LG Questions :: 10/17/2010

For Further Consideration :: Sunday, October 17, 2010

Shawn Cossin :: What Do You See, Week Three

Review…

We are part of a bigger story

We have an Enemy

As believers, we find our identity in Jesus Christ

Question :: How do you see these three realities at work in your everyday living?

Read Ephesians 6:11-12, then consider this - Shawn said, “Where you stand will always affect what you see,” then explained different places he could stand in the sanctuary that would affect what he sees. This applies to our lives as well – where are the places you “stand” each day/week, and how do those places affect what you see?

Shawn talked about the game Othello, where you try to win by getting more pieces “up” (either white or black) than your opponent. He said the game is a constant struggle of trying to keep your pieces up, since your opponent is always attempting to switch your pieces into his/her color. As we consider our spiritual Enemy, how do you see this same kind of challenge in your daily living? Where is the Enemy attempting to turn all the good stuff in your life into bad? How is he trying to beat you these days?

Read Romans 7:14-20, then consider…

What is the Apostle Paul attempting to communicate in this section of Scripture?

In what ways have you identified (either now or in the past) with what Paul says?

Paul says the law is good (and it is), so why then is there such a struggle to do the right thing?

Read Romans 7:21-25, then consider…

What’s the good news found in these verses?

Share with the group some ways God has freed you.

Read 2^nd Timothy 2:22, then read Luke 11:24-28, then consider…

Do you see how these scriptures are connected? Take a moment to discuss the ways they’re connected.

What is the danger of giving yourself to God without being filled up with the power of God?

Think about that last question – have you ever had a time where you were like that? Share with the group.

How can you “fill up” on the purity and power of God?

Take a moment to read this quote and discuss its implications – “Even purely psychological considerations render it imperative that, when a person has passed through a crisis which has contributed to his renunciations of former sins and evil practices in his life, he must immediately in place thereof let his life be filled with what is beautiful and noble, otherwise the old sins and evils will return in renewed violence … There cannot be a vacuum in man’s soul.” Norval Geldenhuys

Think about this… In January 2007, a violinist began to play for 45 minutes in a New York subway. Hardly anyone listened, and hardly anyone gave money. What no one seemed to know is that the violinist was Josh Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world, playing one of his most intricate pieces on a $3.5M violin. He had sold out shows in Boston just a few nights before, but now – down in the subway – hardly anyone stopped to listen, and few even made a contribution.

As we prepare to fight against our Enemy, we must…

Believe God more than you believe the Enemy (Read Luke 11:21-22)

Live in the reality of your identity in Christ (Read Romans 8:37)

Use God’s Word (Read Hebrews 4:12)

Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit (Read Ephesians 6:10)

Question :: What is your “next best step” personally as you stand in Christ and fight against the Enemy?

IN CLOSING :: Share with each other the best ways the group can pray for you, then take time to pray – for each other, for our church, and for believers all over the world, that we would resist the Enemy and stand firm in our relationship with Christ.

LG Questions :: 10/10/2010

For Further Consideration :: Sunday, October 10, 2010

Shawn Cossin :: What Do You See | Week Two

Last week we discussed…

We are part of a bigger story

We have an enemy

We need to know our vulnerabilities

Question: Have you had any thoughts or life experiences in the past week that reinforce any of these realities?

Shawn showed a picture – actually, a picture within a picture. Could you see the young woman? Could you see the older woman? How does this illustration reveal our ability (or even inability) to see what is happening around us?

Shawn told a story about himself – he and his brother cutting across a field to get to church when they were young. He thought the cows were going to trample him, so he’d run. But one day he didn’t, and the cows stopped when he stopped. He said the cows didn’t change; his view of what the cows were doing/expecting changed. How does this story underscore our need to “see” what God is doing around us?

Read Matthew 6:22-23 – Jesus wasn’t talking about our literal eyes, was he? What was he talking about, and why do you think it was important enough to Jesus to talk about it?

Answer this question about yourself with five single words – “Who am I?” What words did you use, and why? Do they communicate who you are? If Jesus were answering this question about us, what words do you think he would use to describe us?

Our identity is important – and yet our Enemy wants to “shred” our identity, which can lead to … low self-esteem, lack of confidence, lack of purpose, poor self-image, and a host of other negative thoughts and attitudes. What do you think Jesus has to say about our identity? Talk about some Scriptures that come to  mind as we consider who we are in Christ.

Read 1^st Peter 2:9 – This was written to the early church, but still has great relevance to us today. What points are made in this verse that you would say are very important for us to understand?

Shawn said that “we in the church often talk about original sin, but don’t talk often enough about original glory.” I think this is an amazingly important truth/statement – why do you think we talk more about original sin than original glory? Why would it be important to talk about both with more balance?

Read Philippians 3:4-9 – What were Paul’s qualifications (take a moment to review them)? What did he say about all the important stuff in his life? Why do you think this perspective is so important to embrace?

Shawn read SEVERAL Scriptures that reveal our identity in Christ (and will soon be posted on his blog at http://live-sent.blogspot.com) - which of those Scriptures jumped out at you? Can you think of others that reveal who we are in Christ?

We looked at a video about identity (see it again at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNvMrZSvPOM). What did this video communicate to you?

Read John 1:12 – We are accepted. What has this meant to you as a Christ-follower?

Read Romans 8 – We are free. What has this meant to you as a Christ-follower?

Read 1^st Peter 2:9 – We are significant. What has this meant to you as a Christ-follower?

IN CLOSING ::

Read Philippians 3:12, and talk about how you can “press on” as a follower of Jesus. After that, take time to pray for each other and for our church, that God would help us be fully aware of our identity as Christians. Pray also for those who have not yet believed, that they would find their identity in Jesus.

LG Questions :: 10/03/2010

For Further Consideration :: Sunday, October 3, 2010

Shawn Cossin :: “What Do You See?” Week One

Shawn played some "triumphant" music when he started today’s message. When you hear that type of music, what thoughts or images come to mind?

“We are part of a bigger story” – in what ways does your life reflect the reality that we are all part of a bigger story?

Shawn showed a picture of the Mona Lisa, but it wasn’t simply a review of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece – it was a mosaic, one big picture made up of thousands of other smaller pictures. What did that communicate to you? Can you imagine how your "picture" is connected with so many others, creating the big picture God is painting? Talk about it as a group.

Discuss this statement - “It’s like we’re holding in our hands some pages torn out of a book. These pages are days of our lives. Fragments of a story. They seem important, or at least we long to know they are, but what does it all mean? If only we could find the book that contains the rest of the story.” (John Eldredge, Epic)

Discuss this statement - Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. (Shakespeare, Macbeth)

Read John 1:1-4 … When you read this in light of our understanding of both God and the Genesis creation story (“let us make man in our own image”), what realities come to mind?

Read Ecclesiastes 3:11 … What has God planted in every heart? Why do you think some people are unable (or even unwilling) to see this reality? What practices do you employ to keep yourself focused on the fact that there is more to this life just the ‘here and now’?

In the midst of creation, a revolt took place. Lucifer – our Enemy – and a third of the angels of heaven were cast down from heaven for their lack of ability to submit to God’s great story. What's most fascinating/disturbing to you about this truth?

Shawn asked volunteers to share about their “getting ready for church” routine, and gave them 30 seconds to share. But then he distracted them the entire time. He then compared that to the way our Enemy distracts us. Here are some questions to discuss – how does the Enemy attempt to distract most people these days? More specifically, how does he distract you?

Read 1^st Peter 5:8-9 … What does this tell us about our Enemy? What does the word “devour” communicate? Do you think most Christians realize this reality – why or why not? (In fact, share some comments on this statistic: 70% of people don’t believe in a literal Enemy of God.)

What do we need to know?

That we are part of a bigger story

            That there is an Enemy

            That God can protect our vulnerabilities from the Enemy

BIG QUESTION to discuss as a group: If you were the Enemy, what would you do to trip you up?

Read Ephesians 6:11-13, then explore these questions…

            Why is it important to know our battle isn’t against flesh and blood?

            What does Paul encourage us to do as we battle against the Enemy?

            How are you doing in the battle? What do you need to do to fight well?

IN CLOSING: Share with each other some areas of vulnerability. Talk about the places you need to begin winning the battle. Pray for each other and for our church, since we need God’s help to protect us from the Enemy. God is greater than our Enemy, and we need HIS help to fight the battle each day. Blessings!

LG Questions :: 09/26/2010

SLW Life Groups | For Further Consideration

Sunday, September 26, 2010 | Shawn Cossin

Message Series | This Side Up :: Week 5

Question :: Can you think of a time when you were NOT living ‘this side up’? What was the result? Also, can you think of a time when you WERE living ‘this side up’? What was the result? Share some observations as a group.

Lately, Shawn’s been talking about the picture or idea of a box – “This Side Up,” inviting people to…

Depend fully on God

Pursue God in the waiting

            Preserving purity

Talk About It :: Share together as a group how peoples’ lives (and your own lives) seem to be more fully in sync with the things of God when they’re doing these things.

Shawn talked about a father and son who went a on bike ride together … Saw a huge hill … Dad thought they could work on teamwork … Going up the hill was tough, but demonstrated perseverance … At the top the son said, “I was on the brakes the entire time.”

Question :: If this story (the bike) illustrates how some people cooperate (or don’t cooperate) with God, what are some of the things you think God wants us to partner with him about? Or to say it another way, what issues stir/concern the heart of God?

Read James 1:27 – What does this reveal about the Father’s heart?

Shawn asked us to imagine our favorite football player (or our favorite person dressed as a football player), who practices with the team, receives a paycheck, suits up, and stands on the sidelines – but does NOT play in the game. He compared that to the way some Christians claim to follow God but don’t “get in the game.”

Question :: Why don’t some people ‘get in the game’? What’s the best way to help people get in the game? What things over the course of your life have inspired you to get in the game and partner with God? Talk about all these as a group for a few moments.

Read Isaiah 58:1-8, with a particular emphasis on verses 6-7

As you reflect on Isaiah 58:6-7, consider this:

…7.1 million Americans 65 and older are in poverty

…27 million people ages 18-64 are in poverty

…27 million men, women, children are held as slaves

…More than 2 million children are exploited annually in global sex trade

Two things Shawn asked us to do:

(1) Pursue partnership – How?

Join the mission at SLW in one of several ways…

            -Anti-Trafficking Initiative

                        -Orphan care

            -Adoption Fund

                        -Partnership for racial reconciliation (Harbor Shine)

            -Helping the poor & hungry (Helping Hands, Jerusalem Fund)

(2) Pray – Pray for all these issues, of course, but…

            -Today’s focus: www.ijm.org

-Pray specifically for those in human trafficking

IN CLOSING…

-What other issues or thoughts did today’s message bring to mind?
-Take time to pray as a group, asking God to break your heart for the things that break God’s heart.

LG Questions :: 09/12/2010

Here's a typical list of Life Group questions. These are the types of questions SLW Life Groups utilize to 'deconstruct' a Sunday message and make further application for life-change. (PLEASE NOTE: If you haven't heard the message, please visit our website at www.slwchurch.org before reviewing these questions personally or as a group.)

:: Shawn talked about a pastor who helped a small child ring an unreachable doorbell. What was Shawn's point in sharing this story? If you can't remember, then consider the next question...

:: Shawn talked about drinking some refreshing... MOLD... what happened, and why would he share this story in light of the "This Side Up" series?

:: Read 1st Samuel 16:7 - What's the point? Why is this point so important for us to consider?

:: "Purity matters." In what areas of our world would purity be beneficial?

:: Read Leviticus 19:2 - What did God say, and why do you think God needed to say this?

:: Read Matthew 5:8 - Why is being 'pure in heart' so important?

:: Areas of impurity ::

> Sexual impurity
> Physical impurity
> Mental impurity
> Relational impurity
> Verbal impurity
> Ethical/Moral impurity
> Visual impurity

:: Which areas of impurity do you think most people wrestle with the most? Which ones are most apt to sidetrack you? How would you ask the group to pray for you? How could you pray for other believers?

A few more thoughts...

:: Shawn shared about a friend who put diesel gas in an unleaded gas tank. What was the result, and what teaching point does that illuminate for us?

:: Briefly review Genesis 4 and the story of Cain and Abel. How can you tell that Cain's problem wasn't about his offering, but about his attitude, his heart? What's the application point for us?

:: Briefly review Joshua 7 and the story of Achan. What implication does this have for us in today's world?

:: Briefly review Acts 5 and the story of Ananias and Sapphira. How did God respond to their impurity? What's the challenge for us as we read this story?

:: As you wrap up this study, consider this: Shawn mentioned that in order to maintain purity, we should ask God to do what Psalm 51:10 says. ("Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.") He challenged us to (1) Profess faith, then (2) Pray for strength, and finally (3) Persevere/Preserve purity. So here's the question: What step is most pressing for you? If you're comfortable, share it with your group and have them pray for you. Or find a good friend and ask them to help keep you accountable.

Until next time, Grace and Peace.

What's a LIFE GROUP Really Like?

I've been in small groups at different churches for many years. Some churches call them small groups, some call them home groups, some call them cell groups, and some call them life groups. I'm sure there are other names as well, but the name isn't nearly as important as the concept.

Small groups [or as we call them, Life Groups] are designed to help people get to know each other better, even as they get to know God better. In fact, I would say that people actually get to know God better when they get to know people better. It's good to get together!

But back to the post's question - What's a Life Group really like? Honestly, it's a little bit of everything. There's the informal time of grabbing some snacks and sharing some drinks. There's the time of study and reflection as the group dives into the Bible. There's prayer, too, as people share praises and concerns.

Still, there's more. There's a dawning awareness that no one is perfect, that everyone is flawed somehow. There's a sense that God's grace is sufficient, even in the midst of our busy, messy lives. There's also the guy who talks too much, the woman who says too little, and the reality that sometimes YOU are that man or woman. Haha!

Beyond that, Life Groups remind me that we're simply doing life together, and that we truly need other people in our lives. In every group I've been in, we've laughed a lot together, we've prayed a lot together, we've cried a lot together - heck, we've even gained a lot of weight together! (Oh, Life Group snacks are so GOOD!)

If I could encourage every Christian about one thing, it would be this...

               DON'T DO LIFE ALONE.

Too many Christians ignore the call of Hebrews 10:25, which says, "...let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." [NLT]

So... what's a Life Group really like? It's doing life together. The ups and downs, the laughter and tears, the good times and the bad. And knowing you're not facing any of it alone, but together with others who deal with the same stuff of life you do.

Grace and Peace,
KD