Because Jesus (Part 2): Access

#1 Watch or Listen To "Because Jesus: Access"

Consider this Sunday morning’s lesson. You can listen here: http://bit.ly/1gCDfNL

Or watch here [video will be posted by Monday each week]: www.vimeo.com/rrcoc

What stuck out to you as interesting?

Did you encounter any challenging or re-orienting truth?

 

#2 RUN

On Sunday we said,

"You don’t connect with God because you’re good. You connect with God because He’s good."

AND

"Sin shouldn’t cause you to run from God. Sin should cause you to run to God."

  • What do we need to believe about God's identity and personality in order to embrace this idea?
  • Is this your gut feeling--to run to God when you sin? Why do you think that is?

Tell about a time when you either ran away from God when you sinned OR a time when you ran to Him. What was the result of your choice?

Have you ever felt like you needed to get all cleaned up before you approached God? What's so bad about that way of thinking? What does it lead to?

 

#3 Disqualified

On Sunday we said sin doesn't disqualify you from access to God, but rather qualifies you for salvation.

What does disqualify us from access to God?

Considering the story of Simon and the sinful woman, we said PRIDE disqualifies us from receiving God's grace.

Have you ever acted like Simon does in this story? Share.

Have you ever let pride stand between you and God? Share.

Is there any type of person you feel like shouldn't have access to God? Look deep down in your heart for an answer.

  • Take a moment and let group members pray silently asking for God to remove pride from their hearts.

 

#4 Access Granted

Justin ended Sunday's sermon with this question: What are you going to do with the access Jesus died to give you?

Have you been thinking about it? What's your answer?

Offer one way you're going to be a better steward of the access you have to God.

 

#5 All Access

Read Ephesians 2:17-22.

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Through Christ we're brought near to God.

  • What does that mean to you?
  • Why is it so good?

Is it ever hard for you to imagine the Spirit of God living inside you? Why or why not?

 

#6 Something Beautiful

WATCH THIS video (http://yhoo.it/1FMisR3) about what God wants to do with the world's cast off, broken people.

  • Have you ever seen God take a broken life and make it new? Share.

 

#7 Insider Changing

Inevitably (and hopefully) we Christians begin to look more and more like Christ as we mature in faith. That means we often exhibit fewer outer signs of sinfulness. Which is great. But can make outsiders seeking God in our midst uncomfortable.

What can we do as "church people" to help seeking sinners feel welcome among us? Think practically. What can we say or do differently as individuals and as a collective body?

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