February 21, 2021

Follow Along with the Message

1. Doing Life

As a church family, we care about each other’s lives: what we’re celebrating, what we’re mourning, what decisions we are praying through, and everything in between (1 Thessalonians 2:8, Romans 12:10, 15). Suggested time: 10-20 minutes 

• How are you doing? 
• What can you thank God for this week? 
• When were you most aware of Jesus’ presence this week? When were you least aware of Jesus’ presence this week? 
• Do you have any practical needs? 

2. Jesus Centered

God uses His Word to reveal Himself to us, equip us to live the good life He’s designed for us, show us our sin, and strengthen us as we follow Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:9-12, and James 1:22-25). Suggested Time: 20-40 minutes Primary Passages: Acts 4:32 - 35, Acts 2: 42-47 

• Holy Communion is also essential for DSF. What is Holy Communion and what does it look like in your life group or what should it look like? 

○ Read Acts: 4:32. It says that the believers were one in heart and mind. The believers in Acts were experiencing the Holy Communion (the oneness) of the trinity. The Holy Communion, the oneness of the trinity was poured into the believers. Make a list of what you imagine our Life Groups could look like if we were fully experiencing Holy Communion. 

• Phil read this quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer: 

Christian community is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate….The more genuine and deeper our community becomes, the more will everything else between us recede, and the more clearly and purely Jesus Christ and his work become the one and only thing that is vital between us. We have one another only through Christ, but through Christ we do have one another, wholly, and for all eternity. 

○ What phrases or words spoke to you in this quote? 

○ What thoughts or feelings come to mind when you consider the thought “the same person doing the work in me is the same person doing the work in you”? ○ Do those words bring hope? Humility? Do they light a fire in you that we have the potential for oneness, the same relationship that the trinity experience? We have potential for oneness and fullness because of Holy Communion when we

surrender to the authority and power of the resurrection and offer grace to one another. 

• If deep spiritual formation is going to happen in our lives we must be willing to truly commit to enter a Christ centered and spirit filled community and humbly relinquish ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our lives so that we look more and more like Jesus. What does entering and relinquishing look like in your life? How does it live itself out in your life group? 
• Read Acts 2:42-47. How are you living out fellowship “Koinonia” in your personal life? In your Life Group? 

○ What might happen if we lived out Koinonia within the body of Prov? In our life groups? As your life group grows deeper together consider some creative ways that you can also grow wider by inviting new people to your group. List a few ideas. 

3. Engaging the Heart

Jesus calls us to walk in the light, confessing our sins to God and each other. God’s Spirit works through confession and community to lead us to repentance. (Romans 3:23-24, James 5:16 and 1 John 1:5-10) Suggested Time: 10-20 minutes 

• How are you doing abiding with Jesus this week in Scripture and prayer? ● What sin do you need to confess to God? What are you struggling to trust Jesus with this week? How can you give Him control of it? (As people confess sin, make sure to remind one another of the good news Jesus offers.) 

4. 4. Expanding the Kingdom

Just like God the Father sent Jesus on a mission of reconciliation for us, Jesus sends us out as ambassadors of His reconciliation. We are called to make disciples wherever we go. (John 20:21 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20) Suggested time: 10-20 minutes 

• People: Who in your life can you be building with right now? What does that look like during this season? 
• Plan: Are there any rhythms planned (virtual or in-person) that we can invite these friends into? What spiritual conversations do you want to initiate with them soon?

• Pray: Let’s pray for our people by name; pray for their needs, opportunities to connect, and opportunities to have spiritual conversations that help them take next steps toward Jesus.