Q & A: Music to God’s Glory

Posted on April 11, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Music to God’s Glory

1 Corinthians 10:31

Genesis 4:3-5

Does music matter to God?

1) Music matters to God

a) Music is instrumental in worship 1 Chron. 23:2-5; 25:1,6

b) Music proclaims truth Eph. 5:18-19; Col. 3:16

c) Music addresses our passions 1 Sam. 16:23; Jam. 5:13

d) Music expresses the beauty of God Ps. 19:1

2) The Bible is sufficient to guide what matters 2 Tim. 3:15-17

a) Scripture is sufficient for salvation 2 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:8-9

b) Scripture is sufficient for life 2 Tim. 3;16,17

c) Does music style matter?

i) We need discernment Gal. 5:19-21; Heb. 5:14

ii) We need additional training 1 Tim. 4:7

Let’s use music to glorify the Lord!

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) Did you ever take music lessons? What kind and for how long?

Digging deeper:

2) According to John 4:24, how are you to worship God? ___________________ As you look at John 4:21-26, what principles can you apply from this passage to music and worship?

3) Note Leviticus 10:1-3. What happened to Nadab and Abihu? _______________ How or what principle can you apply to music and worship from this?

4) How would you describe the worship in Malachi 1:6-14; 3:7-14? __________________ How should principles from these verses apply to both the instrumentalists as leaders and/or the congregation as participants?

Making application from the passage to life:

5) What are ways that music communicates truth? What are several specific examples?

6) Why is having a list of things to do, in any field, a dangerous thing?

7) Based on the passage, regarding music, what conclusions can you note regarding preferences of music style?

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) Did you ever take music lessons? What kind and for how long?

a) Yes, piano lessons, four years 4^th grade to 8^thgrade

Digging deeper:

2) According to John 4:24, how are you to worship God? __in spirit and in Truth_ As you look at John 4:21-26, what principles can you apply from this passage to music and worship?

a) Genuine believers will worship God

b) Some people will worship and don’t know why

c) Some worship in the wrong way and don’t know it

d) God is seeking people to worship Him

e) God is Spirit, not an idol that can be seen or touched

f) I am to worship with my entire being

g) I am to worship according to Truth. What Truth bears on worship?

3) Note Leviticus 10:1-3. What happened to Nadab and Abihu? _they were killed___ How or what principle can you apply to music and worship from this?

a) Approaching God must be done in a sober way.

b) I can’t approach God in any way I want

c) I must approach according to how God commands

d) I must not approach in a common way

e) Fire devoured them for being common

f) Worshiping God is serious

4) How would you describe the worship in Malachi 1:6-14; 3:7-14? __indifferent, complacent, disrespectful__ How should principles from these verses apply to both the instrumentalists as leaders and/or the congregation as participants?

a) We should be well-prepared 1:6

b) God cares how we worship 1:7

c) People may not even be aware of how they are worshiping 1:8

d) People want God’s favor, but in their own way 1:9

e) God may not accept my offering or worship 1:10

f) If I make God’s name common, He will still exalt Himself 1:12

g) We get bored with how we are supposed to worship 1:13

h) God wants a holy offering 3:7

i) I “rob” God by not giving to God 3:8

Making application from the passage to life:

5) What are ways that music communicates truth? What are several specific examples?

a) Music carries truth by:

i) Music carries the lyrics of truth

ii) Music is a method of carrying order and beauty

iii) Music has an order by the mathematics of the pitches

iv) Music can restore the soul 1 Sam. 16:23

b) Specific examples:

i) Certain hymns associate with words that are deeply meaningful

ii) Music orients my soul to reverence or exalting God

iii) Certain songs carry meaning in themselves

iv) The types of songs communicate whether they are songs of work, or war, or mourning.

6) Why is having a list of things to do, in any field, a dangerous thing?

a) The list may not be complete

b) Dependence on the list instead of God will become idolatry or legalism

c) The list may steer people away from what is important as led by the Holy Spirit.

7) Based on the passage, regarding music, what conclusions can you note regarding preferences of music style?

a) There may be freedom in the preferences, someone will have to choose

b) My preferences must be for the glory of God, not my preferences

c) I must use Scripture to define what my preferences are

d) I may need discernment to know what my preferences are

e) I may need to work through the process of discerning what is godly

f) My preferences matter to God, so my preferences need to line up with God’s character.

Q & A: Get a Grip on your Father’s Promise

Posted on April 4, 2013 by shepherdbryan

This is the Message Based Discussion Question sheet for the message presented on March 31, 2013, titled, “Get a Grip on your Father’s Promise.” The message was posted on the April 1, 2013 blog. Below, you will find the insert information for the message and then the questions are repeated with considerations for suggestions to the Message Based Discussion Questions. They are only designed to assist your thinking and help you see that there are several answers for the Digging Deeper questions and there are many ways to answer the application questions.

Get a Grip on your Father’s Promise

Luke 24:32-49

How do you get a grip on your Father’s promise?

1) When you experience Jesus, you can’t stop talking about Him Luke 24:32-35

2) When you encounter Jesus, you can’t help but enjoy His presence Luke 24:36-43

3) When you are empowered by the Father’s promise, you can’t help but lead Luke 24:44-49

· Acts 18:8; 16:31-34

The Promise of your Father will empower you to

Get a Grip on real life!

God has called every man to serve as a model of the Father. Joh 14:9
We men need to step up to the line and practice until we get it Phil 4:9
God will supply you what you need Phil. 4:19
We can do all things through Christ Phil. 4:13
Come join the team at Grace

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) Do you remember a promise your father gave you growing up fulfilled?

Digging Deeper:

2) Who are three heroes of faith in Hebrews 11? __________; ____________; _____________ What are examples of what they were trusting God for in the present and future life? How many didn’t see the promise fulfilled in life? Did that cause them to waiver in faith?

3) Look up the following passages related to Father promises about the coming Messiah (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4; Is. 7:14; Matt 1:18,24,25; Ps. 2:7; Matt 3:17; Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:16. How many of the passages prophesy of the coming Messiah? ___________ How were those prophecies fulfilled? What does that say about the promise of the Father? What promises has He made to/for you?

4) Compare Eph. 5:18 with Col. 3:16 and their contexts. What is similar about each passage? ______________. What is different? _______________. Note Rom. 15:13-14. What are the three ingredients of growth? (cf. Rom. 15:4) Why is your utter dependence on these three aspects crucial to enjoying God’s presence?

Making application of the message to life:

5) How have you experienced Jesus this week? Have you shared that with anyone? If not, what will you do?

6) How would you describe enjoying Jesus’ presence to a sixth grader? What are several ways a believer can enjoy His presence?

7) The Father’s Promise is real. Is it causing you to lead others in faith? How could you initiate trust and application so it becomes a reality?

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) Do you remember a promise your father gave you growing up fulfilled?

a) He promised he’d pay me 2 cents per minute if I worked on waxing his car. He paid me.

b) He promised that however the family chose to go on a side trip while on a vacation that we’d go to that site. I cast the deciding vote and we went.

c) He promised he’d come down for my officer graduation and he came.

Digging Deeper:

2) Who are three heroes of faith in Hebrews 11? _Abraham_; _Moses_; __Sarah_ What are examples of what they were trusting God for in the present and future life? How many didn’t see the promise fulfilled in life? Did that cause them to waver in faith?

a) Example of those who trusted God:

i) Abraham trusted God for a land of promise and a city which has foundation. He offered up Isaac and received the blessing, because he trusted God would provide for him.

ii) Moses chose to suffer affliction with God’s people rather than the passing pleasures of Egypt looking to the reward in the future, fearing God instead of Egypt.

iii) Sarah trusted God for a child when she was beyond the age of conception.

b) How many didn’t see the promise?

i) Abraham didn’t see the coming seed

ii) Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau not knowing what would come

iii) Jacob blessed his sons, not seeing the future

iv) All of them (11:39)

c) They did not waver in faith to lose the promise and were an example for us.

3) Look up the following passages related to Father promises about the coming Messiah (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4; Is. 7:14; Matt 1:18,24,25; Ps. 2:7; Matt 3:17; Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:16. How many of the passages prophesy of the coming Messiah? __four_ How were those prophecies fulfilled? What does that say about the promise of the Father? What promises has He made to/for you?

a) The prophecies were fulfilled:

i) Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4 promise of the coming Messiah; He came in fullness of times.

ii) Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:18,24,25 promise of the virgin birth of Jesus and fulfilled in Mary and Joseph

iii) Ps. 2:7; Matt. 3:17 Jesus was the begotten Son of God and the voice from heaven spoke it.

iv) Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:16 The seed was promised and the seed was Christ.

b) The Promise of the Father will be fulfilled. He will provide what I need in life Phil. 4:19; He will train me up and strengthen me through Christ Phil. 4:13

c) He promised that:

i) If I cast my cares on Him, He would care for me 1 Pet. 5:7

ii) If I chose to trust Him rather than be anxious, His peace would guard my soul. Phil. 4:6-7

iii) If I chose to practice what I’m learning in the Word and from others, that His peace would be with me Phil. 4:9

iv) If I chose to humble myself, He would draw near to me Jam. 4:8

4) Compare Eph. 5:18 with Col. 3:16 and their contexts. What is similar about each passage? _I need to be filled with something___. What is different? _Spirit/Word_. Note Rom. 15:13-14. What are the three ingredients of growth? (cf. Rom. 15:4) Why is your utter dependence on these three aspects crucial to enjoying God’s presence?

a) Three ingredients of growth

i) Faith

ii) Word

iii) Spirit

b) My utter dependence is crucial, because I cannot produce anything good apart from His Spirit. I cannot do anything except by His Word. I must be totally dependent on Him to receive His blessing.

Making application of the message to life:

5) How have you experienced Jesus this week? Have you shared that with anyone? If not, what will you do?

a) He has strengthened me to do His work, when I’ve felt rotten.

b) He has caused me to watch my tongue, when my flesh wanted to say something sarcastic.

c) He caused me to steady my thinking when I might have been frustrated working on the wiring.

d) He caused me to get a better mortgage deal by waiting on Him and not rushing the decision.

e) Can share with family tonight at dinner.

6) How would you describe enjoying Jesus’ presence to a sixth grader? What are several ways a believer can enjoy His presence?

a) It’s like sitting with a good friend who accepts you the way you are. He also loves you to laugh and help where you’re failing. He desires to help you stand up and keep moving toward sanctification. It’s chilling out when no one else is around and enjoying being with Him. It’s not having to talk. It’s enjoying to just be silent and looking at the world around me. It’s like you know He cares and He’ll never leave you alone.

b) A believer enjoys His presence by silence, meditation on God’s Word, looking at scenery, being alone in the dark.

7) The Father’s Promise is real. Is it causing you to lead others in faith? How could you initiate trust and application so it becomes a reality?

a) Yes, it motivates me to use opportunities to talk to people about Christ, especially in counseling and discipleship.

b) I need to build bridges to people so I am using those opportunities to walk through the gospel.

c) Am I leading others to Christ? Have I put roses in the vase?

Q & A: Get A Grip on your Father’s Will

Posted on March 28, 2013 by shepherdbryan

These are suggested answers for the Message Based Discussion Questions included on the reverse side of the insert for the message “Get a Grip on your Father’s Will” presented on March 24, 2013. The full information from the insert is provided first, then the Message Based Discussion Questions are reiterated with suggested answers. These answers only provide a beginning basis to answer the questions. Each person should consider how he might answer the questions. Continue reading →

Q & A: Get a Grip on Father Greatness

Posted on March 21, 2013 by shepherdbryan

The following includes the insert from the message given on March 17 and considerations for suggested answers to the Message Based Discussion Questions. They are not meant to be definitive or all inclusive of all answers. They are presented to help guide thinking and to demonstrate a simple one sentence answer is inadequate to apply the message to life. If you have any suggestions, I’m very open to them. Thanks for checking this out.

Get a Grip on Father Greatness

Luke 22:24-34

How do you get a grip on Father greatness?

1) Jesus serves His men to show greatness Luke 22:24-27

2) Jesus foretells His men how greatness is assigned Luke 22:28-30

3) Jesus forewarns how greatness must humbly depend Luke 22:31-34

4) Jesus wants you on His team Luke 24:49

· Gen. 18:17-19

· Deut. 6:1-15

The Lord is calling on men to rise up to Father greatness!

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) When you were growing up, what were the fathers of your friends like?

Digging Deeper:

2) Who was Adam’s Father (Gen. 2:7-17)? _______________________ What kinds of things did Adam receive from his Father? What were his responsibilities? Who else was there to receive responsibility?

3) Read Gen. 35:1-12. When God called Jacob to go up to Bethel, what did Jacob command his family? _________________________ What things do we learn from God’s appearances to Jacob in this passage?

4) What kind of sacrifice is discussed in Exodus 12:21-28? _________________________ What does the passage describe regarding the roles and responsibilities in the family related to this event? How did the people respond? What does that look like today?

Making application from the message to life:

5) How should children learn about the Father’s greatness? What practical things should they see and learn?

6) Why is a father’s role of assigning responsibility to his children so important? How should a father discern what and when to assign responsibilities?

7) How should a father help a son learn humility to imitate the Father’s greatness?

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) When you were growing up, what were the fathers of your friends like?

a) Pete’s dad was jovial, laid back, but I could tell very sharp. Wasn’t sure how much time he spent with the six children.

b) Tom’s dad was an engineer and very quiet.

c) Greg’s dad was soft-spoken, but I remember they went to church

d) B’s dad was laid back, a fixer-upper, and liked to be around people

e) One dad pursed his lips and taught SS, but I didn’t know him.

Digging Deeper:

2) Who was Adam’s Father (Gen. 2:7-17)? __God____ What kinds of things did Adam receive from his Father? What were his responsibilities? Who else was there to receive responsibility?

a) Adam received many things from the Father:

i) The Garden place to live and air to breathe 2:7

ii) Perfect environment, so no need for clothes 2:8

iii) Plentiful food to eat and water to drink 2:9,10

iv) Precious metals for jewelry he could give his future wife 2:12

v) Dirt to dig and grow food 2:15

vi) Directions on what he was supposed to do in life 2:15-17

vii) Liberty to enjoy all the trees but one 2:16

viii) One command not to fail 2:17

b) His responsibilities were:

i) To enjoy God in the Garden 2:9 “pleasant to the sight”

ii) “Tend,” that is work, the garden 2:15

iii) Guard the garden 2:15

iv) Obey God’s mandate not to eat of the wrong tree 2:17

c) Who else received the responsibility? No one. The woman would have heard it from Adam, if she did 3:2-3

3) Read Gen. 35:1-12. When God called Jacob to go up to Bethel, what did Jacob command his family? __put away foreign gods, purify self, change garments__ What things do we learn from God’s appearances to Jacob in this passage?

a) God must be obeyed, because He is holy and sovereign to direct 35:1

b) God should receive an offering 35:3

c) God hears in our distress 35:3

d) God is with us in our distress 35:3

e) Jacob followed through with what he knew he was supposed to do 35:4

f) The terror of God was on other cities as they traveled 35:5

g) Jacob arrived with everyone with him, no losses 35:6

h) Jacob went back to where he first saw God’s appearance 35:7

i) God has the right to change someone’s name 35:10

j) God is almighty 35:11

k) God can command that we multiply 35:11

l) God promises a great progeny 35:11

m) God bequeathed the land 35:12

4) What kind of sacrifice is discussed in Exodus 12:21-28? __Passover Lamb___ What does the passage describe regarding the roles and responsibilities in the family related to this event? How did the people respond? What does that look like today?

a) The roles in the family:

i) Pick out and kill the Passover Lamb 12:21

ii) Paint the blood on the lintel with the hyssop 12:22

iii) Everyone was to remain inside until morning 12:22

iv) They stayed in while God passes through 12:23

v) They were to pass the ordinance down to their sons 12:24

vi) They were to keep the service in the land 12:25

vii) They were to answer their children 12:26

viii) They were to recall the details to their children 12:27

ix) They should respond to God in holy reverent worship 12:27

x) They all obeyed the Lord 12:28

Making application from the message to life:

5) How should children learn about the Father’s greatness? What practical things should they see and learn?

a) Children should learn in the home and in church:

i) Human fathers should tell their children diligently Deut. 6:6-9

ii) Parents should love each other to provide a picture of Christ and the church Eph. 5:22-28

iii) Children should also learn about the Father’s greatness at church Luke 22:24-30.

iv) God’s Word should be taught to children, no matter who has charge of them 2 Tim. 3:15; Rom. 15:4

v) Parents should teach their children the realm of God’s Word 2 Tim. 3:16-17

b) There are many practical things for children to see and learn:

i) Parents (fathers) should have regular family devotions

ii) Parents should be mature enough to deal with most conflicts between themselves and other people

iii) Parents should be able to hope in the provisions of God.

iv) Children should see a model of father greatness in their dads

v) Children should have dads who want to spend time with them and build them up.

vi) Children should have dads who are diligent to teach them principles of truth as they walk along the way, as they get up, as they lie down and when they are at home.

vii) Children should be told of how God answers prayer.

viii) Children should be blessed by learning the sufficiency of God’s Word.

6) Why is a father’s role of assigning responsibility to his children so important? How should a father discern what and when to assign responsibilities?

a) The father’s role is important because:

i) God has placed that responsibility on the father Eph. 6:4

ii) The father is the model for what God the Father is like

iii) The father’s presence is symbolic of God’s presence

iv) The father’s direction should mimic the Father’s direction

v) It’s in the home where the children learn how to assume a husband’s and father’s role.

b) The father’s role is to be consistent in assigning responsibility

i) The father should consult with the mother when possible

ii) The father should assign 3-4 responsibilities that are age appropriate. He should consult with other parents and or age-appropriate books and manuals on parenting for job responsibilities.

iii) The father should make sure the child understands and is able to accomplish the task.

iv) The father should ensure that the child is consistent in completion.

7) How should a father help a son learn humility to imitate the Father’s greatness?

a) A father must help a son learn through enforced humility, until the son will act with genuine humility.

b) A father should be a shepherd to draw the son forward, that is, he should be patient, kind and merciful.

c) On the other hand, a father must exhort and hold the son to age appropriate standards of holiness.

d) A father must discern when he should be patient and when he must hold a son’s feet to the holiness standard.

e) Grace must be applied at times, but discipline, even strong discipline, may need to be applied to help the son learn holiness.

f) A father must spend time with the son, so the son knows the father love him in both cases. The father must consult with the mother to hear her input and then take responsibility for the children’s holiness. The Father’s greatness should be the pinnacle of importance in the mind of the father to instill into the child.

Q & A: Expectations in Relationships

Posted on February 20, 2013 by shepherdbryan

This is the Questions and considerations for answers to the Message Based Discussion Questions for the message “Expectations in Relationships” given on Februrary 17, 2013. The manuscript was posted on February 19, 2013. The insert in included below with the blank questions followed by considerations for answers below that. How would you answer the questions? That’s what matters to the Lord.

Expectations in Relationships: You’re supposed to serve me!

John 13

1 Samuel 18:1-4

How does Jesus want you to approach relationships?

1) Jesus shows you how to finish well loving others John 13:1-3

2)      Jesus wants you to serve others John 13:4-5
3)      Jesus wants you to disciple people to truth John 13:6-17
4)      Jesus wants you to rise above adversities John 13:18-30
5)      Jesus wants you to overcome by loving others exactly as He does John 13:31-35

Godly expectations anticipate Jesus working through you

so you can love others!

How do you implement this?

1) Accept that you have expectations..

· If you expect people to always do the right thing; remember your dates, name, appts.; anniversary. If you expect people to be civil, raise their kids to be perfect, come to church with their saintly face on. If you expect people to protect the holiness of others, expect display of modesty, or not use course jokes. Acts 20:29-30 distorted, misinterpreted; 1 Cor. 16:9.
· Expectations can be wonderful IF godly, or they can harm

2) Practice three things:

·         Compassion – genuine awareness of another’s suffering that leads to a desire to help.
·         Forgiveness – pardon for an offense without treating him as a offender
·         Forbearance – patience under provocation. Willing to stand alongside someone in trouble.

What does it mean?

1)       Means I accept suffering and am willing to endure it for another’s sake.
2)       Means I’m willing to live with the poor. Jam. 2:1-5
3)       Means I resist the temptation to favoritism Jam. 2:1-5
4)       Means I’m committed to persevere in hardship.
5)       Means rejecting a personal happiness and comfort agenda than another’s standing with God.
6)       Means I live with a commitment to forgive.
7)       Means I overlook minor offenses by focusing on the big things God is doing.
8)       Means I won’t compromise on what is morally right and true. I will point others to God and the Word, and not condemn.

Here is the insert questions without suggested considerations for answers. The suggested considerations are below this. What answers would you give?

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) The greater the gap of what you expect in life and what you experience will create a tension that you may or may not deal with well. What are some examples of expectations and actual experience that people might see in schooling, occupation, marriage, family and/or retirement?

Digging deeper into the text:

2) What are two of God’s expectations in Matthew 28:18-20? ___________________; _____________________________ What are some of the challenges to the fulfillment of that mandate?

3) What are two of the expectations the writer to the Hebrews has in Hebrews 5:12-14? ________________________ ; _________________________ How does Hebrews 5:12-14 define our responsibilities so that we can discern godly expectations?

4) Choose two of the passages below. What are examples of expectations versus experience in the following? Gen. 4:4-15; 13:1-15; 17:1-18; 22:1-19; 37:1-28 (cf. 42:21).

Implementing this message to your life:

5) What are expectations that you may have had that God has taught you were wrong? Based on the principles of the message, what do you need to do?

6) How can you learn to discern what are godly expectations for schooling, occupation, marriage, family and retirement? How does that impact your relationships?

Here are suggested considerations for answers to the questions. How would you answer the questions? This is about your thoughts and understanding, not merely regurgitating what you see below.

Message Based Discussion Questions

a) I expected an A and received a D in my Ancient Israel class – the last class of college! Boy was I disappointed and even after talking to the prof, I didn’t have much satisfaction. It seemed he took my “Christian world-view” historical answers applied to his secular world-view answers and down-graded me.

b) I expect to be treated well by fellow employees, but their ridicule makes me not want to go to work! Or, I thought I should be able to share in the profit sharing, and only the upper-level management received payouts!

c) I expect my wife to understand me, but she just wants to talk herself and she doesn’t really care. She just keeps talking trying to understand from her perspective and we keep moving further apart.

d) I expect that I’ll be able to go golfing and traveling in retirement, but with the new taxes, I’ll be fortunate enough to be able to go to a movie!

Digging deeper into the text:

2) What are two of God’s expectations in Matthew 28:18-20? __Trust His authority ___ ; _make disciples__; _baptize converts_ ; __teach others___. What are some of the challenges to the fulfillment of that mandate?

a) I fear rejection

b) I fear I won’t be able to answer questions

c) I fear I might not look cool or be cool

d) I fear that I’ll look like a fool being dependent on religion

e) I’m too busy

f) I have other things to do

g) I haven’t been trained

h) I don’t know enough

i) I don’t know how to baptize someone or know what to teach

j) Someone might find out I don’t know everything.

k) If they are hungry, they’ll figure it out

l) I think the pastor should do all that. He gets paid to do it.

m) I don’t like other people.

3) What are two of the expectations the writer to the Hebrews has in Hebrews 5:12-14? _should be teachers already_ ; __should be able to feed yourself from the Word_; __ Should be able to discern good and evil___. How does Hebrews 5:12-14 define our responsibilities so that we can discern godly expectations?

a) I should grow up spiritually

b) Quit being totally dependent on the spoon feeding of others.

c) I should learn from those who are teaching and look for opportunities to learn.

d) I should learn to depend on the Lord and teach others.

e) I should learn to bring my senses under control and depend on the Holy Spirit to discern good and evil

f) I need to hunger for the bread of life (Matt. 4:4) and the Milk (1 Pet. 2:1-2) and press upward (Phil. 2:12-14).

g) I need to step up to the plate and take responsibility to serve others and teach others in appropriate opportunities.

4) Choose two of the passages below. What are examples of expectations versus experience in the following? Gen. 4:4-15; 13:1-15; 17:1-18; 22:1-19; 37:1-28 (cf. 42:21).

a) Gen. 4:4-15 – Cain expected God to receive and respect his offering, but God did not. When God rebuked Cain, Cain chose to disobey God, destroy the competition and suffer life-long consequences.

b) Gen. 13:1-15 – Abraham left Egypt with his nephew Lot and they expected to get along. But, Abraham’s and Lot’s herdsmen argued and wouldn’t get along. Abraham gave Lot the choice of what he wanted. Abraham delivered Lot from capture, but saw Lot’s home destroyed.

c) Gen. 17:1-18 – Abraham expected God to give him an heir, but not through his body. He thought it might be through Hagar, but that just caused problems. Abraham laughed at God’s solution. Abraham’s expectations of God were not what God provided.

d) Gen. 22:1-19 – Abraham obeyed God expecting God to somehow resuscitate Isaac off the altar. God stopped Abraham in time and provided another sacrifice. Abraham obeyed God and God provided another means without making Abraham go through the actual sacrifice of Isaac.

e) Gen.37:1-28 – Joseph was Jacob’s favorite and Jacob expected Joseph to be treated well, but at least fairly. Joseph had a dream from God and he expected his family to listen to him. Instead they twisted what God was doing and took matters into their own hands selling Joseph into slavery. They expected they would be done with thinking about Joseph, but his memory haunted them (42:21).

Implementing this message to your life:

5) What are expectations you may have had that God has taught you were wrong? Based on the principles of the message, what do you need to do?

a) I expect people to treat me well. That won’t happen. Comments and actions will be done as a test to see if I will entrust myself to God and be a spiritual parent to the person by rising above the adversity and discipling to truth.

b) I expect my spouse to respect me. That may not happen. Words will be said, delays will happen, projects will not be completed, promises will not be kept. I need to rise above the adversities, and serve my spouse.

c) I expect my children to obey me. They will rebel at times. I must rise above the adversity, disciple to the truth, serve them by diligently helping them understand and obey the truth and love them to the end.

d) I expect people in America to keep conservative values. Many do not. I need to rise above the adversity and disciple those who will respond to the truth until the end of my opportunities to disciple.

e) I expect people whom I have disciple to respond and want to disciple others. It often doesn’t happen. The result is not the key as much as me being faithful, available to be used by God, intentional in discipling, teachable myself and Holy Spirit controlled.

6) How can you learn to discern what are godly expectations for schooling, occupation, marriage, family and retirement? How does that impact your relationships? Godly expectations:

a) Study Scripture to know God’s holiness and truth in each area.

b) Seeking the Holy Spirit’s illumination to discern God’s way versus man’s way.

c) Study Scripture to understand the growth process and what to expect from people.

d) Trust God with the outcome of circumstances, because he knows God can work any situation for good (Rom. 8:28).

e) Trust God to work in a disciple’s heart to respond and walk worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:10) to be complete in Christ (Col. 2:9-10).

f) Consider the eternal perspective for each area to what God would want for each area.

g) Consider that in each area, God’s mandates of the Great Commandment and Commission are still the important issue, not my personal desires or wants.

h) Ask other wise persons for accountability to keep growing in these areas.

i) If I’m not growing, I won’t learn blind spots or grow to become a spiritual parent.

j) I’ll struggle through some relationships because I won’t understand some of the dynamics of conflict in relationships.

k) I keep certain close relationships, because they are comfortable, but I’ll avoid others, because I don’t learn how to love them as Jesus does.

Q & A: Pursuing the Role in Jesus

Posted on February 14, 2013 by shepherdbryan

This is the insert and suggested answers for the Message Based Discussion Questions of the message that was given on February 10, 2013 and posted February 12, 2013. The entire insert is included for review and the answers are only a begining of considerations of how to answer the questions. The serious student will be able to add to these provided suggested answers. SDG.

Strategy of Grace – Pursuing the Role in Jesus

Eph. 5:15-17

What kind of person does God require to do His work? One who:

· Knows and loves Jesus – The person is growing in relationship with Jesus to know and love Him. Matt 22:37-39; 1 John 2:13-14

· Practices Spiritual disciplines– This person is learning and putting into practice spiritual disciplines for growth and service. John 17:17; Rom. 8:28-29; 12:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:15

· Engages Discipleship – Matt. 28:18-20

These are the characteristics of a committed disciple we looked at several weeks ago from Matt. 4:19. These can be expanded in the acrostic FAITH

· Faithful – He humbly depends on God facing every challenge and joy of life. Matt. 25:21-23.

· Available – He’s humbly available because he has examined and reordered his life. Is. 6:8; Eph. 3:8-9.

· Intentional – He humbly goes before the sovereignty of God seeking God’s will each day in order to live that will out in his life. Phil. 3:9-14; 1:21

· Teachable – He is a humble student of God’s Word for life. Ps. 25:1-5; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17

· Holy Spirit controlled – He humbly depends on the Holy Spirit rather than his own talents, abilities or wisdom. Eph. 5:18; Luke 4:1-14

Jesus will raise you to accomplish His will

and become spiritual parents IF you pursue that!

· Jesus is a sovereign gentleman. He will not coerce you. You are not advancing only because you are not pursuing. All the resources of heaven are available to you in His Word and by His Spirit to raise you up.

· Jesus uses all circumstances to prepare you for His mission. Challenges of life are the crucible for pressing forward in His will. Your flesh will want to give up, but He will empower you to keep going.

· Every mindful person can be a spiritual parent to help others. Your humble submission to His Spirit to glorify Jesus will cause you to see His miraculous HOPE and growth in your life.

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) Who is someone you admire in the world? What are his/her characteristics?

a)      This question is designed to involve everyone in the small group and each answer will be personalized.
b)      The purpose is to allow each person to sense they have something to contribute and allow them to become transparent.
c)      E.g. I admire Mike Pence because he holds to conservative values and the sanctity of life. He is interested in helping people take responsibility for their decisions, rather than just give people a handout.

Digging Deeper

2) What are some of the fears and excuses Moses had from Exodus 3:11- 4:17? _inadequacy_ ; _lack of credibility_; _doubting self_; _slow of speech_; __fear of looking like a fool____. Today, what are fears or excuses that prevent people from taking responsibility to do what God calls them to do?

a) Same as above with Moses’ examples

b) Listening to the devil’s lie that I don’t know enough

c) Comparing self to the “great” abilities of others

d) Not wanting to look like a fool if I say the wrong thing

e) Not knowing that God is able

f) Not trusting in an ability to help others

g) Not thinking that I can communicate well to others

h) Not knowing who I am in Christ, called to serve the Lord

i) Laziness to prepare to disciple

j) Distracted by the world instead of motivated by the eternal

3) What are several characteristics required of an overseer in 1 Timothy 3:1-7? _blameless_; _temperate_; _able to teach___; _not given to wine_; _not violent, etc._. Are these characteristics that should be true only of elders? Who else should spiritually grow into these? Why?

a) These characteristics should be true of anyone discipling others

b) All people should use these as a measurement for spiritual growth.

c) Why? Every husband and father, wife and mother should strive for these as they would apply. Every single should use these as a standard. If these are the characteristics of church leadership, they are the appropriate characteristics of any leader.

4) Read the letters written to the Church of Ephesus and the Church of Laodicea (Rev. 2:1-7; 3:14-22. What are characteristics of these churches? _laboring in word_; _intolerant of evil_; _patience_; _in sin_; _lukewarm_; _wretched, poor, blind, naked_. Which church do think would do a better job of fulfilling the Great Commission? Why?

a) Either church could fulfill the Great Commission if they repented and depended on the Holy Spirit

b) The issue is not the sin or failure of the church. The issue is will they repent and humble themselves to the fulfillment of the Word by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

i) The church of Ephesus had much more going for it, because they were knowledgeable and were intolerant of false teachers.

ii) However, Laodicea cold still make the right decisions to humble themselves and buy gold from Jesus, white garments and eye salve.

iii) The issue is who will not make excuses and press through the fear to do the right thing regardless of the challenges.

Making application from the message:

5) How has the angel of light deceived the church today (2 Cor. 11:13-15)? How has the Vision series challenged you in your thinking?

a) The angel of light deceives by convincing people only certain people (pastors) can lead in the church.

i) Deceiving people to think that a spiritual gift is required to lead in being a spiritual parent.

ii) Rationalizing that I’m not there yet and won’t be for a few more years.

iii) Reasoning that because some people are very good at it, the Lord doesn’t need me to serve and lead.

iv) It’s women’s work and I have a job in the world.

v) I don’t have time to lead others

vi) You have to have a certain amount of knowledge in order to lead others.

vii) The work will get done some time, I don’t need to be involved.

b) The vision series has helped me see that there are stages of spiritual growth. I didn’t know what stage I was in. Now I need to press forward and continue growing, while I take baby steps of serving and discipling. I need to take the steps of faith and try opportunities. I need to do follow-up with people and develop more relationships. I need to be more consistent in my quiet time. I need to be regular at coming to church. I need to be a spiritual parent, when others do actions of a spiritual infant or child.

6) Why do you suppose God doesn’t require you to have certain “degrees” to do His work? What kinds of things hold you back from taking the next step? What could you do to take the next step?

a) Human “degrees” are helpful for background and putting the pieces of God’s Word together, but the power is in what God’s Spirit will do through the available soul. Degrees can hinder a person because of pride and self-righteousness of having the degree. God will use the ordinary person more times than a person with degrees, because they often are more dependent on God.

b) Many things hold people back. Fears and excuses per question 2. Lack of motivation to please the Lord. Lack of understanding of God’s goodness. Lack of being a doer of the Word, instead of a hearer. Fear of failure. Fear of looking like a fool. Fear of someone finding out “I don’t have my act together,” because I didn’t so something just right. Wrong priorities. A schedule that is full of busyness, but not God’s priorities. Lack of compassion to reach people. Lack of knowledge of what that step will be or mean? Failure to trust the Lord with the step.

c) In order to take the next step, I could meditate on the Word, fast, or ask others what steps I could take. I could look for serving opportunities. I could ask to shadow another person who is discipling another person. I can be in a home group. I can read books related to discipleship and small groups. I can take the step in a small way. I can look for feedback and accountability. I could fast. I could choose a verse that motivates to leading others and memorize

Q & A: Raising Spiritual Parents

Posted on February 9, 2013 by shepherdbryan

This goes with the message that was posted on February 5, 2013 of this blog. I have included the insert for a quick review and the Message Based Discussion Questions follow. The purpose is to provide material for personal reflection or group discussion. The questions are designed to be answered in far more than one or two sentence answers.

Strategy of Grace – Raising Spiritual Parents

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

(February 3, 2013)

What is God’s solution to raising spiritual parents?

1) Pursue the Lord’s pattern for raising parents Deut. 6:1-9

Ephesians 6:1-3

2) Pursue the Lord’s pattern in raising disciples Matt 4:18-22

John 17:6, 17, 20

3) Pursue the Lord’s exhortation to raise spiritual children 1 Thes. 2:5-14; Heb. 5:12-14

What is the wisest approach to help 80% of the congregation become spiritual parents (disciple-makers)? Some possibilities:

· Disciple people to be seminary graduates emphasizing on original languages

· Disciple people to be Bible College graduates from a correspondence network

· Disciple people with years of intense Systematic Theology from the pastor

· Disciple people with years of intense counseling training and practical theology

· Disciple people in small groups teaching various books of the Bible

· Disciple men through the Colossians 2:7 material

· Disciple people in small groups using the Message Based Discussion Questions

Small groups provide a wise environment to develop spiritual parents (disciple-making people):

· There are 10-14 people which is easier to develop trust

· They develop deeper relationships because more time is spent in relationships

· They provide a safe place to be authentic with personal struggles and get help

· They allow for many groups outside the church building

· They provide a back door for people to come to church

· Everyone participates because we learn by doing (teach them and release them)

· There are 12, rather than 30 or 50, so people are willing to lead also

· They let leaders know if people are “getting it” because of greater feedback

· They practice a model where a new person can learn quickly he can lead also

· Often more is caught than taught

n This assumes 1) on-going training, 2) support for disciples and 3) accountability

n This assumes using a material that 80% of the people can grasp, apply and implement

The Lord Jesus gave the example and

taught us to become spiritual parents.

· Too many Christians mimic the movie, “Failure to Launch.” The goal is not being independent, but interdependent raising new spiritual parents or disciples to Jesus Christ. Are you in a FG or HG, accountable for growing to the next spiritual level? Is there someone helping you advance?

· God loves you where you are, but where you are God wants you to keep growing. He wants you to become spiritual parents for others. That means adjusting your schedule to fit with others.

· Life is not about you. Life is about Jesus Christ and His message to disciple others, i.e. raise spiritual parents.

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) When and how were you taught to be an adult who was ready to raise children?

a) A variety of answers will be given. The key is to get everyone to provide some kind of answer as it applies to them. There is no right or wrong answer, but should be fun to learn what others say.

Digging Deeper:

2) In Deuteronomy 6:6, where is the word supposed to be solidified? ___heart__________. What will that look like according to the larger context of Deut. 6:1-9?

a) People will look for opportunities to learn. They’ll join their church in the worship service, a FG or HG, and they’ll learn to do devotions or quiet time.

b) If they don’t do a QTime, they’ll others on how to do that. They’ll fit their schedule around studying God’s Word. They’ll learn the realm of Scripture, what the books are, the flow, why there are 2 Testaments, etc. etc

c) They will be people who talk about the Lord and His Word with others more than they talk about the weather or sports or even politics. They will talk about those, but because the Lord and His Word is in their heart, they can’t help but talk about Him. Cf. Matt. 15:18-19.

d) They will be renewed Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:22-24 and miracles of change will be going on in their life and family.

e) They will be looking for opps to be accountable and growing in a relational environment. They won’t be shy about being worried to give a wrong answer. They want an opportunity to talk about how life, questions, and problems relate to the character of God.

f) Then the person will want to ensure, diligently, that their children AND grandchildren are learning to walk worthy of the Lord. They will look for opps sitting down, walking, lying down at night and getting up in the morning to focus other people attention on the Lord, etc. etc.

3) How many times was Peter called to follow by Jesus? _at least 2 times___ (compare John 1:35-42 with Matt. 4:18-20). What do you suppose was going through Peter’s mind?

a) This all makes sense, but I have to work a job. I have to provide for my wife and family.

b) This guy seems like the Messiah, but I don’t understand my role.

c) How do I know what to do? I don’t know enough yet.

d) I fish, what else is there in life. We have a fleet of boats to acquire. I compete with other fishermen.

e) Do I trust this man? God has been silent for so long, how do I know?

4) What are the three challenges Jesus makes in Luke 9:57-62?

a) __place to stay/provisions_______ ; __family responsibilities________;

__Connections to this world_________

b) What are examples of challenges today that you face in considering the invitation by Jesus (Luke 9:57-62)? How do they hinder disciples from being fully committed to follow Jesus?

i) Provisions

(1) How much will I need to provide for myself and family?

(2) What if the govt taxes me to death?

(3) How will I know how God is going to provide?

(4) I haven’t gone here before, I don’t know the way

(5) I really don’t know you, Lord, well enough. The risks are too great.

ii) Family responsibilities

(1) I have to raise my family and that’s all I can do

(2) We have vacations and hobbies to keep up; others will have to be taken care of by others

(3) It might be the last day of my parent’s life, I’ll have to spend it with them, day after day.

(4) I don’t like people, I have to put up with my family

(5) I have things to take care of, house, car, job, stuff. I can measure how I’m doing with them.

(6) I can’t measure how well I’m doing following the Lord

iii) Connections to the world

(1) Once I get my retirement in place, then I’ll help the Lord

(2) Once my children are launched, then I’ll serve

(3) Once I have children, I’ll get involved

(4) I have so much stuff, I might need it.

Application of the message to life:

5) Are you ready to seek the next stage of growth? What are three things you might have to do or rearrange in your life?

a) Redo my schedule, so I fit my life into knowing and letting Jesus live out in my life.

b) Be faithful in devotions to learn Scripture.

c) Read a book on the outline of Scripture.

d) Join a FG or HG to grow with other believers

e) Be willing to put the Word into action

f) Take steps to put people as more important than myself

g) Come to the message next week.

6) Do you know the miracle and joy of taking responsibility for discipling others in Jesus? How is that more fulfilling than not having spiritual responsibilities?

a) Responsibility is tough, because things don’t always turn out well

b) Responsib. Means being rejected and I don’t like it, so why have it

c) Responsib. Means watching others grow and seeing changes. It means letting God move through me to be more other centered, than self-centered, which is a miracle. It means I’m a part of the Lord’s purpose and mission of making disciples. It means I’m obedient and there are eternal rewards.

Q & A: Stages of Growth

Posted on February 8, 2013 by shepherdbryan

This goes with the message that was posted on January 21, 2013 of this blog. I have included the insert for a quick review and the Message Based Discussion Questions follow. The purpose is to provide material for personal reflection or group discussion. The questions are designed to be answered in far more than one or two sentence answers.

Strategy for Grace

Stages of Growth

1 John 2:12-14

January 20

What is the spiritual growth process of the normal Christian?

1) Unbeliever – Spiritually dead Eph. 2:1-3

This person does not know Jesus and has not accepted Him as Savior. He is unbelieving and rebellious.

2) Spiritual Infant – focus on self 1 Cor. 3:1-3; 1 Pet. 2:2-3

This person has accepted Jesus as His Savior, but is not connected in a relationship environment for the purpose of Biblical Discipleship. He is ignorant of God’s Word, confused and dependent on others.

3) Spiritual Child – What can I get? 1 Jn. 2:12; 1 Thes. 2:10-12; Phm 1:8-11

This person recognizes his need for relationships with other Christians and is connected in a relational environment for the purpose of discipleship, but life is all about him. He is self-centered, prideful, idealistic and has either a high or low view of self often because he lives by pride or emotions.

4) Spiritual Young Adult – wants to serve 1 Jn. 2:13-14; Gal. 5:13-14

He recognizes his part in the body of Christ. This person has moved from self-centeredness to God- and other-centeredness. He is characterized by service, zeal, mission and spiritual independence. He learns to push on when discouraged.

5) Spiritual Parent – reproducing 1 Jn 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:2

He has been serving and ministering and now thinks in terms of reproducing. He can feed himself and intentionally recruits people for personal growth and reproducing disciple-makers on the church team.

(These stages are not based on the content of Bible knowledge, but practical implementation)

“Phrase” from the Stage (these are typical phrases of people who are in these spiritual stages of growth)

Unbeliever	I don’t believe there is a god The Bible is just a bunch of myths Evolution explains away God God is just a crutch Jesus is only one way
Spiritual Infant	I believe in Jesus, but my church is when I’m in the woods. I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian I gave my life to Jesus and I go to church, but I don’t need to be close to other people I pray and read my Bible; that is good enough for me.
Spiritual Child	I love my small group; don’t add any more people to it. Who are all these people coming to my Church? Tell them to go somewhere else! I am not coming to church anymore. It has become too big; it has too many people. I didn’t like the music today. If only they did it like…”
Spiritual Young Adult	I think I could lead a group with a little help. I have three friends I have been witnessing to, and this group would be too big for them. Randy and Rachel missed group and I called to see if they are okay. Their kids have the flu, so maybe our group can make meals for them. I’ll start. I am so exhausted this week I called all sixty men from men’s breakfast to see how they were.
Spiritual Parent	This guy at work asked me to explain the Bible to him. Pray for me. We get to baptize someone from our small group tonight. When is the next Belonging class? I want to get her plugged into ministry somewhere. I realized discipleship happens at home… will you hold me accountable to disciple my kids

Typical Beliefs, Behaviors and Attitudes of the Stage

Unbeliever	Unbelief , rebellion, blind to truth Belief in one God, but many ways to get to Him Anger toward Christians / Church Ignorance and or confusion about God, Jesus and the Church Misinformed about spiritual/biblical truth; spiritual blindness
Spiritual Infant	Ignorance about what they need spiritually and what the Bible says about life Ignorant about or frustrated toward Christianity and the church Belief that Christians can make no mistakes (no tolerance of) Unrealistic expectations of themselves and others Confusion about the Christian way of life Mixing Christianity and other religions and not knowing it.
Spiritual Child	Excitement of deeper relationships They appreciate sp. changes Understand Christian lingo, but: Have high expectations of others Believe feelings are most important, which leads to spiritual highs and lows Compare themselves to others and compete with them Lack wisdom how to use what they are learning- for example too aggressive when sharing their faith or too legalistic in their approach to dealing with friends and family Belief that people are not caring for them enough
Spiritual Young Adult	Desire to serve for others’ good and the glory of God Feel responsible for how others respond to the gospel message Possible pride if a person accepts the message and possible discouragement if they don’t Desire to serve but not strategic about how to train others Black and white about what should happen in a church
Spiritual Parent	Has a coach’s mindset Wants to see people mature Reproduces disciples Can feed themselves Values the church team

Spiritual Needs of the Stage (These are needs of people in the spiritual stages)

Unbeliever	Secure relationship with a growing believer A picture of the real Jesus Answers, evidences for Christ An explanation of the gospel An invitation to receive Christ
Spiritual Infant	Individual attention from a spiritual parent Protection An explanation of truth from God’s Word An explanation and modeling of the habits of growing believers
Spiritual Child	A spiritual family Help to start feeding themselves Teaching who they are in Christ Teaching about how to have relationships with others
Spiritual Young Adult	A place to learn to serve A spiritual parent who will debrief them about ministry Ongoing encouraging relationships and accountability Guidance regarding expectations of people they will serve Spiritual skills training
Spiritual Parents	An ongoing relationship with co-laborers A church family Encouragement in discipleship

God calls each of us to become spiritual parents.

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) What physical stage of life do you enjoy the most? This is a personal response all should answer seriously or playfully. Some will say being a child, because of no responsibility. Some will say a young adult, because of freedoms, etc.

Digging Deeper: Study 1 Cor 3:1-3; 1 Jn 2:12-14

2) Based on the charts, what are some other phrases of a child?

a) The elder looked at me, but didn’t say hi to me.

b) No one ever visits me.

c) Why don’t we have a bingo night every week at church?

d) If this was a really good church, it would have a rose garden.

e) I love my friends at church, but they don’t invite me over.

f) I’m just no good at doing anything.

g) I can teach a class; why don’t you just give me people to teach.

3) What are phrases of a parent?

a) I’ve called my home group to get together to help at the church picnic.

b) There are two young men who are ready to take the next step of serving at church. Where do you think would be the best place for them?

c) I have three gals who want to meet and get help in parenting. What material do you recommend?

d) “You really did a nice job in serving as usher. I liked how you greeted each person with a smile and you helped them find a seat.”

e) I’m having trouble with a couple in my home group of controlling the conversation. Do you have any advice on how to address that?

f) I took pastor’s message and after going through the discussion questions, found some great passages related to the study and helped me. Let me share them with you.

g) There’s a couple teenagers that are having trouble with their language at church. Pray for me that I can help them honor God with their words and represent the Lord with their lives.

4) What are differences between a child and young adult?

a) Child is interested in learning; YA is interested in also serving.

b) Child is interested in what makes them excited; YA is interested in what would help the group learn about Jesus.

c) Child has unrealistic expectations on people; YA excepts people and tries to share Scripture.

d) Child says you can’t celebrate Christmas with a tree; YA accepts another person’s view that a holiday can be celebrated in different ways before the Lord.

e) Child complains because people don’t do enough for them; YA is glad to be serving and isn’t concerned if people are taking care of them.

f) Child learns to be smarter than others; YA learns because he wants to grow in a relationship with the Lord.

g) Child tries to shove Jesus in witnessing to others; YA shares the gospel and either gets pride from a good response or gets discouraged when there is no response.

5) Why is it important to understand the Spiritual needs of each stage? What are the needs of spiritual infants and children?

a) Have to understand spiritual needs of each stage, because that helps us know how to relate to people in those stages.

b) Have to understand, so we don’t put unrealistic expectations on people.

c) Have to understand because you know what you can expect from others.

d) So you don’t judge and condemn people for being self-centered; you help them grow through it with a focus on Jesus.

e) So you provide sp. Nurturing so they can grow.

f) So you can see the progression of spiritual growth.

g) So you are more compassionate and merciful

Application of the message to life:

6) What are four things you could do to ensure you are growing up spiritually?

a) Know the stages of growth

b) Check my words for knowing my focus and what I’m doing

c) Study God’s Word to understand His level of holiness.

d) Know that sp. Parenting is where I want to grow.

e) Dependent on the Holy Spirit to understand Scripture and be empowered to walk by His power.

f) Engaged in church where I have opportunities to put into practice things that can be done at each level of growth.

g) Being in an intentional discipleship ministry.

h) Engaged in a relational environment

i) Looking for or preparing to disciple others.

7) If you want to be considered spiritually mature, what needs to be true?

a) I must be a young adult moving toward parenting.

b) I must be preparing to disciple others

c) I must have others following me.

d) I must be helping them with people who will follow them.

e) It is not based on how much I know, but how much I’m doing in the power of the Holy Spirit according to His Word.

Q & A: Growing Disciple-Makers

Posted on February 7, 2013 by shepherdbryan

This goes with the message that was posted on January 19, 2013 of this blog. I have included the insert for a quick review and the Message Based Discussion Questions follow. The purpose is to provide material for personal reflection or group discussion. The questions are designed to be answered in far more than one or two sentence answers.

Strategy for Grace – Growing Disciple-Makers

Matt. 4:18-20

January 6, 2013

What do you need to make committed disciples?

Understand what a disciple is: What is a disciple? Learner, follower: the curious, convinced and committed. (cf. John 1:43-46; 2:1-2; 2:22; Matt 4:18-22)

A committed disciple is:

· Committed to following Jesus. Luke 9:23; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:21

· Committed to being changed by Jesus. Rom. 8:29; 12:2

· Committed to the mission: growing disciples who are making disciples. Matt. 28:19-20

Who is called to be a disciple-maker? _______________.

Understand four keys to develop Disciple-making:

1) Biblical Foundation –Your understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ will deepen your desire to please Him and fulfill His will to make disciples who make disciples. Matt. 7:24-27; 2 Tim. 3:16-17

2) Intentional Discipleship– This takes the accidental out of discipleship Eph. 4:11-13. Jesus had intentional actions. Matt 14:15-18, 27-31; Luke 10: 1; 22:7-13; John 6:5-6

3) Relational Environment– it must be small enough for open communication and trust. 1 Cor. 12:25 Must spend time with the people Deut. 6:7-9 in real teaching to establish a biblical worldview. John 17:17; Matt. 4:4; Ps. 119:105

4) Reproducible Process – we must develop a process to reproduce or all we will do is add. Matt. 28:18-20

What would the model look like?

· It has to deal with fear factors – failure; fool; fake

· It has to deal with trust in relationships

· It has to deal with talking with others (people don’t want to be wrong)

· It has to provide OJT because we learn by doing

· It has to amply provide encouragement with accountability

Jesus calls you to be His committed disciple. How? Acts 1:8, 6-11

· Discipleship is a flexible step by step process. Disciples are shown how to take each step. Everyone learns by trial and error. You need an environment whereby you can make mistakes. You need someone to pick you up and encourage you to get back in the battle. Luke 9:1-3

· Disciples are those committed to Jesus, who will change them. However, He will change you only as you humbly request His change and put into practice what you are learning. Change will not happen by listening only Jam. 1:22
· Discipleship occurs in an intentional, relational environment. Relationships that keep picking you up and helping you become fishers of men. Matt 4:18-22

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) How many children did your grandparents have? How many children came from those children? How many grandchildren and great grandchildren?

a) This question is designed to involve everyone in the small group and each answer will be personalized.

b) The purpose is to allow each person to sense they have something to contribute and allow them to become transparent.

Digging Deeper:

2) What are examples of how parents disciple children physically and spiritually (cf. Deut. 6:5-9)?

Physical parenting	Spiritual parenting
Teach to feed self	Learn how to study Bible
Teach how to talk	Teach how to pray
Teach how to belong to family	Help identify with God’s family
Teach how to dress	Learn how to act with service
Teach to be fiscally responsible	Teach to be a good steward
Teach responsibility with chores	Teach to serve with good works
Teach how to prepare food	Teach how to lead small group
Teach how to get along	Teach Christian fellowship
Teach how to get an education	Teach how to prepare for life
Teach how to raise parents	Teach stages of growth to parent
Teach how to be a citizen	Teach citizenship in heaven

3) What are five things that prevent Christians from becoming spiritual parents?

a) Distorting the use of the word mature

b) Not understand God’s expectations to make disciples

c) Becoming complacent about spiritual growth

d) Not developing a soul-winning heart to disciple others

e) Impatience with the sins of others

f) Unrealistic expectations on others

g) Failure to develop a biblical foundation

h) Not seeing the need of intentional discipleship

i) Living as a loner rather than pursuing a relational environment

j) Fear that they don’t have what it takes to grow up and lead

k) Fear to look like a fool and not do the right thing

l) Fear that others will find out they may not have a plan for helping others, so they give up before trying

m) Pride that prevents people from becoming a disciple

n) Lacking compassion to help others grow

o) Listening to the devil’s lie that they don’t know enough

p) Sitting in the stands and watching rather than getting onto the field and making a difference

4) What does it look like to be a committed disciple of Jesus Christ?

a) One who is committed to following Jesus as his head

b) One who is committed to being changed by Jesus

i) One who consumes God’s Word

ii) One who is consistent in studying God’s Word

iii) One who is more concerned about spiritual issues than earthly

iv) One who isn’t set in his ways

v) One who asks others for accountability

vi) One who asks others to help them see blind spots

vii) One who asks God to sanctify himself with God’s Word

c) One who is committed to the mission

i) One who is being discipled

ii) One who is seeking to disciple others

iii) One who has a passion to see others grow spiritually

iv) One who is involved in relationships of spiritual growth

v) One who has others following him spiritually

5) Of the four keys to develop Disciple-making, which do you think is the most important? Why?

a) A biblical foundation is the most important, because that sets the stage for all the others. That keeps the others on track before the holiness of God. That is the foundation upon which all is built.

b) The others are also important and are the fruit of the biblical foundation.

i) If you don’t have intentional discipleship, you have accidental growth rather than deliberate growth. You need a biblical plan of helping people move from one spiritual stage to the next for the best accountability in spiritual growth.

ii) If you don’t have a relational environment, you have an academic learning environment. These are real people who must learn how to relate with real people.

iii) If you don’t have a reproductive process, you may have good addition, but people won’t learn how to take responsibility and become a part of the growth process. The reproductive process is essential for multiplication in the Great Commission.

Making application from the message:

6) What are the three most difficult challenges people face in becoming spiritual parents in Indianapolis? How can we work together to overcome them? (here’s some suggestions)

a) Challenges:

i) Fear that they don’t have what it takes to grow up and lead

ii) Fear to look like a fool and not do the right thing

iii) Fear that others will find out they may not have a plan for helping others, so they give up before trying

iv) Pride that prevents people from becoming a disciple

v) Lacking compassion to help others grow

vi) Listening to the devil’s lie that they don’t know enough

vii) Sitting in the stands and watching rather than getting onto the field and making a difference

b) We can work to overcome:

i) By emphasizing the team instead of the person/self

ii) By humbling asking what I can do to grow

iii) By humbling asking and reading material on how to grow up to the next level

iv) By accepting that no one is perfect and keeping our eyes on the Lord rather than each other

v) By pressing forward rather than waiting

7) What are possible changes a committed disciple would need to make in order to be considered committed? (some considerations)

a) May need to spend more time in God’s Word, than the television

b) May need to carve out a home group time than watch a desired program

c) May need to crack the Bible to learn spiritual truths than failing to launch in the spiritual life

d) May need to depend on God and be stretched rather than just doing everything according to human power

e) May need to humble self to change in areas not yet known

f) May need to allow others to evaluate your life

g) May need to get together with people regularly for growth

h) May need to consider others more important than self

i) May need to memorize God’s Word to not sin against Him

j) May need to invite others to follow rather than doing things by self

k) May need to revamp the schedule so it shows where time is spent.

Q & A: State of the Church

Posted on February 7, 2013 by shepherdbryan

This goes with the message that was posted on December 31 of this blog. I have included the insert for a quick review and the Message Based Discussion Questions follow. The purpose is to provide material for personal reflection or group discussion. The questions are designed to be answered in far more than one or two sentence answers.

State of the Church: Vision

Matthew 28:18-20

December 30, 2012

Connecting together to worship God 1 Cor. 12:19-25

Equipping together in grace to be more like Christ Eph. 4:11-14

Multiplying together with the gospel to reach the world Matt 28:18-20

God loves to multiply people:

Gen 1:28; 9:1,7; 17:2, 20; 22:17; 26:24; 28:3; 35:11; Ex. 32:13; Lev. 26:9; Deut. 6:3; 7:13; 8:1, 13; 28:63; 30:5, 16; Acts 6:1,7; 12:24; Heb. 6:13-14

God wants us to spiritually reproduce: 2 Tim. 2:2; John 14:12

Who is called to be a disciple-maker?

Jesus is my model for everything. He was __single___.

How were you Connected? Luke 6:12-13

· How am I currently reaching or connecting others?

How are you being Equipped? Luke 9:1-10

· How am I helping to build up others?

· How am I equipping others for ministry? (for outreach, service, discipling)

How am I Multiplying, so more will follow? Luke 10:1,17-21

· How am I helping others to grow deeper?

Jesus commanded each of us to make disciples.

How? Acts 1:8, 6-11

· Does our model facilitate 80% of the church reproducing?

· How are we developing disciple-makers?
· Will you humbly ask the Lord what His next step is for you?

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) How many children were in your family? How many children did he/she/they produce?

a) This question is designed to involve everyone in the small group and each answer will be personalized.

b) The purpose is to allow each person to sense they have something to contribute and allow them to become transparent.

Digging Deeper:

2) Where do you learn the most in Scripture about parenting? What passages come to mind?

a) Most of the parenting lessons are found in Proverbs. Most of the book is written by Solomon to his son. Many of the other portions are written by others that have direct application to parent/child relationships.

b) There are parenting stories found in the OT.

i) Isaac’s partiality with his sons Gen. 25:28; 27:6-17

ii) Samuel’s failures with his sons 1 Sam. 2:27-36; 4:10-22

iii) David’s failures with his sons 2 Sam. 12:10; 13:1-18:33

c) There are parenting principles

i) Father’s commanding his children Gen. 18:19

ii) Telling children of God’s mighty deeds Ex. 10:2

iii) Teaching children of God’s provision Ex. 12:26-27

iv) Helping children understand holiness Lev. 20:9; 23:3

v) Diligently teaching children God’s Word Deut. 4:9-10

vi) Using every opportunity to train children Deut. 6:1-24

vii) Parents will pity their children Ps. 103:13

viii) Parents will correct their children Pro. 3:12

ix) Parents will provide for children Pro. 13:22-24

x) Parents will chasten while there is hope Pro. 19:18

xi) Parents have deep love for children Is. 49:15

xii) Parents will reach a child’s heart Mal. 4:6

xiii) Parents will love Jesus more than child Matt. 10:37

xiv) Parents will not exasperate children Eph. 6:4

xv) Parents will exhort and charge children 1 Thes. 2:10-12

xvi) Elders with children must be controlled 1 Tim 3:4,5

3) How would you apply human parenting to spiritual parenting?

Human parents	Spiritual Parent
Change diapers	Deal with sin
Give clean diaper	Teach 1 John 1:9
Put on clean clothes	Teach dependence on HS
Feed food	Feed Word of God
Welcome to family	Welcome to God’s family
Learn to speak	Learn to pray
Teach self-control	Teach Fruit of Spirit
Teach how to get along	Help learn fellowship
Learn to consider others	Place others more important
Etc.

4) What kinds of things prevent Christians from becoming spiritual parents?

a) Distractions in the world, so they don’t study God’s Word

b) Lack of hope in life to trust God

c) Isolation in the world from other growing Christians

d) Failure to develop a quiet time to grow in Christ

e) Lack of dependence on the Holy Spirit

f) Lack of learning how God works all things for good

g) Lack of being a disciple

h) Lack of taking responsibility for one’s actions

i) Knowing what to do and not doing it

j) Being a hearer of the word and not a doer

k) Rejecting biblical authorities, like parents

l) Lack of assembling with others in church

m) Sin in life: mental attitude, verbal and overt sins

n) Pursuing the things of the world instead of God

o) Lack of being taught stages of spiritual Growth

p) Staying in a personal comfort zone and not stepping out

q) Not being more concerned about others than for self

r) Not “walking” with the Lord Jesus

s) Not growing up spiritually

Application of the message to life:

5) What are the three most difficult challenges people face about becoming spiritual parents in Indianapolis? How can we work together to overcome them?

a) Challenges:

i) Fear that they don’t have what it takes to grow up and lead

ii) Fear to look like a fool and not do the right thing

iii) Fear that others will find out they may not have a plan for helping others, so they give up before trying

iv) Pride that prevents people from becoming a disciple

v) Lacking compassion to help others grow

vi) Listening to the devil’s lie that they don’t know enough

vii) Sitting in the stands and watching rather than getting onto the field and making a difference

b) We can work to overcome:

i) By emphasizing the team instead of the person/self

ii) By humbling asking what I can do to grow

iii) By humbling asking and reading material on how to grow up to the next level

iv) By accepting that no one is perfect and keeping our eyes on the Lord rather than each other

v) By pressing forward rather than waiting

6) What kind of organization/organism/system/set-up would you devise to develop spiritual parents?

a) This is whatever the person might contribute….

b) Home groups where people are challenged, contribute and realize they are growing.

c) Home groups where people can become transparent and talk through their understandings

d) Home groups where there is accountability to keep growing

e) Home groups where I can put into practice by leading

f) Home groups where I can reach out to others and bring them into the group and have others help me encourage this person to grow spiritually

Shepherding Truth

Renewing Truth, Rightly Divided

Category Archives: Q&A

Q & A: Music to God’s Glory

Q & A: Get a Grip on your Father’s Promise

Q & A: Get A Grip on your Father’s Will

Q & A: Get a Grip on Father Greatness

Q & A: Expectations in Relationships

Q & A: Pursuing the Role in Jesus

Q & A: Raising Spiritual Parents

Q & A: Stages of Growth

Q & A: Growing Disciple-Makers

Q & A: State of the Church