Psalm 51 / Leader Guide week of 11/2/08

Small Group Leaders Guide
November 2, 2008

Series: Honest To God
Message: Dear God, Sometimes I Wonder If You
Can Ever Forgive Me
Psalm 51

Getting Started:
1. Have you ever wondered if a sin you committed was more than God would forgive?

Going Deeper:
2. Read Acts 3:19 and Psalm 51:1. The verse in Acts refers to repentance. Is David showing this repentance in the Psalm verse? Why or why not?

3. Read Psalm 51:3. Do you think David is saying that, in general, he is aware of his overall sinfulness? Or, do you think he has something specific in mind? If you think he is referring to something specific, what is it?

• Before the psalm begins, we read, “For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.”
• Apparently, David does have something specific in mind.
• If you’re not familiar with David’s actions regarding Bathsheba and her husband, read about them in 2Samuel, chapters 11 and 12.
• David definitely has something specific in mind. That said, it is also clear that he understands that he is sinful by nature, to his very core.

4. Read Psalm 51:4. Did David sin against God alone or against someone else? What does he mean by saying “against you, you only, have I sinned”? Read 2Samuel 11 and 12.

• Here is what the NASB study Bible says: David acknowledges that his sin was preeminently against God. He had violated specific covenant stipulations.
• Preeminently means, “above all” or “in particular” and “especially”

5. What does the bible teach about when life begins? Does verse 5 give any indication about what God thinks regarding this question? What about these verses: Psalm 139:13-16, Luke 1:41-44, Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 1:5?

• From these verses it appears that: God is involved in the “knitting together” of our inmost being, God’s eyes see our unformed bodies even before birth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb reacted to the presence of an as yet unborn Jesus by leaping for joy, God prepares good works in advance for those not yet born, God knows us before we are formed in the womb.

6. In verse 5, David says he was sinful since the time of his conception. Are people really sinful from the time of conception? Are people counted in God’s sight as sinners before they are even born? If so, what are the implications of this belief?

• The Bible tells us that even if an infant or child has not committed personal sin, all people, including infants and children, are guilty before God because of inherited and imputed sin. Inherited sin is that which is passed on from our parents. Reproduction happens "each according to its kind." Sinners beget sinners. In Psalm 51:5, David wrote, "I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." David recognized that even at conception, he was a sinner. The very sad fact that infants sometimes die demonstrates that even infants are impacted by Adam’s sin, since physical and spiritual death is the result of Adam's original sin. Each person, infant or adult, stands guilty before God. The only way that God can be just and at the same time declare a person righteous is for that person to have received forgiveness by faith in Christ. Christ is the only way. John 14:6 records what Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." Also, Peter stated in Acts 4:12, "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." Salvation is an individual choice. But, what about babies and young children who never reach the ability to make this individual choice? Consider the following: Christ's death is presented as sufficient for all of mankind. 1 John 2:2 says Jesus "is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." This verse is clear that Jesus' death was sufficient for all sins, not just the sins of those who specifically have come to Him in faith. The fact that Christ's death was sufficient for all sin would allow the possibility of God applying that payment to those who were never capable of believing. The one passage that seems to identify with this topic more than any other is 2 Samuel 12:21-23. The context of these verses is that King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, with a resulting pregnancy. The prophet Nathan was sent by the Lord to inform David that because of his sin, the Lord would take the child in death. David responded to this by grieving, mourning, and praying for the child. But, once the child was taken, David's mourning ended. David's servants were surprised to hear this. They said to King David, "What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food." David's response was, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me." David's response might be seen as an argument that those who cannot believe are safe in the Lord. David said that he could go to the child, but that he could not bring the child back to him. Also, and just as important, David seemed to be comforted over this. In other words, David seemed to be saying that he would once again see the child (in heaven), though he could not bring him back.
• Though the Bible leaves open the possibility, the one problem with saying that God applies Christ's payment for sin to those who can't believe is that the Bible does not specifically say that He does this. Therefore, this is a subject for which we should not be adamant or dogmatic. We can, however, be dogmatic about the fact that God ALWAYS does what is right.

7. If you have read 2Samuel 11 and 12, you are familiar with the extent of David’s various sins. In Psalm 51:7, David says that he can be cleansed to become whiter than snow. Does God really forgive the types of sins David committed?

8. Read verses 16 and 17. Where else have you read statements like that in scripture? What do they teach?

• Matthew 9:13
• Matthew 12:7
• Hebrews 10:5-14

9. A couple of times in this psalm, David refers to a pure, contrite, broken heart and his desire for a willing and broken spirit. Why is David asking for these things?


Putting it into practice:
10. What about this psalm reminds you of you? Pray in your groups for those who are feeling un-forgiven and lay hands on them this week.

Quote Of The Week:
What I envy most about you Christians is your forgiveness; I have nobody to forgive me.
--Marghanita Laski, secular humanist and novelist, before her death in 1988.

Psalm 13 / Leader Guide for 10/26/08

Small Group Leaders Guide
October 26, 2008

Series: Honest To God
Message: Dear God, Sometimes I Feel Like You’ve
Forgotten About Me
Psalm 13

Getting Started:
1. Have you ever forgotten something very important? (birthday, anniversary, child, etc)


Going Deeper:
2. Read Psalm 13:1. What does it mean for God to “hide his face” from someone? What happens when He stops “hiding” it?

• Deuteronomy 31:17
• Psalm 30:7
• Psalm 44:24
• Psalm 88:14
• Isaiah 54:8
• Isaiah 57:17
• Ezekiel 39:23-24
• Numbers 6:23-26

3. In this psalm, David feels forgotten by God. What do you think David’s faith was like? Isn’t he showing a lack of faith by feeling this way? Why or why not?

• There is a balance in life when it comes to feelings. On one extreme, some people ignore feelings, and think that feelings should have nothing to do with our relationship with God. But, God has given us feelings as an expression of His image in us. We can feel anger, love, care, sorrow, and many other feelings, because God feels those feelings. In this sense, feelings are a gift from God and a sign that we are made in His image.
• At the other extreme, some live their lives ruled by feelings. They believe whatever “reality” their feelings present them. The problem with this is that though we have feelings because we are made in the image of God, our feelings are affected by our fallenness. We can’t always trust our feelings because of this. In this sense, it is all right for someone to feel this way, and good to seek God for answers, but we should always be aware that our feelings are not always a good representation of reality.
• I guess what I’m trying to say is that expressing your feelings to God is not a sign that you lack faith.

4. In verse two, David writes that he is wrestling with his thoughts. What do you think he means by that? Have you ever wrestled with your thoughts about God? What thoughts? What was that like for you?

• Many times when confronted with problems, I have found this to be true: The more I think about the problems, the more depressed I get. But when I pray about the problems, I sometimes experience a sense of relief. Thinking about our troubles is hard work. Trouble can be like a pill God wants us to just swallow, but we make it worse by keeping it in our mouths and chewing it.

5. In verse three, David asks God to give light to his eyes. What is David really asking for? Why? Read Ephesians 1:17-19

• I think he is asking for wisdom and understanding. The New Testament sometimes uses the phrase, “eyes that see and ears that hear,” to say the same thing.
• No matter what kind of problem we are facing, we need God to give light to our eyes so that we can respond well. Often, the problem itself has a way of darkening our “vision” and clouding our ability to make a decision and take a right course of action.
• Even worse, a problem can cause us to misunderstand or doubt God and His love for us.

6. In verse four, why is David concerned about what his enemy might say or do?

• Some people view the defeat of one of God’s chosen as a defeat of God Himself.
• Any enemy of God’s that achieves an apparent earthly victory of any sort only achieves it because God has allowed it. Moreover, it is part of God’s plan to use these seeming “victories” for the good of those who love Him. Nevertheless, we want to see God win each and every battle no matter how large or small even though in fact, He does.

7. In verse five, David writes that he trusts God’s unfailing love. Why do you think he focuses on that? Why not trust in God’s justice, law, righteousness or holiness? Do you think that in verse five, God has answered the prayer of verse three?

• David may not see justice. His foes or enemies may accomplish their ends. Whether in the middle of a problem we are guaranteed to see justice is not known. But we can always count on God’s unfailing love even in the midst of injustice.

8. In verse six, David says, “I will sing to the Lord.” Is this singing an uncontrolled reaction to a heart filled with the love of God or an intentional decision to worship God in spite of the circumstances? What does this teach us about the connection between faith and feelings?


Putting it into practice:
10. What does this psalm of David teach us about how we can respond to God when we are going through difficult times? Pray that God will give light to your eyes and for His power to overcome.

Quote Of The Week:
Whenever you look into David’s Psalms, you may somewhere or another see yourselves.
--Charles Spurgeon

Click To Give One Stop Shop

As you can see, this website donates to six different charities. Just click the tab at the top for Breast Cancer, for example, and when the page loads, click!

Psalm 22 / Leader Guide week of 10-19-08

Small Group Leaders Guide
October 19, 2008

Series: Honest To God
Message: Dear God, Sometimes I Wonder If You Really Care

Psalm 22

Getting Started:
1. Have you ever questioned God’s love for you?

Going Deeper:
2. Read Psalm 22:1-2. Is it okay for David to be asking these questions of God? Is it a sin to question God in this way? At what point can questioning God cross the line into accusing God?

3. In verses 3-5, what do you think David’s main point is? Contrast these verses with verses 1 and 2.

4. Read verses 6-8. Have you ever had someone throw your faith back in your face this way? How did that make you feel? What was your response?

5. God doesn’t let Christians go through struggles and trials, right? Read verses 9-11. In verses 9 and 10, David talks about being a believer all his life. In the face of what he’s going through, why do you think he mentions that at this time?

• In verse 11, David goes to God for help. I think the fact that he has been a believer all his life is what causes him to know where to go when, “trouble is near and there is no one to help.”

6. Do you think David’s suffering was caused by God because of something David did? Does suffering ever come from the hand of God? What Bible passages teach on this subject?

• Psalm 107:17
• Proverbs 19:3
• Galatians 6:7
• Proverbs 15:10
• Hebrews 12:5-11
• Job 2:7-10
• Isaiah 45:5-7
• Lamentations 3:37-38
• Amos 4:6-13
• John 9:1-3
• Deuteronomy 8:5
• Proverbs 3:11-12

7. If someone told you that they feel like God has abandoned them, what would you say? What Scriptures would you point that person to?

• Others have felt the same way-Psalm 30:7, Psalm 31:22
• God will never abandon you-Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 9:10, Psalm 37:25-28, John 14:18
• God loves you more than you can understand-Psalm 103:11,Isaiah 49:15-16, Ephesians 3:16-19
• Believe God because He doesn’t lie-Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:1-2
• Live by faith rather than feelings-2Corinthians 5:7
• Wait patiently-Psalm 37:7-9, Isaiah 40:27-31

8. What advice would you give to someone that was undergoing the discipline of God? What Scriptures would you share with that person?

• Psalm 139:23-24
• Psalm 103:8-14
• Isaiah 53:5
• 2Corinthians 5:21
• Psalm 71:20-21
• Lamentations 3:31-33
• Hosea 6:1-2
• 1Peter 5:10

9. Verse 22 marks a turning point in this psalm. Do you think the purpose of all the suffering in David’s life was meant to produce what happens in verses 22-31?

10. Psalm 22 has a prophetic thrust. It gives us a picture of Christ. In fact John 19:4 speaks of this as a scripture that was fulfilled. How many pictures of Christ can you find in this passage? Can you find the New Testament references to connections you see?

• Hebrews 2:12
• Matthew 27:46
• Matthew 27:43
• Matthew 27:35
• Matthew 27:39

Putting it into practice:
11. If you are feeling abandoned by God, go to Him and tell Him how you really feel. Pray for those in your group who are feeling like God is distant.

Quote Of The Week:
Feelings are the play of emotion over the will, a kind of musical accompaniment to the business of living, and while it is indeed most enjoyable to have the band play as we march…it is by no means indispensable. We can work and walk without music, and if we have true faith, we can walk with God without feeling.
--A.W. Tozer

Learning = Giving?

How's your vocabulary?

Here's a unique way to give. This site will test your vocabulary and teach you new words. As you go through each question, it tracks your progress and takes you to higher or lower levels of English definitions depending on how well you know them. For each correct answer you give, the site donates 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.
Instead of your children playing SpongeBob or Dora games online, how about helping them increase their vocabulary and help some needy people in the process!

Check out freerice.com

Ps. See if you can beat me. At the 700 grain donation mark, my level was 38 and my best level was 40.

Leader Guide 10-12-08 / Romans 13

Small Group Leaders Guide
October 12, 2008

Guest Speaker: Mike Giordano
Message: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Romans 13:7-14/Ephesians 6:11

Getting Started:
1. Do you think God wants Christians to be in debt?

• This is a play on words. In Romans 13:8 we are taught to let no debt remain outstanding except for one; the continuing debt to love one another. So, in a sense, God wants Christians to be continually in debt! :)

Going Deeper:
2. Read Romans 13:9. Do you think this passage is teaching that we should have warm feelings toward others? Why or why not?

• This can be a hard question to answer depending on what you think “love” is.
• Love is certainly an emotion. However, we would not know the love of another without an expression of that love. We cannot see emotions unless they manifest in some way. The emotion of love can prompt an action but a loving action does not require a loving feeling as a pre-requisite. Often, loving feelings follow loving actions.
• I think there are passages that teach us to have feelings for others such as sympathy and compassion. (see 1Peter 3:8) However, I don’t think this passage is referring to an emotion, but an action.
• I think love in this context is something you do and not something you feel. It is a way you behave toward others regardless of the feelings you may or may not have. That said, I also think we should have “loving” feelings toward others. Y

3. When you hear the phrase, “Love your neighbor,” who do you think of? The person who lives next door to you? The person sitting in the chair next to yours at church? Someone you work with? Which “neighbor” in your life needs some love?

4. Think about your answer to number 3 above. Specifically, what are you going to do? What does it mean to “love” your neighbor in this specific case?

5. How does the Bible define love? If you wanted to find some passages about what the Bible says love is, where would you look?

• 1Corinthians 13:3-7 is a great place to start.
• 1John 4:9-10
• 1John 5:3
• 2John 1:6
• Romans 5:8
• John 13:1-17
• Romans 8:35-39
• 1John 3:17
• John 14:24

6. Read Romans 13:11. What is it about “this present time” that we need to “understand?” How is your salvation nearer now than when you first believed?

• With each day that goes by we are all one day closer to physical death. Our lives are short compared to eternity and we have little time to make a difference in the world for the cause of Christ. So, the time to love our neighbor is now, this present time
• We live in an evil age according to Galatians 1:4. There are a lot of things that compete for our time, money, attention, worship, etc. It seems like there is something waiting to make us stumble around every corner. Our “neighbors” are certainly experiencing the same thing. Notice that in the upcoming verses, Paul refers to needing the “armor” of light. Armor is worn into battle and can save your life when under assault.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

7. Read Romans 13:12-14. In this passage, Paul mentions two things to put on or be clothed with, the Lord Jesus Christ and the armor of light. Are they the same thing? Where else in the Bible are Christians advised to put on armor or be clothed? What does it mean to be “clothed” with Christ?

• Colossians 3:9-14
• 1Peter 5:5
• Ephesians 4:24
• Ephesians 6:10-17
• Galatians 3:27
• Colossians 3:12

8. Read Ephesians 6:10-17. This passage seems to be breaking down the “full armor” into its different components (belt, breastplate, helmet, etc). Which piece of the full armor are you in need of most right now and why?

9. Read 1Peter 2:21-23 and John 13:15. In both of these passages, Jesus is setting an example for us to follow. What’s love got to do with the specific examples in these two passages? What are some practical ways we can emulate the examples before us?

Putting it into practice:
10. If your “love thermometer” is registering a little on the “chilly” side, pray with your groups for a fresh sense of the love of Christ to fill you up and warm you up. Pray about ways Christ’s love in you can be demonstrated to others.

Quote Of The Week:
More people have been brought into the church by the kindness of real Christian love than by all the theological arguments in the world, and more people have been driven from the church by the hardness and ugliness of so-called Christianity than by all the doubts in the world.
--William Barclay

Clicking = Giving

What are you searching for?

If you do a lot of searching online, you may want to consider making a donation to your favorite charity every time you search. On this search engine, if the charity you choose is one of the listed charities, a sponsor will donate to that charity every time you search.

Leader Guide week of 10-5-08

Small Group Leaders Guide
October 5, 2008

Series: One Week To Live
Message 5: Think Eternally

Getting Started:
1. Why do you think the subject of death causes people to think about eternity?

Going Deeper:
2. Read Revelation 20:12-15. What stands out to you most from this passage?

3. In this passage, you see the term “second death.” What is that? Is it possible for a person to die twice? In this passage, who dies twice?

4. What is Revelation 20:12-15 referring to? The “lake of fire” sounds like a bad thing. Can a person know ahead of time whether he/she will end up in the lake of fire or does a person simply have to wait for judgment to take place?

• This passage is referring to Final Judgment.
• John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
• Whoever does not believe stands condemned already. Apparently, a person can at least know if he/she will end up in the lake of fire at the final judgment.
• John 12:48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.

5. In Revelation 20:12, two sets of books are mentioned. The book of life, and apparently a set of books that recorded what people had done. What is the purpose of these two sets of books?

6. Can a person know that he/she is definitely not headed for the lake of fire? What Bible passages help answer this question?

• John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
• Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

7. Being a good person in this life is all the “thinking eternally” a person needs to do, right? Why or why not? What does the Bible say about this?

8. If someone asked you how to become a Christian, what would you tell that person? If that person did what you said and came back to you later saying; “I did what you said and I don’t feel any different,” what would you tell that person then?

• We spend 2 weeks answering this question and others that are connected to it in Accelerate!
• When a person becomes a Christian, that person receives the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit never comes alone but always brings gifts. After a person receives the Holy Spirit, the fruits of the Spirit begin to form. Maybe not fast, maybe not suddenly, maybe not even big, but fruits cannot help but be manifested. One kumquat is all that needs to be seen to know a kumquat tree when you see one. Jesus said that we are recognized by our fruit.
• Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
• Matthew 12:33 "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
• John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9. Some people find it easier to talk about God than to talk about Jesus. Why do you think this is? When thinking eternally, why is it important that the name of Jesus is part of your thinking?

• In question 9 there is a list of passages that can help in answering this question.
• What is your hope for eternal life? If it is not Jesus Christ, you have no hope.

10. Read some or all of the following passages and discuss their main points and their significance for thinking eternally: Isaiah 64:6, 1John 1:8-10, 1Peter 3:18, Mark 2:17, Romans 3:20-26, Romans 7:7, Romans 8:3, Titus 3:4-7, 2Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 11:6, Romans 10:13-15, 1Timothy 2:5-6, Galatians 2:21, Romans 5:8, Revelation 14:13.

11. Read Revelation 13:8. From a historical perspective Jesus was crucified in the first century A.D. In what way was Jesus slain from the foundation of the world?

Putting it into practice:
12. If your hope for eternal life is in being a good person or doing nice things for others, then you need to know God’s point of view on these things. Make a commitment to learn more about God by studying His Word.

13. Is there someone close to you who needs to know who Jesus Christ is and what He has done? Pray for him/her in your groups.

Quote Of The Week:
My wife is…a mirror. When I have sinned against her, my sin appears in the suffering of her face…The passion of Christ…is such a mirror. Are the tears of my dear wife hard to look at? Well, the pain in the face of Jesus is harder…Nevertheless, I will not avoid this mirror! No, I will carefully rehearse, again this year, the passion of my Jesus – with courage, with clarity and faith; for this is the mirror of dangerous grace, purging more purely than any other.
--Walter Wangerin, Jr.

Click To Give?

One click, no cost giving.
Giving that costs you nothing.

Is this for real?

In week four of our “One Week To Live” message series, we talked about “Giving Generously.”
I don’t know if giving away someone else’s money makes you generous but giving priority to those in need is certainly a virtue.

For the next couple of posts, I am going to highlight a few websites that use your “clicks” to donate money to charity. It costs you nothing because the donation comes from the sponsor of the website.

Cool huh?