THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. At Ada Bible Church, it’s our desire that you are equipped to deepen your relationship with Christ. ADA BIBLE ACADEMY is an opportunity for you to dig deeper into topics that will strengthen your faith and equip you to grow in Christlikeness. This spring, Ada Bible Academy will feature two classes focused on studying the Bible effectively and sharing your faith with confidence. We invite you to join us starting Thursday, April 16, at our East Paris campus for one of these classes taught by Ada Bible staff. To register, click HERE.
GROUP VALUES. This week we continue our focus to LOVE BEYOND. Loving beyond the group involves taking intentional steps to help others experience the love of Christ. This week, we observe that Jesus invited people to enjoy himself. One way we experience that invitation is through the good things God has given us. Take some time to discuss the things in your life that you feel blessed by. How could your group share those things with others who might not know Jesus?
GROW AS A LEADER. This week’s sermon unpacks the implications for understanding Jesus as the source of life. In this world, we are tempted to replace him with other things. Our growing affection for Jesus is the only thing that can remove those idols in our lives. This is a timeless truth that believers have observed throughout church history. Check out this sermon from Thomas Chalmers, a Scottish minister, from the eighteenth century. His message has been used by countless leaders in their spiritual growth. You can listen to the sermon HERE.
SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the second week of our sermon series, LIFE AND WHERE WE FIND IT. This week, we explore Jesus as the source of life and how he invites us to enjoy him.
ICEBREAKER
What is one simple thing in life that you genuinely love that is an underrated gift (i.e., a food, place, season, experience, etc.)?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read John 1:1-5 aloud.
What words or phrases stand out to you in this passage?
John opens with “in the beginning,” the same words that open Genesis. Why do you think he starts his Gospel this way? What is he trying to tell us about Jesus?
What do you think John means by calling Jesus “the Word”?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Jeff Manion continued our series LIFE AND WHERE WE FIND IT by identifying Jesus as the source of life. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
The world has several ideas for how to experience a fulfilling life. What things, experiences, or people does our culture tell us we need to live satisfied?
One big hang-up that some people might have about Christianity is that it doesn’t allow you to live a full life. How does understanding that God created things through Jesus for our enjoyment contradict that claim?
The gifts we receive from God are meant to grow our connection to him, the giver. Why is it easy to forget God when receiving his good gifts?
What is something good you’ve received or experienced recently that has acted as an invitation to know God?
An idol is anything other than Jesus that we believe we need to be okay. What is something in your life that regularly runs the risk of being an idol (i.e., future spouse, house, kids, career, etc.)?
Only a growing affection for Jesus can replace the idols in our lives. How would you describe your affection toward Jesus in this season of life?
Like a healthy relationship, affection toward Jesus grows with intentionality. What is one step you need to take this week to strengthen your affection for Jesus?
WRAP UP
We begin to lose our appetite for sin when Jesus becomes more precious to us. This is an intentional journey of recognizing the true source of life. As a group, make a list of things you love about Jesus (i.e., sat with outcasts, made wine for a wedding, told stories to connect with common people, etc.).