CG Booklet v4.1 2

---

AK?LRO =CA LKA =KLQEAO ) F C SFX T
       

family devotionals ACTIVITY:

Week #2: Encourage One Another

Large piece of paper per child Markers or crayons Have someone read Acts 14: 21-28. While reading imagine in your head what Paul and Barnabas’ journey looked like and draw a map. Mark each location and draw the routes they took. Feel free to draw what you think the land looked like. After reading and as kids are still drawing, talk about how many places they went and why you think Paul and Barnabas felt they needed to do this. What was driving them? Read Matthew 28:19-20 Note: Check the back of your Bibles and see if you have a map of this journey. It may be called Paul’s Missionary Journeys. You can also Google it!

FOCUS: STEP IT UP:

(if you are able to make more time in your week)

God wants everyone to get along and encourage one another. One sheet of paper per family member. Markers and tape. Tape a piece of paper on each person’s back. Walk around and write encouragements to each other. What do you like about that person? What makes them special? What do you want them to know? How do you feel about them? Feel free to write many things!

When everyone feels they are done. Take the papers off and give everyone a chance to read (or read to them) what their family said about them. Pray: Dear God, Help us to remember to encourage others. Thank you for this family that loves each other. May we never forget the kind things we read and heard today. AMEN.

GO DEEPER:

(have older kids or are just ready for more?)

Read Acts 14:8-15. First, try to imagine this. Paul tells someone to get up and walk and they do…or I should say…they CAN! God used Paul to heal this person. Describe what this must have been like. Why did the people start worshipping Paul and Barnabas? Do we still do that today at times? We can “misplace” our praise on someone who is “just human” like us. For example we read a story about an athlete that has gotten in trouble and are surprised that someone we look up to has messed up! Although this is disappointing and what they did was wrong we need to remember they are only human. Only God is perfect, only God is worthy of our worship, only God never messes up. Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 23

ADULT DEVOTIONALS

WEEK 2: MONDAY “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most

Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” - Hebrews 10:19-20 There’s a crowd outside for the opening of a big event. The gates are locked—those gathered outside are filled with anticipation—they anxiously await being allowed in— but there has been a delay. Peering inside, all they see is one staff member. But then, finally, the gates are opened—the crowd surges in. Today’s scripture explains that in the Old Testament, no one except the high priest was allowed into the Most Holy Place in the temple, the place that was closest to God. Sure, the prophets had promised that one day that was all going to change, but people were still waiting outside. Finally, that all did change, with the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins. Now we are allowed in to draw near to God! This week our theme is encouragement, and we’re starting off by seeing that it’s only because of what Jesus Christ did that we can offer true encouragement. Any other ways of trying to give encouragement are futile. You might hear a motivational speaker who says something like, “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities!” or you might recall the poem that says, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” But Jesus does not call us to tell people that they can have their best lives now. No, as we encourage each other, whether our present circumstances are good or bad, we remind one another to look at all that happens with the power and consolation and glimpse of eternity that Christ gives. Because of Christ, as we encourage one another in our small groups, we are people who have been freed from guilt. Instead of being fearful, we grow in assurance. We learn to walk with sincere hearts instead of putting on a mask or presenting a façade. Now, in our small groups, Jesus, our best encourager, is present in power and in love. This week, pray that you will draw near and receive more of the Lord’s power of encouragement in your group and in your life.

Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 25

ADULT DEVOTIONALS

WEEK 2: TUESDAY “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you

are doing. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11,14 Picture the two steps of a baker making gingerbread men, working with a cookie cutter. At first, all the cut cookies look exactly alike. And in an important way, we are all exactly alike in Christ. In today’s chapter, Paul reminded the Thessalonians that they were all united in their Christian walk, and they shared the same faith, love, and the hope of salvation, and life with Christ. Yes, all of us who are in Christ are redeemed, forgiven, and given eternal life. We all have the same identity in Christ. But did God mean for us Christians to be exactly alike in all other ways? Let’s go back to the cookie baker. After being baked, the baker gives each cookie its own unique decoration. No two are alike. Similarly, no two of us Christians are exactly alike. God gave us different personalities, backgrounds, ways of reacting to things, and much more. As we build each other up, keeping in mind that we are to be patient with everyone, we see that some folks need gentle encouragement and others a sterner warning. Exactly what we need to hear, and even how it is said, will be different for each one of us. One person is faint and needs extra care; someone else is overconfident and needs some admonishment. We learn to bring Jesus’ love to people in the right way at the right time. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10) When we encourage, we want to encourage each other to have life to the full in Jesus. Our end goal is for all of us to be complete in Christ, despite all our idiosyncrasies. Today, think of the different personalities and temperaments and backgrounds of the people in your small group. How can you better tailor your encouragement to meet each one exactly where they are?

Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 26

ADULT DEVOTIONALS

WEEK 2: WEDNESDAY “ Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

- Psalm 42:11 You wake up early one morning when it is still pitch dark outside and very, very slowly the darkness gets gradually lighter until finally, the sun begins to rise… Someone in your small group is having a dark night of the soul. They feel cut off from God. They feel cut off from other people. How do we come alongside that downcast person to encourage them to put their hope in God? How can we draw that depressed person into praising the Lord? The sad person is likely thinking, “I am not supposed to feel like this, I will conceal it and not be a burden…I am alone in my despair and sorrow. I am alone, and I am the only one who is troubled.” But we can point out that the Psalmist did not feel ashamed or afraid to admit that they were at a place where they felt apart from God. They were open about their distress. And as we think of how to care for that sad person we are drawn to what Paul said: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Our Lord is the Comforter! The wonderful comfort we receive from him empowers us to comfort others. We are comforted comforters. We can comfort someone in the dark night of their soul. They do not have to wrestle it out on their own. Today, dwell on how you are a comforted comforter, not afraid to admit it when you need comfort, and willing to pass comfort along when others need it.

Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 27

ADULT DEVOTIONALS

WEEK 2: THURSDAY “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” - Colossians 2:2-3 Someone has built a railroad trestle to bridge a gap between two mountain ranges. Before, it was a long, arduous, and dangerous single-file hike to cross that gap. Now, a whole group of people can get on board the train, sit together, and be whisked across. As Christians, we also face a gap. Since we all live in a fallen world, no matter how much we love Jesus, there is a gap between all that we know he has for us and wants us to be and where we presently really are in our lives. At first, we are tempted to close the gap single file. We think we need to work it all out on our own. But today’s verses say we need to be encouraged in heart and united in love. Then, we get to know the mystery. Here, mystery is not a detective story, but rather something that used to be hidden, and now it is out in the open. Jesus is being uncovered right in your small group! We share wisdom with one another that we would never think of on our own. Because Jesus gives us treasures of wisdom, we can fight the gap together between where we are and where we know Christ wants us to be. We don’t need to walk single file. Being united in love, we can stride together sideby-side to get on board with what God is doing. That’s how we can bridge the gap. Are you ready to get on board?

Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 28

ADULT DEVOTIONALS

WEEK 2: FRIDAY “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” - Hebrews 10:24-25 Do you like being poked in the ribs? It depends on whether someone is being playful or hostile, doesn’t it? When we get poked in the ribs, it’s a provocation which causes us to respond. In today’s passage, the Greek term translated here as “spur one another on” carries the idea of a provocation. That word can be used positively or negatively. Here, of course, provocation is meant to be positive. However, do we as today’s Christians, automatically and enthusiastically view it as positive? Don’t we often think, “My Christian life depends on me and God, I must try my best, and I don’t really appreciate the meddling of others?” But the picture that today’s scripture gives is very different. We are encouraging each other as we walk side by side, calling out to each other, urging “Love, love even more! Do good!” As we meet in Jesus’ name we should respond with love and good deeds. Does this mean we are forcing each other to do good things out of guilt and shame? Not at all! Remember that Christ is the Lord who invites us in to the holy of holies. Our good deeds are provoked by thankfulness for Christ’s dying on the cross for us and giving us salvation. And even more, knowing that “the Day” is when Christ will return amplifies our encouragement of one another. As we long for him to finally fulfill all his promises, we have an even greater eagerness to respond to him together. Do you welcome being “poked” to love Jesus and people more and more?

Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 29

ONE ANOTHER

WEEK 2: ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

DISCUSSION GUIDE

MAIN POINT To persevere in faith, we need to encourage one another.

INTRODUCTION It has been said, “A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.” We all need encouragement. Biblical community is crucial for a number of reasons, but not the least that it gives us an opportunity to encourage one another in a way that keeps each other believing what we know to be true about God. All human beings are inclined to forget what we know to be true about the nature and character of God. We know the gospel, but we forget to apply gospel truths to our lives. That’s why we need to be in a small group based in biblical community. It provides us the opportunity to be encouraged and to encourage others. It keeps us grounded in truth rather than believing the lies our culture, the enemy, and our flesh tell us. Have you ever experienced a word of encouragement from a teacher, coach, parent, or friend when you really needed it? What impact did it have on you?

When are you most likely to need encouragement? How can you recognize when a friend or loved one needs encouragement?

What happens when we fail to encourage someone who really needs it?

UNDERSTANDING > READ HEBREWS 10:19-22.

According to verses 19-20, why can Christians now enter into the Most Holy Place with confidence? Why is this a new privilege for New Testament believers?

Glance back at verse 22. How does the author instruct his readers to approach God? Why is authenticity necessary in our relationship with God and other people?

Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 30

ONE ANOTHER THE CHAPEL

DISCUSSION GUIDE

In the Old Testament, no covenant worshiper would have dared to enter the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle. It was a place limited to the high priest, and even they could only enter once a year. The thick curtain mentioned in verse 20 was a veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies and was a barrier between people and God. But after Jesus’ finished work on the cross, and in view of what He had done, believers can now and forevermore approach God with confidence. Because of Jesus, this privilege is no longer limited to the priesthood, and all believers can come into God’s presence. As we spend time in prayer and experience God’s presence we are strengthened spiritually and then have the ability to encourage and minister to others in our biblical community. > READ HEBREWS 10:23-25

Verse 23 urges believers to hold firmly to the hope we profess. How does surrounding ourselves with other believers in biblical community help us to remain strong in our hope and faith?

According to verse 24, what responsibility do Christians have to their fellow believers?

Christians have a corporate responsibility to one another. Fellowship with God must never be self-seeking or selfish, but rather, we are called to fellowship with other believers in the local church. Life is hard and our brothers and sisters in Christ need encouragement. There are no “lone rangers” in Scripture. All of God’s people are called to live in Christian community with one another. As the author of Hebrews writes, we are to, “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (10:24). Biblical community was modeled in the New Testament church and is the standard we should model today. In the Book of Acts, Luke described the New Testament church this way; “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer” (Acts 2:42).

Practically speaking, what does it look like to “spur one another toward love and good deeds”?

What are the risks associated with not being involved in biblical community?

In verse 25, the author instructs his audience to “not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Persecution may have led some believers to drop out of Christian fellowship. Today people use a variety of reasons to avoid being an active member of biblical community. But regular fellowship with other believers is a crucial part of spiritual growth.

Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 31

ONE ANOTHER THE CHAPEL

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Today, many people listen to podcasts and online sermons. It’s a blessing to be able to access gospel teaching in a number of different ways and listening to the gospel online is a valuable way to spread biblical teaching. But online podcasts and sermons can’t provide Christian fellowship found in the local church. Christians need to spend time with each other on a regular basis. It’s notable that the author’s focus is not what believers can get from being a part of the local church, but what they can contribute to the local assembly. > READ 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11.

What does Paul instruct the Thessalonians to do?

How might our relationships with other people thrive if we committed ourselves to encouraging one another and building each other up?

Christians who meet together with the purpose of seeking godliness and encouraging one another can do far more together than they could accomplish on their own. God intends for His children to be a part of biblical community where we have the opportunity to encourage one another and be encouraged. Life is too hard and the enemy is too fierce to consider attempting the Christian life alone. Christ followers need to be in fellowship with one another, and that means meeting together on a regular basis and being active members in the local church.

APPLICATION Are you an active participant in a biblical community where you have the opportunity to both encourage and be encouraged by others? If not, what steps can you take to connect with other Christ followers on a regular basis?

Who do you know who needs some encouragement? This week who can you call, send a card to, or have a cup of coffee with?

Who do you know that you haven’t seen in church for a while? How can you connect with them this week?

Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 32

ONE ANOTHER THE CHAPEL

DISCUSSION GUIDE

PRAY Father, we thank You that because of Christ’s finished work on the cross we can approach You with confidence. We thank You for the gift of the local church and the relationships we can enjoy with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We pray we will be people who are quick to encourage one another and active in a thriving biblical community.

MEMORIZE And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. –Hebrews 10:24-25 24

COMMENTARY HEBREWS 10:19-25

10:19. We experience Christ’s power by drawing near to God, maintaining our faith, and loving other believers. “Therefore” emphasizes that in view of what Jesus has done, believers can approach God with confidence. “Confidence” describes a boldness believers have because of our new relationship to God. “The Most Holy Place” was that part of the sanctuary which symbolized the presence of God. This verse uses the term not for the tabernacle but for the presence of God. All believers can come to God’s presence. This privilege is no longer limited to the priesthood. Believers can approach God because of the blood of Jesus. Not animal sacrifice but Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself has opened the door. All who have found a new relationship to God through Jesus can experience this privilege. 10:20-21 We have the boldness to enter into the holiest place because Jesus has opened for us a new and living way. He serves as our great priest to encourage us to enter God’s presence. Christ’s way to the Father is new because he opened it by his death. The resurrection of the sacrificed One has made the way living, or effective and enduring. “Curtain” refers to the veil that stood between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. In Hebrews it becomes a symbol of Jesus’ human life. As a human being, Jesus opened up a new way to God. Jesus presented his human life to God to bring us to him. Jesus’ human life and sacrificial death have made the Most Holy Place wide open so believers can enter directly into God’s presence. This was part of Jesus’ high priestly service. 10:22. We can now approach God and have the mercy and grace of our High Priest standing over us. How? First, we are to come with a sincere heart. This calls for genuine devotion rather than hypocrisy. Second, we are to come in full assurance of faith. This demands a bold confidence that God has provided full access to his presence through Christ alone. Third, we are to have our hearts sprinkled from a guilty conscience. This demands constant confession of our sins and openness to God. Finally we are to have

Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 33

ONE ANOTHER THE CHAPEL

DISCUSSION GUIDE

our bodies washed with pure water. This may be a reference to baptism as an outward commitment to Christ, or it might be symbolic as is the previous reference to hearts sprinkled with blood. If it is symbolic, the hearts sprinkled from a guilty conscience would picture our salvation, and our bodies washed would symbolize a righteous lifestyle. In this new state of purity made possible by Jesus, believers can come boldly to God and claim his grace and mercy. 10:23. This exhortation appeals to us to maintain spiritual consistency. We are urged to hold firmly to the hope we profess. This hope offers glory which beamed more brightly than the glories of the old order. “Unswervingly” denotes an object which stands absolutely straight, not departing from the perpendicular. We are to lay hold of Christ and never let go, even in the slightest. No persecution, real or feared, was to lessen the ardor of these believers for Christ. 10:24-25. This exhortation calls us to responsibility to one another. The appeal to consider demands concentrated attention. The goal of this attention was to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. As Christians we have a corporate responsibility. We must help others who stumble and falter. We must concentrate on the needs of others and not on our individual salvation only. To spur other believers forward in the Christian life, followers of Christ must meet together. Some of the readers of Hebrews were neglecting to meet together for worship, and this limited their ability to give and receive encouragement toward good works. Christians who meet together with the aim of promoting godliness and love for one another can be remarkably successful in their ventures.

Common Ground 2017: One Another

Page 34