Group Guide
This Week's City 7:
6. Is the Bible God’s word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
Ice-Breaker:
Did you grow up going to the beach? Are you a beach person, or would you rather not?
Discussion Questions:
Have someone read Luke 6:43-49 aloud.
- Jesus gives us two illustrations that reveal what authentic faith really looks like. Many people are fooling themselves, pretending to be something they aren't. A tree is identified by the fruit that it produces. What we talk about, spend our time doing, spend our money on and our priorities reveal where our heart really is. Be honest with yourself! Do you have a passion for knowing, worshiping and serving Jesus? Do you love spending time with your church family? Do you enjoy spending time in his Word?
- The fruit of your life reveals your reality. Jesus' remarks are not designed to examine individual moments in life, but the pattern of a life-long walk with God. Jesus is saying that if you are truly seeking transformation in your life, victory over sin and repentance from apathy, you can't approach it as if it were a superficial, external matter. It's a matter of the heart. Pharisees concentrated on rituals, religious routine and systems, as if just by doing step one, two and three they would be right with God. They thought the "DO" would change "WHO". But real transformation, love for God and authentic faith come from a changed heart! And then, a change in WHO produces a new DO. Does the fruit of your life indicate that you might need a heart change? In what areas?
- Jesus' next illustration is all about building on the sand. When we get our priorities out of whack, it's like building our life on the sand. Sandcastles are cool for a moment, but a life built on the ROCK lasts forever. Your fruit reveals your reality, your foundation reveals your reality, and your fruit reveals your foundation. Many of us have good intentions, but our realities say something totally different. Are there some areas of your spiritual life where you have be best intentions, but those don't match up with reality? What do you need to tweak or change?
- The challenge from Sunday was to draw a line in the sand... decide to build your life on the ROCK. Our firm foundation starts with the ROCK of the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection is the foundation for the IDENTITY of Jesus, the AUTHORITY of His Word, the COMMUNITY of believers, the VITALITY of your family, and the PRIORITIES of your life. Think back to Clayton's illustration with the building blocks. When you look at the way you and your family spend your time and money, what does it reveal? Which priorities can tend to slide out of place if we aren't careful?
Prayer Topics:
- That we would build our lives on the ROCK.
- That we would remember that it all starts with our hearts.
- That our lives would produce the kind of fruit that proves we are faithful followers of Jesus.
1 Comment
Amen!