DANIEL FUSCO
Endorsements used are for the book UPWARD, INWARD, OUTWARD, by Daniel Fusco. Copyright © 2017. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Cover concept based on the book cover design for Upward, Inward, Outward designed by Julie Chen, Tyndale House Publishers. Cover photograph of subway copyright © littleny/Adobe Stock. All rights reserved. UPWARD, INWARD, OUTWARD small group materials work in conjunction with the book UPWARD, INWARD, OUTWARD, by Daniel Fusco. Copyright © 2017. Available at www.Danielfusco.com or wherever books are sold.
CONTENTS Endorsements Introduction by Daniel Fusco Using This Workbook (Read This First) Outline for Each Session
6 10 12 14
SESSIONS Session One: Session Two: Session Three: Session Four: Session Five:
The Big Idea The Art of Living Is Loving Live Upward by Loving God Live Inward by Loving Yourself Live Outward by Loving Others
18 32 46 60 74
APPENDICES Frequently Asked Questions Small Group Agreement Memory Verse Cards (Clip and Review) Prayer and Praise Report
90 92 94 95
SMALL GROUP LEADERS Hosting an Open House Leading for the First Time
98 99
ENDORSEMENTS One of the brutally hard lessons I had to learn as a young pastor was this: For Americans aged forty and under, the spiritual disciplines are pretty much gone. And in the digital age—when multinational corporations such as Apple, Google, and Facebook are spending billions of dollars to make distraction and addiction the new normal—we desperately need to reawaken these ancient practices. After all, the way of Jesus is just that—a way of life. I’m thrilled to see Daniel, my fellow Pacific Northwest pastor, writing about these very practices. I deeply believe they are key to the future of the church.
JOHN MARK COMER Pastor for teaching and vision at Bridgetown Church and author of God Has a Name
I always appreciate the unique way in which Daniel nuances the basic truth about life. He tackles difficult issues with grace and simplicity and helps us all look more intently at Jesus.
JEREMY CAMP Songwriter and recording artist
Ever since I first met Daniel, I have been blessed by his commitment to Scripture, his passion for the lost, and his dedication to the church. He is a gifted teacher, an engaging communicator, and a humble follower of Jesus who wants nothing more than to see others thrive in their own walks with God. I’m excited to see how God uses this to inspire, challenge, and motivate others to live into their fullest potential in Christ.
LUIS PALAU World evangelist and author of Out of the Desert . . . Into the Life God Fully Intended
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Daniel Fusco takes us beyond the theory of loving God and others and into the practical reality of what it means to do so daily. I encourage you to let him guide you through three of the most important things we’re called to do: love God, love ourselves, and love others. You’ll be glad you did.
LARRY OSBORNE Pastor of North Coast Church and author of Sticky Teams
Our identity drives our activity, and when we know who God is and who he says we are, it changes everything. In Upward, Inward, Outward Pastor Daniel Fusco does a phenomenal job helping us learn the art of loving God, loving ourselves, and loving people through different lenses such as worship, fasting, and community.
LEVI LUSKO Pastor of Fresh Life Church and author of Through the Eyes of a Lion and Swipe Right
It’s not enough to just know the right things—God wants to help us walk in what we know. Daniel Fusco shares spiritual truths in ways we can all respond to, understand, and grasp. He does it again in Upward, Inward, Outward, sharing some of the most important ways we can follow Jesus.
MATT BROWN Evangelist, author, and founder of Think Eternity
This will revolutionize your thinking and help revive every area of your life. Daniel’s authenticity takes us on a journey toward living the life God intended for you— upward, inward, outward—which will give you the inspiration to strengthen your relationship with Jesus regardless of where you are in your faith walk.
TIM TIMBERLAKE Author of Abandon and pastor of Christian Faith Center
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A life committed to loving God, loving self, and loving others—upward, inward, outward—is an art. Daniel Fusco is a winsome and pastoral guide on this journey, which will leave you “insanely hopeful.”
ROBERT GELINAS Lead pastor of Colorado Community Church
Author, pastor, and musician Daniel Fusco writes like the jazz musician he is—and you can’t help but be drawn into the dynamic rhythm and sway of his words about life with the King of kings. Fusco takes you on an energetic and fun journey through the greatest commandment, inviting you to connect intimately with God and with others and encouraging all of us to lead lives of passion and legacy—all to the glory of our creative and wonderful Jesus.
AUBREY SAMPSON Author of Overcomer: Breaking Down the Walls of Shame and Rebuilding Your Soul
With the same finesse, expertise, and splash of funk he famously exhibits on the bass guitar, Pastor Daniel Fusco has composed a virtual discipleship jam session in Upward, Inward, Outward. It’s simple, rich, and foundational—not unlike the gospel it explains.
JESSIE MINASSIAN Blogger at LifeLoveandGod.com and author of Unashamed and Family
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INTRODUCTION Jesus faced a lot of questions while he traveled around Israel during his time on earth. And many of them were trick questions, designed to get him to incriminate himself. He disarmed the verbal weapons, untied the logical knots, and dodged the theological bullets. But one day he heard an honest question from one of the teachers of the Jewish law who were often his antagonists. The man asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (Mark 12:28). Mark tells us the man asked his real question because he was amazed at the way Jesus had fielded the intense attacks he had been facing. So he decided to throw caution to the wind and settle an issue that had weighed heavy on his mind. He basically asked, “Jesus, what’s the bottom line? What does God really expect from us?” Jesus heard his heart and answered directly. His response forms the background of everything we’re going to think about in this study. After all, if Jesus himself said, “This is it. Here’s what my Father really wants from the human beings he created and loves,” his words are worth our attention. He said, “The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these’” (Mark 12:29-31). Amazingly, the man immediately agreed with Jesus. He echoed Jesus’ words and affirmed their truth.
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WHAT DOES GOD REALLY EXPECT FROM US?
Then Jesus added this thoughtful challenge that points out what we all need to realize: “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (v.34). What we know isn’t enough. What we do makes all the difference. Learning about living upward, inward, and outward will be an exciting experience, but what matters is actually living this way. I trust you will join me as we practice responding to all God has planned for us. Enjoy this journey. Don’t forget for a moment along the way that God loves you! And now, upward, inward, and outward!
Daniel Fusco Fall, 2017
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1 2 USING THIS WORKBOOK
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4 5
6 7 12
Notice in the Table of Contents there are three sections: (1) Sessions; (2) Appendices; and (3) Small Group Leaders. Familiarize yourself with the Appendices. Some of them will be used in the sessions themselves.
If you are facilitating/leading or co-leading a small group, the section Small Group Leaders will give you some experiences of others that will encourage you and help you avoid many common obstacles to effective small group leadership.
Take the time to watch each session video ahead of time. It will make your own leading much more comfortable because you’ll know what’s coming.
Use this workbook as a guide, not a straightjacket. If the group responds to the lesson in an unexpected but honest way, go with that. If you think of a better question than the next one in the lesson, ask it. Take to heart the insights included in the Frequently Asked Questions pages and the Small Group Leaders section.
Enjoy your Small Group experience.
Pray before each session—for your group members, for your time together, or wisdom and insights.
Read the Outline for Each Session on the next pages so that you understand how the sessions will flow.
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OUTLINE OF EACH SESSION
A typical group session for the Upward, Inward, Outward study will include the following sections. Read through this to get a clear idea of how each group meeting will be structured:
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WEEKLY MEMORY VERSES. Each session opens with a Memory Verse that emphasizes an important truth from the session. This is an optional exercise, but we believe that memorizing scripture can be a vital part of filling our minds with God’s will for our lives. We encourage you to give this important habit a try. The verses for our five sessions are also listed in the appendix. INTRODUCTION. Each lesson opens with a brief thought that will help you prepare for the session and get you thinking about the particular subject you will explore with your group. Make it a practice to read these before the session. You may want to have the group read them aloud. SHARE YOUR STORY. The foundation for spiritual growth is an intimate connection with God and His family. You build that connection by sharing your story with a few people who really know you and who earn your trust. This section includes some simple questions to get you talking—letting you share as much or as little of your story as you feel comfortable doing. Each session typically offers you two options. You can get to know your whole group by using the icebreaker question(s), or you can check in with one or two group members, your spiritual partner(s), for a deeper connection and encouragement in your spiritual journey. HEAR GOD’S STORY. In this section, you’ll read the Bible and listen to teaching, in order to hear God’s story—and begin to see how His story aligns with yours. When the study directs you to, you’ll pop in the DVD and watch a short teaching segment. You’ll then have an opportunity to read a passage of scripture, and discuss both the teaching and the text. You won’t focus on accumulating information but on how you should live in light of the Word of God. We want to help you apply the insights from scripture practically and creatively, from your heart as well as your head. At the end of the day, allowing the timeless truths from God’s Word to transform our lives in Christ should be your greatest aim.
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STUDY NOTES. This brief section provides additional commentary, background or insights on the passage you’ll study in the “Hear God’s Story” section. CREATE A NEW STORY. God wants you to be a part of His Kingdom—to weave your story into His. That will mean change. It will require you to go His way rather than your own. This won’t happen overnight, but it should happen steadily. By making small, simple choices, we can begin to change our direction. This is where the Bible’s instructions to “be doers of the Word, not just hearers” (James 1:22) come into play. Many people skip over this aspect of the Christian life because it’s scary, relationally awkward, or simply too much work for their busy schedules. But Jesus wanted all of His disciples to know Him personally, carry out His commands, and help outsiders connect with Him. This doesn’t necessarily mean preaching on street corners. It could mean welcoming newcomers, hosting a short-term group in your home, or walking through this study with a friend. In this study, you’ll have an opportunity to go beyond Bible study to biblical living. This section will also have a question or two that will challenge you to live out your faith by serving others, sharing your faith, and worshiping God.
FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY. If you have time and want to dig deeper into more Bible passages about the topic at hand, we’ve provided additional passages and questions, which you can use either during the meeting, or as homework. Your group may choose to read and prepare before each meeting in order to cover more biblical material. Or, group members can use the additional study section during the week after the meeting. If you prefer not to do study homework, this section will provide you with plenty to discuss within the group. These options allow individuals or the whole group to expand their study while still accommodating those who can’t do homework or are new to your group.
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DAILY DEVOTIONS. Each week on the Daily Devotions pages, we provide scriptures to read and reflect on between sessions. This provides you with a chance to slow down, read just a small portion of Scripture each day, and reflect and pray through it. You’ll then have a chance to journal your response to what you’ve read. Use this section to seek God on your own throughout the week. This time at home should begin and end with prayer. Don’t get in a hurry; take enough time to hear God’s direction.
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SESSIONS
1
THE BIG IDEA 18
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” MARK
12:29-31
Making the first move always takes some courage. Asking someone to prom, or proposing marriage can be terrifying, except when the other person has already given signals that they are just waiting for us to ask. But the asking is a risk that we may be tempted to avoid. Starting a series with a new group or even with a new topic presents us with the challenge to speak up, to share, and to make the move toward transparency. The risk is worth the rewards. The two words we will probably hear and use more than any others during this session are “God” and “love.” Those words not only belong together, they also deserve to be understood. Hopefully these moments with your small group will bring a deeper understanding for you and set you on a course to discover in some new ways just how deeply God loves you and how much he wants to help you be a conduit of his love to others. Have a great session!
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SHARE YOUR STORY Each of us has a story. The events of our life—good, bad, wonderful or challenging—have shaped who we are. God knows your story, and He intends to redeem it—to use every struggle and every joy to ultimately bring you to Himself. When we share our stories with others, we give them the opportunity to see God at work. When we share our stories, we also realize we are not alone—that we have common experiences and thoughts, and that others can understand what we are going through. Your story can encourage someone else, and telling it can lead to a path of freedom for you and for those you share it with. Open your group with prayer. This should be a brief, simple prayer, in which you invite God to give you insight as you study. You can pray for specific requests at the end of the meeting, or stop momentarily to pray if a particular situation comes up during your discussion. Before you start this first meeting, get contact information for every participant. Take time to pass around a sheet of paper to create a Small Group Roster. Ask someone to make copies or type up a list with everyone’s information and email it to the group during the week. Then, begin your time together by using the following questions and activities to get people talking. What brought you here? What do you hope to get out of this group? True confessions: up to this point in your life, what has been one of your favorite love songs?
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While we’re thinking of songs, what’s your favorite worship love song? Whether your group is new or ongoing, it’s always important to reflect on and review your values together. On page 92 is a Small Group Agreement with the values we’ve found most useful in sustaining healthy, balanced groups. We recommend that you choose one or two values—ones you haven’t previously focused on or have room to grow in—to emphasize during this study. Choose ones that will take your group to the next stage of intimacy and spiritual health. If your group is new, welcome newcomers. Introduce everyone—you may even want to have nametags for your first meeting. Small Group Calendar: It is extremely helpful to create a Small Group Calendar as a tool for planning who will host and lead each meeting. Take a few minutes to plan hosts and leaders for your remaining meetings and put it into a calendar for the group. Don’t skip this important step! It will revolutionize your group. We recommend you rotate host homes on a regular basis and let the hosts lead the meeting. Studies show that healthy groups rotate leadership. This helps to develop every member’s ability to shepherd a few people in a safe environment. Even Jesus gave others the opportunity to serve alongside Him (Mark 6:30-44). Look at the FAQs in the Appendix for additional information about hosting or leading the group.
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WATC H THE DVD Use the Notes space provided on this page to record key thoughts, questions and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the discussion questions
.................................................................................................. ..................................................................................................
in the Hear God’s Story section and direct the
..................................................................................................
discussion among the group. As you go
..................................................................................................
through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.
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HEAR GOD’S STORY Read Mark 12:28-34. 28
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing
that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord
our God, the Lord is one. 30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
your mind and with all your strength.’ 31
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no
commandment greater than these.” 32
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one
and there is no other but him. 33
To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your
strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not
far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
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What observations can you make about this man who asked Jesus a question? How was his question a way of trying not to miss the point? Based on this passage, what is the basic explanation of the three words we’re using to title this study: Upward, Inward, Outward?
Living Upward is ….
Living Inward is …
Living Outward is …
What did Pastor Daniel mean by his statement: “The art of living is loving”? What did the man take away from his encounter with Jesus?
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STUDY NOTES The encounter between the teacher of the law and Jesus is also recorded in Matthew 22:24-40. Only Mark includes the note about the motivation of man in contrast to the other questions Jesus was being asked. As a teacher of the law and devout man, he would have said these words (called The Shema) several times that day as he went in and out of doorways (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9. And the neighbor law (found in Leviticus 19:18) was widely known but often avoided. Jesus was not only confirming what he already knew, but also encouraging him to take the next step of actually engaging in the relationship of love God wants to have with each of us. That’s why he was close but not in the kingdom.
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C R E AT E A NEW STORY God wants you to be part of His kingdom—to weave your story into His. That will mean change—to go His way rather than your own. This won’t happen overnight, but it should happen steadily. By starting with small, simple choices, we begin to change our direction. The Holy Spirit helps us along the way—giving us gifts to serve the body, offering us insights into scripture, and challenging us to love not only those around us but those far from God. In this section, talk about how you will apply the wisdom you’ve learned from the teaching and Bible study. Then think about practical steps you can take in the coming week to live out what you’ve learned. If you have a life-verse, or a section of Scripture that you have found consistently helpful, what is it and why did you choose it? Of the three “directions” love needs to travel (Upward, Inward, Outward), which one seems the biggest challenge to you at the moment? Why? After listening to various people share their “missing the point” stories on the video, do you have a personal one you could share with us? What else are you taking away personally from what you’ve heard in this session so far? Take a look at the Circles of Life diagram below and write the names of two or three people you know who need to know Christ. Commit to praying for God’s guidance and an opportunity to share with each of them. Perhaps they would be open to joining the group? Share your lists with the group so you can all be praying for the people you’ve identified.
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Family
(immediate or extended)
Familiar
Friends
(neighbors, kids, sports teams, school, and so forth)
Fun
Firm (work)
(gym, hobbies, hangouts)
Also consider someone—in this group or outside it—that you can begin going deeper with in an intentional way. This might be your mom or dad, a cousin, an aunt or uncle, a roommate, a college buddy, or a neighbor. Choose someone who might be open to “doing life” with you at a deeper level and pray about that opportunity. This week how will you interact with the Bible? Can you commit to spending time in daily prayer or study of God’s Word (use the Daily Devotions section to guide you)? Tell the group how you plan to follow Jesus this week, and then, at your next meeting, talk about your progress and challenges. Stack your hands just like a sports team does in the huddle and commit to taking a risk and going deeper in your group and in your relationships with each other. Ask, “How can we pray for you this week?” Invite everyone to share, but don’t force the issue. Be sure to write prayer requests on your Prayer and Praise Report on page 95. Close your meeting with prayer.
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FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY If you feel God nudging you to go deeper, take some time before the next meeting to dig into His Word. Explore the Bible passages related to this session’s theme on your own and jot your reflections in a journal or in this study guide. A great way to gain insight on a passage is to read it in several different translations. You may want to use a Bible app or website to compare translations. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Knowing and reciting verses 4-5 of this passage remain almost the standard of devotion for Jewish people. They include them on hand-written little
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boxes nailed to the main doorways in their homes to remind them of their importance. Jesus didn’t hesitate to point to them as the main point of living. Think for a few minutes about the four vehicles used for loving God in these verses. Complete each of the following statements with an example or two: I’m loving God with all my heart when I … I’m loving God with all my soul when I … I’m loving God with all my mind when I … I’m loving God with all my strength when I … What are the four times/locations mentioned as appropriate for having conversations about God’s directions for our lives? (verses 7-9) When was the last time you brought up God and his ways in one of those settings? How could that become more of a pattern in your family life?
Read Luke 10:25-37. This is a similar setting to the questioning that led to Jesus affirming the Great Commandment. But the questions here were meant to test Jesus. He turned them into a profound test for the man asking. This is one of the best illustrations of Jesus teaching through stories. What were the two questions the man asked Jesus (vv. 25, 29). And what were the two questions Jesus asked (vv. 26, 36). How were the questions different? How did Jesus’ two instructions for the man (vv. 28, 37) completely make the conversation personal and deeply confrontational? How do you answer and live out the question: Who is my neighbor?
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D A I LY DEVOTIONALS Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Read Mark 12:29-31.
Read John 13:34.
Read John 13:35.
“The most important
“A new commandment
“By this everyone will
one,” answered Jesus,
I give you: Love one
know that you are my
“is this: ‘Hear, O Israel,
another. As I have
disciples, if you love
the Lord our God, the
loved you, love
one another.”
Lord is one. Love the
one another.”
Lord your God with all
Respond:
your heart and with
Respond:
How are you currently
all your soul and with
What is it about Jesus’
living up to this
all your mind and with
love for you that guides
description as a
all your strength.’ The
your love for other
follower of Jesus?
second is this: ‘Love
people?
your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Respond: Why did Jesus answer the single question with a two-part answer?
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Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Read John 13:17.
Read Mark 12:29-31.
Use the following space to write any thoughts
“Now that you know
“The most important
God has put in your
these things, you will be
one,” answered Jesus,
heart and mind about
blessed if you do them.”
“is this: ‘Hear, O Israel,
the things we have
the Lord our God, the
looked at in this session
Respond:
Lord is one. Love the
and during your Daily
Review the context
Lord your God with all
Devotions time this
(John 13:1-16). How
your heart and with
week.
does this passage form
all your soul and with
a parallel with Jesus’
all your mind and with
words to the teacher of
all your strength.’ The
the law with whom he
second is this: ‘Love
agreed about the Great
your neighbor as
Commandment and
yourself.’ There is no
then said, “You are not
commandment greater
far from the kingdom of
than these.”
heaven” (Mark 12:34)? Respond: In what way is Jesus’ answer actually a threepart answer to the man’s question about the most important commandment?
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If we get only one shot at today, how can we best live it? Jesus’ answer is deceptively simple: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. Embedded in this greatest commandment is movement. A beautiful and intentional adventure that leads to a life beyond anything we can imagine. Are you ready to move upward, inward, and outward into the life you were made for? Buckle up because the best it yet to come!
DANIEL FUSCO is the lead pastor of Crossroads Community Church, which has campuses in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon. He is a conference speaker, a jazz musician, and published author of Ahead of the Curve, Honestly and Upward, Inward, Outward. He lives in Washington with his wife, Lynn, and their three children.