Fletcher Church

It is GOOD to Give Thanks, Remember . . . I. Evil Flourishes but Very Temporarily! (6-7, 9) II. God Sovereignly Rules All Things Eternally! (8) III. The Righteous are Sustained & Renewed to the End! (10-15) Practical Implications o One week of no complaining/negativity Challenge: o Start a Thankful List: o Share w/ someone daily this week 1 thing you are thankful for about them:

Churches must deal w/ Sin for God’s Glory and Our Good . . .

I. Who is the Focus? (10-12) II. What Warrants Attention or Discipline? (10-11) III. How do we Treat those under Discipline? (9, 11)

Practical Implications o How can we examine ourselves more deeply than others? o How can you more consistently fight sin in community? o What about Jesus moves you to repentance?

Undealt with Sin Corrupts the Whole Church, so How do we deal with Sin? I. We Recognize Sin’s Destructive Effects on People and the Church! (1-2a; 6) II. We Address Sin Biblically! (2b-5a; 7a) III. We Apply the Gospel Actively! (5b, 7b-8)

Practical Implications

• What obstacles arise when you think about dealing w/ sin?
• How can you practically fight sin and help others do the same?
• What about the gospel motivates you to life new?

Elders Shepherd God’s Church . . .

I. What is the Task? (1-2a) II. What should we Watch Out For? (2a-4) III. How should you Respond? (5) Practical Implications Charges to Elders o Shepherd your own Soul and Family: o Shepherd God’s People Sacrificially: o Believe, Impart & Contend for the Word: [Ti 1:9; Jd 1:3] Charges to Church o Pursue Spiritual Growth (yours and others): o Pray for your Leaders: o Cultivate Humble Submission: o Be Responsive:

Christ-Centered Relationships are Key to Spiritual Formation... I. Seek to Admonish not Shame Others! (14-15) II. Offer both Example and Instruction! (16-17) III. Tailor Your Posture to their Response! (18-21)

Practical Implications o Where do you tend to use guilt/shame as motivators? o What can you invite others to observe to help them imitate? o Do you tend to err on the side of discipline or grace?

Gospel Application Uproots Pride, Creating Faithful Leaders & Followers… I. Creating Humility: Who do you think you are? (6)

II. Creating Gratitude: What do you have that you haven’t received? (8-10)III. Creating Resilience: Why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (11-13Practical Application • Where do you see pride in your life? How does remembering the gospel create humility? • Where do you see entitlement in your life? How does remembering the gospel create gratitude? • Where do you see spiritual lethargy in your life? How does remembering the gospel create resilience?

Christ is a Better Judge Who Gives the Better Verdict . . . I. People Pleasing: Living for Others Approval! (1-3) II. Self-Pleasing: Living up to My Standards! (3c-4a) III. Jesus Pleasing: Living for His Glory by His Grace! (4b-5)

Practical Implications o Which judge are you most prone to try to please? o What are some ways this misshapes your life? o What would it look like specifically to live in and for the better verdict of Jesus this week?

Christ-Centered Wisdom Warns and Instructs . . . I. Beware of Harming the Church: Remember God dwells in and among us! (16-17) II. Beware of Self-Deception: Follow the Path to True Wisdom! (18-20) III. Beware of False Boasting: Boast in Christ b/c all is Ours in Him! (21-23)

Practical Implications o What does it mean for us practically that we are the holy place? o How can you discern areas of self-deception in your life? o How can you apply the wisdom renewal process this week? [Recognize, Empty, Refill]

God-Centered Perspective Reframes our Thinking . . . I. How Should we think about Ourselves and Our Leaders? (5-9)

II. How should we think about Our Lives and What they are Building? (10-15)

Practical Implications o What are some ways self is too central in your life?

o What are you building with your life?

o What would it look like for Christ to be the foundation for all of life?

The Mature Embrace Christ-Centered Wisdom . . .

I. Comes from Revelation not Discovery! (2:9-13) II. Should be Progressive; beware of Stalling! (2:14-3:2) III. Can be Tested; Wisdom always Acts! (3:3-4)

Practical Implications o What are some of your areas of maturity? Immaturity? o What is your plan to progress or keep progressing? o Where is the flesh still dominant in your life? The Spirit?