Life group Discussion Questions after the jump!
Special note: For 10 weeks, the life groups at The Orchard Church are using Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University as their life group curriculum. We’ll get back to our regular discussion pattern in June. During the meantime, however, I realize that others outside our church use this resource for group listening and discussion. I’m keeping up with this process even during our pursuit of financial peace. I hope that’s helpful to you.
On Sunday, I used my driver’s license to illustrate how we are free, but never fully free. What did you think of that illustration, and what does it mean?
Why is freedom never, ever really full freedom?
God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
–1 Corinthians 6:20
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
-John 8:36
How do we reconcile these two statements?
On Sunday, I said “slavery to God is the highest level of freedom humanly possible.” Do you agree with that statement? Why or why not?
Why is this concept of slavery so difficult for us to discuss? What kinds of feelings does it bring up?
Author Murray Harris has observed:
One of the classic Christian paradoxes is that freedom leads to slavery and slavery leads to freedom. As soon as people are set free through Christ from slavery to sin, they enter a new, permanent slavery to Christ. Indeed, the one slavery is terminated precisely ignorer to allow the other slavery to begin. While that emancipation happens individually, the persons who are freed are not simply isolated “slaves of Christ.” They form a worldwide community of “fellow-slaves,” all belonging to the one Master who purchased their freedom and all committed to obeying and pleasing Him.”
-Murray Harris, Slave of Christ
What does slavery to Christ free me from? What does it free me to?
Which is more desirable? Why?
Jesus makes this critical statement to us:
You didn’t choose me. I chose you.
-John 15:16
Why is this so very important to us? Why is it important that the choice was HIS, and not OURS? (hint: answer in next paragraph.)
Jesus’ choosing of us is very important, because if our salvation was in any way up to each of us, how secure and stable would our salvation really be? How much better off are we if GOD chooses and establishes it than if we do it ourselves?
Paul rejoices in this fact when he writes to the church at Thessalonica:
As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
-2 Thessalonians 2:13-14