08-22-2021
08-22-2021
Dr. E. Dale Locke (West, East and Online), Rev. José Marrero (Español)
Sermon Series: Rooted
Week 4: The Company You Keep
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
Read our memory verse for this series: Colossians 2:6–7: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
1. We’re exploring together as a church family what it looks like to grow a deep faith that is “rooted” and able to resist the pressing diseases of our culture, which are so easy to catch. Our culture is anxious, angry, self-focused, bent on tearing people down, opinionated, broken, sin-saturated, grace lacking, and toxic. Which of these cultural diseases do you feel the pull of in your own life and heart?
2. The Old Testament book of Psalms was the prayer book of Jesus when he walked on earth.
Read Psalm 1:
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Describe the two different types of people that Psalm 1 says you could choose to hang out with?
3. Bill Willits wrote in his book, Creating Community: “Spiritual growth is a process of being changed into the likeness of Christ that includes our vertical relationship to God, and our horizontal relationships with one another. It is a process that moves us from dependence on ourself, to dependence on God, and inter-dependence on one another.”
Do you agree that spiritual growth includes inter-dependence on one another? Explain that.
4. Our church believes community is important because relationships help our souls thrive and our spiritual roots grow deep. Even with the pandemic, COH currently has about 1,400 people connected in small groups. We don’t want to just be a church that has small groups; we want to be a church of small groups. What do we mean by that statement?
5. Even in this strange time where there are valid reasons not to hang out with others, we know community with other believers is essential. We saw this illustrated in the Olympics. Athletes admitted it was twice as hard to do their best at this Olympic games, because there was no audience to cheer them on and help them persevere. How does that relate to our “race” as Christians?
6. The Bible talks about our heavenly “cloud of witnesses” (Christians who went on to heaven before us, who are now cheering us on) in Hebrews 12:1-2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This is an amazing and encouraging truth! But in addition to a heavenly cloud of witnesses, each of us needs an earthly cloud of witnesses. Who do you have here on earth to cheer you on and encourage you in your race of faith?
7. Psalm 1 indicates that everyone is already IN a group. It’s the company you keep, who has influence over you. Pastor Dale shared about a time when he let his friend talk him into pretending to steal his mom’s car and got into big trouble. Share about a time when you let the wrong kind of company influence you to make an unwise decision.
P Diddy’s Four Assumptions about Relationships:
· We have been created to live in relationship with one another.
8. Even God is not a loner. He exists in relationship. He is a Triune God – three persons who have existed in perfect, loving friendship with one another for all eternity. Because God made us in his image, we need relationships to flourish. An article from the Journal of Happiness Studies confirms this: “Using the tools of research to identify what makes human life flourish…when researchers look at what distinguishes happy people from less happy people, one factor consistently separates the two groups: It wasn’t how much money you have, not even your health, security, attractiveness, IQ, or career success…. It was and is the presence of rich, deep, joy-producing, life-changing, meaningful relationships.”
What do you think of this idea?
· Relational success is never guaranteed, nor is it natural, and so it must be learned.
9. Where did you learn about relationships? Who has been your model of how to do relationships?
· The most important relational decision you will ever make is who you place around you.
10. Notice the progression in Psalm 1:1. It starting with walking, soon you’re standing, and before you know it you’re sitting – ever increasing levels of involvement with people that happen almost without thinking about it. People can easily move down an unwise path that leads to destruction and not even know how it happened. Look at verses 4-5. What are some results of hanging out with people whose life and thinking is out of sync with God and his ways?
11. What does the word “chaff” communicate? What is the Psalmist trying to say with that word?
12. When we pursue intentional community with others who delight in the Lord, it leads to a flourishing life. Look at Psalm 1:2–3 where the Psalmist describes this. What is that kind of life like?
13. In the era of homesteaders in America, the homesteaders who went to the Yellowstone area alone did not survive. There was only one group of homesteaders there who survived, and it was because they went together as a community of 27 families who supported and helped one another. Talk about the difference between braving that new territory alone vs. doing it as a community.
· A relationship with Jesus Christ holds your best chance to experience a flourishing life.
14. We want to help you persevere in your relationship with Jesus Christ, and we believe being part of a group is one of the most important factors to do that. Go to communityofhope.church/groups and sign up to get connected to a group. We’ll help you find a group that fits you.
Ready for your next step? – If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as trusting your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.
News and Announcements:
· New Here? Let us know who you are by texting “connect” to 561-264-6079.
· Groups Launch Season: If you’re not in a small group, we want to help you find one. We know it’s a weird season right now, so we are offering groups in-person and online. Everyone can pick what you're comfortable with. Don't let it keep you from signing up! We can get you into a group even if you decide you want to start a little later. We've got lots of new groups launching including a young adults group, a group for dads, and more. Just fill out the form at communityofhope.church/groups. Tell us what you are looking for, and we’ll get you connected! It’s that easy!
· College Moms Prayer Group: If you're the mom of a college student or have a young adult child serving in the military, you're invited to join one of our College Moms Prayer Groups. We meet once a month throughout the school year to make care packages and pray for our college-age kids. Register here or on the Groups page on our website.
· Moms Meet-up Group: Wednesdays, 9:30am at our West Campus. This is a place where moms of preschoolers can connect with other moms and grow in their parenting skills. Childcare provided. Invite a friend! Register at communityofhope.church/groups
· If Gathering – Women’s Weekend is being postponed until October 15-16. All women ages 14 and up are invited to join us at the West Campus in Loxahatchee as we tune in to this global conference, hear from some of our nation’s best Christian speakers, and grow in our faith together as women. Cost is $25 and includes a continental breakfast, snacks, and all event costs. No childcare. Register at communityofhope.church/if
· We need you! Community of Hope needs more people serving, especially on Sundays. Whether you took a break due to the pandemic or you’re new to serving, we invite you to join a serving team that fits you. Go to https://communityofhope.church/serve
· COH Has Job Openings! Learn more at https://communityofhope.church/employment
Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to you and to our community! Consider setting up automated giving to help you be consistent even when you’re traveling. To give to Community of Hope go to https://communityofhope.church/give