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.