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:
What does your ProjectONE commitment mean to you?
Discussion Questions:
- In Genesis 18, we see Abraham interceding on behalf of Sodom. This place was evil in the sight of God. They had been unkind to Abraham. So why is he praying for them in the first place? Maybe it was because his nephew lived there. But it seemed to be deeper than that. God had promised that he would bless ALL nations through Abraham. So Abraham is showing Sodom underserved kindness, grace and mercy. We can only show this kind of grace when we realize we have received unfathomable grace from our Heavenly Father. In light of the grace that has been shown to you, who in your life have you withheld grace from?
- Abraham is negotiating with God, asking if there are 45, 30, 20 or 10 righteous people there if God will refrain from destroying the whole city. Why does he stop negotiations at 10? Why didn't he keep pressing God until he got as low as he could? Evidently, he recognized that there WEREN'T any people righteous enough to save the city. This story leaves a question that only the New Testament will answer. Is there no one who is righteous enough to plead on behalf of the wicked earth and stay the wrath of God on our behalf? There are NONE that have walked the earth that are righteous, except for Jesus. And He acted on our behalf to save us from destruction. Jesus’ righteousness was so great, and His sacrifice so immensely satisfying to God, that on Jesus’ behalf we can ask for forgiveness for our own sins and God will give it to us. Talk about what it feels like to realize that we deserve what Sodom got because of our sin and wickedness. How often are you thankful for the grace shown to you?
- One of the takeaways from Sunday was, "God has called you to a circle and city for a purpose." Each of us is placed into a community to pray and sacrifice on its behalf. God placed you into that family, into that community, so that you could ask for blessing and mercy there. That was His intention in putting you where He did. Do you see those in your circle that way? Are you praying for them to that end?
- The other takeaway was, "We can have confidence in our calling." God has put the City Church in this community for a reason. We can have great optimism about our future here. He put us here at this time for a PURPOSE.... To reach people, to raise up leaders, and multiply all over the world with the gospel! We need to ask and dream big because Jesus' sacrifice for our world demands that we do. Like Abraham, we are called to live for something bigger than ourselves. How is he leading you to answer this call to action?
- As this series comes to an end, are you ready to go ALL IN with us? What questions do you have? How has God grown you through this process?
Prayer Topics:
- That we would show grace to others because He has been gracious to us.
- That we would live lives of gratitude.
- That we would live for something bigger than ourselves.
1 Comment
Amen! Thank you Jesus!