Category: Two Bears

Sacrifices of a Burden Bearer

5/30/2021

Opening - What is the most loving act you have experienced from another person?
Read 1 John‬ ‭3:16-18‬
What stands out to you from this passage?
Why is Christ’s death on the cross the key example of love (v16)? In what practical ways might we ‘lay down our lives’ for each other?
Why is it that not helping a brother or sister with material possessions equates one to not having God’s love in them (v17)?
What does it mean to love with actions and in truth (v18)?
How do these verses impact our understanding of what love is? How does this kind of love differ from the way our culture understands love today?
Challenge - John provides one very practical way to love one another: meet the material needs of other believers (v17). This week prayerfully ask God to show you an individual or family whose material needs you can meet.

Community of a Burden Bearer

5/23/2021

What were some of the things your family valued growing up? Why do you think they were important for your family?
Read Acts 2:42-47
What caught your attention from this passage about the early Church?
The word devoted (Proskarterew) means to adhere to, steadfastly attentive unto, unremitting care, to be constantly ready for. What are some examples of things that people might be devoted to?
The early church was devoted to 4 things: the apostle’s teachings, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Which of the four things in v42 do you find is the easiest for you to be devoted to? Which is the hardest?
In v43, it is revealed that people saw God was at work in their midst through the “signs” and wonders”. Where do you see God is at work in our midst at First Covenant?
Why do you think people were so quick to sell their possessions and give to those in need? How does (or should) this impact our desire and devotion to help those in our midst?
What does v46-47 reveal about what it likely felt like to be a part of the early Church? What description would you want written about what it feels like to be a part of our church community?
Pastor Mike shared that community matters to a burden bearer for the sake of care (meeting each other’s needs), accountability in following Christ, and fellowship (sharing experiences and creating a sense of togetherness or unity). How have you experienced these three things at First Covenant or even in your life group?
Challenge - what next steps do you need to take this week to be more devoted to your community as a burden bearer?

Words of a Burden Bearer

5/16/2021

Do you have any "I thought you said..." stories? That's where one person thought someone said one thing but they actually said something different and it caused great confusion, hurt, or conflict?
Read Ephesians 4:29-32
The original word for "unwholesome" can mean "bad, rotten, harmful, corrupt, offensive."
What is some common language we hear today that fits this description?
When have you been hurt by someones words?
The original word for "building others up" can mean "building, strengthening, edifying, making more able."
When have you been built up or strengthened by someone's words?
Jim shared an acronym about the Words of a Burden Bearer.
Can you recall what that acronym is?
Share examples with each other of each letter in the acronym.

Heart of a Burden Bearer

5/9/2021

Group Questions

If you celebrated Mothers’ Day, what did you do?
What do you admire the most about your mom or a particular mother figure in your life?

Read Galatians 6:2
The word “carry” or “bear” means to support, carry away, bear up under. The word “burden” means a hardship or a tremendous weight. It’s kind of like a super hero flying in at the last second to stop a train falling over the edge of a broken bridge from hitting a little boy down below!

Can you name any other superhero scenes when the hero bears the weight of something about to hurt or kill someone else?
Do you have any examples of times in your life when someone came along side you to help carry a burden in life?
What are some other examples of ways we can bear the burdens of others?

Read the rest of Galatians 6:1-6
On Sunday, Jim listed some qualities that dwell in the heart of a burden bearer.

Can you recall what some of those qualities are? You can use the text to help you?
Are there any other qualities that come to your mind?

Having the heart of a burden bearer means to put aside your own desires and needs, listen to the needs of others, and help support the weight they carry.

How does a willingness to “bear the burdens of others” apply to how we help with each other’s family burdens, financial burdens, social burdens, etc?
How does a willingness to “bear the burdens of others” apply to how we interact with each other regarding tensions around gender and orientation? Racial injustice? Law enforcement? Masks, vaccines, and the coronavirus?
What burdens are you carrying now that we can pray for and even help with?

Restoring the Image of God

5/2/2021

Okay, be honest, how many times a day you look at yourself in a mirror?
Do you see a reflection of your parents in you or yourself in your kids? How so?
Re-read Genesis 1:26-28.
As humans we bear the image of God. What are some of the capacities we have as humans that demonstrate we bear the image of God? Make sure you don't just focus on the easy one with is the ability to reason. There are other capacities that are important to bearing the image of God.
What are the three major purposes for God giving us his image?
Read Exodus 34:29-35 and 2 Corinthians 3:12-18.
Why did Moses use a veil to cover his face and what does that say about the people of Israel?
How is sin similar to the veil in our lives?
According to 2 Corinthians 3:18, how are we transformed into the image of God?

Bearing the Image of God

4/25/2021

The young men in 2 Kings 2:23-25 taunted Elisha for being bald. So here's a question that's meant to be light-hearted and acknowledges that the struggle is real. How's your hairline doing?
In what ways have you experienced or have you seen the scorn, ridicule, or mocking of someone else?
Read Genesis 1:26-31.
How would you describe what it means to be made in the image of God?
What does it mean that we are to "rule," "subdue," or "have dominion"? How does being made in the image of God connect to this?
Notice that "male and female" together bear the image of God. What does this tell us about God's intentions for the equal partnership between men and women?
In what ways does bearing the image of God differentiate us from other living creatures spiritually, intellectually, relationally, behaviorally?
What do we need to do to provide a safe place in the Church where we are all honoring the image of God in each person and are bearing the burdens of others more thoughtfully?
Read James 3:7-12.
James 3:9 directly connects us with Gen 1:26. Why does James bring this up in the context of taming our tongue?
Why do you think it is impossible for us to tame our tongue (v8)?
Under what circumstances are you most likely to let your tongue harm yourself or others?
What can we do in those moments to help us use our words to help, rather than harm, others?