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LifeMatters: Be Faithful

Laura Magness — 2012-05-16T19:26:43-06:00

This week, the influential life we’re using as our example is Abraham’s and his model of faithfulness. Among the many things we can learn from us is the importance of standing firm in our faith, no matter the cost. Spend time reading through Genesis 22–26 in preparation for Sunday. And consider the thoughts below. Our hope is that this week’s study revives your faith and the faith of all those in your group.

But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.” Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. And Abraham named that place The LORD Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the LORD’s mountain.” —Genesis 22:11-14

Faithfulness is one of those things in life that’s much easier “in theory” than it is in practice. While the development of our faith includes many times of struggle, God also gives us good times, during which we build a reserve to call on when struggles return.

Abraham had seen God keep His promises many times prior to the test on Mount Moriah, so he had no reason to doubt God’s faithfulness on the mountain. Throughout Abraham’s entire life, God had been preparing him for this test. In fact, Abraham’s example proves that practicing faith in God in daily life prepares us to trust Him in more challenging situations.

Our trust in God grows the more experiences we endure. As Mother Teresa advised, “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” Whether life makes sense or not, our faithfulness should display trust in God’s goodness and love. He is ultimately the one in control: “Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent” (Matthew 10:29). Abraham’s faith in God was so consuming, he could gather bundles of wood for the sacrifice of his son.

Think about a time when your faith was put to the test. How had God prepared you to face that situation?

Some testing times offer no human source for help, leaving us dependent on God. Have you experienced this type of loneliness? What did you learn about yourself and God during that time?

LifeMatters: Show Hope

Laura Magness — 2012-05-11T20:10:16-06:00

As we continue to look at leaving our mark of influence on the world, this week we focus on showing our hope in God to the people who cross our paths. Our biblical example for this is Samuel, and the foundation of confidence in God that began with his mother, Hannah. From Hannah’s story, we see desperation turned into a hope in God’s ability that we can all learn from. What a great story to study on Mother’s Day! Take a few minutes to read the following excerpt from the LifeMatters Learner Guide, and think about the questions included below.

“I hope so.” How often do we toss around that phrase? We hope our favorite sports team will win the big game, we hope we’ll be able to ace that test, or we hope our boss is impressed by the presentation we gave.

Hope is a great thing to have in all areas of life, but placing hope in the things of this world—people, work, health, and so on—is risky. When our sources of hope go sour (as they all do), rebuilding hope, trust, and confidence can be an arduous process. For this reason, only God is a reliable source of hope.

Throughout Scripture, we read promise after promise that God will never abandon us or fail us, and that He is working everything out for His good plan (not our comfort or convenience), regardless of how it seems today.

Samuel is one of many models of hope in Scripture. Despite the Israelites’ poor decisions while Samuel was their judge, he maintained hope that the people would worship and depend on God. This hope motivated Samuel to pray for the people—despite how they treated him—and to encourage them in their faith.

By letting others see our hope in God, we can positively influence a world in desperate need of lasting hope.

Does hope come naturally for you or is it a challenge?

What are some of the dynamics of faith that you can put your hope in?

How does hopefulness affect your character? How does it affect your level of influence?

LifeMatters: Love God

Laura Magness — 2012-05-02T14:56:28-06:00

Our May study in LifeMatters transitions from understanding key truths of our faith to living a life of influence. Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at examples of people from Scripture who modeled ways we can best impact the world around us with the gospel. We begin with Moses’ influence in the lives of the Israelites. From him, we see the important foundation of loving God put into practice. Out of our love for God stems our love for others. Consider the following devotion as you prepare to lead your group this weekend.

“Home is where your story begins.” That statement—popularly quoted on wall art and home decor—is a good reminder of the importance our home and family background has on who we are today (whether we like it or not). Both close-knit and broken families have a profound impact on our identities, interests, and beliefs. Our parents, grandparents, and other family members greatly influence our spiritual growth, modeling either godliness or ungodliness for us.

As Moses explained in this passage, we influence the lives of people younger than us, both in age and in spiritual maturity. According to Moses, the most important truth we can share with others is that God is worthy of our love (Deuteronomy 6:5). Moses wasn’t alone in this belief; Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 22:37-38—“He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command.”

As a parent, the most important influence you have is on your child’s spiritual growth. But for those who aren’t parents, the influence options may be harder to recognize. Moses’ challenge affects how we pray for our future children and how we invest in the children in our lives today (nieces and nephews, children of friends, children in our churches, etc.). While our families are the starting point of our investment, we can also spiritually influence everyone in our lives, from coworkers to strangers. Everyone needs to know the importance of loving and worshiping the one true God.

Think back on your family life. What kind of spiritual leadership was modeled in your home, and how has that shaped who you are today?

LifeMatters: Jesus Is Coming Again

Laura Magness — 2012-04-25T19:38:08-06:00

What better way to wrap up our study on gospel basics then by looking at the future hope we have in Jesus’ return. That is the moment when God will make all things right, for good, and how we respond to this truth determines how we live and the impact we have here on earth.

Throughout this study we’ve seen many truths of our faith. We looked at everything from the death of Christ to His return. We studied what type of relationship Jesus desires of us, why He desires it, and what we can do to grow it. We’ve been reminded of the importance of sharing these truths with others. In essence, we’ve gotten small glimpses of the things we, as Christians, should do to worship and obey our Father.

Those truths lead us to the picture of the eternal worship service described in Revelation 7:9:

“After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands.”

When we reflect on the picture John describes, we’re motivated to do our part to introduce more people to Jesus so they can be a part of that incredible eternity. Christ died and was risen so all who believe could come worship Him. Are you being faithful to that end?

As you prepare to lead a group this Sunday, think through these questions:

What are you doing to prepare for the ultimate worship service of eternity?
What can you do so that your passion for the gospel doesn’t wane when this study is over?

Here are the links to this week’s Web features:

“Wonders of the Solar System: View from the Edge,” a video from the Science Channel
The Last Letter campaign
And don’t miss this video of Sam & Ruby’s live performance of “Heaven’s My Home,” this week’s playlist song:

Sam & Ruby Live- “Heaven’s My Home” from sammy b on Vimeo.

LifeMatters: Jesus Works Through His Church

Laura Magness — 2012-04-18T19:47:05-06:00

People have a wide range of opinions about who Jesus is and what His purpose on earth was. Part of our job as Christians is to inform people of the truth of Jesus’ identity and work—the gospel. In this week’s study, we’ll examine what Scripture tells us about the significance of the church. Christ established the church and uses it to reach the world with the truth of His life, death, and resurrection. The church plays a vital role in God’s plan for the world, and, likewise, ought to play a vital role in our lives.

Matthew 28:18-20 records the Great Commission, one of the most commonly referenced passages of Scripture. But for many Christians, it’s more aptly thought of as the Great Omission. We’d rather not discuss our faith with others—it’s scary and unfamiliar work—so we leave that part out of our obedience to God and focus on personal growth and making disciples. But sharing the gospel with others isn’t an option; it’s a critical component of passing on the faith and introducing other people to Jesus.

Because evangelism can be so intimidating, we often overlook another detail included in the Great Commission: the daunting task of making disciples of all nations isn’t intended to be done on our own. Re-read Matthew 28:18-20.

First, Jesus tells us that He now has all authority on earth and heaven, then He tells us to go and make disciples, and then He says He’ll always be with us. Catch anything in that order? First, He can do anything. Second, He’s given us a job to do. Third, He’ll be with us, so don’t sweat it and don’t skip it. Help is always with us, and this Help can do anything in heaven or earth. This truth can eradicate any of the fears we have regarding evangelism. Believe it, and be a part of the purpose He’s given His church.

What are you doing to fulfill this Commission?

Here’s a link to the article “Younger Unchurched Seek Faith that Challenges, Transforms”.

LifeMatters: Jesus Lives in Us

Laura Magness — 2012-04-11T20:28:05-06:00

No matter our circumstances, we’re not alone in life. How is this possible? Because as believers in Jesus Christ, we have a personal relationship with Him, and He promises to be with us always. One of the Scripture passages we’ll look at this week is John 15:1-5, which helps us understand our relationship with Jesus more clearly.

Florists know the importance of staying connected to the vine. Freshly cut flowers stay fresh and beautiful for only a few days. Once the flowers are cut off from their roots in the ground, they begin to droop. Apart from the vine, they’ll die. No profit can be had from detached, wilted flowers.

This is the symbolism Jesus used in John 15 to describe our (the branches) connection to Him (the vine). According to this passage, we’re incapable of living a life that glorifies God and embraces His grace apart from a growing relationship with Jesus.

In his devotional classic, Abide in Christ, Andrew Murray wrote: “As the believer enters into his calling as a branch, he sees that he has to forget himself, and to live entirely for his fellowmen. To love them, to seek for them, and to save them. Jesus came: for this every branch on the Vine has to live as much as the Vine itself. It is for fruit, much fruit, that the Father had made us one with Jesus.”

Investing in our relationship with Jesus should be of primary importance. We are to glorify Him, yield to Him, and love and serve others in His name. Strengthening this relationship has a direct effect on the quality of the rest of our relationships. We don’t produce fruit by being high-achieving, motivated, super-productive makers of fruit, but by yielding to God, the vinedresser. When we submit and lean into God—abide in Him—He enables us to bear fruit.

Here is the links to this week’s Web feature:

31 devotional readings from Abide in Christ

LifeMatters: Jesus Rose from the Dead

Laura Magness — 2012-04-04T13:25:31-06:00

This Sunday is Easter, and our LifeMatters study takes a look at the resurrection of Jesus, from Matthew 27–28 and Luke 24. Spend time reading the gospel accounts of the resurrection as you prepare for Sunday morning. Also take time this week to read the following (Mid-Week Reading 1 from page 49 of the LifeMatters Learner Guide) and think through the question at the end of the devotion. This reading accompanies Matthew 27:62-66.

Stories of prison escapes—fictitious or not—are fascinating. Designers of prisons have one primary goal: keep people in. An escapee also has one goal: find a way out. The ingenuity that goes into a successful escape is mesmerizing. It’s a battle of wits, with the prisoner being the overwhelming underdog.

These verses in Matthew that detail the protection put around Jesus’ tomb lend themselves to an escape story. If prisoners can break out of secured prisons, even with all the technological obstacles in place, then surely it would’ve been possible to break into Jesus’ tomb and take His body, right? Not exactly.

Jesus wasn’t locked in a prison, He was buried in a one-room tomb in the side of a mountain. The tomb had only one way in and out, with upwards of 16 highly trained Roman guards blocking the way. Furthermore, Jesus’ tomb was sealed shut. No one was going in or out.

In spite of all the ingenuity of man, no one could’ve removed Jesus’ body from the tomb apart from divine providence. Jesus’ body wasn’t stolen by the disciples, as skeptics suggest; it was raised by the Father. The heavily guarded tomb is one piece of evidence that supports Jesus’ resurrection—our hope in eternal life and eternal communion with God.

What impact does Jesus’ resurrection have on your life?

And don’t miss the link to this week’s Web feature:

“The Resurrection: Fact or Fiction” lecture by apologist William Lane Craig

Happy Easter!

Win a FREE Creation Restored DVD Leader Kit ($49.95 value)!

Adam York — 2012-04-02T17:06:18-06:00

Ready for a FREE copy of the our brand new release, Creation Restored?

We heard so much positive feedback from leaders and groups who used Creation Unraveled. We’re excited to give one lucky reader a copy of its new companion study kit!

Winning is so easy. All you need to do is post on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter feed about the Threads giveaway, linking your readers back to this post on the Threads Blog. Then, come back to this page and post a comment with a link to your social network post. We will randomly choose one winner from those who posted to receive the leader kit.

In Creation Restored, authors Matt Carter and Halim Suh examine Genesis 12-50 and explore how the early portions of the Bible foreshadow the gospel of Jesus Christ — the good news of salvation and redemption that we find only in relationship with Him. When we read about Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph—the family of promise—we read about salvation by faith. We begin to understand that God orchestrates everything, including suffering and evil, in order to redeem the consequences of the fall and ultimately restore us to Him.

Check out the promo video to see what the study is all about:

For more details, here’s the link to the study: CREATION RESTORED DVD LEADER KIT

LifeMatters: Jesus Died for Our Sins

Laura Magness — 2012-03-28T19:53:41-06:00

What better time to revisit the basics of the gospel than the month of Easter? In April our LifeMatters lessons will focus on five fundamental truths of the gospel: crucifixion, resurrection, abiding in Christ, the work of the church, and Christ’s second coming. In anticipation of Resurrection Sunday, this week’s study examines the crucifixion and what Jesus accomplished by dying for our sins. As you prepare to lead your group on Sunday, read the following devotion, “Mid-Week Reading 1” from the LifeMatters Learner Guide, and spend time thinking through the questions included.

Old Testament covenants were usually established with a blood sacrifice, as was the case with Abraham’s (Genesis 15) and Moses’ (Exodus 24) covenant procedures with God. So when Jesus said, “For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins,” He was following the pattern for a promise that will rock the world.

Jesus was also tapping back into the symbolism of Passover (the meal being celebrated in these verses), wherein the Hebrews avoided the plague of death to their firstborns by sacrificing a lamb to God. Jesus took on the role of lamb so we can avoid the plague of eternal death.

In response, our role on earth is to accept Christ in faith and receive the forgiveness of our sins. But we have a second part to play: spread the word. Because of the new covenant with God that Jesus’ death initiated, we can have a personal relationship with Him. No priests, sacrifices, or intermediaries necessary: just grace and love. But with that comes the expectation that we will boldly proclaim this covenant of love and freedom to the world, so that others will enjoy a relationship with Him and, in turn, spread the news even further.

What is significant about the claim that Jesus’ blood was shed for many?
How has that truth affected your life?

And here’s the link to this week’s Web feature:

“Fully Human, Fully God” from The Skit Guys

LifeMatters: Gratitude

Laura Magness — 2012-03-21T19:30:15-06:00

This week’s lesson is about giving thanks to God, and the study is rooted in Psalm 107. As we study this psalm, we’ll come to better understand how we’re to worship God by giving thanks. As you prepare to facilitate the discussion this week, spend time praying through Psalm 107.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD proclaim that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe and has gathered them from the lands— from the east and the west, from the north and the south… .

“Some wandered in the desolate wilderness, finding no way to a city where they could live. They were hungry and thirsty; their spirits failed within them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He rescued them from their distress. He led them by the right path to go to a city where they could live. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His faithful love and His wonderful works for all humanity. For He has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things… .

“He turns rivers into desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, and fruitful land into salty wasteland, because of the wickedness of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into a pool of water, dry land into springs of water. He causes the hungry to settle there, and they establish a city where they can live. They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest. He blesses them, and they multiply greatly; He does not let their livestock decrease… .

“Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things and consider the LORD’s acts of faithful love.” —Psalm 107:1-9,33-38,43

Also practice gratitude this week, and prepare your answers to the following questions, which will be the starting point for your group’s discussion time:

What happened this week that you’re grateful for?
Who do you owe a thank-you to? Why?
What are some of the ongoing things in life you’re thankful for?