Items related to Unfinished, Study Guide: Believing Is Only the Beginning

Unfinished, Study Guide: Believing Is Only the Beginning - Softcover

Stearns, Richard

 
9780849959493: Unfinished, Study Guide: Believing Is Only the Beginning
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0849959497 ISBN 13: 9780849959493
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2013

Synopsis

Just before he left, Jesus sent his followers into the world with a revolutionary mission: to change the world by proclaiming God’s truth and demonstrating his incredible love. But the single task he gave us to accomplish remains unfinished.

In this six-session Bible study, bestselling author Rich Stearns takes you on a breathtaking journey to rediscover the critical mission of Christ in our world today and the richness of God’s calling on our lives.

Why are you here, what is your purpose, and where do you fit in the bigger story that God is writing? How should your faith affect your career, your money, your families, and your life? And why does it matter? You will find your deepest purpose only when you discover the unique role God created for you to play in his unfolding story.

This six-session small group study will help your small group or church learn more about their meaning and purpose in life in the unfinished work of God.

The six sessions include: The Meaning of Life and Other Important Things, Magic Kingdom, Tragic Kingdom and the Kingdom of God, The Invitation of God, We Were Made For More, Spiritual Dominos, God's Great Adventure for Your Life


"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

UNFINISHED STUDY GUIDE

SIX SESSIONS

By RICHARD STEARNS, DIXON KINSER

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2013 World Vision
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8499-5949-3

Contents

Introduction...............................................................7
How to Use This Study Guide................................................9
SESSION 1 THE MEANING OF LIFE AND OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS..................13
SESSION 2 MAGIC KINGDOM, TRAGIC KINGDOM, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD...........31
SESSION 3 THE INVITATION OF GOD...........................................49
SESSION 4 WE WERE MADE FOR MORE...........................................65
SESSION 5 SPIRITUAL DOMINOES..............................................79
SESSION 6 GOD'S GREAT ADVENTURE FOR YOUR LIFE.............................95
Group Leader Notes.........................................................111

Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

THE MEANING OF LIFEAND OTHERIMPORTANT THINGS


"The meaning, purpose, and significance of our lives arefound only by aligning our lives with God's purposes, inlives committed to following Jesus Christ."

(Unfinished, p. xviii)


PRE-SESSION PERSONAL STUDY

Based on the introduction and chapters 1–2 of the Unfinished book


INTRODUCTION

Read the introduction to Unfinished (pp. xvii–xxiii); then meditate onthe following quotes and answer the related questions. (This samebasic format will repeat in each pre-session of the guide. Use thespace provided or a separate notebook to record your responses.)

"So why is it that so many Christians seem to lack that senseof fullness of life? They go to church, read their Bibles, and saytheir prayers but still feel that something is missing." (p. xviii)


Do you ever feel something is missing from your life? If so, when doyou feel that way? Why do you feel that way?


How would you answer the question posed in the quote if someoneasked you?

"Our Christian faith is not just a way to find forgivenessfor sin in order to enter eternal life, yet it is that. It is notjust a system of right beliefs about ultimate truth and theorder of things, though it is that. Nor is it just a way to findGod's comfort in times of trouble or a helpful code of conductfor how to live a good and productive life, though it isthose things too. Fundamentally, the Christian faith is a callto leave everything else behind, follow our Lord and SaviorJesus Christ, and join in the great mission of Christ in ourworld. It is a call to forsake all else and follow him. Only thenwill we become completed people—people living accordingto God's deepest purpose for our lives." (p. xviii)


How do you experience this quote from Unfinished? Does it inspireyou? Make you angry?


What would it mean for you to leave everything behind?


What are you most afraid to leave behind?

"Listen carefully to these next few statements: You don'thave to go to the Congo or to Uzbekistan to change theworld. You don't have to be brilliant to change the world—orwealthy or influential or a spiritual giant. But you dohave to say yes to the invitation." (p. xxii)


Can you change the world for God's kingdom right where you are?


What does it mean to say yes to the invitation? What will saying yesrequire of you?


Does a quote like this sound like good news? Why or why not?


CHAPTER 1: THE MEANING OF LIFE ANDOTHER IMPORTANT THINGS

Read Unfinished chapter 1 (pp. 1–16).

Pick one quote or concept that really connected with you from today'sreading and write it down to share, as appropriate, with the group duringsession one.


"I want to suggest to you that our lives are part of a muchbigger story—one that began in eternity and one that willcontinue indefinitely into the future. And unless we understandhow our story fits into this bigger story, we will live ourlives with little sense of real purpose or significance, driftingthrough life like a ship without a rudder." (pp. 6–7)


Do you know someone with a real sense of purpose? What is he orshe like?


Do you feel like your life has purpose? Why or why not? Does youranswer have anything to do with your Christianity? Why or why not?


What does it mean to you that God has a purpose for your life?


CHAPTER 2: GOD'S BIG STORY

Read Unfinished chapter 2 (pp. 17–30).

At the end of the chapter Rich retells the entire biblical narrative. Haveyou ever heard the story told the way he does? How did you experiencehis version? What are the implications for our lives when the storyis told this way?


"I came to believe that the most plausible explanation for theuniverse was that God was real and he had created all that wesee; that there was a painter behind this incredible painting,an author behind this astonishing story. I also came to believethat Jesus of Nazareth was indeed God incarnate—thatGod had taken human form in order to inaugurate a newand deeper kind of relationship with us." (pp. 19–20)


In this section of the book, Rich shares his experience of coming tofaith in Jesus. What was your experience of coming to faith? How wasit similar or different from Rich's?

"The truth is that the only things we can really know aboutGod are the things he has chosen to reveal to us in one wayor another. We can discern things about God from observingwhat he created. When we see the world around us, wesee vastness, complexity, power, order, beauty, creativity,precision, and majesty. And all of these words say somethingabout the Creator." (p. 23)


What are three adjectives you would use to describe God? Why did youpick the words you did?


What does the creation itself tell us about the great Creator?


GROUP STUDY

INTRODUCTION

One of the subplots in the 2003 movie Finding Nemo is about of agroup of fish who long to live in the ocean but are trapped in a dentist'saquarium. They can see the harbor from their prison in the dentist'soffice, but no matter how many escape plans they devise, they cannever quite get there. Finally they succeed. As the last of the groupplops into the sea, the newly freed fish silently take stock of their situation:they're floating in individual plastic bags in the midst of a vastharbor, with no tools or opposable thumbs with which to get out ofthe bags. After a moment, one of them humorously asks the obviousquestion, "Now what?"

"Now what?" indeed.

"Now what?" is a question many Christians find themselves askingafter they make an initial commitment to Jesus. They truly love Godand have a sincere belief in Jesus, but they sense something missing.They wonder what they are supposed to do next. Is there more to thislife of faith than simply going to church, praying, reading the Bible, andwaiting to die? The answer to this question is a resounding yes!

Over the last century, American Christianity has become hyper-focusedon believing the right things. We have produced thousandsof theology books, used countless bytes on the Internet defendingour religious particulars, and even left old churches to start new onesbased on differences in doctrine. But what if belief is only half thestory? Yes, it is important to trust God and believe in Jesus, but thatis only the first step. What comes next is just as important but alsomuch harder: actually doing what Jesus commands. Over and overagain, Jesus insists that his followers and friends are the ones whoboth "hear" and "do" the things he teaches (Luke 6:49; John 15:14).Which brings us back to that very important question from FindingNemo: "Now what?"

Chances are you are engaged in this study because you are interestedin Jesus. You believe in him and trust him as Lord and Savior,but you want to know more about how to live out your faith. You knowthat Jesus has things to say about the way we prioritize our time andwhat we do with our money. You know that God expects his worshipersto have a particular relationship with the poor and people in need.You know that God's agenda is for the renewal of all things, but youwonder how your life fits into that big plan. If this is the case, then youhave come to the right place.

These kinds of questions are questions about story. They ask whatkind of story God has been and is still telling in this world. They askwho the main characters of that story are and, more personally, howeach of our individual stories fits into God's big one. They ask what isthe ultimate purpose and meaning of life. And that is why it is suchgood news that we wonder about these things, because such wonderingscome from a place of hope. Hope that things can be different.Hope that God has not abandoned this world but is indeed rescuing it.And hope that the significance, satisfaction, and peace we long for arenot actually found in the pursuit of money, sex, or power but in somethingfar more exciting. However, pursuing the answers takes courageand intentionality. Jesus is inviting you to join him on this journey ofdiscipleship. Do you want to accept that invitation?


CHECKING IN

After welcome time, briefly share highlights of your pre-session reading.Then answer this question:

If God could do one thing in your life during this study, what wouldyou want it to be?


HEARING THE WORD

Read Matthew 7:24–27 out loud twice in the group. If possible, usetwo different readers. Then answer the questions that follow.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and putsthem into practice is like a wise man who built his house onthe rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and thewinds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall,because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone whohears these words of mine and does not put them into practiceis like a foolish man who built his house on sand. Therain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew andbeat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."


What word or phrase stuck out to you most when the Scripture wasread?


Why do you think Jesus uses the metaphor of a house in his teaching?


WATCH THE VIDEO

Watch the session one video clip, using the space below to take notes.When the video ends, take a moment to jot down one or two thingsthat you learned, disagreed with, or were surprised by.


VIDEO DISCUSSION

First Impressions

1. Before everyone shares in the large group, turn to one or two peoplenext to you and finish this sentence, "After watching the video clip,one question I now have is ..."


Community Reflection

2. As a group, summarize why Rich says the book is called Unfinished.Why is this concept a challenge to the church today?


3. How do you define the "meaning of life"? Does your life and lifestylematch up with your definition? Why or why not?


4. Rich says that "truth matters" and that "truth has consequences."What do you think this means? Do you think there is any such thingas truth? Why or why not? Where does your definition of "truth"come from?


5. In the video, Rich suggests that there are three ways to answerthe question, "What is the meaning of life?" The first option is thatthere is no meaning to life and everything is purposeless and random.The second option is that life only has the meaning we wantit to have. Here we make up our own code of ethics and hold thatwhat's true for me may not be true for you. The third option is thatwe decide to become part of God's story and find our purpose inhis will for our lives.


Do you like these categories? Do they work, in your opinion? Did anyof them particularly resonate with you? Did any of them not? Whydid you answer the way you did?


Which of the three options best describe how you are finding yourmeaning in life right now?


6. God has invited us to join him in changing the world. Does thissound like good news to you? Why or why not? Are there any placesin your life you think you might already be joining God? Are thereany places where you know you are not joining God? Explain.


EXPLORING THE WORD

Reread Matthew 7:24–27 as a group.

Does the text sound different to you now? Why or why not?


Jesus says that the wise person hears his words and puts them intopractice. Are there any of Jesus' words that are harder to practice thanothers?


What is at least one implication of Jesus' words on your life this week?


DOING THE WORD

Jesus' teaching about houses built on either rocks or sand is the conclusionof a much larger sermon. Earlier in that same sermon Jesusinstructed those who call him Lord to do the following:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor andhate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and prayfor those who persecute you, that you may be children ofyour Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:43–45)


As part of a group exercise in "doing" Jesus' words, each of you callto mind someone you experience as an enemy or persecutor. Then goaround the room and take turns offering a one-word prayer of blessingfor that person. The word can be general (like "peace") or somethingmore specific. Afterward, answer these questions:

Was this a hard or easy exercise?


If you prayed for your enemies every day, how do you think it wouldchange you?


Is there a way to pray for your enemies that would "miss Jesus' point"?If so, what would it be?


CLOSING PRAYER

Close the session with this popular version of the prayer Jesus taughthis disciples to pray in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9–13):

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,your kingdom come, your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Save us from the time of trial,and deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,now and forever. Amen.


PERSONAL ACTIVITY

LIVING THE WORD

Between now and the next session, you are invited to individually liveone of the words of Jesus.

Jesus says that the whole of the Bible's teaching before him couldbe summed up in our call to love God wiTheverything we've got and tolove our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–40). Embody this callby performing one anonymous act of kindness or generosity this week:anything from buying a stranger lunch to emptying the dishwasherwithout being asked. Whatever you do, do it with intention and loveand not for any credit.

Write about your experience below so that you can briefly shareabout it during the check-in portion of session two.

What did you choose to do?


What was your experience like?

CHAPTER 2

MAGIC KINGDOM,TRAGIC KINGDOM, ANDTHE KINGDOM OF GOD


"Christ did not call us to retreat from the world's pain butto enter it. He called us to go."

(Unfinished, p. 54)


PRE-SESSION PERSONAL STUDY

Based on chapters 3–5 of the Unfinished book


CHAPTER 3: WHY DID JESUS LEAVE?

Read Unfinished chapter 3 (pp. 31–40).

In your own words answer the question, "Why did Jesus leave?"


"Whether we acknowledge it or not, every one of us has aworldview, and it influences almost every dimension of ourlives: our attitudes, our values, our decisions, and our behavior.It influences that way we relate to our neighbors, ourcommunities, and even other nations. It influences our education,our career choices, and the way we use our money.Perhaps most importantly, our worldview even influencesthe way we understand our faith." (p. 39)


How does your background impact your worldview?


How does your worldview impact your faith in a positive way?


How might it influence your faith in a negative way?


"As followers of Christ, we should want to embrace his viewof the world. We should want to see the world as he mustsee it, love the world as he loves it, and live in the world ashe would want us to live. We should weep for what he weepsfor and treasure what he treasures." (p. 40)


What is Christ's view of the world?


What do you think God weeps for?


What do you think God treasures?


CHAPTER 4: MAGIC KINGDOM, TRAGICKINGDOM, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

Read Unfinished chapter 4 (pp. 41–54).

Describe your experience of reading chapter 4 in three words.

"Any wealthy country can easily produce what I call MagicKingdom Christians—Christians who have been shelteredand shaped by their affluent culture.... Most MagicKingdom Christians don't know much about the TragicKingdom; in fact, they go out of their way to avoid it."(pp. 46, 50)


On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being "not at all" and 10 being "afraidso"), rate the degree to which you may be a Magic Kingdom Christian;then explain your rating.


If you live in the Magic Kingdom, is that all bad?


Do you agree with Rich that most Magic Kingdom Christians avoid theTragic Kingdom? Why or why not?


"Christ did not call us to retreat from the world's pain butto enter it. He called us to go." (p. 54)


What does it mean to enter the world's pain?


Do you know anyone who does this well?


Where are you being called to enter the world's pain? What will makethis hard or easy?


CHAPTER 5: THE MISSION OF GOD

Read Unfinished chapter 5 (pp. 55–66).

"We have misunderstood the gospel to be simply the goodnews that our sins can be forgiven and that we can entereternal life by believing in Jesus Christ, period. And whilethis is an important element of the gospel, it is not thewhole gospel." (p. 57)


Did you resonate with Rich's claim that he had not learned the wholegospel?


What is the "whole" gospel?

"I had embraced the call to make a decision for Christ ratherthan the call to become a disciple of Christ ... the good newsof the gospel [then] is not that I can enter God's kingdomwhen I die; it is that Christ's death and resurrection opensthe kingdom of God to me now." (pp. 60–61)


(Continues...)
Excerpted from UNFINISHED STUDY GUIDE by RICHARD STEARNS. Copyright © 2013 by World Vision. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Publication date
2013
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0849959497
ISBN 13 
9780849959493
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
114