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ICEBREAKER
Which is/was more annoying for you: Accidentally make them cry every time you joke around or have them use the bathroom every time you plan to use it? Would you rather constantly be told you look exactly like them or constantly told to be more like them? Today we’re talking about “Being devoted to one another in brotherly love.” The reality is that “brotherly love” doesn’t always seem like a good thing. But the truth is as Christians, we are to love one another with deeply devoted, affectionate, brotherly and sisterly love. FROM THE TRUTH Read or review Romans 12:9-16. What do you know or recall about the Jews in Rome and their expulsion? How do you think the Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians (Romans and Greeks) were different from each other? What do you know or recall about the meaning of the NIV phrase “be devoted to one another in love” in the original language? FROM THE TAKEAWAY Pick a few of the 10 commands that follow and talk about how we can do so in our families, with our friends, in our communities, and on social media. v10 - Honor them above yourself v11 - Stay spiritually passionate (by serving) v12 - Be joyful in hope v12 - Be patient in affliction v12 - Be faithful in prayer v13 - Share with them and be hospitable v14 - Bless them and don’t curse them v15 - Empathize with them (Rejoice when they rejoice or Mourn when they mourn) v16 - Live in harmony with them v16 - Be humble toward them FINAL QUESTION How does living this “one another” make us irresistible people? PRAYER First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer. ICEBREAKER
Would you rather confess your weirdest dream or your oddest habit? What is it? Today we’re talking about “Confessing to and Praying for One Another.” The reality is our health includes what’s happening in our bodies, in our minds, and in our souls. And the truth is confession and prayer are essential aspects of being healthy. So we need to be confessing to and praying for one another. FROM THE TENSIONHow easily are you willing to go see a doctor? How easily are you willing to admit to someone when you’ve done wrong? FROM THE TRUTH Read or review James 5:13-16 and discuss these questions recalling what you heard during Sunday’s message. What does “sick” likely mean in this passage? Who are “the elders” and why would one call them if one is sick? What is meant by “the prayer offered in faith”? You might recall what was said about its connection to 1 Corinthians 12:9. What is meant by the word “anoint” in this passage? You might recall that this word (aleipho) is more common and medicinal than the other (chrio) which is more sacred and religious. Why olive oil? You might recall that the skin of the green olive contains Oleuropein which has significant anti-microbial, anti-bacterial effects and is good for cleansing and healing. What are the health effects of confessing to one another? What are the spiritual effects of praying for one another? Are there any health effects? FROM THE TAKEAWAYIs there anything in your life that needs medical attention but you’ve been avoiding or delaying it? Can we pray for you? Are you willing to admit when you’re wrong or in need of help? Do you have someone in your life that you can trust with deeper confessions? Can we pray for you? FINAL QUESTION How does living these “one anothers” make us irresistible people? PRAYER First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer. ICEBREAKER
Would you rather live in a house that’s half-built or a house that’s falling apart? Today we’re talking about “Building Up One Another.” The reality is that the things we say to one another can easily tear each other down. But the truth is we all need to be built up and our words can build others up. FROM THE TENSION What are some common ways we tear each other down (with examples of specific words and phrases)… in our marriages, in our families, in our workplaces or schools, in our community, on social media? Can you recall and share an example of a time when someone really built you up? FROM THE TRUTH Read or review Ephesians 4:29. What do “unwholesome” (NIV) and “building others up” mean? One of the most important things we need as Christians is to build our lives on our Identity in Christ. Review the My Identity handout. What are some of the more significant identity markers that stand out to you? FROM THE TAKEAWAY What kinds of words and phrases can you use to be more of a builder in your…
FINAL QUESTION How does living this “one another” make us irresistible people? PRAYER First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer. ICEBREAKER
FROM THE TENSION
FROM THE TRUTH Read or review Hebrews 10:19-25.
FROM THE TAKEAWAY
FINAL QUESTION How does living this “one another” make us irresistible people? PRAYER First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer. ICEBREAKER
Have you ever met or been near someone who is famous? Tell us about it. ABOUT THE SERIES (IF ANYONE IS NEW) Explain the title (Irresistible! The Magnetic Power of the One Anothers) and the premise of this series. That is, in John 13:34, Jesus says that people will recognize his disciples by their love for “one another.” There are many more “one-anothers” in the bible that flesh out what it looks like to love another. God wants us to live the “one anothers” in our relationships with others like our marriages, our families, our friends, at work, at school, on social media, in politics, and in society in general. God wants us to be magnetically attractive to others, even “irresistible,” so that we can flourish in our relationships and best represent Jesus, leading people to trust us, to trust Christians, and ultimately to trust Jesus. NOTE: Recognizing that these “one anothers” are biblically speaking, intended to describe the relationships between Christ’s disciples or Christians does not license us to ignore the “one anothers” in our relationships with people who aren’t Christians. Quite the opposite. By extending the “one anothers” to those who don’t know Jesus, we can attract them to Jesus. Today we’re talking about “A One Another Presence” FROM THE TENSION
FROM THE TRUTH Read or review John 14:15-21 - Jesus said to his disciples “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” He did this by sending his Holy Spirit to “live with you” and “be in you.” How does having the Spirit of Christ present within us empower us to be accepting of others? FROM THE TAKEAWAY Read Romans 15:7. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Remember, Christ accepted us while we were in sin and notice that accepting others even when they are in sin brings “praise to God.” Many people are afraid to “accept” people in sin because they don’t want to condone their sin.
FINAL QUESTION How does living these “one anothers” make us irresistible people? PRAYER First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about their own presence in other people’s lives. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer. ICEBREAKER
ABOUT THE SERIES Explain the title (Irresistible! The Magnetic Power of the One Anothers) and the premise of this series. That is, in John 13:34, Jesus says that people will recognize his disciples by their love for “one another.” There are many more “one anothers” in the bible that flesh out what it looks like to love another. God wants us to live the “one anothers” in our relationships with others like our marriages, our families, our friends, at work, at school, on social media, in politics, and in society in general. God wants us to be magnetically attractive to others, even “irresistible,” so that we can flourish in our relationships and best represent Jesus, leading people to trust us, to trust Christians, and ultimately to trust Jesus. Note: Recognizing that these “one anothers” are biblically speaking, intended to describe the relationships between Christ’s disciples or Christians does not license us to ignore the “one anothers” in our relationships with people who aren’t Christians. Quite the opposite. By extending the “one anothers” to those who don’t know Jesus, we can attract them to Jesus. Today we’re talking about “A One Another Attitude” FROM THE TENSION
FROM THE TRUTH
FROM THE TAKEAWAY
FINAL QUESTION
PRAYER First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about their own attitudes. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer. When’s the last time you used a paper map?! Have you ended up somewhere you shouldn’t have been?
What kind of guidance or map have you received in the past about your growing your faith, reading the Bible, or discipleship in general? What do you find to be helpful or even exciting about the Faith Map? QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FAITH MAP Read Matthew 11:28, Matthew 4:19, John 14:15, and Matthew 28:10. In these passages, Jesus says come to me, follow me, keep my commands, go and make disciples. These are the four statements that serve as the foundation for each of the four steps or destinations in the Faith Map. They are Belonging (Come to me), Pursuing (Follow me), Practicing (Keep my commands), and Contributing (Go and make disciples). What’s the difference in people’s maturity and activities at each stage or destination in the journey? Notice how pursuing “Knowledge of the Word” and “Life in Christ” come before practicing “Spiritual Habits,” “Healthy Relationships,” and “Wise Decision Making.” What’s the significance of this order. (Note for leader: Remember Jim saying “Application (practicing) without formation (identity) produces a shallow and legalistic faith.”) If someone has grown in their faith maturity enough to be in the stage four destination of contributing, have they arrived? Are they done? .... Of course not! Why not? What’s left for them? QUESTIONS ABOUT BELONGING TO JESUS Read John 6:35-37. How does this and the other “I Am” statements serve as an invitation from Jesus to “Come to me” for everyone and in what ways? The “Seven I Ams” are: I am the bread of life. I am the light of the world. I am the door. I am the resurrection. I am the good shepherd. I am the way, truth, and life. I am the true vine.) Read Matthew 11:28. Jesus says “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Who is Jesus inviting to come to him? QUESTIONS ABOUT BELONGING IN THE CHURCH Read Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2. Christians of all centuries have gathered on the first day of the week (Sundays) to celebrate Christ’s resurrection, study the Scriptures, fellowship together and give their offerings. What is the benefit for Christians today to attend weekly worship gatherings? What keeps us from doing so? Read Acts 2:42-47. The earliest Christians practiced a deep form of community—worshipping together, learning together, praying together, supporting each other, sharing with each other. Notice how often they did so. How can we practice a similarly deep form of community today? Read 1 Peter 4:10-11 and Romans 12:4-8. Everyone who comes to Christ becomes a member of the body of Christ, is gifted with the ability to serve others. How are you exercising your giftedness to serve others and how are you finding joy in that service? Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-12. The Apostle Paul doesn’t give us a set percentage for giving such as 10% or a tithe. He simply says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” What is the purpose of financial giving in the church? Why is Paul’s statement above significant? Closing Question As we look ahead at the other destinations in our journey with the Faith Map, in which ones are you most interested?
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2302 Twin Bluff Rd, Red Wing MN | 651-388-2385 | assistant@redwingfirstcov.org
2302 Twin Bluff Rd, Red Wing MN | 651-388-2385 | assistant@redwingfirstcov.org
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About Us
First Covenant Church is part of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), which is a rapidly growing multi-ethnic denomination in the United States and Canada, with ministries on five continents of the world. Founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants, the ECC values the Bible as the word of God, the gift of God's grace, and an ever-deepening spiritual life that comes through faith with Jesus Christ. We value the importance of extending God's love and compassion to a hurting world, and the strength that comes from unity within diversity. |