Core Strength – Part 1

This week, we begin a new series looking at the core strengths needed by disciples of Jesus. As we mature as believers, the ability to hear and discern God’s voice is an important strength for us to develop. In the Bible we see God using all manner of ways to communicate to His people, from Scripture to prophetic words, dreams, visions and even a burning bush. God’s methods of communication are not limited, we simply need to be attentive to Him in everyday life. Prayer and Bible reading are the starting point, along with a simple question, ‘What are you saying to me today, God?’

Read: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Discuss

1. 1. How has God communicated with you in the past? Did you recognise it was God speaking to you at the time?
   2. How might this passage help us understand how God speaks to us today?
   3. What can we do to discern between our own thoughts and desires and those of God? Is this a challenge for you?
   4. Read verses 17-18. What does Eli teach us about responding obediently when we hear God’s voice, even if it’s something difficult or unexpected?
   5. In what ways might fear prevent us from listening and responding appropriately when hearing God’s voice in our lives? What do we do with this?
   6. Pastor Tim suggested four steps we can take to better hear from God:
      1. Pay attention
         • – What (or who) keeps me awake at night?
         • – What stands out to me in Scripture at present?
         • – What am I praying about?
      2. Talk it through (with someone else)
      3. Have a plan (what will I do about this?)
      4. Follow through (commit to being obedient)

Which of these four steps do you find comes most naturally to you? Which is the hardest to do? Why?

Respond

Scripture demonstrates that God speaks to His people today, and we all have the capacity to hear from Him. This takes practice and we do not get it right every time. Which of the above steps can you take this week (as a group or individually) to help you listen more effectively to God? What do you need to put in place this week to grow in this area? Commit to doing so and share it with a trusted friend

Core Strength – Part 2

The first initiative is always with God. He saves us from the grip of sin and promises He will keep us firm to the end. We know He is faithful, even when we fall short and are influenced by experiences, people and circumstances. How can we be faithful to the end, where we can confidently say (with Paul) that we have “fought the good fight, finished the race, and remained faithful”?

Read: John 10:28-29, 1 Corinthians 1:8-9, Philippians 1:6

Discuss

1. First initiative is always with God, and our part is to respond. Can you remember your first experience in responding to God? How was it?
2. Based on the three main readings above, what are the promises that God has for us? Is it possible for these truths to cause some hearts to struggle? Why?
3. Read Hebrews 3:12-13. In what ways have you seen someone turn away from the living God? How can we encourage each other to stay faithful to God?
4. Who do you allow to speak into your life? Whose life do you speak into?
5. Pastor Dale teaches that patient endurance is fostered by being honest with God about our doubts, fears and failures. Do you find it easy or hard to be honest in front of God? How can we make being honest with God into a spiritual habit or a lifestyle?
6. Is there anything else we could be doing as a group in order to keep one another accountable and on track spiritually?

Respond

Most of us already have too many things on our plate each week, such as work commitments, relationships, Life Group, other social groups (friends, sports, church, etc), to name a few. However, in your engagement with the promises of God, it is important to make space for God’s timing and His agenda. What is one thing you can carve out this week so you can prioritise God?

Core Strength – Part 4

The most fundamental tenet of our faith is that Jesus died for our sins. The entire truth of the gospel (that theologians refer to as the redemption, forgiveness and remission of our sins) is based on the understanding of Jesus’s death and resurrection. Jesus said He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17). The religious laws in the book of Leviticus provided a pathway for God’s plan to redeem mankind through Jesus. Why is His death so significant and central to our faith? How should this understanding impact the way we live today?

Read: Isaiah 53:10-11

Discuss

1. Do you have a recent account of someone who lost their life trying to help another person? Share the story and consider how their heroic act impacted the community.
2. Read Romans 6:23. Jesus was the ‘sin offering’ sacrificed for the sins of the world. Why did it have to be Jesus, the son of God, who died for our sins? Why could it not be any other good or heroic person?
3. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. What does becoming “the righteousness of God” mean? How does it impact the way we see ourselves today in terms of our new identity in Christ?
4. Read Leviticus 17:11. Jesus was also the “Passover Lamb’ whose blood was shed when God judged Egypt. Why did Jesus have to die a bloody death as opposed to dying without bodily injury? Why was blood required?
5. Read Romans 5:6-8 and Colossians 1:10. Given that Christ died for all while we were yet sinners, how then can we “walk worthy of the Lord”? Note the three aspects of this in the scriptures provided.
6. The Gospel, by definition, is about spiritual transformation through the death of Jesus. What are some changes in our lives when we became a “new creation in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17) in the areas of our identity, our wellbeing and our purpose?

Respond

If we continue to rebel against God after he has forgiven us, we are effectively like those who first crucified Christ (See Hebrews 6:4-6). Yet through repentance, God can forgive us time and time again (1 John 1:9). Take a moment to see what areas in your life need repentance and spend time in prayer about this. Share this with a trusted and mature Christian if possible.

Additional Notes on Select Questions

Question 2: Only Jesus could be the perfect sin offering because He was/is sinless. This meant He could atone for the sins of the world. Any other person would die solely because of their own sin, as “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Question 4: Jesus had to shed His blood because the only way to atone for sin was by penalty of death. Blood represents life, and life blood needed to be shed as a payment for people’s sin. Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins for all time. Blood represents the covering and washing away of sin.

Other Considerations

• Can you volunteer to facilitate a Going Deeper discussion for your Life Group? Speak to your Life Group leader or coordinator about this. Do you know of any families and persons who do not have a Life Group? Why not invite them to yours?
• Do you have an idea for an activity for your Life Group (such as a picnic spot, day trip, local mission opportunity, community project to serve, games night, help out at Youth, etc)? Offer to organize it for your Life Group.

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Core Strength – Part 5

The vision of Jesus has always been to change the world. He does this not only by His words, but by showing His disciples how it’s done. He asks them to follow Him and intentionally spends time with them. He shows them how to live lives of significant impact. The fact that such impact from thousands of year ago has made it through to us here today tells us that His way of multiplying disciples is so effective it breaks through location and time. So, why are we not seeing more changes across our nation and the nations? Dave Ferguson offers three practical steps that are missing today: apprenticing, hero making and kingdom building.

Read: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:6-8

Discuss

1. If time, money and resources were not an issue, how would you change the world together as a group? If you were to meet Jesus physically and He asked you to follow Him, what would go through your mind?
2. What do you have in mind when you hear the word “discipleship”? Do you know anyone who is currently discipling or being discipled? What do they do?
3. Read John 3:22. The Greek word for ‘spent some time’ in this passage is ‘diatribo’, which means to rub against. It suggests that during that time, the disciples started to look and become like Jesus. How have you allowed Jesus to rub off on you? Who do you spend your time with?
4. What do you have in mind when you hear the word “discipleship”? Do you know anyone who is currently discipling or being discipled? What do they do?
5. Dave tells the story of Shalane Flanagan, from whom is derived the term “Shalane Effect”. Where you serve as a rocket booster for those who work alongside you, whilst catapulting forward yourself. Now read John 14:12. Where do you see “Hero Making” from the Shalane Effect and this verse? Why might it be challenging for you to continue the work and make someone else the hero?
6. Read Matthew 6:33. According to Dave, the third missing practice is kingdom building. Christians and churches need to be more concerned about building the Kingdom than building their own comfortable castles. Where and how can you put your hands to help build God’s Kingdom on earth?

Respond

Jesus invests in His disciples so they can reach more people than could ever be reached during the time of His earthly ministry. He shows them how they can take the Good News to more places. The ball is now in your court. Do you want to follow Jesus and change the world? Who is that one person you know that you can rub off on, do life with, and boost as the hero? Who is your apprentice?

Core Strength – Part 6

For thousands of years God pursued the salvation plan He set in motion at the beginning of time. God promised Eve that her offspring would crush the serpent’s (Satan’s) head, and later He promised Abraham the world would be blessed through his seed. These promises were ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ who became sin for all, standing in the gap for us and receiving the punishment for our sins so that we may live free from the effects of sin. The proclamation of this Good News (the Gospel) was given to His followers, the body of Christ – the Church. We, the Church, have effectively become God’s plan, representing the salvation of Christ to the world. This discussion will focus on the core strength of representing Christ well as His Church.

Discuss

1. Discuss or share up to three practical and effective ways you could represent Christ this week if you were bolder than you are right now.
2. Read 1 Peter 2:9-10. This is a strong and passionate declaration to the body of Christ (the Church) scattered throughout various countries and provinces. How does this passage speak to your own heart? What do you think it means for today’s Church? Regarding the three titles listed in this passage, what do you think is the emphasis intended for us?
3. When Jesus said to Peter, “on this rock I will build my church” (Matt 16:18), He used the word ‘Ekklesia’ that comes from the idea of a gathering of believers called out from their homes into some public place. Pastor Sam emphasised that ‘the church’ was not a building, it was people. Why is this important for believers? (Consider Matt 5:14-15)
4. Pastor Sam went on to share three primary or ‘core strength’ ways the body of Christ should represent Christ to our generation:
   – The way we love
   – The way we act
   – The way we carry His Spirit
   Read John 13:34-35. List some of the ways in which Jesus demonstrated His love for people.
   For us to love like Jesus is easier said than done. However, since Christ loved all sinners, when we choose not to love someone we do not represent God well. How can we be genuine and authentic in our love for those who are hard to love? Do we need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to love as Christ loved, or is it an act of our will, or a combination of both?
5. Read Ephesians 2:10. What does this verse tell us about good works? What are some proactive ways we can look for opportunities to demonstrate love, rather than waiting for the opportunity to present itself? Discuss how being ‘too busy’ can sometimes rob us from an opportunity to represent Christ well.
6. Read Acts 1:8. Pastor Sam said we should carry the Spirit well. What do you think he meant by that? He also said it is impossible to love and act as the body of Christ without the Holy Spirit. Why is this so? Discuss the importance of living by the Spirit to sustain a lifestyle that loves and acts like Christ.

Respond

As the Church we are called and empowered to represent Christ well to our family, community, and all the world. Christ has entrusted us with His reputation. It is not possible to maintain this in our own strength, but the ability to do so will grow as we spend quality time in His presence, seeking to know Him and be led by His Spirit. Start by choosing a person that you can represent Christ to this week.

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Core Strength – Part 7

Our walk with Jesus is meant to be one of rest and restoration; as Jesus proclaimed, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This experience is possible when we are intentional in our walk with Jesus and create space to commune with Him daily. We are called to a life of grace, not striving – even when facing significant challenges. Can we go deeper in our understanding of God’s ‘rhythm of grace’ to find this space?

Read Matthew 11:28-30 from both The Message and another version.

Discuss

1. When you read of people such as Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Noah (Genesis 6:9) who “walk with God”, what inspires you? What does it mean to “walk with God”?
2. Read Daniel 6:10. What were some of Daniel’s rhythms and rituals? How about Jesus and the Apostles? Are there any other examples you can think of? Which of these do you relate to?
3. Refer to the following verses:
   – Joshua 1:8 (Bible reading)
   – Isaiah 30:15 (repentance and rest)
   – Isaiah 40:31 (waiting on God)
   – Luke 9:23-24 (lordship)
   – Hebrews 10:24-25 (fellowship)
   – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (thanksgiving, prayer)
   Which of these verses speaks to you of daily rhythms and rituals of grace?
4. Rhythms and rituals are meant to help us connect with God, not to become mere religious practices. What can we do to prevent rituals from becoming religious practices?
5. Rhythms inform ‘when’ we do something. What is the most effective time of day for you to spend time with God? Why does this time work for you? Which times did Jesus seem to use?
6. Rituals are the ‘what’ we do. What are some of the rituals you have that help you get ready for the day or wind down from a day?
7. How is ‘resting’ different from ‘restoration’? Both are important, but resting does not necessarily bring restoration. What are some useful ‘restoration’ activities that, despite requiring effort and energy, help to revitalize us?

Respond

A ‘rhythm of grace’ is a daily habit involving healthy rhythms and rituals to build faith and strengthen relationship with God. What habits or changes can you incorporate into you daily life to help you walk more closely and consistently with God?
For groups:
Consider having separate activities for just the men and just the women in your group, such as an afternoon tea, bush walk or bicycle ride.

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