FALL 2014 SEMESTER 10/26/2014 Week 4 of 4 in series The goal of this session is FOCUSING ON WHAT WORKS PREP WORK Take a few minutes to review the questions and develop your own answers, this will help you be able to engage the responses of others. CREATING THE ENVIRONMENT Make sure the environment in which you are meeting is inviting, there are enough chairs, and the temperature is comfortable. SCHEDULE CONNECT 10 minutes meet and greet, get snacks or drinks 5 minutes icebreaker GROW 10 minutes discuss sermon or video 30 minutes discussion questions 5 minutes moving forward SUPPORT 10 minutes prayer requests GOAL FOR THE EVENING Move from discussing what works in our human relationships to identifying what works when it comes to our relationship with God. Love and faith must be accompanied by action. While the balance between grace and works can be difficult to maintain, the order is what is most important. As Christians we are saved by grace in order to perform the works that God has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:8-10). Lead the group toward a discussion of how they can bring their faith and love for God to life through daily actions. 1
INTRODUCTION Naomi instructs Ruth to take some practical steps in her relationship with Boaz. These were tried and true methods for pursuing a relationship. Use this discussion to identify methods for pursuing or strengthening your relationship with God. Developing a relationship with God can be seen as elusive, complex or mystical. However, this is not the picture that Scripture gives. Encounters with God through history have been experienced when an individual pursues and expects God to show up. More significantly these encounters often occur when the individual humbles himself or herself. That is, when they acknowledge their need for God, pray to God, seek His instruction, read His law (the Bible) or worship Him with thankfulness. These are tried and true methods for developing a relationship with God. They may not be exciting or novel but they work. REFLECTION QUESTIONS 1. Which practical suggestions from Sunday most resonated with what help you feel loved or respected? 2. What most often makes these difficult to implement? Sunday Notes: For her to say: Thank you You did a really great job Hey everybody look at what my guy did! You set me on fire You make me so very happy For him to do: Hold her hand Send her texts Put your arm around her Tell her she is beautiful as often as possible Pull yourself out of a bad mood as quickly as possible Passion Promoters: Start something new Surprise each other Add some adrenaline Touch more Get out of the house 2
3. When you think of Christianity, what responsibilities or tasks are associated with it? Both the Old and New Testaments are peppered with dos and don ts consisting of moral, ethical, cultic and cultural legislation (Ex. 20-23; Leviticus; Deut. 5-6; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 4:31; 1 Tim. 1:9-10 and many more). These are part of God s character and gaining insight to these provides a wealth of understanding. He is holy and therefore those that follow him or are in relationship with him must also be holy in order to enter his presence. Holiness, in simplest terms means to be set apart from the mundane, secular and impure. Christianity has traditionally been considered a list of rules that Christians attempt to follow. However, the world quickly sees through the façade of following rules that have nothing to do with the deeper reality in our hearts. Even non-christians realize that doing what is right is not all that there is, the heart has to be in it. This is the same for our human relationships. There is a natural connection between motivations/feelings and actions. Challenges arise when these do not align. Jesus confronts this challenge head on through out the gospels. One of the more powerful teachings comes in Matthew 5-7. These teachings confront the impact of following rules without addressing the heart or motivation of the individual. Following rules can result from self-determination or control, but a relationship with God calls for transformation of the character, spirit and purpose of the individual. You ll see below in Micah 6:8 that an individual can make sacrifices to God or follow the rules but their heart can still be far from God. 4. Love without action is hard to imagine. What does James 2:14-20 say about faith without action? 5. How does faith influence our actions? And vice-versa? The Apostle Paul and James, Jesus brother, often seem at odds with each other. Paul adamantly contends that a relationship with God and salvation come only through faith. On the other hand, James places an emphasis on actions and deeds. However, read in context both begin at the same place faith in God s grace that produces a transformed life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Relying on God s grace and power for transformation results in deeds and actions that are in alignment with our love for and trust in God (Romans 6:1, 15). The book of James is addressed to those that already have faith in Jesus Christ and have chosen to follow Him. Consequently, James instruction is not how to become saved, forgiven or righteous it is about what life looks like after a Christian has accepted the grace of God in Jesus. Grace works itself 3
out naturally in the life and actions of the individual. Faith in God drives the individual to live a new life, one characterized by the commands and character of God. This new life, actions or deeds become the evidence of an inward transformation that has taken place and serves as a powerful reminder of God s work within the individual. Jesus states this most plainly in John 14:15, If you love me, you will keep my commandments. When we love someone our actions are weighed on the basis of what will bring that individual joy or harm. Loving God is similar. Unlike a spouse, God has provided a book that gives insight into his character, desires and expectations. When we love him, we delight in doing the things that bring him joy Psalm 119:9-16. 6. Discovering what energizes the other person in the relationship is key. What things bring God pleasure in our relationship with him? Consider these verses when answering question 6: Hosea 6:6; Romans 8:5-8; Mark 12:33; Psalm 19:14; Isaiah 1:17 7. How should Christian s demonstrate their love to God? Pleasing God is more than perfecting a list of dos and don ts. Following Jesus is a greater challenge than simply learning the rules; it is giving your life to his leadership, transformation and calling. These have to do with the very essence of who we are our heart, soul and mind. The verses referenced above highlight the heart of the person who follows God. None of these passages teach that sacrifice and rule following are wrong. Rather, they demonstrate that these can be worthless if they are performed out of an empty and unloving heart. Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV) Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the Lord s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. Romans 8:5-8 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind 4
governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. (NIV) Mark 12:33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Psalm 51:16-17 Certainly you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it; you do not desire a burnt sacrifice. The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject. (NET) MOVING FORWARD Relationships thrive when we discover what energizes our spouse or significant other. Belief drives practice. If you have placed your faith in Jesus, pick at least one area in which to move your faith into action this week: pray, serve others, obey, read the bible, share your story, give to a cause. Conclusion Pray: What can we pray for regarding your need to reconcile with God and others? Does any one have any needs or prayer requests? Do you know anyone that needs prayer? 5