Jesus Over Everything Week 4
Welcome to week four of Jesus Over Everything! What a message by Pastor Josh! He started by sharing about items that he sees in their home, and he wondered why they have kept those items for so long.
1. What’s something in your house you want to get rid of but can’t? (Please no naming your spouse or children!)
2. If someone made a documentary of your life, what would be your favorite part?
***For Leaders – We often keep old perspectives of ourselves around way longer than God intends without giving the spotlight to the favorite parts of ourselves. Our new nature in Christ deserves the spotlight! Pastor Josh taught us that giving our life to Christ is something that the devil wants us to slowly forget about.
Focus Questions: Going Deeper Together
The Apostle Paul wrote both the book of Colossians and the book of Romans. Read Romans 7:15-25 and you will see how the Apostle Paul shares what he doesn’t like about himself (O wretched man I am!) in his struggle with sin, but also affirmed his new identity in Christ.
1. Is Paul abdicating his responsibility in the following when he says, “And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me”? Why or why not?
***For Leaders – Paul is not letting himself off the hook. He is distinguishing from the “real me” from the “sin living in me,” he is saying that the “real me” is the person in Christ. That is who we really are. Reading of the struggles of Paul should encourage us to never quit. Follow up the discussion by reading the next verse after 7:25 which is Romans 8:1. Continue to discuss that how after Paul describes the struggle in Romans 7, his first words are “there is no condemnation for this in Christ Jesus.”
2. Reread Col 2:11-12. Pastor Josh asked the questions, “Is Jesus dead? Can he become dead?” How does what Paul said in Romans 8:1 relate to what Pastor Josh was saying in that Jesus cannot die again?
***For Leaders – Jesus can’t become dead, and He can’t become defeated.
Paul is saying that’s now true of you. To be condemned means to die. Your spiritual nature is not dead and it’s not inclined toward death. It’s not inclined toward defeat. Verse 11- tells us we have a new nature and verse 12 tells us it can’t be undone so there is no condemnation for us even though we still struggle.
3. Why is having the right identity so significant for us in our daily life struggle?
Pastor Josh said, “The more you walk in sin, the more you desensitize yourself to your new nature. You tune out the Holy Spirit, but the new nature is in you, and it wants to come out. You will have to cut some things out.” Keep in mind that the devil often does not tempt us right into huge sin but encourages us to do things the little things that cause us to drift from our new, righteous nature.
4. What are some of the things that slowly desensitize us to our new nature? How do those things cause a distance with the Holy Spirit more like a sunset rather than hitting off a light switch?
***For Leaders – Answers will vary from person to person, just keep in mind we are looking at things that are small and lead us away from God like a trail of breadcrumbs.
5. How does God empower you through temptation? Discuss how each Scripture below describes how the Holy Spirit helps us through the struggle we read about in Roman 7:15-25.
***For Leaders – Give each person one of the verses to read out loud and have people share to the group. The Scripture below is pretty straight forward how the Spirit helps us.
– And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Rom 8:11 NIV)
– So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. (Gal 5:16-17 NLT)
– His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Pet 1:3 (NIV)
– But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26 ESV)
– And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:18
***For Leaders – Paul describes the struggle with sin and the verses above tell us how we win the struggle that Paul talked about by living in the Spirit. This is your moment to bring these two things together with the group so they have confidence in the days ahead facing sin.
Closing Moments
Allow time for seasoned believers to share testimony of their personal journeys in getting personal victory over sin in their lives. Close with prayer and see who may need follow-up during the week.