Group Guide
This Week's City 7:
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
Ice-Breaker:
- Are you a boat person? Any good boat loading/unloading stories?
Scripture
Jude 1
12 When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. 13 They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness.
12 When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. 13 They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness.
Discussion Questions:
- In verses 12-13, Jude is shouting the warning signs to help us recognize the threats that are among us. The climate of our culture is PERFECT for sinking our "faith ship" (think Titanic and icebergs). He compares these false teachers of their day to shepherds that only feed themselves. They are disingenuous and wholly self-absorbed! They pretend to be about other people, but everything they do is about self promotion and preservation. Many of us have smuggled me-centric thinking (which is the bedrock of our culture, the schemes of Satan himself, the god of this world) into the church and into our Christian faith. Even in our Bible study and worship, we can be ME-focused. The problem with this is that narcissism is antithetical to Christianity and virtually impossible to see in ourselves (though everyone around us can see it). What are some examples of narcissism and selfishness that you see in some Christians, or even in yourself? How can we tell if we are too self-focused? How can we keep ourselves in check?
- Jude compares the false teachers to trees that bear no fruit and are pulled up by the roots. They are TWICE dead. DEAD dead. We learned last week that going with what we think is best rather than following God's Word is evil. On the contrary, Psalm 1:1 says, "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do." Which is most true of your life? Do you tend do go your own way? Or do you "delight in the law of the Lord?" What kind of fruit is your tree bearing?
- In verse 13, Jude says they are like wild waves that churn up the froth of their own shameful deeds... gross. This isn't internal shame Jude is talking bout. He's saying that these guys are proud of their sin, flaunting it for all to see, without shame. James Shaddix said, "Immorality is a close companion of virtually all false teaching. Our creed and conduct are inseparable. Belief and behavior are twins that are virtually impossible to separate." The things you believe and the way you behave are one in the same. If you want to know what's in your heart, just listen to what comes out of your mouth. Look at your actions and behaviors. What do your words and deeds tell the world you believe? Are you more likely to feel conviction over sin (even the "small stuff"), or to celebrate it or brag about it?
- One of the takeaways on Sunday is that your ROOT determines your FRUIT. We MUST make sure we are rooted in the right things because you don't just drift into faithfulness and righteous living. Literally EVERYTHING in your life outside of your bible and your church family is, 24/7, doing everything possible to pull you away from Jesus. How vigilant are you? How aware are you of the dangers that are constantly bombarding you? How much thought do you give to the spiritual battle that is going on all around you, fighting for your soul, your family's souls, your kid's souls?
- In John 15, Jesus said, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father." In this life we are trying to live for Jesus, we can either ABIDE in the VINE or DRIFT with the TIDE. Abiding requires rooting ourselves in Him. Drifting requires NOTHING. Practically speaking, what does abiding in the Vine look like in your day to day? What is God asking you to do or change?
Prayer Topics:
- That we would be vigilant in watching out for danger.
- That we would root ourselves in Jesus and His Word.
- That our lives would bear much fruit for the Kingdom.
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