Fletcher Church

Identify with the Rejected yet Honored Christ . . .

I. In Him, we are a Priesthood that Lives to Please Jesus! (4-8)

II. In Him, we are a New People Group that Exists to Proclaim Jesus’ Worth! (9-10)

III. In Him, we are Exiles who Desire God’s Glory even from our Enemies! (11-12)

Practical Implications

o What are some ways the world’s lens becomes yours? God’s?

o What are some ways you operate from worlds identity? God’s?

o Where are my fleshly desires sapping my soul’s life?

Jesus Secures us, So Faithfully Endure Hardships . . .(1:9-10; 4:5, 17-18)

I. Jesus Over All! (1:1, 9-10, 13; 2:8; 3:12, 15; 4:1, 8)

II. The Gospel Word is Central! (1:5, 8, 10, 12-13, 2:2, 8-10, 15, 25, 3:14-16; 4:2-3)

III. Suffering is Normal, God’s Resources are Sufficient for Perseverance! (1:6-8, 12, 15-16; 2:1, 3-5, 9-10; 3:1, 8-9, 10-13; 4:6-7, 10, 14-17, 18)

IV. Godliness and Godly Responses to Ungodliness! (1:13; 2:2, 14-19, 22-26; 3:1-9, 14-16; 4:2-5, 13)

Practical Implications

o How can you practically and consistently “Remember Jesus”?

o What are some good gospel reasons not to check out but endure?

o What are some problematic patterns of response you see in yourself?

God is God, So . . .

I. Guard the Precious Treasure of the Gospel and Your Influence on Others! (20a)

II. Avoid Irrelevant Distractions and Contrary Teachings! (20b)

III. Because Beliefs have Consequences in this Life and Eternity! (21)

Practical Implications

o What can you do to be faithful with the gospel that has been entrusted to you?

o How much does doctrine matter? Why?

o Do you tend to swerve more to conservative or liberal religious error?

We can be Faithful and Fruitful until the End By . . .

I. Committing to Personally Pursue Ongoing Progressive Sanctification! (11-12)

II. Being Held Accountable by People who Care and are Invested in you! (13-14a)

III. Treasuring Worship of God and Eagerly Awaiting the Return of Christ! (14b-16)

Practical Implications

o What desires and behaviors do you need to put off? Put on?

o Who in your circle encourages and challenges you spiritually?

o What truths lead your heart to worship?

What we Truly Believe Shows up in how we Live . . .

I. We live out Desires that are either Godly or Damaging to Us and Others! (3-5)

II. We live out Desires that Lead to Contentment or to Destructive Cravings for More! (6-10)

III. We live out Desires that Lead to Generosity of Life or Materialistic Orientation! (17-19)

Practical Implications

o How much does your faith shape your view of money?

o Where does money have an inordinate hold of your life?

o Describe a person with contentment and “generosity of life”.

What we Truly Believe Shows up in how we Live . . .

I. We live out Desires that are either Godly or Damaging to Us and Others! (3-5)

II. We live out Desires that Lead to Contentment or to Destructive Cravings for More! (14-15)

Practical Implications

o What areas of unbelief show up in life?

o What unhealthy desires pop up most in your life?

o What about your thoughts/words/actions show Jesus well? Show a different truth?

Multiply God’s Image in All of Life . . .

I. As a PREACHER: Speaking Truth to Bring Dead Things to Life!

II. As a FARMER: Cultivating Resources for Generational Flourishing!

III. As a FRIEND: Fully Knowing & Truly Loving God’s Good Creation!

IV. As an ARTIST: Enjoying the Work God Has Given Us to Accomplish!

Practical Application Questions

o Which part of reflecting God is the hardest for you (Preacher, Farmer, Friend, Artist)? Why?

o What kind of words are you speaking? How could you grow in speaking Good News rather than good advice?

o What kind of friend are you being? Do you have relationships where you are fully known?

o How can you step back & enjoy God’s work of progress in your life? Celebrate?

The Lord’s Supper is a Family Feast . . .

I. It is a Feast that is ALL About Jesus and His Gospel Work! (23-26)

II. It is a Feast for the Family of God to Unite in Love for Each Other and Christ! (17-22, 27-34)

Practical Implications

o In what ways do you struggle with the idea of being completely forgiven, purified?

o What 3 things most amaze you about the work of Jesus?

o What positive qualities would you use to describe relationships at church? Any broken or strained relationships?

Marriage Pictures a Relationship with Jesus . . .

I. Creation: Marriage Exists to Fill the Earth with Displays of God! (Gen 1:26-29)

II. Fall: Sin Mars the Image by Introducing Unfaithfulness! (Hosea 1-3 Selected)

III. Redemption: The Picture is Restored as Marriage shows off Christ and the Church! (Eph 5:22-33)

IV. New Creation: The Picture becomes Reality as we are Together with Jesus Forever! (Rev 19:6-9)

Practical Implications

o What areas of my relationships/marriage image God well? Poorly?

o What area of growth in your relationship/marriage does God want to focus on first?

o From Marriage Conference: Apply few of ways to love husband. Ask handful questions to wife.

We Pursue People in order to Proclaim Christ . . .

I. We Pursue People with God’s Power: The Holy Spirit! (6-8a)

II. We Pursue People with God’s Message in Word and Deed: Jesus! (8b)

III. We Pursue All People in All Places: Here to the Ends of the Earth! (8c)

Practical Implications

o How can you practically cultivate missional lens in everyday life?

o What are some common ways we dilute the message of Jesus? What is the gospel message?

o How have you applied 365/52/12 for 1-2?