C I TY ON A HI LL
C I TY ON A HI LL
Copyright © 2018 City on a Hill Studio, LLC All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other – except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without prior written permission of the publisher. Published in Louisville, Kentucky by City on a Hill Studio. City on a Hill Studio is a registered trademark of City on a Hill Studio, LLC. Additional copies of this Leader's Guide along with other I Can Only Imagine study resources may be purchased online at cityonahillstudio.com Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: New International Version® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE is a trademark of MercyMe Music, Inc. Used by permission. Movie images from I Can Only Imagine used with permission from Imagine Rights LLC
Your group is filled with wounded people. People who can’t imagine a loving father. Who can’t imagine being forgiven or forgiving the one who hurt them. Who can’t imagine all their pain being redeemed. Who can’t imagine going home. Using this guide, you will lead your group through a redemptive journey and reveal the heart of the God who loves them…more than they can imagine.
Table of Contents
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WEEK 1
IMAGINE a loving 26
WEEK 2
IMAGINE forgiveness 38
WEEK 3
IMAGINE redemption 46
WEEK 4
IMAGINE going home
And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." - Matthew 3:17
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ow many of us long to hear those words—that we are deeply loved and fully accepted? We hope to hear these words from our friends, our siblings, and especially our fathers. But the need goes deeper. Whether we are aware of it or not, we all long to hear our heavenly Father say, “You are my child; I love you, and I’m pleased with you!” But how many of us daily live with the sense of God’s love and acceptance?
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Jesus lived with this certainty: The love and acceptance of his eternal Father flooded his life, filled his conversations, and formed the basis for his teaching and ministry. Knowing you are loved by God changes everything! We may not be like Jesus just yet, but all who believe in him are said to be “children of God” (1 John 3:1). As God’s very own sons and daughters, we can be as certain as Christ of our Father’s love and acceptance!
DISCOVERING THE FATHER’S LOVE In the new film, I Can Only Imagine, the life story of MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard is told for the first time. Bart grew up with an abusive father and a distant mother, and in early adulthood, came face to face with his own deep need for acceptance. His lack of love from his earthly father challenged his faith and hope in his heavenly Father. But our God is in the business of redemption—of working miracles. Bart’s story mirrors so many of our own lives and gives fresh hope to those of us longing to hear the words, “With you, I am well pleased.” What does it look like to discover God’s love and acceptance first hand? In this study leader's guide, we will take a four-week journey
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into the Father’s heart. And the best way to discover God’s heart is through the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus’ life demonstrates his eternal connection to the Father and best reveals the heart of God. By walking with Jesus in the four gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—we will find the smiling face of God Almighty in the words and actions of his Son. Imagine a loving Father. Imagine complete forgiveness. Imagine restoration to God and others. Imagine discovering your true home in the Lord. God is love. Let’s walk with Jesus through the Gospels to discover this life-changing reality.
WALKING WITH JESUS THROUGH THE GOSPELS To help you and your group understand and experience the love of God, we’ll be focusing on a short passage of scripture each session. Along with the videos and study journal, the texts from the gospels will give us a depth of insight and open us up to a life-changing encounter with Jesus’ grace, love, and power. Each week in this study, we’ll strive to find God in the scriptures as a way of recalling our spiritual heritage. One of the best ways to discover God is to look to the earthly life and work of his own
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Son, Jesus Christ. Use your imagination to recall the past: What would it have been like to walk with Jesus in the first century—to work with him in Nazareth, to follow him along the dirt roads of Galilee, to sit across the table from him at a dinner in Jerusalem? We can get some idea of what it would be like to be physically with Jesus by reading the stories of the gospels, which were written by some his closest friends and most loyal followers. And as we put ourselves within the narratives of the gospels, we find Jesus inviting us into the heart of God.
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HOW TO USE THIS LEADER'S GUIDE To get the most of this I Can Only Imagine experience, we recommend committing to a journey of four weeks. Over four weeks, you and your small group will have time to watch four videos, study Scripture together, and review the I Can Only Imagine Journal. The study journal will enable your group to get the most out of the video series. Designed as a 28-day devotional journey, the journal connects the message of I Can Only Imagine to a deep study of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each day provides life-giving devotional content and thoughtful discussion questions and exercises. Your group members will bring more to share and deeper reflections when using the Journal with this Leader’s Guide. Here is a syllabus to guide your personal and group time:
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SERIES
THEME
SCRIPTURE
JOURNAL
EPISODE 1
FATHER
MATTHEW 3
WEEK 1
EPISODE 2
FORGIVENESS
LUKE 15
WEEK 2
EPISODE 3
REDEMPTION
LUKE 4
WEEK 3
EPISODE 4
HOME
JOHN 14
WEEK 4
*If you're doing this Study with the I Can Only Imagine Series, watch each week's video BEFORE completing the journal. For example, watch Episode 1, then complete Week 1 in the Journal. Watching the I Can Only Imagine movie is not necessary for completing this journal, but seeing Bart's story come to life in film will help you understand some of the illustrations given in the study. We suggest watching the film before you start the study if you choose to do so.
RECALL, REORIENT, REIMAGINE Each week, we’ll follow a pattern: Recall, Reorient, and Reimagine. This pattern can serve as an intentional guide to: • Recall your own past through the stories of Bart Millard and of the scriptures; by recalling the past with vulnerability, we can put the past “in its place”—neither dominating us nor unknown to us. • Reorient to the present moment by finding our identity in Christ; by reorienting in the present with honesty, we can face our daily reality with faith, hope, and courage.
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• Reimagine a better future; by reimagining a different future, we trust Christ to bring all things under his lordship and to guide us in each new season of life.
LEADING YOUR GROUP As you prepare to lead your group through this series, it’s normal to feel nervous or under-qualified. But remember: the primary qualification for leading this group discussion is simply a desire to more deeply experience Jesus Christ yourself. Of course, these studies discuss important and heart-level topics: longing for a father, receiving forgiveness, experiencing redemption, and finding our true home. When someone in your group is sharing a deep hurt, struggles to receive grace, or resists sharing in depth, consider a few quick principles.
1. EXPECT DIFFICULT PEOPLE.
We know that everyone is sinful, but it still surprises us, doesn’t it? There will always be difficult people. Remember: difficult people aren’t problems to fix, they’re people to love.
2. RECOGNIZE STAGES OF MATURITY.
You may have significant diversity in your group—old and young, 12
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married and unmarried, all different personality types and interests. Within a group, you may have five different seasons of life and varying stages of maturity. From the new believer to the struggling Christian to the quick learner, remember to give grace to each where he or she is at.
3. EMBRACE THE COMPLEXITY.
People are anything but straightforward. The same person in your group can be outgoing and silent, generous and critical, fruitful and foolish—all depending on the circumstances. This is not unusual; it’s human nature. Don’t rush to conclusions if someone is struggling; situations are often more complex than they seem.
4. REMEMBER YOUR ROLE.
If you’re a small group leader, there’s a good chance you—like me—have a genuine desire to solve others’ problems or hold their lives together. But you and I can’t change anyone. Our role is to create an environment of grace where God can change people.
5. START WITH GRACE.
Several Christian authors describe the process of how people change:
grace + truth + time (in relationship) = change
We create an environment of grace and expect sinners like us to be present. But even when someone is missing the truth, the first
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words out of our mouths should likely be ones of grace. It’s a miracle of God every time someone admits sin or lets others into their suffering. We don’t exist to judge one another; we exist to point one another to the grace of God. When we have given grace, we can speak God’s truth to one another in love (Eph. 4:15). But this takes time and patience. All these are necessary for true spiritual change.
ASKING GREAT QUESTIONS
When you gather with your group, a familiar and structured pattern of discussion should prove fruitful. After a period of fellowship and settling in, each week will follow a rhythm of conversation and instruction that enables self-discovery, personal application, and deep meditation on God’s Word. The basic flow of these questions mirrors the work of grace in our hearts. The approach is gentle, meeting us where we really are—so we will begin with a soft opening question and prayer. Then we must learn the biblical truths—we’ll seek to learn the scriptures through a scripture reading, the teaching video, and basic questions covering content and meaning. Understanding truth is essential, but God’s Word is meant to then be experienced and practiced. In the section “Meditation and Application,” the goal is transformation through deep reflection and personal application. This provides space for the Holy Spirit to root the truth of scripture deep in our hearts. Lastly, focusing on application recognizes that we must put a
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new reality into practice right away. We’ll finish in prayer, committing the discussion and all its discoveries to God.
OPENING QUESTION
You may choose to alter the opening question to fit your group’s dynamics. But keep it simple and light-hearted. Starting with “What’s your darkest sin?” or “Who can describe the basic themes of the book of John?” can be off-putting. Start instead with a question that’s easy to answer. For a new or shy person in the group, speaking the first time is the hardest. But speaking up early on a simple question enables them to share more deeply later. If you create your own opening question, choose a simple, open-ended question that connects to the week’s theme without getting too far ahead.
SCRIPTURE READING
Prior to starting the video, take a few minutes to read the assigned passage—a portion from one of the four gospel narratives. Don’t worry about explaining too much at this point. The goal is to have the biblical themes of forgiveness and redemption in the background as you watch the video, then you’ll dive in later.
OPENING PRAYER
Prior to starting the video, say a short prayer to commit the time to the Lord. Consider having this prayer—or any other portions— led by another group member to help share the leadership load.
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VIDEO
Before each group gathering, test the appropriate video and familiarize yourself with it. The videos are short, practical, and should foster immediate reflection and discussion.
STUDY JOURNAL Prior to wrapping up the gathering, encourage group members to read ahead for next week in the Journal. As you journey through the Journal together as a group, you will better understand and apply God’s grace and your relationships will grow deeper.
PRAYER
Take a few minutes to allow several members to pray aloud. Members can pray words of gratitude for deep truths, pray for pressing situations, and pray for one another.
EXPERIENCING CHRIST YOURSELF
One last reminder: As you lead your group through this study, don’t forget to experience grace yourself! As we read above, these studies discuss deep topics: longing for
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a father, receiving forgiveness, experiencing redemption, and finding our true home. Don’t be surprised, then, if God disrupts a few things within your soul to allow his grace and love to truly take root. Don’t be surprised if your group members open up about new struggles through tears and describe raw pains below the surface. This is Jesus at work! Often, we really learn something when we have the responsibility of organizing and teaching it. Think of this not as a burden, but an opportunity. Go as deeply into the life of Jesus as you can, and surely others will benefit as well. Remember that the message of this study speaks directly to you as a leader. You don’t have to be a perfect leader. You don’t have to pull it together and get it right. You won’t be a failure in God’s eyes. Simply bring an expectant heart before the Lord and your group, and watch grace do the heavy lifting. When you feel yourself discouraged by silence, overwhelmed with others’ struggles, or disappointed by an “off night” in your group, remember: Grace always has the final word. Trust the Lord and enjoy the process.
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WEEK 1
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his week, we are starting a new curriculum set called I Can Only Imagine. Each week, we’ll watch and discuss a short video, read through a passage of Scripture from one of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), and discuss how God reveals himself to us through the life of Jesus. Before we begin with the Scripture and video, let’s start with an easy question.
OPENING QUESTION > WHAT WERE YOU TAUGHT ABOUT GOD GROWING UP? WAS YOUR FAMILY RELIGIOUS WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?
READING Each week, we’ll read an account of Jesus’ life from the gospels and then engage with the video teaching. The four gospels give
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us a powerful look into the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ. As we look at the life of Christ in the gospels, we discover much about the heart of God and the essence of Christianity. We’ll read this passage twice tonight. As you read or hear it aloud, just simply try to understand what the story is about. You may want to jot down a few notes in a notebook. > WOULD SOMEONE VOLUNTEER TO READ MATTHEW 3:13-17?
THEN JESUS CAME FROM GALILEE TO THE JORDAN TO BE BAPTIZED BY JOHN. BUT JOHN TRIED TO DETER HIM, SAYING, “I NEED TO BE BAPTIZED BY YOU, AND DO YOU COME TO ME?” JESUS REPLIED, “LET IT BE SO NOW; IT IS PROPER FOR US TO DO THIS TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS.” THEN JOHN CONSENTED. AS SOON AS JESUS WAS BAPTIZED, HE WENT UP OUT OF THE WATER. AT THAT MOMENT HEAVEN WAS OPENED, AND HE SAW THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE AND ALIGHTING ON HIM. AND A VOICE FROM HEAVEN SAID, “THIS IS MY SON, WHOM I LOVE; WITH HIM I AM WELL PLEASED.” - MATTHEW 3:13-17
OPENING PRAYER Let’s take a moment to pray together that this time of study and discussion would be helpful. SAMPLE PRAYER:
Father, thank you for this opportunity to gather during a busy week. Thank you for everyone here and for how you’re working in each of our lives, in many unseen ways. Please give us insight into your Word as we gather. Teach us so that we would not only understand your grace, but truly experience and practice it in our lives. Amen.
VIDEO This week’s video is about 12 minutes, and then we’ll discuss.
PLAY EPISODE 1: IMAGINE A LOVING FATHER
RECALL Let’s start with a few questions about the video, and then add some questions from the passage.
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Bart remembers feeling “Incredibly alone. And it was devastating.” > DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR EARTHLY FATHER. WHAT WAS HE LIKE GROWING UP? FEEL FREE TO INCLUDE POSITIVE AND/OR NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES THAT AFFECT YOUR LIFE NOW.
Bart says, “Most of my life was living in fear. When [his anger] is so sporadic, you don’t know what’s going to set him off.”
> WHAT WAYS DID YOU TRY TO EARN YOUR FATHER'S LOVE GROWING UP?IS THERE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THIS, AND THIS, AND TRYING TO EARN GOD'S LOVE AND SALVATION? > ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 3, HOW DOES GOD THE FATHER THINK AND FEEL ABOUT HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST? > HOW DOES THIS PASSAGE REFLECT THE TRUTHS THAT “GOD IS LOVE”?
REORIENT Matthew 3 describes God’s fatherly presence in two ways: GOD IS PRESENT. / GOD MAKES HIS PRESENCE FELT.
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> GOD AFFIRMS, ACCEPTS, AND LOVES YOU. WHICH OF THESE REALITIES RESONATES WITH YOU MOST? WHICH DO YOU FIND HARD TO BELIEVE? > DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOU'VE LONGED FOR A HEAVENLY FATHER? > IS THERE ANYTHING LACKING IN YOUR EARTHLY FATHER THAT YOU FIND YOURSELF HOPING GOD WOULD FULFILL?
REIMAGINE > HOW HAVE YOU SEEN GOD’S FATHERLY PRESENCE IN YOUR OWN STORY OF FAITH? > BART SAYS HE WAS “DESPERATE” TO EXPERIENCE THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS AFTER SUCH A DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD. WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS DESPERATE TO KNOW GOD?
STUDY JOURNAL You each have received a journal to accompany this series. Before we meet next week, I encourage you to do the seven days of devotional readings and questions. The seventh day is a “call to action” and also allows you to get caught up if needed. Over the next week, let’s each do Week One of the journal (Days 1-7) and come ready to discuss next time.
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PRAYER SAMPLE PRAYER:
Father, thank you for this message of your fatherly presence. We pray now that your Holy Spirit would remind us of these great truths throughout the week. May we experience you as our true heavenly Father. We pray that this study would open our eyes to who you truly are, Lord. We love you and trust you. Amen.
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WEEK 2
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his week, we are continuing with I Can Only Imagine. Each week, we’ll watch and discuss a short video, read through a passage of Scripture from one of the gospels, and discuss how God reveals himself to us through the life of Jesus. Before we begin with the Scripture and video, let’s start with an easy question.
OPENING QUESTION > WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS AN “IMAGINATIVE” PERSON? WHAT ROLE DOES IMAGINATION PLAY IN YOUR LIFE?
READING Each week, we’ll read an account of Jesus’ life from the gospels and engage with the video teaching. The four gospels give us a powerful look into the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
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As we look at the life of Christ in the gospels, we discover much about the heart of God and the essence of Christianity. We’ll read the parable of the prodigal son in several sections tonight. It may be a familiar passage, so as you hear the narrative read aloud, try to put yourself into the story. Use your imagination! You may want to write down a few notes in your own notebook. > WOULD SOMEONE VOLUNTEER TO READ LUKE 15:11-20?
JESUS CONTINUED: “THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD TWO SONS. THE YOUNGER ONE SAID TO HIS FATHER, ‘FATHER, GIVE ME MY SHARE OF THE ESTATE.’ SO HE DIVIDED HIS PROPERTY BETWEEN THEM. NOT LONG AFTER THAT, THE YOUNGER SON GOT TOGETHER ALL HE HAD, SET OFF FOR A DISTANT COUNTRY AND THERE SQUANDERED HIS WEALTH IN WILD LIVING. AFTER HE HAD SPENT EVERYTHING, THERE WAS A SEVERE FAMINE IN THAT WHOLE COUNTRY, AND HE BEGAN TO BE IN NEED. SO HE WENT AND HIRED HIMSELF OUT TO A CITIZEN OF THAT
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COUNTRY, WHO SENT HIM TO HIS FIELDS TO FEED PIGS. HE LONGED TO FILL HIS STOMACH WITH THE PODS THAT THE PIGS WERE EATING, BUT NO ONE GAVE HIM ANYTHING. “WHEN HE CAME TO HIS SENSES, HE SAID, ‘HOW MANY OF MY FATHER’S HIRED SERVANTS HAVE FOOD TO SPARE, AND HERE I AM STARVING TO DEATH! I WILL SET OUT AND GO BACK TO MY FATHER AND SAY TO HIM: FATHER, I HAVE SINNED AGAINST HEAVEN AND AGAINST YOU. I AM NO LONGER WORTHY TO BE CALLED YOUR SON; MAKE ME LIKE ONE OF YOUR HIRED SERVANTS.’ SO HE GOT UP AND WENT TO HIS FATHER." - LUKE 15:11-20
OPENING PRAYER Let’s take a moment to pray together.
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SAMPLE PRAYER:
Father, be with us as we gather again. Thank you for drawing us to yourself and to one another. Please help us better understand forgiveness; allow us to see how much we’ve been forgiven, and become more forgiving people. Amen.
VIDEO This week’s video is about 12 minutes, and then we’ll discuss.
PLAY EPISODE 2: IMAGINE FORGIVENESS RECALL Let’s start with a few questions about the video, and then add some questions from the passage. Bart says of his childhood: “Imagination definitely got me through almost all of [my childhood].” > WHY DO YOU THINK BART’S FULL SENSE OF IMAGINATION—INCLUDING ART AND MUSIC—HELPED HIM ENDURE A PAINFUL CHILDHOOD?
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Bart’s father held a negative view of ambitious dreams and imagination, even in children. Bart says, “He was definitely bitter toward anything that seemed unrealistic. And to him everything was unrealistic.” > HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED THIS BITTERNESS FROM YOUR PARENTS, TEACHERS, OR OTHERS? HOW DID THAT AFFECT YOU GROWING UP—OR HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU STILL? > HOW DO YOU RELATE TO LUKE 15:11-20? HAVE YOU EVER HAD A PERIOD OF LIFE WHERE YOU RAN AWAY—FROM GOD, FROM YOUR PARENTS, FROM RESPONSIBILITIES OR THE CHURCH? WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IN YOUR LIFE?
REORIENT Let’s continue to read the parable and reorient ourselves around the forgiveness the father offers. > CAN SOMEONE READ LUKE 15:20-24?
“BUT WHILE HE WAS STILL A LONG WAY OFF, HIS FATHER SAW HIM AND WAS FILLED WITH COMPASSION FOR HIM; HE RAN TO HIS SON, THREW HIS ARMS AROUND HIM AND KISSED
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HIM. “THE SON SAID TO HIM, ‘FATHER, I HAVE SINNED AGAINST HEAVEN AND AGAINST YOU. I AM NO LONGER WORTHY TO BE CALLED YOUR SON.’ “BUT THE FATHER SAID TO HIS SERVANTS, ‘QUICK! BRING THE BEST ROBE AND PUT IT ON HIM. PUT A RING ON HIS FINGER AND SANDALS ON HIS FEET. BRING THE FATTENED CALF AND KILL IT. LET’S HAVE A FEAST AND CELEBRATE. FOR THIS SON OF MINE WAS DEAD AND IS ALIVE AGAIN; HE WAS LOST AND IS FOUND.’ SO THEY BEGAN TO CELEBRATE.
Jesus’ parable shows us the heart of God: He is a kind, forgiving Father! > HOW DOES THIS CHALLENGE OR ENCOURAGE YOUR VIEW OF GOD? DOES THE FATHER IN THIS PARABLE COME TO MIND?
Perhaps you hold a view of God as stern, demanding, or distant. > IF SO, WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS? WHEN DID YOU LEARN TO VIEW GOD THIS WAY?
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> IN THE VIDEO, BART RESPONDS TO HIS DAD, “GOD CAN FORGIVE YOU. I CAN’T.” WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT RESPONSE? HAVE YOU EVER HELD THAT RESPONSE TOWARD SOMEONE WHO HAS HURT YOU?
REIMAGINE Now let’s finish the Luke 15 narrative. > CAN SOMEONE READ VERSES 25-32?
“MEANWHILE, THE OLDER SON WAS IN THE FIELD. WHEN HE CAME NEAR THE HOUSE, HE HEARD MUSIC AND DANCING. SO HE CALLED ONE OF THE SERVANTS AND ASKED HIM WHAT WAS GOING ON. ‘YOUR BROTHER HAS COME,’ HE REPLIED, ‘AND YOUR FATHER HAS KILLED THE FATTENED CALF BECAUSE HE HAS HIM BACK SAFE AND SOUND.’ “THE OLDER BROTHER BECAME ANGRY AND REFUSED TO GO IN. SO HIS FATHER WENT OUT AND PLEADED WITH HIM. BUT HE ANSWERED HIS FATHER, ‘LOOK! ALL THESE YEARS I’VE BEEN
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SLAVING FOR YOU AND NEVER DISOBEYED YOUR ORDERS. YET YOU NEVER GAVE ME EVEN A YOUNG GOAT SO I COULD CELEBRATE WITH MY FRIENDS. BUT WHEN THIS SON OF YOURS WHO HAS SQUANDERED YOUR PROPERTY WITH PROSTITUTES COMES HOME, YOU KILL THE FATTENED CALF FOR HIM!’ “‘MY SON,’ THE FATHER SAID, ‘YOU ARE ALWAYS WITH ME, AND EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS. BUT WE HAD TO CELEBRATE AND BE GLAD, BECAUSE THIS BROTHER OF YOURS WAS DEAD AND IS ALIVE AGAIN; HE WAS LOST AND IS FOUND.’”
> DO YOU IDENTIFY MORE WITH THE YOUNGER BROTHER (REBELLIOUS, RUNS AWAY FROM HOME) OR THE OLDER BROTHER (MORAL, DUTIFUL, SELF-RIGHTEOUS)? > WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU THAT GOD CELEBRATES YOUR RETURN TO HIM?
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STUDY JOURNAL Before we meet next week, let’s do the seven days of devotional readings and questions. The seventh day is a “call to action” and also allows you to get caught up if needed. Over the next week, let’s each do Week Two of the journal (Days 8-14) and come ready to discuss next time.
PRAYER SAMPLE PRAYER
Father, thank you for this message of God’s forgiveness tonight. Let us truly believe and feel your forgiving presence this week. We love you and trust you. Amen.
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redemption
WEEK 3
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his week, we continue in I Can Only Imagine. This week, we’ll watch and discuss a short video, read through a passage of Scripture, and discuss what the biblical theme of redemption means for us today. Before we begin with the Scripture and video, let’s start with an easy question.
OPENING QUESTION > CAN YOU THINK OF A FAVORITE MOVIE, NOVEL, OR OTHER STORY THAT HAS A REDEMPTION STORY IN IT? DESCRIBE WHAT WAS SET FREE, GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE, OR RESTORED TO NEW LIFE.
READING Each week, we’ll read an account of Jesus’ life from the gospels and then engage with the video teaching. As you read or hear 40
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it aloud, use your imagination to put yourself into the story. You may want to jot down a few notes in your Journal or own notebook. > WOULD SOMEONE VOLUNTEER TO READ THIS PASSAGE FROM LUKE 4:16-21?
[JESUS] WENT TO NAZARETH, WHERE HE HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP, AND ON THE SABBATH DAY HE WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE, AS WAS HIS CUSTOM. HE STOOD UP TO READ, AND THE SCROLL OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH WAS HANDED TO HIM. UNROLLING IT, HE FOUND THE PLACE WHERE IT IS WRITTEN: “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS ON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PROCLAIM GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM FREEDOM FOR THE PRISONERS AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT FOR THE BLIND, TO SET THE OPPRESSED FREE, TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR.”
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THEN HE ROLLED UP THE SCROLL, GAVE IT BACK TO THE ATTENDANT AND SAT DOWN. THE EYES OF EVERYONE IN THE SYNAGOGUE WERE FASTENED ON HIM. HE BEGAN BY SAYING TO THEM, “TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED IN YOUR HEARING.”
OPENING PRAYER Let’s take a moment to pray together that this time of study and discussion would be helpful. SAMPLE PRAYER:
Father, help us to better understand who you are, why you sent your Son, and who we are in him. Let us discover the depth and beauty of our redemption—the complete freedom we have in Christ. Amen.
VIDEO This week’s video is about 9 minutes, and then we’ll discuss.
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PLAY EPISODE 3: IMAGINE REDEMPTION RECALL Let’s start with a few questions about the video, and then add some questions from the passage. While working on the truck, Arthur says to Bart, “I figured out why you like junk, why you like to fix things, you make something out of nothing all the time. They got a word for that. What’s that word?” And Bart responds, “Redemption.” > HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE REDEMPTION IN YOUR OWN WORDS? WHAT SORT OF REDEMPTIONS DID ARTHUR AND BART EXPERIENCE? > HOW HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED REDEMPTION PERSONALLY? WHEN HAVE YOU HAD A REDEEMING MOMENT IN LIFE?
REORIENT > IN LUKE 4, JESUS SAID THAT HE CAME TO SET PRISONERS FREE. DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A PRISONER OF SIN ON A DAILY BASIS? WHAT REMINDS YOU, OR MAKES YOU FORGET?
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> THINK ABOUT THE REDEMPTION YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED IN CHRIST. WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE TO LIVE IN CHRIST'S FREEDOM? WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY WHEN YOU WAKE UP TOMORROW?
REIMAGINE Although we may not have stories like Bart, we can identify with the courage it took to step out in faithfulness with his music, despite not knowing how he'd provide for his family. > HOW HAS YOUR REDEMPTION CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON YOUR UNIQUE CALLING? > HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR STORY OF CHANGE—YOUR OWN JOURNEY OF FAITH—COULD ENCOURAGE AND CHALLENGE OTHERS? HOW DO YOU THINK GOD IS INVITING YOU TO SHARE THAT STORY WITH OTHERS?
STUDY JOURNAL Before we meet, let's each do Week Three of the journal (Days 15-21) and come ready to discuss next time.
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PRAYER SAMPLE PRAYER:
Father, thank you for the many ways you have redeemed us—set us free from sin and spiritual death, secured our salvation, and sset us free from sin and spiritual death, and secured our salvation. Help us to fully embrace the redemption you have secured for us. May we be able to one day tell our story of change to others. We trust you, Lord. Amen.
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going home
WEEK 4 This week, we will finish our I Can Only Imagine series. As with previous weeks, we’ll watch a short video, read through a passage from the gospels, and discuss an important theme. This week, we’re focusing on what it means to return home to God. Before we begin with the Scripture and video, let’s start with an easy question.
OPENING QUESTION > WE ALL EXPERIENCE “HOME” IN DIFFERENT WAYS. WHAT DOES HOME MEAN TO YOU? IS IT A PLACE, A FEELING, A RELATIONSHIP, OR A COMBINATION OF THINGS?
READING Tonight, we’ll read an account from Jesus’ life and engage with the video teaching. As you read or hear the Bible story aloud, use your imagination to put yourself into the story. You may want to 48
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jot down a few notes in your Journal or own notebook. > WOULD SOMEONE VOLUNTEER TO READ THIS PASSAGE FROM JOHN 14?
“DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED. YOU BELIEVE IN GOD; BELIEVE ALSO IN ME. MY FATHER’S HOUSE HAS MANY ROOMS; IF THAT WERE NOT SO, WOULD I HAVE TOLD YOU THAT I AM GOING THERE TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU? AND IF I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME BACK AND TAKE YOU TO BE WITH ME THAT YOU ALSO MAY BE WHERE I AM. YOU KNOW THE WAY TO THE PLACE I AM GOING.” - JOHN 14:1-4 “I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU AS ORPHANS; I WILL COME TO YOU. ANYONE WHO LOVES ME WILL OBEY MY TEACHING. MY FATHER WILL LOVE THEM, AND WE WILL COME TO THEM AND MAKE OUR HOME WITH THEM.” - JOHN 14:18, 23
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OPENING PRAYER Let’s take a moment to pray together that this time of study and discussion would be helpful. SAMPLE PRAYER:
Father, thank you that you have called us your sons and daughters. Thank you for giving us a Home in you. As we gather around your Word, may we truly believe in your Son and in the eternal Home you have secured for us. Amen.
VIDEO This week’s video is about 12 minutes, and then we’ll discuss.
PLAY EPISODE 4: IMAGINE GOING HOME
RECALL Let’s start with a few questions about the video, and then add some questions from the passage.
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When Bart was struggling to find the words for one last song, he came back to the words, “I can only imagine.” > HAVE YOU EVER HAD A WORD, PHRASE, OR SCRIPTURE VERSE STAY WITH YOU IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY? WHY DID IT HAVE SUCH AN INFLUENCE ON YOU? > THINK ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE STORIES OF LIVES CHANGED BY BART’S SONG. HOW DO THESE STORIES ENCOURAGE YOU? WHAT DO THE STORIES TELL YOU, NOT ABOUT THE SONG, BUT ABOUT THE GOD WHO CHANGES HEARTS AND LIVES? > CAN YOU RECALL A TIME WHERE YOU LONGED FOR HOME IN YOUR LIFE?
REORIENT In John 14, Jesus said that he has come to bring us Home: We have an eternal Father, we have brothers and sisters in the Church, and we will feast at the table of God forever. > HOW DOES THIS PASSAGE CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT HOME AND HEAVEN—AND ALL YOUR LONGINGS FOR A SAFE AND NEVER-ENDING PLACE OF LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE?
Bart points out that once we are joined to Christ, our eternal life has already begun.
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> HOW DOES THIS REALITY GIVE YOU HOPE IN YOUR CURRENT CHALLENGES, TRIALS, AND STRUGGLES?
REIMAGINE > BART SAYS, “DEEP DOWN, WE WANT TO BELIEVE THERE’S SOMETHING MORE” THAN JUST DEATH. HOW HAVE YOU SENSED THAT THROUGHOUT LIFE? HOW DOES YOUR FAITH IN HEAVEN AND ETERNAL LIFE CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK, RELATE, AND LIVE HERE AND NOW? > WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HEAVEN? HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE IT?
Leader: people may have answers like the hope of seeing family members that have passed, the hope of no more suffering. Remind them that these are good answers, but the ultimate answer is knowing and being with God fully. A follow-up question may be: how does this impact your life now?
STUDY JOURNAL Over the next week, let’s each do the seven days of devotional readings and questions. The seventh day is a “call to action” and also allows you to get caught up if needed. Let’s each do Week Four of the journal (Days 22-28). Even though the I Can Only Imagine study is completed, perhaps we could get back together
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next week and discuss these journal activities.
PRAYER SAMPLE PRAYER:
Father, thank you for the many ways you have called us Home. Thank you for giving us Bart’s story of your work in his life, so that we can better see how you work in our own lives. Help us to receive you as Father, experience forgiveness and redemption, and long to be at Home with you. Thank you for all these stories of change that we heard tonight—and for all the stories you’re writing even now. In Christ, we pray: Amen.
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CHURCH CAMPAIGN KIT
INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SHARE THE HOPE-GIVING MESSAGE OF I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeremy Linneman Jeremy Linneman, M.A., is lead pastor of Trinity Community Church in Columbia, Missouri. Prior to planting Trinity, he served as a staff pastor of Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky for seven years. Jeremy frequently writes, speaks and consults with churches of all sizes on discipleship, small groups and leadership development. His resources are available at jslinneman.com. He and his wife, Jessie, have three sons and spend most of their free time outdoors.
The Leader's Guide is designed to facilitate meaningful discussion when using the Series within a group setting. It is easy to follow and includes helpful tips on how to lead a small group.
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