Multiply III:1 - Why Study the Bible?

Before we ask the "HOW," we must ask the "WHY."  Have you ever given thought to exactly WHY we should study the Bible?  The answer seems obvious upon first reflection, for we believe it to be the inspired Word of God.  Yet, all too often, we tend to neglect this precious book, occasionally coming back to it as the situation warrants, but perhaps not as often as we should.

Even if we DO attend to it regularly, the question remains: "Why?"  What is our motivation for reading it?  Is it, as Francis Chan writes in this week's chapter, out of guilt?  Religious obligation?  Tradition?  Are we utilizing it primarily for teaching material, and failing to drink deeply from its rich wells for our own personal growth?

As we enter into this three-week series on studying the Bible, let us first ask ourselves "Why study the Bible?"  The answer may be yet more important than we think!

I'm looking forward to your thoughts!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Joe

Part III - How to Study the Bible: Why Study the Bible?

1. Take a few minutes to examine your motivations and write down a few thoughts below.
2. Take a minute to think about your past experience with studying the Bible. Which of the wrong motivations listed above (guilt, status, teaching material) are you guilty of? Can you think of any others?
3. Take a minute to think through why God gave us the Bible. How should these things affect the way you think about studying the Bible?
4. How do you tend to respond to the Bible’s teaching? Would you say that you approach it humbly with a desire to change? How do you need to adjust your approach to studying the Bible?
5. Rather than thinking about all of the arrogant people you know, take a minute to consider whether or not your efforts in studying the Bible have simply puffed you up. How has studying the Bible changed you? Are you more arrogant, argumentative, or judgmental? Write down a few thoughts below:
6. Take a minute to meditate on 1 Peter 2:1–2. What would your life look like if you desired the Word as Peter described?
7. Close this session by praying. Ask God to purify your heart with regard to Scripture. Ask Him to produce in you a longing for the pure milk of the Word.

Disclaimer: These questions have been drawn from Francis Chan’s book “Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples,” and are posted here for further reflection and study in conjunction with the full text of the book found at MultiplyMovement.com.

Multiply II:3 - The Global Church

We regularly pray for a spiritual awakening, for a revival, for the sleeping church to rise, for a lost and sinful world to discover the glory of the Gospel of Jesus Christ... but even with that kind of outward attitude, do we truly have the ultimate big picture in mind?

As Francis Chan writes in this week's reading, "If your church bands together and reaches out to every individual in your community, you are still not done with God’s mission. No matter how big of a revival you experience, your area is still only a small part of the world that God has sent us to transform through His gospel. Until our vision of the church encompasses the entire globe, we do not have an accurate view of God’s church or His plan of redemption."

To bring this point very close to home, while it's easy to imagine someone for whom you've been praying for a long time come to Christ, it's harder to imagine that one person who is the constant thorn in our side to also come to salvation.  Yet, this is exactly what God's plan of redemption entails!  The invitation to the Kingdom has been extended to ALL, and it is our role to make sure that the invitations are delivered.  We are not to show favoritism nor to judge another's potential receptivity to the Gospel.  Instead, just as Christ died for all, so we must clothe ourselves with this same attitude.

This week's chapter takes this concern to a global level, challenging us to think about our attitudes toward unreached people around the world, and to ask ourselves (and God) if we are being called to literally go to the ends of the earth to reach others.  It is an uncomfortable subject, but one that deserves discussion, nonetheless.

Hope to see you at Christ & Coffee!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Joe

Part II - Living as the Church: The Global Church

1. In your own words, why is it important to think about God’s plan of redemption in global terms?
2. When you think about the mission of your church, does the rest of the globe factor in at all? How so?
3. Take some time to think about the passages above (Romans 15:20–21, Isaiah 52:7–10, Romans 10:12–15). How should these truths affect the way we think about our calling?
4. Have you given much thought to the unreached people groups around the world? If so, how does this affect your thinking and lifestyle? If not, why do you think you have never thought about it?
5. Take a minute to pause and ask God what He wants for your life. Ask Him to break through any excuses you may be hiding behind and idols you might be clinging to. Ask Him to make you willing to follow Him in whichever direction He might lead. If you have any thoughts based on this time of prayer, make a few notes below.
6. How would you describe your role in furthering the gospel around the world? If nothing comes to mind, write down a few things that you can begin to pursue in order to make missions a part of your life.
7. In order to faithfully follow Jesus and play your part in God’s plan of redemption, what should your life look like right now? (This is a huge question, but try to write down a few things to guide you as you seek to put the things you’ve learned into practice.
8. Spend some time in prayer. Ask God to help you submit to Him entirely. Ask Him to guide you and empower you in anything He calls you to do. Pray that God would use you in your neighborhood and around the world in any capacity that He sees fit.

Disclaimer: These questions have been drawn from Francis Chan’s book “Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples,” and are posted here for further reflection and study in conjunction with the full text of the book found at MultiplyMovement.com.

Multiply II:2 - The Local Church

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."  -- JESUS (John 17:20–23)

To read this week's chapter, click here.

Hope to see you at Christ & Coffee!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Joe

Part II - Living as the Church: The Local Church

1. Would you say that your church is more inwardly focused or outwardly focused? Why do you say that?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Would you say that the life of your church is characterized by love? Why or why not?
3. What steps can you take to be an example of love in your church? Whether you are an official leader in your church or not, how can you lead others in being more loving?
4. Read John 17. Pay careful attention to Jesus’s desire for His followers. Would you say that your church could be characterized by this kind of unity? Why or why not?
5. Take some time to think about your church and your unique cultural setting. What would it take for your church to be united, and for that unity to be displayed to the unbelieving world?
6. Do you ever feel like a salesperson when sharing your faith? What steps can you take to change this?
7. What would it mean for your church to live as a compelling community—a group of people who demonstrate love, unity, and hope in such a way that the unbelieving world is compelled to find out what is going on?
8. Read 1 Peter 2:4–12. How should Peter’s description of our calling as the church affect the way we think about and interact with our surrounding community?
9. Spend some time in prayer. God’s calling for your church is too important to neglect, and it’s too important to take on without the power of the Spirit. Ask God to so fill the life of your church with His Spirit that your community notices a difference. Ask Him to equip you for the role He has called you to play in His plan of redemption.

Disclaimer: These questions have been drawn from Francis Chan’s book “Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples,” and are posted here for further reflection and study in conjunction with the full text of the book found at MultiplyMovement.com.

Multiply II:1 - Life in the Church

This week, we begin the second section of Multiply, in which we will spend the next three weeks focusing on the purpose, role, and function of the church, and our place in it.

As Francis Chan candidly points out, we were not meant to live as 'Lone Ranger Christians.'  The church is really not an optional expression of faith; it is the central means of Christ's plan to reconcile the world to Himself.  It is even more than that - the church is the Bride of Christ.

On this note, I want to encourage you to join us on Thursday mornings as we journey through this study together.  "Church" happens whenever and wherever two or more of us gather in His name, including over coffee at Dunkin Donuts.

Come and be a part of the living church!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Joe

Part II - Living as the Church: Life in the Church

1. Why do you think the New Testament places such a priority on Christians being committed members (or parts) of local churches? How can this priority best be reflected in your life?
2. Read Ephesians 4:1–16. How should this passage affect the way you view your responsibility to other Christians in the church?
3. Think about your unique setting and identify a few opportunities that God has given you to minister to the people around you. Have you taken advantage of these opportunities?
4. Take a few minutes to meditate on Galatians 6:1–2. What would it look like to help bear someone else’s burden? Is there anyone in your life right now whom you should be helping in this way?
5. Why do you think we tend to focus on the external circumstances and behavior when we try to help people change?
6. Using your own words, try to explain why it is essential to get to the heart of the problem rather than merely addressing the circumstances and behavior.
7. How should the truth of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit affect the way we approach helping people change?
8. Would you say that your church body is characterized more by defeat and isolation or the power and transformation of the Holy Spirit? Why do you say that?
9. What steps can you take right away to help your church function more like God intended?
10. Would you say that you have been playing your part in the body of Christ? If so, how might you still need to grow in this? If not, are you ready to get involved? What steps might you need to take?
11. Spend some time in prayer. Ask God to give you confidence in the Spirit’s power to use you in ministering to other people. Ask Him for the wisdom to know what to do and the discernment to recognize people who need help. Pray that God would use you and your church to continue His plan of redemption in your unique setting.

Disclaimer: These questions have been drawn from Francis Chan’s book “Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples,” and are posted here for further reflection and study in conjunction with the full text of the book found at MultiplyMovement.com.