Small Group Study

  With   Jesus

C h a n g eT h e

W o r l d

1

TheBig

StoryWeek One

SummaryThe scriptures say that we are made in God’s image and that we are designed to be co-creators with Him. In Genesis 1:26-28, God instructed us to fill the Earth and take charge of it - to join Him in His grand purpose for all of creation. This - the cultural mandate, as it has been called - is an exciting challenge. And it is one made much more difficult in light of human corruption, selfishness and lack of proper stewardship. Shortly after these verses in scripture we see the “fall,” when sin entered the human race, complicating and in many ways opposing the implementation of the cultural mandate.

But God has not been caught unaware. He has been acting throughout history to “set things right” as we see in this passage, one of dozens of similar scriptures. “He will steadily and firmly set things right. He won’t be stopped until He finishes His work to set things right on the Earth” (Isaiah 42:1-4). The larger narrative of scripture is that God has always been at work, with the ultimate goal of redeeming, restoring and renewing His whole creation.

2

The arrival of Jesus on the planet – His life, His ministry, His death and His resurrection - completely changed the game! Jesus embodied new meaning, new power and new hope for God’s work of setting things right on the Earth. The really good news is that God invites us – through the power and person of the risen Christ - to become His sons and daughters and to join him in the work of changing the world. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us (Romans 3:22).

---------- Key Scripture ---------- God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make

them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth

itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.” God created human beings; He created them godlike, reflecting

God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be

responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”

(Genesis 1:26-28 MSG)

Questions1. What about The Big Story video stands out to you?

2. What is your reaction to the passage found in Genesis 1:26-28?

How does this make you feel to know God’s intention when He created humanity (Adam)?

3. How has the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus redefined how God is setting things right in the Earth?

4. What does it mean for you, as a son or daughter of God, to join with Him in changing the world?

5. Would you say that you’ve experienced a sense of calling from God? If so, what is it? Have you considered that your calling might be fulfilled “right where you are” as opposed to a more traditional definition of ministry?

6. In the middle of your everyday, work-a-day life, name some ways that you can cooperate with God to change the world and set things right?

---------- Prayer ----------

Partner up and pray for each other, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to each person how he or she might best

cooperate with God to change the world.

---------- Picture the Change ----------

This week, embrace the idea that God has called you right where you are. Ask God to enlarge your vision for how your

everyday, work-a-day life fits into His Big Story.

Notes

5

Taking Charge

Week Two

SummaryIn the message, The Big Story, we learned of God’s plan to redeem, restore and renew His entire creation. We also learned that God has intended for each one of us to participate in that wonderful plan. He calls us to Himself, He saves us through the person and work of Christ, and He gives us new identity as sons and daughters. From this awesome position and relationship, He invites us to take charge over some unique part of creation, to bring the Kingdom right where we are.

As Dallas Willard shared in The Divine Conspiracy, “We are, all of us, never-ceasing spiritual beings with a unique eternal calling to count for good in God’s great universe…in creating human beings God made them to rule, to reign, to have dominion in a limited sphere. Only so can they be persons.” That is incredible news – and an awesome challenge!

6

Interestingly, you don’t have to look too far to discover the piece of creation over which you’re called to have dominion, as Willard says, or to take charge as Genesis says. Most of us will find it right where we already are! God is the Lord of your past, present and future. He’s led you to this point, put you in certain spheres of influence with others, and gifted you with a very unique personality and gifts. So, the clues to your calling are all around you.

It might be easier for you to think of it this way: Let me tell you why you’re here, You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this Earth…Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world (Matt. 5:13-14).

Taking charge can be as simple as thinking of ourselves as either salt seasoning bringing out a particular God-flavor, or as light, bringing out a particular God-color in the world. The notions of flavor and color denote infinite possibilities, really. Which means that it will take billions of unique individuals to ultimately get the whole job done! This should give us great hope that there truly is a unique “take charge calling” for everyone.

---------- Key Scripture ----------

Let me tell you why you’re here, You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth…Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing

out the God-colors in the world. (Matthew 5:13-14 MSG)

Questions1. What about the Taking Charge video stands out to you?

2. What do you think the verse above (read Matt. 5:13-14) looks like in today’s world?

3. Have you ever thought about having some piece of creation to take charge over?

Why or why not? What kind of possibilities does this open up for you?

4. On a practical level, what do you think “taking charge” looks like for you?

5. Are there ways in which humans have taken charge in an ungodly way? What has been the result?

6. How do we hear the voice of the Spirit as we seek to take charge?

---------- Prayer ----------Ask the Holy Spirit to come upon each person and begin to

reveal what it means for him or her to take charge. Have each person share with the group, and then take time to

pray for them.

---------- Picture the Change ----------This week, be intentional about asking the Holy Spirit to show you what He is doing on a daily basis. Ask Him to empower you to align your decisions and actions with

what He is doing. Spend 5 minutes journaling, at the end of every day, ways that you think you noticed the Holy

Spirit working.

Notes

9

Notes

OurStories

Week Three

SummaryJesus said in John 6:40 “This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who He is and what He does and then aligns with Him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time.” There are over 20 similar references to real life in the gospel of John. Jesus clearly desires for us to enter into and experience real life – right here, right now!

To do this, He invites us to align our individual story with His Big Story. As we’ve seen in the previous segments of this series, God intentionally placed us on the Earth to fulfill the cultural mandate of taking charge of the creation in a godly, loving way. He intentionally called us to be co-creators with Him. The profound truth is that each of us does indeed have a story – and a meaningful, irreplaceable one at that.

Seeing our individual stories as part of God’s big story opens up some new ways of thinking and some big possibilities. At the center of our stories is an individual calling or purpose that is uniquely ours.

How do we discover it, develop it and live it out? Most likely, you already have a pretty good idea through these clues:

• Talents, Competencies, Expertise – Each of us has natural and acquired gifts and experiences. These are often a key part of what God has purposed us to do on the Earth.

• Passions and Interests – God is a passionate God – and He’s made us in His image with passions and interests. What are yours?

• Spheres of Influence – Each of us enjoys a variety of relationships – family, friends, co-workers, neighbors. In which relationships has God given you influence? Who has been a key influencer on you?

• Personal History – Our personal histories are completely unique to us. And they often hold clues to our present purpose. The Lord can redeem negative circumstances from our past – and He can use what we’ve learned in powerful ways.

• Personality and Temperament – The way you process decisions, think and feel, relate to others – basically, how you do life – are what make up your personality and temperament.

Through the above clues, God has likely shown you your unique purpose, or at least revealed part of it to you. Of course, He’s always inviting us to be more intentional about discovering and living out our purpose. After all, He wants us to experience real, abundant life

Finally, and importantly, our stories are meant to integrate with, support, and impact the stories of those around us. That’s the beauty of God’s design for authentic community – that each of us “get to play” in His bigger story, as we connect with and love on others.

---------- Key Scripture ----------

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He

had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

(Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG)

Questions1. What about the Our Stories video stands out to you?

2. What do you feel after hearing Ephesians 1:11-12? Is this something you believe fully? If this is true, how should it change the way we live?

3. Would you say you’ve experienced Jesus’ offering of real life? How?

4. What would it mean, at a practical level, for you to align your story with God’s big story?

5. Is your sense of personal purpose clear? Spend at least 5 minutes alone right now; thinking about the 5 clues to finding your unique purpose mentioned in the video (also found in the summary). Write your thoughts down, and share at least one new insight with the group.

6. Do you think you could discover and develop a clearer, deeper sense of purpose? How?

---------- Prayer ----------As a group, ask the Holy Spirit to visit each of you and highlight one or two elements of his or her personal purpose. Be particularly open to the Spirit speaking through you to offer prophetic encouragement to the ones being prayed for.

---------- Picture the Change ----------Be intentional this week in pressing into the Lord, asking Him to reveal more about your purpose to you. Ask Him to help you implement one practical way to align your story with His Big Story.

Notes

14

Notes

Take TheRisk

Week FourSummary

Through the taking of risks – ranging from the small and simple to the large and looming – our individual stories can come alive, become more tangible and more vibrant. Ultimately we can better align our personal story with God’s far bigger story. There are a few things about risk that are helpful to know. First, at its most basic level, risk taking is faith in action. Second, the outcome of risk taking is not guaranteed. Finally, through risks taken in faith, what we’re really doing is expressing our worship of the King. Let’s unpack each of these points.

At its most basic level, risk taking is faith in action. John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard movement, Vineyard movement, was very fond of saying “Faith is spelled R-I-S-K.” On one hand, this might be interpreted to mean expressing one’s faith through overtly spiritual acts like praying for someone, offering spiritual counsel to a small group member or tithing. It does indeed mean each of those things. But Wimber’s admonition is just as applicable to situations that aren’t so obviously “spiritual.” It applies to the everyday, ordinary, work-a-day decisions we face. Some of these decisions representopportunities to leave our comfort zones and step into something

that is difficult, potentially scary, or uncomfortable. From scripture, we recall the story of Peter in the boat in the midst of a storm. Jesus came toward the boat, walking on the water. At the behest of Jesus to “not be afraid,” Peter summoned the courage to step out of the boat and onto the water. He was actively expressing his faith, as his heart, mind and body engaged in the act of risk-taking. Indeed, when we take a risk, we are expressing our faith in a very real, tangible way.

The specific outcome of your risk taking is not guaranteed (but His faithfulness is!). God is whispering to us on a pretty consistent basis – and His whispers are often invitations to take a risk. As we wrestle with his promptings, we’re trying to determine whether the voice we’re hearing really is God’s or not. Even for those with years of practice in listening for God’s voice, this can be a difficult exercise. And if we do indeed decide to move forward with a particular risk, it’s important to remember that doing so does not necessarily guarantee the specific outcome we envision. God’s purpose in inviting us into the risk may be different than the purpose that we have in mind. One thing we can be sure of, though, and that is his faithfulness to see us through the process. Regardless of the outcome, He promises to be with us, to encourage and strengthen us in the process of stepping out.

Through risks taken in faith, what we’re really doing is expressing our worship of the King. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of risk is that it is ultimately an expression of worship. When we think of worship, we usually think of a Sunday morning service; listening to Christian radio; praying quietly in our home – and those are all forms of worship. But wait, there’s more! Take a look at our key scripture below. From this scripture, we see that risk-taking and worship are vitally linked – two ways of saying the same thing, in fact. Risk-taking in each day’s course of events is one of the most fundamental ways we express worship to the King. What we are really saying to God in this process is, “I love you. I trust you. I worship you.”

---------- Key Scripture ----------Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they

saw Him they worshiped Him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally (Matt 28:17 MSG).

Questions1. What about the Take The Risk video stands out to you?

2. Have you ever held back from worshipping God, or felt unsure about worship, like some of the people in Matthew 28:17? What was going on in that season? Have you made it through that season, and if so, how?

3. Have you taken significant risks? What was the result?

4. What holds you back from taking the risk? Fear? What others think?

5. Have you considered risk an expression of worship? Why or why not?

6. Is there a risk you’re currently contemplating? What is it?

7. Do you agree that the taking of risks, is faith in action? Why or why not?

---------- Prayer ----------Ask the Holy Spirit to visit each person and bring them

encouragement in regard to a risk they are contemplating.

---------- Picture the Change ----------As you pray through a specific risk that the Lord is leading you to take, make an intentional step toward taking the

risk this week.

Notes

of Central Illinoisthevineyardchurch