All Lessons in File

FALL 2024 LIFE GROUP Theme: One Another passages in the New Testament Schedule 9-1 - Love one another - John 13:34 - Auditorium (Nick) 9-8 - Life Group - Welcome one another - Romans 15:7 and Greet one another - Romans 16:16- (first session in new life groups) 9-15 - Singing 9-22 - Life Group - Bear one another's burdens - Galatians 6:2 9-29 - Young Men's Rubies 10-6 -Encourage one another - 1 Thessalonians 4:18 and 5:11 - build one another up (Marlon) 10-13 - Life Group - Be kind and compassionate to one another - Ephesians 4:32 10-20 - Singing 10-27 - Life Group - forgive one another - Ephesians 4:32 11-3 - Do not grumble against one another - James 5:9 - Auditorium (various men) 11-10 - Life Group - Confess to one another - James 5:16 11-17 - Singing 11-24 - Life Group - Show hospitality to one another - 1 Peter 4:9 Life Groups Fall 2024 Topic: Loving One Another September 8, 2024 Text: Romans 15:7 and 16:16 The topic of today's "ONE ANOTHER" passages is WELCOME/ACCEPT and GREET one another. Therefore, since this is the first session of new life groups. Spend some time going around the room introducing each other. Ask everyone a "get to know you" question such as favorite hobbies, vacation spots, favorite way to spend a weekend, favorite food, etc. Come up with your own question if you'd like. (Be prepared for this to take up a good chunk of time. This quarter we want to emphasize developing stronger relationships with one another, so we need to get to know each other better.) CONTEXT OF OUR PASSAGE: Romans 14 is about conflict between brothers and sisters in the church. The conflict is about whether Christians should obey the Jewish food laws. Paul identifies two types of people; the weak (who believe the food laws are binding) and the strong (who believe there is freedom in Christ from obeying the food laws). A reading of Romans 14-15:7 shows Paul sides theologically with the strong, but he wants there to be unity among all. Views of food laws should not divide the church. In the midst of this section is the command of Romans 15:7. Read Romans 15:1-7 In the midst of his teaching about food laws and unity, Paul provides insight on the attitudes Christians should have toward each other: Do not act just to please yourself (v.1) Please your neighbor (brother or sister in the church) for their good (v.2) Build the other person up (v.2) Live in harmony with one another (v.5) With one voice glorify God (v.6) Therefore, WECLOME/ACCEPT one another as Christ has welcomed you (v.7). 15:7 is the conclusion of Paul's entire argument about weak and strong brothers and sisters that began in chapter 14:1. In fact 14:1, 3 use the same word WELCOME/ACCEPT. Paul bookends his command with this word. The conclusion = warmly accept each other despite varying levels of faith and spiritual maturity in Christ. Warmly accept everyone, those who are mature in the teachings of Christ and those who are just starting to conform their life to Christ. The motivation = you are following the pattern of how Christ welcomed you into the church. The church in Rome would have been filled with both Jews and Gentiles. The different backgrounds would have been a factor into their differing levels of spiritual maturity. The Jews understood the morality God expected better than the Gentiles, but struggled to let go of some of the commands of the Law of Moses. The Gentiles were not attached to the Law of Moses, but they struggled to let go of paganism. But what they have in common is a love for Christ. But what they have in common is they have been washed in the blood of Christ and forgiven And that unity is greater than their other differences In this life group, we all have different backgrounds. We grew up in different locations. We have been Christians for different lengths of time. We have different struggles, both physical and spiritual. But what we do share is a love for Jesus Christ. Therefore, we WELCOME/ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER. The Christians in Rome were to take their fellow brothers and sisters into their hearts as well as into their homes. We are to do the same today. This idea is reinforced in Paul's conclusion to his letter. Notice the repetition of the word GREET in Romans 16:3-16. Every verse starts with the word besides v.4. In v.16 Paul is reminding them that the church is bigger than their local congregation. They are not to just greet each other, but the entire body of Christ sends greetings to them. Discussion Question: In what ways have you been greeted/welcomed warmly in congregations? Discussion Question: What can keep us from excelling in this command to greet and welcome one another? Psalm 133:1 - "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity" Prayer requests and closing prayer Life Groups Fall 2024 Topic: Loving One Another September 22, 2024 Text: Galatians 6:2 Question: What is the value of having close friends? Question: How have your close friends helped you through difficult times? As we continue in our series of "One Another" passages in the New Testament we focus today on Galatians 6:2 - BEAR one another's BURDENS. Just like our first session, this "one another" passage comes from the end of Paul's letter. CONTEXT OF THE PASSAGE: Paul has been refuting the false teachers, commonly known as the Judaizers, who were insisting that salvation was not found in Christ alone, but in Christ PLUS observation of portions, if not all, of the Law of Moses. The entire letter has been Paul's attempt to defend the sufficiency of Christ's death and resurrection for salvation. Key Passages of Paul's Argument: Galatians 5:1-4 Galatians 5:13-15 - Paul has been arguing that those in Christ have the Spirit and are empowered and led by the Spirit. Second, freedom from the Law of Moses does not mean fulfill fleshly desires of sin. You do not use it as an opportunity to pursue your fallen nature, but instead, pursue unity and love for each other. This is why he says, "through love serve one another". In v.14 he explains that the binding law, the law of Christ, is fulfilled by loving your neighbor as yourself. This is the opposite of what the Galatians have been doing which is fighting amongst each other. This fighting is referenced by Paul in v.15. In the next section, Paul speaks of what a Spirit led life looks like. This context prepares us to read our "One Another" text for today... Read Galatians 6:1-2 No matter how far we develop in spiritual maturity there is always the threat of falling into transgression. This is sin or error. This is the value of being in Christian community because you can help one another escape from the traps of sin. We should notice that here is a BIBLICAL COMMAND and a BIBLICAL METHOD for how to do this. THE COMMAND - restore the person who has fallen into sin. Leaving them in their sin is not an option. Ignoring their sin is not an option. Cain asked if he was his brother's keeper and the answer is a resounding YES! Yes, we look after each other. QUESTION: What kind of person would you want to help you through sin? QUESTION: What would you want from a person helping you through sin? THE COMMAND is to restore the person, but there is a biblical way to do it. The BIBLICAL METHOD is for a spiritual person to be the one who does it and to do it with the spirit of gentleness. Who would a spiritual person be? The context points us back to 5:22 and the fruit of the Spirit. This is affirmed by the command of gentleness which is part of the fruit of the Spirit. QUESTION: Why does God desire a spiritual mature person to restore someone in transgression? Also, what could happen when a spiritually immature person attempts to do it? Let's not overlook the language Paul chooses to use - BURDEN. This will not be easy, it will not be fun, but it is necessary for discipleship. Jesus had to correct the disciples, the apostles had to correct the churches, Paul even had to correct Peter in chapter 2 of Galatians. We have developed an attitude of saying nothing. THIS DOES NOT MEAN GO SIN HUNTING, Jesus still said look at the log in your eye before the spec in your brother's eye. This should not be a stranger, it should be someone you are in close relationship with, a friend, this could be someone you are close to in a life group or around the table group. THE POINT IS - you are a spiritually trusted person - so you have earned the right to speak when you see sin creeping into another person's life. The result = fulfill the law of Christ which was defined back in 5:14 as loving your neighbor as yourself. By helping each other out of the tangles of sin you demonstrate love for each other. QUESTION: What are some ways to protect yourself from being tempted to fall into the same sin? Prayer requests and closing prayer Life Groups Fall 2024 Topic: Loving One Another October 13, 2024 Text: Ephesians 4:32 There is the famous line, "People won't remember what you said to them, but they will always remember how you made them feel." If you think back to the people you enjoyed being around, people who made an impact on your life, or that you learned from, what they all probably have in common is they made you feel loved. They may have been offering correction, but they did it with love. There was probably a sense of comfort when you were around them. While you may not remember every conversation, you remember the feelings of being with them. Today's One Another passage - Ephesians 4:32 - BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER CONTEXT OF PASSAGE: Ephesians 1-3 has been about what God has done for us. Ephesians 4-6 is the application portion of the letter. There are 2 key passages that anchor the teaching in this section: Ephesians 4:1 - Because of what God has done, walk in a new way (a Christian way) Ephesians 4:17 - Walk in a new way with a new mind (don't live and think like unbelievers) The entire chapter is built around these two statements. The point is that being in Christ results in adopting an attitude and behavior like Christ. Rather than leaving Christians to discern on their own what that attitude and behavior is, Paul lays it out. Read Ephesians 4:30-32 When we live immoral lives, we grieve/sadden the Holy Spirit inside of us. The Israelites had a history of grieving God because of their behavior in the Old Testament. Some examples are... Isaiah 63:7-10 Psalm 78:40 We need to consider if we as a church, or individual Christians, bring the emotion of grief to God. Paul is going to list some of the actions that Christians can engage in that bring grief to God. Bitterness Wrath Anger Harsh words Slander All types of evil/malice If we find our heart consumed with these actions we are bringing grief to God. Instead of these actions, we should develop a character that is... Kind to one another Tenderhearted Forgiving (next week's lesson) Kindness is part of the nature and character of God. Psalm 34:8 says, "Taste and see that the LORD is good"(1 Peter 2:3 quotes this). In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, that word "good" is the same word as kindness in Ephesians 4:32. In Romans 2:4, it the kindness of God that leads people to repentance. Psalm 145:9 says, "The Lord is good to all". Again, "good" is the same word for kindness in Ephesians 4:32. Jesus says in Luke 6:35 that we are to love our enemies so that, "we will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." We see that God is not only morally good, but he actively does good and displays kindness to his people. God displays kindness for the good of his people and the world and so we must act with kindness for the good of the church community. QUESTION: How have you experienced the kindness of other Christians? In several of the above passages, God's kindness is an invitation to faith. Psalm 34 is an invitation to experience God's kindness and it will compel you to believe. Romans 2:4 emphasis the reason we are forgiven is God's kindness. QUESTION: How does kindness play into evangelism? QUESTION: How can we display kindness to visitors on Sunday morning? One of the saddest things is to witness Christians fighting amongst each other in the church. This does not happen overnight, but happens when we allow our hearts to be overcome with Ephesians 4:31 instead of 4:32. We want to be 4:32 people not 4:31 people. This week, look for opportunities to show kindness to others. Be intentional to do this outside the church, but also be intentional about demonstrating kindness to another member of Windsong or a visitor to Windsong. Instead of adopting the ways and lifestyles of the world, we are adopting the ways of God. Kindness is an attribute that God possesses and that he shows to his creation. Let us show it as well. CLOSING PRAYER Life Groups Fall 2024 Topic: Loving One Another October 27, 2024 Text: Ephesians 4:32 As long as sin is a part of life, forgiveness will have to be a part of life. We can imagine a perfect family where no one ever wronged another member of the family. But that family doesn't exist. We can imagine a perfect work environment where no one ever got their feelings hurt, but that work environment doesn't exist. We can imagine the perfect church where no wrongs were ever committed, but that church does not exist on this side of heaven. Because of the imperfections of our world, the imperfections of our character, forgiveness is a part of life. QUESTION: What happens when you offer forgiveness VS what happens when you refuse to offer forgiveness? (the answer to this question is revealing about the mindset of the group. Are they thinking in the physical realm of what happens or are they thinking on a spiritual level about what happens with God when forgiveness is or is not offered.) Today, our main text is the same as last session. Therefore, only a brief reminder of the context will be provided. Ephesians 1-3 has been about what God has done for us. Ephesians 4-6 is the application portion of the letter. There are 2 key passages that anchor the teaching in this section: Ephesians 4:1 - Because of what God has done, walk in a new way (a Christian way) Ephesians 4:17 - Walk in a new way with a new mind (don't live and think like unbelievers) If we were to sum up all that God has done for us, we could say "God forgave us". Therefore, because we have experienced forgiveness we SHOULD be compelled to offer forgiveness. This is the biblical understanding of forgiveness. It is not forgiveness to avoid conflict (though it does do that). It is not forgiveness to appease someone else. It is not manipulative forgiveness that has an ulterior motive. It is a forgiveness that is motivated by your own forgiveness by God. Read Ephesians 4:32 Notice the way Paul has laid out this section of the letter. In 4:1 your actions are motivated by your identity as a Christian. In 4:32 forgiveness is motivated by the fact that Christ forgave you. Then in the next verse, 5:1 we are called to be imitators of God. The motivating factor in forgiveness, and all the moral actions in chapter 4, is because you are grateful of what God has done and want to show that gratefulness by treating others the way God has treated you. God demands that we do for others, what he has done for us. Consider these different passages... Matthew 6:14-15 Matthew 18:21-35 Forgiving those who harm you was the attitude of Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:34) and Stephen when he was being stoned to death in Acts 7:59-60. The motivation for these actions is because of what God has done. To continue to receive the forgiveness of God we need to offer it to those around us. QUESTION: What has been your motivation to forgive in the past? QUESTION: When has forgiveness been hard and when has it been easier (knowing it's never really easy)? One reason we don't offer forgiveness is because we are too prideful. We have the attitude that someone is getting away with something. We are letting them off the hook. Sometimes the lack of forgiveness is a way of protecting ourselves from further hurt. There are numerous reasons a person may not want to forgive another person. QUESTION: Would you rather have a broken relationship and maintain your pride or would you rather have a restored relationship through the humbling experience of offering forgiveness? Let's discuss what makes forgiveness possible and healthy: 1. Forgiveness is motivated by something beyond ourselves - what God has done for us 2. The forgiven one needs to display a grateful repentant attitude with a strong desire to not repeat the mistake 3. Reconciliation should try to happen, but that is a process that takes longer than forgiveness. While forgiveness is no longer harboring anger in your heart, reconciliation is restoring the relationship. This includes boundaries and safeguards to not repeat the same mistakes. Forgiveness by God was offered at the cross of Christ. Yet, we are still restoring our relationship with him. The relationship is not fully restored until we are in heaven together. This is a return to "walking with God" that Adam and Eve experienced at the beginning of creation. What happens when the person who needs forgiveness is not sorry? This is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. Forgiveness is always required. Again, this is removing hatred in your heart toward another person. Forgiveness is for you first before it is for the other person. The person who wronged you may be dead and unable to seek forgiveness from you, but it is not healthy to carry that anger around. In this case, forgiveness is releasing the anger toward that person, but not necessarily returning to a relationship with them. God loves everyone fully, but not everyone has reconciled with God. This does not mean his forgiveness has not been offered. Closing Prayer Life Groups Fall 2024 Topic: Loving One Another November 10, 2024 Text: James 5:16 QUESTION: What is the benefit of having a strong relationship with another Christian? God, in his wisdom, organized the church to be a community of believers to help each other grow and stay focused on the goal of heaven. God also ensured that the New Testament was filled with our "one another" verses because it shows the characteristics of the community. Today, we look at one specific benefit of having a strong relationship with another Christian. Read James 5:16 This ONE ANOTHER passage about confessing sins to one another and praying for one another comes in the context of James reviewing the Elijah story as an example of faith, prayer, and relationship. Let's look at the fuller context... Read James 5:13-20 Elijah was a great prophet who teaches us about faith, prayer, and relationships. But Elijah lacked ONE ANOTHER relationships and this made him emotionally distraught. The lack of perceived community by Elijah was difficult for him to overcome. Read 1 Kings 19:9-10 - Notice Elijah's statement, "I, even I only". Elijah feels alone. He does not see any community around him. He has no one to turn to, but God. Read 1 Kings 19:13-14 - Elijah repeats himself expressing the same sentiment Read 1 Kings 19:15-16, 18 - God sends him back to community. God informs him that there are 7,000 people of like mind to Elijah (a community he was unaware of). God also gives him a close ally in community, Elisha, who will take his place. Elijah lamented not having anyone and God pointed him toward the community. LESSON FOR US: The community exists, but we may not always be looking for it or seeing it. Sometimes we need God to remind us and we need to remind each other of the great community that does surround us. Notice that the context of James is surrounding Elijah with community. James 5:13-16 is all about community. James 5:17 is about Elijah James 5:19-20 is about church community once again Just as God tried to remind Elijah of community in 1 Kings, so does James surround Elijah with community in the way he writes this section of his letter. But James is taking the approach of specifically listing what the value is of having the church community. James lists... Praying for one another Singing with one another Calling in elders to pray Confession of sins Reminding Christians of the way they should go This Christian community is focused on both physical and spiritual. There is the praying for illnesses, but also confessing of sins (Spiritual illness). There is a level of faith in the community (which is why you pray, you don't pray if you don't have faith). Also, it is a community that is built upon past experiences of God. This entire section is built around the Elijah life story. The motivation for some of these actions is praying in confidence because of what God has done in the past. The benefits of a community like this is: Shared experience - We all have the same goal, the same love for God, and hope beyond this life. We have witnessed answered prayers and suffered through seasons of life. Accountability - Deep Christian relationships keep us from drifting. Drifting away from spiritual dedication happens slowly and we sometimes are unaware of it happening. However, our close brother and sisters in the church can help keep us on track. Support - We do not do this alone. No one has to grieve alone, and no one has to rejoice alone. QUESTION: What are some things that get in the way of healthy Christian community? QUESTION: How can we have a deeper prayer life with each other rather than a surface level prayer life? We need to develop relationships with others where we can freely confess our sins and have a robust prayer life with each other. CLOSING PRAYER Life Groups Fall 2024 Topic: Loving One Another November 24, 2024 Text: 1 Peter 4:9 READ 1 Peter 4:9 QUESTION: How would you define hospitality? QUESTION: What is the purpose of hospitality? Hospitality is a word that is built upon 2 words - foreigner and guest (it is literally the love of strangers). In one sense it is opening your home and heart to provide shelter, safety, and basic necessity for someone who is passing through. Christians being an exile(foreigner or stranger) in the world has been a theme. Therefore, Peter is saying since you are foreigners in this world, be hospitable to one another. Hospitality is not unique to Christians. However, Christian hospitality serves a unique purpose. It is the creating of a new community in the midst of the current world. Today's passage is 1 Peter 4:9, but before we look at that passage specifically, let's look at the context. CONTEXT: 1 Peter 4:1 begins the immediate context and it is a reminder that because of what Jesus has done Christians are to think and live differently. This was the same motivation we saw in our last 2 lessons from Ephesians 4 (Prior to that 1 Peter 3:18 is a reminder of what Jesus has done for us). 4:1 is a reminder of what Christ has done and 4:2 is call to live differently because of what Christ has done. Next, Peter talks about the world we are exiled and passing through in 4:3-6. Finally, 4:7-11 is direct application for the Christians living in this world. Notice the application list: Be self-controlled Sober-minded Keep loving one another SHOW HOSPITALITY without grumbling Use your gifts QUESTION: What does hospitality have to do with everything else on that list? (It is necessary for Christians to thrive in this world. Peter listed the evils of the world in 4:3 and Christians are going to avoid that evil by being self-controlled and sober-minded. They will need to keep loving each other because the world is not going to love them, see 1 Peter 2:19-20. They will need to use their spiritual gifts to fulfill their purpose. In the same manner, hospitality is critical to Christian's survival in this world.) God knows we need community. Adam needed Eve in the beginning. If Christians are to be citizens of heaven and not this world, they will be rejected from the community of this world. Therefore, they need to create a new community of their own. Hospitality served this purpose. QUESTION: How have you benefited from Christian hospitality in your life? In Christian hospitality the virtues of Christianity are shown. You show love by being compassionate enough to do it You show giving by offering what you have to someone else You show a servant heart by taking care of their needs You are sacrificing in the process You are displaying unity among one another You are providing a safe place which is what God is doing for us in the church. The church is our safe place in the world. Hospitality is still necessary today. These life groups required hospitality. Our around the table groups require hospitality. However, in the 1st century world, public lodging could be dangerous for Christians, not affordable, or not available. Traveling Christians depended on hospitality. This is why it was a required trait of Christian leaders (1 Timothy 3:2 says elders need to be hospitable) as well as Christians in general (Romans 12:13 and Hebrews 13:2). The early church would not have had a place to worship if Christians did not practice hospitality. Hospitality alone was not enough; it is hospitality without grumbling. The sacrifice of hospitality has to be done with a good attitude. QUESTION: What are some obstacles that get in the way of hospitality? How can we overcome them? Closing prayer