Kingdom, Come (Part 4): World of Difference

#1 Listen to “Kingdom, Come (Part 4):  World of Difference”

Consider this Sunday morning’s lesson. You can listen here: http://bit.ly/1gCDfNL

Or watch here [video will be posted by Monday each week]: www.vimeo.com/rrcoc

What stuck out to you as interesting?

Did you encounter any challenging or re-orienting truth?

How’d it make you feel?

 

#2 Just a Little

Reconsider the parable of the leaven (or yeast). Jesus uses that image to say, it only takes a little to start something big.

Consider other metaphors Jesus used for His people and the kingdom.

How is the kingdom like a mustard seed?

How is the kingdom like salt?

Jesus said of His people, “You are the light of the world.” How much light does it take to make a difference in the dark?

Make your own metaphors (similes, to be specific) for the kingdom:

The kingdom of God is like ___________.

Can you think of things that start small but grow? Or things that seem small at first glance but are actually powerful?

The kingdom still works like it did 2,000 years ago. It starts small.

What small things could you do to welcome big kingdom change in…

·       Your marriage?

·       Your co-workers?

·       Your kids?

·       Your neighborhood?

·       Your school?

Be practical and specific.

 

#3 Hope Colored Glasses

On Sunday we said the kingdom of God “is at work even when you can’t see it.”

Read 2 Corinthians 4:14-18.

In verse 15 Paul says “all this is for your benefit.” What’s for their benefit?

How does Paul look at hardship?

Paul encourages us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.”

·       Why is that helpful?

·       How do we do that?

Consider a hardship or struggle you’re going through now or have gone through recently. Look for the kingdom of God in it. Was God at work? How so?

 

#4 Optimists Wanted


Consider this sentence: “Your Father in heaven is looking for people who recognize that what is is not what will always be.”

·       What does that mean?

·       Do you ever struggle to see what could (and will) be?

·       Why might that be problematic?

Take a minute and exercise your imagination.

Consider a situation that isn’t as it should be. Draw it as you know it could be under the authority of Christ. If you hate drawing, well, suck it up. ;)

 

#5 Just Do It

As I sit on my island, it becomes clears that we need to stop plotting the course and instead just land the plane on our plans to make a difference by getting to the "do" part of faith. That's because love is never stationary. In the end, love doesn't just keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does.”
― Bob Goff, Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World

Do you need to “land the plane” on some plans for doing good? Have you been intending to do something for a long time that you really need to just do?

  • To get closer to God?
  • With your money?
  • With your time?
  • As a spiritual discipline?
  • To repair a relationship?
  • At work?
  • In your marriage?
  • With your kids?

Tonight, share it with your group and commit to action. Let your group hold you accountable next week.

 

#6 Praying is Doing

Let’s not forget prayer is action. It’s like calling 911 in an emergency.

Tonight, have each group member share one place where they’d like to see the reign of God come. Maybe in the heart of a friend. Maybe in a conflict. Maybe to a specific geographic location. Anywhere, anybody.

Now pray through each place/person/area that God’s kingdom would come (preferably quickly).

 

Guest User