Small Group Studies

Where Heaven Meets Earth: Week 4

 

BIG IDEA

During the weekend message, we were reminded that in order to understand what we treasure, we just need to look at what we are willing to sacrifice for. Indeed, we will sacrifice anything to attain what we treasure most. While there are many things that people treasure in this world that they would sacrifice for, nothing is greater for followers of Christ than God and His Kingdom. Indeed, He is worth sacrificing everything for. 

 

BREAK THE ICE

What treasures are most people seeking after today?

 

WATCH SERMON RECAP HERE

 

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Bible Study

1. Read Isaiah 29:13a. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about what God desires from His people when it comes to our worship and sacrifice?

Isaiah 29:13a

And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

2. Read Romans 12:1-2. What kind of sacrifice is God looking for from His people, according to this passage of Scripture?

Romans 12:1-2

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

3. Compare and contrast the two ways of living in this passage of Scripture.

4. What is the result of obeying God’s words in Romans 12:1-2? 

 

Application

1. What holds people back from worshiping God through their sacrifices?

2. What does it look like in our world today to be “living” sacrifices?

3. Is there any sacrifice that God has called you to make in order to offer your life as a living sacrifice before Him?

 

MOVING FORWARD

Commit to memorizing Romans 12:1 as a group. Let this passage of Scripture remind you often of God’s call for each of us to be “living” sacrifices before Him. Before you end, take a few moments to pray together, asking God to help each one of you as you seek to live out His call to offer your lives as living sacrifices. 

 

GOING DEEPER

Our time on earth is short. We cannot buy more time, and we cannot go back in time. As a result, one way we worship God and sacrifice to Him is by making the most of our time. One of the most important things we can do with our time is regularly attend church with other believers. Let's take a few moments to look at how we can make the most of our time at church. 

 

Make Church a Priority

We all have so many commitments and keep such busy schedules that we often find busyness to be an excuse for putting off what is most important, especially when it comes to our relationships with God. While busyness leaves us feeling as if we have no margin in our schedule, the truth is that we always make time for what is important to us. This includes church. We honor God when we make church a priority in our lives.

1. Read Luke 4:14-21.

Luke 4:14-21

14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” 20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” 

2. What was Jesus’ habit regarding going to the synagogue?

3. What are the benefits of gathering to worship regularly?

4. When it comes to your habit of regularly attending church to worship, how is there room for growth?

 

Come to Church Prepared

For many, attending church has become so routine that getting ready to enter church has become second nature. We walk into church without preparing our hearts for what God might have to say to us. One of the ways we can honor God when we come to church is coming prepared, ready to hear what He has to say.

1. Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-2.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

1 As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. 2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.

2. Summarize the instruction in this passage of Scripture.

3. Why are we called to prepare ourselves to worship according to this passage of Scripture?

4. How is there room for growth in your life when it comes to being prepared to come to church to worship God?

 

Participate in the Weekend Service:

Some attend church with the mindset of a spectator. They want to know how the service will impact them and if they will enjoy the worship songs that are sung at the service. The truth is that worship is not about spectating. It is about participating with a group of Christ followers in singing, worshiping, and praising the God of the universe who reigns supreme above everything. 

1. Read Ephesians 5:15-20.

Ephesians 5:15-20

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. What does it look like to live “filled with the Holy Spirit” according to this passage of Scripture?

3. What does it look like today to participate in worship?

4. When it comes to coming to church and participating in worshiping God, how is there room for growth in your own life?

 

Reflect:

Think for a moment about your life. Which of these areas would you like to grow the most: making church a priority, coming to church prepared to worship, or participating in worship? Share that with your group, along with one step you can implement this week to grow in that area. Commit to taking these steps over the next week to grow, and ask God to help you as you seek to take these steps.