Session 1: Jesus Encounters Nicodemus How does a person enter into God's eternal kingdom?

Do you have any questions, comments or thoughts from this weeks sermon? Starter Question: How would you answer the following question: How does a person enter into God's eternal kingdom? Do you feel confident that you could give an accurate answer to this question if someone asked you? When Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus about entering into God's kingdom, he said, Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14-15) Read Numbers 21:4-9 How were the people rebelling against God? Why was this something that brought about God's judgment?

What was God's punishment? Do you think this was fair? Why/why not?

What was the peoples' response?

How did God show mercy and grace to them? What do the terms mercy and grace mean?

How were the people healed?

Was everyone who was bitten by a snake healed?

God would have been perfectly just to destroy all those who rebelled against him. However, he showed mercy and grace to the people by providing a way for them to be saved. In the same way God would be perfectly just in destroying us who have spent our lives rebelling against him. But again, he shows mercy and grace to us.

Read Ephesians 2:1-10 How are we described before we come to know Christ? (v1-3) Do you think these are fair statements?

Knowing that you are a living human being, what do you think Paul means when he calls us dead in verse 1?

In his mercy and grace, what has God done for us? (v4-7)

What two reasons does Paul give for the God doing this?

Though both of these reasons are wonderful, which do you find more heart warming/exciting?

Looking at verses 8 and 9, what is the difference between being saved by grace and saved by works?

Why is it impossible for us to be saved by works?

If we are not saved by works, what are the role of good works in our lives?

What does it mean that we are saved by grace through faith?

How does God's grace shown to us tie in with the story of the bronze snake we looked at earlier?

Look back at the starter question: how would you answer it now? Would you feel more confident in explaining what someone must do to enter God's eternal kingdom?

Application Are you sure that you, personally, have authentically trusted in Christ to be saved and brought into God's kingdom? How do you know?

How should knowing that salvation is all about trusting in God's work on our behalf affect our evangelism?

It is essential not just to study God's word but to change our thoughts, attitudes, motives and behaviors because of what we have learnt. So each week during this series of grow groups, there will be a variety of challenges falling under the categories of Know, Grow, Serve and Share. You can pick one, two or as many of the challenges as you like, but make sure you write down which ones you will be doing so that you can hold one another accountable in your group. You can also write down an application which you feel led to do which isn't written here. Read Ephesians 2:1-10 Read Basic Christianity everyday this week and by John Stott. each time write down what we were like, what Christ has done for us and why he did it. This is repetitive but it will help seal it into your heart and your mind.

Ask God for opportunities to share this simple yet Ask God to show you the wonderful message with good works he prepared someone this week. Pray in advance for you to do and do them. Write this everyday and write them down and share down the opportunities next week. (even if you missed them) and share them next week.

My Challenges: _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Session 2: Jesus Encounters the Samaritan Woman The Spring of Living Water
How did you do with your applications from last week's study? Do you have any questions, comments or thoughts from this weeks sermon? Starter Question: If someone were to ask you, 'What is the Christian life like?', how would you describe it?

When Jesus is speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well, he says, ...but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (John 4:14) Before looking ahead in this study, what do you think Jesus means by this phrase?

Read John 7:37-39 Who is Jesus referring too when he speaks of streams and springs of living water? What images and words come to mind when you think of springs of water welling up to eternal life and streams of living water? Do these accurately describe your Christian life? Why/why not?

If you're anything like the average Christ-follower, the above phrases seem far removed from the daily life of being a Christian. But Jesus Christ promises that with the Spirit at work in our lives, this will be a reality. In today's study we will be looking at the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer and looking at what a Spirit-filled life looks like. What do you currently understand as the role of the Holy Spirit in your life?

Read John 14:15-27 How is the Holy Spirit described in these verses?

When Jesus calls the Spirit, another counsellor, what do you think he means by another?

Read John 15:26, 16:12-15 What do these verses tell us about the chief role of the Spirit?

The following is an excerpt from Keep in Step with the Spirit by J.I. Packer. In this section he defines the chief-role of the Spirit as a floodlight ministry. I remember walking to a church one winter evening to preach on the words 'he shall glorify me,' seeing the building floodlit as I turned a corner, and realizing that this was exactly the illustration my message needed. When floodlighting is well done, the floodlights are so placed that you do not see them; you are not in fact supposed to see where the light is coming from; what you are meant to see is just the building on which the floodlights are trained. The intended effect is to make it visible when otherwise it would not be seen for darkness, and to maximize its dignity by throwing all its details into relief so that you see it properly. This perfectly illustrates the Spirit's new covenant role. He is, so to speak, the hidden floodlight shining on the Savior. Or think of it this way. It is as if the Spirit stands behind us, throwing light over our shoulder, on Jesus, who stands facing us. The Spirit's message to us is never, 'Look at me; listen to me; come to me; get to know me,' but always, 'Look at him, and see his glory; listen to him, and hear his word; go to him, and have life; get to know him, and taste his gift of joy and peace.' The Spirit, we might say, is the matchmaker, the celestial marriage broker, whose role it is to bring us and Christ together and ensure that we stay together. As the second [counsellor], the Spirit leads us to the original [counsellor]...Thus...the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ. Keep in Step with the Spirit, J.I.Packer, IVP 2002, p66 What are your thoughts on this?

Secondary Roles of the Holy Spirit Look up the following bible verses and describe the different roles of the Holy Spirit mentioned therein

John 3:5-6 1 Cor 2:12 1 Cor 12:13 Eph 3:4-6 Romans 8:9 Titus 3:5

Rom 8:13-14 Acts 1:8, 2:4 Rom 8:26-27 1 Cor 12:4-11 Romans 15:13 2 Cor 3:18 Eph 6:19-20 Eph 6:18 Eph 4:3-4 Eph 3:16-17 2 1 Peter 1:2 Col 4:3-4 1 Peter 4:10 Timothy 1:7 Gal 5:22-23

What do you think it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Read Ephesians 5:18-21 Paul describes four aspects of the Spirit-filled life. What are they and what would these look like in your day to day life?

If your life were more characterized by these four aspects, how do you think it would be more in line with how Jesus describes the Christian life as a spring of water welling up to eternal life? Which of these four areas do are you strongest in? Which area do you need to grow in most? How will you do it?

Application What aspect of the Spirit's work are you most familiar with/excited by? Why? Thinking about the different roles of the Spirit we looked at earlier, which aspect do you need to grow in most? How will you do it?

Ask God, everyday this week to fill you with the Holy Spirit Read through John 14-16 and Romans 8 to see more of the work of the Spirit in our lives

Read Keep in Step with the Spirit by J.I. Packer Plan how to grow in the area from Eph 5 you listed as your weakest

A powerful aspect of sharing your faith is explaining how the Holy Spirit has changed some aspect of your life. Using the guide in appendix B, write a testimony of the Spirit's work and practice sharing it.

The Holy Spirit equips each of us with gifts to serve others. (See Rom 12:6-8, 1 Cor 12:1-11, Eph 4:11-13) Ask God to show you your gifts and plan how you might use them to serve others.

My Challenges: _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Session 3: Jesus Encounters the Man Born Blind Responding to Jesus

How did you do with your applications from last week's study? Do you have any questions, comments or thoughts from this weeks sermon? Starter Question: When you've shared your faith with someone in the past, what responses have you faced? In this weeks study, we're going to look at the responses Jesus got during the his ministry days and also see what our expectations would be when we seek to share the message of the gospel. Responses to Jesus in the story of the Blind Man A. The Blind Man How does the blind man's response to Jesus change through the story? (See the following verses: v6,7,11,17,33,38)

Did you have a similar experience to this when becoming a Christian? What was it that helped you move to a truer understanding of who Jesus is? How does the miracle that happened to this man tie in with his response to Jesus?

B. Neighbors (v8-13) How did the blind man's neighbors respond to Jesus? Why do you think they responded in this way?

What does the fact that the neighbors took the man to the Pharisees tell us about their response to Jesus?

C. Parents (v18-23) How do you think the parents felt when they found out their son who had been blind from birth could now see? Does their response to Jesus in the story match these initial feelings? Why/why not? How would you have reacted if you were in their position?

D. The Pharisees (v13-17, 24-34) How did the Pharisees' initially respond to Jesus' miracle?

How did their response change by the end of the story?

As we can see, different people have different responses to Jesus. This happened throughout Jesus' ministry and it eventually got him killed. And it still happens today. Jesus told a parable about how different people would respond to him. The Parable of the Soils Read Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 After reading through the parable and its interpretation, fill in the grid below with the descriptions of the different soils. Soil Path Description in the parable Interpretation

Rocky Places

Thorns

Good

What type of soil do each of the character groups in the story of the blind man represent?

Have you had any personal experience of people responding to Jesus in a way which matches the four soils? Focussing on the interpretation of the parable that Jesus gave, what one thing do the four responses to Jesus have in common? What does this imply our role is? (See Romans 10:13-15 for a hint)

How comfortable do you feel sharing your faith? What are your fears?

One of the most common fears in witnessing is not being able to answer a person's questions. Turn back to John 9. What is the tough question the blind man is asked, and how does he answer it? (v24-25)

One of the most powerful tools in witnessing is sharing the story of how you came to know Jesus, often called your testimony. There are two types of testimony, converting and convincing. If you became a Christ-follower as a teen or adult, then you may remember your life before you became a Christian and can explain the story of how you were converted. Others, however, who became a Christ-follower at a young age, often through growing up in a Christian household, have a convincing story. You don't really remember a time when you weren't a Christian. But there was most likely a moment or a season when you really committed to following Jesus with your whole being. This is the story of your convincing. For more on writing and sharing your testimony, see appendix A. Application Considering the different responses to Jesus, how should this affect our expectations when we share our faith? How should it affect the way we pray?

The parable of the soils doesn't only apply to non-believers, it applies whenever someone hears the word of God. In what different ways do we hear the word of God? How should knowing this parable affect how we prepare to hear the word of God?

Thinking of the good soil, he hears the word, understands it and produces a crop. So often as Christians, we do the first two verbs but not the third. What are the dangers of not applying what we hear and understand? (See James 1:22-25)

Before every sermon, Read Evangelism for the study or quiet time, pray Tongue-Tied by Chap that your heart would be Bettis good soil. After every sermon, study or quiet time, find one lesson to apply. Use appendix C for help on applying the bible.

Using appendix A, write the story of your converting or convincing. Have a go at sharing it with a Christian friend, or at next week's grow group and ask God for opportunities to share it with a friend.

Pray for missionaries you know and others in full time ministry, asking God to encourage them no matter what responses they get. Write to them and encourage them with what you have learnt today.

My Challenges: _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Session 4: Jesus Encounters Lazarus Jesus and our Suffering

How did you do with your applications from last week's study? Do you have any questions, comments or thoughts from this weeks sermon? Starter Question: Have you ever had a period of suffering in your life which, with the aid of hindsight, you can see worked out for the glory of God and your good? (Try to keep your stories as short as possible) Suffering is an undeniable part of this world. In this session we are going to look at how Jesus deals with us in our suffering and how we are to deal with those who are suffering. Read John 11:1-6 How does Jesus respond to the disciples regarding the sickness and death of Lazarus? (v4) Define God's glory.

Jesus doesn't respond this way to Martha and Mary. Why does he respond this way to the disciples?

What do we learn about God's glory from the following sets of verses?

Is 43:6-7,25 Matt 5:16 Eph 1:4-6 1 Pet 4:11

2 Thess 1:9-10 Romans 3:23

John 9:3 John 11:4 Acts 12:23

Hab 2:14 John 17:1 Rom 11:36 Rev 21:23

1 Sam 12:20-22 John 7:18 Is 48:9-11 John 12:27-28 Ez 36:22-23 John 16:14 John 17:24

Although we can see that God pursues his glory through all situations, we most often cannot see how a particular situation will work out for his glory. Therefore, what important truths do we need to remember from the following verses? Deuteronomy 29:29: Romans 8:28:

Read John 11:17-26 How does Jesus respond to Martha? What is Martha's hope focussed on? (v24) Where does Jesus redirect her hope? (v25) Read John 11:32-35 How does Jesus respond to Mary? Why does Jesus respond different to Mary than he does to Martha?
(Hint: Look at their approaches and words to Jesus)

To summarize, we have seen Jesus respond three different ways to three different people regarding the same situation of suffering. To the disciples, who are more removed from the situation, he declares that Lazarus' death is for the glory of God. To Martha, who is immediately affected by the suffering, but who shows strength and hope in something, Jesus directs her hope not to some vague future, but to himself. Finally to Mary, who is also immediately affected by the situation, but who is just broken, Jesus weeps with her. As Christians, we are to follow in the footsteps of our Savior and be there for people who are suffering. However, so often, when someone is going through suffering, we tend to avoid the subject. Why do you think this is? Following are some examples of suffering that are not uncommon. Discuss which of the three responses Jesus gives would be best in that situation. It may be a combination of the three responses or it may be another response all together. How would you respond to... ...a Christian couple who have just lost their child in miscarriage ...a non-believer who has just been diagnosed with cancer and who is afraid of dying ...a Christian who asks why God allowed 9/11 to happen ...a husband whose wife has left him for another man ...a non-believer who asks why does a loving God allow suffering

...a friend at church whose child is going off the rails ...a father who has just lost his job

Application If you're currently going, or have recently gone, through some form of suffering, which, if any, of these three responses are a comfort to you? Why?

In what other practical ways can we show Christ's love to those who are suffering? Are you doing any of these?

Read Where is God in a Use a concordance or Messed Up World by www.biblegateway.com to Roger Carswell look for the times God's glory is mentioned in the For a particular suffering bible. Look at a few of these verses each day this you are going through, take week to see more of how time to read your bible, pray God pursues his own glory and ask other believers to find out how Jesus can be above everything else. your hope through this time.

Think of one believer and one non-believer who you know is going through some form of suffering. Pray for them. In what ways can you be a comfort to them? Find out ways you can practically serve them and show them the love of Jesus this week and do them.

My Challenges: _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Session 5: Jesus Encounters Death Feeling the Death of Christ

How did you do with your applications from last week's study? Starter Question: What struck you most from the reading of the story of Jesus' arrest, trial and crucifixion on Sunday?

The gospel stories in the New Testament give us a certain picture of the death of Jesus, but they are mainly facts and can sometimes feel quite cold when we read them. We can never understand what Christ went through on the cross as the weight of the whole world's sin was laid upon him. But there are some passages in the bible which give us a different insight into what was happening on that great and terrible day. Tonight's study is going to be a little different, we will be taking one of these passages (Isaiah 52:1353:12) and we're really going to get to grips with what is being said. Over the page, you will see the verses of this passage printed and your task is to grab a few different colored pencils and circle things that stick out to you from the text. You will see a key at the bottom of the page with different things to hunt for in the text to give you a really good grasp of what Isaiah is telling us about the death of Jesus. Pick a color for that particular item, color the box next to the item in the key, and then use that color to mark that item in the text. This is your book so feel free to scribble all over it, draw lines connecting common ideas or themes, circle things, write questions, comments, confusions. Just really get to work handling this wonderful passage of scripture. First, have someone read the passage aloud to the whole group, then you can either work on your own or with another person or two. After spending time doing this, come back together as a group and discuss the questions on the following page. Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Isaiah 52
14

13

See, my servant will act wisely;

he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him and his form marred beyond human likeness
15

his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man so will he sprinkle many nations,

and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Isaiah 53

Who has believed our message

and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2

He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

5

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

each of us has turned to his own way;

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;

he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
8

By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living;

for the transgression of my people he was stricken.

9

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10

Yet it was the LORDs will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11

After the suffering of his soul,

he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
12

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

KEY: Attitude toward Jesus: Description of Jesus: Attitude of Jesus: Reason for his death: Achievement of his death: Reward for Jesus: Description of his suffering and death:

What strikes you initially from those verse?

What phrase is most shocking to you? Why? What phrase is most touching to you? Why? What phrase is most amazing to you? Why?

What aspects of the death of Jesus strike you from these verses which you don't see in the descriptions in the gospels?

What truth is Isaiah trying to get across with his use of the personal pronouns (he, his, him and we, our, us) in v4-6?

Given that these words in Isaiah were written about 700 years before the death of Christ, what accuracies are there between these verses and what actually happened as described in the gospels?

What does this tell you about the death of Christ? Why is that important/special?

What phrases tell us that both God the Father, and God the Son, Jesus himself, were the authors of Jesus' death?

Why is it amazing that God the Father is the author of Jesus death?

Why is it amazing that Jesus himself is the author of his own death?

Application The death of Christ is the center and foundation of our faith. In what ways can we remind ourselves to reflect on and remember this more both personally and communally?

Read The Glory of the Spend time this week Cross by James Philip reading the following passages and use colored pencils and pens to mark Implement some of the ways discussed about similar items, ideas and themes as we did with remembering the death of the Isaiah passage to day Christ on a regular (daily) basis See Footnote 1

Think of someone you know who doesn't know Jesus that you want to share this message with. Write down their name and pray for opportunities everyday. Share the names in the group and be praying for one another.

Text/Facebook/Email/ Call/Write/Talk to a fellow believer everyday this week and encourage them by reminding them of the death of Christ in their place.

My Challenges: _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Footnote 1: Passages to study on the death of Christ Genesis 22:1-19, Psalm 22, Acts 2:14-41, Colossians 1:12-23, Hebrews 10:1-25, Revelation 5 Use www.biblegateway.com to find the passages and print out the text. Some of these passages do not directly describe the death of Christ, but look for what aspects of the death of Christ we can find in the story.

Session 6: Jesus Encounters Peter How Now Shall We Live?

How did you do with your applications from last week's study? Do you have any questions, comments or thoughts from this weeks sermon? Starter Question: Do you have a 1, 5 or 10 year plan? Or are you the kind of person who takes each day as it comes? In this week's sermon, we looked at the story of Jesus reinstating Peter. Jesus commissioned Peter to feed my sheep. Peter did this by preaching, leading the church, and eventually dying. In John 21:22 we also see that Jesus has a plan to use John for his kingdom purposes. John fulfilled this by writing five books of the new testament as well as teaching and preaching. God wants to use you also to fulfill his kingdom purposes. How does this last statement make you feel? Read Colossians 3:17 & 1 Corinthians 10:31 What part of our lives do these verses cover? What does it mean to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and do all to the glory of God?

Every area of our lives is to be lived for the glory and praise of Jesus. We don't have time to look at every area of our lives, but during this study we will focus on four. Family Life Read Ephesians 5:22-27 Without getting into the nitty-gritty of marital roles, what are Christian marriages supposed to be a picture of?

What do you think the purpose of this is?

For reflection with your spouse: Does your marriage reflect this same picture? In what ways can you make your reflection clearer to the world?

Read Ephesians 6:1-4 What is the role of Christian parents? What are some practical ways you can do this?

Whose responsibility is it to take the lead role? At what age does the command to children in v1 stop applying? Therefore, as adults, what should be our attitude towards our parents/in-laws?

Work Life Read Colossians 3:22-24 What should our attitude towards our work be? What is the reason for this?

What promise is given to us?

How would remembering this promise change your attitude to work?

Read Genesis 10:8-9 Nimrod considered his hunting as a task he did before the Lord. Go around the room and say this about your job. e.g. I am Frank a florist before the Lord. Do this even if you're a stay-at-home mom/dad, retired, job hunting or out of work). How does this change your perspective on your job?

Role to Other Believers Read John 15:12-13 What does the love that Jesus command look like? Is it passive or active?

How does this compare with your love for other believers?

Read Philippians 2:3-4 What aspects of love do these verses get across? Give some practical examples of what this might look like.

Sharing our Faith Read Acts 17:26-27 What is God constantly in the business of doing? Why is He doing this?

How should this make us view our neighborhood? Our workplace? Our childrens' sporting events? Our trips to the store?

Read Matthew 28:16-20 Do you actively see it as your role, in that you have some responsibility, to fulfill the great commission? If not, why? The verb go in v19 is present continuous meaning that it would better be translated as in your going make disciples. What does this mean and what would it look like in your life?

The great commission is sandwiched between a statement of Jesus authority (v18b) and a promise of Jesus' presence (v20b). How are both of these crucial to sharing our faith?

Application Which area or areas of your life are you not living for the glory and praise of Jesus?

What are you living for in those areas instead of Jesus? Are those things really worth giving your all for?

Read The Fight by John White What other areas of your life are there outside the Which of the four areas ones mentioned above. above do you find hardest Ask God to show you to live for Jesus in? Write how you can live those down some practical steps for his glory and praise you can take to change. and not your own. Ask around for some other ideas

How does your thinking Think of two believers need to change about your you can actively love this role in fulfilling the great week. Find out some commission? Write down practical ways you can some practical steps you serve them in the name of can take to live this out Jesus and do it in your going

My Challenges: _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Appendix A How to Share Your Testimony

(Taken from Appendix B Evangelism for the Tongue-Tied, Chap Bettis)

Everyone who becomes a Christian has a unique story about how God has changed their life. This could either be a full conversion story where you definitely were not a Christian before hand but became one through Jesus. Or you might have more of convincing story where you possibly grew up going to church and at some point you were convinced that Jesus was the true way to God (this is usually the time that it becomes your own faith rather than just your parents). Below are some hints and tips about how to tell these three types of stories. Dos and Donts Do keep it short and sweet (about three minutes). Do break it into three parts: B.C. (Before Christ), R.C. (Receiving Christ), A.D. (After Christ.) Do spend the most time on the benefits in your life A.D. Do use a Bible verse directly related to your story. Do be realistic. Dont exaggerate. Do be specific about your life B.C. and A.D. Do keep unbelievers in mind as you write it out. Dont use vague terms and Christian lingo (such as saved, blessing, ways of the world). Dont attack any church or denomination. Dont include irrelevant detail. Do write out the talking points you want to remember. Questions to Help with the Story of Your Conversion 1) Describe your life before you received Christ. What were your attitudes, needs, and problems before you received Christ? What did your life revolve around? What were you doing for happiness and security? How was this life unfulfilling? How did you realize that it was unfulfilling? Here are some words that might describe your situation and thinking:

inner emptiness purposelessness fear of death bitterness sense of guilt sense of dirtiness desire for inner peace

loneliness lack of truth lack of self-control general hopelessness marriage problems self-centeredness

2) Describe how you received Christ. When did you first hear about a relationship with Christ? What was your reaction? Why did you change your mind? What happened? Did any verse stick in your mind during this time?

3) Describe your life after you received Christ. How has your life changed since you received Christ? How is your life better now that you have received Christ? Here are some words to prime your thinking on the benefits you have received in Christ:

clear conscience purpose inner peace new confidence inner security fulfillment freedom eternal life victory over sin ability to forgive others sense of Gods forgiveness

new concern for others desire to read the Bible new love for God the power to change power and strength help with weakness new attitudes new awareness of sin benefits to my marriage benefits to my children

Questions to Help with the Story of Your Convincing 1) Describe your life before you came back to Christ. What were your attitudes, needs, and problems? What did your life revolve around? What were you doing for happiness and security? How was this unfulfilling? How did you realize that it was unfulfilling? Use the list of words in the Conversion section above to help you describe your situation. 2)Describe how you became convinced of following Jesus. How did God begin to work to bring you back? What thoughts were you having that began to change your mind? What convinced you to change your mind? What happened? Did any verse stick in your mind during this time? 3) Describe your life after you committed your life to follow Christ. How has your life changed? How is your life better now? Use the list of words from the Conversion section above to help describe your life once you had truly committed to following Christ Questions to Help You Refine and Use Your Stories Did you write it out? Does it flow logically? Did you follow the dos and donts above? Is it relatively brief and to the point, so that it will fit in a conversation? Have you practiced it with a friend and spiritual leader to hear their feedback? Have you written talking points some place where you will see them regularly, like the flyleaf of your Bible?

Appendix B Stories of the Spirits Work in your life

(Adapted from Appendix B Evangelism for the Tongue-Tied, Chap Bettis)

Not only do we have stories of our converting or convincing (see Appendix A), we should also be able to share stories of Gods work in our lives. Once we become Christians, God doesnt stop working in us, that when the real work truly begins. So look back over your life as a Christ-follower and think about times when having the Holy Spirit living in you helped you to overcome a particular situation. Below are some hints and tips about how to tell these stories. Questions to Help with Your Stories 1) Describe the situation or stress in your life which the Holy Spirit helped you through. Here are some types of problems to prime your thinking:

struggle with a particular sin doubts in your faith worried about a situation marital problems losing a child to death financial problems parenting problems dating betrayal friendship betrayal

work problems addiction problems severe health problems moving stress infertility depression an accident stress from a new baby stress from a promotion

Or: stress from dealing with someone who has one of the above problems. 2) Describe how having the Holy Spirit helped you cope with that hard time. How did you handle the problem? How would you have handled the problem before you were a Christian? What practical difference did it make that you had the Holy Spirit during that time? What promises of God were you relying on? Did any verse stick in your mind during this time? If the issue didnt go away (e.g. depression can sometimes stick around or reappear), how is having the Holy Spirit a comfort and help to you? Questions to Help You Refine and Use Your Stories Did you write it out? Does it flow logically? Did you follow the dos and donts from Appendix A? Is it relatively brief and to the point, so that it will fit in a conversation? Have you practiced it with a friend and spiritual leader to hear their feedback? Have you written talking points some place where you will see them regularly, like the flyleaf of your Bible?

Appendix C Tips on Applying the Bible

One of the most crucial tasks we need to do whenever we hear or read the Word of God is to apply it. James, the brother of Jesus, tells us: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in itnot forgetting what they have heard, but doing itthey will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25) However, sometimes understanding how to apply the bible to our lives today when it was written over 2000 years ago can be hard work. This is where the SPACEPETS acrostic can help us out. The S-P-A-C-E P-E-T-S acrostic is a useful aid to meditation. Each letter represents a question that can help you apply the passage to your life. If you memorize the nine questions which this acrostic represents, you will have them available every time you want to meditate on a passage. Or you can write them in the front of your bible so that they are there with you whenever you open Gods word. This acrostic asks: Is there any

Sin to confess? Do I need to make any restitution? Promise to claim? Is it a universal promise? Have I met the condition(s)? Attitude to change? Am I willing to work on a negative attitude and begin building
toward a positive one?

Command to obey? Am I willing to do it no matter how I feel? Example to follow? Is it a positive example for me to copy or a negative one to avoid? Prayer to pray? Is there anything I need to pray back to God? Error to avoid? Is there any problem that I should be alert to, or beware of? Truth to believe? What new things can I learn about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the
Holy Spirit, or the other biblical teachings?

Something to praise God for? Is there something here I can be thankful for?

Prayer Requests Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful. (Col 4:2)

Prayer Requests Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful. (Col 4:2)

Prayer Requests Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful. (Col 4:2)

Recommended Reading
For each of the sessions in this grow group series, there is a recommended book to read. These books have been chosen to help you go deeper on the subjects discussed in the grow groups. All these books will be available to buy on Sunday mornings at FBCC or you can order them online. If youre not someone who usually reads, then the challenge for you is to pick one book and read it by the end of the year. Maybe read the same book as a friend and get together to discuss what you are learning. Feel free to ask at the book table at FBCC for further recommendations. Basic Christianity by John Stott Who is Jesus? "If Jesus was not God in human flesh, Christianity is exploded," writes John Stott. "We are left with just another religion with some beautiful ideas and noble ethics; its unique distinction has gone." If Jesus is not who he said he was, and if he did not do what he said he had come to do, the whole superstructure of Christianity crumbles in ruins to the ground. Is it plausible that Jesus was truly divine? And what might this mean for us? John Stott's clear, classic statement examines the historical facts on which Christianity stands. Here is a sound, sensible guide for all who seek an intellectually satisfying explanation of the Christian faith.

R.R.P: $6.00

FBCC Price

$5.50
Keep in Step with the Spirit by J.I. Packer J. I. Packer's Keep in Step with the Spirit focuses on the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Now in its second edition, this book is a rousing call to encourage believers to implement the Spirit's directives in their lives. Packer explains how to get the Spirit in focus and how to map the Spirit's path in life. He restates the Christ-centeredness of the Spirit's ministry, reaffirms the biblical call to holiness, and even-handily assesses the charismatic movement.

R.R.P: $16.99

FBCC Price

$10.00
Evangelism for the Tongue-Tied by Chap Bettis Do you want to tell others about Jesus but don't know where to begin? Are you afraid to speak because you lack a dramatic conversion story? Do you feel guilty because you can't remember the last time you shared your faith? Written by a non-evangelist for the non-evangelist, this book gives a simple, proven plan that anyone can follow. You will discover how to:
R.R.P: $12.99

FBCC Price

$11.00

Pray effectively for evangelistic opportunities Build genuine relationships with non-Christians Develop the stories of God's work in your life Recognize evangelistic doors God is opening Easily transition to spiritual matters Follow up after a conversation

Where is God in a Messed Up World by Roger Carswell If God exists, and really is a God of love, then why doesn't he stop the suffering and problems in our world? Roger Carswell is realistic enough to admit that there are things God reveals to us, and things he doesn't reveal. He argues that the starting point is to find out who God is, and figure out if he can be trusted - even if we don't have all the answers.
R.R.P: $11.20

FBCC Price

$10.00

'God has not only been faithful to me, he has been overwhelmingly kind, incredibly merciful, consistently good and unbelievably patient,' says Roger. The author's own experience of suffering with depression, and other real-life stories that are included, make this a compassionate look at one of the toughest questions about the Christian faith. Moreover, our questioning need not be a barrier to entrusting ourselves to God.

The Glory of the Cross by James Philip The Glory of the Cross takes us from the Last Supper to Calvary. James Philip, Scottish theologian and pastor, brings unusually perceptive insight into Christ's 'fierce, costly love'. A compelling blend of doctrine and pastoral application. Beautifully and intelligently written.

R.R.P: $4.99

FBCC Price

$1.00
The Fight by John White There is joy and triumph in the Christian life. But the victory can come through struggle. John White knows this balance and gives us the encouragement to persevere. The Fight is a guide through the basic areas of Christian living that we wrestle with throughout our lives: faith, prayer, temptation, evangelism, guidance, Bible study, fellowship, work. In this very personal book, White offers new Christians sound first steps and older Christians refreshing insights into the struggles and the joys of freedom in Christ.

R.R.P: $16.00

FBCC Price

$10.00