Accountability
What did it look like this week to practice crawling up onto the altar and offering yourself as a living sacrifice, daily? Did it change how you honored and served the Lord?
Did you practice only saying what the Holy Spirit is leading you to say? If yes, how so? If not, why not?
What did it look like to surrender all situations and circumstances to the Lord this week? Did you remind yourself that He is in control often? Were there situations that you know you held back giving it completely to God?
Sermon Recap
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines propel this way; to drive forward or onward as if by means of a force that imparts motion.
This idea of forward motion conveys activity. When something or someone is propelled forward it is not idle but rather it is moving, it is doing something.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” ~ Jesus (John 14:12 NLT)
These words of Jesus are spoken to His disciples in the Gospel of John. It is Holy Thursday, they are in the middle of last supper. Time is running out. In His final moments with His disciples Jesus tells them a powerful truth. He essentially tells them, “My work here is not done, it will continue you on with you, my disciples.” His work of paying the penalty for sin and defeated death will be complete in mere hours on the cross. However, the work of bringing the Gospel to the world, making disciples of all nations, illuminating God’s plan through His Son…that work is just getting started. To be a disciple of Jesus is not to merely believe in Him, but it is to be actively engaged in His ministry, to become more like Him so that the world might know Him. Faith in Jesus is not passive, it is active. It comes with an expectation of doing.
Key Scripture
Read through these passages together:
John 14:12
James 1:22
1 John 2:1-6
James 2:14-20
Discussion Questions
Discuss together, pushing yourself toward transparency. The more we are authentic and humble with one another, the more we can grow in Christ.
Why is it not enough to simply “believe” in Jesus?
Give some examples of how you have seen people’s faith lived out? How have you lived out your faith so that it impacts others?
When James said that we cannot simply be hearers of God’s Word but we must be doers of it, what does that practically look like? How have you seen it lived out in others? How have you lived that out or is it something you struggle to do?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
A life of obedience is what we long for. In our desire to pursue you and reveal Jesus may we never stand still. Sourced by the Holy Spirit may we always be moving forward for your kingdom, living in obedience to everything you have called us to do. Father, take away a spirit of fear, doubt, or hesitation that might hinder us from walking in the example that Jesus demonstrated for us. May we never forget that You have called us to be you ambassadors, Your witnesses in this world for the Gospel of Christ. May we never be passive in our faith but rather active, engaged, and ready to do all that You desire us to do.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen
Life Application
This week, demonstrate one attribute of Jesus consistently in your daily life; love, grace, compassion, mercy, etc. How did that impact those around you? How did that change your perspective on others?
Ask God for divine encounters this week. Moments where you can flex your obedience muscle to not just know God’s truth but to actually live it out.
Every evening reflect on one way that you were able to put your faith into action that day. Offer it up as a prayer of thanksgiving that God chooses to use you and ask for increased opportunities to simply be Jesus.