187 | Relationships Part 1 of 4 | Know ourselves as God knows us

Know ourselves as God knows us
Bible Story Podcast
187 | Relationships Part 1 of 4 | Know ourselves as God knows us
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187 | Relationships Part 1 of 4

Know ourselves as God knows us

Knowing who we are is a key point in understanding how we relate to and know others. Our relationships in life start with our relationship with ourselves.

This is a lifelong journey. God’s grace is what allows us to be seen as holy in His eyes. Even in our greatest efforts, we will continue to be broken and in need of God.  

Ephesians 4:17-24

Questions

  1. What is a unique gift/ talent/ or character trait that God has given you? 
  2. How does this gifting or trait help you talk to others about God? 
  3. If you could hear God say anything to you, what would you want to hear?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Relationships | Series Preview

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Relationships | Series Preview
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In this 4 part series, we will talk about different types of relationships we may have! Breaking each of them down to see how we can best learn from what the Bible says and honour God in those relationships. 

186 | Peace Be With You

Peace Be With You
Bible Story Podcast
186 | Peace Be With You
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186 | Peace Be With You

Friend, in the midst of the hardships that you are experiencing. Hear these words clearly. They are for you today! Peace be with you.

19That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

John 20:19-23

If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally, they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

John 15:18-20

Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked. “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I Am he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) As Jesus said “I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground!

John 18:4-6

“I told you that I Am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” ‘

John 18:8

Questions

  1. In the midst of fear, grief and turmoil, what difference do Jesus’ words, “Peace be with you,” make?
  2. He is sending you. What does this mean, and is there anything holding you back?
  3. Followers of Jesus have the Holy Spirit. How has the Holy Spirit impacted your life? Or What do you need from the Holy Spirit?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

185 | Remain in My Love | follow part 4 of 4

Remain in My Love
Bible Story Podcast
185 | Remain in My Love | follow part 4 of 4
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185 | Remain in My Love

We look at three questions related to remaining in Christ’s love. How do we do this, what comes from doing this, and how will our love grow?

John 15:1-17

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.

How do this

  • John 15:10

What’s the point?

  • John 15:7-8
  • 1 John 3:22

How will my love grow?

  • John 3:16
  • 1 Thes 5:10
  • Phil 2

Questions

  1.  Is God challenging you to be obedient in a certain area? What fruit may come from your obedience?
  2. You can ask God for anything. What do you want to ask him for?
  3. How is your love for other people changed as you receive and understand God’s love for you more deeply?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

184 | Let Me Teach You | follow part 3 of 4

Let Me Teach You
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184 | Let Me Teach You | follow part 3 of 4
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184 | Let Me Teach You

We learn what it means to no longer be religious but embrace the relationship with God. Where you can be authentically you, flaws and all.

We also spoke about Jesus’ frustration with the religious leaders, their arrogance and how their teachings and rules became a burden to anyone trying to follow them.

Jesus’ teachings are not burdensome we can actually find rest by following what he taught!

Matthew 11:28-30

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Questions

  1. The pressure to meet expectations can be overwhelming and exhausting!
    What are the most difficult expectations for you, and where have they come from?
  2. Do you find Jesus’ teachings heavy or light, burdensome or refreshing? Why?
  3. Imagine you are living completely authentically. You turn, and Jesus is sitting beside you.  What is his reaction to the life you are living?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

183 | Give Up Your Own Way | follow part 2 of 4

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Bible Story Podcast
183 | Give Up Your Own Way | follow part 2 of 4
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183 | Give Up Your Own Way

Today we wrestle with the shocking statement of Jesus, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”

Luke 9:21-27

21Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. 22“The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

23Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”

Giving Up your life
  • Mark 8:35
  • Matthew 8:18-22, 10:39, 16:25
  • John 12:25
Promises
  • By giving up your life, you save it. Luke 9:25
  • Eternity John 12:25, Luke 18:29-30
  • Honour John 12:26
  • Reward Matthew 10:40-42, Luke 18:29-30
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10

Questions

  1. What might God be calling you to give up? What would be difficult about giving it up and why?
  2. As you give this thing up, what do you need of God?
  3. How can your group, mentors, and other Christian friends help and support you?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

182 | It will be Completely Reorientating | follow part 1 of 4

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Bible Story Podcast
182 | It will be Completely Reorientating | follow part 1 of 4
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182 It will be Completely Reorientating

We discuss how responding to Jesus’ invitation is completely reorientating. The impact is immediate, it gives us a new purpose, and it is drastic!

Matthew 4:18-22

‘One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. ‘

John 1:40-42
‘Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ” ). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter” ). ‘

Luke 18:28-30
‘Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.” “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.” ‘

Share

Share your story about deciding to follow Jesus.

  • What were the circumstances around your decision to follow Jesus?
  • How did it impact you in the short term?
  • How drastic of a difference is your life today as a result of following Jesus?

Questions

  1. Where are you with God?
    • What role does Jesus play in your relationship with God?
    • In what ways has your relationship with God changed over time?
  2. What does your next step in following Jesus look like?
    • What does it mean to “follow Jesus” in your daily life?
    • What specific actions do you plan to take to grow closer to Jesus?
  3. What is most difficult, scary, or intimidating about the next step?
    • What are some potential obstacles that might hinder you from taking the next step?
    • How can you overcome those obstacles and continue to follow Jesus?
    • How can your group support you?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Follow | Series

Follow is a series that looks at the invitation of Jesus to follow.

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Follow | Series
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Episode 182 | It Will Be Completely Reorientating

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” | Matthew 4:19

Audio

Episode 183 | Give Up Your Own Way

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Episode 184 | It’s Not About religion but Relationship

‘Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28

Episode 185 | Abide

‘“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.’ (John 15:1-17)

181 Keep Doing Good

Keep Doing Good
Bible Story Podcast
181 Keep Doing Good
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181 Keep Doing Good

Keep Doing Good! Sometimes this can be hard, but Paul urges the reader not to give up!

Discussion Episode
Galatians 6

181 Discussion | Keep Doing Good

Keep Doing Good
Bible Story Podcast
181 Discussion | Keep Doing Good
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181 Discussion | Keep Doing Good

We are challenged to not give up on doing good and reminded that we will eventually see a return on all the good.

We are also encouraged to take every opportunity to do good, especially to other believers.

Story Episode
Galatians 6

Questions

  1. What does it mean to “not grow weary in doing good”? Why is it important to persevere in doing good even when we don’t see immediate results?
  2. How can we encourage one another to keep doing good, especially when we feel discouraged or overwhelmed?
  3. How can we apply the principle of doing good to our daily lives? What specific actions can we take to demonstrate our commitment to loving and serving others?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.