Walk the Talk

Discussion Guide

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SETS OF QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION POINTS FOR SMALL GROUPS

walk the talk

NEXT STEPS FOR CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

PART OF ThE NExT STEPS VIDEO AND DISCUSSION GUIDE SERIES

This presentation is made possible through the anonymous generosity of a faithful couple who walk the talk: We have experienced God’s love and guidance as expressed in Scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 May all who read these words come to know that God has a plan for their lives, too.

In our desire to reflect God’s love to others, be good stewards of the gifts God has given us, and share His wonderful gift of a Christian Worldview, we are supporting Alpha USA and BreakPoint. We make this gift anonymously so that the focus will be on God, who gives us “hope and a future” through His Son, Jesus Christ. July 9, 2011

Discussion Guide

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a brand new perspecTive

session 10 minutes

1

Looking ahead

 Welcome any new members to your small group.  What do you hope to get out of this study?

 Opening Prayer: Pray that God will help you to be open to what he wants to teach you through this series.

2 minutes

key verses

Host Tips: Ask someone to read the verse below aloud. If anyone has a different translation, ask him or her to read this as well to expand your understanding.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth. Col. 3:1-2 ESV Discussion Guide

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20 minutes

a brand new perspecTive, parT 1 Watch the first section of the video.

Discuss the questions when it breaks.

summary As Christians, our purpose in life is to advance God’s kingdom and serve others.

None of us do this naturally. We compartmentalize our lives, putting Christianity in the “religion box,” but what we need to see is that the Gospel affects all of life. We begin to see this by recognizing everything God has done for us, which moves us to love and gratitude to Him. From here we begin to practice the Great Commission, to make disciples, and the Great Commandments, to love God and love our neighbor. This is a long process—it doesn’t occur instantly—but God has equipped us with everything we need. We have the Holy Spirit who indwells us and who will fill and empower us.

Our job is to hunger for God and ask Him for the Spirit’s fullness.

Questions  Have you thought about your life’s purpose? If so, what part does God play in it? How motivated are you by love and gratitude to Him? What part do the Great Commission and the Great Commandments play in your life’s purpose?

 Have you ever sought to be filled with the Holy Spirit? As you think back on your Christian life, how has the Spirit worked in and through you?

20 minutes

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a brand new perspecTive, parT 2 Watch the second section of the video.

Discuss the questions when it breaks.

NEXT STEPS FOR CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

walk the talk

summary One of the ways the Holy Spirit works in us is through the spiritual disciplines. A vital starting point is prayer, which includes not just asking God for things but worshipping, praising and thanking Him, and listening to Him. We also need to renew our minds so that we can learn to think Christianly. This happens through Bible reading and study. Worship, which brings us into a community of fellow believers, is also essential, as is accountability to others. This takes time and effort, but as we grow in these practices they help us come to know and understand God better, build our relationship with Him, and form our character. They also lead us into the abundant life that Jesus promised, which is centered on finding our purpose through our relationship with God and learning to live it out and defend it.

Questions  Which spiritual disciplines discussed in this section do you practice regularly?

What new insights into the practice or purpose of spiritual disciplines did you get from Chuck and Gerard’s discussion?

 Are you familiar with any other spiritual disciplines not discussed here (e.g. fasting, solitude, silence, service)? What is your experience with them?

20 minutes

a brand new perspecTive, parT 3

Watch the third section of the video.

Discuss the questions when it breaks.

summary One of the greatest needs of the church today is for Christians to develop a biblical worldview. Our worldview is the lens through which we understand the world and our place in it. Everyone has one, and these worldviews shape how we live our lives.

Our culture is now in crisis because we are suffering from a moral collapse due to a false worldview. Christians need to understand the biblical worldview as well as the

Discussion Guide

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worldviews of our neighbors if we want to have an impact on our society and meaningfully change the decadence around us. From the days of the early church to the present, whenever Christians have understood the biblical worldview and have lived it out, Christians have changed the world. The same can happen today if the church can follow the example of the great Christian movements of the past.

Questions  How familiar are you with the idea of worldview? The next several sessions will focus in more detail on what makes up a worldview. For now, what do you think of Chuck’s argument that the problems of crime and the moral collapse in our society are the results of a false worldview?

 Where do you look for solutions to the world’s problems? Do you think politics or the state can fix the problems of society? What role do you think the church can or should have in addressing these problems?

10 minutes

Living on purpose

Growing in Christ

The spiritual disciplines together with the work of the Holy Spirit help us build our relationship with God. One part of that is developing a biblical worldview, which helps us to understand our world and to advance God’s purposes. Talk about where you see a need for spiritual growth and power in individuals and churches. Where does society need churches to step up and provide spiritual leadership to have a positive impact in the culture?

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NEXT STEPS FOR CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

walk the talk

10 minutes

prayer direcTion

As you close the meeting, pray about the concerns you have identified, thank God that He has the solution, and pray that individually and as a group you may catch His vision for what He wants to accomplish in and through you. Yield yourselves to God, and ask Him to fill you with the Spirit to empower you to live out His purposes for your life.

puTTing iT inTo pracTice Take some time this week to evaluate your involvement with spiritual disciplines.

What have you been doing? What do you need to do? Undoubtedly, you are very busy. What adjustments can you make or what activities can you drop or limit to make time to develop your relationship with God? Commit yourself to regular times of prayer, Bible reading, and worship so that you can do the things that are most important: build your relationship with God, learn to love Him and your neighbor, and discover your purpose in Him. In particular, pray daily for the fullness of the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you to love and serve God.

Discussion Guide

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whaT is a worLdview?

session

10 minutes

2

caTching up

ď ° Opening Prayer ď ° Talk about your experience with the spiritual disciplines during the week.

What have you been doing? Although learning the disciplines is a process that may not bear visible fruit in one week, have you noticed any affects of the practice of the disciplines or the fullness of the Spirit?

2 minutes

key verses

Host Tips: Ask someone to read the verse below aloud. If anyone has a different translation, ask him or her to read this as well to expand your understanding.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (ESV) Discussion Guide

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20 minutes

whaT is a worLdview? parT 1 Watch the first section of the video.

Discuss the questions when it breaks.

summary A worldview is simply the way we think the world works and how we fit into it.

Everyone has a worldview, though most people aren’t aware of it. Understanding these worldviews is vitally important, because they shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. All worldviews must answer four basic questions: How did I get here? Why is the world such a mess? Is there a solution? How should I live in light of all this?

Questions  How would you expand the definition of worldview?

 Do you think you could give a good answer to any/all of the 4 questions? If yes, what has prepared you to do so?

20 minutes

whaT is a worLdview? parT 2 Watch the first section of the video.

Discuss the questions when it breaks.

summary Our worldviews will inevitably be shaped by a variety of factors. Two of the most powerful influences on our worldview can be the media or the Bible. Unfortunately, Christians have often neglected the command to love God with our minds, not just our hearts. Sometimes Christians have emphasized feeling over thinking. We need to learn to think biblically and to have the integrity to live out what it teaches, since the Bible alone provides a worldview consistent with the way our Creator designed us to live.

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NEXT STEPS FOR CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

walk the talk

walk the talk

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SETS OF QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION POINTS FOR SMALL GROUPS

DVD COMPANION DISCUSSION GUIDE What does it really mean to walk by faith? Chuck Colson, Rick Warren and Gerard Long will rock your worldview.

They are Biblical sages for this generation, champions of critical thinking. In eight video sessions, this trio of cultural scholars gently guide new Christians across deep waters.

Perfect for discipleship groups that are ready to challenge their outlook by faith.

1. A BrAnd new PersPective 2. whAt is A worldview?

3. whAt is truth?

4. where did we come From?

5. how did the world get so messed uP? 6. whAt’s the solution?

7. whAt do i do now?

8. suit uP

ChuCk Colson is the founder of Prison Fellowship, BreakPoint and the Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

RICk WARREn is founder of Saddleback Church and author of bestselling The Purpose Driven Life.

GERARD lonG is the Executive Director of Alpha USA and author of The Breakthrough, a modern parable.

PART OF ThE NExT STEPS VIDEO AND DISCUSSION GUIDE SERIES ISBN 978-0-9838051-1-3 // SKU-180550