Study
Guide for
“BEYOND: Beyond Me”
April 5, 2009
Open Up
Tell your group about a time you were asked to do something you thought was beyond your abilities: additional responsibility at work, different position on sports team, role in a musical or play, becoming a parent (!), etc. TRANSITION: This message series continues to ask us to follow Jesus beyond to places we’ve never been, but God provides what we need.
Dig In
(1) Read Deuteronomy 30:11-14. One translation phrases verse 11, “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach” (NIV). What resource does verse 14 highlight? What are some other Spirit-given resources for us to follow beyond? BACKGROUND: The Israelites faced the seemingly beyond-their-ability task of entering the Promise Land, but God had already helped them with the seemingly impossible tasks of escaping centuries of slavery in Egypt and surviving decades in the desert.
(2) Read Matthew 6:31-34. What distractions can keep us from following Jesus beyond? What promise does Jesus make in these verses? Share with your group a personal example of the Spirit fulfilling this promise in your own life.
(3) Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8. These were some of the last words Paul wrote before being executed by the Roman government because of his Christian teaching. Paul uses figurative language to describe his state of mind. Ask your group to use modern words to describe what you think Paul is feeling as he looks back on his life. BACKGROUND: The Jewish religion poured wine or oil (“drink offering”) on sacrifices or altars as part of worship (Genesis 35:14 and Numbers 28:24).
Work On
(1) Discuss which challenge in this series felt the furthest beyond your comfort zone:
Leaving something behind (sin) to follow beyond
Balancing inviting more people outside the church AND growing as a better disciple
Bringing practical help to the poor around the world
Reaching across racial barriers
Serving our local community
Living today while looking to the future and the impact I leave behind
(2) Talk about ways your group members can help each other follow beyond.
Lift Up
Pray, whether aloud or silently, by name for your fellow group members and the ways the Spirit can come alongside them as each of you follows Jesus beyond.
Another Step – Advanced Study
Read 2 Timothy 2:1-2. How many generations of Christian discipleship are represented in Paul’s command in verse 2? Have your group talk about the generations of Christian discipleship represented in your group: Who helped you become a better disciple? Who are you making into a better disciple? Who might that person be able to make into a better disciple?