We Are Kingsgate

Great Yarmouth, UK

Discipleship Group Notes: 19/09/18

Last night, we held the first of our autumn term ‘altogether’ discussion evenings as we explore what it means to belong to the family of God.

 

We were revisiting my talk from Sunday which I’d titled ‘Alien life form isn’t always from Mars’ You can catch up with this on our new church app, or the media section of the website.

Bible Passage:

Romans 15:1-6 (CSB)

Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself. On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. 4 For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. 5 Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice.

 

Talk Outline:

The following is an outline of my talk.

  1. These verses make no sense outside of a defined church community
  2. Bear with the failings of the weak (v1)
    • Bearing with the weakness of others is active not passive
    • Bearing with the weakness of others is also not for the perfectionists
  3. Do everything you can to build one another up (v2)
    • This kills self-centredness
    • It asks a probing question of ourselves: “is it pleasing to be around me?”
    • We’ve been called to build other people into maturity
  4. This type of community is only possible when we live in the shadow of the cross (v3)
  5. Endurance and encouragement (v5)
  6. The goal: the glory of God (v6)

 

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does anyone have anything to thank God for from this last week?
  2. Why did Adam say this type of community life is ‘alien’ and ‘otherworldly’?
  3. In your own words what is the main message of these verses?
  4. Can anyone think of a situation or circumstance in your own life where you experienced what these verses are teaching?
  5. What are some of the obstacles to applying this verses to your life?
  6. As we’ve been discussing this, what is the Holy Spirit showing you personally?

 

A challenge:

What practical steps can you take this week to respond to the challenge of this passage? Make it really practical

 

Adam Bradley