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 ~~Villain Transformation

OVERVIEW:  We are in the second week of our summer series Heroes and Villains.  As we look at this fascinating account of the how the early Church was formed, we will be looking at some of the personalities that played a role in the establishment of God’s Kingdom through his Church.  Last week, we discussed the topic of “heroes.”  This week, let’s look at the Hero counterpart: the Villains.  As we look at these accounts, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us to apply what we learn to the lives we live here in our generation.

DISCUSSION POINT ONE “Religious People”:  Read Acts 5: 17-42 out loud in your group, then discuss the following points:

• What was it that made the religious villains so aggressive?  See Verse 17.  Talk about how jealousy can even blind people in ministry today as they serve in the local church.
• Read verse 29-32.  Now, keeping in mind that these religious leaders had just recently called for Jesus to be killed, notice their response (verse 33), to Peter’s proclamation.  They were furious.  Talk about the dynamic of how religious people can be so focused on defending their “doctrine” that they become “furious” when their position is challenged, and miss the presence of God in their midst.
• Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, was technically on the villain’s side, but he was used by God to save the apostle’s lives.  Talk about how God can use the influence of non-believers to change circumstances for his servants.  How does that give us hope on our jobs, in our courtrooms, and in our government?

DISCUSSION POINT TWO “Saul the Villain to Paul the Hero” :

• Read Acts 7:59 through 8:1-3.  As we can see in these passages, Saul (soon to be Apostle Paul) started out as one of the most heinous of all Villains against the Church.  Why do you think God chose a person like Saul to become a key builder of the early church and one of the primary writers of the New Testament?
• Read 1 Corinthians 15: 9-10.  How do you think the extraordinary grace Paul was shown by God prepared him to become a hero as God’s messenger of the grace based gospel we know as truth today?
• Read Titus 3:1-8.  This passage reveals the Apostle Paul as a hero, mentoring his young apprentice Titus.  Talk about what his words to Titus reveal about his transformation from Villain to Hero.  Talk about how God’s transforming work in your life.

TAKING ACTION:  This week continue reading through the book of Acts.  As you read, look for heroes and notice the villains.  Ask the Lord to speak to encourage you through the lives of the early Christians, and give you wisdom as you encounter those who resisted the truth of Christ.

MINISTRY TIME

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 ~~WHERE HAVE ALL THE HEROES GONE

 OVERVIEW:  We are just beginning a new summer series called “Heroes and Villains” in which we will be studying different personalities found in the book of Acts.  These were extraordinary times, and critical times in the life of the Church.  Jesus had recently risen from the dead and ascended into heaven.  The fledgling baby Church was trying to get started in the midst of an extremely hostile political and religious environment.  They were the kind of times that tested the resolve and character of the early Christians.  They were the kind of times that needed heroes at every level.  As we look at this series throughout the summer months, it would be good for us to realize that the Church today is existing in extraordinary times as well, where the values and message of the Bible, and the validity and reputation of the Church (Jesus’ representation upon the earth), are under fierce political, spiritual and sociological opposition.  Let’s pull up our boot straps and get ready to dive into the this study in the book of Acts throughout our summer together.

DISCUSSION POINT ONE:  Let’s Talk About Role Models (Heroes)

Charles Barkley has been quoted for a lot of things, a few of his most oft quoted comments are about role models, where he said: 

“I’m not a role model… Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.” And, “I don’t believe professional athletes should be role models. I believe parents should be role models….”

Is Sir Charles right? Or is he missing something?  He may be speaking accurately from a worldly point a view, but how does his comments line up with a Biblical worldview? 

Read 1 Peter 2:11-12 and Hebrews 10:23-25 (especially verse 24)

In light of these passages discuss the following points in your group:

• Talk about our responsibility to be role models, or heroes, to the people God places in our lives and along our paths. 
  Do you believe you can be a hero?  Talk about how everyday people can be God’s heroes.
• Have you ever gone out of your way to be used by God to make a difference in someone’s life?  Share your story with your group.
• Have you ever felt like you encountered a “divine appointment” for a purpose you did not anticipate?  Share your experience with your group.
• The Apostle Paul instructed his young protégé Timothy to “be ready in season and out of season.” How does that kind of alertness and awareness prepare us to be heroes?  (Think of an off duty police officer who carries into his “off” hours his passion to serve and protect or think of the nurse serving as a hero in a hospice facility).
• Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.  What does this tell us about God’s view of heroes versus the world’s view of an impressive person?

DISCUSSION POINT TWO:  Last week Pastor Terry pointed out three characteristics of a hero.  Read each one below and talk about how we can encourage ourselves and each other to new levels of “uncommon courage.”

1) A hero is someone with an uncommon courage to do the correct thing.
2) A hero is someone with an uncommon courage to do the courageous thing.
3) A hero is someone with an uncommon courage to do the compassionate thing.

TAKING ACTION:  As a church family, we are being encouraged by our leaders to read through the book of Acts on our own through the summer.  This week, in your devotion time, make a point to prayerfully read through at least 3-4 chapters of the book of Acts.  Ask the Holy Spirit to move you past the historical message of the early Church’s beginnings, and into the real lives of the characters themselves. 

MINISTRY TIME

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 OPEN IN WORSHIP:  (Song, prayer, scripture reading or thanksgiving)

OVERVIEW: Last week’s message addressed the reality of the spiritual battle we all must contend with as we journey through life upon this earth. We looked at the powers the Bible describes as our adversary, and we also looked at how God has given us His Spirit to equip us for victory in the conflict. In our discussion tonight, we’ll look briefly at who our enemy is, so that we are not unaware of his schemes. Then we will focus on the spiritual arsenal God has given us to defeat the powers of darkness, both in our life and in our world.

FIRST: Know your enemy.
Many people living in Western culture no longer believe in the “devil.” The metaphor for having that perspective could be of a boxer getting into the ring with a blindfold on. Not believing or seeing that our enemy exists gives him great advantage over us. While we are not to dwell on or focus upon the powers of darkness, we must acknowledge they exist, and know how to combat them.
Read Ephesians 2:1-2 and 6:10-18

• What is the Apostle Paul saying to us about our spiritual opposition?
• How does Eph. 6 describe the organizational hierarchy of rank within the kingdom of darkness?
• How does the reality that evil is ancient, organized and invisible give the powers of darkness advantage over the unsuspecting human?

SECOND: Jesus as our combat instructor.
Notice that the armor Paul is describing is both defensive and offensive. The offensive weapons are identified as the “sword” being the Word of God, and also prayer.

Read Matthew 4:1-11

• What can we learn from Jesus battle plan against the devil? 
• How does it coincide with the offensive strategy Paul describes in Ephesians 6?

THIRD: Know who’s you are, and who you are.
Jesus said we must be born again in the Spirit to see the kingdom of God. Read how John puts it in 1 John 3:1-3.
Talk about how once we are conceived as natural children we cannot undo the DNA given us by our parents and how that relates to who we have become as God’s children.

• 1 John 4:4 states that “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” How does that give us confidence in midst of our struggle with evil?
• Read James 4:7-8. What does this passage tell us about our assurance in winning our spiritual battles?

FOURTH: Know the power God has given you.
Jesus was a good Christian for 30 years, but he did not begin his ministry with supernatural power until the Holy Spirit had come upon him when he was baptized.

• Read what Jesus tells his disciples in Acts 1:8 about what they will receive, and what they will do after they receive it.
• Read Acts 8:14-17. Notice that the Apostles recognized that there was something the believers in Samaria were missing in their new faith in Christ. Although they were believers (had accepted the Word and been baptized into the name of Jesus), they were missing something else. What was it, and why did they need it?
• Considering what the scriptures say, regarding the Holy Spirit coming upon believers with power, why do we need the Holy Spirit to come on us with power as we engage the spiritual resistance we face in this fallen world?

TAKING ACTION: Throughout the Summer we will be studying the book of Acts as a Church in the weekend messages. Read through the book of Acts this week and notice how the early Church embraced and lived in the power of the Holy Spirit.
MINISTRY TIME

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~~BECOMING NATURALLY SUPERNATURAL~~

OVERVIEW: In Jesus day, and throughout church history, people have been putting on religious airs to try and convince themselves and others that they are living according the scriptures, but what does a truly supernatural Christian look like?  In introducing his theme, Pastor Terry quoted Oswald Chambers who described a genuine Christian as someone who is ““naturally supernatural and supernaturally natural.”  He pointed to Jesus as our  example.  Jesus did not put on religious “airs,” but rather he lived out his life naturally, loving all those who crossed his path, regardless of their socio-economic status or their religious credentials.  He demonstrated an acceptance for the outcasts and the marginalized of his day, loving them with the supernatural love of the Father.  While sometimes that love expressed itself in the form of miracles, it always expressed itself in the supernatural expression of unconditional love.  

In order for us to fulfill our mission as individuals and our mission as a church family, “To Love People to Life,” we each we need the supernatural power of God actively expressing itself through our lives.  With these thoughts in mind, let’s discuss three ideas of what it means to live naturally supernatural.

FIRST: We must resist the pressure to be someone other than who we are.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27  Notice that this passage is stated in the context of Paul’s instruction about the spiritual gifts.  After reading the passage, discuss the following in your group:

1. What does this passage tell us about the importance of living our lives authentically, recognizing and accepting who we are in the body of Christ… and who we are not.
2. How does this metaphor of a body speak to the importance of serving Christ out of who God made us to be?  Consider a human body with a leg that insisted on functioning as an arm, or an ear that wanted to so bad to “see” that it failed to serve the body by “hearing.”
3. Read verse 25&26 again.  Talk about the ramifications of these versus in light of what you understand about the kingdom of God.

SECOND: We must restore value to people.
 Read the excerpt below from Pastor Terry’s message and then discuss what is the overarching point of why God has given spiritual gifts to his followers (hint: the Great Commandment and Great Commission).
If you want to create an atmosphere for miracles…make helping people the thing that matters most. Jesus didn’t give His life for spiritual gifts. He didn’t die for correct doctrine. He didn’t sacrifice it all for church programs. He died for people. Now, all of those things are important to God, BUT people matter the most. When you make people the most important thing…God will provide everything that you need to help them right down to signs, wonders and miracles!  —Pastor Terry

THREE: We must embrace a natural way of using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Read the excerpt below from Pastor Terry’s message:
We have come to equate the spectacular with the supernatural. But not everything supernatural is spectacular! We are far more supernatural than we realize and yet NOT many of us are spectacular. And when we equate the supernatural with the spectacular we devalue the genuine work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:22-23.   What do these words say to us about how and why we should embrace a natural expression in using the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

FINAL Discussion Point:  In your group, talk about how the series on the Holy Spirit has spoken to you.  What affect will this teaching have on the way you continue to follow Jesus?

TAKING ACTION:  In your devotional time this week, ask the Holy Spirit to help you process how God has revealed Himself to you in a fresh way over the past four weeks.  Write down your thoughts in your Bible or in your journal.

MINISTRY TIME

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 The Holy Spirit and the Weird

OVERVIEW:  In this series “De-spooking the Holy Spirit”, Pastor Terry has been encouraging us to embrace all the gifts the Bible reveals the Father has given to His children, while keeping our understanding of the person and power of the Holy Spirit aligned with the mission of Jesus Christ.  Doctrinal beliefs in Christianity have ranged from outright rejection of the spiritual gifts that are taught in scripture to the other extreme of making spiritual gifts the focus instead of God Himself.  We have been exploring what the Bible teaches about the spiritual gifts, with the view that the Bible is true and trustworthy.  As you discuss the points below, begin your discussion by asking the Holy Spirit to guide your conversation and reveal himself to you.

DISCUSSION POINTS:
Believing, Embracing and Pursuing what we don’t fully understand

As you read through the Bible you quickly discover that God delights in offending the mind in order to reveal the heart.    –Pastor Terry

 The gifts of the Spirit, as taught throughout the New Testament, are most often rejected for one fundamental reason: because people do not understand them at the head level, and people often don’t feel comfortable exploring or experiencing what they don’t understand.  This, however, is not an accident in God’s plan.  God has designed his Kingdom such that we must “walk by faith and not by sight.”  In other words, God has intentionally built into his creation the necessity for us to believe Him and follow Him, even if we don’t fully understand the details of what He is leading us into and through. That is called faith, and the scriptures say that, “without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” 

 Read Isaiah 55:6-9 and talk about what the prophet Isaiah is revealing about God and how this passage helps us to accept and pursue the things that do not make sense to us in the natural.

The Guardian of the Supernatural

 Anyone with much experience being around the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement has undoubtedly experienced people who have become so enamored and fascinated by the “gifts, signs and wonders” that they have made their Christian faith about the gifts rather than about the One who gives them.  The purpose of the gifts of the Spirit are simply to help us fulfill the great commandment, to love God and to love others.  

In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul discusses the gifts of the Spirit extensively in Chapters 12 and 14.  Interestingly he nestles one of the most powerful excerpts in all of the Bible right in between his encouragement about the gifts.  It has become known as the “Love Chapter” and is one of the most quoted chapters in the Bible. 

Read 1 Corinthians 13 aloud in your group, in its entirety.  Then talk about what Paul is saying that should “govern” the exercising of the gifts.  Notice the two statements made in the last verse of chapter 12 (see below) and talk about what Paul is saying in each statement of verse 31, and how they compliment each other.  How does chapter 13 serve as the “Guardian of the Supernatural?”

But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.  

Why Do We Eagerly Desire the Spiritual Gifts?   Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5.  Now read the excerpts below, from what you just read, and discuss what you believe the overarching purpose of for the gifts are and what they are designed to produce.

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy…  everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort… so that the church may be edified.

Taking Action:  Read 1 Corinthians 12—14 prayerfully.  Ask God to reveal Himself to you in a fresh way.

MINISTRY TIME

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~~Moving Beyond the Scandal of Pentacost

 Overview:  In part one of this series we discussed the “personhood” of the Holy Spirit.  Last week Pastor Terry’s message was dealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and whether or not they are meant for believers today or if they were, as the cessationists believe, only for a period of time and are no longer applicable for Christians living after the days of the early church.  City of Grace follows a theology that takes the Bible at its “Word” regarding the person and the power of the Holy Spirit.  In our discussions this week, let’s look at a few of the reasons why it is clear and imperative that we receive this essential equipping of the Holy Spirit’s power that God provides for his children.

Read the Read Acts 1:4-8 and then discuss the thoughts below in your groups:

1.    Notice that Jesus is talking to believers when he says you will receive power when the Spirit comes “upon” you.  Talk about the difference between how the Spirit indwells believers versus this passage that describes a “coming upon” of the Spirit for power.   
2.    Talk about how it is this “power” that enables believers to be, as Jesus describes, “my witnesses.”
3.    Read the final words of Matthew, 28:16-20.  How is having the power to witness tied to Great Commission Jesus gave his disciples.

Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 and discuss the thoughts below in your groups:

 1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

1.   This chapter immediately follows the powerful “love” chapter of 1 Cor. 13.  Notice in verse one how the Apostle Paul begins his dialog on the gifts by saying “follow the way of love.”  Have you ever seen the topic of “spiritual gifts” be promoted by Christians in a way that was not “following the way of love?”  How do you think that has hindered some believers from pursuing the gifts in their own lives?
2.   Notice that we are encouraged to “eagerly” desire the spiritual gifts, and especially the gift of prophecy.  What does verse three tell us about the gift of prophecy that makes it such a valuable gift for the strengthening of the Church?
3.   How does the description of prophecy in verse 3 differ from the examples of prophecy found in the Old Testament?  Do you think people’s idea of Old Testament prophecy can confuse them from understanding the New Testament expression of prophecy as described in verse three?  If so, why?

Taking Action:  After praying and asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth, read 1 Corinthians chapter 12, 13 and 14 and then ask the Father to give you the gifts of the Spirit that will help you be His witness and bring him glory.

MINISTRY TIME

~~ WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT

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 Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

 OVERVIEW:  In the series we just began entitled, De-spooking the Holy Spirit, Pastor Terry is seeking to undo the misconceptions about the person of the Holy Spirit.  He is pointing us to who Jesus and the Bible reveals this third person of the trinity to be.  As you read through the passages below, contemplate in your groups this marvelous person…, God the Holy Spirit.  As you begin your discussion, ask the Holy Spirit to come and give you insight into who he is as you seek to know Him more. As you journey to know the Holy Spirit more deeply, be encouraged by the words of the Apostle Paul as he speaks of the Holy Spirit this way:
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  –Romans 5:5

DISCUSSION POINTS:

GUIDING TRUTH: Read the John 15:26-27 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”

Talking Point: Notice that a characteristic of the Holy Spirit is that he will “testify” about Christ.  How does this help us to discern when it is the Spirit of God speaking to us versus a counterfeit “voice”?

POINT ONE:  The Holy Spirit is our Counselor.
Read John 14:15-17  ”If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (NIV)

Talking Point: Talk in your group about how you have experienced the Holy Spirit reveal truth to you.  Talk about why it is importance to invite the Holy Spirit to  “counsel” you as you open the Bible to study God’s Word. 

POINT TWO: The Holy Spirit is our Teacher.
Read John 14:25-26 (NKJV) “25 These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.“

Talking Point: How is the Trinity reflected in verse 26?  Notice how Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a “person” when he says, “He will teach you all things.”  Is it easy for you to think of the Holy Spirit as a “person”?  Why or why not?  Why is it important for us to know the personhood of the Spirit?

POINT THREE:  The Holy Spirit is our Guide.
Read John 16:13 (NKJV) “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

Talking Point: How have you experienced the Holy Spirit guiding you in life decisions that you’ve needed to make.

POINT FOUR: The Holy Spirit is a Giver of Spiritual Power and Supernatural Gifts.
Read Acts 1:8 (NKJV) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Talking Point: Jesus told the disciples that they would be His witnesses, but only after they received power for the task.  How does Jesus describe the imparting of that power in Acts 1:8? 

TAKING ACTION:  In your devotional time read Romans 8:26-27 and then spend some time in prayer with a fresh awareness that you are not only praying “to” God, but that God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is praying to the Father with you and for you.  Ask the Lord to help you be released into a new level of confidence in your prayers as you contemplate this truth.

MINISTRY TIME

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~~WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY TO OCTOMOM~~ 

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship
 
OVERVIEW

On Mother’s Day weekend Pastor Judith spoke on the topic “What Would Jesus say to Octomom?”  Nadya Denise Dowd-Suleman was nicknamed “Octomom” by the media when she recently gave birth to octuplets through in-vitro fertilization, bringing the total number of children to 14 for this single mother.  She has made national news because of her choices.  In an interview with Oprah, several points emerged from her story that are applicable to the human condition.  Let’s look at some of these in our group discussions and talk about how these topics relate to us. 

Security
Octomom indicated that one of the factors that drove her to have so many children in such an unusual manner was the need for the security that human connectedness brought her.  She stated that her connectedness to her children made her feel secure… secure as in having somebody to love and be loved by. 

Read Luke 14:25-27.  In this passage, Jesus is obviously not telling us to hate people, so what is the point he is making about security in relationships as Octomom defines security?  How can our love for others be more potent and powerful if we place Jesus in the highest place of our lives.

Significance: 
Octomom alluded to search for significance as being a motivator for her actions as she “tried to fill a missing piece” in her life. 

Read 1 Peter 1:17-23, Ephesians 1:15-23 and Psalm 139:13-17 and talk about the foundation upon which our significance rests.  With these passages in mind, talk about the Bible’s version of significance and how people without Christ chase after the façade of true significance.  Discuss how we are fearfully and wonderfully made and how our significance is found only through our relationship with our creator.

Survival: 
Octomom’s choices have placed her in survival mode.  What difference would it make in her life if she turned to Jesus for her answers today?

TAKING ACTION:  In your devotional time this week, bring these three areas before the Lord in prayer.  Talk to God about your security being in him alone, and stir trust in your heart.  Ask God to show you how your life is significant because of Christ… what he has done for you, and what he desires to do in and through you.  And finally, bring before the Lord any area you feel you are merely surviving through.  Ask the Lord to walk with you through the valleys you are facing, and help you to keep your eye on the Good Shepherd.
MINISTRY TIME

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Christ in Culture
Part Three: What Would Jesus Say to Bono?

 Overview: Bono is the front man of the Irish Band, U2. He loves Jesus and is committed to solving many of the social challenges our generation. He prays and reads the Bible, but rarely attends church. Religion is spiritual mechanics absent a heart of passionate devotion. It is possible to be a grace filled person captivated by the wonder of God and committed to changing our world and be committed to a local church.
Discussion Points:
Point One: Worshipping Together—Read Hebrews 10:24-25
What is the purpose of gathering together with other Christians on a weekly basis? Why are many people saying “Yes to Jesus and No to the Church.” What are some benefits that you have seen from regular fellowship with other believers? What are some of the challenges?
Point Two: Hypocrites
Some avoid church because they say it is full of hypocrites, but don’t say that about other places. Why do you think that is? Not all who attend churches are Christians. All of us who attend are a people in process, and we sometimes respond to our old natures. How should we give each other forgiveness and patience as we learn to express the life of God within us more consistently?
Point Three: Relevance
Many people have left the church because they say that it is not relevant to their lives. The old ways of reaching and disciplining has not always worked. How do we continue to present the same message of God’s grace, but with greater relevance to our changing culture? How should we connect in better ways to people in our community and neighborhoods?
Point Four: Power to Make a Difference
Read John 20:23, James 5:14-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:18. We have been given power to remit sins, heal the sick and the power of reconciliation. How should the church express these in making a difference in our world today? How has he equipped you to make a difference?
What Jesus would say to Bono: Thank you for loving the outcast. Thank you for caring for the suffering. Thank you for standing for justice. But don’t forsake God’s plan while trying to fulfill God’s purpose. Take it easy on my Bride. She’s called, chosen and appointed. If you don’t like the way she is behaving, develop a relationship with her and help her become all I’ve destined her to be.
Taking Action:
In regard to this subject, what would Jesus say to your LifeGroup? What would Jesus say to you personally? How do we come to greater faith in who we are and in who God has made us to be in Christ? How has God called your group and you to take his message of grace and truth to those around you in a relevant manner?

Ministry Time

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~~WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY TO TIGER WOODS

OVERVIEW:  Last weekend, in the series “Christ in Culture,” Pastor Terry took on the topic of what Jesus might say to Tiger Woods.  If you missed the message, you may want to get the CD or watch it at cityofgrace.com.  It was an important message, and one too diverse to capture in total in these brief LifeGroup notes.  Let’s pull a couple of Pastor Terry’s points out from his message to stimulate our discussion tonight.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

Point One:  Celebrity Worship.  Read Exodus 20:3-5
Talk about how Tiger Woods had evolved to near worship celebrity status as a model of what we admire, and how that all came crashing down overnight.  Why do you think it is that in our culture, we are so prone to elevate celebrities to such extravagant status?  How does that tendency violate the command of God?

Point Two:  Self Discipline
Tiger Woods’ golf achievements stand as exemplary of the power of disciplining oneself to master a skill.  How could a man with such capacity for discipline allow parts of his life to be so undisciplined and destructive?

Read Galatians 5:22-23 and 2 Timothy 1:7.  Talk about the power available to believers to avoid the trappings that ensnared Tiger Woods.

Point Three:  Building ourselves up in our most holy faith
When people fail,  like Tiger Woods did, we can either judge him, or use his example to cause us to take heed that we must be on guard for our own lives.

Read Jude verse 20-21 and 2 Peter 1:3-11 and talk about how we should be constantly building ourselves up in our faith.

Point Four: Casting Stones
While not condoning the sins of others, we would do well to leave the judging up to God.  Read the passage out of Matthew 7 below and discuss the underlying message Jesus is speaking to us about.  Notice that even to take a speck out of someone’s eye would require that they trust us.  How do we earn that much trust with someone.
 1″Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3″Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.   —Matthew 7:1-5

TAKING ACTION:  Read James 2:1-11.  Consider this verse in light of how we tend to consider some people as more important than others.  Think about people in your life.  Are there people you treat differently because of a “celebrity status” you have given them, or do you tend to love people simply because all people are important to God.  What adjustments might you make in this area?
MINISTRY TIME