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Course by Community Christian Church (www.communitychristian.org), a member of the NewThing Network (www.newthing.org)

Live a Revolutionary LifeTABLE OF CONTENTS

Click on the study title you’d like to see:

Study 1: THE ANCIENT REVOLUTIONARYLeader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

Study 2: THE CONSUMING REVOLUTIONARY Leader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

Study 3: THE RELATIONAL REVOLUTIONARY Leader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

Study 4: THE UNSTOPPABLE REVOLUTIONARY Leader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

Study 5: THE REVOLUTIONARY WITHINLeader’s Guide — Participant’s Guide

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Course by Community Christian Church (www.communitychristian.org), a member of the NewThing Network (www.newthing.org))

LEADER’S GUIDE FOR STUDY 1

The Ancient RevolutionaryThe revolutionary understanding that Jesus is God in the flesh

transforms our lives.

Jesus was a revolutionary. He was not just a religious leader, good teacher, miracle worker, or personal savior, but the prophesied Messiah who rattled the religious community of his time. This series will challenge you to let God do whatever he wants to in your lives, and to understand Christ following as a life-consuming, life-altering, world-changing revolutionary thing.

Lesson #1

Scripture:Exodus 3:13–14; Leviticus 24:16; Matthew 16:13–16; John 8:51–59



LEADER’S GUIDEThe Ancient Revolutionary

PART 1Identify the Current Issue

A revolution invites a complete change in life. In the opening section in the letter to the Romans, Paul writes about having a transformed mind, which yields a transformed life. A transformed life is a radically different life, driven by different forces, motives, and hopes. Christ lives inside the believer and causes a noticeable inner and outer transformation. Christ followers have been leading revolutionized lives from the time of Jesus onward. Everyday people, like you and me, have been transformed because they joined Jesus’ revolutionary mission.

© 2005 • CHRIST IANIT Y TOD AY INTE RNA TI ONAL AND NE WTHING

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My freshman year in college I met a guy named James at orientation. Cool guy. Nice, friendly, and a liar. We sat in a circle on the gym floor doing icebreakers to get to know all these strangers we’d be with for the next four years. The facilitator asked, “Why’d you choose this school?” When the question came to my friend James he said, “Well, this was my second choice of schools. Last year I went to Florida State where I was the back-up quarterback for Charlie Ward (Heisman trophy winner in 1993), but I hurt my shoulder midyear, lost my scholarship and now I’m here.”

While I found it hard to believe that a 5’10” 145lb. guy with a body shape like Patrick (Sponge Bob’s friend) was good enough to compete at that level. When he finished his story a few of us started laughing. He didn’t think it was funny and




insisted it was a fact. We jokingly challenged him to prove it, but he claimed his arm was still injured.

Two years later James and I roomed together, and one day while he was in class I found his high school yearbook. For James to be the back-up quarterback at FSU, he’d have been phenomenal in high school. What I found was that James, in his junior year, was on the JV team, as a cornerback (not quarterback), and that he didn’t even play his senior year. Needless to say, not too many of us believed James’ outrageous claims.




Discussion starter:

[Q] Write down two true things about yourself that no one would know, and one thing that’s false. Ask each person to read the three items and the others guess which one is false.




PART 2Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching point one: Jesus was exactly who he claimed to be.

Read John 8:51–59. This claim Jesus made about himself angered the Pharisees and began their plot to kill him. The Pharisees were trying to discover who Jesus claimed to be. Jesus restated himself again and again saying, “I am who I’ve always said I was.” The Pharisees claimed to believe in God, but did not believe Jesus was God. Jesus told them that they cannot know God unless they know him because, “I and the Father are one.” This statement in itself was an outrageous claim.




[Q] Why do you think the Pharisees were upset about Jesus’ claim “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Leader’s notes: The Pharisees were angry about this because Jesus claimed to have existed before Abraham, and when he said “I am” it reminded them of God telling Moses that “I am” sent him. The Pharisees thought it was impossible that Jesus was around before Abraham because Jesus was less than 50 years old.

[Q] What evidence in the Bible points to Jesus’ existence before Abraham?




Leader’s notes: Jesus is the Son of God and has reigned with him in heaven forever before coming to earth. David said in Psalm 110:1, “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” Jesus quoted this verse in Matthew 22:36 as reference to him being around a lot longer than Abraham.

[Q] What are your thoughts on the statement, “Jesus is eternal, existing before the world began”?

Read Exodus 3:13–14.

[Q] Why would the Pharisees pick up stones at Jesus’ “I am” statement?




Teaching point two: Old Testament law demanded that someone who blasphemed should be put to death.

Read Leviticus 24:16.

[Q] Going back to the “two truths and lie” exercise … how would you react if someone made an outrageous claim and was proved wrong?

[Q] Based on all the Gospel stories of Jesus’ life, what did Jesus do to prove that he was the Son of God?

Leader’s notes: Miracles, signs and wonders. Read John 5:31–46.




[Q] The world around us holds many contradictory beliefs about Jesus. Finish this sentence for yourself: “I believe Jesus …”

A. Is God in the flesh who was raised from the dead

B. Is a special human being who was raised from the dead

C. Is a special human being who taught important spiritual truths, but who was not raised from the dead

D. Is significant, but I’m not sure how

E. Is a transcendent concept found in most religions, not just Christianity




F. Was a good teacher, on par with Buddha or Mohammed

G. Other

[Q] In figuring out what I believe about Jesus…

A. I place a great deal of importance on my personal experience and whether something makes sense to me logically

B. I don’t think anyone can know the truth, so why bother

C. I rely solely on what the church teaches




D. I look to the Bible, which is the ultimate source for truth

E. I’m usually skeptical. If it doesn’t make sense to me, I don’t buy it

F. There’s a great deal that confuses me, so I trust others that have proven themselves trustworthy

G. I check my beliefs against several checkpoints including what the Bible says, personal experience, feedback from others, and the traditions of the church

H. Other




[Q] As a group, make a list of attributes about Jesus that you believe are consistent with what the Bible teaches.

Teaching point three: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.While he was exiled on the rock of St. Helena, Napoleon Bonaparte, who knew a thing or two about revolutions, spoke these words:

I will tell you. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon force, Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions will die for Him. … I think I understand something of human nature; and I tell you, all these were men, and I am a man; none else is like Him:




Jesus Christ was more than a man. … I have inspired multitudes with such an enthusiastic devotion that they would have died for me … but to do this was necessary that I should be visibly present with the electric influence of my looks, my words, of my voice. When I saw men and spoke to them, I lightened up the flame of self-devotion in their hearts. … Christ alone has succeeded in so raising the mind of man toward the unseen, that it becomes insensible to the barriers of time and space. Across a chasm of eighteen hundred years, Jesus Christ makes a demand which is beyond all others difficult to satisfy; He asks for that which a philosopher may often seek in vain at the hands of his friends, or a father of his children, or a bride of her spouse, or a man of his brother. He asks for the human heart; He will have it entirely to Himself. He demands it unconditionally; and forthwith His demand is granted. Wonderful! In defiance of time and space, the soul of




man, with all its powers and faculties, becomes an annexation to the empire of Christ. All who sincerely believe in Him, experience that remarkable, supernatural love toward Him. This phenomenon is unaccountable; it is altogether beyond the scope of man’s creative powers. Time, the great destroyer, is powerless to extinguish this sacred flame; time can neither exhaust its strength nor put a limit to its range. (Jesus Among Other Gods by Ravi Zacharias, 2000, W. Publishing Group)

Read Matthew 16:13–16.

[Q] What does it mean that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God? Why was Jesus so pleased that Peter understood this?




[Q] If you believe Jesus is the eternal God, how has your faith revolutionized your life?

PART 3Apply Your Findings

For those who are still on the journey to discover his truths and understand what being a Christ follower means, the challenge is:

Be honest about your questions Pursue the answers




Seek advice from other trustworthy Christ followers Ask God to reveal himself to you

Carve out some time each day or week to be honest with someone (and God) about your questions, your struggles, and any doubts you may have. Next, pursue the answers through books, a friend, your church, and the Bible.

For further study read John 1:1–5, Ephesians 1:3–23, and Colossians 1:15–20.

Books to read about believing in God:

How Good is Good Enough, by Andy Stanley




The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel

The Case for Faith, by Lee Strobel

Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell

Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis

For those who are Christ followers, the challenge is to live a life worthy of the calling you’ve received. Our actions will demonstrate our beliefs far beyond our words. Continue to pursue God and walk with him daily. Second, link up with someone who is “on the journey.” Make a commitment today to begin praying for someone you know needs to find their way back to God and invest in a quality




relationship with them. You be part of the evidence, or proof, that they need to come to a decision to follow Christ.

On the line below list the person you will pursue a relationship with over the next five weeks of our study.

Name

Tell one other person what you are doing (how about picking someone in your small group for a short-term accountability partner?) and have them pray for you and the person you’re investing in.




Spend the next month (or more) investing and praying. At the end of the study, we will discuss what God has done in your life and theirs. Be ready to offer tools and resources along their journey.

Pray: Spend a few moments praying that the people on your list will say to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Also, pray that you will be an example to those you know who need to find their way back to God.



Course by Community Christian Church (www.communitychristian.org), a member of the NewThing Network (www.newthing.org))

PARTICIPANT’S GUIDE FOR STUDY 1

The Ancient RevolutionaryThe revolutionary understanding that Jesus is God in

the flesh transforms our lives.

Jesus was a revolutionary. He was not just a religious leader, good teacher, miracle worker, or personal savior, but the prophesied Messiah who rattled the religious community of his time. This series will challenge you to let God do whatever he wants to in your lives, and to understand Christ following as a life-consuming, life-altering, world-changing revolutionary thing.

Lesson #1

Scripture:Exodus 3:13–14; Leviticus 24:16; Matthew 16:13–16; John 8:51–59



PARTICIPANT’S GUIDEThe Ancient Revolutionary


A revolution invites a complete change in life. In the opening section in the letter to the Romans, Paul writes about having a transformed mind, which yields a transformed life. A transformed life is a radically different life, driven by different forces, motives, and hopes. Christ lives inside the believer and causes a radically noticeable inner and outer transformation. Christ followers have been leading revolutionized lives from the time of Jesus onward. Everyday people, like you and




me, have been transformed because they joined up with Jesus’ revolutionary mission.

PART 2Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching point one: Jesus was exactly who he claimed to be.




Teaching point two: Old Testament law demanded that someone who blasphemed should be put to death.

[Q] The world around us holds many contradictory beliefs about Jesus. Finish this sentence for yourself: “I believe Jesus …”

A. Is God in the flesh who was raised from the deadB. Is a special human being who was raised from the dead




C. Is a special human being who taught important spiritual truths, but who was not raised from the dead

D. Is significant, but I’m not sure howE. Is a transcendent concept found in most religions, not just ChristianityF. Was a good teacher, on par with Buddha or MohammedG. Other




[Q] In figuring out what I believe about Jesus…

A. I place a great deal of importance on my personal experience and whether something makes sense to me logically

B. I don’t think anyone can know the truth, so why botherC. I rely solely on what the church teachesD. I look to the Bible, which is the ultimate source for truthE. I’m usually skeptical. If it doesn’t make sense to me, I don’t buy itF. There’s a great deal that confuses me, so I trust others that have proven

themselves trustworthy




G. I check my beliefs against several checkpoints including what the Bible says, personal experience, feedback from others, and the traditions of the church

H. Other

Teaching point three: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.





For those who are still on the journey to discover his truths and understand what being a Christ follower means, the challenge is:

Be honest about your questions Pursue the answers Seek advice from other trustworthy Christ followers Ask God to reveal himself to you




Carve out some time each day or week to be honest with someone (and God) about your questions, your struggles, and any doubts you may have. Next, pursue the answers through books, a friend, your church, and the Bible.

For further study read John 1:1–5, Ephesians 1:3–23, and Colossians 1:15–20.

Books to read about believing in God:

How Good is Good Enough, by Andy Stanley

The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel

The Case for Faith, by Lee Strobel




Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell

Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis

For those who are Christ followers, the challenge is to live a life worthy of the calling you’ve received. Our modeling through actions will demonstrate our beliefs far beyond our words. Continue to pursue God and walk with him daily. Second, link up with someone who is “on the journey.” Make a commitment today to begin praying for someone you know needs to find their way back to God and invest in a quality relationship with them. You be part of the evidence, or proof, that they need to come to a decision to follow Christ.




On the line below list the person you will pursue a relationship with over the next five weeks of our study.

Name

Tell one other person what you are doing (how about picking someone in your small group for a short-term accountability partner?) and have them pray for you and the person you’re investing in.

Spend the next month (or more) investing and praying. At the end of the study, we will discuss what God has done in your life and theirs. Be ready to offer tools and resources along their journey.




Pray: Spend a few moments praying that the people on your list will say to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Also, pray that you will be an example to those you know who need to find their way back to God.



Course by Community Christian Church (www.communitychristian.org),

a member of the NewThing Network (www.newthing.org))


The Consuming RevolutionaryBeing a Christ follower is meant to be an all-consuming

relationship.

Jesus the revolutionary is consuming. Following him is not just a religion, a private faith, or some spiritual aspect of our lives, but demands everything we are and have. Celebrating, connecting, and contributing to his kingdom are not meant to be parts of life or just spiritual activities; they are pathways of a life-consuming relationship with Jesus. This study will ask you if Jesus is just one rung on the ladder of priorities, or if he consumes your every thought and action.

Lesson #2

Scripture:Luke 14:25–35; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23



LEADER’S GUIDEThe Consuming Revolutionary

Page 2


In the triangle below, list your top six priorities. You won’t have to share this with anyone, unless you choose to do so.

OccupationExtended Family (parents, siblings)




Page 3

GodFriendshipsChurchWeekendSpouseKidsRecreationMinistryNeighborsOther




Page 4

In the triangle below, list what you think your priorities should be…(in a perfect world this is what you’d want them to be)

OccupationExtended Family (parents, siblings)GodFriendships




Page 5

ChurchWeekendSpouseKidsRecreationMinistryNeighborsOther




Page 6

Discussion starters:

[Q] Did your first triangle look at all like your second triangle? Why or why not?




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PART 2Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching point one: The cost of following Jesus can be high.

On the last day of July 1941, the Auschwitz sirens announced the escape of a prisoner. As a reprisal, ten of his fellow prisoners would die of a long, slow starvation, buried alive in a specially constructed, concrete bunker.

So all day, tortured by sun, hunger, and fear, the men waited as the German commandant and his Gestapo assistant walked between the ranks to select, quite arbitrarily, the chosen ten. As the commandant pointed to one man, Francis




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Gajowniczek, he cried out in despair, “My poor wife and children.” At that moment the unimpressive figure of a man with sunken eyes and round glasses in wire frames stepped out of line and took off his cap. “What does this Polish pig want?” asked the commandant.

“I am Catholic priest. I want to die for that man. I am old; he has a wife and children…I have no one,” said Father Maximilian Kolbe.

“Accepted,” retorted the commandant and moved on.

That night, ten men, including the priest, went to the starvation bunker. Normally they would tear each other apart like cannibals. Not so this time. While they had strength, lying naked on the floor, the men prayed and sang hymns. After two




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weeks, three of the men and Father Maximilian Kolbe were still alive. The bunker was required for others, so on August 14 the remaining four were disposed of. At 12:50 p.m., still conscious after two weeks in the starvation bunker, the Polish priest was given an injection of phenol and died at the age of 47.

On October 10, 1982 in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Father Maximilian Kolbe’s death was put in its proper perspective. Present in the crowd of 150,000 was Francis Gajowniczek, his wife, his children, and his children’s children. Indeed, many had been saved by that one man. The Pope described Father Maximilian Kolbe’s death: “This was victory won over all the systems of contempt and hate in man—a victory like that won by our Lord Jesus Christ.”




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(John Martyn, Church of England Newspaper, November 2, 1990)

Read Luke 14:25–35.

[Q] What does it mean to “hate” mother, father, brother, or sister, in relation to loving God?

Leader’s notes: Jesus says his followers will hate his mother and father, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life. The point is that no other relationship is to be first for a Christ follower. “Hate” is used figuratively and suggests a priority of relationship. Jesus is first. A disciple is a learner, and the primary teacher in life is Jesus. This total loyalty is crucial,




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given the rejection and persecution that lay ahead. If his followers care more about family than about Jesus, when families are divided under pressure of persecution, they will choose against Jesus.

[Q] What price must a person be willing to pay to follow Christ?

[Q] What sacrifices have you made in following Christ?

[Q] What does the salt analogy emphasize about discipleship?

Leader’s notes: Salt is good as long as it is salty. If not, it is thrown away. Salt in the ancient world was used as a catalyst for a fire, as seasoning, as a




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preservative, and as fertilizer. In each case the presence of salt facilitated some function. But once salt ceases to perform its role, it is good for nothing. Similarly, the disciple who loses “saltiness” can become useless to God.

Teaching point two: It takes more than a priority list to reorient our lives.

Okay, I’m going to admit it…I think putting God at the top of your priority list is worthless. I think it’s irrelevant and won’t change much in your life other than making you feel guilty enough to read your Bible (at least for a week or two), get to church on time, or begin serving in a particular ministry.




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What you’ll hear most often about our relationship with God and whether or not he is important deals with our time. Generally when we hear a message or sermon on priorities, we go home, re-arrange our schedule and pencil God in for an early breakfast read or a mid-afternoon lunch break for prayer, and we try really hard for about a week…then the normal “run-n-gun” workweek gets going, and we lose track of our priorities.

What happens with priorities most of the time is we answer the call of the squeakiest wheel. Whoever or whatever screams the loudest gets the lion’s share of our time and attention. Our priorities shift according to who or what needs us the most.




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What is getting the lion’s share of your time currently?

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat5–6am6–7am7–8am8–9am9–10am10–11am11–12pm12–1pm1–2pm2–3pm




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3–4pm4–5pm5–6pm6–7pm7–8pm8–9pm9–10pm10–11pm11–12pm12–1am




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Spend 3–5 minutes writing down how you spend your time: work, family time, sleep, driving to work, extracurricular activities. Discuss this together as you fill it out.

[Q] Where do you spend most of your time?

Teaching point three: Jesus Christ should be the center of our lives.What drives you? Look at the wheel below:




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God is not asking to be #1 on the ever-shifting priority list. Instead he wants us to live a life of priority with our lives centered around Christ. Christ needs to be at the center of everything we do, say, or think.

If Christ were at the center of everything you do, you would be full of joy. Joy, not happiness. Joy is not dependent on circumstances. You would not resent the sacrifices you make for God or others. You would not run out of energy, because you are depending on the Holy Spirit’s power. Your life and service to others would be marked with a deep sense of gratitude.

Read 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:17, 23.




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In all three verses the word whatever appears, and God tells us that whatever we do we should do it for him, that he should be the center of our lives.

[Q] What is the whatever in the center of your life that needs to be a spoke and not the hub?

[Q] What do you need to give up to God?

[Q] What would a typical day look like if Christ were in everything you do? Your daily or weekly schedule might look exactly the same. But, what would be different?




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[Q] What drives you? If your spouse, children, or best friend were asked what drives you, what would he or she say?


God should be at the center of all we do. In his book Radical Reformission, Mark Driscoll describes how he leads his church in the teaching of Christ as the center of their lives:




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In our kingdom culture, we believe that claiming Jesus as Lord means that he rules over everything from our pots and pans to our [sexuality] and car horns. As we read the Old Testament, we see that God talks about such things as why it is important to go to the bathroom in a hole, because otherwise people will step in it, and we believe that God truly cares about the minutiae of our lives. Consequently, in our kingdom culture, theology is intensely practical and connected to how we live everyday as we work our jobs, clean our dishes, and brush our teeth to the glory of God.

[Q] Read Colossians 3:23. How can you do your job to the glory of God?




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[Q] Read Romans 12:1–3. Why do you think God cares about how you treat your body?

[Q] Write down a small or large decision you need to make in the next week. How can you put Christ at the center of your decision-making process?

[Q] Every day this week, ask yourself the question, “What is the whatever that is the driving force of my life, and how can I give that up to God and allow him to be the center?”

For further study read The Call, by Os Guinness.




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The Consuming RevolutionaryBeing a Christ follower is meant to be an all-consuming

relationship.

Jesus the revolutionary is consuming. Following him is not just a religion, a private faith, or some spiritual aspect of our lives, but demands everything we are and have. Celebrating, connecting, and contributing to his kingdom are not meant to be parts of life or just spiritual activities; they are pathways of a life-consuming relationship with Jesus. This study will ask you if Jesus is just one rung on the ladder of priorities, or if he consumes your every thought and action.

Lesson #2

Scripture:Luke 14:25–35; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23



PARTICIPANT’S GUIDEThe Consuming Revolutionary

Page 2


In the triangle below, list your top six priorities. You won’t have to share this with anyone, unless you choose to do so.

OccupationExtended Family (parents, siblings)




Page 3

GodFriendshipsChurchWeekendSpouseKidsRecreationMinistryNeighborsOther




Page 4

In the triangle below, list what you think your priorities should be…(in a perfect world this is what you’d want them to be)

OccupationExtended Family (parents, siblings)GodFriendships




Page 5

ChurchWeekendSpouseKidsRecreationMinistryNeighborsOther




Page 6

PART 2Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching point one: The cost of following Jesus can be high.




Page 7

Teaching point two: It takes more than a priority list to reorient our lives.

What is getting the lion’s share of your time currently?

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat5–6am6–7am7–8am8–9am9–10am




Page 8

10–11am11–12pm12–1pm1–2pm2–3pm3–4pm4–5pm5–6pm6–7pm7–8pm8–9pm9–10pm10–11pm




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11–12pm12–1am

Spend 3–5 minutes writing down how you spend your time: work, family time, sleep, driving to work, extracurricular activities. Discuss this together as you fill it out.




Page 10

Teaching point three: Jesus Christ should be the center of our lives.What drives you? Look at the wheel below:




Page 11


God should be at the center of all we do. In his book Radical Reformission, Mark Driscoll describes how he leads his church in the teaching of Christ as the center of their lives:

In our kingdom culture, we believe that claiming Jesus as Lord means that he rules over everything from our pots and pans to our [sexuality] and car




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horns. As we read the Old Testament, we see that God talks about such things as why it is important to go to the bathroom in a hole, because otherwise people will step in it, and we believe that God truly cares about the minutiae of our lives. Consequently, in our kingdom culture, theology is intensely practical and connected to how we live everyday as we work our jobs, clean our dishes, and brush our teeth to the glory of God.

For further study: read The Call, by Os Guinness.




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The Relational RevolutionaryChrist causes a relational revolution among his followers.

Following Christ causes a relational revolution in our lives. It involves connecting with people in our church or small group, as well as relationships outside the church, where we learn to love others as Christ does. This study will look at our relationship with Christ horizontally, as well as vertically.

Lesson #3

Scripture:Matthew 22:35–40; 25:37–40; Luke 10:25–37



LEADER’S GUIDEThe Relational Revolutionary

Page 2


I just moved to New York City where I take the train three to four times a day to and from work. I sit on the train like everyone else and wait for my street number to be called. Every second or third time I climb on board, there’s a man or woman who interrupts the quiet ride and yells out, “Everybody, could I have your attention please! I am homeless. I have no job, no food, and no place to stay tonight, and I would appreciate it if you could help me out in anyway. God bless those who give.” Then, they make their way through the cars and most everyone




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stares at anything but the person walking by, pretending they didn’t hear this dirty, smelly, wrinkled person beg for some loose change. I think that’s why iPods were invented—you can ignore any potential inconveniences. Practically everyone on the subway has an iPod playing in his or her ears. I just bought mine.


[Q] When last did someone ask you for money or assistance? How did you react? What did you think when they were asking?




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PART 2Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching point one: Jesus calls us to a higher standard in our relationships.

Read Luke 10:25–37. Jesus challenged the people of his day by this story. Samaritans were considered the unfaithful—Jewish people who had intermarried with non-Jews and had set up another place of worship, rejecting the Jerusalem temple as the true place of worship. These were the ones who had forsaken the cause and polluted the future of Israel.




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Radically, it was the Samaritan and not the Jewish elite who helped the broken man alongside the road. Jesus astounded the religious rulers of his day when he told them they should be like this Samaritan.

[Q] How do you think the Jewish audience felt about Jesus casting the Samaritan as the hero in this story?

[Q] Put yourself in the shoes of the priest, Levite, innkeeper, or Samaritan. How would you have reacted if you saw someone lying injured on the side of the road?




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[Q] Why is it so difficult for us to respond in love when we are inconvenienced by others? Is it more difficult to be inconvenienced by someone you don’t know, or someone inconsequential who has no resources to reciprocate your kindness?

Teaching point two: The greatest commandment links loving God with loving others.

One day the Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus by asking him a question they were sure he’d answer wrong. In their thinking, there was no way he could respond to this question satisfactorily: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:36)




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There were over 600 laws the people of God were supposed to follow, and if Christ were to focus on any one law, they could prove him wrong by pointing out the importance of another—a way to prove that he was not who he said he was, the Messiah.

The Pharisees asked a question they had probably practiced before, since their own teachers debated among themselves which commandment was the greatest. Although all commandments were equally weighty in one sense, rabbis had to distinguish between light and heavy commandments in practice.





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[Q] What is the greatest commandment according to Jesus? From where in the Old Testament is Jesus quoting?

Leader’s Note: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind”. The first passage Jesus cites portrays the love of God as a summary of the law (Deuteronomy 6:1–7). This passage about loving God was the central and best-known text of Judaism, the Shema (Sema`).

[Q] What do you think it means to love Christ both vertically and horizontally?

Leader’s notes: According to the Bible, loving God and loving others are directly connected. Read Matthew 25:40 (or Matthew 25:31-46 for the whole




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context). Jesus says, “Whatever you do for the least of these brothers of mine, you have also done for me.”

[Q] If you could put these two commandments into five words or less how would you do it?

Teaching point three: Jesus challenges us to see the needs around us.





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Donald Miller in his book Blue Like Jazz has a conversation with a friend who asks a question about racism in America and in the church. Donald responded by saying that racism might be a smaller portion of a large, disturbing issue:

I’m talking about self-absorption. If you think about it, the human race is pretty self-absorbed. Racism might be the symptom of a greater disease. What I mean is, as a human, I am flawed in that it is difficult for me to consider others before myself. It feels like I have to fight against this force, this current within me that, more often than not, wants to avoid serious issues and please myself, buy things for myself, feed myself, entertain myself, and all of that. All I’m saying is that if we, as a species, could fix our self-absorption, we could end a lot of pain in the world…The overwhelming majority of time I spend thinking about myself, pleasing myself, reassuring




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myself, and when I am done there is nothing to spare for the needy. Six billion people live in this world, and I can only muster thoughts for one. Me.

[Q] How is self-absorption the opposite of what Jesus talks about in Matthew 25?

[Q] How should this passage affect the way we treat our families, neighbors, coworkers and acquaintances?

Who are the families that live within ten houses of yours? They’re probably not dirt poor. They probably have about the same amount of income as you do. Their needs may not be financial. They may need someone to talk to, a connection. They may need your help out in the garage or with how to potty train their toddler.




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In order to be a revolutionary, you must do things in a Christ-empowered way. When you do life like everyone else then you’re just another fish in the big pond, but when you act, talk, smile, help, and love differently, people notice. We need to be different kind of fish. When Christ said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” is as important a law as “Love the Lord your God,” he was making a revolutionary statement. Will you be a revolutionary or will you be like everyone else?

[Q] How can you walk, talk, live, and love in a way that reflects Christ this week? What will you do?




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[Q] What could you do for your neighbor that would demonstrate Christ’s love for them?(cook them dinner, scrape windshields in the morning, have them over for games, etc.)

or

What could you do for your coworker that could potentially change the way they think about Christianity? (Buy them lunch, bring them breakfast or a favorite snack, etc.)




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Make an appointment sometime within the next two weeks to do something for your neighbor or coworker and share about it during the final session of this study.

[Q] What could you do in your community (as an individual or your group) that would make a deep impact?

As a group, set a time within the next month to participate in a community-impacting form of service (soup kitchen, handing out coats to the homeless, cleaning bathrooms for a business, etc.)






The Relational RevolutionaryChrist causes a relational revolution among his followers.

Following Christ causes a relational revolution in our lives. It involves connecting with people in our church or small group, as well as relationships outside the church, where we learn to love others as Christ does. This study will look at our relationship with Christ horizontally, as well as vertically.

Lesson #3

Scripture:Matthew 22:35–40; Matthew 25:37–40; Luke 10:25–37



PARTICIPANT’S GUIDEThe Relational Revolutionary

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I just moved to New York City where I take the train three to four times a day to and from work. I sit on the train like everyone else and wait for my street number to be called. Every second or third time I climb on board, there’s a man or woman who interrupts the quiet ride and yells out, “Everybody, could I have your attention please! I am homeless. I have no job, no food, and no place to stay tonight, and I would appreciate it if you could help me out in anyway. God bless those who give.” Then, they make their way through the cars and most everyone




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stares at anything but the person walking by, pretending they didn’t hear this dirty, smelly, wrinkled person beg for some loose change. I think that’s why iPods were invented—you can ignore any potential inconveniences. Practically everyone on the subway has an iPod playing in his or her ears. I just bought mine.




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PART 2Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching point one: Jesus calls us to a higher standard in our relationships.

Teaching point two: The greatest commandment links loving God with loving others.




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Teaching point three: Jesus challenges us to see the needs around us.

PART 3




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Apply Your FindingsIn order to be a revolutionary, you must do things in a Christ-empowered way. When you do life like everyone else then you’re just another fish in the big pond, but when you act, talk, smile, help, and love differently, people notice. We need to be different kind of fish. When Christ said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” is as important a law as “Love the Lord your God,” he was making a revolutionary statement. Will you be a revolutionary or will you be like everyone else?



Course by Community Christian Church (www.communitychristian.org), a member of the NewThing Network (www.newthing.org)


The Unstoppable RevolutionaryJesus has chosen to be unstoppable through his church.

Jesus the revolutionary was unstoppable. Even death couldn’t stop him from completing his mission. This study shows that the way he has chosen to be unstoppable in this world is through his body, the church. His followers become unstoppable revolutionaries when banded together in the celebrating, connecting, contributing community called the church.

Lesson #4

Scripture:Matthew 16:13–20; 2 Corinthians 5:17–20



LEADER’S GUIDEThe Unstoppable Revolutionary

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In his prime, Michael Jordan was called by more than a few hundred commentators, journalists, and sports reporters “unstoppable.” In fact, an early Sports Illustrated cover labeled him the Unstoppabull.

In his own words MJ said the only person that could stop him was…him. Otherwise, he was, indeed, unstoppable. Six championships later the whole NBA agreed.




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Of course, Jordan was only unstoppable in basketball. Jesus Christ is unstoppable for all of eternity.


[Q] What do you think it mean to be unstoppable? Can you name something that is unstoppable (besides Michael Jordan)?




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PART 2Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching point one: Jesus gave his disciples an unstoppable mission.

Read Matthew 16:13–19. Jesus gave his disciples a glimpse of his unstoppable mission in these verses. It was a mission so powerful, it could storm the gates of hell (v. 18).

Perhaps the disciples felt as Lesslie Newbigin felt, “Mission is not a burden laid upon the church; it is a gift and a promise to the church that is faithful. The command arises from the gift. Jesus reigns and all authority has been given to him



The World

The Church

ME


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in earth and heaven. When we understand that, we shall not need to be told to let it be known. Rather, we shall not be able to keep silent.” (Mission in Christ’s Way)

[Q] What is Christ saying about the church in his dialogue with Peter and the disciples? What did he most want them to understand through this conversation?

Teaching point two: Jesus gave us the same unstoppable mission.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17–20.




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Bill Hybels, the Senior Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Illinois, says, “the local church is the hope of the world.”

The ultimate purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is not just to save you from hell. God has chosen to save you as a means toward a greater mission—to reach the world with the Good News. Too often the gospel is reduced to a means for individuals (me) to receive forgiveness for my sins and provide me with a way to get into heaven. We emphasize Christ’s substitutionary death as of primary importance and reduce his teachings and modeling of love as secondary. How Christ has established his church as the hope of the world is directly connected to my mission.




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When we rightly place ourselves within the body of the church and see our salvation as primarily about how we empower the church to reach and love the world back into a relationship with God, then we fully understand God’s purpose.

[Q] Do you believe that the local church is the hope for the world? Why or why not?

[Q] If the local church is not the hope of the world, then what other possibilities are there?




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Teaching point three: The mission is unstoppable because Jesus Christ is going to win, and all those joining him in his mission are going to win.

Jesus tells Peter that he is going to build his church and the gates of hell will not overcome it. The church is the hope of the world. Jesus is telling us in Matthew 16:13–19 that through your church, God is on a mission to revolutionize the way we do life. When Jesus says the “gates of Hades (hell) will not overcome it,” that means he is going to win, and all those joining him in the mission are going to win, and there’s nothing Satan can do to stop us. Nothing. That should give you the confidence to do anything and everything God is asking, because you now know that Christ will reign victoriously in the end.




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[Q] If the local church is the hope of the world and the gates of Hades (hell) cannot overcome it, how does that change/redefine your understanding of:

Family

Government

Career

Marriage




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[Q] How do you think the church you’re a part of is currently fulfilling its mission as the hope of the world? The hope of your community? City? Neighborhood? Friends?

[Q] Have you ever been on a team (sports, business, music, etc.) that was so good no one could beat you? If so, talk about your experience on the team. If not, have you ever competed against an unstoppable team?

[Q] If you are on a team that is unstoppable what does that do with your confidence level before and during the competition?




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The past three weeks we’ve talked about making Christ the center of your life, loving your neighbor, and impacting the world. In light of knowing that Christ is victorious, is there any reason not to begin doing these things?

If you are a part of a church right now and believe it is the hope of the world, how are you helping advance the kingdom? There is nothing else in the world as important as joining Christ in his mission to revolutionize people’s lives through the church.




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Christ is inviting you to join him on his mission.

[Q] List a few ways we can be a part of Christ’s mission in the local church.

[Q] Is there any task inside the local church that does not contribute to helping people find their way back to God?

Look at the list below and circle any unnecessary areas of service:

Preacher Set-up/tear down Courier

Teacher Small group leader Fellowship coordinator




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Diaper changer Janitor Greeter

Nursery worker Producer Host

Maintenance Vocal team Usher

Garbage clean up Band Parking lot attendant

Photo copier Toilet bowl cleaner Bulletin stuffer

Leader’s note: pick out a few areas of service and ask what eternal contribution each could have. For example, we know a preacher brings the message, but what about garbage clean up? Does this really help to advance the gospel?




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If every single one of these areas of service is important to the advancement of the kingdom of God, then it should compel us to get in the game. If you’re not currently involved in one or more of the above areas, join Christ on the mission to revolutionize the world and storm the gates of hell. Maybe God is ready to stretch you so you gain a whole new understanding of the mission he’s on, and how he wants to empower you to accomplish his mission.

Leader’s note: Remind your group that next week we’re going to be talking about:

The person we committed to invest in during the first study.




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The neighbor and/or coworker from last week that we are going to blow away with love.

The group’s community impact project






The Unstoppable RevolutionaryJesus has chosen to be unstoppable through his church.

Jesus the revolutionary was unstoppable. Even death couldn’t stop him from completing his mission. This study shows that the way he has chosen to be unstoppable in this world is through his body, the church. His followers become unstoppable revolutionaries when banded together in the celebrating, connecting, contributing community called the church.

Lesson #4

Scripture:Matthew 16:13–20; 2 Corinthians 5:17–20



PARTICIPANT’S GUIDEThe Unstoppable Revolutionary

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In his prime, Michael Jordan was called by more than a few hundred commentators, journalists, and sports reporters “unstoppable.” In fact, an early Sports Illustrated cover labeled him the Unstoppabull.

In his own words MJ said the only person that could stop him was…him. Otherwise, he was, indeed, unstoppable. Six championships later the whole NBA agreed.




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Of course, Jordan was only unstoppable in basketball. Jesus Christ is unstoppable for all of eternity.




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PART 2Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching point one: Jesus gave his disciples an unstoppable mission.



The World

The Church

ME


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Teaching point two: Jesus gave us the same unstoppable mission.

When we rightly place ourselves within the body of the church and see our salvation as primarily about how we empower the church to reach and love the world back into a relationship with God, then we fully understand God’s purpose.




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Teaching point three: The mission is unstoppable because Jesus Christ is going to win, and all those joining him in his mission are going to win.


Look at the list below and circle any unnecessary areas of service:




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Preacher Set-up/tear down Courier

Teacher Small group leader Fellowship coordinator

Diaper changer Janitor Greeter

Nursery worker Producer Host

Maintenance Vocal team Usher

Garbage clean up Band Parking lot attendant

Photo copier Toilet bowl cleaner Bulletin stuffer




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The Revolutionary WithinJesus, the revolutionary, lives within his followers and wants to

revolutionize us.

Jesus the revolutionary lives within and among his followers and wants to bring the revolutionary out in us to impact this world. He doesn’t want better, nicer, more religious people, but truly revolutionary people. This study calls you to an all-out commitment to Christ.

Lesson #5

Scripture:Luke 11:23; John 1:1–5; Ephesians 1:3–23; Colossians 1:15–20



LEADER’S GUIDEThe Revolutionary Within

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In just a few short weeks I will be celebrating my ninth-wedding anniversary with my amazing, beautiful, spectacular, energetic, awe-inspiring wife! On March 8, 1996, we stood before friends and family and in front of two ministers (our fathers) vowed to “love, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, with loads of money or none at all, with morning breath and mood swings, dirty bathrooms and microwave dinners, ‘til death do us part.”




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That is a pretty strong statement, don’t you think? Two are joined together to become one and the vows shared during the wedding ceremony are words to hold onto for a lifetime. As I watch our wedding video, I love hearing my wife say she’ll love me even if I lose my job, and we have to live with my parents for two years as I battle depression and fail to shave, eat, or drag myself off the couch. Okay, maybe I’d shave.

When a man and woman stand before their peers and announce their love for one another, it is not a casual decision. They are not claiming to love one another “as long as you stay a size four” or “as long as we have our dream home by June.” The groom doesn’t pronounce, “Well, there was no other alternative, and I’m getting




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pretty old and lonely so…you’ll do.” The bride doesn’t say, “Even though everything you do completely disgusts me, I’ll give this marriage deal a shot.”

After the honeymoon, reality hits. Will your spouse fulfill the vows? Will he really love me when I gain weight during the pregnancy and can’t get the weight off afterwards? Will she really love me when my company downsizes and our dream home gets put on hold? Words, in a sense, only begin the vow. Your actions fulfill the vow.

Over the past few weeks we’ve been discussing being a revolutionary person. In this study we are asking two things:




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[Q] Have you said your vows to Christ (accepted him as your Lord and Savior)?

[Q] Are you fulfilling your vows to Christ?




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PART 2Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching point one: Jesus refuses to let us straddle the line.

Read Luke 11:23. Some people have read this verse and others like it in the Bible, and have come to the conclusion that Christ wants us to be perfect. In fact, he demands it. Any slip up or mistake puts us on the “against God” side, and we’re doomed for punishment.

We know from the Bible that although Christ was perfect, he does not make that a requirement for us to be close to him or to enter heaven. He asks us to give our




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lives to him, join him on his mission, and live daily denying ourselves, with full knowledge that he’ll forgive us when we mess up.

In some ways, it’s like being on a basketball team. We’re giving it our best, but there will be times we’ll miss the shot; we’ll commit too many fouls, or we’ll step out of bounds. We’re not going to be kicked off the team. Christ has promised us in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you; I will never forsake you.” He promises us his love forever. What he’s asking for in return is our love. Will you be for him or against him?

Donald Miller in Blue Like Jazz says, “Andrew is the one who taught me that what I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do.




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“I used to say that I believed it was important to tell people about Jesus, but I never did. Andrew very kindly explained that if I do not introduce people to Jesus, then I don’t believe Jesus is an important person. It doesn’t matter what I say.”

[Q] Luke 11:23 appears in the context of Jesus driving out a demon and being accused of doing so by the power of Satan. According to this passage, do you think there is such a thing as neutral ground? Can people not pick sides between God and Satan?

[Q] Which of your actions show that you are for God, and which actions show that you are against God?




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[Q] What does someone’s life look like when they are “for God”?

[Q] When someone is “against God” what does that mean? Do they hate him, despise him?

Teaching point two: Jesus demands we make a decision about him and help others to make a decision.

Read John 1:1–5. Jesus is the eternal Word, who is God. He is life and encompasses all of life. There is no neutral ground. Humans are either building up God’s kingdom, or they are destroying it. Many people don’t know when they are working for God (Luke 9:50), or when they are destroying God’s kingdom.




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[Q] What does it mean that Jesus is the Word? How does that impact our lives?

[Q] If Christ is the light that shines in the darkness, how can we bring that light to others?

Teaching point three: Jesus’ revolutionary mission brings us every spiritual blessing.

Read Ephesians 1:3–23. We’ve been given every spiritual blessing in Christ. It will take the rest of our lives to begin to comprehend this. Just the few things mentioned in these verses gives us enough to ponder for years:




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He chose us He adopted us into his family He’s given us his grace We’re redeemed and forgiven He’s lavished us with wisdom and understanding He’s revealed to us the mystery of his will We cause others to praise his glory We were given the Holy Spirit, a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance We have the privilege of knowing God The eyes of our heart are enlightened We can know the hope he’s called us to




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We have a glorious inheritance He makes available to us his incomparably great power We get to spend eternity with the one who rules over all

[Q] How does knowing these blessings give you new perspective on your life?

[Q] How does it give you victory over sin?




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Ask if anyone would like to share about:

The person we committed to invest in during the first study. The neighbor and/or coworker that we are going to blow away with love. The group’s community impact project.

Pray that we would all live revolutionary lives for Christ.




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The Revolutionary WithinJesus, the revolutionary, lives within his followers and wants to

revolutionize us.

Jesus the revolutionary lives within and among his followers and wants to bring the revolutionary out in us to impact this world. He doesn’t want better, nicer, more religious people, but truly revolutionary people. This study calls you to an all-out commitment to Christ.

Lesson #5

Scripture:Luke 11:23; John 1:1–5; Ephesians 1:3–23; Colossians 1:15–20



PARTICIPANT’S GUIDEThe Revolutionary Within

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Over the past few weeks we’ve been discussing being a revolutionary person. In this study we are asking two things:

[Q] Have you said your vows to Christ (accepted him as your Lord and Savior)?

[Q] Are you fulfilling your vows to Christ?




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PART 2Discover the Eternal PrinciplesTeaching point one: Jesus refuses to let us straddle the line.

Teaching point two: Jesus demands we make a decision about him and help others to make a decision.




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Teaching point three: Jesus’ revolutionary mission brings us every spiritual blessing.




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Ask if anyone would like to share about:

The person we committed to invest in during the first study. The neighbor and/or coworker that we are going to blow away with love. The group’s community impact project.

Pray that we would all live revolutionary lives for Christ.



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