Small Group
Should I stay or should I go?
Our hearts naturally "drift" from the core of the gospel and our calling to be ambassadors of reconciliation. Just as we drift in the ocean, we drift from our intention, our purposes, and our mission to share Christ with others. The solution is deliberate recalibration—returning to the centrality of Christ and actively participating in God's ministry of reconciliation.
Opening Prayer & Icebreaker:
Share one thing from your past (high school, college, or early career) that reminds you of how much you needed Jesus during that season of life.
Scripture Passages:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NIV)
1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (NIV)
5:11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Discussion Questions
Part 1: Understanding Drift
1. Personal Reflection: The sermon asked, "How have I drifted?" rather than "Have I drifted?" In what areas of your life do you sense you've drifted from God's purposes? (marriage, career, spiritual disciplines, community involvement, etc.)
2. The Gospel as Good News: Why was the gospel "good news" for you when you first came to know Jesus? What were you struggling with? How does remembering that season help you connect with people who don't know Christ today?
3. Recalibration: What practical steps can you take to "recalibrate" in areas where you've drifted? Who can do this along with you?
Part 2: The Centrality of Christ
1. Unity in Diversity: The sermon mentioned that our theological differences actually highlight what we share in common—the centrality of Jesus. How does this perspective change the way you view other churches or Christians who believe differently than you on secondary issues?
2. Reconciliation vs. Sanctification: Discuss the difference between reconciliation (restoring relationship with God) and sanctification (being made holy). How have you seen churches or Christians get this order wrong? What happens when we try to "sanctify" people before they know Jesus?
3. What We're Known For: The sermon stated that the church is often known for what we're against rather than what we're for. Do you agree? How can we shift this perception in our community?
Part 3: Seeing People Differently
1. Worldly vs. Eternal Perspective: "We no longer regard people from a worldly point of view" (2 Cor 5:16). What does it mean practically to see people as eternal beings with an eternal destiny rather than just transactional relationships?
2. Transactional Society: In what ways do you find yourself treating relationships transactionally (the annoying coworker, the slow driver, the deli worker)? How can you fight against this tendency?
3. Time and Inconvenience: The sermon shared the example of the professor who takes off his jacket and sits down rather than rushing students. What would it look like for you to slow down and create space for divine appointments in your daily routine?
Part 4: The Ministry of Reconciliation
1. Why Us?: God doesn't need us to reconcile people to Himself, yet He invites us to participate. Why is this a gift to us? How does participating in reconciliation contribute to our own spiritual growth?
2. Community Impact: What would the impact be on our community if everyone in this group actively prayed for and loved five people who don't know Jesus?
3. Partnerships: The sermon challenged us to partner with other churches or organizations who hold Christ as central, even if we disagree on secondary issues. What barriers (in our hearts or practically) prevent this kind of collaboration? How can we overcome them?
Key Takeaways
Practical Application: The Five Names Challenge
Take time right now to write down the names of five people you encounter regularly in your life and community who you would like to see come to know Jesus.
Commit to:
Share one thing from your past (high school, college, or early career) that reminds you of how much you needed Jesus during that season of life.
Scripture Passages:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NIV)
1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (NIV)
5:11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Discussion Questions
Part 1: Understanding Drift
1. Personal Reflection: The sermon asked, "How have I drifted?" rather than "Have I drifted?" In what areas of your life do you sense you've drifted from God's purposes? (marriage, career, spiritual disciplines, community involvement, etc.)
2. The Gospel as Good News: Why was the gospel "good news" for you when you first came to know Jesus? What were you struggling with? How does remembering that season help you connect with people who don't know Christ today?
3. Recalibration: What practical steps can you take to "recalibrate" in areas where you've drifted? Who can do this along with you?
Part 2: The Centrality of Christ
1. Unity in Diversity: The sermon mentioned that our theological differences actually highlight what we share in common—the centrality of Jesus. How does this perspective change the way you view other churches or Christians who believe differently than you on secondary issues?
2. Reconciliation vs. Sanctification: Discuss the difference between reconciliation (restoring relationship with God) and sanctification (being made holy). How have you seen churches or Christians get this order wrong? What happens when we try to "sanctify" people before they know Jesus?
3. What We're Known For: The sermon stated that the church is often known for what we're against rather than what we're for. Do you agree? How can we shift this perception in our community?
Part 3: Seeing People Differently
1. Worldly vs. Eternal Perspective: "We no longer regard people from a worldly point of view" (2 Cor 5:16). What does it mean practically to see people as eternal beings with an eternal destiny rather than just transactional relationships?
2. Transactional Society: In what ways do you find yourself treating relationships transactionally (the annoying coworker, the slow driver, the deli worker)? How can you fight against this tendency?
3. Time and Inconvenience: The sermon shared the example of the professor who takes off his jacket and sits down rather than rushing students. What would it look like for you to slow down and create space for divine appointments in your daily routine?
Part 4: The Ministry of Reconciliation
1. Why Us?: God doesn't need us to reconcile people to Himself, yet He invites us to participate. Why is this a gift to us? How does participating in reconciliation contribute to our own spiritual growth?
2. Community Impact: What would the impact be on our community if everyone in this group actively prayed for and loved five people who don't know Jesus?
3. Partnerships: The sermon challenged us to partner with other churches or organizations who hold Christ as central, even if we disagree on secondary issues. What barriers (in our hearts or practically) prevent this kind of collaboration? How can we overcome them?
Key Takeaways
- Drift is natural; recalibration is necessary. We must intentionally return to the core of the gospel and our calling.
- The gospel is good news, not good advice. It's about what Christ has done, not what we must do.
- Reconciliation always comes before sanctification. We must love people and share Christ before expecting them to live like Christians.
- We are ambassadors for Christ. God has given us the privilege and responsibility of the ministry of reconciliation.
- People need to be told to "go." Our natural state is comfort; we must intentionally move toward others with the love of Christ.
- Unity around Christ is more important than uniformity in all theology. We can partner with others who hold Jesus as central.
Practical Application: The Five Names Challenge
Take time right now to write down the names of five people you encounter regularly in your life and community who you would like to see come to know Jesus.
Commit to:
- Praying for these five people daily for the next year
- Asking God for opportunities to love them well
- Being open to sharing the gospel when the Spirit leads
- Share at least one or two names from your list with the group (first names only for privacy)
- Pray together for these individuals
- Exchange contact information to create accountability for this commitment
- Weekly Check-in: Consider texting one person from your group each week to ask how your prayers are going for your five people
- Monthly Gathering: Meet monthly to share stories of how God is working in the lives of the people you're praying for
- Journal: Keep a journal of interactions, prayers, and movements you see in the lives of these five people