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Things I Love
(Part 2: My God)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
Being a Christian is not simply a label; rather, it is an all-in proposition of total commitment because we are called to love God with everything that is in us.  

Summary:
Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God with ALL of our heart, ALL of our mind, ALL of our soul, and ALL of our strength. He didn’t tell us to love God with some of our heart, half of our mind, or most of our soul and strength. God wants it all and He deserves it all. After all, He gave us His all. However, even in our deep desire to give Him our everything, we find that we sometimes fall short; we discover gaps. These gaps in our lives are the distances between what we say and what we do; what we project and who we really are. The good news is that when we are truly submitted to God’s will, we will see the gaps in our lives begin to close. This is the greatness of God’s powerful grace – in Him all things are made new, the crooked paths are made straight, and the gaps are closed.
 
What are the gaps and how do we close them? (1) The commitment gap: This is the gap between our professed values and our actual behavior—what we say and what we actually do. This gap exists when we relate to God on our terms instead of His terms. (2) The Passion Gap: This is the gap that develops when our knowledge of God increases and our interaction with God diminishes. Our heads grow large and our hearts shrink small. It happens when we allow the cares of life to choke out our passion for God. It happens when we don’t fully give God our whole heart. (3) The Emotional Gap: This Gap opens up when we allow an emotional distance to develop between us and God; when we become distracted by the pride of life, the love of riches and the cares of life. (4) The Knowledge Gap: This Gap opens up when we believe what religion says about God rather than accepting what He says about Himself in His Word. It occurs when we don’t think Biblically about all matters of life. (5) The Priorities Gap: This gap exists when what we do doesn’t match up with what we say we believe. Christianity must be fully lived out. We must love Him in all that we do. Closing these gaps requires complete abandonment to God. It requires making Christ our only hope. It requires a desire to know Him, a sincere trust in Him, obedience to Him, and a commitment to live in His strength.
 
Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

John 3:16, Romans 5:8 & 1 John 4:7-10
How much does God love you? How much of Himself did He give in order to express His love for you? How does the reality of God’s “all-in” love for you affect you?

Mark 12:28-31, Matthew 22:37 & Deuteronomy 6:4-6

• Give examples of how we love God with (1) all of our heart, (2) all of our mind, (3) all of our soul, and (4) all of our strength.
• What would a person’s life look like if they followed these commandments?
• What things are creating gaps in your love for God?
• What are some Biblically-based, practical ways to close those gaps?
• Share how you have seen gaps close as you are growing in your love for God?

Taking Action: Prayerfully ask God to reveal the gaps in your love for Him. Do not allow these gaps be a means for the enemy to bring condemnation, rather call upon God’s grace and meditate on His Word so that you may start finding victory in these areas as you go all-in with your love for Him

Ministry Time

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Things I Love
(Part 1: The Bible)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship
 
Big Idea:
Beyond being the best selling book of all time, the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God that reveals the character and majesty of the Creator of the universe, while also presenting His love and purposeful plan for us. However, the Bible is only effective when we allow it to penetrate our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits. We must receive the Word and permit it to take root in our lives, resulting in change that will last for all eternity. 

Summary:
The Bible is a special book because it is God’s Word.  Although written by human beings, it is also the inspired Word of God.  God has revealed Himself to us through His written Word, which points us toward Christ. He shows us truth, reveals our hearts, disciplines us, encourages us, and prepares us for life. Reading the Bible helps us maintain and refresh our relationship with God. Additionally, the Word of God has the power to heal and transform our lives. God’s word is not like the word of man; it is living, effective and self fulfilling. It diagnoses the condition of the human heart and brings blessing to those who receive it in faith.

Jesus tells us that people have different responses when they encounter the Truth found in God’s Word – The Bible. The first hears the Word, but the philosophies of this world drown it out and actually make it sound like foolishness. This person rejects the Truth of God because they did not understand. The second person hears the Word and initially believes, but because they receive no instruction, they sadly end up falling away and rejecting Truth. The third person hears the Word, believes it, grows in it, but after time they become distracted by the cares, worries, lusts, and riches of this world. However, there is the person who hears the Word, believes it, grows in it, embraces it, perseveres in it, and allows it to completely transform them. The power of God’s Word will change this person and cause them to fulfill the very plan that God designed for them. They end up living a life of spiritual victory and abundance.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Luke 8:4-15
1. What does the seed represent? What is the growing process?
2. Elaborate on each of these types of ground:
• Along the path: How does the devil take away the word from their hearts?
• Among the rocks: What do the rocks represent? Why do you suppose they fell away?
• Among the thorns: How do these things “choke” the Christian life? What are indications of maturity?
• On good soil: What are characteristics of people who not only receive the message well, but also produce fruitfulness after much perseverance?
3. How can people in the first three categories develop good soil?
4. And how can those in the good soil maintain the condition of their soil?
5. What type of soil are you growing in?

Taking Action: Analyze the condition of your soil. Is your life experiencing spiritual growth and are you producing much fruit? Intentionally nourish your soil by frequently watering it. Spend time in God’s Word; allow Him to renew your mind. Put the things of God’s Word to work in your life and watch the growth and transformation happen. 

Ministry Time

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Tattooed

(Part 5: “Watermarked”)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:Are you wearing the watermark of Christ? As a believer in Christ, have you been baptized? No. Why not? What is keeping you from participating in this spiritual act of cleansing and identification with your Savior?

Summary:

Water baptism is clearly presented throughout the New Testament as a foundational institution of Christianity; however, many believers in Christ have not been water baptized because of misconceptions. One of the primary misconceptions is that baptism is not necessary or is just a form of religious “extra credit”.  Not only is it Christ’s direct command for us to be baptized and to baptize others, but water baptism also serves two primary purposes in the life of someone who has surrendered to Jesus Christ. First, water baptism is the way God spiritually washes away the old nature that has been cut off through this act of spiritual circumcision. Second, it is the way we publicly identify with Christ. It leaves us with a type of spiritual watermark, which says to the world around us, “I have chosen to publicly identify with Jesus Christ as a follower of His.” We are declaring that we are now His and choosing to become members of His family and citizens of His kingdom with all of benefits and responsibilities that are included.

Being a Christian who intentionally avoids baptism doesn’t compute. If we truly desire to obediently follow the Savior of the world who gave His very life for us, and we want to spend eternity with Him but don’t desire to identify with Him in baptism, then we haven’t fully comprehended the benefits of baptism. Baptism cuts off the old life with all of its guilt and shame, its addictive behavior and tendencies, and provides freedom. Baptism frees us from the life of sin and is an act of obedience to Christ. Like we see so many times in the early church, “Those who believed and accepted his message were baptized.” Let’s be like the Ethiopian who, upon hearing of the truth about Christ, passionately asked why he shouldn’t be immediately baptized. Come on, dive in, and wear the watermark of your Savior!

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16

Is baptism commanded or suggested by Jesus? What do you think holds people back from being baptized?

Matthew 3:16, Luke 3:21-22, and Luke 4:1

What did the Son of God gain as a result of baptism? Again, why is it necessary that we be baptized and be filled as He was? Did you have a similar experience after your baptism?

Romans 6:4-8

How does baptism into Christ change us? What do we lose in baptism, and what do we gain? How is baptism related to living a victorious Christian life?

Taking Action: Share about your baptism experience with the group. If you are a believer and have not been baptized, don’t let anything hold you back. Call the church office and schedule your baptism!

Ministry Time

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Tattooed
(Part 4: “Impression”)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship
 
Big Idea:
Impressions shape our lives in big ways and in small ways, and what we allow to impress us will affect what kind of impression we leave on others. 
 
Summary:
Impressions are more than words that we remember; they impact and change us, sometimes ever so slightly, and yet, a few times in life we encounter moments, events or influential people that leave an unmistakable imprint on our souls. Have you ever thought about what kind of impression you are leaving? We will all leave an impression on the world around us and on the generations that follow us. Here are three types of impressions we are called to leave: (1) Intentional Impressions: We are called to intentionally shine the light of Christ in a dark world and to teach the ways of the Lord to the generations that follow us. We intentionally make impressions upon others when we live like Christ is the King of our lives and when we make disciples. (2) Righteous Impressions: As agents of righteousness, we have the privilege of working with God to build up, encourage, speak the truth in love, and bear the burdens of others. If we choose to ignore or put down others, we are abandoning our assignment to bless them. Your blessing has the power to change the atmosphere in a room, in a relationship, and in a community. (3) Lasting Impressions: We should not be satisfied with leaving a few “warm fuzzy” feelings and some inspirational thoughts with the generations that follow us; rather, we should be driven to leave an indelible impression that cannot be erased or ignored - an unforgettable reminder that people matter because they are loved by the God of heaven, that their faith response to the call of God will make a difference in a hurting world, and that the only life worth living is the one that represents Christ.

Finally, what you are impressed with will determine what kind of an impression you leave on others. If you are impressed with the things of this world, then you will leave the mark of this world on others; however, if you live a life that demonstrates the evident impression of Christ, then you will leave the mark of Jesus on those around you and the generations that will follow. The world needs people who have been truly changed because the King of Kings has impressed them to the core. Let God impress His Son so deeply on your life that He is seen in everything you say and do. Let’s leave an impression!

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Deuteronomy 6:1-9
How can we practically impress the ways of God on the next generation? What is the result of discipling others?  How have you seen this precept work in you and in the lives of others around you?

Matthew 5:13-16
Why is it important to intentionally display Christ in our daily lives? Discuss how we can we “let our light shine”. What are you personally doing in this area?

Philippians 4:8-9
Discuss what things you are allowing to impress your life. How is this affecting the kind of mark you are leaving on others? How does the truth of this scripture change what you will allow into your life? 

Taking Action: Write down those who you are purposefully impressing (discipling) in the ways of God. If the list is short, ask God to reveal those you are called to intentionally impress for His glory. Begin making a lasting impression of righteousness in their lives as you teach them the ways of God.

Ministry Time

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Tattooed
(Part 3: “Stigmata”)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
Just as God has our names tattooed on His hands and His image imprinted on our hearts, He also wants His mark of identification branded on our lives.  This mark separates, regenerates, and unites us.

Summary:
The Apostle Paul once said that he bore the “marks” (or “stigmata”) of the Lord as a result of his life and ministry. The Greek word “stigmata” represents ownership. We all wear marks and show our allegiance to something. We tell the world and God where our allegiance lies by what we say, what we do, where we spend our time, how we spend our money, and how we treat others. There are times when we show our allegiance to the world, to our friends, to our political party, and to our social clubs more clearly than we do to the Kingdom of God. There is really only one thing that truly matters in this life, one event which divided the History of the world, one payment which covers the cost of sin: it is the cross of Jesus Christ. May our lives be branded with the symbol of His amazing sacrifice.

God took the vilest of symbols, the cross, and turned it into the ultimate sign of victory! That God became one of us and allowed Himself to be viciously nailed to that “emblem of suffering and shame,” is remarkable. Only God would do such a thing. Only God could bring glory from shame, taking the stigma of the cross and turning it into a tattoo of beauty - a priceless piece of art. But is this stigma just a symbol, or is it an instrument of deliverance? Do you wear the stigmata of the cross, not just around your neck, but also in the way you live? Do others associate you with what the cross truly represents? 1) The stigma of the cross represents separation. The Greek word for separation basically means to be holy, righteous, and sanctified. When we fully identify with His stigmata, God instantly separates us from our sinful past. Then he progressively separates us from the behavior that keeps us from fully becoming like Jesus. And ultimately, we will one day be completely separated by being given perfect and sinless bodies. The goal of a Christian is to be more and more like Jesus until this happens. 2) The stigma of the cross regenerates us. The work of the cross is what brings us into newness of life and removes the old sinful nature that used to rule us. We are new creations. The old has passed away, and we can now live for God while we shed our sinful lifestyles. 3) The stigma of the cross unites us by making those who believe in Christ into a family. So, what brand to do wear? What stigma do you bear?
 
Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Galatians 6:14-17
What does it look like to “die to the interests of this world”? Give examples of how we can bear the “stigmata” of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:14-17
What does Paul say will happen when we wear the brand of the cross and fully associate with Christ? Share what “old things” have disappeared in your life since coming to the cross.

Hebrews 2:10-11
How can the cross change our identity? What does it mean to you to be called a brother of Christ and also a child of God? Discuss the implications of being a member of God’s family.

Taking Action: Write down where you spend your time and money. Based on this list, what brand are you wearing? Purpose to associate more with the cross and less with the world.

Ministry Time