How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, of course!
It is the same with knowing God, and with knowing God’s Word. It is taking it all in one bite at a time.
That’s what my Core Beliefs class is.. It is seven bite-sized portions of theology that are perfectly sized for anyone to swallow. Even you! You CAN know God better and you CAN understand how to think deeply about Him. Try out my Wednesday Core Beliefs class, starting on September 18 at 6:30. Just tap the elephant below and sign up today.
How About Bruce’s Story?
What an amazing testimony, right? Did anything about it surprise you? Was it what you expected? What stood out, and what spoke to you? What did you walk away with? Take a minute to talk about these questions and how you felt about Bruce.
September is Recovery Month, and we wanted to kick it off right. If you are interested in finding out more about Celebrate Recovery, you can tap right over to our CR page right here:
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
Philippians 1:27-30 (NLT)
Paul was worried about the unity of the church at Philippi. He wanted them to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. Loving and serving each other, standing together as one is his heart. That is the gospel relevant in our lives.
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.
Philippians 2:12 (NLT)
How is Paul suggesting that we live obediently to God?
What negative impact could Paul’s absence have had on the church’s obedience and continued growth? What positive impact did Paul hope it had?
Paul is calling here for the church to live in obedience to God, even when he isn’t around to check up on them. He didn’t want them dependent on him… He wanted them to continue to invest into their relationship with God and with each other. How do we practice what he is instructing in the above verse?
Take a moment as a group to be quiet and to think about your individual relationship with God. (Where and when do you meet him? How do you hear his voice? What kinds of things is he doing in your life? What does he want to do next? How do you hold back? How do you give in?)
When you think about your relationship with God, what breaks you down? What causes you to pause? To tear up? What makes you reverent?
Why are these things essential for spiritual growth?
What are the “results of our salvation?” (hint: see the next verse)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT)
Again… What are the results of our salvation?
Are those the ONLY results of our salvation? Can you think of any others?
How do we best “work hard to show the results” of our salvation? (it might help here to go through the list and pick a few of them. Be specific about each one of them?)
So, the bad news is… You can’t do this yourself. The power to show the results of your salvation is the same power that conducts your salvation. It is HIS power, received by grace through faith.
The good news is that the same salvation power continues to be extended into your life by God, right? Here is what Paul says about that:
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
Is this encouraging to you? Why or why not?
So, what is God’s responsibility in my salvation having “results?” What is MY responsibility in my salvation having “results?”
How should this make us respond to the christian who says “I have nothing to offer?”
What active steps are you taking toward spiritual growth in your life?
What are active steps are you taking to show the results of HIM in your relationships?
What active steps are you taking to show the results of HIM in your finances?
What active steps are you taking to show the results of HIM with your time?
Let’s pray for continued, specific results in our lives. Let’s also pray for a specific lost friend or family member that God might just use us to bring home.