02-16-2020
Rev. Trevor Johnston, Rebekah Manuel, Pastor Efrain Silva
Sermon Series: Best Year Yet
Week 7: Godliness
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1. Say the memory verse for this series together - 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
2. Read 2 Peter 1:3-8:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.“
3. This week’s focus is on adding godliness to our faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, and perseverance. The saying “Cleanliness is next to godliness” isn’t in the Bible, but it sort of trivializes godliness, making it seem like it’s about as important as cleanliness. Before this sermon, what did you think the word “godliness” meant?
4. The ancient Greek word “eusebeia” translated as “godliness” was used to describe how beliefs affect a person’s daily life. Read 1 Timothy 3:16: “Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: [Jesus] appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” The Christian rapper Lacrae says it this way, “If it’s true He’s been raised to life, then this is news that should change your life!” How should Christian beliefs about Jesus affect a person’s daily life?
5. Pastor Trevor said, “Jesus doesn’t want to be your dietary supplement. He wants to be your daily bread.” What did he mean by that?
6. Read Psalm 42:2: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” If you’ve ever felt that kind of deep longing to be in God’s presence like the Psalmist describes, share about that with your group.
7. Jesus said in Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” What is Jesus promising to those who have a deep hunger for God in their life? What does He mean when He says, “they will be filled”?
Invite God into every area of your life
8. Why might a Christian want to keep God out of certain areas of their life? What are some areas a person might want to keep God out of?
9. Read 1 Timothy 4:7–8: “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Why is it a good idea to let God in on every area of your life?
10. Author Brennan Manning said, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, but then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That’s what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” What impact does it have on unbelievers when Christians separate God out of certain areas of their life?
11. The great abolitionist Fredrick Douglas, a committed Christ-follower, said: "Between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference.” What did he mean by that?
12. Is there an area of your life that you have been leaving Jesus out of? If so, would you be willing to share about it with your group?