DATE: MAY 11-12, 2013
SERIES: CHRISTIAN?
MESSAGE: HOW SWEET IT IS
PASSAGE: JOHN 1:1-6, 14-17
INTRODUCTION – 10 MINUTES
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE: HAVE EACH PERSON IN YOUR GROUP SAY TWO TRUE THINGS ABOUT THEMSELVES AND ONE LIE AND THEN HAVE PEOPLE GUESS WHICH IS THE LIE.
Leader note: You may not have time for every person to share – but try to get as many as possible to talk.
OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES
READ JOHN 1:1-6, 14-17. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT JESUS?
Leader note: John the Baptist was building a sense of anticipation for Jesus.
Commentary:
- Word was God
- Jesus is eternal
- Jesus is “Word”
- Source of all knowledge
- All power
- Overcomes darkness
- The “Word” becomes flesh – incarnate, higher power in our midst
- Dwelling – tabernacle
- Full of grace and truth
- John told us about Hi
- We received grace in Him
- Grace upon grace upon grace
UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF GOD’S TRUTH?
Leader note: There are several questions in this area, so don’t spend too much time on any one question. You will be looking at both truth and grace and answering the same questions about each one.
Commentary:
- It serves as an anchor
- It is a foundation
- Plum line – a place to gauge when something is not truth
- Guide
- Accountability
- Wisdom
- Understanding and knowledge
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH LIVING BY TRUTH ONLY?
Leader note: Another way to ask this question would be, “look at the answers from the previous question, what happens when you try to live up to the truth – and can’t?
Commentary:
- The truth points out, highlights all that isn’t true, anytime you miss
- It Convicts
- It can be brutal
- You usually end up with shame and guilt because you can’t measure up
- You feel excluded from those who seem to be fine.
WHAT HAVE YOU OBSERVED ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LIVE FOCUSED ON TRUTH?
Leader note: Think of groups or friends that you’ve been around that seem to be “full of truth” and only truth. How do they talk about other people? About themselves?
Commentary:
- Comparison – labeling
- Better than and best
- Superior theology
- Learn judgment – looking only at the externals and relating it to the internal (their heart) – there is no way they can know the heart – God looks at the heart.
WHAT LIFESTYLE RESULTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE FULL OF TRUTH ONLY?
Commentary: Considering no one can live a perfect life, meeting all of the requirements of God’s truth, what happens to people who value only truth? Hide/image management/veneer/lack of honesty
WHAT’S THE VALUE OF GOD’S GRACE?
Commentary:
- Freedom
- Forgiveness
- Gentleness
- Safety
- Gift
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM BY LIVING BY GRACE ONLY?
Commentary:
- No accountability
- Recklessness on your part and the group part
- License
- Not loving – but has the illusion of love
- Feels loving, but really whips you around in the end
- Can’t grow
WHAT HAVE YOU OBSERVED ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LIVE FOCUSED ON GRACE?
Leader note: One example would be how grandparents spoil kids and then the parents have to undo everything and set boundaries and rules again when they come back home. Or in relationships, never holding anyone accountable – being “tolerant” to the point of immorality running rampant.
APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES
WHAT WOULD YOUR SPOUSE OR GOOD FRIEND SAY ABOUT YOU AND WHICH SIDE YOU LEAN TOWARD?
AND WHEN? WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES?
Leader note: Think of the different areas and relationships in your life – not from your point of view but instead from your spouse’s perspective or that of a close friend. This is usually a more honest way to consider your position. It’s even helpful to choose an area for each side – for instance possibly you fall toward truth telling with your spouse, but grace with your children. By having the group consider where they fall either way they can observe what motivates their response, and recognize the value of being full of both – not balanced where it can be 60% grace and 40% truth, but rather 100% of both.
WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF THAT KEEPS YOU FROM EMBRACING EITHER GRACE OR TRUTH?
Leader note: Pay attention to the story, figure out where they fall off if they have a hard time finding it themselves.
LIVE IT OUT
What if we lived with both grace and truth?