Chapter 3: Jesus is Lord

Chapter 3:  Jesus is Lord

How would you define the statement “Jesus is Lord?” 

Do you agree that we want to be boss of our own life? 

Looking to the questions at the close of this chapter, read Matthew 18:1-4.  How does Jesus answer the question of the disciples, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  What is challenging and what is freeing about Jesus’ answer?

Everyone one of us has things in our lives that could be the gods, taking us away from the one true God.  What idolatry must you confess?

At Ascension, what things become lord in our congregation?  A great way at this is asking, what would people get really upset about if it was changed, even if for a very good reason?  What would you get really upset about?

If Jesus is truly Lord in your life, what would you think of doing differently? 

If Jesus is truly Lord in our congregation, what might we think of doing differently?

Chapter 2: A Confession

What struck you as you were reading?  What did you think of the authors statement "you can't hate something you don't believe in?"



Grace--a key word in our teaching.  How would you define grace?  Does God always comes down help with that understanding?



What is adiaphora?  What might be some of the adiaphora at Ascension that we hold to be IMPORTANT? 

What does really matter?

The author outlines five guiding principles.  Would you agree or disagree with them?


Read Romans 3:21-28.  What would Paul have said was the bottom line?

Romans 3:21-28
²¹But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, ²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, ²³since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; ²⁴they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁶it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. ²⁷Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.


Have you ever not known or not loved this God?  Was there a time when you felt alienated, disappointed, far away fro God?  What brought you back?

Read Psalm 25.  This psalm is attributed to King David, who did some great things, but also made some huge mistakes.  Even so, he knew of God's faithfulness.  What is David asking for in the Psalm. How does he know God will answer?

Psalm 25
¹To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. ²O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. ³Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. ⁴Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. ⁵Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. ⁶Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. ⁷Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord! ⁸Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. ⁹He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. ¹⁰All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. ¹¹For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. ¹²Who are they that fear the Lord? He will teach them the way that they should choose. ¹³They will abide in prosperity, and their children shall possess the land. ¹⁴The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them. ¹⁵My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. ¹⁶Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. ¹⁷Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress. ¹⁸Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. ¹⁹Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. ²⁰O guard my life, and deliver me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. ²¹May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. ²²Redeem Israel, O God, out of all its troubles.

Chapter 1: Dogma

Reclaiming the "L"Word--by Kelly Fryor

 

As you prepare for this study and discussion, what do you think of when we hear "Lutheran."  What does it mean?

 

In your own words, how would you define dogma? 

 

What do you think we hold as dogma in our Church?  Lutheran and specifically Ascension?  As you review the definition of Dogma, would you still define these principles as dogma?

 

I would guess many of us would have similar issues with the example the writer uses when she describes the "welcome place" scenario.  If we define ourselves one way, do we assume that everyone knows the exceptions?  Are there exceptions?  Are their exceptions to the "Boldly Make Christ Known?" 

 

Are there things you are uncomfortable with that you believe "Lutherans" hold as true?

 

Looking at the end of chapter one, how do you make decisions?  What factors do you consider?  How do you determine the most important factor?  Who do you talk to?  Do you talk only to those you think will agree with you?

 

How likely is it for a group of people to make a decision or agree on something?  How do we make those decisions?  What difference does it make or could it make if we held or any group held together a set of beliefs?

 

Is it important to think first before acting or act first?  What do you tend to do? What situation might cause you to act first?

 

Read Nehemiah 1:1-4.  Nehemiah was a cup bearer for a king, far from home as he hears about what is going on with his people.  They are in trouble, in exile and the wall has not been rebuilt.  He knows he needs to DO something, but he does something first.  What is it he does?   What difference do you think it made?

 

What difference would it make if we did the same?

 

Jesus knew what was about to happen. He asks his disciples a question.  Read Mark 16:13-16.  What is Peter's answer? How does this question and our answer impact our church today?  How could it impact us?