January 17, 2011
You Are Here Week 3: Community
Posted by Michael
Learn:
Matthew 28:16 – 20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Main Idea:
This is the final week of the You Are Here series. The series has looked at the three most important things we can commit our lives to. In Week 1 we looked at our commitment to Christ. In Week 2 we looked at our commitment to building the Kingdom of God. And this week, Week 3, we looked at our commitment to others. When Jesus told His disciples to go out into the world, He told them to do it together. Jesus gave us the command to love one another, as He has loved us. Love is one of the most beautiful and powerful things a person can ever encounter. It can also lead to heartache and distress. Jesus Himself knew this. Jesus loved His disciples fully, despite knowing he’d be abandoned and even betrayed by them. Whenever you decide to love someone, or commit to do life with a community of fellow believers, you risk getting hurt. Despite this risk, we must pour into others because Jesus loved us enough to die in our place. Seeing genuine community lived out among His followers is important to Him.
Know What: Because Jesus loves us, we can love and pour into others.
So What: Loving like Jesus means to remain deeply devoted to people who might disappoint you.
Now What: Love people, even when it is not easy or convenient. To do that well, make Jesus the most important person in your life.
Discuss…
1. Do you think it was hard for the disciples to love each other? If so, can you give any examples from Scripture?
2. Why do you think Jesus chose to love His disciples despite knowing they would betray Him? Why are community relationships so important to Him?
3. What are some ways you have seen Christian community lived out well in your life?
4. Describe a time when you have been disappointed by someone (or a group of people) you trusted. Did this event change the way you feel about loving others?
5. Isaac said that in the Kingdom of God, an unbreakable heart is worse than a broken one. Do you agree with this statement? Have you ever tried to protect your heart by keeping it hidden from others? What happened?
6. Going off of #5, if someone does have an “unbreakable” heart, what do you think the cure is to soften it?
7. Who are some people who have made huge emotional and spiritual investments in your life? How has their love for you shaped who you are today?
8. Who are some people in your life you would like to pour into and love? What are some things that get in the way of investing fully into their lives? Is there one small step you can take this week to spend time with them?
9. Why is loving others often such a hard thing to do? Have you ever felt too “empty” and in need of love yourself to pour out to others? What are some ways you can be filled up by God so that it is His love flowing out from you?
Next Steps…
According to Cooley’s “looking glass self” theory, a person’s self worth is established by what he thinks the most important person in his life thinks of him. Knowing and believing that God loves you is paramount if you are to love others well. This week, think about who you get your value from. Reflect on how much God loves you and spend some time being filled by Him so you have enough love to pour into others.
