07.08.07
Small Group Plan - July 8, 2007
“God’s Future People”
Small Group Plan
July 8, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
It would be a mistake to patch old jeans with a piece of new denim that still has a lot of shrinking to do. In the same way, fresh wine, which has yet to do its fierce fermenting and expanding, would rupture an old leather wineskin that has lost its ability to stretch. Jesus uses this imagery to target a religion that has become rigid, unyielding and unable to receive the freshness that he is bringing.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Paint a picture of rigid inflexibility — what does it look like?
· Paint another picture of open flexibility — what does it look like?
· How have these two related to each other in the past?
· Which one receives God’s vote of confidence? Why?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
THE FAST — Mark 2:18-20
18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” 19 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.
· Why was Jesus often in conflict with the religious establishment?
· How is Jesus’ attitude different from the Pharisees?
· What is the difference between External Ritual and Internal Faith?
· What had fasting become and how did Jesus think it should shift?
· Why does Jesus hint at the cross?
· How can Jesus speak of joy in the face of death?
THE PATCH — Mark 2:21-22a
21 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined.
· What does rigid and unyielding religion look like?
· What attitudes lie behind such a cold and hard religion?
· How is God’s “wine” constantly growing and changing?
· How can the faith of an individual lose its ability to stretch and change?
THE POINT — Mark 2:22b
No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.”
· How has Jesus been “fresh air” to you?
· What in your life has been challenged the most to change?
· What in your life has most resisted God’s change? Why?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How is worship a lifestyle rather than an event?
· Why is spiritual leadership influence rather than control?
· How can we learn to speak God’s message in the language of our community?
Close by asking God to give us flexible, changeable hearts.