1/24/10 Guide

Small Group Guide

1. On Sunday, several examples were given of instances when God brought judgment on a people, but also made a way for some to be saved. Can you think of examples in the Bible when this happened?

2. Read Ezekiel 9:4. Why do you think God spared those who “grieve and lament” over all the evil that was being done? Why was this sorrow pleasing to God? What does grieving tell us about their relationship with God?

3. Throughout the Bible God is described as a God of compassion. (see Psalm 103:8, Psalm 145:8) But in Ezekiel 9:5 God instructs the guards to kill “without showing pity or compassion?” How do passages like Ezekiel 9 fit into our understanding of God as compassionate?

4. In Ezekiel 9:6, God’s final instruction to the guards is to “Begin at my sanctuary” Why might God want them to start there? Is there an importance or symbolism in the fact that judgment would begin at God’s house? According to 1 Peter 4:17 where does judgment “begin”? Why would it begin there?

5. In Revelation 7, God tells the angels to hold off on judgment until God’s servants can be “sealed”, in Ezekiel 9 it’s a “mark”, but both cases God identifies those who we will be saved. With that in mind, think through the following questions.

Note to small group leaders. The following questions are designed to help people think through the Holy Spirit as God’s seal, or mark, that guarentees our salvation.

o What is the modern day “mark” that someone is truly a believer in God?

o Read Ephesians 1:13-14 – According to this passage, what is the mark or seal of someone who truly believes in God.

o In Revelation 7, God’s servants are sealed, according to 2 Corinthians 1:22, what is the “seal” that shows we belong to God?

o How can we tell that God lives in us? What does 1 John 3:24 and 1 John 4:13 say?

o In what way is the Holy Spirit the mark of a true believer. How can you tell if you have the Holy Spirit in your life?

6. In Ezekiel and Revelations we see a picture of people being saved from the wrath that is coming down upon humankind. According to 1 Thessalonians 1:10, who saves us from the coming wrath we will face? How does He save us from the coming wrath?

7. On Sunday we took a quick look at the Passover. According to 1 Corinthians 5:7 who is our Passover lamb? What connection can you see between Christ and the Passover

Putting it into practice - The title for this week’s message was don’t wait until it’s too late to get right with God. The hope is that everyone in our small groups will have a right relationship with God and an assurance of salvation. With that in mind, think through the following questions

8. What is the scariest part for you about facing God on the day of Judgment?

Note to Small Group Leaders – Use the responses to this question to help members identify if their fear is normal and flows from general uncertainty, or if the fear comes from knowing their lives are not right with God,.

9. On a scale of 1 to (“Ten” being “absolutely sure” and “one” being “very uncertain”) How confident are you that your sins have been forgiven by Jesus and that you have eternal life? What could help you bolster confidence in your spiritual standing before God?

Note to Small Group Leaders – use this question as an opportunity to help people think through assurance of salvation. If a group member seems unsure of salvation, here are two opportunities to point them towards.

1) On Tuesday, February 2^nd our topic at Accelerate is “God’s Guarentee Your Going to Heaven”

2) An abbreviated version of “God’s Guarentee Your Going to Heaven” is available online at http://newlifemessages.blogspot.com/2009/10/gods-guarantee.html

Praying for the Church - Take time during your small group prayer time to pray for the church. Please pray that God would strengthen our church and help us grow in our faith.