Run to Win
February 21, 2010 · Filed Under Sermon Study Guides · Comment
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
- Read the text for this sermon and read Philippians 2:12-13. Talk about the tension produced in these texts regarding the nature of salvation and the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints.
- Respond to this statement: “We are always training ourselves spiritually in one direction or another.” Do you agree or disagree. As you think about this question look up 1 Timothy 4:7 and 2 Peter 2:14.
- Why is spiritually training as a Christian so difficult? Did any of the reasons given in the sermon stand out to you?
- Think about the stages and/or elements involved in a physical workout regimen. What parallels can you draw to the spiritual life?
- Discuss the following statement: “When I discipline myself I put myself in a position at some point in the future to do by direct effort what I cannot now do by direct effort.”
- Formulate your own question from this text to share with the group.
- Pray for one another to live lives of personal spiritual discipline. Each person in the group should share one area of spiritual weakness that they want the rest of the group to be praying for.
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An Apostolic Resolve: Let Nothing Hinder the Gospel
February 14, 2010 · Filed Under Sermon Study Guides · Comment
1 Corinthians 9:1-23
- Summarize Paul’s overall goal in this text. How does it relate to the broader context or 8:1-11:1?
- Name some ways that we get in the way of the Gospel going forward.
- What are you “putting up with” for the sake of the Gospel? What did Paul “put up with”?
- Talk together about how Paul became like the following people: the Jews/those under the Law (consider Acts. 16:1-5; 18:18; 21:21-26 and 2 Cor. 11:24), those not under the Law/Gentiles (consider Gal. 1:13-16 and Galatians as a whole), and the weak (Weak in what way?)
- How can and does the idea of “becoming all things to all men” get abused? What are some good guidelines or principles to keep in view when applying this text? In context, to what does the “all” refer?
- Formulate your own question from this text to share with the group.
- Pray for one another to not let anything hinder the Gospel. Repent of ways you may have hindered it in lifestyle, relationships or other interactions.
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Concerns for the Church
February 7, 2010 · Filed Under Sermon Study Guides · Comment
1 Thessalonians 3:1-10
- While in a personally difficult situation, Paul sends Timothy to encourage and strengthen the Thessalonian church. What does this tell you about the importance of community? More specifically, what does this tell you about the importance of leadership within community?
- In 1 Thess. 3:3, Paul informs believers that they are destined for trials. Why is this not a popular message in America today? What should our attitude be towards difficulties, trials and hardship? Why did Paul inform the Thessalonians that trials were coming (v. 4) and what is the application for us today?
- Look at verse 5. What is Paul’s fear? Why is Paul concerned about Satan and how should that inform our attitude towards him?
- Take a closer look at verses 6-9. What can we learn about encouragement from these verses?
- Pray for your faith that it may grow and be strengthened. Pray also that Lifeline would be a community that encourages others.
- What can we learn about prayer from verse 10? What does it mean to pray “night and day”? What can you do to strengthen your prayer life?
- What does Paul mean in verse 10 when he says he wants to supply what is lacking in their faith? What might be lacking in your faith and what can you do about it?
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