FOLLOW {ANDY STANLEY}
INTRODUCTION:
There is a common misconception that the church is a gathering place for saintly, perfect people. Moreover, some think that being a Christian means observing a set of rules or commandments. The reality is that the Christian life is about a relationship with Jesus Christ. And at the heart of that relationship is an invitation that Jesus extends to people from all experiences of life: "Follow me."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1.) Read Matthew 9:9-13. What did the general public think of tax collectors like Matthew?
2.) How have certain experiences in your life prevented you from developing relationships with other people? Can you imagine anything that might disqualify you from having a relationship with God?
3.) n this passage, Jesus seems to be comfortable in the company of tax collectors and sinners, while the Pharisees express considerable outrage. What standards did Jesus have for choosing his relationships?
4.) What does it mean to be "healthy" and "sick" as described in verse 12? Would you describe yourself as healthy or sick?
5.) How does following Jesus make you less critical and more gracious towards others?
6.) Are you willing to follow Jesus? What does it look like to follow Jesus in your life?
THINK ABOUT IT:
Jesus extends his invitation to people who know something is wrong but aren't sure what to do about it. He invites people who know they are not all they ought to be. He didn't ask Matthew to clean up his act before following him; and Jesus doesn't ask that of us. In time, within the context of his relationship with Jesus, Matthew would experience incredible life transformation. But Jesus' initial request and his request from there on out is simply, "Follow me." Will you follow Jesus Christ?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Begin tomorrow morning with this prayer, "Lord, today I want to follow you."
CHANGING YOUR MIND:
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Are you Available?
INTRODUCTION
What kind of person does God use? As you read through the Bible it becomes clear that God doesn't usually use the smartest or the most sophisticated person. He doesn't often use someone who has all the answers or who knows what he is doing. In fact, when I read the Bible and see the people God used I can’t help help but think, how does God get anything done? But as we examine the story of Moses it will become clear the one characteristic that God does use, and how He can leverage this quality in you. When you think about the people God used, they have one very important commonality with us…they raised their hand one day and said, “I’m available.” I’m not necessarily capable, trained or sure things are going to go well, but if there is a gap, put me in coach as long as you are coming with me.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Read Exodus 3:1-11. Why do people tend to think that God can't use them? What are the excuses they give for not making themselves available?
God says He has seen the plight of his people. Well, it’s been 400 years. God is always late from our perspective and on time from his. (Like how our kids think we are late all the time.) Moses must be thinking, this is very encouraging, why are you telling me this? What does this have to do with me? Then God says GO. “Wait God, let’s go back to verse 8. I heard you tell me you were going to go, which is awesome, so I think you should go.”
2. Read Exodus 3:12-14. What does God give to those who make themselves available (i.e. "I will be with you," v. 12)?
3. When have you felt God use you?
4. How have you felt God use this COMMUNITY in your life? How have you seen God use this COMMUNITY in the lives of others?
5. What does it take (time, talents and resources) to make these aspects of COMMUNITY happen?
6. In what volunteer capacity do you plan to make yourself available for God to use this coming year?
THINK ABOUT IT
What are the consequences of saying no…not being available? Think about all that Moses would have missed out on?
Imagine a year from now…what impact will we have made on our community or church? What things are you imagining? What will it take to make this happen? Make a list of the results that you expect to see a year from now in both your life and in the lives of others. How will things be different?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Seriously consider your level of involvement and investment into the community. If you are too busy to be involved, you’re too busy. You have to be available!
CHANGING YOUR MIND
And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain. " Exodus 3:12
What kind of person does God use? As you read through the Bible it becomes clear that God doesn't usually use the smartest or the most sophisticated person. He doesn't often use someone who has all the answers or who knows what he is doing. In fact, when I read the Bible and see the people God used I can’t help help but think, how does God get anything done? But as we examine the story of Moses it will become clear the one characteristic that God does use, and how He can leverage this quality in you. When you think about the people God used, they have one very important commonality with us…they raised their hand one day and said, “I’m available.” I’m not necessarily capable, trained or sure things are going to go well, but if there is a gap, put me in coach as long as you are coming with me.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Read Exodus 3:1-11. Why do people tend to think that God can't use them? What are the excuses they give for not making themselves available?
God says He has seen the plight of his people. Well, it’s been 400 years. God is always late from our perspective and on time from his. (Like how our kids think we are late all the time.) Moses must be thinking, this is very encouraging, why are you telling me this? What does this have to do with me? Then God says GO. “Wait God, let’s go back to verse 8. I heard you tell me you were going to go, which is awesome, so I think you should go.”
2. Read Exodus 3:12-14. What does God give to those who make themselves available (i.e. "I will be with you," v. 12)?
3. When have you felt God use you?
4. How have you felt God use this COMMUNITY in your life? How have you seen God use this COMMUNITY in the lives of others?
5. What does it take (time, talents and resources) to make these aspects of COMMUNITY happen?
6. In what volunteer capacity do you plan to make yourself available for God to use this coming year?
THINK ABOUT IT
What are the consequences of saying no…not being available? Think about all that Moses would have missed out on?
Imagine a year from now…what impact will we have made on our community or church? What things are you imagining? What will it take to make this happen? Make a list of the results that you expect to see a year from now in both your life and in the lives of others. How will things be different?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Seriously consider your level of involvement and investment into the community. If you are too busy to be involved, you’re too busy. You have to be available!
CHANGING YOUR MIND
And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain. " Exodus 3:12
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
No Meeting this Week!
Due to a scheduling conflict with the Grange, JourneyMen will not be meeting this Thursday and will reconvene next Thursday, October 11.
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