Life Group Discussion Guide :: Sunday, January 20, 2013 (JXG)
Sandy Lake Wesleyan :: Pastor Shawn
Live SENT | Week 1
Remember, this Guide is not intended as an exhaustive list of what can be discussed, but is best used as a guide to help your Group process what God is teaching them. Read through the discussion points below and prayerfully consider what the Holy Spirit would have you work through.
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Be sure to pray for, encourage each other,
and share the victories God is giving your Group.
From the “Clean Slate” Series:
Read Is 53:6
How does the fact that Jesus has ‘done the work’ help us as we step into forgiveness, freedom, and holiness?
Even though God has ‘done the work’ how does living a clean-slate reality require action on our part?
Read Psalm 51
What is the difference between wanting to be forgiven vs. the desire to be clean?
How is the desire to be clean seen in David’s prayer?
David recognizes being made clean must be something God does, and his desire is for open relationship with God. What are symptoms that we’re seeking forgiveness without restoration?
In what ways have you seen/experienced that a ‘clean slate is an empty slate...incomplete and unused?’ What do we see about a properly filled slate?
Pastor Shawn shared that our ‘clean slate’ journey includes
calling & confessing --> letting go & letting God --> remaining & receiving
What are ways that we stop at each step along the way?
What are symptoms that we may have stalled in this journey?
How have you experienced the ‘filled slate’ of ‘remaining & receiving’ in your life?
Last week, we were called to engage in the journey (calling & confessing, letting go & letting God; remaining & receiving). Pray with your group that the Holy Spirit would show you individually and collectively where you are in this journey and what He is calling you to next. Share the answer(s) you receive over the next several weeks and invite Him to lead you into your next steps. Leaders, help your Groups ‘call each other to more’ (for more on this, check out the video at this link).
Read Mark 10:17-22
Why is it significant that “Jesus looked at [the man] and loved him?” How does this change the way we read and internalize this passage?
:: What is the significance of him pursuing “Eternal Life” -- something of personal benefit -- and Jesus’ call to follow Him?
:: What caused the man to go away sad?
:: How can we miss the ‘treasure of heaven’ because we’re focused on temporal things?
:: What are ways Jesus does the same with us? Have you ever experienced a time when what you were seeking was adjusted as you encountered Jesus and an eternal focus?
Pastor Shawn shared CS Lewis’s “three alternatives” in life:
To be God. | To be like God & share his goodness… | To be miserable.
:: How have you seen this these ‘alternatives’ play out around you?
:: What are symptoms that we’re trying to live as God?
:: What are some examples of what it looks like to ‘be like God & share His goodness…?’
:: Have you ever experienced miserable Christianity? What brought you to that place? How did God call you out of it?
Read Luke 11:23
What is your reaction as you read these words of Jesus?
Throughout the morning, we were asked to reflect on the question, Is your spiritual life a way to improve yourself or to experience God?
:: What are symptoms we’re pursuing spirituality for self-improvement?
:: What are evidences that we are seeking God and His Kingdom rather than our own comfort, wealth, improvement, or design?
Read John 20:21b
How does this show us that “following Jesus is not just about living, but Living SENT?”
How do we see God’s empowerment to live a SENT life in this passage?
This passage indicates a reality that a Christ follower will Live SENT; it isn’t something to strive for, but something that is. How does this help us understand the danger in focusing on LIVING rather than Living SENT?
What does this show us about how, in Jesus, we move from having a life to being alive.
:: What are some ways that Living SENT gives us a sense of being alive?
:: What examples of adventure, purpose, and dynamic living have you
experienced as you seek to know Jesus and Live SENT in Him?
We were asked, “What is one way you can more clearly focus your spiritual life on God and not yourself?” Discuss this as a Group and share what God has revealed to you. Pray for one another and, again, capitalize on this opportunity to call each other to more’ as you journey through this together.
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