Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: Sep. 26, 2010
Sermon Title: The Bride of Christ
Sermon Text: Rev. 19:7-9; 1 John 3:2-3
Small Group Text: 2 Cor. 11:2-4
Introduction
Imagine a friend that you haven’t seen in a long time calls you with some breaking news…”I’m engaged!” What questions do you have for your friend in light of that announcement? How might your friend’s life change in the coming months in anticipation of the upcoming wedding? One of the images the Scriptures use to describe the church is “The Bride of Christ” – a bride engaged to be married. Let’s see how this picture should make a difference in the way we think and act as individuals and as the church.
Discussion
Read 2 Cor. 11:2-4 1. As Paul addresses the church in Corinth, 2 Cor. 11:2-4, he uses an illustration. What is the illustration? What role is Paul playing? What is the church’s role? What is Jesus’ role? 2. If this is the engagement period, when is the wedding? (See Rev. 19:6-9; 21:1-2) 3. During the engagement time as Paul describes, what is expected of us, the Church? What are our responsibilities to our Bridegroom? 4. Paul describes other suitors (a different gospel) who are tempting the church to cheat during the engagement time. What other kinds of suitors might distract the church from remaining pure and sincere in its devotion to Christ?
Application
1. Other suitors rarely approach us as evil, but as “virtues in disguise” (good things like: families, vocations, extra curricular activities, or even serving in the church, etc). How can we know when these “good things” are coming between Jesus and us? How can we guard ourselves against these intrusions? 2. If and when you were engaged what did/would you do to stay “engaged” during your engagement period? 3. Considering the church is the engaged Bride of Christ, how can we stay spiritually “engaged” while we wait for the return of Christ? (Spiritual Practices)
Sermon-Based Curriculum