Treasure Christ Supremely . . . I. Be Saved to See the Worth of Knowing Jesus! (7-9) II. Be Satisfied in Becoming Like Jesus! (10) III. Be Hopeful you will Rise to Jesus! (11-12) Practical Implications o What 5 things about Jesus are precious to you (not platitudes to you)? o What competes most with Christ for the central place in your life? o How does the thought of heaven increase your hope?

Better to Lose your Life than Waste it (Piper) . . . I. Live in a Way that Commends the Gospel! (17-19, 33ff) II. Rely on and Minister the Word to People! (20-21; 24b-25; 26-27; 31-32) III. Gladly be Mastered by God come what May! (22-24) IV. Love the Church! (28-32a)

Practical Implications o How do you interpret and apply “Better to Lose your life than to waste it” where you are? o Do an Unwasted Life Review o Prepare for Supper:

Better to Lose your Life than Waste it (Piper) . . . I. Live in a Way that Commends the Gospel! (17-19, 33ff)II. Rely on and Minister the Word to People! (20-21; 24b-25; 26-27; 31-32) III. Gladly be Mastered by God come what May! (22-24) IV. Love the Church! (28-32a) Practical Implications o How do you interpret and apply “Better to Lose your life than to waste it” where you are? o Do an Unwasted Life Review

God’s Word Has Prevailing Power… I. The Message of Jesus Requires Belief that Leads to Life Change. (1-10) II. Belief: Freeing People from the Power of Sin through Repentance & Worship. (11-20) III. Unbelief: Trusting Idols Causes Retreat from & Resistance to God. (21-41)

Practical Implications

• Where do I see unbelief producing the fruit of unrighteousness in my life?
• In what ways are you pretending to know Jesus? Are you relying on past experiences or present intimacy?
• What idols do you love, trust, hope in more than God?

God Sovereignly Placed you in your Circles for a Purpose . . . I. Spiritual Places: Engage Unsaved Christians! (1-15) II. Everyday Places: Care for Broken People! (16-22) III. Suffering Places: Display Hope for Everyday People! (23-40)

Practical Implications How can you cultivate gospel ears and gospel courage? How do you view broken people?

How do you handle suffering?

Fight to Preserve the Essence of the Gospel . . . I. Gospel Clarity: Non-Negotiables! (1-11) II. Gospel Liberty: No Other Burdens! (12-29) III. Gospel Unity: Love Governs Liberty! (23-35)Practical Implications o Some things are worth Fighting For, Make sure it’s the Right Things: o What are you tempted to add to Jesus (Law, Liberty) o How can you prepare for the Supper/reflect the Supper in all of Life?

Everyday Life on Mission . . .I. Understand the Anatomy of Engaging a People or Place! (11:19-30) II. Expect Suffering as Part of Life in this World, as a Christian, and on Mission! (Ch 12)

Practical Implicationso What are your next steps for Everyday Mission? o What keeps you from Praying w/ Boldness? Answers? o Review back of Sheet: What stands out? What would you add? Musings on SufferingGod Centered Perspective:

- Our Purpose in Life reframes the question: from why me to how do I show a superior satisfaction in Him! (2 Cor 5:9)

- Produces greater eternal glory in/for us (2 Cor 4:16-18)

- Life in Fallen world: Groaning and Redemption (Rom 8:22-25)

- God has a wisdom/power beyond our vantage point (Rom 11:33-36)

- Why is rarely answered but the Who is always answered (Job 40-42)

- God entered the world and suffered on the cross (Mt 27:46)

- God will do right and make all things right one day. (Rev 21:4) How do we Suffer Well:

- Learn to Lament/Grieve Well before God: (Psalms)

- Keep Praying: Don’t let God disappear from trial.

- Lean into God as He is; all that He is

- Root out our idols/disordered loves- Cling to/Move towards Christ

- Meditate on our eternal hope - Stay in Community- resist the urge to isolate.

- In Time- Find Someone to Love and Serve - Stay faithful to the means of grace/disciplines Why do we Suffer? (*No “Answer” but some ideas)

- *Beware of a Greater Good mentality.

- Weans us from Love Affair w/ this World/Life

- Tests the strength of our faith (goal of approving)

- Works humility and compassion in us

- Exposes our disordered loves/deepest treasures

-Deepens our heavenly hope

- Become more genuinely helpful to others

- Opportunity to glorify God w/ Tears: Display God is better than what we can/will lose in this life (Ps 63:3)

- Necessary in the Process of maturity and hope (Ja 1:2-4; Rom 5:1-5) What is helpful in this list to you? Why? What else would you add?

A Barrier Breaking Gospel that Keeps Moving Forward…

I. Devout but Still Dead: The Gospel is a Universal Need! (1-8)

Conversion comes with a Commission . . .

I. Spiritual Blindness- We are Blind but think we See Clearly, until we Encounter Jesus! (1-9)

II. Spiritual Sight- God Restores our Sight by His Spirit and His People! (10-19a)

III. Spiritual Burden- We can See People the Way Jesus Does! (19b-31)

Practical Implications

o How can you identify some of your blind spots?

o Where/who are you holding back from Speaking?

o How are your participating in Every Member on Mission?

The Scattered Church Aims for Maturity in Christ through ...

I. Gospel Centered Teaching and Warning! (28)

II. Gospel Centered Effort and Serving! (29)

Practical Implications

o In what ways are you scattering well? Ways growth is needed?

o What ways are you resting well in gospel? What ways are you working from the gospel well? Poorly?

o Prepare for the Supper:

Process and Purpose

Gathering: God exalting gathering leads us to experience God in community in a way that leads to responsiveness.

Sunday School: Invited to community that share content that fosters the treasuring of Christ; gateway to connecting into relationships; invited to serve others w/ our gifts.

Micro Group: Increasingly known/know; encouraged to fight sin; be reminded of Jesus/gospel; and to prompted to pursue holiness/positive Christian life. Meeting Balances MAPS

- M- Mission: Where/Who/What next?

- A- Accountability: Fight sin, point to gospel, pursue holiness.

- P- Prayer: For live stuff, mission, growth.

- S- Scripture: Heart Targeting Content; Content taken deeper.