Whole: A Theology of the Law

October 24/25, 2015


Scripture
Romans 7:7-25


Memory Verse

Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide 
by Timothy Keller, Pgs 43-48


For deeper study beyond the study guide
Romans 1-7 for You by Timothy Keller, Pgs 161-172
Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide by Timothy Keller, Pgs 80-83


Week 7 - Romans 7:7-25 video from Pastor Paul

Whole: A Theology of Justification

October 10/11, 2015


Scripture
Romans 5:1-21


Memory Verse

Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide 
by Timothy Keller, Pgs 31-36


For deeper study beyond the study guide
Romans 1-7 for You by Timothy Keller, Pgs 109-136
Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide by Timothy Keller, Pgs 70-74


Week 5 - Romans 5:1-21 video from Pastor Paul

Broken: A Theology of Promise

October 3/4, 2015


Scripture
Romans 4:1-25


Memory Verse

Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide 
by Timothy Keller, Pgs 25-30


For deeper study beyond the study guide
Romans 1-7 for You by Timothy Keller, Pgs 95-108
Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide by Timothy Keller, Pgs 66-70


Week 4 - Romans 4:1-25 video from Pastor Paul

Broken: A Theology of Faith

September 26/27, 2015


Scripture
Romans 3:1-31


Memory Verse

Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide 
by Timothy Keller, Pgs 19-24


For deeper study beyond the study guide
Romans 1-7 for You by Timothy Keller, Pgs 65-94
Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide by Timothy Keller, Pgs 61-65


Week 3 - Romans 3:1-31 video from Pastor Paul

Broken: A Theology of Sin

September 19/20, 2015


Scripture
Romans 1:18-2:29


Memory Verse

Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide 
by Timothy Keller, Pgs 13-18

For deeper study beyond the study guide
Romans 1-7 for You by Timothy Keller, Pgs 25-64
Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide by Timothy Keller, Pgs 56-61


Week 2 - Romans 3:23-24 video from Pastor Paul

The Journey

September 12/13, 2015


Scripture
Romans 1:1-17


Memory Verse

Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide 
by Timothy Keller, Pgs 7-12


For Deeper Study
Romans 1-7 for You by Timothy Keller, Pgs 11-24
Romans 1-7 The Gift of God study guide by Timothy Keller, Pgs 52-55


Week 1 - Romans 1:1-17 video from Pastor Paul

I Belong: Whatever You Do...

September 5/6, 2015

READ
"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."  Genesis 2:15

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27

"Who is the head of the body and who reconciles all things . . . "  Colossians 1:15-20

“Since then you have been raised with Christ.”  Colossians 3:1

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.”  1 Peter 2:9-12

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  1 Colossians 3:17

CONSIDER & DISCUSS

In the western world, work is often our identity. The first question we usually ask when meeting someone is, "Where do you work? What do you do?" We can sometimes be snubbed if we don't answer that just right. Some work is perceived to be more important than other work. But is that true in God's eyes? As you think about life stories from the Bible, what sorts of occupations, if any, does God consider to be valuable?

WHY DO YOU WORK?
HOW SHOULD WE WORK?
As members of Christ ...and in whom we have been raised. 

WHERE SHOULD WE WORK?
Everywhere and in everything that does not conflict with our identity.

IS WORK YOUR IDENTITY?

IS WORK OVERSHADOWING YOUR LIFE?

DO YOU UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF GOD IN YOUR WORK OR YOUR "UNOFFICIAL" WORK?

NEXT STEPS
HELP EACH OTHER TO RE-IMAGINE YOUR WORK
· Gain God’s vision: Imagine how God feels about your work and how it touches the lives around you.
· Contextualize yourself in the Kingdom: Imagine how your work ties into the Kingdom work.
· Seek opportunities to bring life and healing: How can your work speak life into others? What can you do to make a difference in your family and your community?
HELP EACH OTHER TO RE-EVALUATE YOUR WORK
· Leave behind what is incompatible with your identity: Do you know who you really are? Who God designed you to be? (If you'd like to learn more, sign up for Discover Your Design on September 23 or October 28.) Are you living in the fullness of how God designed you? If not, you may need to make a big step to let go of the things that don't bring you life and joy.
· Pursue where God might be leading you: Do you feel God asking you to make a change? Do you need to take a step in faith? How might that be hard to do? How can you press into what God may be calling you to?

PRAY TOGETHER FOR YOUR WORK
God of heaven and earth, we pray for Your kingdom to come, for Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Teach us how to see our vocations and occupations as woven into Your work in the world this week. For mothers at home who care for children, for those whose labor forms our common life in this city, the nation and the world, for those who serve the marketplace of ideas and commerce, for those whose creative gifts nourish us all, for those whose callings take them into the academy, for those who long for employment that satisfies their souls and serves You, for each one we pray, asking for Your great mercy. Give us eyes to see that our work is holy to You, O Lord, even as our worship this day is holy to You. In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

I Belong: Making Things Better

August 29/30, 2015


READ Matthew 16:13-20
CONSIDER using biblehub.com to dig a little deeper into this scripture passage.

The question that makes all the difference: Who is Jesus? v. 13-17

• Who do you say that Jesus is? How do you know? 
• Who do others around you say that Jesus is? Do you know why?
• How do you continue to discover who Jesus truly is? 
• In what ways does Jesus reveal Himself to you?

Who builds the church on what? v. 18

Jesus is building His church and we are the stones. We are rough and unpolished, but He begins to shave off those edges until He can stack us together with grace and love as mortar. For 2000 years He's been building us together to provide shelter for others to heal and grow. What other questions or thoughts do you have regarding this verse?

Jesus also speaks of the gates of Hades being broken through by the church. TALK about how you feel about this idea. 

• If you're the church, what does that mean for you? 
• How do you break through the gates of Hades? 
• Are you taking steps to do so?

What is Jesus' view of the church? v. 19-20

Word Study from Bible Hub - (Vincent's Word Studies)

• Keys (κλεῖδας)   The similitude corresponding to build. The church or kingdom is conceived as a house, of which Peter is to be the steward, bearing the keys. "Even as he had been the first to utter the confession of the church, so was he also privileged to be the first to open its hitherto closed gates to the Gentiles, when God made choice of him, that, through his mouth, the Gentiles should first hear the words of the Gospel, and at his bidding first be baptized" (Edersheim, "Life and Times of Jesus").
• Bind - loose (δήσῃς - λύσῃς)   In a sense common among the Jews, of forbidding or allowing. No other terms were in more constant use in Rabbinic canon-law than those of binding and loosing. They represented the legislative and judicial powers of the Rabbinic office. These powers Christ now transferred, and that not in their pretension, but in their reality, to his apostles; the first, here, to Peter, as their representative, the second, after his resurrection, to the church (John 20:23, Edersheim). "This legislative authority conferred upon Peter can only wear an offensive aspect when it is conceived of as possessing an arbitrary character, and as being in no way determined by the ethical influences of the Holy Spirit, and when it is regarded as being of an absolute nature, as independent of any connection with the rest of the apostles. Since the power of binding and loosing, which is here conferred upon Peter, is ascribed (Matthew 18:18) to the apostles generally, the power conferred upon the former is set in its proper light, and shown to be of necessity a power of a collegiate nature, so that Peter is not to be regarded as exclusively endowed with it, either in whole or in part, but is simply to be looked upon as first among his equals" (Meyer on Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18).  

Pastor Paul talked about the bottom line of this verse: Jesus' view is that the church is a group of people who make things better. Jesus has given us the keys and the authority of the kingdom to make things "on earth as it is in heaven." (Matt 6:10b) Pastor Paul: "I believe that the church of Jesus Christ is the greatest force for good in the world. I believe the Chippewa Valley needs us to be the church even if they don’t realize it or will ever appreciate the church."

Fortress vs. Parish
SPEND some time talking about what it means to the world if we lock ourselves in our fortresses. What does it mean if we live our lives as a parish? How messy is it to live with a parish mindset? How do we protect ourselves from those who don't realize they need the church or appreciate the church?

Gathered vs. Scattered
What if we thought about churches like they're gas stations? We collect in one of several locations to fuel up and then we're off on our individual adventures. Thinking along this line, what kind of vehicle are you? A yugo? A minivan? A tow truck or bus or semi trailer? Maybe you're a jeep wrangler climbing the rugged mountains. No matter what kind of vehicle we may be, we all have a purpose and a journey to travel. What happens when we don't care for our vehicles? What happens when we don't refill our tanks? What happens when it's miles and miles between gas stations? MAKE a plan to continuing to care for your soul. BE INTENTIONAL  and SPECIFIC about your travel plans.

So what does this all mean for you and me?

PRAY together as a group for insight into how you can gather and scatter. PRAY for strength to live out the authority you've been given to bring heaven to earth. PRAY for Jesus to continue to reveal Himself to you as you go.

Finally, CHAT with your small group about how you can go out together to make a difference in the Chippewa Valley. Maybe you're already working a plan, but maybe you haven't considered yet how God may scatter you to make the community better. If that's your group, begin talking about the things that break your heart that God may be calling you to step into. CONSIDER attending Discover Your Design to learn more about how God made you to serve in a way that's life-giving to you.

I Belong: Be the Church

August 22/23, 2015

READ 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10

• What stands out to you about these verses?
• Who does God say you are?
• What is your purpose according to this passage?
• What is the thing that connects you to each other?

Community requires contribution

Community requires commitment

DISCUSS with your group how contribution and commitment connect to these verses. TALK about how the 5 commitments at Jacob's Well are lived out together. How do these commitments help us become like Jesus? GIVE examples from the Gospels of how Jesus lived the commitments in His own life and/or taught His disciples how to live in this manner?

WORSHIP  We commit to love and honor God with our whole lives.

BELONG  We commit to be responsible for our own spiritual growth.

GROW  We commit to healthy, Christ-centered relationships.

SERVE  We commit to serving others through our strengths.

SHARE  We commit to sharing our stories and God’s story.

• Have you ever considered that God hasn't just called you out individually, but as a small group? as a church? as a community? as a part of something bigger than yourself?
• What does it mean to belong to each other and for each other?
• How committed do you feel you are? to each other? to God?
• Do you consider yourself to be a contributor or a consumer? 
• Do you feel overwhelmed with where to begin? How so?

STUDY: Do a search for the word "ekklesia" and find out what it means. Where does it come from? How is it used in the Bible? What can you learn from studying this word?

READ John 17:20-23

Jesus prays for our relationship with the Father, our relationships with each other, and our relationships in the world. SPEND some time praying as a group for each of these things. 

I Belong: Counting Sheep

August 15/16, 2015


READ Matthew 18:10-14; 
   Luke 15:1-7; Matthew 9:36; Matthew 10:6

PRAY as a group for insight on these passages.

THINK about and ANSWER these questions as you study the verses above.

• What is your favorite sentence or verse from these passages? Why?
• What are a few of the most crucial words in these verses?
• Is there anything in these verses that's challenging or confusing? Why?
• How can we see Christ through these passages? Describe the characteristics of God as you view them through the shepherd.
• What insights do you see?
• What conclusions can you make? 

Let's TALK about counting sheep. You likely came to the conclusion that Jesus cares for lost sheep. Sheep count to God, and we want to count sheep. You matter and others matter too. "We are God's masterpiece. He has created us so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Eph 2:10 

At Jacob's Well, we're going after the lost sheep. You can help by letting us know you're here by filling out a super communication card if you haven't done so already. This fall we'll be calling those who don't respond to find out where they're at on their journey.

The big question: Are you the shepherd or the sheep? 

*** Perhaps you're feeling like a lost sheep. We all have our seasons of feeling lost. We encourage you to lean on your small group for support and guidance. Truly, that's what a small group is meant for.

*** If you see yourself more as the shepherd, then how can you begin to go after the lost sheep? What's God calling you to? What's your next step?

WORSHIP 
A shepherd is dependent upon weather, vegetation, and protection from predators. All of those are under God's control, therefore, the shepherd is dependent on God's grace. When we recognize the grace of God in our lives, it's only natural that we worship and thank Him. Is God calling you to worship more fully or regularly? Have you ever done a study of what it means to worship God? Hint: It's more than music. What does it look like to worship God with our whole life?

BELONG
Sheep belong together with other sheep and with their shepherd. This is how they survive and thrive. Since you're reading the small group study guide, you likely already belong to a group. How has your group helped you survive and thrive? Is God calling your group to reach out to other individuals to join your group? Is He calling your small group to get involved together to make an impact? Is He placing individuals in your lives that you can encourage and support emotionally, financially, or to take another step? THINK of one person? PICK one thing you can do this week to reach out to them by calling, writing or inviting them to come back to church.

This fall our church is going to be studying the book of Romans. We’re challenging you as a group to dig deeper into this amazing book. Also, the devotions will lead you to not just read Romans, but to begin a more serious Bible study. We’re encouraging you to BRING your Bible to church, MEMORIZE a verse of scripture every week, and MAKE a prayer commitment as part of this series. You can also CHECK OUT the @home Center for resources that will challenge you and help you grow. Will you and your group commit to study through the book of Romans with the church? If so, let Tony know at tony@jacobswellec.org.

GROW
READ 1 Samuel 17:34-37. You can bet when David needed to fight off the lion and the bear, he grew...stronger, braver, wiser. When a shepherd sets off to find a lost sheep, he's sure to grow as well...more caring, wiser, more courageous. How is God calling you to grow? Do you have a regular prayer or study time? Is there someone you can mentor? Do you need to invite someone to join you at church? Do you need to reach out to someone who's walked away from God and see how they're doing? SET a time this week to connect with God, and SET a time to connect with a friend or family member.

Maybe you're unsure of what God is calling you to do. This fall we are also offering Discover Your Design on September 23 and October 28. In this class you’ll learn how God has designed you with gifts, passions, abilities that make you a perfect fit in a ministry area. COME and LEARN more about yourself so that you can serve God, His church and others better. This teaching could improve every part of your life.

SERVE
What does a shepherd sacrifice for the benefit of his sheep? How does he serve his sheep for their own survival and growth? What small way can you serve others in order to show you care for their well-being? Is God calling you to take a next step in sacrificing your time, talents, or treasure in a great way? We have Serve Tours on September 26/27&30 and October 31/November 1&4. Every week it takes hundreds of volunteers to make Jacob’s Well the amazing place we love. We’d love to have you join us in helping others take steps to know and become like Jesus.

SHARE
A church isn't just a denomination or a building or a staff. It's all of us who follow Christ. WE ALL are the church. In a way, we all are the sheep as Christ is the Good Shepherd. In another way, we are the shepherd tending the sheep for the Owner of the sheep. So as you think of yourself as a shepherd, what are some ways that you can draw others into the presence of the Owner? What are ways you can love others like the Owner loves them?

CONSIDER opening seats in the Auditorium for those who are new to Jacob's Well by moving to the North Venue. This is a great way to share Christ with others by ensuring people aren't turned away from a service. There are many who love the small coziness of the North Venue, and you may too!

In order for the church to be all that it can be, it takes resources to accomplish meeting all the needs within a congregation and a community. This fall at Jacob’s Well, we are asking people to recommit to giving the tithe. The giving of tithes and offerings is another very critical part of being the church. If this is a growth area for you, CONTEMPLATE going back and listening to a message from March 22, 2015 called the King of Skittles.             

   jacobswellec.org/media.php?pageID=95   

Getting God’s view of money could change your whole life.

Parenting Through Turbulent Waters

June 20/21, 2015



If you're a parent, did you truly understand what you were getting into when you're first child was born? The depth of love that surfaces when holding your child for the first time. The total inadequacy in caring for your little one who can't tell you exactly what's bothering him/her and only cries for help. Then there are the late nights, never ending diapers, exhaustion, tag team dinners, potty training, the stomach flu, and so many other challenges. Not to mention experiencing life for the first time again through the eyes of your child, thousands of hugs, playtime, cuddling. Joy. Laughter. And always the love that spontaneously erupts like a geyser that surprises us and takes our breath away. 

Kids grow up though and begin to pull away from us. That's totally normal and how God designed us. Most come through adolescence with a few scars from friends or poor choices. But some kids have medical issues that are overwhelming. And then there are kids who've made seriously bad choices with seriously bad consequences. And sometimes there are kids who seem to walk away from their faith. It breaks your heart, and sometimes even stops your world. How do you get through those times? Those terrifying turbulent waters?

READ John 17; Acts 2:42
The Trinity is all about relationship and the unity of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The relational makeup of God Himself provides an example of how we are to be in relationship with Him and with others. He invites us, all together, to be in community with Him. This community becomes our anchor in the storms of life. DISCUSS with your group how community has been helpful to you in hard times. Who was there to give you encouragement? Who was praying for you? Who helped you keep your head above water? How have you been a source of strength for your friends and family?

TALK about how you've communicated through the turbulent waters of parenting. Did you talk to God about what you're going through? Did you go it alone? Did you isolate yourself? Did you try to educate yourself or see these challenges from another person's perspective? Did you open up to those closest to you? Your spouse? Your kids? Did you find friends to lean on and get insight from? THINK about how you responded to adversity.

READ John 16:33

There's something comforting and disconcerting both about this verse. We hear from God that we WILL have trouble. *sigh*   And at the same time He shares His peace with us. We are to take heart, to have courage, and in those words we find comfort. SPEND some time talking about your fears. Are you afraid of the future? Of failure? Of weakness? 

Christ's strength comes in acknowledging Him as our leader. Whew! We don't have to carry the responsibility of our kids alone! We also get strength by staying in the scriptures and in prayer. Again, this goes back to being in community with God. He is more than willing to impart His wisdom and peace. There's also strength in loving others as God loves. We can find joy in taking our focus off of our situations and helping those in need. REFLECT on how you've found strength in Christ during times of trouble. SHARE with your small group. Maybe something that's worked for you will inspire others.

READ Luke 22:31-32

What are your first thoughts about this passage? PICK it apart, phrase by phrase, and consider what it means for your own families. PRAY together for your family members in a strategic and specific way.

On Earth as it is in Heaven: Come to Worship

June 13/14, 2015





READ Revelation 4:1-11

Worship = the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity

There's so much in this passage that is worthy of our adoration, and there are others in this scripture who are also worshiping God. FIND the phrases that create a feeling of true awe in you, and SPEND some time discussing them. What surprises you, scares you, inspires you? 

• Do you believe God is in need of your worship?
• Do you expect God to reveal himself during worship?
• How often are you in awe of God? 
• How enthusiastic are you in your participation and adoration? 
• What is God revealing about Himself that is worth your worship? 
• Do you expect to be transformed as you respond to God? 
• How have you been transformed during worship?

READ Revelation 1:9-18

What are we to do when Jesus shows up? In this passage, Paul fell at the feet of Jesus as if he was dead. This is easy to imagine for those of us who are aware of the dark places in our hearts. How can we even be worthy to be in His holy presence? But Jesus says, "Fear not." What would you be most fearful of if you were face-to-face with Jesus?

So, what is Revelation really about? Often it's seen as the story of the end of the world, the great apocalypse. At least, that's what people focus on. But LOOK deeper. Isn't it really about God's grand plan? Throughout the millenia, people have chosen the depths of depravity rather than God. Even so, He has this beautiful design to introduce Himself to people one-by-one beginning as early as Adam and Eve but then again with Abraham and the Israelites and ending with Jesus' revelation. We have a picture of who Jesus is in the Gospels, but even the disciples didn't fully understand Him and they were in His presence. We get a glimpse of who He is in Revelation, but we cannot comprehend who He truly is. How can we really understand that He's the first and the last, that He's eternal, and He has full control over life and death? We may always be in a place of discovery of who Jesus is, this God without edges or limits. And THAT, my friend, is worth our continual adoration. Our fully participating, soul expanding, sacrificial, transformational worship.

This sort of worship flows out of us. We can't hold it in because of the enormity of it all. We become good people from whom good things naturally flow. We LIVE worship when God is central in our lives, when love and truth and His word and His mercy all reign in our souls. These things reflect the nature and character of Jesus as we take steps to know and become like Jesus.

REFLECT on where you're at in your worship. CONSIDER how your life reflects how you keep God at the center of your life. SHARE with others in your group. CELEBRATE where you're at on your journey of worship...the steps you've taken so far really mean something. ASK for feedback on what you may be able to do to take another step in your worship of God. 

On Earth as it is in Heaven: Living Sacrifice

June 6/7, 2015


READ Romans 12:1-2
These two verses are jam packed full of goodness. The word "therefore" in scripture is a way of finding the best words to highlight. We can see this with the Apostle Paul's next words, "I urge you." In other words, "Pay attention, this is the most important part." As distracting as life can be, how likely are you to pay attention to what God is trying to say to you?

"In view of God's mercy...this is your true and proper worship." God's mercy calls us to worship. By definition, mercy is being given a gift you haven't earned or don't deserve. Jesus gave his life to pay for our sins. His own death paid for the death we deserve so that we might have life. This is the greatest mercy of all time. 

There are those who follow Jesus who understand this sort of mercy, the kind you find in the depths of despair. When Jesus pulls you out of a pit so deep you can't crawl out yourself, you are grateful. The natural outpouring of gratitude for mercy this enormous is to worship God. With all your heart. With all your soul. The Apostle Paul understood this sort of mercy. IMAGINE someone in ISIS coming to Christ...that's who Paul was. That's the mercy he received.

There are those who began following Jesus at a very young age who may not understand the depth of despair that others experience, but no one gets through life unscathed. Relationship problems, financial problems, or health problems affect all of us in different ways. We all have the opportunity to reach out to God for His peace and mercy.

Both types of stories involve heavy amounts of God's mercy. Over the past few weeks you have spent time talking about your stories. What have you learned in that time about God's mercy in your life? What has been your response to His mercy? THINK of some of the different ways that we worship?

"To offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God." With your finances and your time and your energy. What does it mean to offer your body as a living sacrifice? How do people sacrifice in different ways? e.g. A mom is up half the night with a sick child. A soldier puts his life on the line to protect others. What other examples can you think of? How do each of you make sacrifices? EXAMINE whether your sacrifices come from a place of gratitude or obligation. EXPLAIN the difference. Is God at the center of your sacrifices?

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed." Wow, isn't it easy for us to be conformed to this world? A person can stand in the checkout line at the supermarket reading headlines and begin making judgments about what he's reading. We get sucked into the drama of Hollywood and peer pressure and what the Jone's are doing next door. There's something within us that is drawn to that sort of thing. But God requires us to be different, to be transformed, to walk away from the drama and the pressure. He calls us to place Him in the center of our lives, not the world. SPEND a few moments reflecting on how the world affects you. What do you get drawn into? What do you reject? At what point of transformation are you?

"Renew your mind." Not free your mind or empty your mind, renew it. Just like we're able to renew our bodies with rest and healthy eating, our minds are similar. They need to rest and reflect, they need to be fed with truth and goodness. 

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, 

whatever is honorable, whatever is just, 

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, 

whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, 

if there is anything worthy of praise, 

think about these things." Philippians 4:8

SHARE with each other how you each renew your minds. How does being God-centered help us become renewed?

"Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Over the past several months, we've talked about the wide road and the narrow road. Lots of people will invite us onto the wide road. It may even seem like the right road to take. How do we know the difference when we're standing at the fork? Left or right? Hmmm....  

Test it. "You will be able to test and approve." Put God first and ask Him. Go to scripture for answers. Listen to your "gut" feeling, aka the Holy Spirit. (You may want to go one way because it's the easier, less painful route; however, your "gut" is telling you to go in the other direction. Remember, the Holy Spirit will never ask you to go against Scripture). Going to God for wisdom, whether it's a big question or a little one, is worship. 

As You Go: Your Story

May 30/31, 2015



READ Acts 26:12-29
Saul turned Paul has one of the most powerful stories in the Bible. 

• What are the points of Paul's story that you find most compelling? 
• Do you feel that you need to be speaking to kings to make a difference? 
• Would you agree or disagree that through the lens of Paul's transformation, there's hope for all of us to become more like Jesus as we go? 

SHARE with each other a story from the Bible that means a lot to you. What is it about this story that touches you? What have you learned as you've spent time contemplating this story? What makes you passionate about it?

What about your story? How does that fit into God's story? Can you define your story and explain it simply? Maybe it's time to come to know your own story. CHECK out the next steps below for some ideas. HELP each other fine tune your stories.

What about other people's stories? How do their stories intersect with your story and with God's story? Often, the best way to share our story with others is to listen first to their story. Are you intentional about building relationships and getting to know a person? Do you seek to LISTEN and ASK good questions to clarify and draw out a person's story? 

How do you LIVE OUT your story as a way of sharing with others? Are you aware of those people God places in your life each day who need to see Jesus? 

• SPEND TIME with your small group sharing your story.
• SHARE with your group how your story has intersected with another person's story. CELEBRATE those moments God has brought you together for His purposes. 
• MAKE A LIST of people in your lives who need to hear God's story. TAKE this list with you this week to continue praying for people as they journey. 
• PRAY Colossians 4:2-6 together.
• PRAY for opportunities to share with others.

As You Go: The Power of Story

May 23/24, 2015



READ Matthew 5:13-16
What do these verses say about how we should go about living our lives? What does that mean to you? 

Have you ever thought deeply about what it means to be salt and light? Have you ever gone long periods of time without salt or light? It's hard to imagine because we have such easy access to both. Historically, salt and oil for light have been used as currency. That's how valuable they were to people. TALK about the correlation of our value to God and to others as it relates to salt and light. 

So how do we go? How do we share the power of God's story? Do you have a clear picture of God's story? Have you stepped into God's story? The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith gives a great picture of who God is if you want to dive deeper into that topic. EXPLAIN the difference between sharing a story and sharing facts. Why is there more power in the story? 

Let's LOOK at some other stories. REFLECT on each character, how they come to Jesus, how Jesus responds, and the power of the story as they go. DISCUSS in your small group.

• READ Matthew 8:5-13 - a man with power and authority 
• READ Mark 1:40-45 - a man riddled with disease and shunned
• READ Luke 19:1-10 - a greedy man

So what's the power of your story? in light of God's story? intermingled with the stories of everyone in your small group? How does God work them all together for His good? 

SPEND some time praying together as a group thanking God for the beauty and power of His story. CELEBRATE your stories together. PRAY for His hand in the continuation of your stories that you may be salt and light in a dull and dark world.

As You Go: A Fresh Look at SHARE

May 16/17, 2015



READ Matthew 28:16-20
What does evangelism mean to you? What does Jacob's Well mean by SHARE? What do you think of when you hear the term "The Great Commission?" We all have a preconceived notion of these meanings. Please CHAT with your small group about what these words mean to you and where those ideas came from.

* * * * *

At Jacob's Well, we are always talking about the commitments of WORSHIP, BELONG, GROW, SERVE, and SHARE. Many of us can admit that SHARE is often the commitment we let slide most often. It's just the easiest. When someone asks you if you're in a small group or your serving, it's a yes or no answer. Not too many people ask if you're sharing God's story with others. There's very little accountability with that commitment. It doesn't mean we're not sharing, but it's probably not as frequent as when we serve or get together with others.

So what does the Bible teach about living out the Great Commission? GO OVER each of these items with your small group. Why is each item important?

• It begins with worship - v.17
• Doubters welcomed - v. 17
• Jesus gives the authority - v.18
• Do it as you go - v.19
• Make disciples - v. 19
• Baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - v. 19
• Teaching them to observe all I commanded - v. 20
• I am with you until the end of the age - v. 20

What surprises you about these verses that you never noticed before? What makes you uncomfortable? How do these verses change your idea about the Great Commission?

* * * * *

ASK yourselves these questions in your group. What does it mean to call people to a faith relationship in Jesus? Pastor Paul spoke over the weekend about being called to boldness and intentionality. What is your current idea of bold and intentional? Does that fit your personality? What if bold and intentional can also look like friendly and inviting? What if it's less like a cold call and more like a relationship? 

REREAD Matthew 28:16-20 with fresh eyes. PRAY for God to prepare your heart for His next steps for your life. PRAY for wisdom and courage as you go. PRAY for those you know who need Jesus.

A New Name

May 9/10, 2015


READ Luke 8:1-3
What was Mary Magdalene like before she found Jesus? Scripture says she was possessed by seven demons, but let's imagine what that would look like. DISCUSS with your group:

• What would her behavior maybe have been like? 
• How did she speak? 
• How did she dress? 
• To whom did she relate with? 
• What would her attitude have been like? 

It's important to understand what she was like before she met Jesus to understand how great her transformation was after she began to follow Him. Jesus was someone, maybe even the first person, who valued her and allowed her to Be-loved. He spoke to her, looked her in the eye, found the best in her so that she could find the best in herself. He forgave her, and she could let go of her past. There was nothing she could do to make Him love her more. There was nothing she could do to make Him love her less. Beloved.

READ John 19:25
We can see in this one verse that Mary Magdelene didn't just follow Jesus, but she followed Him right up to the cross. Many of His disciples didn't even make it that far. We can sense her desperation in this verse. Women in this day and location didn't have rights. They depended on parents or a spouse to take care of them. She not only didn't have family or a marriage to fall back on, she had a questionable background that would have kept her at a distance from most people. Jesus had given her hope to rise above all of those limitations, and now He was gone. She didn't want to go back to who she used to be, but she didn't know how to go forward without Jesus.

• Have you ever felt that alone?
• Have you ever been that desperate?

READ John 20:1-16
And so Mary Magdelene was out walking to the tomb in the dark of the night. Had she slept at all in the past couple of days? How great was her despair? What drew her to the tomb of Jesus? What questions were going through her mind as she came upon the open tomb? Could the others help find the body of Jesus? And then, when the others simply gave up and went home, the layers of despair were overwhelming and she began to weep.

Many of us have been in this place of being overwhelmed. THINK back on a time when life brought more than your coping skills could handle. SHARE with your group how you got to that place and how you were feeling.

* * * * *

And then He called her name. IMAGINE the shock and wonder and joy that she would have felt all at once. It's no wonder the first thing Jesus said to her was, "Do not cling to me." In other words, "I'm here but I'm not staying long." Instead, He gave her an errand. He sends her off to bring hope to others. 

Mary had hope again. She was still beloved. She didn't have all the answers, but Jesus still loved her. He was still alive, and she was still dear to Him.

• Do you feel this way too? Do you have the sense that you're dear to Christ?
• Do you feel that you have to earn His love?
• Do you feel that you can lose His love by doing or saying the wrong thing?
• Do you stop during the day to sense His love for you?

TALK with your group about where you're at on your journey. Is there someone in your group who needs to know that they are beloved? Precious? Cherished? 

TAKE a moment to pray together as a group. SIT for a moment. TAKE a deep breath. LISTEN for His voice. THANK Him for His love and His presence. FEEL His love for you. You are beloved!

 * * * * *

By giving her the new name Beloved, Jesus filled Mary Magdelene with joy and hope and sent her off to share it. We're called to do the same. When we're empty, we don't have any hope to share. REMEMBER to continue coming back to the presence of Jesus to be renewed. SEEK Him. READ His word. FEED your soul.