Stand Your Ground

Introduction:

How to Deal with Apostates at HBC: (Jude 1:17-23)

1. Be Ready . (Jude 1:17-19)

   See: Acts 20:29-31 | 2 Peter 2:1 | John 2:26

2. Be Strong . (Jude 1:20-21)
   1. In the Word . (Jude 1:20a)

      See: John 15:10

   2. In Prayer . (Jude 1:20b)
   3. In Obedience . (Jude 1:21a)
   4. In Hrayer . (Jude 1:21b)

3. Be Merciful . (Jude 1:22-23)
   1. To those who Doubt . (Jude 1:22)
   2. To those who Dabble . (Jude 1:23a)
   3. To those who are Deliberate . (Jude 1:23b)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Jude 1:17-23

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Which spiritual discipline do you most need to tighten up in your own life (Jude 1:20-21): the Word, prayer, obedience, or hope? How will you go about that today?

3. How can you distinguish between: 

   who is deceived, 

   a backslidden believer, 

   and a “committed to error” apostate unbeliever (Jude 1:22-23)?
   

4. Be specific: what are some practical ways you can show mercy to those who are teaching / promoting / believing false doctrine while confronting them over their error (Jude 1:22-23)?

Breakout
Pray for one another to have wisdom and discernment when dealing with apostates when they show up at HBC!

Know the Enemy

Introduction:

Know the Enemy: The Dossier on Apostates (Jude 1:5-16)

1. They have been Warned . (Jude 1:5-7)
2. They are Irreverent . (Jude 1:8-10)
3. They have Always been Around . (Jude 1:11)

4. They are Dangerous . (Jude 1:12-13)
5. They are Doomed . (Jude 1:14-15)
6. They are Self-focused . (Jude 1:16)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Jude 1:5-16

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think Jude used so many illustrations in this section? Which one stuck out to you?
   

3. Define “apostate”. Give specific reasons why they are so dangerous to the church. How do you think HBC should respond if we see a potential apostate?
   

4. Name some ways you can tell someone is “irreverent” (Jude 1:8-10).
   

5. What are some ways apostates are self-focused (Jude 1:16)? How have you seen this tendency to be self-focused in your life?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

The Call to Arms

Introduction:

The Call to Arms: Your Battle Brief (Jude 1:1-4)

1. You will be Secure . (Jude 1:1b)
2. You will be Equipped . (Jude 1:2)
3. You must understand the Urgency . (Jude 1:3)

4. You must understand the Enemy . (Jude 1:4)

   Titus 2:11-12 - For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age...

   Matthew 7:15-16 - Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Jude 1:1-4

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do we have an “appeal to contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3)? What exactly does that mean?
   

3. What are specific ways we can contend for the faith? Why do you think this is difficult for some people?
   

4. What do you think motivates false teachers to “creep in unnoticed” into churches (Jude 1:4)?
   

5. Why doesn’t Jude just tell us what the wrong teaching is so we can avoid it? Why does he instead describe the characteristics of the false teachers themselves?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

All My Ways

1. Introduction (Psalm 32):

2. When I cover my ways, I Suffer . (Psalm 32:3-4, 10a)
3. When I acknowledge my ways, I am:
   1. Forgiven . (Psalm 32:5)
   2. Directed in right paths. (Psalm 32:8-9)

Proverbs 3:6 - In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:6 - So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

4. When God covers my ways, I am:
   1. Blessed . (Psalm 32:1-2)
   2. Protected . (Psalm 32:6-7b, 10b)
   3. Exultant . (Psalm 32:7c, 11)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 32

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do we cover our sin rather than live in the blessing of forgiveness? Why is it difficult to uncover our sin?
   

3. Consider this statement: People who have not embraced God’s grace have a difficult time extending grace to others.
   

4. After hearing this message, have you thought about past events in your life, especially difficult situations, and been able to retrospectively see God’s grace? For example, you realized your need for salvation?
   

5. How will your life be different when you acknowledge God in all your ways?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

All Things New

Introduction:

Three Things You'll Never Do In Heaven: (Revelation 22:1-5):

1. Face Death . (Rev 22:1-2)

   John 4:14 - ...whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Proverbs 3:18 - She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Proverbs 11:30 - The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.

Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

2. Find Sorrow . (Rev 22:3)
3. Feel Alone . (Rev 22:4-5)

   1 Corinthians 16:22 - If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!

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Small Group Discussion
Read Revelation 22:1-5

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Share a misconception you used to have about heaven.
   

3. Which “curse reversal” are you most looking forward to?
   

4. If we don’t need water or food to survive in heaven, why is there water and food (the river of the water of life and the tree of life)

Breakout
Pray for one another.