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~~JESUS THE RABBI~~ 

 OVERVIEW:  This weekend Pastor Terry explored the unveiling of Jesus as “rabbi”.  He pointed out that Jesus was unlike other rabbi’s of his day in that he was not merely promoting the oral traditions that were linked (in theory) to Moses, but rather he was speaking with the authority of divine understanding.  Jesus fulfilled the Torah (the Jewish law found in the first five books of the Old Testament), giving fresh understanding of what the true meaning was behind the law.  As we heard over the weekend, this caused a division among the people.  Some people hated Jesus because of his authoritative teaching, and others were amazed and followed after him. 

In our LifeGroups tonight, let’s look at the text Pastor Terry drew his message from, which is a powerful sermon Jesus gave, known as the Sermon on the Mount, found in chapters 5-7 of the gospel of Matthew.  As we look at some of these profound teachings, let’s contemplate how Jesus teaches his followers to view life and the world around them entirely different than conventional wisdom dictates.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

~~ Relationships~~

• Read Matthew 5:21-22.  What does this passage tell us about the importance God places on relationships between people?
• Continue Reading verse 23-24.  What does this passage tell us about what kind of worship God is most interested in?  Look at John 4:23-24 and relate to this passage.
• Read Matt. 5:38-42 and discuss how these teachings might effect us practically in our lives today.
• Read Matt. 7:1-5.  Talk about how this teaching contradicts the norm in our society.

~~Serving in Secret~~

• Read Matt. 6:1-4 and discuss how this teaching could effect how we give today.
• Read Matt. 6:5-8 and discuss how Jesus teaches us to pray.
  Read Matt. 6:16-18 and discuss how we are to fast.
• Why do you think Jesus is advocating “hidden” expression?

NOTE in the passage below the observation of the crowd in the last verses of the Sermon on the Mount.  What was different about Jesus teaching?

28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.   –Matthew 7:28-29 

TAKING ACTION:  This week is the week known as Passion Week leading up to Easter.  Take time this week to read through Matthew chapters 5-7 slowly.  Start your reading by looking at the passage in Matthew 7:24-27.  Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through these words of Christ.
MINISTRY TIME

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 Opening Prayer, Worship and Confession of Faith

OVERVIEW:  In this season before Easter, hundreds of millions of Christians in the world will take this as an opportunity to contemplate afresh the person, power and purpose of Jesus Christ.  Some have come to know and observe this season as Lent.  Pastor Terry has been leading our congregation on this journey of reflection in his series “Unveiling Jesus.”  In our LifeGroups this week, let’s do something a little different.  Using the book of Revelation, lets read some of the multifaceted descriptive accounts of Jesus that are found in this amazing book of the Bible, and as we do, lets allow these views of Jesus to lead us to a place of reflection, worship and conversation about how remarkable, extraordinary, wonderful and spiritually provocative this Son of God, Son of man and coming King truly is.

DISCUSSOIN POINTS:
Read the following passages from the book of Revelation.  After each section is read aloud, take a minute or two and reflect in silence about how Jesus is being described.  Then have an open discussion in your group about what these passages of scripture “unveil” to you about our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  As you discuss how marvelous Jesus is, recognize that  what you are doing in your dialog is actually worshiping him with your conversation.

4John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever!          —Revelation 1:4-6

1″To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:  These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.        –Revelation 2:1

To the Church in Smyrna  8″To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.         –Revelation 2:8

To the Church in Pergamum  12″To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.                                 –Revelation 2:12

To the Church in Thyatira  18″To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.        —Revelation 2:18

1″To the angel of the church in Sardis write:  These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.                    –Revelation 3:1

To the Church in Philadelphia  7″To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:  These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  –Revelation 3:7

14″To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.        –Revelation 3:14

Read Revelation Chapter 5 in its entirety and marvel at this scene in heaven.

Read Revelation 19:11-16 and rejoice that you are on the winning side.

TAKING ACTION:  Tuck these notes in your Bible.  Between now and Easter, reread the passages that struck you the most, about who Jesus is, and use these “revelations” to cultivate a fresh perspective for you as you prepare your heart to celebrate the resurrection with the rest of the world on April 4.
MINISTRY TIME

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Message Title: Unpacking Jesus

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith, Worship

OVERVIEW:  Ever since Jesus walked the hillsides of Judea and the dusty streets of Jerusalem 2000 years ago, people have had many impressions of who he actually is.  Just as  in past generations, today our impressions of who Jesus is varies widely as we are influenced by the societal and religious culture we grew up with and currently live in.  Followers of Jesus can still be sidetracked if we are not careful to view Christ on his terms as he is revealed through the holy scriptures.  In our LifeGroups this week, lets focus our attention on who Jesus really is.  Let’s worship him through our dialog as we talk about Jesus our Savior, Redeemer, Lord, Father and Friend.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

POINT ONE: To get us started, read Matthew 16:13-17 below.  Talk about what people might say today if this question Jesus asked his disciples were asked randomly today on a crowded sidewalk.  

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  15″But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”  16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

POINT TWO:  Read Luke 4:14-22 and discuss:
1.   Who is Jesus revealing himself to be by quoting this passage from Isaiah chapter 11?
What was the reluctance to believe him at that time?
What are some of the common reasons people don’t believe in Isaiah’s description of the Messiah today?  Are there similarities between now and then?

POINT THREE:  Read through Isaiah’s prophecy  below from Isaiah chapter 9 verse 2, 6 & 7.  Look at how the prophet speaks of the coming Messiah.  What does this tell us about who Jesus truly is.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Why is it important for us to see and understand Jesus as…
1.  Wonderful Counselor
2.  Mighty God
3.  Everlasting Father
4.  Prince of Peace

Taking Action:  As we prepare our hearts and minds for Sunday, April 4th, where believers across the globe will be celebrating the sacrifice and the power the resurrection, let’s take time this week to meditate on who Jesus really is, and let it draw us to worship him a fresh and thank him for his great love for us.
Ministry Time

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Message Title ~~SIGNIFICANCE~~ 

 Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

 Overview:  When we watch the evening news or drive down the street of an inner city neighborhood, or hear of a natural disaster that devastates a city or a nation, it is so easy to feel helpless to make a difference as ONE person.  It is easy to become lethargic asking: “what can ONE person do?”  As we continue in our series of contemplating the “Power of One,” lets look at the incredible story that is told in the gospels where Jesus fed the multitude of thousands. As we read, let’s consider what the Spirit of God would reveal to us today about the difference one person living by faith can make.

DISCUSSION POINTS:  Read John 6:1-13 aloud before continuing on below.

POINT ONE:  Read Vs 1-2 After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.
Discuss why the people followed him.  Talk about the difference between following Jesus because of signs and wonders versus submitting our all to him as disciples who call him Lord and Master.

POINT TWO: Read Vs 3-7 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.7Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”
Read Pastor Terry’s comments below, regarding why Jesus tested Philip, and then discuss how this same truth plays out in our own lives.  Give examples.

“Now, Jesus sets up the miracle by showing us that there were no other options. That’s always the requisite for a miracle. There have to be NO other options. As long as you trust another source you will never fully trust Jesus. As long as you lean on your own strength you will never put your full weight on Jesus. Jesus said, “Go buy food” knowing that there was none and already knowing what He intended to do.”       —Pastor Terry

POINT THREE: Vs 8-9  One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
Discuss the willingness of the lad to give all that he had to Master, even though he knew that it couldn’t possibly make a dent in feeding the thousands of people who had gathered.  What does that say to us about how we view our resources?

POINT FOUR:  Vs 10-13 Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.”  Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
Discuss how Jesus gave thanks for what he had to work with.  What can we learn from that?
Discuss how Jesus was the catalyst for the miracle, but he did it through the willingness of a small boy’s surrender and the disciples obedience and hard work of service.  What does that say to each ONE of us today about how God involves each of us in his miracle working plan to bless the people of the earth with what they need for life.

Taking Action:  In prayer this week, ask the Lord what he wants you to do with your “fishes and loaves.”

Ministry Time