This past Sunday morning we experienced a great celebration of life change. We baptized 20 people, and we saw 9 make decisions for Christ! It was really an incredible day.
Lifegroup Discussion Questions after the jump!
On Sunday, I said that it is “okay to start following Jesus before you have it all figured out.” Is it true that lots of times in “church world”, we value knowledge above all else? The one that knows the most seems to often be regarded as the “most spiritual.”
While knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.
1 Corinthians 8:1
We know this passage isn’t saying that knowledge isn’t important… But this passage should redirect the way we do life together, shouldn’t it? How?
That’s one of the reasons we value life groups over classes at The Orchard. It has to be more than just knowledge. There must be love.
Often, the following passage is used to describe what the Body of Christ should look like.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
-Acts 2:42-47
Did you notice that they were not characterized by their knowledge? They were devoted to the apostles’ teaching, not because they knew, but because they were committed to learning.
But this devotion to the apostles’ teaching was just one of the characteristics of that early church. Look back at the passage and describe some of the (around 13 or so) characteristics that did define them.
Do we share these same characteristics today? Which ones? How?
Are we missing some of these today? Which ones? How?
All of these characteristics should be seen as byproduct of one thing… Love. Each of these flows from the love God has given us, and the resulting love that we have for each other. THESE are the things that should be the evidence we belong to Him.
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
-John 13:35
That is why we put a big emphasis on a deep connection into the Body of Christ. Without that connection, we can neither love each other, nor be loved by each other.
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
-1 Corinthians 12:27
Why do you think so many people in America today feel they can be a “christian,” yet not be part of the Body of Christ? What is it that these people value?
What does the Scripture say we should value?
“ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’* 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
-Jesus, Matthew 22:37-40
This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
– John 4:10-11
Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!
-1 Corinthians 13:8
What are some ways our group can do this better?