Sermon Based Group Homework
For the message on March 7, 2021
Passage: Ephesians 4:11-13; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 John 4:1-3; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Galatians 6:1
QUICK REVIEW
This Sunday, Mike concluded our series on the Voice of God by showing us the importance of connecting with other believers regularly.
Looking back at your notes from Sunday’s message, was there anything you heard for the first time, caught your attention, or challenged you?
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Give an example of a time when you made a wise decision because of the influence/input of a Christian friend(s).
LET’S GO DEEPER
1. In Scripture, sometimes God uses other believers to communicate His truth to us. Perhaps God has used a Pastor or Bible study teacher or a good friend to help you hear God more clearly.
Who has God used in your life to help you hear and apply His Word more clearly? Explain.
Have you ever had to distance yourself from other “believers” who didn’t help you live according to the God’s Word? What do the following passages say about this?
Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6 (ESV)
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
Romans 16:17 (ESV)
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
2. When God speaks through another believer, you can test if what they are saying is from the Lord by checking it against the counsel of God’s Word. Some well meaning believers will fall into the trap of thinking that some speakers, authors, or tv preachers have extra or “secret” knowledge that they need. How do the following passages warn us against blindly following or believing someone?
2 Peter 1:3 (NLT2)
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
1 John 4:1, 3 (NLT2)
1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world… 3 But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God.
How prepared are you to combat false teaching if you were exposed to it?
What steps do you need to take to grow in this area of discernment?
3. In the message, Mike explained that the words from our Christian friends won’t always be what we want to hear, but what we need to hear. The danger is that we often only seek advice from people we know who will validate our point of view regardless of its merit. When you listen to a pastor, teacher, leader, or another believer, are you open to truth that makes you uncomfortable? Can you think of a time when another believer communicated something that was true but that you didn’t want to address personally in your own life? How do the following passages address this attitude?
James 1:22 (NLT2)
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
James 4:17 (NLT2)
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Hebrews 3:15 (NLT2)
Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”
What do you think is the bigger issue today concerning the voice of God – God’s willingness to speak to us or our willingness to listen to Him? Explain.
Are there any areas of your life that you consider off limits to God? Would you be willing to give God permission to work in those areas today? (You don’t have to answer these questions aloud but you can take a few moments in prayer to address the Lord about them. If you are serious about letting God have access to all areas of your life, tell someone after the study today.)
TAKE IT HOME
1. What is your biggest takeaway from this sermon and study?
2. Do you have any prayer requests for your group?
Prayer Requests:
