01.06.08
Small Group Plan - January 6, 2008
“The Invitation Paradox”
Small Group Plan
January 6, 2008
Every encounter between human beings is a critical moment. Sometimes those moments significantly impact those who are meeting. A carefully placed compliment can, perhaps unintentionally, reverse a negatively-coursed life and plant seeds of greatness. This is especially true when an adult life intersects with a child’s life.
Unfortunately, there are also times when words and actions can do irreversible harm to another. James warns us that the tongue is a fire. Sometimes, fire purifies… sometimes it destroys.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Share a time when someone told you something or treated you in a positive way that you never forgot.
· Share a story of an unhealed wound that someone cut into your life, perhaps long ago, that is still with you.
· Why do we hold on to those critical moments in life where others impacted us irreversibly? Is this spiritually healthy?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
An Invitation to Die – those who did or would use the word of God to wound or destroy others: Ex: Judaizers (discussed at length by Paul in the book of Galatians), Spiritual leaders, Pharisees, etc (Matt 23:23-24), False Prophets (2 Peter 2)
· Consider these people who drew criticism from Jesus, and later Paul, because of their religious failings. Discuss the negative impact each had on early Christianity.
· Do they still exist? How & what is their impact on today’s church?
An Invitation to Live – Jesus, on the other hand, brought a message of “abundant life” to His followers, a message of hope, an invitation to life
· In Jn 10:10, what does Jesus mean when He says He came to give us “life to the full?”
· Sunday’s sermon gave examples of how Christ’s life story invites us to live fuller lives. Give other examples where He, through word or deed, invited others to live fully.
· Of all the invitations of Christ (or about Christ), which one is most important to you in your daily walk?
· If you could send one scripture to a lost friend that would sum up the invitation of Jesus, what would that verse be? Why?
The Invitation Paradox – Read Matthew 16:24-25
· How does one “lose his life” for Jesus?
· What does the life “gained” feel like? What does it look like? Why is it worth dying to self?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Do you consider yourself an “inviting person?”
· Do you feel a responsibility to invite others to a relationship with Jesus?
· What could you change about yourself in order to attract more people to Jesus?
· What steps will you take this year to make those changes?