Dare to [Not] Compare!

Introduction:

Genesis 3:1-7

1 John 2:16 - For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

1. Comparison breeds Discontent . (Gen 3:1)
2. Comparison encourages Compromise . (Gen 3:2-5)
3. Comparison causes Disaster . (Gen 3:6-7)

Dare to NOT Compare!

1. Know the Word . (Gen 3:1)

   Philippians 2:3 | Hebrews 13:5 | Ephesians 5:8 | Galatians 3:26, 4:6 | Ephesians 2:4-6

2. Take your eyes off the World .

   1 John 2:15-17

3. Fix your eyes on Jesus .

   2 Peter 1:3

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Small Group Discussion
Read Genesis 3:1-7

1. What are your big takeaways from the text and/or the message?
   

2. Why do you think we are so prone to compare ourselves with others?
   

3. Can you think of a time when you compared yourself to another person (besides Jesus) and it produced constructive thoughts and a holy outcome?
   

4. Why is knowing Scripture essential to overcoming the urge to compare?
   

5. What are some practical ways we can “put off” the world and “put on” Christ?

Breakout
Pray that God will enable you more and more to fix your eyes on Jesus, and to refuse to compare yourself and your circumstances to others.

Walk Wisely: Wisdom: Value It, Get It, Use it.

Introduction: (Proverbs 1-3)

Dremel Rotary Tool: This product not intended for use as a dental drill.

Vidal Sassoon Hair Dryer: Do not use while sleeping.

Rowenta Iron: Do not iron clothes on body. 

Baby Stroller: Remove child before folding.

Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush: Do not use for personal hygiene.

How Do I Get Wisdom for My Walk?

1. You have to go after it Humbly (Prov 1:1-6).
2. You have to go after it Reverently (Prov 1:7).
3. You have to go after it Urgently (Prov 2:1-11).
4. You have to go after it Totally (Prov 3:5-6).

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Small Group Discussion
Read Proverbs 1:1-7, 2:1-11, 3:5-6

1. Define wisdom. How is wisdom different than knowledge?

2. What is “the fear of the Lord”? Why must “the fear of the Lord” be your motivation to seek wisdom?

3. How is wisdom a protection (Prov 2:7-11)? How are you “in danger” (unprotected) when you don’t walk in wisdom?

BREAKOUT
How much have YOU been seeking wisdom, Monday through Saturday?
In what areas of your life, right now, do you need wisdom? How are you going after it?

Recognition and Regret

Introduction:

To be free from your past... (Luke 7:36-50):

1. Recognize Jesus and respond with Humility . (Luke 7:36-39)
2. Recognize the debt You owed and Christ paid. (Luke 7:40-47)
3. Recognize that forgiveness is received by Faith . (Luke 7:48-50)

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Small Group Discussion

Read Luke 7:36-50

GROUP

1. What things can get in the way of humility before God?

2. How would you counsel someone feeling overwhelmed by their past (their “debt”)?

3. Why do you think some people struggle with internalizing forgiveness?

BREAKOUT

Pray for one another.

Where Are You

Introduction:

1. Grace Abounds.
2. Grace abounds in Early Death.
3. Grace abounds in Eternal Life.
4. Grace abounds in Everyday Righteousness.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Romans 5:20-6:14

1. What is “cheap grace?”

2. Why is it so difficult to die an early death, i.e., to die to self? How often do you “consider [yourself] dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus?” Romans 6:11; and see John 12:25, Luke 9:23-24.

   a. How do the illustrations of a seed “dying” help us to understand the benefits of dying to self now? See John 12:24-25, 1 Corinthians 15:36-37

   b. How does Galatians 5:22-24 relate to these verses?

3. Baptism is a picture of death and resurrection, but Paul indicates in Romans 6:3-6 that if our baptism is “into Christ Jesus,” it is evidence that we were in Christ at the time of His death and resurrection. Does this fact cause you to see deeper meaning or purpose in your baptism?

4. How soon after you professed faith in Jesus were your baptized? If you delayed, why did you do so? If you haven’t yet been baptized, why not?

5. Paul emphasizes we were “united with Christ” in His death and resurrection. How should union with Christ transform how we live – for example, Who, what, and how we worship, how we love God, neighbor, and enemy, how we forgive others, etc.? How does Galatians 2:20 add to our understanding of the transformation wrought in us by union with Christ?

6. A concrete anchor was used to illustrate the security we enjoy as a result of being united with Christ. How should the knowledge of the strength of that union transform our thinking about God’s love for us, about anxiety/worry, about the permanence of our salvation, and about our ability to live righteously? See Psalm 18:1-3, 31-32 and Psalm 62:1-8.

7. Because we are secure “in Christ” we are able to walk “in newness of life.” What does that look like on a daily basis?

BREAKOUT
Does the knowledge that you are united with Christ change your perspective on temptation and sin? In what ways? See Romans 6:2-3, 7, 12-14.

For further study, read Colossians 3:1-17

You Have One Job

Introduction:

How we are to preach the Word/Gospel (2 Timothy 4:1-5):

1. Stay Focused .
2. Endure Suffering .
3. Evangelize .

   1 Cor 1:17 - For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

4. Finish Strong .

Practical Tips on How to Preach the Gospel:

1. Get Prepared
2. Ask Other Christians
3. Pray for God's peace

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Small Group Discussion

Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5

GROUP

1. We as Christian have been given one job to fulfill… Preach the Gospel... God chose “nobody’s” to complete this job. How does God prefer to use regular people?

2. Why is Enduring Suffering such a powerful testimony for God?

3. Why is Finishing Strong so important? Give a specific example of someone is your life that finished strong and an example of someone that didn’t finish strong.

BREAKOUT

Have you ever failed to walk through a door to God has opened for you to preach the Gospel? Pray for that person that was missed that day to come to Christ either through you or another Christian.