New Normal | Week 5
New Normal: Selfless
Big Idea: Obedience to God from a selfless heart will bring about the life we have tried to achieve and failed through a selfish heart.
Getting Started
When was a time you disobeyed a rule or someone in authority and ended up regretting it?
What is the difference between obedience in our relationship with God and salvation through grace in Christ?
What are some motives that lead us to obey God?
Read John 14:15 Jesus Said,
If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
4. How can love motivate us to obedience and reflect our relationship with God?
What is something you do, not because you want to, or even enjoy doing, but because of love?
How has God been selfless in His love for us?
God never makes a rule just to be mean; it is always for our protection.
Craig Groeschel said this about obedience:
I believe Christians often perceive obedience to God as some test designed to see if we are committed to Him. But what if it’s designed as God’s way of giving us what’s best for us.
5. How does the world tell us we can get what is best for us?
Read Romans 8:5-6:
“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of a sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
6. What are the differences between nature desires and Spirit desires?
Read Galatians 5:22-24
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
7. How does our family, or others around us, benefit when we are obedient?
How do you “crucify the flesh with its passion and desires”?
Read James 1:22. 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
Remember the chair illustration from Sunday.
These three chairs reflect our relationship with God.
Chair 1
Are the people who understand that the selfless act of obeying God leads us to be our best, and get the best from our relationship with Him. (Married)
Chair 2
Reflects one who wants the benefits of the relationship with God but has yet to give up their independence or control and be completely committed with their hearts to the relationship. (Doesn’t want to put a ring on it)
Chair 3
Is the one who has never entered the relationship and is still trying to make it on their own, without God.
(All out Single, and don’t know what they want)
Next Step.
What chair are you in?