Beyond the Wardrobe

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too so as to keep the blog a bit more active. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on November 8. The lesson is on Mark 12:38-44. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

All in?
Selling Out or Sold Out?
Mark 12:38-44

Introduction

Questions
What comes to mind when you think of someone who is a “sell out”? Is it negative or positive?
What comes to mind when you think of the phrase “sold out”? What does it mean that someone is “sold out” to a particular cause?

The term “All in”
a. Poker term (don’t panic!): It means putting everything you have into the pot
b. This is a risky move: You’ll either win it all or lose it all!

My testimony
Mark 12:38-44
Two things in this passage: 1. The Warnings and 2. The Widow

1. The Warnings (Don’t sell out)
Mark 12:38-40
The people Jesus described had become sell outs because what they offered was only for selfish reasons

The warnings
a. Beware the desire for prominence (don’t sell out for a reputation)
b. Beware the desire for deference (don’t sell out for perks)

This is false religion!
a. False religion asks, “What’s in it for me?”

Are you “all in” with God?
Or are you hedging your bets, holding out for a “better offer”?
How much is your soul worth?
What risks will you take?

2. The Widow (Be Sold Out)
Mark 12:41-44

The Problem with Money
a. More money often leads to more worry
b. More money often leads to a wrong focus

The People and their Money
It’s not how much you give, it’s how much it cost you

The Poor Widow
a. She didn’t focus on percentages
b. She didn’t compare her gift to others
c. She gave her all—she was sold out to God’s cause

Are you “all in” with God?
What are you willing to risk?
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.“ Jim Elliot

3. Application
Hebrews 9:24-28

When God wanted to effect salvation for humanity, he didn’t offer his leftovers or a percentage of his wealth.
a. He offered everything
b. He offered his most precious possession
c. He gave his only Son--Jesus gave his all!

Jesus was sold out to God’s plan
He was “all in” for salvation/He was “all in” for us

What can we possibly offer in response to that?
Can we give anything less than our best?
Can we be anything less than “all in” for God’s plan?

This week
a. Make a list of your priorities and responsibilities
b. Rate them by how important they are in your life. What role does God play in each area?
c. Where do you need to risk to reach others in an effort to be sold out to God’s plan?
d. Commit a time to pray for each of these items this week, and ask God what being “all in” for him looks like there

Are you “all in” for God?

4. Discussion Questions

Look at the warnings in Mark 12:38-40. Which one(s) do you struggle with the most? Where have you been selling out your integrity instead of being sold out to God?

What do you give to God? Money? Time? Work? Study? Relationships? Is it a mere percentage, or is it “all in” for his use?

What are your “widow’s mites”? What are the most precious things to you? Are you willing to give them to God for others?

Compare Hebrews 9:24-28 to Mark 12:38-44. What do these verses have in common? How do they complement each other? What role does “judgment” and “offering” play in each?

Who in your world could benefit from the offering Christ made in Hebrews 9? How can you (like the widow) give into their lives to help them see the importance of that gift?

Are you willing to be “all in” for God? If so, what changes will you have to make?

Thanks for reading!

Hello all:

As noted before, I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too so as to keep it a bit more active. So, with that introduction, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on November 1. The lesson is on John 11. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Waiting for Jesus
Lessons from Lazarus
John 11

Introduction
Creation and John’s Gospel

Seven days of Creation vs. Seven Signs in John
1. Jesus is taking everything that went wrong with creation and making it right again
2. After the seventh day: Death enters the world
3. The seventh sign: Lazarus (Jesus is the resurrection and the life)
4. The world waited thousands of years for Jesus to come and begin the work that will ultimately reverse the effects of sin and death

The problem is the waiting

Waiting for Jesus can cause anxiety but it is always worth it
John 11

1. Waiting for Jesus can cause anxiety

The Beginning of the Story
Jesus waits even though he loves Lazarus
His friend dies
What are the results of his waiting to go to his friend?

Jesus’ waiting has an effect on others
a. The disciples
Going with Jesus now could be dangerous
They may find themselves dead as a result
Why doesn’t Jesus just “play it safe”?

b. Mary and Martha
The loss of their loved one causes grief and anxiety
Perhaps their dream has died with Lazarus
Why didn’t God stop the pain?
Why didn’t Jesus come sooner?

c. The Jewish leaders
Jesus’ actions threaten their position and authority
They want to wait for him to “mess up” so that they can stop him
Why doesn’t Jesus leave things well enough alone?

God acts in his own time to save in his own way
Waiting on God requires confidence in his character

2. Waiting for Jesus is worth it

a. Jesus waits for the proper time
He waits for God’s glory to be revealed

b. The Words of Jesus
This is for God’s glory
I am the resurrection and the life
Remove the Stone
Lazarus, Come forth
Unbind him

c. The anger of Jesus
Why is he upset?
Jesus is upset that folks are only looking at the “impossible” circumstances
Jesus is upset because others are sad
Jesus is upset because they didn’t believe his words

d. The dead man comes alive
When we wait for Jesus, dead things can be made alive
Dreams we thought had died can be renewed

e. New threats may also arise
Waiting on Jesus is living in the faith that God will act

God acts in his own time to save in his own way
Waiting on God requires confidence in his character

3. Application
Waiting usually produces anxiety, but waiting for Jesus may result in new life

Learn from the lessons of the people in our story
a. Make your waiting worthwhile by focusing on God’s character instead of your expectations
b. Spend time in God’s Word
c. Pay attention to what God says instead of your circumstances
d. Recognize that no dream is too dead that God can’t raise it
e. Obey God until he shows up
f. Love your neighbor
g. Pray for others
h. Encourage one another
i. Hold fast to the faith
j. Don’t give up

Waiting on God requires confidence in his character

4. Discussion Questions

a. Jesus calls Lazarus out of the grave and orders him to be unbound. What is binding you up and keeping you from new life? What caves do you need to be called out of? What are the obstacles that are in the way, in between you and life, you and God?

b. Have you ever felt dead? Lifeless? How did the life get suck out of you? What do you think would happen if the breath of God was breathed back into you? What might happen if breath was breathed back into the church?

c. Do you think resurrection is something we experience only in an afterlife, or can we experience it right now?

d. Why do you think Jesus wept for Lazarus even though he knew he would raise him from the dead?

e. What needs are you waiting on Jesus to address? How has anxiety become a part of your waiting? How does God’s character address those anxieties?

f. Who needs your encouragement as they wait for a touch or word from Jesus?

Thanks for reading!

Hello all:

As noted before, I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too so as to keep it a bit more active. So, with that introduction, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on October 25. The lesson is on Mark 10:46-52. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

A Story of Blind Faith
Lessons from Bartimaeus
Mark 10:46-52

Introduction
Questions
What do you think of when you hear the words “blind faith”?
Give an example of what you consider “blind faith”
How does “blind faith” compare to what the Bible depicts as faith?

Today’s Story
Mark chapter 10—several groups come to Jesus
1. Pharisees test him (vv. 1-9)
2. His own disciples question him (vv. 10-12)
3. Children came to be blessed/the disciples rebuke them (vv. 13-16)
4. Rich young ruler comes looking for approval (vv. 17-27)
5. Disciples come promoting themselves (vv. 28-45)
6. Bartimaeus comes in faith hoping for healing (vv. 46-52)

Faith focuses on what is important (like the children and Bartimaeus). In this story, faith focuses on three important items.

1. Faith Sees The Need
Mark 10:46-48

He was blind
Probably poor
Unable to work
Resorted to begging

He knew he was needy

He heard about Jesus and knew he needed something from him
His hearing prompted some kind of faith
What did he hear? He heard of Jesus' power and authority

He cried out for help—He was tenacious and persistent

The crowd didn’t like his actions, so he cried out louder

He was desperate to get to Jesus
How desperate are we? Where are we needing an encounter with Jesus?
Do we care what the crowd thinks, or are we going to get to Jesus no matter what?
What hinders us from coming to him and believing what the Bible says about him?

Faith focuses on what is important. Faith looks at the needs around it.

2. Faith Sees An Opportunity
Mark 10:49-50

Jesus stopped
He heard the cries of the desperate man
How tenacious are we in getting Jesus’ attention?

Jesus called
He invited the man to come
He expected a response
When Jesus calls, what hinders us from responding? Do we leave him waiting for us?

The crowd encouraged
The folks who wanted him to shut up now invite him to Jesus
What needs have we tried to silence?
Who do we need to encourage to come to Jesus?
Where are the desperate people in our world?

Bartimaeus responded
He threw off his old “work clothes” made especially for begging (perhaps in expectation of a new profession?). What do we need to throw aside to follow Jesus?

He jumped up (shows a strong desire to respond to Jesus’ call). How have we responded to his call? Have we jumped up, or are we slowly going after him?

Faith focuses on what is important. Faith sees Jesus' coming by as an opportunity to obtain salvation.

3. Faith Responds to Jesus
Mark 10:51-52

A question and a response
Jesus asks a question/Bartimaeus responds

The question is the same Jesus asks his disciples in Mark 10:36 when they asked for places of honor
What do you want me to do for you?

Bartimaeus answers humbly/respectfully (“Rabboni, let me regain my sight”)
The disciples did not (“Give us a place of honor”)
How do we respond when God asks what we want?
Does our response focus on the needs around us, or are we looking for a place of honor?

A command and a response
Jesus commands: “Go”
Bartimaeus responds: He follows Jesus
He is given what he requests, then he becomes a disciple

Faith focuses on what is important. Faith responds with obedience and discipleship

Discussion Questions
What did Bartimaeus hear about Jesus? How did that change his actions?
What have you heard about Jesus? How has it changed your actions?

How desperate are we for God’s attention? Where do we need an encounter with Jesus in our lives? Where are our needs?

Are we concerned with what others say, or are we going to get to Jesus no matter the cost?

What hinders us from coming to Jesus or believing what the Bible says about him?
What needs have we tried to silence?

Who needs our encouragement to come to Christ for help? Who is desperate in our world?

What do we need to throw aside to follow Jesus?

How have we responded to Jesus’ call? Have we jumped up, or are we slowly going after him?

What do you want Jesus to do for you?

Where is our focus?

Thanks for reading!

Hey y'all:

Just a bit of rambling for you today because I'm in a bit of a introspective mood or something (yeah, I know I should be grading or writing or something "academic," but life is like that sometimes). Anyway, I started off the day with a pretty good mood, but it has been one of those days (for another example of this, read my past log "It's my birthday and O'Charley's forgot the appetizer again" at http://beyond-the-wardrobe.blogspot.com/2006_02_01_archive.html).

So, I got in the car, the CD player wouldn't work. Drove down the road in my neighborhood, almost got run over by "neighbors" who apparently do not know what a "Stop" sign is. On the highway got tailgated by a police car (yep, tailgated, thought he wanted in my backseat or something). Got to work and felt completely invisible . . . and then . . .

Some guys came into the office to hang pictures for a colleague. Little did I realize that they would be relentlessy pounding on my wall from the other side. In a few minutes, a commemorative plate of a Russian lacquer painting was vibrated off my shelf and broke.

Sigh

Now, before you all think I'm beginning to feel too sorry for myself (or before you think I'm fishing for "recognition"), let me just say . . .

It is really okay. Yeah, it smarts a bit, but it is okay.

I may not be the newest shiny toy, or the most popular person, or even the most recognized "whatever", but I know one thing is still true . . . God has not forgotten me.

He has written me on the palms of his hands; he gave his only unique, one of a kind Son so that I could be his child; he created a whole universe so I could be born as one among many whom he would love; and he knows my name.

As surely as God knows the stars by name, he knows each of us in his creation. None of us are overlooked. Oh, we may have times where we "feel" as though the world will survive without us, but the reality is a bit different. Each of us have a role to play in God's grand story to end all stories. We all are a part of the greatest thing ever.

Whether we choose to participate or not, we are all of us a part of what God is doing.

No, it won't fix my mood, but those words sure make me smile a bit.

I'm not alone . . . I haven't lost anything worth much . . . and God is still in control.

I admit, it isn't much of a "fix," but then again God never promised us that nothing bad would ever happen.

So, here I am, introspective and all. It's cold outside and a bit gloomy, kind of matching my current emotional state. And yet. . . and yet . . .

I'm smiling just a bit.

Why? Because I am convinced of better things. Because I know God's character. Because his Word never fails.

How inexpressible is his great gift towards us!

How surprising and overwhelming is his love!

I know the end of the story . . . it will be "happily ever after."

If a few plates or books get lost in the meanwhile, I'll figure out a way to deal with it.

If you are having a day like mine, let me know. I want to pray for you.

Life sucks sometimes, but God is good all the time.

Thanks for reading!

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church (We meet in Campus North room 1880 Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m.). Our group is the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. I thought it might be a good thing to share these on the blog too so as to keep it a bit more active. So, with that introduction, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on October 11. The lesson is on Hebrews 4:12-13. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

What’s the Word?
Hebrews 4:12-13

Introduction
Have you ever been promised something and not had it happen?

Has there ever been a time when someone failed to keep their word to you?
How did you respond?
What did you think of the person’s word from that point on?
Was their word “good” or not?

The Lion, The Witch, The Wardrobe
Edmond and the White Witch

A word is only as good as the character of the person who gives it

Today’s passage: Hebrews 4:12-13

Context
Hebrews chapter 3 and 4
Chapter 3: Hard hearts kept the Jews in the wilderness from God’s rest
Chapter 4: The Word they heard did not profit them because “it was not mixed with faith” (v. 2)
Hard, unbelieving hearts do not hear with faith
Soft, faithful hearts are open to correction from God’s Word

A word is only as good as the character of the person who gives it

To trust the Word we must trust God

To know the Word we must know God who spoke it (John 1)

What do we know from this passage? Two things:
1. The Power of the Word
2. The Person of the Word

The Power of the Word
Hebrews 4:12

Characteristics of the Word
It is alive
God’s Word is a life giving seed (1 Peter 1:23) that produces new birth (John 3:1-7)

It is active (energes)—Isaiah 55:11
God’s Word is good food and nourishment (1 Peter 2:2) and produces faith (Romans 10:17)

It is sharp (like a scapel, machaira)—Ephesians 6:17

It pierces (we become undone—cf. Is. 6:5)
God’s Word has a reflecting power to show us our sin (James 1:22-25; Romans 3:23)

It analyzes, exposes, critiques, judges, assesses
It counteracts the deceiving power of sin, God’s Word exposes sin
God’s Word will separate us from our sin (Psalm 119:11), or our sin will separate us from God’s Word (Isaiah 59:2)
God’s Word cleanses us from sin (Eph. 5:26; Psalm 51:2)

How do we respond to God’s Word?
Do we let it expose what needs to be removed, or do we ignore its warnings?

A word is only as good as the character who gives it

Do we trust God?

The Person of the Word
Hebrews 4:13

God’s Word is Part of God (Psalm 18:30)
It is God’s nature to speak (Genesis 1; Psalm 119)
It is God’s nature to speak truth (John 17:17)
God’s Word is an extension of God’s person (John 1:1-5, 18; Heb. 1:1-4)

What is God’s character?
He is omniscient
Nothing is hidden from him
Not even that sin you think you hid!

He sees all as it is
Everything is naked before his eyes
No motives or thoughts remain hidden
He is the ultimate Judge

Given what was said above
How do we respond to God’s character?
Do we try to “hide” like Adam and Eve? Do we try to cover up our “mistakes” so he won’t see?

Do we properly understand God’s character?
If not, how can we get to know him better?

We will be judged by what we do in response to God’s Word and God’s character
How will we measure up?
Proverbs 30:5

A word is only as good as the character who gives it

We need to know God’s character through God’s Word

Application
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Timothy 2:15
God’s Word is spoken (“breathed”) by him, and in it he reveals his unique character

We must study it in order to know and to understand who God is, what he has done, and what he expects of us

Studying God’s Word is a command, not an option

This week
Spend at least 30 minutes a day studying God’s Word (start with the Gospel of John or Psalm 119)
Spend time meditating on God and his character—spend time with him! Make an appointment and keep it
Act on what he says in his word: confess, repent, submit, tell someone else, memorize a passage—respond in a way that is obvious to others

How we respond to God’s Word reveals our character—what does your response say about you?

Questions
What is the Word of God? How can you know?

What is the capability of the Word of God?

In what sense is the Word of God living? Active? Or sharp like a sword?

How does God’s Word reveal these three characteristics to you?

How has God’s Word come alive, been active, or pierced you?

Why is your response to God’s Word important?

What is your response to God’s Word? Do others see it, or are you a “secret” disciple?

Has the Word of God failed when people reject it?

How does the Word of God help you through the wilderness times in your life?

How can you use the Word of God to help one another?

How does God see you? For what must you give account to God?

Thanks for reading!

Hello all:

For those who were unaware, I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church. Our group is the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. I thought it might be a good thing to share these on the blog too so as to keep it a bit more active. So, with that introduction, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on September 27. The lesson is on James 4:7-12. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Time to Get Serious
James 4:7-12

Introduction
When I was a child, I learned that if you made people laugh they would remember you
I tended to do silly things to get attention
My favorite part of Veggie Tales is still “Silly Songs with Larry”

However, I soon learned that there was a time for fun and a time to be serious
1. Coaches rarely appreciate humor during the big game
2. Bosses tend to want serious workers instead of office clowns
3. Baggage check personnel don’t like jokes about explosives
4. Generals want soldiers who are serious about duty and honor

“Three eternal truths: things are not what they seem, the world is at war, and each of us has a crucial role to play.” John Eldredge

When it comes to our walk with God, the letter of James reminds us that it is time to get serious

Get Serious with God, Part 1
James 4:7-10

Ten Commands are found in these verses
1. Submit to God
“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him.” C. T. Studd

2. Resist the devil
If we are properly submitted to God, Satan will not be able to stand because we use God’s armor to resist him (Ephesians 6)

3. Draw near to God
A command with a promise: “And he will draw near to you.”
Coming to God provides an opportunity for him to work in you, but such drawing near requires the next two commands

4. Cleanse your hands
Be careful what you do
We cannot draw near to God and hang on to sin at the same time
The two are mutually exclusive

5. Purify your heart
Be careful what you think (Phil. 4:8-9)
We cannot think the thoughts of God if we are still working on the enemy’s side

6-9. Be miserable, mourn, weep + Laughter to mourning (joy to gloom) = Repentance (cf. Jer. 31:13-14)
To repent means to reverse direction
“God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but he has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.” Augustine

10. Humble yourselves (another command with a promise)
"It is no great thing to be humble when you are brought low; but to be humble when you are praised is a great and rare attainment." Bernard of Clairvaux
Phil. 2:5-8

Get Serious about Each Other
James 4:11-12

Jesus’ two great commands (Matt. 22:36-40)
Love God
Love your neighbor

James’ view of loving your neighbor is represented in the negative
Treating fellow Christ followers with disrespect
Gossip, speaking ill of one another, misrepresenting another’s position or word

Note the connection
To speak against your fellow believer is to speak against God’s Word/Law
Why? To some degree we are the “word” of God to each other and the world
We must be doers of God’s Word, not judges of it
Servant evangelism involves living God’s Word in our daily lives

Application
This word of God has been properly applied if it leads to repentance in personal relationships. This repentance will include several components:

1. Self-examination. We must cut through self-justifying claims and accepted patterns to look beneath the surface. We must scrutinize the way we relate to others. How are our relationships functioning? What are our underlying attitudes and motives toward each other? We need to learn to talk to each other, not about each other.

2. Evaluation by God's standards. We need to seriously evaluate our lives according to God’s standards of holiness. What in our lives measure up to God’s expectations?

3. Change. If we don’t measure up to God’s standard, then we need to pursue genuine repentance. Repentance should lead to change. There should be an increasing evidence of God’s standards in the way we treat each other and in the way we live.

4. Grace-reliance. We need to learn to rely on God. We need to move from self-reliance to complete abandonment to God and his ways. Remember, God gives grace to the humble. We must learn to humble ourselves and build up others. If we rely on God, we will not rely only on our own abilities.

Discussion Questions
Where do we need to get serious with God? Are we living intentionally submissive to God’s Spirit? What does it look like to submit to God?

Where do we need to resist the devil? Where do we need help in our resistance? How do you feel when you think of Satan fleeing?

Why and how does someone “move away” from God? Is there a part of your life out of which you have pushed God? Perhaps, in your singleness, relationships, parents, work or education? Are you serious with God in all those aspects, or do you just “say it”?

Describe a time when you drew near to God and/or when God drew near to you.
James tells us our hearts need to be purified. What got in our hearts that made them unclean? Think about a time something crept into your heart and analyze how that affected your life, decisions and relationships.

What would the church look like if we took serious the command to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts? What kind of impact would it have on our neighborhoods?

How is repentance a form of humility? What would happen if every Christ follower was as humble as Jesus?

Where do we need less judgment and more living of God’s word? Will you be the one to do it? Who could benefit from your acceptance?

Thanks for reading!

Hello all:

For those who were unaware, I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church. Our group is the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. I thought it might be a good thing to share these on the blog too so as to keep it a bit more active. So, with that introduction, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on September 20. The lesson was on Mark 9:30-37. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

A Matter of Heart
Who is the Greatest?
Mark 9:30-37

Introduction
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a hero
Win the big game
Save those in distress
Defeat the “bad guys”

Few people are born with a desire to be less than best
In our hearts, most of us want to be champions, to be the greatest

Questions
When you think of the word “greatest,” what comes to mind?
What did you dream of being when you dreamed of being the “best”?
Who represents best what it means to be the “greatest” in your life?

To be great requires great heart
Let’s look at a situation in Jesus’ life that reveals a contrast between someone great and someone “not so great”
Mark 9:30-37

1. Committed or Confused
Mark 9:30-32
Notice the contrast in these verses

Jesus is clear about what will happen next
This is now the third time he predicted his own passion

The disciples are confused
They are even unwilling to ask questions anymore
They are poor “learners” or disciples because they are apparently comfortable with their confusion

Jesus is committed to the plan set before him
He knows this is why he was sent, he does not need false publicity or recognition by others to spur him to complete God’s plan

The disciples have not even “heard” him
They refuse even to speak

The committed heart is focused on what God wants and refuses to be confused by outside concerns

2. Haughty or Humble
Mark 9:33-37
Notice the contrast here

Jesus discusses his death, and it falls on “deaf” ears
The disciples discuss who is greatest, while they miss the point

Jesus speaks straightforward truth, he is honest
The disciples’ confusion/shame causes them to stay silent

Jesus exalts the humble
The disciples discuss who is the best (behind Jesus’ back)

The humble heart serves others regardless of status

True greatness is
Honest
Doesn’t look for honors
Willing to serve the “least of these”

Are you great?

3. Application
To be great requires an honest and humble heart

We’ll never attain to Jesus’ high expectations
If we refuse to be honest about ourselves
If we refuse to humble ourselves

We must be willing to speak the truth about our lives, our selves, and our circumstances
It is time to be like a child, take off our masks with our brothers and sisters
This will require a commitment to love and to serve each other regardless of what we discover

If we are to be the men and women God intends, we must be “in each others’ lives”

This week, give serious thought to the relationships in your life
Look at where you are truly committed, ask yourself what (or who) you are “sold out to”
Ask where you have been less than honest or where you have thought more highly of yourself than you should
Humble yourself and ask forgiveness where needed
Follow Christ’s lead and speak truth where needed
Find a way to serve or to accept someone with childlike trust

4. Questions
Why do you think the disciples of Jesus were so intent on talking about their status than about what He had just been talking about?

Why might they be arguing now about who is the greatest? How does Jesus handle their conflict? Where do you tend to defend yourself the most? What causes arguments among us?

What do you find yourselves discussing "along the way" of life with fellow believers as you walk with Jesus Christ? Are you being honest with each other, or are you trying to look “best” and save face?

What does Jesus say about greatness?

Did you demonstrate a child-like faith when you came to trust in Christ for your salvation? Are you continuing to show that same trust as you walk with him? Why/why not?

What has been your experience when you submit yourself to the will of God and say "I am yours. I am your humble servant, ready to do your will"?

Thanks for reading!