Greater Thanks

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s sermon, Insoo Kim taught that gratitude is one of the hallmarks of what it means to be a Christian. Gratitude is more than just being polite or nice. Gratitude is the active investigation and exploration of one’s life for the purpose of seeing to whom thanks should be given (“reconnaissance”). Gratitude is to recognize the giver behind the gift. The story of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus beautifully illustrates the power of gratitude.


GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. Do you have any favorite Thanksgiving memories you’d like to share?
2. Do you enjoy writing “Thank You” cards?
3. Do you think it is wrong to expect to receive a “Thank You” when you give someone a gift? Briefly explain.
4. Do you personally find it difficult to “want what you already have”?
5. Would people who know you say that you are a grateful person?
6. How much of your prayer life is devoted to thanksgiving?
7. What have you found to be helpful in practicing thanksgiving?
8. In your own words, define “gratitude.”


INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.


2. Read Colossians 3:12-17

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

• According to Paul, what are the essential qualities that should characterize God’s chosen people? (vv. 12-14)
• Which of these qualities would you say characterizes you? Which of these qualities would you say is the most difficult for you to exhibit? Why might that be?
• According to Paul, what is it that binds all these together? (v. 14) Why do you think love is so important?
• Have you ever sung to God “with gratitude in your hearts”? (v. 16) What was that experience like? Briefly explain.
• What do you think it means to do something “in the name of the Lord Jesus”? (v. 17)
• What do you think it means to give thanks to God “through” Jesus? (v. 17)
• Read the beginning of verse 12 again. According to Paul, what is the motivation behind why we should live like this?
• As you reflect upon your life, would you say that you are following the admonition of Paul found in verse 17?


3. In this week’s sermon, Insoo noted that gratitude is the active examination of one’s life for the purpose of seeing to whom thanks should be given (“reconnaissance”). Set aside 10 minutes during your group to practice the spiritual exercise called “The Prayer of Examen.” (see next page)

“The Prayer of Examen” is typically credited to St. Ignatius of Loyola [1491-1556], who encouraged fellow followers of Jesus to engage in the practice for developing a deeper level of spiritual sensitivity and for recognizing and receiving the assistance of the Holy Spirit. In many ways, our brothers and sisters in the Catholic tradition have really modeled for us what a healthy spiritual life can look like. While we do not want to become legalistic in our approach to faith, there is much fruit to be had in cultivating a disciplined spirituality. At the heart of the practice is increasingly becoming aware of God’s presence and the Holy Spirit’s movement throughout your day. “Prayer of Examen” is primarily an exercise in remembering. Here are some hints for this practice:

• Get comfortable and quiet.
• The experience doesn’t need to be a certain length—as little as ten minutes could be sufficient, and you could spend more time on certain portions compared to others.
• It might be helpful to journal your thoughts and recollections or to write out what you notice during your times of prayer.
• Briefly share your experiences with your small group after the exercise.


THE PRAYER OF EXAMEN
The general examination of conscience is a simple form of prayer directed toward developing a spiritual sensitivity to the special ways God approaches, invites and calls. It may be done at the end of each day, though it can be done more frequently as you feel led. The more frequently performed, however, the more natural it becomes and more a way of growing into an ever-closer relationship with God. It can take anywhere between five and fifteen minutes. The important thing is to open yourself to recognizing and responding to God’s movement in your heart.

1. Recognize the presence of God.
Since we are not simply daydreaming or reminiscing, but rather looking for some sense of how the Spirit of God is leading us, it only makes sense to pray for some illumination. The goal is not simply memory but graced understanding.

2. Review the day in thanksgiving.
Note how different this is from looking immediately for your sins. Gratitude is the foundation of our whole relationship with God. Walk through the past 24 hours, from hour to hour, from place to place, from task to task, person to person, thanking the Lord for every gift you encounter. Ask yourself these questions to help: When or where in the past 24 hours did you feel you were cooperating most fully with God’s action in your life? When were you resisting? What habits and life patterns do I notice? When did I feel most alive? Most drained of life? When did I have the greatest sense of belonging? When did I feel most alone? When did I give love? Where did I receive love? When did I feel most fully myself? Least myself? When did I feel most whole? Most fragmented?

3. Review the feelings that surfaced in the replay of the day.
Our feelings, positive and negative, the painful and the pleasing, are clear signals of where the action was during the day. Simply pay attention to any and all of those feelings as they surface (e.g., delight, boredom, fear, anticipation, resentment, anger, etc.).

4. Choose one of those feelings (positive or negative) and pray from it.
Choose the feeling that most caught your attention. The feeling is a sign that something important is going on. Now simply express spontaneously the prayer that surfaces as you attend to the source of the feeling.

5. Look toward tomorrow.
Think about tomorrow and the next few days, using your appointment calendar if that helps. What kind of feelings surface as you examine the tasks, meetings, and appointments? Are you fearful? Are you excited? Do you feel anxious? As you did in step 3 and 4 above, take those feelings and pray. As you plan for tomorrow, do you need to seek forgiveness? Do you need to thank someone?

Greater Welcome

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s sermon, Rich taught that one of the most identifiable ways that Jesus changes us is that he gives us welcoming hearts. And central to any understanding of the Kingdom of God is the word “welcome.” God has a special place in his heart for the weak, the poor, the widows and orphans, and for immigrants, who were called in the Old Testament “foreigners” and “aliens.” And as God’s people, we are to practice the welcome of the Kingdom to the least, the last, and the lost.


GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. Have you ever been in a situation where you knew that you were not welcome because of your race, religion, financial situation, or your education? Briefly share about your experience.
2. What do you think are some barriers that stand in the way of us becoming a more welcoming people?
3. Have you ever personally experienced the welcome of the Kingdom? Briefly share about your experience.
4. In his sermon, Rich shared about the current state of immigration in the United States, and that there are certain people groups who either can not enter the United States at all or who have to wait many years before they are allowed to enter. How does that make you feel?


INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read Luke 15:1-7:

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

• Who was gathering around Jesus? (v. 1) Why is this noteworthy?
• How do the Pharisees and the teachers of the law respond to this? (v. 2) Why do you think they would respond in this manner?
• How might the tax collectors and sinners have responded to what the Pharisees and the teachers of the law said?
• Compare and contrast the shepherd in the parable with the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.
• What is the response of the shepherd to finding his lost sheep?
• Is there a “lost sheep” in your life that you have been praying for? If time allows, pray for these people as a small group by name.


3. In this week’s sermon, Rich suggested sharing a meal and extending hospitality to practice the welcome of the Kingdom this holiday season.

• What other ideas can you add to Rich’s suggestions?
• What are some ways that you can become more welcoming and inviting as a small group?
• How might you use your gifts and skills to extend the welcome of the Kingdom to the least, the last, and the lost?
• Can you commit to living out just one of these ideas this holiday season?

Greater Treasure

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s sermon, Rich taught that Jesus always seems to be switching the price tags on everything. Things we consider to be really valuable, Jesus says are worthless. And things we consider to be worthless, Jesus says that these are the things that God really counts as important. We spend our lives pursuing “treasures” that ultimately fail us, but the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl teach us that a relationship with Jesus is the greatest treasure.


GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. In last week’s study, we talked about taking risks this week to see “greater healing.” Does anyone have a story to share?
2. What is the most valuable thing that you own?
3. As you reflect on the past year, what “treasures” have you been pursuing recently? Is it a new job, a promotion, money, fame, a relationship?
4. If someone in your small group were to evaluate your calendar (how you spend your time) and your checkbook (how you spend your money), what would they say is your priority in life?
5. Why do you think it is so easy for us to get sucked into pursuing false treasures?
6. How is your relationship with Jesus right now? Is it better than it was a year ago, or is it worse? What did you consider in arriving at your answer? Briefly explain.


INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.


2. Read Philippians 3:7-14:

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

• For Paul, what is his supreme treasure?
• What is Paul willing to give up in exchange for this treasure?
• Paul says that the beginning point of knowing Christ is righteousness by faith. What do you think “righteousness” means? (verse 9)
• Have you ever tried to pursue a righteousness of your own? Briefly explain.
• What do you think it means to experience the “power of his resurrection”? (verse 10) Have you ever experienced this power?
• What do you think it means to become “like him in his death”? (verse 10)
• What analogy does Paul use to describe his journey of pursuing Jesus?
• As you examine your life in light of this passage, would you say that you are “pressing on toward the goal”? Are you moving closer to the goal or further away?

3. In this week’s sermon, Rich talked about the “Half-Christian,” people who follow Jesus just enough to give them a really uneasy conscience about their whole lives, but they have yet to fully experience the abundant life that Jesus offers. They can’t enjoy the “world” because they feel guilty, but they also haven’t experienced the “power of his resurrection” because they are afraid to fully and wholeheartedly surrender their lives to Jesus.

• Can you share from your personal experience of how you are growing in your ability to surrender more and more of your life to Jesus?
• Is there an area of your life that Jesus may be asking you to surrender to him today? What barriers can you anticipate as you step out in this journey? How might this small group help you in this process?

Greater Healing

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Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD


SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s sermon, using the story of the man who was healed at the Pool of Bethesda, Rich taught that healing (physical, emotional, spiritual, relational) is the birthright and mark of the Christian church. But somewhere along the way, the message and ministry of healing has fallen by the wayside. How did we get here? What stifles healing? What are the obstacles to the Christian church practicing divine healing? The problem of worldview, technique, complacency, disillusionment, and religious opposition all play a role in stifling healing. And in order for us to recover healing, we must train for it, we must practice, we must risk, and we must spend time with Jesus.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. How has all the talk of swine flu affected you recently? Do you get nervous? Are you indifferent? Why? Briefly explain.
2. Do you know of someone who was mirculously healed?
3. Have you been sick recently? Did you ask someone to pray for you? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever prayed for someone to receive healing? Have you ever personally received healing? Briefly explain.
5. What do you think is the biggest obstacle in your life that keeps you from praying more for healing?

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read Mark 5:21-43:

21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ “32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” 37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

• How are Jairus and the woman in verse 25 different? How are they similar? What are their needs? What are their fears?
• Why do you think Jesus publicly calls the woman out? How does she respond to Jesus’ call?
• Jesus tells the woman, “Daughter, your faith has healed you” in verse 34. What do you think it means to have faith for healing?
• Why do you think that not everyone that we pray for gets healed?

3. In this weekend’s sermon, Rich taught that in order for us to recover healing, we must train for it, we must practice, we must risk, and we must spend time with Jesus.

• Set aside time during group this week to “practice” praying for healing. Take a risk and pray for someone who is in need of physical healing. (You can follow the Vineyard Prayer Model which is found below.)
• What are some practical ways that you (and your small group) can practice “greater healing” this week?

The Vineyard Prayer Model

1. The Interview. This answers the question: “Where does it hurt?” or “What is wrong?” Or you can start out asking, “What would you like Jesus to do for you?”


2. The Diagnostic Question: This answers the question: “What is the root cause of the problem?” or “Why does this person have this problem?” Different kinds of sicknesses:

• Sickness of the spirit: Caused by a person’s own sin.
• Sickness of the body: Caused by disease, accidents, poor health maintenance, psychological stress, or spirit affliction.
• Sickness of the emotions: Caused by being sinned against; may need help with forgiving.
• Sickness of demonic affliction: Caused by demonic spirits harassing or afflicting the person in mind or body.
• Sickness from alienation from relationships: Social brokenness that makes it hard for people to connect with healthy or redemptive relationships.
  

3. The Prayer Selection: This is where we decide how to pray.

• Blessing.
• Petition: Join them in asking God for healing.
• Command/speak to the pain or condition.
• Intercession: Pray on their behalf.
• Rebuke the demonic.
  

4. Ministry Time: We pray and observe (look, ask, listen); watch the person for indications of what God is doing; and wait on God for impressions.


5. Post-Prayer Direction:

• Help the person process and digest [what has happened].
• Directive: Make things right with another person; “Go and sin no more.”
• Seek the Lord on one’s own.
• Commit to a church or fellowship group.
• Read specific scriptures: “Read and pray over the following Scriptures….”
• Invite them back for more prayer at another time.

The following are tips from practical wisdom regarding using the prayer model:

• Keep the interview brief.
• Ask for the compassion of Jesus.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to come; wait on Him.
• Pray with your eyes open.
• Don’t pray with too many words.
• Pray with quiet faith.
• Pray with authority.
• Pray believing God will speak to you.
• Pray taking risks.
• Don’t be afraid to fail.
• Ask the person how they are doing and what they are experiencing.

Physical phenomena are sometimes associated with the Holy Spirit’s activity. These phenomena should not be equated with the Holy Spirit; they are an individual’s physiological and emotional responses to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Our attitude should be one of balance and discernment. Examples of phenomena that are sometimes associated with the Holy Spirit’s activity include:

• Shaking.
• Stiffening.
• Change of breathing.
• Rocking, weaving, or acting drunk.
• Laughing or crying.
• Glistening, glowing, or perspiring.
• Heat or coolness.
• Fluttering of eyelids.
• Rippling of skin.
• Falling