All I Want
Study based on the sermon from April 3, 2016, New Heart from the sermon series …
RELATE
All I Want What from Rob’s sermon, if acted upon, would most help you become more like Jesus? Do you have a nickname? How did you get it?
READ & REFLECT
Agree/Disagree: You become what you love.
Mark 3:16-17
Luke 9:46-56
Mark 10:35-43
Acts 4:13-14
John 13:23; 19:26-27
1 John 4:7-12, 19-21
Take turns reading aloud the first six passages above about the apostle John. How would you describe his personality and character? What were John’s strengths and weaknesses? From these accounts, what would you say drove John? What was his relationship with Jesus like? What nickname did Jesus have for John and his brother James? Why do you think Jesus called them “Sons of Thunder?” John used a nickname for himself later when he wrote his gospel (John 13:23). What does the difference in these two descriptions say about how John changed? Is this modesty or pride? Read the passages from 1 John, taken from letters written by John near the end of his life, about AD 90. If you were to know John from just these two passages, how would you describe him? How is this John different from the John you found in the gospels and Acts? If someone studied your posts on social media1,your comments, or other people’s “tags” of you, what could they conclude about your character, your passions, and what excites or drives you? Is it an accurate portrayal? How is the “real you” different from the “virtual you”? How have your affections, desires, and passions changed as you’ve followed Jesus? What do you now care about that you didn’t before? Was this a conscious decision on your part? How did this change take place? How do practices like Bible reading, worship, fasting, prayer, giving and serving in secret play in changing one’s affections, desires, and passions (Mt. 6:1,3,6)? Why does Jesus insist these should be done in secret? What’s the difference between wanting to do (or be) something, and wanting to be seen doing (or being) it?
RESPOND
What is one thing that matters to God that needs to matter more to you? What can you do to bring this change about? How does God help you change?
Practice to Adopt: People keep secrets because they’re ashamed. Start a secret practice that expresses your love for God: pray, give, serve, fast, read your Bible, worship. Note how God rewards you (see below). Promise to Claim: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
1
If you don’t use social media, substitute your calendar or checkbook.
RELATE
All I Want What from Rob’s sermon, if acted upon, would most help you become more like Jesus? Do you have a nickname? How did you get it?
READ & REFLECT
Agree/Disagree: You become what you love.
Mark 3:16-17
Luke 9:46-56
Mark 10:35-43
Acts 4:13-14
John 13:23; 19:26-27
1 John 4:7-12, 19-21
Take turns reading aloud the first six passages above about the apostle John. How would you describe his personality and character? What were John’s strengths and weaknesses? From these accounts, what would you say drove John? What was his relationship with Jesus like? What nickname did Jesus have for John and his brother James? Why do you think Jesus called them “Sons of Thunder?” John used a nickname for himself later when he wrote his gospel (John 13:23). What does the difference in these two descriptions say about how John changed? Is this modesty or pride? Read the passages from 1 John, taken from letters written by John near the end of his life, about AD 90. If you were to know John from just these two passages, how would you describe him? How is this John different from the John you found in the gospels and Acts? If someone studied your posts on social media1,your comments, or other people’s “tags” of you, what could they conclude about your character, your passions, and what excites or drives you? Is it an accurate portrayal? How is the “real you” different from the “virtual you”? How have your affections, desires, and passions changed as you’ve followed Jesus? What do you now care about that you didn’t before? Was this a conscious decision on your part? How did this change take place? How do practices like Bible reading, worship, fasting, prayer, giving and serving in secret play in changing one’s affections, desires, and passions (Mt. 6:1,3,6)? Why does Jesus insist these should be done in secret? What’s the difference between wanting to do (or be) something, and wanting to be seen doing (or being) it?
RESPOND
What is one thing that matters to God that needs to matter more to you? What can you do to bring this change about? How does God help you change?
Practice to Adopt: People keep secrets because they’re ashamed. Start a secret practice that expresses your love for God: pray, give, serve, fast, read your Bible, worship. Note how God rewards you (see below). Promise to Claim: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
1
If you don’t use social media, substitute your calendar or checkbook.
