Fletcher Church

Gospel Courage leads us to Show up and Share a Jesus Centered Testimony . . . I. What was your life like before Christ? (1-5)II. How did you Encounter Jesus in a Saving Way? (6-11)III. How has Knowing Jesus Transformed you (lately)? (12-21)

Practical Implications o What is your story?

o What are 3 things would you do differently this week if …?

o What are some ways you have changed lately? Seen change in someone’s life lately

Jesus’ Tender Mercy Is on Display Even as His Sovereign Plan Unfolds . . .

I. Jesus’ Sovereign Power Demands Worship! (36-40)

II. Jesus’ Tender Mercy Compels Worship! (41-42)

III. Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Make Peace with God! (43-44)

Practical Implications

o What areas of your life are not under the rule of the Sovereign God?

o In what ways does your heart not reflect the Tender Mercy of Jesus?

o In what ways are you quenching the Spirit’s work in your life?

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)