Hello This is a Test

Group Guide

This Week's City 7:

2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)

Ice-Breaker:

Do you have any memories of having a substitute teacher in school? Were you one of the crazy ones? Has anyone ever BEEN a substitute teacher? 

Discussion Questions: 

Have someone read Luke 12:35-48 aloud.

  • If we are going to live out this teaching from Jesus, it starts with a life of WAITING. Jesus tells us to keep the lamps burning, waiting for the master to return. He says to ALWAYS be ready! Romans 8 says that all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day. Philippians 3 says that as citizens of heaven we should be eagerly awaiting his return. Hebrews 13 says that this world is not our permanent home and we should look forward to a home yet to come. While we need a healthy fear of when we stand before him, we also should look forward to that day with great hope, anticipation and excitement! Think about that day when he comes again and we get to spend eternity with him in paradise. What kinds of emotions does that stir up in you? What are you looking forward to most? How might you respond when you ACTUALLY see Jesus face to face? Who else might you be longing to see again in heaven?

  • But we don't just sit around doing nothing! We should be doing what "waiters" do, and that's a life of SERVING. Disciples of Jesus are SERVANTS who have a MASTER! Jesus will say one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Not "attender" or "watcher," but SERVANT. Servants manage the house and feed other servants. From Jesus' parable, the servants that just partied and didn't carry out the master's instructions were punished. Jesus himself came to serve and not be served. But when it comes to our involvement with the church today, how many of us get this backwards? How often do you hear people say things that reveal they are wanting the church to serve them and not the other way around? It's the same with community. People always say they want to find a place to get connected, which is great. BUT, how often are we thinking about how we can make others feel connected? What if you getting connected was directly related to how much you make others feel connected? Does any of this start to shift your perspective?

  • Finally, living this out means a life of STEWARDING our resources. What resources do we have to steward for his glory and Kingdom? TONS! He's given you physical resources like strength, time, skill, talents, and money. You have spiritual resources like a story and testimony that you can share. You have a spiritual gift that he has given you that you can use to serve the church, your City Group and others. You've got God's Word that you can steward by studying it and memorizing it. God has given you prayer, where you can cry out to him and listen to him as he speaks into your life. He's given you a calling and ministry that is specific to you. He could be leading you to adopt an orphan, to move to an unreached people group to share the Gospel, to have a ministry of giving and generosity, and on and on. Of all these areas, which is most convicting? Where do you need to do more to steward things for his glory and not your own?

  • Parents (especially dads), we are called to steward our children and families. This doesn't mean providing more stuff for them. It's not making sure they are in sports. It doesn't even mean making sure they do well in school. We won't give an account to God for the car your wife drives, your son's batting average, your daughter's backflip. You will give an account for how you led your family spiritually. So, we might want to start being more concerned with our kids' knowledge of the Word of God and their love for Jesus. Stewarding our families well means, "I'm following Jesus and I want you to come with me." Talk a little about how you're doing in these areas? Are there some priorities out of whack? What would your kids say is most important to you?

  • Ultimately, we will give an account for how we stewarded all he has given us. Not just final judgement before the great white throne, where God will separate the sheep from the goats. The term Jesus uses here is talking about the Bema judgement. This is a different time when all BELIEVERS will give an account of themselves to Christ. This warning from Jesus is to Christians. In ancient times, a "bema" was a raised platform on which judges sat to view athletic games. Their job was to make sure contestants followed the rules and to present awards to the victors. This Bema judgement should motivate us to work OUT (not work for) our salvation with fear and trembling. The purpose is to inspire us to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. The challenge on Sunday was to LIVE like you're going to STAND before the seat. What does this mean for you and your family? What is God leading you to do with all of this?

Prayer Topics: 

  • That we would look forward to the day we see Jesus face to face.
  • That we would spend our lives waiting for his return and serving others.
  • That we would steward all he's given us for his glory.
  • That we would lead our families well.

No Comments