Oct. 22, 2023

Belong Again

Body of Christ - Family

October 21 & 22, 2023

Primary Text: Romans 8:15-16     

Last Week’s Teaching:  Trusted - Encouraged

1)  Trusted

Psalm 56:3-4:  When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me? 

DQ 1) Why are faith and trust so foundational to knowing God?

DQ 2) In what hardship did God prove to you He could be fully trusted?

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2)  The God of Encouragement

Romans 15:4-6:  For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

DQ 3) In what ways has God specifically encouraged you?

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3)  One Another

Hebrews 10:23-25:  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 

DQ 4) How does encouraging others simultaneously encourage you?

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This Week’s Teaching:

1)  Born Anew

John 1:12-13:  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

DQ 2) What does it mean to be a “child of God”?

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2)  Children of God 

Romans 8:15-16:  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

DQ 3) How does the Holy Spirit testify that believers are children of God?

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3)  The Body of Christ 

1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 24-27:  The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Now the body is not made up of one part but of many….  But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 

DQ 4) Define the “Body of Christ”?

DQ 5) What are your personal gifts to be used in the Body of Christ?

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4)  Family

Hebrews 2:10-11:  In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.  Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.  So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

DQ 6) What is the “family of God”?

DQ 7) What is your role in the “family of God”?

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