TODAY:

WITH: Reimagining the way we relate to God – Part 2: A Different Posture

BIG IDEA:

The goal of Christianity isn’t to use God to get something else. God IS the goal.

SCRIPTURES:

Luke 11:15-32, John 1:14,17-18, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 10:38-42, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q: When you think of God, do you imagine that He’s distant, far-off, or close & present? Why?

Q: How do the Scriptures/concepts from this week help you grow as a disciple who loves God, loves people & serves the world (lives on incarnational mission) in everyday life?

Q: Based on these Scriptures, how can you move from unbelief to belief, from just knowing to actually doing in your life?

Be With Jesus / Love God (UP)...

Q: Read Luke 15:11-32. Which character in the story do you identify with & understand the most? Why?

Q: How do you see the father’s heart of a “with” posture? How does this help us understand God?

Q: What do you think of the quote from John Piper?

Q: How important do you think it is for God to be the “goal” of the Christian faith? What happens if He’s not?

Become Like Jesus / Love People (IN)...

Q: How does spiritual growth & formation look different from a WITH posture compared to OVER, UNDER, FROM or FOR?

Do What Jesus Did / Serve the World (OUT)...

Q: What are some examples of how the faith, hope & love of the WITH posture changes the world around it?

NOTES & QUOTES

“People who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The Gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is the way to get people to God.” (John Piper)

ACTION STEPS

1) Ask yourself: are you driven to God by fear or by a desire for Who He is?

2) Examine what effect this has on your faith, life & relationship with God & with others?

3) Ask God to show you Who He is & how He is present with you right now