communitysmallgroup r12-whatistruespirituality?...

Community Small Groupr12-What is True Spirituality? Number 1

READ out loud together Romans 12:1-21

NOTE the FIVE “S’s”

• Romans 12:1 SURRENDERED to GodYour relationship with Jesus

• Romans 12:2 SEPARATED from the WorldYour relationship to this World’s values

• Romans 12:3-8 SOBER in Self-AssessmentYour relationship with Yourself

• Romans 12:9-13 SERVING in LoveYour relationship with Believers in Christ

• Romans 12:14-21 SUPERNATURALLY responding to Evil with GoodYour relationship with Unbelievers

RATE yourself in each of these five areas. 1 = Poor 10 = StrongWhat would it take for you to get stronger in one or two areas in the next six weeks?

HOW did Jesus define “True Spirituality?”Reference Matthew 22:37-39

WAS it about “Rules and Regulations” or Relationship?

OVER the course of your life, who or what has had the most impact on your “Spiritual Growth?”

HOW would you describe your Spiritual Growth over the last five years?

WHEN did you grow the most?

WHEN have you Struggled?

© 2010 Walloon Lake Community Church Publication

Community Small Groupr12-Giving Jesus What He Wants Most Number 2


1.READ out loud together Romans 12:1

2. Webster's Dictionary defines "surrender" as: "To yield power, to control, to give oneself upinto the power of another."

• Why do you think most of us struggle with the idea of surrendering our life tosomeone?

3. READ out loud together Philippians 2:6-7, John 5:19a & 5:30, Matthew 26:39.

• What do you see Jesus doing in these verses?

4. WHAT are the biggest barriers keeping us from total commitment to Jesus Christ?

5. READ out loud together John 12:24-25 and Luke 9:23-34.

• How is surrendered to Christ's lordship different from becoming a Christian?

• Why do you think God incorporated this difference into the process He designedour spiritual lives to unfold?

6. SURRENDER is the key to experiencing true spirituality. Jesus teaches that surrender is thechannel through which God's biggest and best blessings flow!

• Do you know many Christ-followers who seem fully surrendered daily to Jesusand His Word?

• What difference do you notice between their behavior and yours?

• What personal sacrifice do you think these people make in order to be moresurrendered?

7. As you consider what it would take for you to surrender more fully to Christ, imagine howyour life - a more surrendered life - would look like. What keeps you from it?

Community Small Groupr12 Getting The Very Best From God Number 3


1. READ out loud together Romans 12:1,2

2. To ‘CONFORM’ to this world means to act in accordance or harmony with this world—to comply with it’s rules & expectations

• Why is it a problem if we live in conformity to this fallen world-system?

• What is the Lord trying to PROTECT us From?

3. Can you think of some specific-Examples where Christians often disobey this command in 2010?

• In what areas is the world attempting to squeeze you into it’s mold right now?TV? Internet? Friends? Music? A Relationship?

• Where do you need to say ‘NO’ to the world?

4. How does a Christ Follower get their mind ‘renewed’?(For Help READ John 8:31-32 & John 15:4-5)

• Share with your Community Small Group some practical ways you’ve experiencedvictory & been renewed?

• Note that ‘transformation’ is a process not a single-event!

5. What is the Promise at the end of verse 2---for those who resist‘Conforming to the World’ & Get their Minds renewed?

6. With verses 1 & 2 in mind...What are the steps to knowing and experiencing ‘God’s Will’ in your life?

7. KEY Experiencing victory over temptation & sin• Is ‘NOT’ about gritting our teeth & trying harder:

• It’s about getting our mind’s renewed through God’s Word as we read, study,memorize and meditate on it!

• How do you need to say ‘YES’ to God’s Word?

Community Small Groupr12 – Coming To Grips With The Real You Number 4


1. READ out loud together Romans 12:1-8

2. In verse 3 the command is to get an accurate and honest view of who you are – seeking tosee yourself as Jesus sees you. What does Jesus see in you?READ Ephesians 2:10 & Psalm 139:13-14 before you answer!

3. Take a few minutes and jot down your ‘Top Three Strengths’ & your ‘Top Three Weaknesses’

Strength’s: Weaknesses:1- 1-

2- 2-

3- 3-

4. Was it easier to list your top three strengths or your top three weaknesses?Why do you think that’s true of you?

5. What are the most powerful affirming words you have ever received from someone?Who or what are the top 2 or 3 people or events that have shaped how you view you?

6. Do you know your Primary ‘Spiritual-Gift?’Have you been using your ‘Spiritual-Gifts’ recently?

7. How clear are you on what Jesus would have you do with your life?

8. Spend some time affirming one another: Go around your Community Small Group andcomplete the following statement for each person:“What I appreciate most about you is…”

Community Small Groupr12 – Experience Authentic Community Number 5


1. READ out loud together Romans 12:9-13.

2. This passage describes what “Authentic - Biblical - Community” looks and behaves like.Chip Ingram defines these verses by saying, “Authentic community happens when thereal you meets real needs for the right reason in the right way”. What keeps most Christ

followers from living this way? (Examples: Too busy? Fear to initiate? Job demands? Fear ofrejection? Lack of intentionality? Past hurts?

Other reasons: ___________________).

3. READ out loud together John 13:34-35. What do you need to do to obey these verses?

4. What happens when followers of Jesus begin to love and care for one another?

5. What is one tangible way your Community Small Group could serve someone in need?Make a plan right now!

6. READ out loud together Luke 10:30-37.What good excuses do you suppose the priest and the Levite had for passingon the other side of the road and not stopping to help?

7. What good excuses are you using for not stopping and helping those around you in need?Who around you has a genuine need that you have the ability to meet?

For Additional Reading: r12 True Spirituality, Becoming A Romans 12 Christian,By: Chip Ingram

Community Small Groupr12 - "Overcoming the Evil Aimed at You" Romans 12:14-21 Number 6


1. READ out loud together Romans 12:14-21.

2. WHO is the person in your life who has hurt, wounded and harmed you the most?Does someone come instantly to mind?

3. READ Ephesians 4:32 out loud together.What do these verses say is the core reason for granting forgiveness to someonewho has harmed you greatly?

4. READ Matthew 5:43-45a out loud together. What does it mean to “BLESS our enemies?”

5. WHO in your life do you need to forgive and bless?REMEMBER: The PRISONER is US when we choose to hold on to past hurtsand wounds! (See Matthew 18:34)

6. WHAT are some of the common excuses we use for not letting someone off our hookand forgiving them?

7. RE-READ Romans 12:21 out loud together. Responding “evil for evil” is easy andcomes natural. How can we begin to respond to evil with good?Give practical examples.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:A. Forgiveness is a CHOICE:

A point - in - time decision.B. Forgiving is a PROCESS:

A journey of aligning our minds and wills with God’s Word.C. Forgiven is a CONCLUSION:

A rejoicing with the success of someone who has wounded me.

8. SPEND some time in your Community Small Group sharing about any wound that youmay still be carrying.

How does Jesus want you to respond?How will you begin the forgiving process?

For Additional Reading: r12 True Spirituality, Becoming A Romans 12 Christian,By: Chip Ingram

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