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? Comments are closed.
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