Group Guide
This Week's City 7:
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
Ice-Breaker:
How old were you when you moved out of your parents' house? Were they sad to see you go or did they throw a party?
Discussion Questions:
Have someone read Luke 24:47-53 aloud.
- The church in our western culture has embraced a consumeristic approach. We church shop and church hop, and very few are committed and plugged into a church over a long period of time. Consumers don't contribute. When we started The City, it was never our intention to simply grow a big church. It was, and is, our goal to build a family of disciples that make disciples. We teach tough messages straight from Scripture when it seems most people just want a feel-good sermon. And, strangely enough, we've seen tremendous growth over the past year or two! Have you ever had a more consumeristic mindset when it comes to church? What changed? What do you think it is about our approach to ministry that is connecting with people in our city?
- In the last few verses of Luke 24, Jesus ascends into heaven. But before He ASCENDS, He SENDS! He not only sends His followers that were there that day, He sends all of us. Jesus COMMANDS us to GO into all nations, carrying the message of the Gospel. We don't get an option. We are ambassadors for Christ. We are ALL in full-time ministry! Your job or career is just your mission field. This might be a tough question, but be as honest as you can... What grade would you give yourself when it comes to Jesus' command for YOU to go and share His message in YOUR mission field? How many people have you brought to faith in Christ? How many people are you discipling?
- He didn't just send us empty handed. He gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us to do His work. The fact is, we can't do it on our own! It's the Holy Spirit's job to convict people and convert people. Our job is to simply open our mouths and let the Holy Spirit speak through us. We should share this message with a spirit of humility because it is HIM doing the work. After all, evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where the bread is. How much thought and prayer do you give to the idea of the Holy Spirit speaking through you on a daily basis? Do you ever feel like He is speaking through you? How might you grow in this?
- After Jesus SENDS, he ASCENDS to the right hand of the Father. This is the dramatic completion of Christ's work of redemption. He now reigns with authority, power and dominion. He ascended to serve and to guide us and to equip us. He ascended to foreshadow OUR ascension into heaven with Him. One day He will return for us and take us to be with Him. His ascension gives us assurance that our final home will be in heaven with Him. How much thought do you give to His return? Are you ready for Him to come back?
- After Jesus ascended, the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy. They spent all their time at the temple praising God, and they are about to receive the Holy Spirit and set the world on fire. How do you know if you are a consumer or a contributor? Do you love gathering with other believers to worship, or do you dread it? Do you find yourself not being able to get enough of His Word or presence, or are you bored, looking at your watch? The bigger question might be, what (or who) are you truly living for? Are you really living for something bigger than yourself? What is God asking you to do in response to this message?
Prayer Topics:
- That we would fulfill the command He gave us to go and share the Gospel with those around us.
- That we would live like He's coming back.
- That we would live for HIS Kingdom, not our own.
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