. Finally, maintaining a credible and relevant witness to a lost world is a component of success in the eyes of God. We cannot forget what matters most to God. We must allow God, through His Word, to be our View Master and the definer of success in our lives.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Matthew 13:44-46
What does Jesus say we must be willing to give up as we pursue true success? Give examples of false success. Discuss how we can stay focused on the prize and not get trapped in the pursuit of temporal success.

Matthew 16:24-26
Again, what must we give up in order to gain ultimate success? What is the result of pursuing worldly success? Share with the group an area of success in your life that doesn’t have anything to do with money and fame.

Matthew 25:14-30
How does the faithful exercise and use of the talents God has given us contribute to ultimate success? How does Jesus describe people who aren’t faithful with what God has entrusted to them? Share examples of how selfish living, the pursuit o personal gain, and unfaithfulness have ultimately brought defeat rather than success. Discuss some of the talents God has given us that we must put into use for His glory.

Taking Action: What is your definition of success? What are you pouring your life into?  Honestly assess your life and determine if you are investing in temporal success or eternal success. Make the necessary corrections today. Don’t know what to do? Start by reading God’s instruction book – The Bible.

Ministry Time

Printer friendly copies of curriculum: full version or text only.

Red Plastic Viewmaster
(Worldview - Truth)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
How do you view reality and make sense of life and the world? Do absolute moral truths exist or is everything relative? What determines truth? How you answer these questions matters greatly.

Summary:
Everyone has a worldview. Whether or not we realize it, we all have certain presuppositions and biases that affect the way we view all of life. What have you allowed to influence and shape your worldview? Many Christians profess to build their lives on absolute truth, but they have allowed themselves to be influenced by a postmodern culture that tells them everything is relative. This leads to interpreting truth on a case-by-case basis. However, truth is ultimate reality and is framed by the Creator of the universe – God. In fact, absolute truth exists because truth is the person Jesus Christ, who Himself declared, “I am Truth.” Jesus does not claim to be just one truth or one reality among many. Rather, He claims to be the ultimate reality; the foundation and framework for all that we can see, know, and understand. Just as Christ is the one-and-only Way, He is also the one-and-only Truth.

Additionally, the Apostle John tells us that Jesus is the Word. In other words, to know Jesus is to know the Word of God. And thus, to know the Word of God is to know Jesus. Furthermore, to believe Jesus is to believe the Word of God and to believe the Word of God is to believe Jesus. There is perfect correspondence between the two because the two are somehow one. If Jesus is Truth and Jesus is the Word, then the Word of God (The Bible) is ultimate Truth.

Thus, the worldview of a Christ follower is based on the infallible Word of God. When you believe the Bible is entirely true, then you allow it to be the foundation of everything you say and do. We must embrace Truth with confidence. We cannot think that anything apart from Christ and His Word is a solution. We have one life, and we must quickly eradicate every compromise of Truth and allow Jesus Christ to fully reign in our lives. GOT TRUTH?

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

John 14:6
How does the character of Christ depict truth as absolute? Is there any other way to God apart from Jesus? What does this scripture tell us about the ultimate source of truth? Discuss why it is dangerous to look elsewhere for truth.

2 Timothy 3:14-17
Where does this passage state that all scripture comes from?  Do you consider all scripture, the whole Bible, to be trustworthy? Why is it important to know God’s Word? Discuss your motivation to be in God’s Word.

Romans 12:2
Why is the Bible essential to the transformation of our minds? What is the result of a transformed mind? Discuss how the Bible has changed your way of viewing the world around you and affected what you do and who you are. Give examples.

Taking Action: Examine your worldview. Is it rooted in the truth of Jesus Christ – The Word? Do you have a biblical worldview or is your worldview skewed and polluted by the influences of this fallen world? Make time in God’s Word a priority. Schedule a daily time of Bible study and prayer; not to be religious, but to allow God’s Word to transform your mind and your view of truth.

Ministry Time