When Jesus called His first disciples He said to them: “Come, follow me.” He was inviting them into relationship with Him and calling them to action. Stepping forward in our life’s journey with Christ always involves stepping forward and often involves stepping out of our comfort zone. When He challenges us we are always promised His presence and help wherever He takes us.

Discover

Read John 10:1-10. To help get a good understanding of the passage, try to describe what is happening or being said in your own words. Take a moment to reflect and note down what stands out as important, significant or meaningful to you. What does this passage tell us about God? What does this passage tell us about people? How does this passage change how we live?

Guest Speaker: Karen Wilson

Discuss

1. When was the last time that you did something for the very first time?

2. Is there an area of your life that God is challenging you to step out of your comfort zone at present? Share.

3. Read John 10:10. What does this verse say to you? What does it mean to live life to the full? What stops us from doing so?

4. Read Hebrews 10:24-25. Sometimes we want to retreat, and disconnect from God and from others, yet this is often when we most need to connect. What can we do when we are in this space?

5. If life is a journey of healing and God putting us back together again, is there an area of your life that you sense God’s desire to heal you? Are you prepared to go on that journey with God which may involve some pain in the process?

6. Is there a gap between the “you” that you show the world and the inner “you”? Jeremiah 17:14 talks about God picking up the broken pieces and putting the pieces back together again. Does God need to bring some re-alignment for you in this? Are you willing to allow Him to do so?

Respond

This week in concrete ways step out of your “comfort zone”. Do something that will lift someone else’s burden. Any act of service that lightens someone’s load will do. Keep your acts of service non-monetary. They should involve your time and energy. Experience the joy of putting the needs of others before your own. As far as you are able, try to be of service to others without them knowing. It may be impossible to hide — and don’t lie if they ask you about it. Just try not to draw attention to what you have done.

Watch full sermon – Mothers’ Day 2015