EMBARKING
The Way - Part 2
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
January 15, 2023
Last week, we were challenged to think of the beginning of our spiritual awakening as a pivot - a change in direction - a new orientation toward God. Having embarked on this journey, we begin to see more clearly the exact nature of our problems and how God meets us in our brokenness. As God draws us deeper into Himself, the broken distorted image we have of Him is healed and we are set free. What God does in, through, and for us at this juncture solidifies our commitment to the Way. We become convinced that this is the best Way to do life. So join us for this message and join us on the Way.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.) In Pastor Keith’s introduction, he shared the illustration of a seminary professor who did two surveys of his students. Early in the semester, his survey asked questions about their relationship (or lack thereof) with their fathers. At the close of the theology class that taught extensively about the nature of God, they were given a nearly identical survey but this time the questions were about God Himself. Surprisingly, even after months of great teaching, the students' relationship with God still largely mirrored the relationship they had with their fathers. Can you see any parallels between the relationship you have with your Dad (or even a lack of a relationship) and how that might have affected your own relationship with God? Have you ever noticed this in others?
2.) All of us have sinned (Romans 3.23). But how we define sin is often superficial and centered around external behaviors. The true nature of sin, really the fountainhead of it all, is coveting – wanting our way and wanting that more than what God wants for us. In terms of your biggest struggles and ways in which you have fallen in the past, the root of every sin is somehow linked to coveting. Can you think of an example of this? If we just treat the symptom and ignore the cause, we will just end up repeating our failures. It’s our desires that need to shift. How does that happen?
3.) Jesus modeled for us just how good God is. Think back through His teaching and example and share with the group how Jesus modeled the goodness of God.
4.) When we think in terms of bounded sets, we not only pass judgment on those we think are outside the Christian faith. In addition, we also often pass judgment on our fellow believers because they still remain rough around the edges, and still struggle with besetting sins, in other words, they don’t look like good Christian folk. But redemption begins at our core and depending on how long and how extensive the infection of sin has spread, it may take some time before God’s antidote reaches into all the affected thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Where have you observed this sort of judgmentalism? What’s been your personal experience with this? How can we be a safe place for people in process who are moving deeper and deeper into the heart of God?
5.) Personally, it’s easy to become discouraged because the process of change takes time. Very few of us experience instantaneous transformational change. But we take comfort in knowing that even though we are not yet where we would like to be, the hunger is there, the desire is there, and that in itself is proof of new life in Christ. God gives us both the desire and the ability to accomplish what He wants for our life (Philippians 2.13). But the desire always comes first. In what ways do you experience this? In what ways are you longing for change (you have the desire) but the actual transformation lags behind? How can you as a group support and pray for one another concerning your growing edge?
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/
#real
