Soul Care Note helps (04.12.15)

Read Romans 1:1—7 together in your group.

What is the goal of apostleship?  (v. 5) 

 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations

What is the goal of discipleship?  (Matt. 28:18-20)  

Go to  www.desiringgod.org/labs/i-am-with-you-always, especially starting at 3:30 mark for help in this discussion.

Teaching is not the goal of discipleship.  Transferring information is not the goal.
Obedience, living out the what Jesus has commanded, is the goal of discipleship.

The apostles were not supposed to just transfer information to the next generation.
They were to challenge others to follow Jesus in obedience.

Discipleship is not about learning more information.
It is about life change.
It is about life change that glorifies God.

“People this past week became upset over crime, drug abuse, corporate greed, abortion, sex trafficking but how many people this week grieved that the God of heaven was not worshipped, was not admired, was not proclaimed as He deserves.  While all those other things are bad, that is the biggest travesty this week.”

How has “If only I did _____, God would accept me” thinking impacted your life this week?  This year?

A good idea here would be to have people write down some ways they have lived a me-centered life rather than a God-centered life.

Another way to ask this question is "How has unhealthy guilt motivated you this past week?  This year?

This is a very personal question.

"If only I did my devotions more consistently, God would accept me."

"If only I did everything I was asked to do, God would accept me."

A CLARIFYING QUESTION MIGHT BE
Why is "If only I did ______, God would accept me" wrong?

• The object of worship is wrong.
• The focus is wrong.  It is misplaced
• It should be "Because of what Jesus did for me, I am/can  _______________________

How do you know you are loved by God?  (Don’t make the answer too complicated)

Some verses

John 3:16

Romans 5:8

God's Word and God's character.

HERE IS A POINT TO DRAW OUT THROUGHOUT THE EVENING:
Because of these things, how should we live?