All In
Week 3 - Commitment
Leader Guide
Are you all in? This week we learn what it looks like to live a committed life. Commitment is more than a decision or thought. Commitment requires action, lasting change and persistence over time even when we don’t have all the answers up front. God wants to be in close relationship with us, but we must be willing to commit all we have to Him each day.
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
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. To what are you most committed? Consider your time, money and thoughts-what dominates each? Is it all one thing? What would it take for you to let it go?
2. All In for... Read Luke 19:1-4. What is Zacchaeus committed to, even before he meets Jesus? How does his position (up in a tree, out in public, waiting to see and hear Jesus) show a level of commitment to exploring Jesus? What insights, if any, does this offer about the things we are passionate about, as discussed in question one?
Leader’s Note: Zacchaeus had been fully committed to his wealth. The fact that he is still searching and exploring indicates that his wealth didn’t fully satisfy. Additionally, the fact that he was willing to mingle with the public who did not like him and look undignified in his search for truth shows his readiness to find something or Someone worth going “all in.”
3. Read Luke 19:5. How does Jesus’ invitation to Zacchaeus’ house raise the commitment level for Zacchaeus? Where has God confronted you with an invitation or a request that put you “on the spot”? In what way does God’s leading in your life make you uncomfortable or nervous (as Zacchaeus may have been in that moment)?
Leader’s Note: When we seek Jesus, we find Him (see Deuteronomy 4:29). Maybe encourage group members to share a story about a time God asked them to do something uncomfortable. Maybe ask for a story from commitment weekend about how they followed God’s leading through discomfort.
4. Commitment is not a circumstance, it’s a choice. Read Luke 19:6. How does Zacchaeus show his commitment to Jesus? In what ways could we follow his example?
Leader’s Note: Several campuses spoke of delay being disobedience or procrastination leading us to neglect our God-callings. Obedience and commitment ARE choices and should be made joyfully and quickly!
5. Going “all in” looks like this: Read Luke 19:7-9. Why did the religious people grumble? Why does Zacchaeus make a financial commitment? How do the actions he took show what happened to his heart and allegiance?
Leader’s Note: Religious people should be the most excited but are often the most skeptical of change. They grumbled that Jesus would care for and associate with someone they hated (also not a very righteous attitude!). Zacchaeus went from putting money (and therefore self) before all else, even his relationships with his countrymen. But here we see that his heart is tied to Jesus, and no longer focused on gaining wealth. When God has made a change in your heart, your behaviors, actions, thoughts, and speech will follow. Some habits take a while to break (like using curse words), but there should be SOME immediate changes that others can see.
6. Action Step: Pray as a Life Group for those who generously donated this past weekend and for the many who will benefit from their obedience to God’s call. Pray that God will use the offerings to reach many for Jesus. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and Israel.
If you missed the weekend service and want to be a part of what God is doing, use the QR code included in this guide to donate now or give online here. (https://www.covechurch.org/give) You can then select your campus and the “All In” Fund.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
7. Read John 6:53-68. What does Jesus refer to in verses 53-58? Did the people He was teaching understand what He was saying or were they confused? In what way are we still unclear about Jesus’ claims in this passage?
Leader’s Note: Jesus is talking about His body and blood as nourishment – He is describing the atoning sacrifice He will make on the cross. But, this claim was made in the temple among more than just the 12 disciples and the general population did not get it! They were not familiar with the communion or the last supper because that Passover meal before the cross hadn’t happened yet! Today, discussion and confusion about communion still occurs. What we know for sure is that Jesus makes our eternal reconciliation to God possible. The way we celebrate the body and blood sacrifice is by eating and drinking communion together as Jesus asked us to do.
8. Read John 6:60. How can this passage be both encouraging and discouraging?
Leader’s Note: It can be encouraging because we aren’t the only ones confused sometimes. One way it can be discouraging is even those fully present with Jesus were often unclear on what He was saying.
9. Read John 6:61-63. This description of Jesus as a food to eat comes prior to the “last supper” and the command to celebrate His death and resurrection on the cross. Imagine the response in the temple where Jesus was teaching. Would you have been concerned or confused? What are some examples of faithful responses to confusion about Jesus’ teachings or direction? What are some poor responses? Consider (and possibly request prayer from your Life Group over) any area in your life where you are confused about what God seems to be saying.
Leader’s Note: Answers may vary. Faithful responses to confusion might include Asking questions of God and faithful leaders or mentors, research, prayer, looking for Biblical context or other examples in the Bible, trusting God even though you don’t understand. Poor responses might include leaving your church, turning away from God, becoming afraid, disengaging or pulling away from your Life Group or serving team.
10. Discuss the implication of Jesus’ statement in verse 63 “Human effort accomplishes nothing.” Discuss the context of the entire passage, possible application to your current challenges and next steps. How does Jesus’ death and salvation change our perspective?
Leader’s Note: Human effort accomplishes nothing when it comes to reconciliation with God. We are fully dependent on Jesus to stand in our place and atone for all sin. Without Him, we have no hope of being with a holy and just God, no matter what we do.
11. Read John 6:64-68. What competes with your faith when belief in God seems difficult, confusing, and others are giving up?
When you find yourself confused by the Bible, other believers, or your life how can you be confident that you will respond like Simon Peter in this passage (verse 68)?
Leader’s Note: Discuss ways we can strengthen our faith, resolve and commitment to following Jesus.
Consider these words and whether they also resonate with you during difficult or confusing seasons of life: “Simon Peter Replied: ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.’” John 6:64-68, ESV