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MISSION POSSIBLE: Equip, Part 1

 

Deep Dive Weekly Small Group Study 4

Message: “Mission Possible: Equip Pt. 1”

Week of October 5, 2009

QUICK REFLECT:   Looking back on this week’s message, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?

OPENING: Why is it important to be well equipped as a Christian?

THOUGHTS:   I remember hearing the story years ago about a man who said to his pastor, “I’ve been in Sunday School for 40 years and still haven’t graduated!”  There is a sense in which his comment recognizes the perpetual nature of learning the faith.  His comment also points out that we don’t do as much as we should to help mark our continuing growth toward spiritual maturity.  Years ago I created a continuum from atheist to saint with a series of words between to try and help people see there is a progression through which we can move if we choose to continue maturing in the faith.  Equipping is the key to growth and maturity.  Remember the definition from Sunday: To equip is to engage in activities which feed and nourish us so we can continue to grow and mature that we might do God’s work and build up the Body of Christ. 

Why is it so easy to slip into spiritual neutral and stop growing and maturing?

 

Since God’s plan for redeeming the world involves using us, do you see why being equipped is of vital importance?

God’s plan for the redemption of the world is to use us to bring his kingdom on earth.  How does this make you feel?  Does it make you hopeful or sad for the future of the world? 

All of the disciples Jesus picked had a core of Biblical knowledge.  Jesus added to that by taking them through an on the job training program of seeing and doing the ministry he modeled for them.  Do you need to get the knowledge?  Do you have the core knowledge and need some OJT?

 

That’s  what HE Said:      Read: Luke 6:43-49

1.        What is the context in which Jesus shares this teaching?

2.       Why does Jesus stress the importance of bearing fruit?

3.       Why does Jesus stress the importance of doing what He says to do?

4.       Why is it vital to equip your “house” with a solid foundation?

Read: 2 Peter 1:3-11

 

Paraphrasing verse 8, “The more you grow, the more useful you will be.”  Have you ever considered that your growth makes you more useful?  How does verse 9 go on to describe those who “fail to develop” ?

 

How can we help people find Christ by simply being a friend?

 

Verses 5-7 show a pattern of faith development that is a sequential process.  Do you think you are engaged in this process?  Where do you see yourself?

 

Share where you see yourself in the EQUIP acronym:

Experience Christ

Quench not the Holy Spirit

Undertake responsibility for your growth

Internalize the scripture

Persevere

Do you want to be a spiritual Oak or Redwood?  Engaging in the equipping process is what will determine your growth toward spiritual maturity and your impact on the Kingdom.  God’s plan for the redemption of the world is to use us to bring his kingdom on earth.

Share Prayer Concerns

Have each person offer a one sentence, “Lord, equip me that I may. . .”

Close with the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever.  Amen.