The Next Level
Week 6: Un-fickle Faith
Staying Faithful Despite Public Opinion
"All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever."
-The Apostle Peter, quoting the prophet Isaiah
You see, faithfulness is simply believing that God will keep His Word.
- Pastor David Wilkerson
Opening Question: Tell the story of a time when peer pressure got the best of you, enticing you to do something out of character or that you knew was a dumb thing to do.
In what ways have you had to stand against peer pressure (what is popular in our world) in order to be faithful to your faith in Christ?
Public opinion is a powerful force. As Christians, we are called to live for an audience of One instead of the opinion of the masses. Read the Scriptures passages this week and let Jesus become the only opinion that matters.
Read Mark 11:1-11
How would you describe the emotion of the people in verses 7-10?
Read Luke 24:19-21. How would you characterize the people's expectation of Jesus as he enters Jerusalem?
Why do you think public opinion changed so quickly from "Hosanna" to five days later "crucify him"?
How would you describe public opinion about Jesus today? Why?
Hosanna - he is King
Prophet - man of God
Historical figure - just a man
Rabbi - good teacher
Mythical - a figment of the disciples imagination
Crucify him - total rejection
What do people find offensive about Jesus? Compelling?
How do we as Christ followers deal appropriately with an increasingly antagonistic (toward Jesus and Christians) world? Read John 15:18. How does that help?
How did Jesus respond to being rejected? How prepared are you for being rejected (which will happen) because of your faith in Christ?
How can we remain strong in our faith despite the opinion of some?
Read Daniel 3:8-29
What was the public opinion of Jews? Why?
What challenges did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego face in staying faithful to God? (see vv. 8, 12, 15, 19) What was their response in 16-18?
How is their response challenging to you? Encouraging?
What are some activities that are "popular" today that as faithful Christians we cannot participate in? How do you define the boundaries?
Have you ever made a decision that you knew was not "popular" but felt faithfulness to God required?
What was the result of your faithfulness?
For additional study | discussion:
Read 1 Peter 2:4-9
What metaphors are used to describe Jesus? How have You experienced Him in these ways?
Why does Jesus present a "stumbling block" for some people? How does this affect your faith in Christ?
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
What are the ways followers are treated by others? Have you ever been treated this way? What is the promise included with each assault?
How does temporary rejection compare to eternal glory? How can this perspective help you remain faithful?
Read Matthew 25: 21
How can we practice faithfulness so it can grow?
Which of these things would be a good way for you to practice your faithful to Christ over the next week?
Not watch inappropriate TV shows
Build others up intentionally at work and at home
Use appropriate language even when alone
Abstain from the gossip mill
Spend at least 10 minutes each day reading and praying
Have coffee with someone, focusing on them the entire time
_________
Closing Prayer: From John 17:13-19
Jesus, you said so many things while still in the world, so that we may have the full measure of my joy within us. You have given us Your word and the world has hated us, for we are not of the world any more than You are of the world. Your prayer is not that we would be taken out of the world but that God would protect us from the evil one. We are not of the world, even as You are not of it. Sanctify us by the truth; Your word is truth. As You were sent into the world, send us into the world.
Father, we pray these things in the Name of the only One whose opinion really matters. Amen
Week 5: The Power of Losing
The benefits of a sacrifice
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
-Jim Eliot
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
A Psalm of David
Opening Question:
Which of these would be the hardest to give up in order to gain something:
dessert - to lose weight
TV - to spend more time with family
Cell phone - to have solitude or conversations in person
Credit card - to get out of debt
Shopping - to de-clutter or simplify
Other
It is hard for anyone to sacrifice-even if there is gain on the other side. But as Christians, we were called by a Master who lived and loved sacrificially. Read through the Scriptures this week and reflect on the following questions:
Read John 12:20-33
What is the analogy that Jesus uses here? (v 24)
How does Jesus apply this directly to his life?
What do you think Jesus means in v 25? What is difficult or intriguing about this teaching?
What are some things God may challenge us to let go of (to let die) in order to gain spiritually (to "live")?
In verse 26, Jesus equates being a follower of His with being a servant. What does it look like to serve Jesus with our lives?
Read 1 Samuel 15:7-25
What were God's instructions to Saul? (v18)
Saul was wanting to win in his culture's eyes (taking the plunder). How does Saul disobey God's instructions? How does he try to justify his actions?
What does Saul gain by hanging onto his idea of winning? What does he lose (v. 23)?
What does this reveal about Saul's heart or motivation?
In what ways can "obeying the voice of the Lord" look undesirable in our culture?
What are some ways we give up (sacrifice) in order to "obey the voice of God" practically? Emotionally?
Where do you most see yourself in the story? (ie with what character and why?)
How would you summarize the relation between these two passages? (John 12 and 1 Samuel 15)
Read Psalm 103:2-5. What do we gain by obeying God's voice? Which of these have you experienced most significantly in your life?
For additional study | discussion:
Read Romans 12:1-2
How would you define the "pattern of this world?"
How does the "renewing your mind" happen?
What do you think it means to be a "living sacrifice?"
Read 2 Samuel 24:21-24
Why is it important for David to have a sacrifice that cost something?
Is it dishonoring to God when we offer "sacrifices" that cost us nothing? Why or why not?
What is the heart behind the King's assertion that he will not offer a sacrifice that costs him nothing?
Read Luke 19:1-10
What did Zacchaeus give up? What did he receive?
How would we react to someone in our culture who acted like Zacchaeus in verse 8?
How should we as Christians be demonstrating this same kind of sacrifice?
Closing Prayer:
Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.
St Ignatius of Loyola
Week 4: Real Satisfaction
When a little becomes enough
When i'm drivin' in my car, and that man comes on the radio He's tellin' me more and more, about some useless information Supposed to fire my imagination, I can't get no, oh no no no, hey hey hey, that's what i say I can't get no satisfaction, I can't get no satisfaction 'cause i try and i try and i try and i try I can't get no, i can't get no...
-Mick Jaggar, the Rolling Stones
"…I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
- Jesus
Opening Question: In our culture, we tend to look up to people who have a lot of resources (like money, talent, possessions - like Mick Jaggar), yet many of them seem to be unhappy and unfulfilled. Why do you think this happens so often?
What do you think Jesus meant when He said "abundant life?"
Contentment and satisfaction can be fleeting emotions in life. But God promises that we (His followers) would experience this more and more as we grow like Him. Read the Scripture passages this week and meditate on your experience of contentment in Christ.
Read John 6:5-15 What is the problem the disciples are faced with? What are the responses (from Phillip first, then Andrew)?
Which of these responses do you most identify with?
Jesus clearly knows what he is going to do (v. 6). What "lesson" do you think he wants the disciples to learn?
Why is it easier to see what we lack instead of what we have? How is Jesus' definition of "enough" (5 loaves and 2 fish + Gods power) often different from ours?
Why can it be challenging to rely on God's definition? Have you seen or experienced God multiplying limited resources before?
How did that affect your faith or trust in Him?
Read Philippians 4:-13 To restate the point of these verses in your own words, what would you say?
What are the promises in these verses (v. 7, 9, 13)? What are the conditions associated with these promises?
What are some of the noble and honorable things that help you find satisfaction and contentment in life?
What are some of the things you see people getting "lost" in that lead to dissatisfaction or a lack of contentment?
What is the author's conclusion about contentment (v. 13)? How is that different from our world's definition, especially as displayed in the media we consume?
Why are we so prone to wanting "more" vs. being content with what we have?
How would you say knowing Jesus has helped foster contentment in your life?
For additional study | discussion:
Read Hosea 13:4-6 What is the lesson God is teaching here? How would you restate v. 6 in your own words?
Why do we (our culture, even the church at times) tend to stray from God? What occurs in our lives as we stray from God?
Read Hebrews 13:5-6 How can a love for money, power, or property interfere with being content? What does God offer instead?
How often do you see God in the light of verse 6? How might this trust in God and his promises affect our contentment?
Read 1 Timothy 6:3-10 Is there a difference between "enjoying" and "loving" money, possessions, or a career? How fine is the line?
How can we keep from crossing that line?
Read Matthew 6:24. Why is the love of money a danger that is so often warned about in Scripture?
Closing Prayer: Father in heaven, You have lovingly given us all we need. Grant us the grace to honor You with these gifts, remembering that we must one day give an account for our actions and our attitudes about them. Lead us, dear Lord, toward contentment in You Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Week 3: Reclaiming Zeal
Allowing ourselves to be fired up!
One after another, bishops and pastors arose and declared that communism and Christianity are fundamentally the same and could coexist. One minister after another said words of praise toward communism and assured the new government of the loyalty of the church.
My wife and I were present at this congress. Sabina told me, “Richard stand up and wash away this shame from the face of Christ! They are spitting in His face.” I said to her, “If I do so, you lose your husband.” She replied, “I don’t want to be married to a coward as a husband.”
Then I arose and spoke to this congress, praising not the murders of Christians, but Jesus Christ, stating that our loyalty is due first to Him. … Afterward I had to pay for this, but it was worthwhile.
Richard Wurmbrand,
Pastor, imprisoned for 14 years for preaching the gospel.
What things do people in our culture tend to get really passionate about? Why?
God is passionate about this world, enough to endure the cross. As His followers, may it never be said that we’re boring—that we lack zeal. Read the following Scriptures and walk through the questions this week.
□ Jesus is clearly angry in this passage. How is this image of Jesus different from how you typically think (or were taught) about Him?
Why do you think Jesus reacts so strongly?
□ How is the anger of Jesus shown here different from the anger we tend to display? When would you say anger is “justifiable?”
How can anger serve God and His purposes?
□ How does Jesus’ anger express His “zeal” (v. 17)? In what other ways is (or should) “zeal” or passion expressed in the lives of Christians?
□ What do you think God is zealous about today – enough that it drives Him to a level of righteous anger?
Which of these tends to get your zeal up? Why?
Read Galatians 1:10-24
□ How does our culture view Christianity/Christians? How can that view influence our desire to really get fired up about our faith?
Restate verse 10 in your own words. Where do you most identify with our tendency or struggle to “please men” instead of seeking to please God?
□ What was Paul passionate about early in his life? How did God use that passion, that zeal, to build the church?
□ If you could do one thing for God’s kingdom that you knew would not fail, what would it be?
□ How does Paul contrast his “previous way of life” with his new faith (v. 23)? Why is it important that we know his full testimony?
□ Who do you know that is openly hostile toward Christianity? How does Paul’s story challenge the way you live and treat them?
Read Romans 12:9-18
□ According to these passages, what are some of the ways zeal in faith is manifest in our lives? In our relationships?
Read Psalm 69:6-18
□ Why is the psalmist suffering in this passage? In what ways do you see Christians suffering for their zeal and faith in Jesus today?
□ Read Matthew 5:11-12. How does this passage align with psalm?
□ How have you experienced being ostracized for your faith in Jesus? How has that affected your zeal for Christ?
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12, 18-31
□ What is the list of talents given in this passage? How does God use each one listed to benefit the body?
□ What gifts do you feel like God has given you for use in His kingdom?
□ How can you grow in your zeal to use these gifts in His service?
Closing Prayer: Ephesians 1:17-23
We pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know Him better. We pray also that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which He has called us, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
Amen.
Week 2: Unashamed
Sharing your faith without fear
The best argument for Christianity is Christians; their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians-when they are somber and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, the Christianity dies a thousand deaths.
- Sheldon Vanauken
"Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce
the Message of God's good news to one and all.
- Jesus
Opening question: Who was the first (or most important) person in your life to shared their faith with you in a meaningful way? What do you most remember about that person? Why?
Jesus' call to all Christians is to reach out and share the good news of God's love - in love and with love. Read the following Scriptures and walk through the questions this week.
Read Mark 8:31-38
- □ What does Jesus start off teaching in this passage (v. 31)? How does He wrap up (v. 38)?
- □ How would you define "the gospel" (verse 35)? What makes it difficult to be open about the gospel (and Jesus) in our culture?
- □ How would you paraphrase what Jesus is saying in verse 34-35?
□ In what ways are we tempted to try and "gain the whole world?" What does Jesus offer instead?
- □ Why do you think this contrast is so critical to Jesus' mission for His followers?
- □ Why can evangelism (living out and sharing the good news of God's love) sometimes feel like a "cross to bear?" Why is it so important?
Read 1 Peter 2:9-12
- □ What are the descriptions Peter offers here of Christians? Which description do you find most meaningful today? Why?
- □ What (v. 9) is the purpose of God's royal priesthood, the Church?
- □ Being a "royal priest" (ie a Christian) implies being one who works for and with God. How is that description encouraging to you? Challenging?
- □ What is the description of Christians in v. 11? How is that helpful in your understanding of what it means to be a Christian?
- □ Verse 12 encourages us to "live such good lives" that people think of God. What does it mean to live like this? What does it not mean?
- □ Why is it so important that our lives demonstrate God's love (the gospel) along with proclaiming it?
For additional study | discussion:
Read Matthew 5:13-16
- □ What are the two analogies that Jesus uses to describe His followers? Why?
- □ What are the best ways that Christians demonstrate their saltiness and light-in other words, what are the characteristics of someone being salt and light? How are these attractive to the world / people around us?
- □ How does the world we live in encourage us to lose our "saltiness" or tone down the "light?"
Read John13:34;1Corinthians13:1-3;1Peter4:8;1John3:11,16-18
- □ According to these passages, what is the mandate for the Christian life and witness? How is this the most effective means of evangelism we have?
- □ On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself in the "love" department? What keeps us from more effectively loving one another-not just in words, but "in actions and in truth?"
Read 1 Peter 3:13-16
- □ What is the model of evangelism Peter is proposing in these verses?
- □ Where are people looking for "hope" in the world around us? How has the recent economic crisis affected that pursuit?
- □ How has being a follower of Jesus as Lord freed you from some of the fear and "crisis" talk that seems to be everywhere?
Closing Prayer:
Eternal Father, whose will it is that all should come to faith in You through Your Son Jesus Christ: inspire our witness to Him, empower us to live and proclaim the good news, that all may know the power of His forgiveness and the hope of His resurrection. To Him who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Week 1: The Secret Enemy
How to Resist Temptation
Temptation comes to us: maybe not in its worst shape, but it comes. We can take comfort in Paul's promise that God "will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear," but even that reassurance is followed by the words, "when you are tempted,..." We might as well expect temptation and fortify ourselves. Prepare to resist-for it will come.
- Carolyn Nystrom
This, then, is how you should pray:
..lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
- Jesus
Opening question: Which is more tempting for you personally: a double bacon (dripping with) cheeseburger and fries from your favorite burger joint, a 7-layer chocolate cake with a big scoop of full-fat ice cream, or calling in "sick" to work so you can relax and have fun all day?
Not that these are necessarily bad in and of themselves-but we all deal with temptations on a daily basis. Read the following Scriptures and walk through the questions this week.
Read Mark 1:9-13
• What are the two events happening to Jesus in this passage? What makes the first important to the second?
• What temptations do you suppose Jesus went through (for ref. read Matthew 4:1-11)? How are these similar to the temptations we can face in our world?
• What kinds of temptations (in addition to above) seem to be a natural part of living in our world?
• Where do you most feel the rub between being a Christian (living and being led by faith in Christ) and living in our world?
• When tempted toward unhealthy things, what helps you respond in a way that honors God?
Read Genesis 3:1-9
• What questions does the serpent ask Eve? How do these questions lead Eve to take a bite? How is this process repeated when we face temptation?
• According to this passage, what was the original temptation offered to Adam and Eve (v. 5)? How do you see this relating to the temptations we face in life?
• What was the result of that original fall into temptation (vv. 7-8)?
What kinds of emotions typically accompany giving into temptation?
• Notice that in verse 9, God comes looking for Adam and Eve. He knew they had sinned, and yet came to find them in the middle of their sin, when they were most confused and damaged. What does this say about God's heart?
For additional study | discussion:
• Read Genesis 39
This chapter includes 3 different scenes (vv. 1-6, 7-18, & 19-23). What temptations does Joseph
face in each of these scenes? What values and practical steps undergirded his resistance? How can these be helpful for us?
Joseph seems to expect temptation. How does a healthy level of expectation help prepare us to resist temptations that come our way?
• Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
What words of wisdom does this passage offer in terms of anticipating temptation and our ability
to fall into it?
What promises does this offer for our struggles? How have you experienced the truth of these
promises in your life?
• Read Hebrews 12:1-4
How does temptation "hinder" us from following Jesus? How is resisting temptation the same as
"struggling against sin?" How is it different?
How does "fix(ing) our eyes on Jesus" empower us to resist temptation?
Closing Prayer:
Our Father, who is in heaven: hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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