Epiphany Camden - The Gospel-Centered Life - Lessons 1 & 2

The Gospel-Centered Life By Bob Thune & Will Walker : 

The Gospel-Centered Life By Bob Thune & Will Walker Community Group Study Lessons 1 & 2 Epiphany Fellowship of Camden John Matthew Leone 2011-2012

Purpose: 

Purpose Many Christians have a weak and anemic understanding of the gospel, so asking them to talk about how the gospel is transforming them is like asking a teenage boy band to talk about the finer elements of Mozart’s work. (Bob Thune & Will Walker, The Gospel-Centered Life, Leader’s Guide [Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2011] 2).

Purpose: 

Purpose We wrote The Gospel-Centered Life in order to shape “gospel DNA” in our church in a way that was accessible to both Christians and non-Christians. The Gospel-Centered Life is intended to help Christians understand how the gospel shapes every aspect of life and conduct (p. 2).

Purpose: 

Purpose Colossians 1:6 says that the gospel is “continually bearing fruit and increasing” in and among us, even after we first believe it. How does this happen? Through a continual rediscovery and application of the gospel in our daily lives (p. 2).

Structure: 

Structure The Gospel-Centered Life contains nine lessons that are grouped around three themes: (Theme 1) What is the gospel? Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid Lesson 2: Pretending & Performing Lesson 3: Believing the Gospel

Structure: 

Structure The Gospel-Centered Life contains nine lessons that are grouped around three themes: (Theme 2) What does the gospel do in us? Lesson 4: Law and Gospel Lesson 5: Repentance Lesson 6: Heart Idolatry

Structure: 

Structure The Gospel-Centered Life contains nine lessons that are grouped around three themes: (Theme 3) How does the gospel work through us? Lesson 7: Mission Lesson 8: Forgiveness Lesson 9: Conflict

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid: 

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid Big Idea: If the gospel is constantly “bearing fruit and growing” (Col. 1:6), then everything has to do with the gospel—God, humanity, salvation, worship, relationships, shopping, recreation, work, personality...everything! The objective in this lesson is to establish a framework for talking about the gospel (p. 9).

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid: 

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid FOCUS: Two major concepts: (1) God’s holiness (2) Our sinfulness

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid: 

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid When it comes to the way we view God, there tends to be a spectrum of opinion. At one end, some people have a very high view of God, to the point that he is so totally “other” that he is uninvolved in our daily lives. At the other end, some people have a very personal view of God, to the point that he is so much like a best friend that his holiness is neglected (p. 10).

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid: 

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid The same is true for the way we view ourselves: the spectrum ranges from the idea that people are basically good to the idea that people are basically bad.

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid: 

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid Isa. 55:6-9 What does this reveal about God? What does this reveal about us?

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid: 

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid Jer. 17:9-10 What does this reveal about God? What does this reveal about us?

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid: 

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid These two passages introduce us to the biblical view of God’s holiness and our sinfulness. Reading and discussion of salient points of Article 1: “The Gospel Grid.” Review discussion questions on pp. 11-12 (leader’s guide).

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid: 

Lesson 1: The Gospel Grid Exercise (pp. 12-13): Apply the Cross Chart to a specific issue that will help everyone see (1) how their sin is rooted in a small view of the gospel and (2) how a big view of the gospel helps us overcome sin.

Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing: 

Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing Big Idea: This lesson deals with how we “shrink the cross,” which is to say that something is lacking in our understanding, appreciation, or application of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin. This manifests itself in two main ways: (1) pretending and (2) performing.

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Pretending minimizes sin by making ourselves out to be something we are not. Performing minimizes God’s holiness by reducing his standard to something we can meet, thereby meriting his favor. Both are rooted in an inadequate view of (1) God’s holiness and (1) our identity as sinners. Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Read the parable in Luke 18:9-14 Which character did you identify with? Which point of view did you take as being most like yours? Why? Why is the Pharisee the “bad guy” in this parable? Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Read the story in Luke 18:18-23 How would you describe this man’s view of God? How would you describe his view of himself? Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing Article 2: Shrinking the Cross

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Consider the top line of the chart: Does thinking about God’s holiness tend to move you to worship or to fear? “As God thinks of you right now, what is the look on his face?” Why is that your response? What do you think the various responses say about our views of God? Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Consider the bottom line of the chart: How do you feel about seeing the depths of your brokenness, or being seen by others in this way? Are you hesitant or willing? Why? Do you like to be convicted of your sin or does it feel like a “crushing weight”? Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Consider the bottom line of the chart: Looking at the types of righteousness described in the article (job, family, theology, intellectual, schedule, legalistic, mercy, etc. [p. 26 of leaders’ guide]), which one do you identify with most? Why? How has that played out with people in your life? Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Exercise 2: Right & Wrong We have all constructed certain rules or laws that we live by, believing that if we keep them, we are more “right” before God. It is then only a small step before we start judging other people based on their performance regarding these rules or laws. The rules we make for ourselves are usually good things. However, we often abuse them. Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

When people break these laws, we feel that we are losing control and that people do not respect us. Moreover, we feel that we are right and they are wrong. The usual result is anger, as we try to regain control of the situation and show just how right we are. Thus, instead of the law being used to tell us how we ought to love other people, we use it against other people (p. 28). Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Give an example of a rule (unable to be justified by honest biblical exegesis) that you have made for yourself and others that makes you feel good when it is kept, but irritated or depressed when it is broken. Alcohol Consumption Bible Versions Worship Style/Music Preferences Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

How do these morally neutral rules become moral issues in our minds? Why do you think we have such a strong desire to be right? How do our rules shrink the cross and keep us from seeing our sin? What practical difference would it make to get your sense of righteousness from Jesus instead of from your rules? Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Can you think of someone who imposes his or her rules on you? How do you usually relate to that person? Do you feel hurt or unloved? Do you try to conform to the person’s rules so he or she will accept you? Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Performance-driven Christianity is actually a minimizing of God’s holiness . Thinking we can impress God with our “right living” shows that we’ve reduced His standards far below what they actually are. Rather than being awed by the infinite measure of His holy perfection, we have convinced ourselves that if we just try hard enough, we can merit God’s love and approval. Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Our subtle tendencies toward pretending and performing show that failing to believe the gospel is the root of all our more observable sins. As we learn to apply the gospel to our unbelief—to “ preach the gospel to ourselves ”—we will find ourselves freed from the false security of pre- tending and performing. Instead we will live in the true joy and freedom promised to us by Jesus. We’ll think more about that next time (p. 27). Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

“Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God’s majesty.” John Calvin Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing

PowerPoint Presentation: 

“Since the gospel is only for sinners, I begin each day with the realization that despite my being a saint, I still sin every day in thought, word, deed, and motive.... [After confession of specific sin,] I acknowledge to God that I have not even come close to loving Him with all my being or loving my neighbor as myself. I repent of those sins, and then I apply specific Scriptures that assure me of God’s forgiveness to those sins I have just confessed.” Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins Cf. Psa. 103:12; Isa. 43:25; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 4:7-8; 8:1. Lesson 2 - Pretending & Performing