Week Three – Over the Top
Discussion Guide
If you knew Jesus was coming back in two weeks, would you make any changes? Would you ask yourself, “Is my life radically different in every area...because of Jesus?” Let’s evaluate ourselves this week to see if we are totally sold out to God.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. Make your best argument for which is better: hot coffee or iced coffee?
2. Read Revelation 3:15-16. Do you know someone “on fire” for God? Conversely, do you know someone who lives for other people’s approval? How does that sit with you? Can you then imagine how God might feel? Be honest with yourself: do you make decisions based on what God would think, on others’ opinions, or do we please ourselves? What would it mean to center your life and actions based on God’s approval?
3. Read Revelation 3:17 and Luke 7:44-47. Are you desperate to serve God or to spend time with Him? Do you go further than just praying for your needs, talking to God to get direction from Him and spend time with Him? Are you honest in your need for God—not for things, but for His rescue and salvation? Is your attitude more like the sinful woman or the Pharisee?
4. Read Revelation 3:20. What does Jesus promise in this verse? Who is this invitation extended to? Where have you personally realized you are “a full-time ______ but a part-time Jesus follower”?
5. Start Praying: Do you want to live sold out to Jesus? Be bold and pray specifically.
Lord Jesus, You gave everything for us. Will You embolden us to go overboard for You? Holy Spirit, You are invited to show us the lukewarm places in our lives and then heat them up. We ask You to fill us and empower us to live for You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
6. Commit: Do you have a passionate faith? What are some life changes that could help you get there? Try these: Grow your total commitment to God by reading this “Crazy Love” Bible Plan. Or write down one lukewarm area of your faith to tackle this week. If it’s generosity, try trusting God this week in the area of giving. If it’s sharing your faith, share Jesus with one person, and so on.
Deeper
When Jesus talks about how to love God with all you are and have, He gives us the example of the sinful woman who anointed Him: “Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (Matthew 26:13, ESV).
7. Read Luke 7:36-38: Who was the “woman” and what did she do?
8. Read Luke 7:39-40: Who was the Pharisee? What do you know from 7:36? What kind of person is he? What strikes you about Jesus in this exchange?
9. Read Luke 7:41-43: What simple parable did Jesus use to reveal a heart matter? How does this convict you?
10. Read Luke 7:44-46: How do you feel about Jesus comparing Simon to the woman? What else does the Bible say about comparison? Why is it appropriate in this case?
11. Read Luke 7:47-50: What “saved” the woman?