9/7 - 9/11 Life Group Question
^ Click “Note” ^ Remember to write down some short notes for each of the questions below before heading to life group.
1.
Share 1 thing that stood out to you about Sunday's Message. (1 minute max please) Also press play button in image above to watch or listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)
2. The Gospel
Mark 1:1
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Mark 1:14-15
14 Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
What is the gospel? What is it that Jesus and the whole bible is telling us that we must “believe” in? (Group Discussion)
Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,
John 21:25
25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Our individual stories of salvation when the power of God in the gospel began to work in us could be considered the “many other things” Jesus has done. What is your salvation story/season/moment? (Each individual)
3. Repentance
Mark 1:2-4
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Malachi 3:1-5
1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. 5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment.
On Sunday Pastor Vaughn talked about the significance of repentance in the salvation that God has offered us in Jesus. PV highlighted that Malachi illuminates the deep cleansing and purifying fire that is associated with John’s baptism of repentance in order to prepare or “make straight” the way of the Lord. Pastor Vaughn showed us that Malachi 3:5 says God comes to judge and asked us to consider repentance as the only intersection point of judgement and forgiveness/salvation. In order not to be judged we must repent and then we can be forgiven/saved.
Why is repentance required for salvation? What makes repentance difficult? Is repentance a one time thing at the moment of salvation or an ongoing thing? Why is repentance connected with cleansing and purifying fire? Is repentance mental, verbal, or physical? (Group Discussion)
4. Follow Me & I Will Make You
Mark 1:16-18
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
On Sunday Pastor Vaughn asked us to consider that Jesus called fishermen to become fishers of men. The idea was that who we see ourselves as and believe ourselves to be in the deepest parts of our hearts and minds is important. While there are always the lies about our identity that have to be renounced and left behind, there is also very often the seed of true identity that Jesus wants to water and watch grow. Peter and Andrew didn’t fish for a living anymore but they still found life in casting nets for sinners and bringing the unknown into the boat of fellowship with Jesus. They used their physical strength and courage to go into uncharted and restless waters. And because of their labor many people were able to eat & be nourished & be strengthened. Their true identity was released in Christ and multiplied rather than being removed.
What are the truest and deepest parts of your identity that God is asking you to “Follow Him” with? Has He already made you “more” in that area and if so, how? If you are considering following Him in that area how might Jesus do “more” in you and with that part of your true identity? (Each Individual)
* Remember to pray for each other before heading home from life group and to stay in communication here in the app throughout the week on your life group messaging thread!