Week 1 – To Discover Life

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Week 1 – To Discover Life (Sermon)

   “Who  am  I?    And  why  am  I  here?”    Answer  these  questions  well  and   all  else  falls  into  place.    Answer  them  poorly  and  all  else  fails  to  fulfill.      Admittedly,  answers  seem  elusive;  but  God’s  answers  often  surprise   as  he  leads  us  to  discover  life.      

D iscussion Q ues tions – E p hesia ns 1: 3- 14

1  –  Share  2  or  3  ways  you  have  been  blessed.     2  –  Which  do  you  like  more:  “In  love  He  predestined  us  for  adoption”   (vs  4-­‐5)  or  “you  heard…and  believed”  (vs  13)?    How  do  these  two   ideas  (salvation  from  God’s  choosing  and  salvation  from  our   acceptance)  coexisting  challenge  you? 3  –  Five  “I  Am”  statements  were  mentioned  in  the  message  (holy  and   blameless,  adopted,  redeemed,  an  heir,  sealed).    What  are  some  ways   they  impact  our  view  of  God  and  our  relationship  with  him?   4  –  Look  over  that  list  in  the  above  question  again.    Which  one  of   those  identity  pieces  do  you  resonate  with  the  least?    Is  there  a   practical  step  you  can  take  to  begin  living  out  that  identity  piece?     How  can  this  group  help  you  take  that  step?   5  –  How  can  we  know  for  sure  we’re  part  of  God’s  family  (saved)?    

Ta ke aw ay

You  were  created  to  experience  life  in  Him;  anything  else  is  simply   counterfeit  life.    Do  whatever  it  takes  this  week  to  remind  yourself  of   this  truth  –  then  worship  him  for  what  he’s  done  in  and  for  you!    

Prayer:    “Thank  you  for  destroying  every  obstacle  to  knowing  you!   Thank  you,  too,  that  your  Holy  Spirit  has  sealed  me  and  is  guiding  me   daily.    Please  open  opportunities  to  share  this  amazing  truth  this  week.     Amen!”  

Week 1 – To Discover Life (Theme)  

“Who  am  I?    And  why  am  I  here?”    Answer  these  questions  well  and   all  else  falls  into  place.    Answer  them  badly  and  all  else  fails  to  fulfill.    Answers  may  seem  elusive,  but  God’s  answers  are  distinctly  clear.      Paul,  a  former  Christian-­‐hater,  was  shocked  at  the  worthless  self-­‐ identity  he  chased.  He  later  wrote  his  story.    And  in  some  ways  he   wrote  our  story,  too.      

D iscussion Q ues tions

Read  Philippians  3:3-­‐6   1  –  Share  a  time  when  you  realized  something  you  attained  (i.e   promotion,  possession,  relationship)  perhaps  wasn’t  worth  all  you   went  through  to  get  it.    How  did  you  feel?    What  did  you  do?     2  –  Paul  made  a  shocking  claim  in  verses  7-­‐9.    What’s  your  reaction?     Can  you  resonate?    How  has  God  taught  you  this  truth?   3  –  Read  verses  10-­‐11.    How  would  you  respond  to  someone  who   said  they  wanted  to  know  how  to  know  Jesus  the  way  Paul  did?   4  –  According  to  this  passage,  how  does  this  process  of  “knowing   Christ”  clash  with  the  American  culture?    What  do  we  learn  about   how  God  fashions  His  children  into  the  image  of  Christ?   5  –  Dare  to  be  transparent.    What’s  one  step  God  is  asking  you  to  take   to  draw  near  to  Him  this  week?    How  can  this  group  help  you  take  it?    

Ta ke aw ay

You  were  created  to  experience  life  in  Him;  anything  else  is  simply   counterfeit  life.    Do  whatever  it  takes  this  week  to  remind  yourself  of   this  truth  –  then  worship  him  for  what  he’s  done  in  and  for  you!    

Prayer:    “Thank  you  for  revealing  yourself  to  me,  God,  and  giving  me   the  blessing  of  salvation!  My  identity  is  found  in  knowing  you.    Please   give  me  the  courage  to  wisely  share  this  amazing  truth  this  week.     Amen!”