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ICEBREAKER
We’re discussing a series called “New Year. New You.” And, it’s all about “Strengthening your core for a healthier life” meaning your spiritual core, your Identity in Christ. Today we’re talking about the principle “You Are Gifted.” REVIEW & DISCUSS Do you ever feel like you’re just not talented, gifted, or equipped enough to do something? Share examples. Read Romans 12:4-8. What is Paul trying to teach us by using the metaphor of the body? What are some examples of how people can use the gifts that Paul lists in this passage? This list is not exhaustive. What are some other ways that people are gifted and can use them to serve others? If you feel like you know each other well enough, share with each other what giftedness you see in one another. TAKEAWAY What gift has God given you that you are not using to its full potential right now? Who else in your life do you need to encourage with an affirmation of their giftedness? 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
What are some of your favorite ways to get some exercise? We’re discussing a series called “New Year. New You.” And, it’s all about “Strengthening your core for a healthier life” meaning your spiritual core, your Identity in Christ. Today we’re talking about the principle “You Are Strong.” REVIEW & DISCUSS What makes someone strong? If you were to describe someone as being strong, what could this be in reference to? Throughout history, humanity typically has looked down on those who are ‘weak’. But according to Paul, his weaknesses were actually something to boast about. Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. A couple of things to note about this text:
Rather than boasting about all the things he has accomplished, Paul boasts about his weaknesses. Even in talking about his vision (v3-5), he points to this being useless. Why do you think he did this? What would he stand to lose if he affirmed his apostleship by sharing all the things he has done or experienced? Paul had viewed his “thorn in his flesh” as a means to keep him from becoming conceited. And later he claims that he even delights in his weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties. Why do you think he might have become conceited? What does his view of his thorn or weaknesses tell you about how he sees his life experiences? We are not only comforted from the “thorn” in our flesh, but we are told that Christ’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Paul is inviting us to put our trust in Christ who makes us strong in our weakness by the power of His Spirit. Read John 16:12-13, Acts 1:8, and Ephesians 1:13-14. What do these passages promise us about the power of the Holy Spirit in our life? TAKEAWAY What do you find to be the hardest part of navigating times when you experience suffering or extreme situations that stretch and test you? How does having a similar mindset like Paul help you navigate these situations? Pauls declares in v10 that when we are weak, then we are actually strong. How are we made strong? What is Paul trying to tell his audience through what feels like an oxymoron? When do you struggle to rely on the Holy Spirit? How can you remind yourself this week to be intentionally mindful of the Spirit’s power in you? 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
When you were a kid, did you ever play a game where the captains took turns picking their teams? How did that feel to you? We’re discussing a series called “New Year. New You.” And, it’s all about “Strengthening your core for a healthier life” meaning your spiritual core, your Identity in Christ. Today we’re talking about the principle “You Are Chosen.” REVIEW & DISCUSS Read 1 Peter 2:9-10. Then read Deuteronomy 10:15 and review the context of that verse. YOU ARE CHOSEN When Peter says 2:9, “you are a chosen people,” he’s applying a phrase that was originally used for the Hebrews in Deuteronomy 10:15. What does this say about us as Christians? v9 - What does the phrase “that you may declare the praises of him” indicate about the purpose of our being “chosen”? Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. v18-19 - What is the “ministry” and “message” of reconciliation and what do they indicate we are to do? YOU ARE AN AMBASSADOR OF CHRIST Whichever translation of the Bible you use (NIV, ESV, KJV, NASB, etc.), the CSB (Christian Standard Bible) does a good job of translating this verse as “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God.’” What has your experience been being an ambassador of Christ and reconciling people who are far from God back to God? What does it entail to live as an ambassador of Christ? Any successes? Any fears? TAKEAWAY Leading people to Jesus requires both serving (ministry of reconciliation) and speaking (message of reconciliation). What are ways you can serve others with the love of Christ? What are some ways you can speak the message of Christ? Who in your life do you think God may be choosing you for? 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 any of you ever traveled abroad? What did you notice about how you felt being a U.S. Citizen while you were there? We’re discussing a series called “New Year. New You.” And, it’s all about “Strengthening your core for a healthier life” meaning your spiritual core, your Identity in Christ. Today we’re talking about the principle “You Are a Citizen of Heaven.” REVIEW & DISCUSS Read or Review Philippians 3:17-4:1.
YOU ARE A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN Every citizen is afforded certain rights and protections. They also tend to live by certain principles of that country. What are some of the rights and protections we have as U.S. Citizens? What are some of the principles we tend to live by? 1 Peter 1:17 tells us to "live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear." Colossians 3:2 tells us to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” How does seing ourselves as “Citizens of Heaven” change our view of what we expect for rights and protections? What are the principles that we live by that are contrary to the principles of being a U.S. Citizen? TAKEAWAY In what ways do you think you tend to live more as a Citizen of this World? In what ways would you like to live more as a Citizen of Heaven? 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
Which of your parents’ traits did you inherit? We’re discussing a series called “New Year. New You.” And, it’s all about “Strengthening your core for a healthier life” meaning your spiritual core, your Identity in Christ. Today we’re talking about the principle “You Are a Child of God.” REVIEW & DISCUSS Read or Review Romans 8:14-17 and Galatians 4:6-7. YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD The children of God are led by the Spirit. How is this different from being led by the Law? Why is it important that Paul used the phrase “adopted to sonship” even for women? Is this sexist? What is the significance that in Galatians 4:6, Paul uses the phrase God sent the “Spirit of his Son” into our hearts? Of what are we heirs and co-heirs with Christ? TAKEAWAY What difference does it make in your daily life that you are a daughter of the King, a son of the Almighty, a royal heir to the kingdom of God, a co-heir with Christ himself to the presence of the very Spirit of God and all the strength, power, and peace that it brings? 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
What are some things in life from which you’d love to be free? We’re discussing a series called “New Year. New You.” And, it’s all about “Strengthening your core for a healthier life” meaning your spiritual core, your Identity in Christ. Today we’re talking about the principle “You Are Free.” REVIEW & DISCUSS YOU ARE FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH Read or Review Romans 8:1-13.
YOU ARE FREE FROM GUILT Read Hebrews 10:2 and then 9:14.
YOU ARE FREE FROM SLAVERY TO THE LAW Read Galatians 5:1-3.
TAKEAWAY We often think of ourselves as “just a sinner who will always sin.” How does this biblical truth change that thinking? (“I am a saint”) Some people even think of themselves and what they’ve done as being unforgivable. How does this biblical truth change that thinking? (“I am forgiven”) We often think of the Christian faith as being filled with rules and laws and that we always have to work hard to “do better." How does this biblical truth change that thinking? (“I am better”) 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
If you were to set a new year’s resolution that starts tomorrow, what would it be? We’re discussing a series called “New Year. New You.” And, it’s all about “Strengthening your core for a healthier life” meaning your spiritual core, your Identity in Christ. Today we’re talking about the principle “You are Loved.” REVIEW & DISCUSS On Sunday, Pastor Mike shared about the term sanctification which describes the work of the Holy Spirit forming us to become holy and Christ-like. This is a life-long process. In what ways do you recognize the Spirit forming you these past few years? While Sanctification is an ongoing journey, there are actually some other ways we are changed immediately when we put our trust in Jesus as our Savior… You are Redeemed (delivered from sin by the payment of a price)
You are Forgiven (brought back into genuine, authentic relationship with God)
You are Justified (declared innocent and set free from sin/guilt)
You are Saved (rescued from the consequence of your sin)
You are Made New (we are born again into a new life)
TAKEAWAY What are the garbage beliefs people have about themselves regarding our ability to change? (i.e. “I will always be this way”). Why do we think these garbage beliefs are true of us? How can we replace these garbage truths with God’s truth? When we believe that God has changed us, that change will begin to shape us. Which of the five statements do you struggle with believing the most? What can you do this week to embrace this change more? 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
Imagine being a child separated from your parent at a shopping mall? Would you rather be the child or the parent? We’re discussing a series called “New Year. New You.” And, it’s all about “Strengthening your core for a healthier life” meaning your spiritual core, your Identity in Christ. Today we’re talking about the principle “You are Loved.” REVIEW & DISCUSS Read or Review Romans 8:31-39 NOTE: When Paul says “these things” he is referring to the things he’s already spoken about in previous chapters: our battle against sin, the frustrations of life, the poor condition of the world, our weakness for not know how to change it, and our “praying” and “groaning” for God to change it. When Paul says “If God is for us” he’s summarizing everything he’s taught in the first seven chapters, that while we are all sinful and unrighteous by nature regardless of our heritage (Jewish, Greek, Roman), our class (upper or lower), or anything else, and we cannot work our way out of it by any works of our own, God imputes righteousness upon us by forgiving us, redeeming us, and freeing us from the tyranny of our sin nature by the graciousness of his own love for us through our faith in Jesus. v34 - Who or what do you feel condemned by in your life? v35 - Have you ever experienced panic by separation from someone you love? v35 - Have you ever experienced famine, poverty, hardship, or even danger? TAKEAWAY What beliefs about God’s love for you and his presence in your life have you adopted as a result of these experiences? Are you able to identify any Garbage Beliefs (beliefs that are not true) you’ve adopted about God? What is a Pocket Truth you could use to replace those Garbage Beliefs? 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 have everyone know everything about you or nobody know anything about you? Well, it’s a New Year and it’s time to discover (or rediscover) the “New You” in Christ. Pastor Jim started a new series called “New Year. New You.” And, it’s all about “Strengthening your core for a healthier life” meaning your spiritual core, your Identity in Christ. Today we’re talking about the principle “You are Known.” REVIEW & DISCUSS Read or Review Psalm 139:1-12 v1 - How does it feel to know that God “searches” (NIV) you? v2 - What are some things you wish you could “perceive” (NIV) better about yourself? v3 - If you had the ability to “discern” (fan out and examine piece by piece) why you do what you do, what would you look at first? How does it feel to know that God knows everything you do and think and why you do it and why you think it? How does it feel to know he knows all this and still accepts you and loves you? TAKEAWAY Have you taken any personality tests? What have you learned about yourself from them? Have you ever drawn out a genogram of your family? A Genogram is a diagram of a person's family relationships. It's much like a family tree that also visualizes the nature of relationships between family members and their emotional/physical experiences. Some can include medical experiences, as well. It goes beyond a traditional family tree by allowing you to see hereditary patterns and psychological factors that influence who you are today. You can find instructions for drawing one here. What did you or what might you discover about how your family of origin and its influence on who you are? 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. |
ABOUTHere you can find our life group discussion outlines which are based on our current sermon series.
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Traditional Service 8:30AM | Contemporary Service 10:00AM
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. |