Church of The Open Door

The Christmas Gap

“The Peace Gap”

Luke 2:14

The peace gap is the time between when peace was announced and when it was experienced in people’s lives.

1. The peace with God gap

being separated from God because of our sin

gap is closed as we receive the gift of salvation

2. The peace within you gap

feeling overwhelmed by fears, worries and anxieties

gap is closed through walking in a discipleship relationship with Jesus, developing the fruit of the Spirit

3. The peace with others gap

the discord and conflict between you and another person

gap is closed as we do the hard work of peacemaking in relationships

The peace the angels announced only comes through Jesus, the One who is making all things new!

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Your Life

When you hear the phrase “peace on earth” what is the first thing you think of?

Do you have experience closing all 3 of the peace gaps mentioned in the sermon? Which one would you say has been the most challenging? Why?

Read Philippians 4:7 in as many different translations as you can (well, within reason). What kinds of distinctions do you see? What is most helpful to you in this verse (and/or the verses around it)?

Why is closing the “peace with others gap” so difficult?

Read Romans 12:18, 14:19 and Hebrews 12:14. What do you see in common between all of these verses?

Do you need to go to someone who you are not at peace with and start the hard work of peacemaking? Are you willing to ask your group to hold you accountable so you don’t chicken out?

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Connected to God through the Word and Prayer/Loving God

The Christmas Gap

“The Good News Gap”

Luke 2:10

1. The Christmas Gap is the time between what was announced at Christmas and what was experienced in people’s lives.

a. Good news that brings great joy

b. Our Savior is here

c. The Messiah has come

d. Peace is available

2. The Good News Gap is the time between the announcement of the good news and when people start experiencing the good news.

a. Your God is here to rescue

b. A sovereign king is born to rule

c. Jesus Christ has come to redeem

d. Jesus invites you into relationship

3. The Good News Gap is closed in our life as we walk in a discipleship relationship with Jesus.

a. Repent of your sin

b. Believe the good news

c. Follow Jesus as his disciple

The cross is where we enter into a life-changing __________________ with Jesus.

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our LIfe

We defined a gap as “an unfilled space or interval; a break in continuity.” What are some of the kinds of gaps you have had in your life? If possible, see if each person in the group can share. This might take some time.

Review the definition of “The Christmas Gap” in point 1. How has the Christmas Gap played out in your life?

Pastor Jim talked about the “gap” in the preaching of the Gospel that leaves out the necessity of a discipleship relationship with Jesus. Why is this “version of the Gospel” so damaging?

“People can put too much emphasis on what happens at ‘conversion’ but not enough on what can happen in ‘discipleship.’” What do you think about this statement?

Read the stories of Jesus’ birth in the Gospels this week and see how many other “Christmas Gaps” (as defined in point 1) you can find.

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Heart of Worship/Loving God

DISCIPLE: The Need for Discipleship

“Discipleshift”

Matthew 9:36-10:8

If you have ever felt a hunger to experience more of God’s power, see more impact or grow more to become like Christ, you may be ready for a Discipleshift.

Discipleshift in our personal lives

From watching ministry to doing ministry

From being saved to being sent

From the crowd to the committed

From getting fed to getting trained

From receiving to giving

Discipleshift in the life of our church

From going to church to being the church

From reaching people to making disciples

From programs to discipleship

From activity to relationship

From fear to faith

Jesus’ invitation to follow Him will require repeated “shifts” throughout our life.

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Lives

The disciples were normal guys: fishermen, a tax collector, etc. How were they able to respond to the call of God on their lives? We’re just normal people…how can we take action like they did?

Is pretending to be a Christian prevalent in our society and culture today? Why do so many people say that they go to church, but really lack all of the spiritual power to grow and flourish in Christ?

Each of us need a catalyst to push us toward change…what has been a catalyst of change in your relationship with Jesus in the past? For example, how does God use pain, circumstances, weakness, and sin to drive us into deeper and deeper surrender?

Which of the “shifts” captured your attention most? Why?

Has God been leading you towards a shift in the last year? Are there “hills to conquer” that you have been hesitating to run after? Are there clear directions from God that you haven’t been following? What has God been trying to tell you, but you haven’t been listening?

How do you create the margin in your life to listen and follow Jesus?

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Trustworthy Steward of God’s Resources/Living Surrendered

DISCIPLE: The Need for Discipleship

“Discipleskip”

Matthew 9:36-38 and 11:28-30

1. Jesus sees the needs of people as they really are

Harassed

Stressed

Hurting

Scattered

2. Jesus sends the kind of people who can help

People who have come to Jesus

People who are following Jesus

People who have been helped by Jesus

People who have been trained by Jesus

People who are disciples of Jesus

3. Jesus helps us see our need for discipleship

We will find peace and joy when we practice discipleship

We will feel stressed and unsettled when we skip discipleship

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Your Life

1. At the beginning of the sermon, we were asked to choose between 5 pairs of words that describe American society in 2018. Which pair did you choose? Why?

a. Successful and happy

b. Stressed and scattered

c. Cautious and worried

d. Carefree and content

e. Frustrated and angry

2. Does it feel to you that more people are feeling stressed, worried, frustrated and angry today than in previous years? Explain your answer.

3. Many people work hard to make it seem like they are “doing fine” instead of looking harassed and helpless or stressed and scattered. What can we do to get past that veneer?

4. We all feel stress from time to time. When you are feeling stressed, what kinds of things in your life typically contribute to those feelings? What is your default way to handle that stress?

5. Read Matthew 11:28-30. What does “my yoke is easy and my burden is light” mean? Does Matthew 23:1-4 help?

6. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus says “learn from me.” What do you think that means and what are you learning from Jesus these days?

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-Centered Love/Loving People

“Dyscipleship”

Matthew 9:35-38

1. Jesus’ solution for people’s needs: disciples

a. The need for more, true disciples

b. The need for discipleship

2. Our version of Jesus’ solution: Dyscipleship

3. Biblical understanding of Discipleship

a. Discipleship is a relationship

b. Discipleship is a process

c. Discipleship has a clear goal

Discipleship is the process of becoming like Christ and helping others become like Christ.

Disciple is a noun: be a disciple

Disciple is a verb: make disciples

4. Making disciples starts with being a disciple

a. Come to Jesus

repent, believe, follow

b. Trained by Jesus

watching, learning, apprenticing

c. Becoming like Jesus

developing a shepherd heart

seeing, feeling, loving, helping

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Your Life

Read Matthew 9:36. Jesus summed up the crowds of people in his day with the words “harassed and helpless.” What words would you use to describe the “crowds” today?

What experience do you have with intentional discipleship? Have you ever been discipled by someone? Have you ever discipled someone? Share about it.

Read Matthew 10:1. How would you feel if you were one of the disciples in that setting?

Why don’t we see more of Matthew 10:1 ministry today? Should we?

Of the 3 sub-points or categories of point 4, which best describes where you are at these days?

Close your group by praying for each other based upon how each of you shared in question.

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-Centered Love/Loving People

Practical Parenting

“How to Discipline”

Proverbs 22:6; 29:17, Heb. 12:11

1. Understanding Discipline

It’s a part of training your kids

It’s a part of discipling your kids

It’s a part of loving your kids

2. Applying Discipline

Express Authoritative Communication

a. Give calm, firm, clear directives

b. Set clear expectations

Empower Ability to Choose

a. Your child can choose their behavior

b. Child must feel responsibility to make a change

c. Introduce circumstances that compel them to change

Enforce Appropriate Consequences

a. Must be authoritative, calm, consistent

b. Must be impactful, age/stage specific, memorable

3. Appreciating Discipline

Righteousness

Peaceful, healthy kids

Leader now, friend later

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Your Life

What discipline did you resent growing up that you appreciate now?

Did you grow up in more of a permissive home or a harsh home?

Which end of the spectrum do you tend to drift to today?

How does understanding discipline as a part of “discipling” help you understand discipline?

Of the 3 “fundamentals of discipline” under point 2 (Applying Discipline), which do you find hardest? Easiest? Why?

Read Hebrews 12:1-13. How have these verses been lived out in your life?

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-Centered Love/Loving People

Practical Parenting

Shepherding from Rules to Relationship

Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:1-25

Order Matters: Rules, Relationship, Based

Before we begin…

Parenting our children is a biblical mandate that is an intentional process.

The stakes are high.

We want to know more about how to assist our children in becoming like Christ.

Rules- based Relationship

Priority is in following the rules.

blinded to the relationship

Conduct Driven

Results…

Rebellion The younger brother experience…

Resentment The older brother experience

Rejection I never knew you…

Relationship based Rules

Priority is in the relationship

Recognize the rules are there for boundaries (Romans 6:1)

Condition driven

Results: Biblical Safeguards for my life (John 10:10)

Condition driven, Relationship-based parenting begins with the understanding of the big story of the Bible.

The Big Story of the Bible

Creation: Perfection

Fall: Corruption

Redemption: Restoration

Image of God: Our responsibility

How do we get them there?

Be relationally driven using a simple model of I do, We do, You do.

I do: Be an example…

Of being a learner (Deut. 6:3)

Of intentional living (Deut. 6:4)

Of gratitude (Deut. 6:5,6)

We do: Intentional.

Intentional conversations

Intentional traditions

You do:

Let them ask

Answer relationally

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

Is my walk with Christ conduct or condition driven?

Are the members of my family seeing their walk with Christ through the lens of “rules” or “relationship?” What can I do to message better that Christ desires to be in relationship with us?

What are the four words that share the big story of the Bible? Why are they important?

What would be a life group verse that we can claim together?

What is one thing that I will do to message my families purpose?

What is one way that I can allow others to see my gratitude for God’s redemptive work in my life?

Commit to reading with your family the Proverb that correlates to the date of the month. Ask your family the following question: What did I read today that changes the way I think and/or feel in order to become more like.

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Connected to God through Word and Prayer, Spirit-led Servant

“Growing in Wisdom as a Parent”

Proverbs 24:3 & 22:6

1. Wise parents understand the power of training.

What gets rewarded gets repeated

What gets repeated gets embedded

2. Wise parents have goals for each stage of parenting.

Nurturing Trainer (0-1)

Primary goals: Helping them feel loved and secure; learn to trust.

Primary skills: Attentive observation, showing love and affection, meeting

needs, creating a schedule, wisdom.

Directive Trainer (1-5)

Primary goals: Helping them feel loved; learn to listen and obey.

Know God loves them.

Primary skills: Attentive observation, showing love and affection, patient

instruction, positive reinforcement, loving discipline, wisdom.

Encouraging Trainer (5-12)

Primary goals: Helping them feel loved; begin to learn to make wise decisions.

Learn God’s character.

Primary skills: Attentive observation, showing love and affection, positive

reinforcement, delegation, letting them fail, loving discipline, wisdom.

Supportive Coach (12-17)

Primary goals: Helping them feel accepted, keeping communication open,

choosing healthy friends, making wise decisions, pursue God’s

purpose for their life.

Primary skills: Attentive observation, showing love and affection, positive

reinforcement, delegation, letting them fail, loving discipline, letting go,

communication, wisdom.

Caring Consultant (18+)

Primary goals: Help them feel supported, help them to discern.

Primary skills: Letting go, showing love and affection, wisdom.

3. Wise parents have a clear overall goal in their training.

The goal of parental training: To help your kids become like Christ

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

Have you ever entered into training for a sport or your job or something else? What parallels do you see between that training and parental training?

What are some of the more popular goals people have for their kids? Once you have heard a few responses, then evaluate: in what ways are they adequate or inadequate goals?

If you are a seasoned parent in your group, what do you think is the most helpful advice you could pass along to younger parents?

If all of your children have left home, look back on your parenting days: which stage of parenting did you find most difficult? Which did you find most enjoyable?

If you have kids at home right now, what are some of the goals you have for them that you are working towards?

End your group time by praying for each other and some of the goals or challenges that have been mentioned.

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-Centered Love/Loving People

“How to be a Great Parent”

Proverbs 22:6

1. Great parents realize they are training their kids.

Training by default

Training on purpose

Training in God’s grace

2. Great parents prioritize being students of their kids.

Learn their “way”: tendencies, patterns, personality

3. Great parents customize the training of their kids.

Different stages require different skills

4. Great parents optimize the stages of their kids.

Nurturing Trainer (0-1) Nurture them to trust.

Directive Trainer (1-5) Teach them to obey.

Encouraging Trainer (5-12) Encourage them to learn.

Supportive Coach (12-17) Release them to decide.

Caring Consultant (18+) Help them to discern.

5. Great parents recognize they need God’s help to train their kids.

Great parents pray for their kids.

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Lives

Do you have any great stories of either your parenting exploits or those of your parents? Share them with your group.

In what ways have you tried to echo your parents’ way of parenting and in what ways have you tried to parent differently?

Look back on your childhood; did your parents customize their parenting based on stages in your life? Explain.

What happens if parents do not intentionalize their training of their kids?

Proverbs 22:6 is a proverb, not a promise, a generalized observation not a guaranteed outcome. What difference does it make?

What happens if you try to parent a 13 year old like a 3 year old? Or vice versa?

Looking at the 5 stages of parenting in point 4, how is our parenting of our kids similar to God’s parenting of us?

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-Centered Love/Loving People

“When Jesus Gives You Life”

John 21:25

What we learn about John from his gospel:

1. He was captivated by Jesus

a. Jesus is Messiah, God in the flesh

b. John experienced the life Jesus came to give

2. He understood the meaning and importance of believing in Jesus

a. Believing is a process, a choice & a lifestyle

b. What we believe about Jesus

c. Why we believe in Jesus

3. He was a committed disciple of Jesus

a. He followed Jesus

b. He learned from Jesus

c. He became more like Jesus

4. He grasped the significance of love for Jesus

a. He lived in the reality of being loved by Jesus

b. Love is the mark of a disciple of Jesus.

When Jesus gives you life, use that life to love.

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Lives

This was the last sermon in John. Try to think back over some of the series in the Gospel of John over the past 3 years. Was there one series that stood out to you, or that God used to do something particularly meaningful in you?

Point 1 is that John was captivated by Jesus. Would you say you are captivated by Jesus? Be honest. If not, what word would you use in its place?

Read John 21:25 again. John says “Jesus did many other things” (besides the miracles and teaching, how he died and was resurrected.) Apart from Jesus saving you, what would you say are some of the most important “other things” Jesus has done in your life?

Do you tend to talk about Jesus as a historical figure in the Bible or a living person with whom you have a relationship? Explain.

John spends his whole Gospel explaining, arguing, and seeking to persuade people about Jesus’ identity. Why is getting Jesus’ identity right so important? Can a person who denies that Jesus is God be saved?

Pastor said in the sermon that John “lived in the reality of being loved by Jesus.” Do you? How does that affect your life?

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-Centered Love/Loving People