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:
- Have you ever witnessed/experienced a rescue? (fire/car accident/drowning etc.)
Scripture
Jude
22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
Discussion Questions:
- Last week, Jude encouraged us to build up our faith by knowing the Word, praying in the Spirit and waiting with anticipation for Jesus' return. And now that our faith is strong, we are to try and save others. The first group he tells us to go after is the DOUBTER. This is a believer that is wavering in their faith. They have a lot of questions and they might turn to questionable places for answers. Their faith might get shaky when life gets hard. We are to be patient with this person and treat them with mercy and compassion. Jesus modeled this for us during His earthly ministry. To those who were confused, unsure, and filled with doubts, He patiently and gently handled them with grace and truth, leaning a little heavier on the grace side. Do you know someone like this? How can you patiently and lovingly lead them back towards truth?
- The next group that Jude addresses is the DECEIVED. These people we are to rescue by "snatching them from the flames of judgment." This is a more forceful, direct approach. They are further down the road from the doubter and are headed for the fire. Just like running into a burning building to save your family, this is a more forceful, grab them by the hand intervention. We are commanded to SAVE them, but also it's God who does the saving. This is another one of those tension of trust moments where it's not an either/or but a both/and. He's the only one that open their eyes and bring transformation. But He chooses to use US to deliver the message. Who in your life might fall into this category? How can you lovingly but sternly address them?
- The final group is the DOOMED. These are lost and unrepentant people that are far from God. We are to show mercy to them, but have CAUTION because of the sin that's in their lives. We are to show compassion with caution. Other translations say to hate the "garment stained by the flesh." Still others use the word "filthy". The word here for contamination and filthy is literally referring to human feces. This is what Jude is saying sin is like. We are to do our best to reach these people, but be careful that we don't get their filth on us. Jesus hung out with sinful people and remained sinless... and you aren't Jesus. We must be careful as to not get dragged down into their sin. There are stories of lifeguards trying to save drowning people that have to knock them out to keep from being drowned themselves. Who are the people in your life that are drowning? Have you ever gotten so close that they pulled you under? How can we balance being IN the world but not OF the world?
- The challenge on Sunday was to PASTOR your PEOPLE, but don't FLIRT with FILTH. You are the one God wants to use to reach your circles. You have access and influence that pastors at church do not have. 2 Corinthians 5 says that this task of reconciling people to God is our FEARFUL RESPONSIBILITY to the Lord and that we are His ambassadors. "We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!' How comfortable are you with sharing with people that need it? How can you get MORE comfortable? How faithful are you when it comes to being the light that shines into the darkness around you?
- Jude referenced a story in Zechariah 3 where Joshua, the high priest, had been accused by Satan. But God rebuked the accuser. Then the "angel of the Lord", aka Jesus, removed Joshuas soiled garments and replaced them with clean ones. Imagine you are dressed in a robe of white. And every time you sin, every time you even think a sinful thought, Satan walks up and writes it on your robe. Every single thing you've ever done wrong, one after the other, being displayed. And this continues for your whole life. But Jesus comes up to you, as you're covered in filth, and trades robes with you. He takes your filthy, soiled, disgusting rags and puts them on Himself, and he puts His brilliant robe of white on you. This is what He did for you on the cross... the beautiful exchange. When we fully grasp what He did for us, we overflow with gratitude and humility and we want everyone else we love to experience the same thing. When we love God with all our hearts and love others like ourselves, we can't just look the other way. What is God speaking to you through these truths? What is He asking you to do or change?
Prayer Topics:
- That we would pastor our people faithfully.
- That God would give us opportunities to share.
- That we would be a light that shines in the darkness.
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