·      Which is healthier for your soul – to serve or to be served? 

·       Romans 12:3-6a - 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

·       Knowing Jesus makes your purpose come alive. 

·       Jesus will make your life better and he will make you better at life. 

·       Know yourself

·       You will never discover your purpose unless you think about it.

·       Accept yourself and your giftedness. 

·       Build on islands of health and strength – Peter Drucker. 

·       Your spiritual gifts comes from God

·       Faith expands your gift. 

·       Heavenly Father, grow my faith.

·       Your spiritual gifts help the church body function. 

·       Failure to use your spiritual gifts doesn’t just impact you; it impacts others in the body.

·        6bIf your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith

·       7 if it is serving, then serve;

·       A servant sees what needs to be done and does it. 

·       if it is teaching, then teach; 

·       8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;  

·       If it is giving, then give generously; 

·       If it is to lead, do it diligently;

·       If it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully

·       QR code page

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Share the story of someone you know who clearly has a spiritual gift and uses it for God.

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read Romans 12:3-6a

2.     In your opinion, why do people have a hard time thinking correctly about themselves?  Do you think people struggle more with thinking too highly of themselves, or thinking too little of themselves?

3.     If our spiritual gifts are maximized by faith, how do we grow our faith?

4.     Read Romans 12:6b-8

5.     Seven gifts are named here.  Which two gifts do you think might be yours?

6.     Which gift do you not have that you wish you had?  Why?

7. As a group select two of the seven gifts.  Then imagine what a church would be like if no one in that church shared those gifts?  What does that say about the importance of your spiritual gifts?

·       Matthew 28:18-20 - 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

·       Jesus moves in our direction. 

·       Jesus claims ultimate authority over heaven and earth. 

·       Jesus expects his followers to be on the move. 

·       Jesus intends for his apprentices to apprentice people to him. 

·       Jesus’ movement was for all people. 

·       Jesus wanted people to identify with his movement. 

·       Jesus wants his followers to teach his commands. 

·       Jesus promises you will not go alone. 

·       The disciples actually believed what Jesus said and did it. 

·       2 Corinthians 11:24-28 - 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

·     "Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong." – Polycarp

·    Go share. 

 Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Other than ADBC, have you ever seen a church with a passion to share Jesus?  What was that church like?

Going Deeper:

1.     Read Matthew 28:18-20

2.     What does it mean to you when Jesus claims “all authority?”  What specific areas of you life does that apply to?  If you were a Senator or a member of Congress and a follower of Jesus, what would this phrase mean to you?

3.     Jesus commands us to “Go and make disciples.”  In your opinion, what is the best way to do this?

4.     Jesus highlights the important of baptizing new believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?  In your opinion, why is

What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is with you when you are doing his work? 

·       Character is how you program your soul. 

·       The quality of your character determines the health of your soul.

·       To be happy, have a character like Jesus.

·       Being a Christian means you follow Jesus. 

·       1 John 2:3 - 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 

·       John 15:17 - 17 This is my command: Love each other. 

·       Does your character enable you to love people like Jesus? 

·       4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 

·       Are you lying to yourself about your character? 

·       Father, am I lying to myself about how good my character is?

·       5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.  

·       As obedience increases, love increases. 

·       This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 

·       How do we grow our character to be like Jesus? 

·       Your soul needs healing. 

·       Give your life to Jesus. 

·       Romans 8: 38-39 - 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

·       Give your hurts to Jesus. 

·       Name the hurt. 

·       Pray about your hurt. 

·       Share your hurt. 

·       GROW Character Group launches Aug. 16th. 

·       Listen to God’s direction. 

·       Train our characters to be like Jesus. 

·       A spiritual discipline is a repeated practice that forms a new soul habit.

·       Galatians 5:22-23a - 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness

·    Prayer. 

·     Bible Study

·      Behavioral

·      Would your life be better or worse if you had the character of Jesus? 

·       Today, will you be like Jesus or not?

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Describe a person that has a character you admire.  What stands out about them?

Going Deeper:

1.     Read 1 John 2:3-6

2.     There is a connection in these verses between obedience and knowing Jesus. Have you ever known anyone who claimed to be a follower of Jesus but did not obey Jesus?  How did you feel about

3.     Verse 5 speaks about being complete or perfected in God.  How can you tell if a person is building his or her character? What would stand out?

4.     Describe a typical day in your life and how Jesus would live it.  Does this exercise help you see places where your character needs to grow?

5.     To grow our character, we need to have the wounds of our souls healed and we need to train our character.  Which of these do you think is the starting point for most people?  Why?  Which is your starting point?

·       Isolation equals stagnation.

·       Being a Christian means you follow Jesus. 

·       Jesus did life with a group

·       To follow Jesus means connecting with a group.

·       Hebrews 10:23 - 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

·       A good group helps you hold on to hope

·       A good group also reminds you of promises and the promiser. 

·       24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 

·      A good group encourages love. 

·       If you learn to love people in your group, you will learn to love people. 

·       A good group encourages good deeds. 

·       25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

·       A good group gathers. 

·       You can’t connect if you aren’t present. 

·       A good group realizes time matters. 

·       To follow Jesus means connecting with a group.

·      __I have found a group. 

·       Text 803-720-9711 if finding a group is your next step. 

·       Pray. 

·       Ask for advice.

·       Try a group. 

·       Ask God “Is this the group I’m supposed to be in.” 

·      What does it mean to for our group to be a good group?

·      PIX: Sam’s Basketball group

 Life Group Resources

Starter Question:  This message is about groups.  What does this group mean to you?

Going Deeper:

This week, we are going to ask ourselves the questions Pastor Clay invited us to consider about our group:

1.     Read Hebrews 10:23

2.     How can our group help each other to hold to hope

3.     How can our study of scripture help us remember the promises of God, and the character of our God who made the promises?

4.     Read Hebrews 10:24

5.     How can we love each other better?

6.     In what way is God calling our group to serve together?

7.     Read Hebrews 10:25

8.     How can we encourage people to attend regularly?

·      Top Ten Reasons People Don’t go to Church:

·       10.   My mother already nags me; I don’t need a preacher doing it too.

·       9. Church is full of hypocrites.

·       8. I’m against organized religion.

·       7. Church people hate women/gays/divorced people/ethnic groups/interracial couples/insert group here

·       6. I don’t believe in God.

·       5. Church people are so judgmental.

·       4. I’m just not being fed

·       3. Ten years ago someone at some church somewhere was really awful to me. 

·       2. I feel like I need to get right with God before I can come to church

·       1. Churches just want my money

·       1.  Church is not an institution or a business – it is the body of Christ. 

·       When people think of church, they think, “Those people act

·       2.  Church is not a denomination.

·       Every church that is really a church focuses on Jesus.

·       3.  Church is not a worship service or a bunch of programs. 

·       The church body gathers to worship; the church body offers

·       4.  Jesus wants every believer to belong to a local church body. 

·       Acts 2:44 -  All the believers were together and had everything in common.           

·     Being a Christian means you follow Jesus. 

·       If you are not part of a local church body, you are missing a key next step in following Jesus.

·       1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 

·       Live a life worthy… 

·      You have received a calling. 

·      2 Be completely humble…

·      …and gentle;

·      William Barclay – “A gentle person is so self-controlled he

·     …be patient…

·     John Chrysostom – “To be patient means having a wide and big

·       …bearing with one another in love

·        Your character (and mine) determines the character of the church

·       3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit…

·       … through the bond of peace. 

·       Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be trouble and do not

·       Is the church of Jesus known for peace?

·        4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 

·       5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism

·       …6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all

·       If you are a believer, you need to belong to a local church body. 

·      If you are not a follower of Jesus, find a church that looks most like Jesus and see who Jesus really is.  

·      There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; One Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and Father of all, who is overall and through all, and in all.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question:  Please share a time when being part of a church was a special part of your life.

1.     Read Ephesians 4:1

2.     In your opinion, what does it means to be called by Jesus?

3.     Read Ephesians 4:2

4.     Which of these character traits comes most naturally to you?  Which is a challenge?

5.     Read Ephesians 4:3

6.     Please offer some practical suggestions about how to keep the unity of the Spirit in the church?

7.     Read Ephesians 4:4

8.     If the church is to be the body of Christ, how are we doing in being one body, having one Spirit, and having one hope?  Please grade ADBC on a scale of A-F and share the reason for your answer.

9.     Read Ephesians 4:5, which speaks about the church having one leader, one faith, and one shared experience (baptism).

10.     In your opinion, what would happen if a church did not have these three things?

11.     Read Ephesians 4:6

12.     What does it mean that our Heavenly Father is over all, through all, and in all?

·    Every relationship begins with a decision. 

·    Big Idea: Your relationship with God begins with a decision. 

·    Good News: God has already decided he wants a relationship with you. 

·       Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

·      The key question: Do I want a relationship with God? 

·       Being a Christian means you follow Jesus. 

·       Luke 9:57-62 - 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

·      To be a follower of Jesus means you decide God will take care of you

·      Is Jesus confronting you

·      Your life mission is more important than your “duty

·      You can’t drive forward looking backwards.  

·       2 Corinthians 6:2 – “… I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 

·      Philippians 4:12-13 - 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

·       John 8:36 -  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  

·       You must decide if you want a relationship with Jesus. 

·       __ I have asked for God to forgive me and have committed

·       __ I am praying for a person far from God

·      Deciding to follow Jesus starts the relationship; Baptism is the sign of the decision.

·       Heavenly Father, I confess to you I am a sinner. Please forgive me.  I have decided to give my life to you.  I have decided to follow Jesus.  Amen.

·       __ I have asked for God to forgive me and have committed myself to follow Jesus.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question:  Think about your best friend.  How did you decide to start that relationship?

1.     Read Luke 9:57-62

2.     Notice Jesus challenges to first man to leave security and comfort so he can follow Jesus.  In what ways do you see security and comfort

3.     The second man is called by Jesus, but essentially says his duty to his family comes first.  How would you advise someone who asks, “How

4.     The third man offers to follow Jesus but attaches a condition.  What

5.     Please share your life would have different if you had decided not to follow Jesus.

·      Is being a good person good enough? 

·      Being a Christian means you follow Jesus. 

·      If you aren’t changing, you are not following. 

·       Taking next steps toward Jesus. 

·       Matthew 4:18-22 - 18 As Jesus was walking beside

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

·      Knowing who Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus

·      19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

·      World Religions = achievement vs. Christianity = gift. 

·      To be a follower of Jesus is not to learn about Jesus, but to learn from Jesus by doing life with Jesus.

·      Followers of Jesus must let go of a familiar way of life.

·      Followers of Jesus must take hold of a new mission. 

·      To help as many people as possible take their next step toward Jesus

·       It is hard to help others take their next step unless you are taking your own next step.

·       __ I have asked for God to forgive me and have committed myself to

·       __ I have been baptized as a sign of my decision to know Jesus. 

·      ­­__I have joined the local church body. 

·       Sunday, August 6th, @ 12:15. 

·       __ I have found a group. 

·       __ I am praying daily and reading my Bible daily. 

·      __ I am giving regularly to the church. 

·       “Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.” – Matthew

·       __ I have place to serve regularly.

·      __ I am praying for a person far from God. 

·      Text your next step to 803-720-9711.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question:  Describe a time when you felt like you to prove you were “good enough.”  Did you ever feel good enough?

1.     Read John 1:35-42

2.     What does this story tell you about Peter and Andrew’s early relationship with Jesus?

3.     Read Matthew 4:18-22

4.     How does Jesus’ invitation strike you?  Is it realistic? 

5.     What do you think the Peter and Andrew understood when Jesus asked them to follow him and fish for men? 

6.     Notice Peter, Andrew, James, and John’s immediate response.  Has there been a time in your experience when you felt the call of God required an immediate response?  What were the circumstances?

7.     James and John not only had to leave their boats, they had to leave their dad.  Do you know someone who had “leave” family to follow Jesus?  What did you learn from their experience?

·      Our tendency is to consider ourselves first.

·       You have a mission | You have help on this mission | You ARE on mission

·       Acts 1:6-7 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

·       “Lord what can you do for me? When will you make it happen?”

·       You can focus too much on the benefit of knowing God that you miss the mission of God

·       Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

·       2 Ways you know you’re a Christian

o   You have the Holy Spirit

o   You are a witness

·       How do I know if the Holy Spirit is at work?

o   Your words and actions…

o   It’s daily surrender

o   Intentional time with God

·       Will you listen?

·       Where you lack confidence, the Spirit speaks

·       “Ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because of the Spirit of God was at work in their lives.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not luxury; it is an absolute necessity.” - Warren Wiersbe

·       Martyrs - Eyewitness, proves strength and genuineness of their faith

·       Go Share

o   Start with your story

o   Where has he gifted you?

o   What resources has He given you?

·       “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

·       You have a mission | You have help on this mission | You ARE on mission

·       Acts 1:9-11 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

·       Be a witness now!

·       Ready?

·       Set?

·       GO!

LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  What does it mean to be a witness to you?

Questions:

1.     Read Acts 1:1-11

2.     Which supervisor do you currently relate to in your walk with the Lord?

3.     When is a time that you felt the Holy Spirit lead you, but you didn’t listen?

4.     What is a next step that the Holy Spirit may be leading you to now?

5.     Who is someone in your life that you need to be a better witness to?

6.     Why is it so important that we see that Acts 1:8 isn’t optional if we believe in Jesus?

·      PIX: Burrus House – old. 

·       God’s possibilities for you are greater than people’s expectations of you. 

·       Ephesians 3:20-21 - 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at

·       Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me

·       to proclaim good news to the poor. 

·       He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

·       to proclaim freedom for the captives

·       and release from darkness for the prisoners,

·       2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

·       to comfort all who mourn,

·      They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

·      John Ortberg – “To glorify God means to live your life in such a way that people will say, ‘What a good God there must be to make someone like that.”

·      4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

·      Luke 4:16-21 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

·     2012 – 16,983 baptisms in SC Baptist Churches. 

·     2021 – 7,718 baptisms in SC Baptist Churches

·     Have we lost sight of the good news?

·     Helping as Many People as Possible Take Their Next Step toward Jesus. 

·       PIX: Burrus House – restored.

·       PIX: Burrus House – before. 

·       PIX: Burrus House- restored.   

LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  In your opinion, what is “Good News?”

Questions:

1.   Read Isaiah 61:1-3

2.  Can you think of others in scripture who were anointed?  Why were they anointed?

3.   Imagine yourself in each of these conditions: Poor, broken, captive, imprisoned, mourning.  What would good news look like to you in that state?

4.   How did Jesus’ ministry reflect Good News for the poor, the broken, the captives, the imprisoned, and the mourning?

5.   Read Isaiah 61:4

6.   What image comes to mind when you think about rebuilding ruins? 

7.    What mission do you think God might be calling you to do?

-       God’s possibilities for you are greater than people’s expectations of you. 

·      Every opportunity God gives you will lead to more than you can ask or imagine.

·       Repent

·       Isaiah 58:6-10 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer

·       “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of

·       Take ownership of the needs of others

·       Free the oppressed (v.6)

·       Feed the hungry (v.7)

·       House the homeless (v. 7)

·       Cloth the naked (v. 7

·       Respect the dishonored (v. 9)

·       Help the afflicted (v.10)

·       Habitat house pic- please add 

·       Savor God’s renewal

·       Isaiah 58:12-  “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of

·       Help others to be rebuilt

·       Gladys Aylward: use pic from web

·       Big Idea: God restores the broken and invites us to help.

LIFE Group Discussion Questions

Starter: When have you experienced (or been) a hypocritical person?  What stood out to you most about that experience?  

Questions:

Read Isaiah 58:6-12

1)    God reveals his desire that his people make consistent sacrifices to alleviate the suffering of others. What are some

2)    Verse 6 commands us to break chains and ropes of wickedness that oppress people. What are some barriers that make this ministry

3)    Verse 7 discusses feeding the hungry and house the homeless. What kind of challenges are involved in this that require

4)    Isaiah explains that God’s goodness towards us means that serving is actually also for our good as well (vs. 8-10). What are

5)    Verse 10 tells us that we should “spend ourselves” on the needs of others. What is the difference between giving some

6)    How does Isaiah challenge us toward a fulfillment of the two great commandments (love God, love people)?

7)    What is one way you can be involved in rebuilding others?