"I'm Forgiven So It Doesn't Matter How I Live" Discussion Guide

Recap

1. How did you come to God for help over the past week? What happened?

Main Thought

The Bible is clear that Christians are saved by God’s love and grace when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, not by our good deeds or how we live. This is great news since none of us can live perfectly in order to earn our salvation. Christ earned it for us. However, this can lead to a common misconception that we can continue to sin since we are already forgiven. This is completely false. How we live matters for several reasons:

1. We were all created to do “good works” of love to make a difference in the lives of others rather than to live selfishly. Life will never be fulfilling until we do the “good works” that we were created for.

2. Sin has consequences in this life. It hurts us, others, and prevents us from fulfilling our purpose and experiencing true joy.

3. Sin damages our most important relationship, which is our relationship with God. If we continue to willfully sin, we are rejecting God’s love and the gospel that saves us.

We should be grateful for God’s unconditional grace that we don’t deserve. In response, we should strive to continually grow in “good works,” loving Him and others with our lives. We should also strive to rid ourselves of sin with His help and to become more like Jesus in every area of our lives.

Main Passages

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
- Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

“...each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
- James 1:14-15 NIV

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”
- Hebrews 10:26-27 NIV

Discussion Questions

1. What can we learn about God based on the main passages above?

2. What areas of sin in your life is God challenging you to be free from? What “good works” is God challenging you to grow in?

Apply

1. Growth happens as we walk with God by practicing spiritual disciplines (like prayer, reading the Bible, reflection, etc.). It also happens as we walk other believers in honesty and transparency, as well as by encouraging and challenging one another to obey God. What practical step can you take to continue to grow in your faith right now?

"God Helps Those Who Help Themselves" Discussion Guide

Recap

1. Have you recognized any of your own “planks,” or problems, over the past week? If so, then what steps did you take to grow as a person and become like Christ?

Main Thought

The popular saying “God helps those who help themselves” can be misleading. It might make us think that we need to use our God-given gifts to be “self made,” or to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.” We can try to do things in our own strengths] apart from God, but He’ll rarely help us when we’ve left Him out of the picture. Meanwhile, we often ignore or cover up our weaknesses. But God can give us the ability to excel in spite of our weaknesses. God helps those who help themselves, and God helps those who can’t help themselves! If we want God’s help in our strengths and weaknesses, then we need to come to Him in humility and faith for help.

Main Passages

...If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
- Philippians 3:4-7

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
- Luke 15:22-24

Discussion Questions

1. What can we learn about God based on the main passages above?

2. Have you ever done something in your own strength, only to realize that you ended up leaving Him out of the process? What happened? What did you learn?

3. Have you ever excelled or been successful in such a way that made you believe that God helped? What happened?

Apply:

1. Is there a specific, challenging area in your life right now? How can you come to Him in faith and humility for help?

“Only God Can Judge Me” Discussion Guide

Recap

1. How has gratitude to God for His mercy and grace impacted your life?

Main Thought

One of the most popular passages in the Bible, even among non-believers, is: “Judge not, or you too shall be judged.” Most of us want to escape judgement even while we judge others. We don’t want to be judged because acceptance, and we judge to make it easier to accept ourselves. Jesus brings a unique perspective to this problem. He has the right to judge because He set a perfect standard; however, He suspends His right to offer patient acceptance and a fresh start instead. Jesus even teaches us a good way to judge. We start by judging ourselves. We commit to the process of becoming more like Christ as we pull the “planks” out of our own eyes. Then, we take newfound perspective and use it to judge others’ “specks.” (The size difference between these things highlight our focus in judging ourselves and others). If we judge with love and grace at all times, then we’re more likely to receive that grace from others like we already do from God.

Main Passages

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
- Matthew 7:1-5

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them...
- Matthew 7:15-16

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you...
- Matthew 7:12

Discussion Questions

1. What can we learn about God based on the main passages above?

2. Why is it hard to address our own “planks” and problems?

3. Think about a recent moment in which you judged someone else. What specific “plank” - be it some selfish action or attitude - does that reveal about you?

Apply

1. How can you rid yourself of a “plank” and grow as a person, with the goal of becoming more like Jesus? Ask God to help you work on your own planks this week. If the opportunity arises after processing your own problems, then speak up about someone else’s “speck” with God’s love and grace.

"You Get What You Deserve" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

“What goes around comes back around.” “You reap what you sow.” Phrases like these communicate the idea that we’ll eventually “get what we deserve.” This is often true, and we dislike getting less than we deserve! Yet there’s at least one thing we deserve that we should be happy about not receiving. God, in His mercy, withholds the punishment we deserve for our sin. Jesus received that punishment on the Cross; He got what we deserved. Then, in His Grace, God offers the love and eternal life that Jesus deserved for His perfect obedience. We get what Jesus deserved. This exchange is the foundation of the Christian faith.

Main Passages

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
- Luke 23:39-43

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…
- Ephesians 2:4-5

Discussion Questions

1. What can we learn about God based on the main passages above?

2. Have you ever been happy about getting less than you deserve, perhaps by avoiding a consequence or punishment? On the other hand, have you ever found joy in receiving something good that you did not deserve? What happened?

3. Do you believe the Gospel - the news about Jesus receiving the punishment we deserved, and offering us the life that He deserved? If so, then how should it shape your attitudes and actions in response?

Apply

1. Take your response to question three and apply it to your life this week!

“How Do I Get Closer to God?” Discussion Guide

Main Thought

People often feel distant from God, regardless of their spiritual standing. These people ask, in their own way, this all-important question: ““How do we get closer to God?” Jesus gave us ideas on how to do just that in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In it, we see that drawing near to God begins with acknowledging our discontent without Him. We must act on our discontent by distancing ourselves from sin and idolatry, which separate us from God. Desperation for God motivates us; from this internal posture of desperation, we become willing to do whatever it takes to draw near to God again. (God, like the Loving Father in the parable, desperately wants us to turn toward Him.) We should respond by drawing near to God daily in His Word, through prayer, and offering our best to serve Him.

Main Passages

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[b] 22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
- Luke 15:11-24

Discussion Questions

1. Do you feel like you’re close to God? Why or why not?

2. Some of us feel distant from God overall; others may need God to move in specific areas of their lives. How might you be able to get closer to God?

3. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the Father demonstrates unconditional love and amazing grace. How does that grace make you feel? Do you know anyone that may need to experience the same love and grace?

"When Should We 'Let Go and Let God?'" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

A common word of advice shared among Christians, especially when things are hard, is that we should “let Go and let God.” The phrase alludes to the general idea that we should surrender our cares to God. But should we always approach life that way? We should definitely “let go and let God” in regards to salvation. Only Jesus can save us from our sin and its consequences! Yet in almost every other situation, God requires our best effort. God uses life’s challenges and opportunities to strengthen us. Once we’re giving Him our best; then, we can surrender and trust Him with the results.

Main Passages

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
- Ephesians 2:8-9

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
- Matthew 25:24-26

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
- Proverbs 16:3

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever trusted God with an issue, without giving it your best effort? What happened?

2. Is there an area in your life in which you feel you’re trying your best and trusting God, but still haven’t seen breakthrough? What might he be developing in you?

3. Think about some way in which you’re serving God now, or a way in which you would like to serve Him. What do you want to see God do? How can you either start or continue to give Him your best effort?

"Do We All Worship the Same God?" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Does every religion worship the same God? Many people would say “yes,” for a wide variety of reasons. They may be motivated by a desire for tolerance or political correctness. They might be afraid of the conflict that a conversation like this one could create. Others still may simply be ignorant. Regardless of the reason, the idea that all religions worship the same God is incorrect. There are too many contradictions between religions to reconcile them.

Jesus Christ claimed that He was the only way for us to be saved. The Christian Gospel is very unique: it asserts that Jesus was the only Man to have lived a perfect life, to die in our place, and to rise again - thereby proving His claim to be true. These things shouldn’t cause Christians to be filled with pride; instead, it should cause us to pursue others with the same loving grace that Jesus pursued us with. If we reveal the truth in love, then other may come to know Jesus too.

Main Passages

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
- John 14:1-6

What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.
- 1 Corinthians 10:19-20

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
- 2 Peter 3:9

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Main Passages above? Why?

2. Have you ever been grateful to someone for sharing something with you that was hard to hear? Why is it important for us to tell people about Jesus?

3. If we believe in Jesus as “the Way” to God, then having a relationship with Him should fill us with great confidence. Is there any area in your life in which you might need God’s Word to create more confidence in you?

4. Bonus: How can you practically be a witness to one person this week?

"More Than We Can Handle" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

A lot of people have heard, shared, or believed the following statement: “God will never give you more than you can handle.” There’s some truth in that cliche - but we need to clarify it with God’s Word! The Bible promises that we will never be tempted with sin beyond our ability to resist it. We can choose whether or not to sin; however, we cannot choose our situations, or whether or not we’ll suffer. Therefore, God DOES allow us to experience situations and suffering that we cannot handle - at least on our own. God has a purpose for our pain when the going gets tough in our lives. He may be trying to grow our strength, grow our faith, or grow our relationship with Him. It’s in Christ that we find the strength to overcome in spite of our circumstances. God never gives us more than we can handle when we find our strength in Him.

Main Passage

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
- 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
- Philippians 4:12-13

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9

Discussion Questions

1. Are you facing any situations or circumstances right now that are overwhelming? What is it?

2. Our “strength,” on a spiritual level, can be broken up into character (who we are as people), our competencies (the things we do well), and our capacity (how much we’re able to handle). Do you think God may be developing your strength in any of these three areas? How?

3. God wants to grow our faith and our relationship with Him. How have past trials, or even a current one, helped you grow in those two things?

"Doesn't God Want Me to be Happy?" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Everyone wants to be happy! America was, in part, founded on the truth that people are entitled to “the preservation of life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” However, most people have discovered that pursuing happiness can end in disappointment and heartbreak. That’s because pursuing happiness in temporary things can only produce temporary happiness. For this reason, God wants us to pursue happiness in eternal things instead. If we do, then we’ll be able to stay happy regardless of what our lives look like here on earth.

Main Passage

12 May all who are godly be happy in the Lord and crown him, our holy God.
- Psalm 97:12 (TLB)

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
- Mark 8:36-38 (KJV)

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
- Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever been heartbroken or disappointed after trying to find happiness in something temporary, or earthly? What happened and why did it disappoint you?

2. Think about the main things you’re pursuing right now. (Career achievements, comfort for your family, a relationship, a degree or diploma, etc.) Are they temporary, earthly things or permanent, eternal things?

3. How might pursuing something with an eternal reward affect your life? How can pursuing happiness in something eternal impact the lives of others around you?