Unit 1 - Group Discussion Guide

DISCIPLE FOUNDATIONS

Why Am I Here? (The Gospel)

Leader Tips

Icebreaker

• What are your hopes as you go through this study for the next six weeks as we look at some essentials for disciples?

• What would you say your life is about?  Your purpose?

• Why does it matter if we as believers understand our real life purpose? What happens when we don’t?

• How does the fact that our life isn’t about us actually free us to live lives of joy and authenticity? Have you experienced this?  Share.

God has placed in our hands, “the word of reconciliation,” the message that can literally save the world!

Read 2 Corinthians 5:19

“…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

• According to this verse, how would you sum up God's purpose and our role?

• Why is sin such a big deal?  Why can’t God just ignore sin?

• Romans 3:23 says “all have sinned.”   Does that include really good people?  Explain.

Read Ephesians 2:1-5:

^"1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."

• Take a minute as a group to do some detective work:  From this passage where did we all start out?  Where did we end up? How did we get there?  Why did God act (motive)?

• How are the truths of this passage similar or different from those that influenced you (from family, culture, school, etc.)?

• Even though salvation is God's free gift, and we can never earn it, how do we receive this gift according to Ephesians 2:8-9?

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

Discuss:

• How old were you when you placed your faith in Jesus?  How did you hear about Jesus?

• How has the gospel been “good news” and made a difference in your life?

Read 2 Corinthians 5:19-20:

“19 …God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (emphasis added)

• If you were writing a job decription for an  “ambassador” what would it include?

• How would our approach be different if we were "judges" for Christ?  Sales staff for Christ?  Drill sergeants for Christ?   Other?

• What in your life needs to change in order for you to be a more effective ambassador?

How to use the Next Steps:

• Share with the group which Next Step you are committing to put into practice this week.  The goal is that over the next 6 session each will do at least two or three next steps (not one each week).

• If you have children, share what you are learning with them and help them find the action step that is most appropriate for them.

• As a group, encourage each other to putting these into practice.  Consider partnering up and giving 2-3 minutes each session to check in with each other.

Next Steps - Choose one of the areas below and then either a “walk,” “jog,” or “run” step.  The walk steps are beginning steps, the jog steps intermediate, and the run steps more advanced.

Grounded in the Gospel

Parent Action Steps - Choose one or more of the Action Steps below based on the ages of your children.