Spiritual Practices – Wk 2

THREE SUBTLE PITFALLS OF BEING HUMAN:

– Self-centered

– Self-sufficient

– Side-tracked

Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT)

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

1. You are chosen by God.

2. You are designed to thrive in perfect harmony.

Acts 6:1-7 (NLT)

1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

3. Together, we represent Jesus to the world.

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: Meditating on scripture starts with detoxing your mind.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Read Colossians 3:12-17. Which of the three subtle pitfalls would you be most susceptible to being: Self-centered, Self-sufficient, or Side-tracked?

▶ Read 1 Peter 2:9. How does it make you feel to know you are chosen?

▶ Read Romans 14:19. How can we live in harmony? And what does that say to the world around us?

▶ Read Ephesians 4:16. What are some of the “special parts” different members of the body of Christ are called to do?

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.

Read Acts 6:1-7. The problem became an opportunity to rethink and restructure. Is there a problem in your world that would benefit from a reorg? Ask God what your next step is.

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

As our groups sign-up season approaches, pray that The Holy Spirit would draw our people into circles where they are known and loved.