WEEK 3 SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

The Future Church: Time to dream again

Introduction:

The Future Church series explores how the church can adapt and thrive in a changing world, often drawing inspiration from the Bible and the early Christian community. We will focus on topics such as cultivating intimacy with God, understanding how to follow Jesus, connecting with the church community, serving others, and giving in response to God’s grace.

Bottom line:

Something To Talk About:

Forgive each other for not being perfect: A church community that forgives is one where members extend grace and reconciliation to one another, recognizing their own need for forgiveness and actively choosing to release others from the burden of wrongdoing. This involves taking sin seriously, but not using it as a means to judge or ostracize; instead, it focuses on restoration and healing within the community. The Christian faith emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, recognizing that we are inherently imperfect and prone to making mistakes. The idea of a “future church forgiving each other for not being perfect” aligns with core Christian teachings about grace, mercy, and the ongoing process of spiritual growth. Still, despite how hard forgiveness can be, Jesus tells us it is at the very core of the Christian faith. It’s a foundational theme in Jesus’ teachings. For example, in Mark 11:25, He said: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (NIV). But we aren’t merely recipients of forgiving grace through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross; we are also called to be givers of that forgiving grace.
Listen in love: While it may seem that “just listening” is a passive act, good listening is an active act of love. It is an act of love because it requires us to focus on another person’s inner world, not our own. It requires us to set aside our agenda so we can be “filled up” with the message of the hurting person. Like Jesus, who “took the humble position of a slave” (Philippians 2:7). Such humility allows us to listen sacrificially. Listening well is also loving because sometimes it leads to getting involved in other people’s lives. “Oh wow, that must be hard. Is there anything I can do to help?” Being available in practical ways is yet one more way we can serve with the hands of Jesus. It is not about giving our opinion. Instead, listening is an action we use to learn the truth about a person’s life so we can know and love them as they are.
Stay in relationships: Romans 12:10 instructs believers to be devoted to one another in brotherly love and to honor one another above themselves. This means cultivating deep, caring affection for fellow Christians and actively seeking ways to esteem and respect them. It involves treating others with honor and respect, even when it’s not reciprocated, and recognizing their worth as children of God. That includes demonstrating genuine love and affection through beneficial actions toward others. While sharing “likes” and “friending” people on social media can be essential and encouraging to others, genuine, face-to-face fellowship and entering into a loving relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ are crucial. We must not let our love for others become artificial, being involved only from a safe and detachable distance. Christian love has to be based on both a physical and spiritual personal connection. This kind of connection requires a personal investment in and sacrifices for another because of Jesus. Why? Because genuine relationships in Jesus are rooted in a host of “one anothering” behaviors — loving actions that involve up-close and personal attention, care, affirmation, sacrifice, and kindness.

Discussion Questions:

When you think about the future of the church, what do you feel? (Hope? Fear? Uncertainty?) Why do you think you feel that?
What comes to mind when you hear the word love? Read Romans 12:9-21. How would you describe genuine love? How would the Bible define genuine love? How does the passage speak to genuinely loving people who are hard to love?
Read verses 16-20. How does genuine love care for those with whom you might not be in a good relationship? How would you go about reconciling with someone with whom you might currently be at odds?
What are some common misunderstandings or myths about forgiveness that can hinder its practice within the church?
How does the Bible define forgiveness, and how does this differ from simply forgetting or excusing wrongdoing?
In what ways does God model forgiveness to us through Christ, and how can the church embody this same spirit of grace and mercy?
What are the spiritual, emotional, and relational benefits of a church that prioritizes and practices forgiveness?
How would you define “listening with love?” What does it look like in practice?
What are some barriers to listening with love, both within yourself and in your relationships?
How does listening with love differ from simply hearing what someone is saying?
How can we practically demonstrate God’s love to others within the church? What are some tangible ways to give them a taste of what God’s love is like?

Take one thing home with you:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1 ESV)

What does it mean to offer your body as a living sacrifice?

To offer your body as a living sacrifice means to dedicate your entire life – your actions, thoughts, and desires – to God’s will and purpose. It’s about surrendering your self-centeredness and allowing God to guide and shape you, rather than living according to your desires. This involves a daily, ongoing commitment to live in a way that pleases God, aligning your life with His character and purposes.