Empowered Living

Main Thought

God wants to give us power! God’s power does different things in us and through us. First, God gives us power to live holy lives before Him. He transforms our desires, our actions, and our habits. Transformed habits - in our thinking and behavior - eventually transform our lives. We’re also empowered to be witnesses for God. Witnesses tell people about what they’ve experienced in God. But we don’t stop at witnessing. We also receive God’s power to continue the work of discipleship, helping others follow Jesus. We walk with people until their lives are transformed too. 

Main Passages

“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

- ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:4-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.””

- ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3:11-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

- ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever experienced God’s power to live a holy, transformed life? If so, how?

2. Think about Acts 1:4-8. What do you think it means to “wait” on God? Are you doing that consistently?

3. God empowers us to live transformed, holy lives for Him; to be witnesses for Him; and to make disciples for Him. Where do you need God’s power to help you most in this season?

How Do We Do It?

Main Thought

The Bible tells us that everyone has sinned, choosing some selfish desire over a relationship with God. One consequence of sin is shame. But Jesus came to us in the midst of our sin and shame. He lived a perfect life, died in our place, and rose again to do so. We go as witnesses to others because God came to us first! We can all start by reaching the people around us. Yet reaching other regions and countries is a daunting task. How do we do it? In the Every Nation family, we reach the ends of the earth by prioritizing Church Planting and Campus Ministry. We advance God’s Kingdom as a movement when we systematically participate and invest in those things.

Main Passages

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

- Genesis 3:6-9

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

- Acts 1:8

Discussion Questions

1. Has shame ever caused you to hide from God and others? What can help you overcome that shame?

2. Have your positive, personal experiences with God ever moved you to share Him with others?

3. Why are Church Planting (starting new churches) and Campus Ministry strategic and effective ways to reach the world for Christ?

The Socially Responsible Church

Main Thought

Becoming more like God often means becoming more compassionate. For that reason, the Every Nation family strives to be socially responsible. But it’s important to remember that people’s primary need is spiritual. Only Jesus can meet our deepest needs, and Jesus chose the Church to deliver that message. No one else can do it! This mindset frames our understanding of social responsibility. We can then begin to identify needs around us and respond in faith. God has given us more than enough to get started. He will make a way for us to make an impact when we move with intentionality and faith.

Main Passages

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 

- Mark 6:30-34

35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

 - Mark 6:35-38

39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

- Mark 6:39-44

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important for Christians to serve others while continuing to keep Jesus front-and-center?

2. Have you ever served someone practically as a representative of Christ?

3. Is there a practical need that you, your Life Group, or another group of fellow believers can meet while sharing the love of Jesus?

What's at the Center?

Main Thought

Most of us are searching for a “center,” whether we realize it or not. We want someone or something that’s worthy of our attention, time, and even love. The Bible tells us that Jesus is worthy! Jesus is worthy because of who He is: the powerful co-Creator of the Universe and prophesied Messiah, among many other things. He’s also worthy because of what He’s done. Jesus lived a perfectly moral life by God’s standard, died in our place on the Cross, and rose again. We know that Jesus won’t fail us because of who He is and what He’s done. He’s worthy to be at the center of His Church locally and globally. Jesus is also worthy to be the center of our lives. When Jesus occupies the center of our lives, everything else will find its proper place and serve its proper function.

Main Passages

Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.”

- Revelation 5:1-6

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

- Matthew 6:33

Discussion Questions

1. What makes something worthy of our attention, time, love, etc.? 

2. What’s at the “center” of your life right now?

3. Do you think Jesus is worthy to be at the center of your life? Why or why not?

4. If you do, then what needs to be removed from the center of your life so that Jesus can take His proper place?

Honor God

Main Thought

One of our primary goals in the Every Nation Family, both locally and globally, is to honor God. Honor expresses itself practically through our priorities and focus. King Solomon started out honoring God. But, as he became successful, his honor shifted to other things. He wantonly pursued women and wealth. Solomon lost his sense of meaning after misplacing his honor. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was insane. Eventually, he “lifted his eyes toward heaven.” He changed his focus and honored God, who is the highest authority. Then his sanity returned. As Christians, we follow the example of King Jesus. Jesus honored God the Father above His own desires. (Matt. 26:39; Mark 14:36; etc.) As a result, God honored and blessed Him. When we honor God, He honors us in return!

Main Passages

1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: 2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” 3 What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?

- Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever…

- Daniel 4:34

“In the beginning was the Word (Reason), and the Word (Reason) was with God, and the Word (Reason) was God.”

- ‭‭John‬ ‭1:1‬

Discussion Questions

1. Who, or what, are you honoring most with your life? Questions that might help you process this include...

   1. What’s your greatest focus or priority? What occupies your thoughts most?

   2. Does your schedule and/or spending align with who or what you’d like to honor most?

2. Honor is connected to purpose or reason. Does your answer (or answers) to Question One provide a purpose worth living for?

3. Is there a change you can make in your life to honor God, or prioritize Him, practically?

   1. Can something change in your: Schedule? Habits? Attitude? Relationships?