LET S TALK (SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS) LEADER GUIDE: WEEK 5 (May 21, 2017) CONCEPT Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about God in our world. This week, we ll define the misinformed, what to use as the standard for truth, how to deal with misinformation, and how to be sure we re not contributing to the problem. PREPARE Pray for each person in your group, for your meeting, and for your preparation Read Transforming Neighborhoods (T.N.) chapter 13 ( The Uninformed ) Study Acts 18:24-28. This is the story from the T.N. chapter and the sermon Choose which questions and exercises you plan to do with the group. Prepare the Closing (or do one of your own) ACTS STORY Read Acts 18:24-28 (bonus: tell it as a story with Bibles closed, then read it aloud). Ask these 3 questions (optional): What do we learn from this text? What challenges you from this text? What are you going to do about it? QUESTIONS NOTE: choose what makes the most sense for your group; don t try to use them all. 1. We are all stewards of Christ. What is expected of a steward? 2. How would you define the misinformed? 3. What did Aquila and Priscilla do when they met Apollos, who was misinformed? 4. Why are there so many different Christian denominations? What are 2 or 3 ways that differences among Christians could be minimized, and similarities emphasized? 5. By definition, truth is the antidote to misinformation. First, we must decide: can truth be absolute? If so, what is the final authority for truth? (A: God, as revealed through the Bible). Why is the Bible the reliable source of truth (as opposed to other religious books, systems, etc.)? EXERCISES NOTE: choose what makes the most sense for your group; don t try to use them all. Walk through the 4 biblical principles for dealing with misinformation about God from the sermon: (1) Instruct followers privately (vs. 26); (2) Encourage followers publicly (vs. 27); (3) Defend Jesus/truth privately and publicly (verses 26, 28); (4) Use
the Bible, not your opinions (vs. 28). Ask questions such as: How does this compare to the way people in our culture typically deal with differences? Which of these is easiest for you to do? Which is the most difficult? What is God challenging you to do? What do you commit to do? Watch one of the parts from the movie, Lord, save us from your followers. See the RESOURCES section below. Using role-playing techniques, have people discuss specific Bible passages that show how to become a Christian. Walk through the sheet My Story in your session, or send it to do as homework. CLOSING How have you done with at least one thing you decided to do at our last meeting? As a group, spend a few minutes memorizing Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16, Ephesians 5:15-16, or another verse of your choosing. Use whatever version makes the most sense for your group. Ideas for memorizing: read the verse(s) out loud together 3x; have everyone close their Bibles and have one person read a few words and let the group fill in the next word keep dropping words until the group has the whole verse memorized; give out notecards and have everyone write the verse down; give candy (or something else) as a reward for people who memorize the verse. Ask people to pray this as the group closes, and each morning this week, God, throughout this day, may I authentically represent you to others. RESOURCES Books: The Promise 3:16 (Max Lucado); Ultimate Questions (John Blanchard) Website: AllAboutGod.com a resource that can help believers address the tough questions not-yet-christians often pose in spiritual conversations Movie: Lord, Save Us From Your Followers. Note: we re not endorsing this, because it s edgy, but it might be a good launching point for discussion. It documents what can happen when we misrepresent God, and talks about the clash of culture and faith. It can be found in various parts on YouTube. Note: the material above is organized and edited by Steve Murphy from a variety of sources, including the books noted in the Introduction of the Leader s Guide. Contact Steve with any questions.
EXERCISE: My Story Do this exercise in the group, or work on it at home and discuss it next week. (Decide as a group if you want to share the entire sheet, or just selected items.) 1. Briefly share how you came to become a follower of Jesus. 2. What s one thing from your life that s shaped your spiritual journey? 3. What s one thing from your spiritual journey that s shaped your life? 4. How has your commitment to God affected other commitments in your life? 5. How have other commitments in your life affected your commitment to God? 6. How confident are you that God loves, accepts, and forgives you? 7. What doubts or questions about the Christian faith have you wrestled with, or are wrestling with now? 8. What s one thing you ve discovered about yourself on your journey? 9. What s one thing you ve discovered about God on your journey?
PRINCIPLE 5 Christians should comprehend the role of the church family in our lives, and the true blessing of being children of God. Note: Each week we ll share 1 key principle for having successful spiritual conversations. These principles were gleaned and summarized by Jim Brechbuhler from Transforming Neighborhoods a Life at a Time: Personal Evangelism Done Jesus Style by Tim Wallingford. The 5 principles that we ll discuss won t directly correspond to Dr. Wallingford s book, because he shared far more than five. We wish there was time to cover them all! For much more detailed, practical information, we highly recommend Transforming Neighborhoods and its companion study guide, 100 Answers to Questions from the Neighborhoods. Available in print in the DCC Oasis Bookstore and Amazon Kindle. Church: The Family of God The word church means different things to different people. For some, it s what they do on Sunday morning. For others, it s a social service organization, a building, a group of people to fellowship with, a place of inspiration, or a place to learn. While these definitions are convenient, they often represent Christianity boiled down to an event, a thing or a group. When we define the church correctly, as God s family, then our perspective changes greatly. The Bible clearly paints the church as a family. Christians are routinely referred to as brothers and sisters. God is our Father, and Jesus is described as our elder brother. The apostles periodically referred to those they were teaching and caring for as children, sons, and daughters. There is clearly a heavy familial tone in the scriptures. When we recognize the church as God s family, and as Christians we belong to it, the scope of our interaction should become much more intentional. We treat it as if it really is our family because it is! In a stable, loving, earthly family, everyone cares for each other. Unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion, kindness, accountability, encouraging words, mentoring, fellowship, and teamwork are the goal. Devotion to the family is paramount. As the old adage goes, blood is thicker than water. Our presence with family is expected unless something temporarily prevents us from being together. These same things should permeate our church family. We must love unconditionally, be quick to forgive as Christ forgave us, be kind and compassionate to one another, and be accountable to each other. Our words should be gentle and full of grace. We defend the church, and don t slander our brothers and sisters. We re routinely present in the lives of our brothers and sisters. How can we pray and care for one another, if we re absent from each other and don t know each other s needs? We work as a team, carrying our share of the workload, and share in the spiritual parenting of younger Christians.
Let s go a little deeper, regarding these last two items. Many times, in an earthly family, we try to pass off our chores to parents or siblings, but we know in a strong family, everyone does their share. The church family is no different. Every Christian brother and sister is called to the work of the church. We should joyfully embrace the tasks God has equipped us to handle best. To enjoy the benefits of the church, but ignore the mission s many tasks, is simply wrong. Also, of paramount importance, is the spiritual mentoring or parenting that takes place in the church family. A newborn baby requires nurturing and teaching, over time, to develop into maturity. In the same way, a newborn Christian needs nurturing and training over time, so they may grow spiritually mature. Too often, once they accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, new Christians are abandoned, and must fend for themselves, only to fall away. How sad! We must look for our role in mentoring others, as well as welcoming mentoring in our own lives. Once we have a biblical perspective of the church, we can focus in on its purpose. Dr. Wallingford cites four purposes of God s family: 1. We re here for God to live in us and love us. The common DNA between all believers is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He changes us to look and act like Christ. He lives in each believer. This indwelling causes us to be of one mind and spirit. 2. We honor the Father through imitation. The good earthly father is often gladly imitated by his children. They want to be like him. Our perfect heavenly Father deserves no less! In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul calls us to imitate the Father: 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Our church family should help us grow to be like our heavenly Father. This is accomplished through nurturing, teaching, fellowship, serving, and accountability. 3. We provide protection from evil. Dr. Wallingford points out the evil one is called Satan, the devil, the adversary, the accuser, and a demon. These titles occur over a hundred times in the New Testament. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Researcher George Barna, notes that of the 156 million unchurched people in the US, 75% once attended church earlier in their lives. The devil is definitely on the prowl to win Christians back to his side, and he is having success. The family of God serves to protect each other through encouragement, teaching, nurturing and accountability. Once again, the spiritual parenting of newborn Christians is so critical. Every Christian should look to have the back of a brother or sister in Christ. 4. We intervene during temptation. Knowing our brothers and sisters are in spiritual warfare, at times we must intervene. A parent or a sibling will pull a toddler away from a hot object, or pick her up when she gets too close to steps. When we see a
Christian brother or sister going in a dangerous direction, we need to lovingly speak into their lives. We can spare a brother or sister from a lifetime of heartache, as well as the possibility of abandoning their faith. The Mission of the Church Family We close with a reminder that the mission of the church is to go into our neighborhoods, workplaces, our sports teams, wherever we interact with people, and share the love of Jesus. May our friends souls be more important than anything else. May the eternal destiny of our family members be our passion. Just as Christ forgave us and made us new, let s share the good news of Jesus, the gospel, with others! May our hearts and minds always be on things above! Colossians 3:1-4: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. These words of Paul are simple and straightforward, and can help us to stay focused on the right things, in the midst of the life s craziness. Thanks for reading, Jim Brechbuhler