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FAITH DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to your faith discussion guide!
I t is Go d’s pro mise to yo u that, as yo u c o nti nue t o l o v e e a c h o t h e r a n d se ek His wisdo m in y o ur re l ati o ns hi p , H e w i l l re v e a l h i m s e l f t o y o u i n beautiful ways. Be s ure to have yo ur B i b l e hand y . If y o u d o n ’ t h a v e ac c ess to o ne, check o ut the B i b l e Gate w ay ap p a v a i l a b l e o n y o u r Ap p l e or Andr o id device.
“ T h i s i s t o my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, s h o w i n g y o u r selves to be my disciples. As the Father has l o v e d m e , s o have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If y o u k e e p m y commands, you will remain in my love, just as I h a v e k e p t my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I h a v e t o l d you this so that my joy may be in you and that y o u r j o y m a y be complete.” John 15:8-11 (NIV)
A globa l pandemic q ui c k l y s hi f te d the nature o f ma n y o f o u r l i v e s . Sc h ools, businesses, c hurc he s and m o re c l o s e d t h e i r d o o r s f o r m o n t h s an d while so me ha ve re o p e ne d , the f uture i s l arg e l y u n k n o w n . D u r i n g t h ese times, it’s easy to l e t anxi e ty, ne rve s and s t r e s s s e e p i n t o o u r m in d s and hea rts. Your m i nd m i ght b e f i l l e d w i th q u e s t i o n s : W h e n w i l l t h is e nd? Ho w will I p ro te c t m y l o ve d o ne s ? W hat w i l l I d o i f I l o s e m y job or inco me? Ev en o uts i d e o f a p and e m i c , w e w a n t t o k n o w w h a t o u r fut ures ho ld a nd tha t the y are s e c ure . The s e q ue s t i o n s a r e n a t u r a l b u t as follo wers o f Jesus w e m us t no t l e t the m o ve rco m e o u r m i n d s . W e a r e not called to submit to d e s p ai r b ut to c l i ng to hop e .
PAUSE A N D D I S C U S S -
Du r ing thi s di ffi cul t ti me , how can y ou be a di s ci pl e t o o t he rs ?
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W h at bri ngs y ou j oy i n thi s ti me ?
Take a lo o k at the v e rs e s b e l o w ; f e e l f re e to re ad t h e m a l o u d . “I am the vine; you are the branches. I f y o u r e m a i n i n m e and I in you, you will bear much fruit; a p a r t f r o m m e y o u can do nothing. If you do not remain in m e , y o u a r e l i k e a branch that is thrown away and withers; s u c h b r a n c h e s a r e picked up, thrown into the fire and bur n e d . I f y o u r e m a i n in me and my words remain in you, ask w h a t e v e r y o u w i s h , and it will be done for you.” John 15:5 - 7 ( N I V )
PAUSE AND D IS CU SS -
What are some things you can do to stay co n n ect ed t o Jesus i n t his time?
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Why is i t essential to remain in Jesus?
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Pract ical l y, what does it look like for you t o “bea r f r u it ” in t his season?
“ P e a c e i s f o u n d in rest ing in t he wisdom a nd gra ce of t he O ne who ha s i t a l l f i g u r e d o ut a nd rules it a ll f or his glory a nd our good.” - Pa ul Da vid T r i p p , N ew Mo r n in g Me rcie s
PRAYER T a k e a f e w m i n u t es t o reflect on your a nswers a bove. I f you a re s t r u g g l i n g t o r e ma in in J esus during t his t ime, t a lk wit h your signif ica nt o t h e r a b o u t i t a nd come up wit h a solut ion t oget her. Close out your d i s c u s s i o n w i t h a t ime of pra yer. I f you’re unsure where t o st a rt , pra y these words:
Dear Lord, Thank You for being our source of light and hope, even in times of darkness. Thank You for providing and caring for us. Help us to not give in to despair. Remind us of Your promise to never leave
Ju st as br anches r ece i ve the nutri e nts the y ne e d f o r s u r v i v a l f r o m t h e vin e, so to o ca n yo u re c e i ve w hat yo u ne e d f ro m Je s u s . H e s u s t a i n s u s i n t h e goo d a nd ha rd ti m e s . I f w e are n’t c o nne c te d t o Je s u s , w e a r e u n a b l e t o grow, a nd tha t’s whe n anxi e ty, ne rve s and s tre s s c a n t a k e o v e r o u r m in d s and hea rts. Th e passa ge a bo v e co nti nue s …
us or forsake us. Help us experience Your complete joy and bear fruit even during this difficult season. Amen.