Posted on December 10, 2018 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
December 9- 15, 2018
Right Relationships
By Adam Pontier
When you hear a variety of stories like today it really makes you rethink what the word righteous means. Being made right with . . . sounds a lot different than what I have in mind when the word righteous is mentioned.
Righteous is one of those good words that have gone bad. It’s original meaning is not what comes to our mind as a culture. Think for a moment: would you have considered yourself a righteous person before hearing it so clearly explained? Now that you have a better and clearer definition, I hope you do. (And let’s not have our takeaway from this teaching be that we should become the grammar police and go around correcting those who use the word righteous wrong.)
My takeaway is that I have been made right with God. It may look very similar . . . or very different . . . to your situation. It doesn’t matter what my story looks like in the grand scheme of things, what really matters is that I was made right with God. In all the infinite degrees possible, God is making people righteous through him, with him.
Of course your next questions might be, "What does it mean to be made right with God? Why do I need to be made right with God? How does God make me righteous? If God makes me righteous, what do I have to do? Is this a one time thing I accept and then walk away from? What does a person do next after becoming righteous?"
Righteousness and growth in our relationship with Jesus are not synonymous. We are righteous by accepting Jesus as our savior and acknowledging he paid the price for us to be made right with God. We then have the privelege of dedicating our lives to the quest of growing in our faith as we follow Jesus and live as he teaches us to.
Many people throughout history have spent their lives dedicated to the quest of growing in Jesus. I hope you do, too.
We have explored some good questions today, and you probably have several more of your own. If you haven’t asked them, it’s not a bad idea to do so. Find a trusted group or friend and ask these questions.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Break this passage down, reflecting on your own experiences. How has God been a shepherd in your life? How has he provided, guided or renewed your life? How has he brought you to right paths in relationship? How has he used your life to bring honor to his name? If you haven’t experienced these transformational moments with God yet, where do you need to experience them? Take an opportunity to pray and invite God into those places. Also, find someone you trust to share your thoughts with. We are praying in unison with you this week!
{personal reflection and bible reading plan}
As you read the verses each day, make notes of questions you have about what you’re reading as well as answering the reflection questions below. Grab a friend or two to discuss what you are learning and what God is doing in your lives.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: There is a lot going on in these verses! Describe the events, the players and the action in your own words. What is your main takeaway? Can you declare verse 28 as a prayer this week?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: These believers were hearing from eyewitnesses about Jesus’ resurrection and the fact that he is seated on the throne, and has sent his spirit to those who believe. We don’t have the benefit of live eyewitnesses today . . . how do you resolve the truths you read in the Bible with your own faith, and doubts and questions? This section wraps up with a description of this group forming a community. How and where do you experience community today? How can you make your community life more intentional?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: What would you make of this event if you were present at the time? Have you experienced anything like a healing, or an unexplainable provision? Peter says he has know money to offer the man . . . but will give him what he has. That faith is what leads to the mans healing. Anyone who believes and is following Jesus has the opportunity to offer people "what I have". What does that mean to you?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: In verse 25 we read, "You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’" How do you (and how do I) live as children included in God’s covenant? How do we miss the mark? How can we raise the bar?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Peter speaks powerfully in this passage. What does it mean to you to be "saved"? How would you describe it to someone else? What questions or ponderings do you have about faith in Jesus saving mankind?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: "But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” If threatened by the authorities, would you and I say the same? That we cannot stop telling others about what we have seen and heard? Have you ever mapped out your faith story? What have you seen and heard that points to Jesus’ work in your life? How can become "all in" tellers of what Jesus has done for us?
{community discussion questions}
We weren’t meant to experience the life of Jesus alone, so we encourage you to rally a few others to discuss what you are hearing, reading, and reflecting on together. Whether you are meeting as a Journey Community group, talking with a few friends throughout the week, or bringing up spiritual conversations around your table at home, feel free to use some of these questions as conversation starters on your journey.
Can you name a takeaway or challenge from the Sunday message?
How has that been relevant, challenging, or meaningful to your life this week?
What have you observed about God, Jesus, yourself, others, or God’s plan for you from these readings?
Where do you need a breakthrough from God this week?
Who do you need to share what you’re learning about God with?
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources).
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get a free Bible for your phone, tablet, and computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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