Day 3: Dry Land and Vegetation (Gen. 1:9-13)

Day 3: Dry Land and Vegetation (Gen. 1:9-13)

           

God's Work on Day 3:

• The description of God causing the earth to appear and sprout on Day 3
• The significance of God causing the earth to appear and sprout on Day 3  

Summary: On Day 2 God created the Sky by holding back the waters.  Now on Day 3 God is going to push aside the lower waters and raise the land from the deeps by the power of his Word.  But God doesn't there, he also causes the earth to sprout and flourish.  All of this took place on the 3rd Day.

Main Point:  God wants us to know that he caused the earth to appear then sprout with great variety and fruitfulness by his powerful Word.

Discussion Questions:

• What does it tell us about God that he didn't just raise up the earth but he also caused it to sprout and flourish? 
• What do we learn about seeds from 1:11-12? How does Paul pick up on this seed language in 1 Cor. 15:35-58?
• What must happen before we bear fruit in our lives (see John 12:23-24; 32-33; 3:14-16; 6:44; John 15:1-5; cf. Phil. 1:9-11)?

Application Questions:

• God is glorified in our fruitfulness.  What are areas in your life that you need God to prune you in order that you might bear more fruit for his glory?
• How effect should the following fact have on you as a Christ follower: when you die, you will be planted into the ground like a weak seed but sprout gloriously at Christ's return when you are raised with an imperishable, immortal, spiritual body like Jesus?  

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for sending his Son to die and be planted in the grave like a seed so that through his powerful resurrection we might be raised with him to live fruitful lives for his glory
• Praise God for the hope of the resurrection
• Ask God to prune us and help us bear maximal fruit as we await the return of Christ

I Am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26)

Outline: John 11:25-26

1. Explain John 11:25-26
2. See John 11:25-26 in light of the little story in which it is embedded 
3. See John 11:25-26 in light of the big story of human history

Summary: Lazarus died so that God might be gloried when Jesus raised him from the dead (11:4).  The story makes it clear that, in God's providence,  Lazarus' death provided a context for Jesus to tell us that He is the resurrection and the life and to prove it by raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus says He is both the means of getting to heaven and the destination itself. Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we are promised life beyond the grave and escape from the second death.

Discussion Questions:

• How does Jesus think about and respond to the news of Lazarus' illness and death? What might this teach us about how we should think about and respond to God's providence in our lives?
• What is the general resurrection alluded to by Martha (11:24; cf. John 5:28-29; Dan. 12:2; Acts 24:15). 
• What are some of the other "I Am" statements and what do they have in common?
• What is the meaning of the statement "I am the resurrection and the life"?
• What promises does Jesus make in vv.25-26?
• What condition must be met in order to enjoy the promises?
• To whom does Jesus offer these promises? 
• How does the resurrection of Lazarus relate to Jesus' resurrection and our resurrection?

Application Questions:

• How aware am I of God's providence in the circumstances of my life? 
• What effect should the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead have on my faith? 

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for drawing you into the arms of His Son so that you would be raised with Him on the last day.
• Praise Jesus for being both the means of getting to heaven and the destination itself.
• Ask God to help your faith and hope and joy be more fully shaped by the glorious reality of the resurrection.
• Ask God for courage to tell others that, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, there is hope of life beyond the grave and escape from the second death. 

Discipleship 101: Make More Disciples! (Matthew 28:18-20)

                                                                                                                        Visit fbcpierz.org/sermons to listen to this sermon. 

Outline: Doubts begin to dissolve in the light of…

1.     The Power of the Resurrected Christ (v.18)

2.     The Mission of the Resurrected Christ (v.19-20a)

3.     The Presence of the Resurrected Christ (v.20b)

Summary: Jesus rose from the dead and went to Galilee to meet his disciples, just as he said that he would (26:31-32; 28:6,10,16).  When the disciples encountered Jesus in his resurrected state, they rightly worshipped him as the God-Man (28:17; cf. v.9), but still some of them doubted.  This doubt, however, would start do dissolve in the light of the power, mission, and presence of the risen Christ.  Before Jesus gives the Great Commission, he tells his disciples that he has been given absolutely all authority (v.18; cf. Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:8-11).  Essentially saying, “don’t be afraid to proclaim the gospel to anyone because everyone will have to answer to me.”  Then he tells his disciples their mission: Make disciples of all nations by going, baptizing, and teaching.  This is a massive mission, one that can only be carried out in the strength of God, which is why Jesus then reassures them with the promise that he would be present with them by his Spirit until the end of the age. 

Discussion Questions:

• When Jesus tells his disciples of his absolute power and authority in v.18, what effect do you think Jesus intended for it to have on them?  What effect should this statement have on you, especially in regards to your calling to tell others about Jesus? 
• The Wheel Illustration was used in order to help clarify the central focus of the Great Commission (Make disciples of all nations!) and the three ways it is to be carried out (by going, baptizing, and teaching).  In your own words, try to explain the mission that Jesus gives to us using the wheel illustration.
• People become disciples by believing the gospel, the good news about Jesus and what he did. This is implied in the mission and is made explicit when we look at parallel passages.  Read these parallel passages and reflect on your call to share the gospel in order to make more disciples: Matt. 24:14; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47.
• What is the meaning of the phrase “all nations”?
• We are to make disciples by going.  What does this entail? (Hint: think “spheres of influence”).
• We are to encourage people who believe the good news about Jesus to be baptized in the singular name of the triune God.  Consider how baptism itself is a dramatization of the good news of the gospel (cf. Rom. 6:4). Have you been baptized as a believer?  If not, Consider being baptized in obedience to this passage.
• How important is it that we not only teach others about Jesus but also teach others to obey Jesus (v.20a)?  What is the difference between the two?  This verse provides a strong biblical basis for accountability.  Are their people in your life who are helping you obey Jesus’ teachings?  If not, respond to this command by making this a more urgent part of your life.  
• In v.20b, Jesus promises his disciples that he would be with them to the end of the age.  How can this be seeing as Jesus is about to ascend to his Father’s right hand and no longer be physically present with his disciples? What effect do you think Jesus intended for it to have on them?  What effect should this statement have on you, especially in regards to the challenges of living on mission? 

Prayer Points:

•  Confess to God any doubt that lingers in your heart and ask him to be at work in you, dissolving any doubts in the light of the power, mission, and presence of the risen Christ.
• Confess any ways that you have failed to live on mission in your various spheres of influence and receive forgiveness and cleansing that flows from Jesus  (1 John 1:9).
• Pray that God would help you to understand the absolute power and authority of Jesus Christ and that it would serve to give you more confidence as you share the good news about Jesus with others.
• Pray that God would brand his mission on your mind and heart and help you to live it out.
• Ask God to help you to be a faithful witness in every sphere of influence that he has placed you in, whether in your home, extended family, church, school, workplace, community, etc.
• Ask God to help you to lovingly, wisely, and diligently pass on the teachings of Jesus by instructing others and helping them to obey the things that they learn.
• Thank God for the privilege it is to be part of the greatest of all causes: following Jesus on his mission to make disciples of all nations.
• Praise Jesus for his absolute power over all things and all people.
• Praise Jesus for the promise of his constant presence in your life as you live on mission.