Group Notes | August 16

Our Playbook For Change: Why Church?
August 16, 2015
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Open:

Rising in the morning, going to work, coming home, going to bed. That is a summation of our lives in a nutshell. How can we bring meaning into daily living?

Today we begin a new series, discussing the importance of change that will result in fulfilling God’s purpose when He created you. We will look at the church, and examine the plan God had in mind as He chose this institution to accomplish His design for life.

Discuss:

Family

1. Read Ephesians 2:19-22. If a church [i.e., a group of unified believers] models God’s idea of a family, what are some of its characteristics?

2. Why do people who are well-adjusted seek relationships? How can the church fill this need? Why should they?

3. What are the consequences of isolating oneself from fellow believers?

Authority

4. Can anyone give an example of your father taking up for you against an antagonist as you were growing up? How did it make you feel?

5. God desires us to have—and use—His power against spiritual enemies. He promises us this power. Can you give an example from your own life?
Word

6. Ask volunteers to read Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:16, and Hebrews 4:12. Being part of a church body, we hold fast to the Word of God, which He has ordained to be our guide. Can you cite specific dilemmas in life that the Bible has the answer for?

7. Search your heart to see if you truly put His Word as a priority or as an
after-thought.

Mission

8. Read Matthew 28:18-20. What purpose has God told commanded you to have in life?

9. Read Acts 1:8. How are you individually fulfilling this purpose?

Close:

As you break into small groups, consider the myths that the world believes to be true about the church: they consider it to be a human organization; if you don’t like one, try another; it is the gathering of only a few believers; and, it is optional in the life of a believer. Those are thrown at every person in the world. Discuss how you can thwart these lies as you witness. Pray that your life this week will reignite your passion for sharing the gospel, and that God would give you opportunities to fulfill the plan He dreamed of when He designed you.
Memory Verse: Ephesians 1:22, 23: “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.