introduction
This is the final material in our series on Jesus. By now we should have a good understanding of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. We want to finish by looking further at the implications that this has for our lives and what our response should be. The issues that we are looking at in the word section provide plenty of opportunity for praying for one another so do be aware of any needs or issues that are arising and be prepared to stop the discussion to pray for someone, or remember what is happening and pray for specific people at the end.
welcome
Turn to the person next to you. Find out as much as possible as to what you have in common with each other. Then relate these back to the wider group.
worship
Use worship music to worship God. Either spend time listening and reflecting on one song or choose a few songs that can be linked together. Share the lyrics so that everyone has access to them and discuss them prior to playing the song. Encourage the group to relax and come into the presence of God. Ask them to focus on the words and their meaning. Play through the songs a couple of times. Then go round and ask what God has been speaking to them about in this time. Pray through these things.
witness
Pray again for your fellow students that they too can make an ongoing response to Jesus.
word
group work
Split into groups to look at the following four areas
read
Luke 14: 25-35 – sacrifice
Before we look at anything else, we need to realise that the Christian life involves sacrifice.
Discuss the passage using these questions if you need to:
- what does v.26 mean?
- are we to take v.26 literally? If not, why not?
- how does this compare with v.33 and Matthew 19: 21? What do these verses mean?
- if we say that these are not to be taken literally, are we copping out of a radical lifestyle and bending what Jesus has said in order to suit ourselves?
- have you considered the cost of being a disciple of Jesus?
- what sacrifices will you need to make as a student?
- most importantly, God will call many of us to live sacrificial lives when we leave university. In what ways may this happen? What can we learn from this discussion that will help us when we leave university?
read
Ephesians 1 :3 – blessing
Along with the sacrifices come the privileges.
Discuss what it means to be ‘blessed with every spiritual blessing’. What are the blessings that we receive as Christians? Make a list and try to come up with bible verses for everything that is said. Of the things we have been talking about. Is there anything that you feel you lack or struggle with?
read
Romans 6: 11-14 - lifestyle
- God is calling us to a radical lifestyle that will stand out at university as of a different quality to others.
- what does it mean to live a radical lifestyle in college?
- is there more to being a Christian student than just not getting drunk and sleeping with your partner or working hard to get a good job?
- repentance is an important part of responding to God - are there any areas in your life that you need to repent of and change?
read
Matthew 25: 31-46 – social responsibility
Discuss
As followers of Jesus, we are becoming increasingly aware that being a Christian does not just mean an individualised walk with God, personal holiness and regular quiet times. As Christians in the western world, we cannot ignore the fact that the majority of the world’s population does not live like us. This means more than just helping people out (as important as that is) - we have to become aware of the larger issues and of our social and global responsibilities.
- Do you agree? Why? Read Isaiah 58:6-10.
- How can we outwork this Matt. 25 passage in our own lives as students?
- Here is a saying, “if you’re not a part of the solution, you’re a part of the problem.” Are you aware of how you are a part of the global problem?
- Do you know how you can start being a part of the solution?
- How can you find out?
Maybe in a few weeks time, when you have found out different things you can do, you could use one of your witness sections to look at this.
