Is It God's Will That Every One of His Children be Healthy and Wealthy? (1 Timothy 6)

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INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
Pastor Rich preached a response to this belief - “God will grant financial success to all believers who have enough faith”. Pastor Rich asked - Is this belief true? Is that what God promises in the Bible? He went on to say, we do want to always affirm the goodness of God and God’s desire to be good to people. Expectant faith regarding God’s desire to answer our prayers is healthy and biblical. But often these messages become distorted, especially when preached to the poor. Instead, what is often quoted and preached is a “misunderstanding” of scripture. The result is that “the American dream” becomes the lens through which many prosperity preachers use to interpret the biblical promises and texts. Additionally, prosperity teachings alone turn God into a “vending machine”, vastly reducing any serious understanding of suffering. For biblical teachers, there are many warnings against using the Gospel for personal gain. For the church, we need to learn contentment, guard against covetousness, know the warnings concerning wealth, and embrace God’s purposes for money and possessions.

In 5 minutes or less, 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.

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.

•What do you think of when you think of God’s goodness? What tangible effect does his blessing bring?
•What would you think if you saw a pastor driving an Escalade or S-class Mercedes? What other sorts of “oxy-morons” exist in the church today?
•What’s your philosophy on being content with/in life, yet not becoming complacent or immobile? How do you reconcile those two impulses?



SCRIPTURE STUDY
Read Luke 16:10-31:

10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.
16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and people are forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
18 “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

•Do you agree with the statement made by Jesus in verse 10? Why or why not? Have you ever seen it played out? Briefly share.
•In verse 11 we find a contrast between “worldly wealth” and “true riches”. What do you think each of those is? According to this verse, do “worldly riches” even belong to us? How should we treat them? Explain.
•What are your thoughts regarding verse 13? Have you ever experienced this in your own life? Jesus uses the word “serve” in this statement. Have you ever caught yourself “serving” money? What does that look like? How can we break away from being under the slavery of money? How is serving God different than serving money? Briefly share.
•In verse 18, Jesus addresses the issue of divorce, which at first sight seems to have nothing to do with the topic at hand. Why do you think Jesus does this? Is it possible that he’s comparing divorce and adultery to serving other idols instead of serving God? How do these things compare? Explain.
•What was the attitude of the rich man towards the beggar in the parable found in verses 19 through 31? According to the Scripture we’ve read, what should have been the rich man’s attitude instead? Is there such a thing as sins of omission? What are some things in our lives that we should be doing yet we aren’t? How do we compare to that rich man? What are the “riches” in our lives that we could be sharing? Briefly share.
•How do the things we do in this life have in impact on the next life? How then should we manage the “worldly riches” that are placed under our care? Briefly share. (Remind the group of Paul’s teaching of grace + faith ALONE = salvation, and not by works).
•Compare the result of the rich man’s life to that of Lazarus’. What does the rich man discover in verses 23 through 31? What does he ask of Abraham? What does this tell you of our responsibility in this life towards those around us? How can we serve God in regards to our interactions with the people that surround us? How can we be good managers of what God has given us? Briefly share.



MINISTRY APPLICATION

Below you’ll see some options for ministry time with your group. We always encourage you to reserve time in your group to pray for one another and wait on the Holy Spirit.

•Take time to meditate on your responsibility as managers of God’s property. Are you being a good steward of your money, time, and possessions? What are some of the things we could be doing to become better stewards according to the understanding that we are to use our “worldly wealth” for God’s purposes? As a small group, how can we share this “wealth” with our community?
•Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any idols or “masters” in your life that you need to turn away from. Confess them to your peers and ask for prayer to break their power over your life and to re-establish God as your only Master.
•Pray that God gives you more of His heart for those around you.

Does It Really Matter If I Sin Because God Forgives Me Anyway? (Romans 6)

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INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
Pastor Rich posed this question to the church – “have you ever deliberately sinned, deliberately said or did something that you knew was wrong at the time, but you did it anyway, because you said, “It doesn’t really matter. God will always forgive me.” This is one of the myths that the enemy has used for 2000 years to derail Christians and to make Christians unhappy, ineffective, and absolutely unfruitful. Paul responds to the objection of “easy grace” in Romans 6, but not how we think he might. Paul doesn’t say, “Really salvation is a mixture of Grace and works”. Rather, Paul says “God forbid” you would ever think that is what I meant. We must remember that we have died to sin and know that God’s grace changes us; we must remember who we are and walk in the newness of life; we must offer our bodies to God; and we must consider the payment for sin and from obedience.

In 5 minutes or less, 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.

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.

•From the series of “Myths Christians believe”, have any of the topics so far been helpful, or enlightening? Please share briefly.
•Based on this week’s explanation of Grace, how would you talk with someone who has an addiction, or some kind of repetitive sin? Would you differentiate between someone who says they are a Christian or not? What would you say or do?
•Why is it that we as Christians (or humans for that matter) always seek the “bottom line?” For example, we may think “how long should my quiet times last,” or “how many times should I forgive,” or “how many repeated sins are too many”…Have you ever thought this way? What might that say about you? Please share briefly.



SCRIPTURE STUDY
Read 2 Samuel 12:1-20:

1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”
5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this must die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”
7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ 11 “This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die.”15 After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate. 19 David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

•Read 2 Samuel 11 and set the context for your group.
•In verses 1 through 4, the prophet Nathan tells David a story that infuriates him, unaware that the story was really about him. How is it possible that David’s reaction to the story was such, yet he was able to do what he did to Uriah just a few days before? Why is it sometimes so hard to see the sin in our own lives? Have you ever been in a similar situation in which you had been unaware of your own wrongdoing? What made you aware of it? What was your reaction to being confronted with the truth? Briefly share.
•Have you ever been in Nathan’s position of having to confront a friend with their sin? Why is it valuable to have friends like Nathan? Why is it valuable to be a friend like Nathan was to David?
•Once King David recognizes his sin and repents, what does the prophet Nathan tell him (v. 13)? What is the significance of that truth for our lives? Does that give us the right to do whatever we want? Briefly share.
•How do verses 13 and 14 relate to each other? What should our lives look like in light of God’s grace for us? Briefly share.
•What is David’s suggested punishment for the man in the story (v. 5)? What was God’s punishment for David’s sin (v.v. 7-12, 14)? Can you recognize both the long-term and short-term elements in the consequences of David’s sin? Can you recognize those same elements in the consequences of your own sin or the sin of your family before you? Briefly share.
•As a result of David’s sin, a lot of people suffered. Can you identify them? Are you aware of how your sin affects other people? Has your sin as an individual ever affected those around you? Briefly share.
•Even after stories like this, David is still known as a “man after God’s own heart” (Read Acts 13:22). What are some of the reasons you think make him worthy of this recognition? In verse 20 we read that even after the loss of his son, “he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.” Why do you think David did this? What does that tell you not only of his relationship with God, but also of his knowledge of God? Briefly share.



MINISTRY APPLICATION

Below you’ll see some options for ministry time with your group. We always encourage you to reserve time in your group to pray for one another and wait on the Holy Spirit.

•Take time to wait on the Holy Spirit and ask people to share their hearts with the group. Make sure you create a safe environment for people to confess their sins if they feel moved to do so, or to share about past hurts in their lives due to someone else’s sin. (Please take the appropriate measures to ensure a safe and appropriate environment for this activity, such as asking the group to separate by gender, etc.)
•Encourage people to ask for forgiveness of those that have been hurt because of their sin, as well as to forgive those who have hurt them as a result of their sin.
•Take time to pray for one another and ask the Holy Spirit to come into those places of shame and hurt in our lives. Encourage them to maintain an attitude of worship such as David did, and remind them of the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

I Don't Need Church (Romans 12)

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INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s sermon, Pastor Rich debunks the myth that “I Don’t Need Church.” Despite all sorts of excuses for limited to zero involvement in church – Paul reveals in Romans 12 the only way for real life change to occur, is when we’re deeply connected and rooted in church. Paul knew 2000 years ago before Tina Rosenberg “discovered” in her book Join the Club that groups have transformative power. The reality is you are not going to change nor become the person God intends you to be nor become who you want to be without the whole church. Romans 12:3-16 destroys the myth that Christianity is just a private and personal matter. To be a Christian is to be part of something bigger than ourselves. The church, or the body, is where we can receive life changing teaching, personal encouragement, help to break destructive habits, and comfort in painful experiences.

In 5 minutes or less, 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.

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.

•Look back at the last few years of your life. How have you changed? What moments most impacted that change? Briefly share with the group.
•Briefly share a time when you really felt blessed by the church. Share about a time in the past or currently when you felt frustrated with the church.
•Think of a time in your life when you really felt in need. Share about that time. What helped you to persevere in that time?


SCRIPTURE STUDY
Read 1 Thessalonians 4: 12-18

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

•In vv. 12-13 Paul asks the Thessalonians to hold those who are over them in high regard and to do so lovingly. Why might this be an important aspect of unity within the Church? Generally in our culture, how would you describe the typical relationship with an overseer? How do those relationships compare to those here in v. 12-13? Think of some examples of people in your life who have “admonished” or “cared” for you in a positive way? Briefly share how that has influenced who you are now?
•vv. 14-15 is a great picture of believers rallying around and encouraging those who are struggling and in need. According to this passage, how crucial of a role does the community play in transforming someone? Have you ever found yourself in a time of need or struggle? How did those around you respond? Did you feel encouraged by a community of believers or did you feel isolated? How did that experience “transform” you? How is loving relationship in community a reflection of God’s love? Please discuss.
•In v. 14 Paul is addressing some sensitive situations. Confronting the disorderly, encouraging the dispirited, and helping those who are weak. Putting yourself in the position of caregiver, what can we learn from this passage about how to confront these situations? Discuss what it looks like for a follower of Jesus to confront, encourage and help those who they are concerned about in a loving way
•Discuss the phrase “what is good for each other” from v. 15. What is the good that Paul is referring too? Does this point of view emphasize the community or the individual? Note the phrase “and for everyone else” in v. 15. As the church practices doing what is good for one another, what kind of impact might that have on those outside of the church? How might you demonstrate God’s love to a non-Christian friend in the context of community?
•According to vv. 16-18 how should you respond to life’s difficulties? How does being a part of a community of believers your attitude towards God? How does loving community help us to respond to hardship?
•Paul says it is God’s will for us to live life this way. But in times of great difficulty these commands seem nearly impossible. Briefly share a time when you gave thanks despite difficult circumstances. What did that look like for you? What helped you to persevere? How did that impact those around you who witnessed your struggle, specifically those who did not know Jesus?


MINISTRY APPLICATION

Below you’ll see some options for ministry time with your group. We always encourage you to reserve time in your group to pray for one another and wait on the Holy Spirit.

•Discuss ways in which you can be more welcoming to those outside of your community. Pray that God would bring more people into your small group. Ask God to use you to communicate his love to the un-churched through loving relationships.
•Pray for those who have been hurt in the past by the church. Invite the Holy Spirit to heal them of any bitterness and pray that they would move closer to forgiveness and to fully embracing the body of believers.
•Pray for those in or outside of your small group who have a serious need. Discuss ways that the need can be met by the community.
•Think of one or two specific people who you have a burden for. Pray for them. If they are not currently or never have attended a church pray for an opportunity to invite them into the community of the church.

Myths only Super Christians are Disciples (Mark 1:16-20)

Click here to download the Study Guide in PDF
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s message, John addresses the myth that only “super-Christians” need to be disciples. The general belief is that we are not qualified or competent enough to be part of God’s plan, and that everyone else is more qualified than we are. However, this is not what we read in the Bible, and in order to break free of that lie we need to realize that being a disciple does not require any prior qualifications or competence. We don’t need to prove ourselves - it’s simply a matter of being called by God. The essence of discipleship is getting close to Jesus and staying close to Jesus, and that’s all that being a disciple requires! Every member of the body of Christ, each and every disciple, is crucially important to God getting His purposes done in the world today. The body of Christ, the church, can’t get anything done without each member contributing its part, big or little, showy or behind-the-scenes. Every disciple is therefore indispensable to the body of Christ

In 5 minutes or less, 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.

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.

•In John’s sermon we learned that being a part of God’s kingdom requires no prior qualifications or competencies, just a reliance on Jesus. Sometimes, God will use us in ways that are so unexpected it is almost humorous! Share some funny stories of times when you found yourself in situations where you’ve felt incredibly unqualified but God still used you anyway.
•Have you ever worked with someone who seemed to be incompetent at their job? How was that person treated by others or by you? In light of John’s sermon, how might you view that person differently then before.
•Think of a time when you felt overlooked for work that you have done. Contrast that with a time when you were acknowledged unexpectedly. How did those moments make you feel? Briefly share.



SCRIPTURE STUDY
Read Ephesians 4:1-16:

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high he lead the captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” 9 (What does he ascended mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

•In vv. 1-3 Paul urges the Church in Ephesus to live a life that is worthy of their calling from Jesus. Discuss the characteristics of a “worthy life.” How does this reflect your life personally; your small group; the church as a whole? Please discuss
•One of the appeals of Paul in this letter is for unity in the church. What are some of the barriers of unity today? Have you personally felt some of these barriers? Please explain.
•Paul refers to himself here, as well as other times in Ephesians, as “a prisoner of the Lord.” Knowing that Paul literally was a prisoner at the time of writing this letter, how does that change the nature of Paul’s appeal for unity, humility and love in your mind? Think of a time when you felt like “a prisoner.” A time you were under spiritual attack, persecution or in a time of trial. How easy or difficult did you find it to live out a life of humility, gentleness, patience and love? Briefly share
•In vv 4-6 Paul uses the word one 7 times and emphasizes the unity of the church as a whole, the unity of peace that comes by the spirit and the unity that believers have in sharing the hope that comes from Jesus’ resurrection. What is Paul saying is central to believers being united? Who must we rely on?
•At v. 7 Paul seems to change gears from the larger church to the individual. What does Paul say Jesus does for the members of the church body (vv. 7&8)? What is your reaction when you read v. 7? Do you believe that God has specifically given gifts to you? Do you believe that only the “super-disciples” receive His gifts?
•According to vv 11-13 what is the purpose of the gifts God gives to us? Are they for our own use or to bless others or both? Think of some times when you really saw your gifts being used to help others become more mature in their faith. Briefly share with the group
•V. 16 is a great summary of the previous versus, emphasizing that any growth in the body comes ultimately from Jesus, but that the church is built up as each member gives away what was given to it. Discuss ways that you see this being practiced in your community?

MINISTRY APPLICATION

Below you’ll see some options for ministry time with your group. We always encourage you to reserve time in your group to pray for one another and wait on the Holy Spirit.

•Do you believe that God has gifts for you or that they are only reserved for the few? Ask those who feel comfortable to share if they are struggling with identifying how God has gifted them. Pray that Jesus would reveal and bless your group with gifts and direct you in how to use them.
•Consider how your small group together might bless those in the community around you? Again, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to direct you.
•Hebrews 10:24 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Encourage each other! Call out the gifts that you see God has given everyone in your small group. Take some time to acknowledge each other for the work that every person does and what it means for the community of the church as a whole. For this is how the church “grows and builds itself up in love!”
•Pray and thank God that He pours out His gifts on us for exactly who we are! Ask for more! Pray for yourself and the members of your small group that Jesus would teach you how to draw nearer to Him this week.