following jesus - exploring christan foundations

7/25/2019 Following Jesus - Exploring Christan Foundations

1/12

MODULE 1

Exploring ChristianFoundations

Developed byDan Sheffield & Jared Siebert

The Free Methodist Church in Canada


2/12

MODULE ONE -Exploring Christian Foundations

Exploring Christian Foundations

Everyone who is participating in this discussion module around the theme o foundationsis at a

different place in their understanding o, and relationship with Jesus who is both the author and thedeveloper o our aith. Some o us may have been attracted to the lie and practices o Jesus we want toollow someone who engages with the marginalized, seeking to bring justice and social renewal. Some ous may be concerned about our own internal dissatisaction and Jesus seems to offer healing and personalrenewal. Some o us may be coming to the conclusion that Jesus and the Christian aith just seems tomake the best sense o the broken world we live in.

Tis oundations discussion is going to ocus on key pieces that have been part o Christian experiencerom Jesus day to our own. We will examine an ancient document Te Apostles Creed that describeshow the earliest Christians understood where their relationship with Jesus was ounded. What youwill note is the signicance o the birth, lie, death and resurrection o Jesus that is, Christian aith iscentred around the story o Jesus.

As we explore these Christian oundations, you will probably have lots o questions thats good!However, you may not have all your questions answered. Tats the nature o exploration. We investigate,ask some questions, ormulate some rst thoughts, reect on those thoughts, put them into action, seewhat emerges; ask some more questions, rework your rst thoughts, try some new approaches well, youprobably get the idea.

Its also the nature o new relationships: we start off with rst impressions, we ask some questions, gettingto know the other person, spending time together; we invite them to interact with our other riendsto see i they embarrass us, or whether they stand up well with people who know us. Exploring ourrelationship with Jesus is going to be like this. We will start with basics and then go deeper and deeper, asthe relationship unolds.

Wherever our personal starting point in this discussion, eventually we have to go to Christian Scripture,the Bible, to explore the story o Jesus what he did, what he said. And we want to explore it with others,some at the same stage as us, some at a urther point, perhaps some even earlier in the process. Becausedialogue together helps us make sense o what we are thinking, and communal effort encourages us toput into practice what we are discovering.

And thats crucial. We need to make the connection between head and heart and hands. What we cometo understand with our head, needs to be affi rmed in our personal motivations, and put into practice inour everyday lives. Or maybe our heart makes the connection and steers our head in the right direction.Or maybe right actions conrm in our heart what our head is telling us.

[2]


3/12

Session one: What does a Christan believe?

Getting to Know One Another

What about the topic o this discussion group appealed to you enough to want to participate?

ell us what you believed about Santa Claus when you were growing up?

Theme introduction

Microsofs mission statementTo help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential

Microsofs valuesAs a company, and as individuals, we value integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism,continual self-improvement, and mutual respect. We are committed to our customers and partners and have a passion fortechnology. We take on big challenges, and pride ourselves on seeing them through.

What is the purpose o a statement o mission, values, belies, in the lie o an organization or business?

TEXT: The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator o heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born o the Virgin Mary,suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucied, died, and was buried;he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,he is seated at the right hand o the Father,and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church, the communion o saints,the orgiveness o sins, the resurrection o the body, and the lie everlasting.

Amen.

[3]



4/12

Discovery Questions

What jumps out at you as we read through this statement?

What phrases encourage or challenge you?

What questions do you have about what you have read? What does this statement teach us about God?

What does this statement teach us about ourselves?

I these statements are true, what are the practical implications?

Why memorize?For this discussion topic we are suggesting that thegroup memorize a verse o Scripture that pertains tothe overall theme o the module. Memorizing Godsword is an ancient practice o the Hebrew people andhas been continued by Christians over many centuries.In some places today, all that Christians have o theScripture is what they have memorized, as Bibles arenot available or are illegal.

Each week just take a ew moments toward the closeo the study to read the verse together rom a commontranslation, or perhaps make up 3 x 5 cards with theverse printed on them. Ten give time or a quietpause to reect or meditate, then a brie moment isomeone has a comment, insight or question about

the verse, beore carrying on with a closing prayer.

Explore the verse

Romans 10:9-10

I you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord,and believe in your heart that God raised him rom the dead, you willbe saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justied, and it is with your mouth that you proess youraith and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

Prayer

[4]



5/12

[5]

Session two: What does it mean to follow Jesus?


When you are alone at home, do you wear socks, shoes, slippers or bare eet? What is your all-time avourite movie?

Theme introduction

I you could change something about the world, or your lie that doesnt seem right what would you change?

TEXTS: Lazarus death and resurrection

Read through this story o Jesus encounter with his riends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus and thedays immediately ollowing. Note some o the signicant glimpses we get into the character andpurpose o Jesus, as well as the implications or our own desire to ollow him.

John 11 & 12

Discovery Questions

What jumps out at you as we read through these passages?

What statements encourage or challenge you?

What questions do you have about what you have read?

What do these passages teach us about God?

What do these passages teach us about ourselves?

I we believe these passages are rom God, what will we do differently this week?



6/12

[6]


Explore the verse

Romans 10:9-10

I you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him rom the dead, you willbe saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justied, and it is with your mouth that you proess your

aith and are saved.Romans 10:9-10

Prayer


7/12[7]

Session three: What does a disciple of Jesus look like?


What is one quality you admire about your best riend? What is a recent compliment that you received and appreciated?

Theme introduction

Can you describe a teacher or older riend/mentor who has had a signicant positive impact on your lie?Disciple/master

TEXTS: Following Jesus as a Disciple

In these passages the original Greek word or disciple reers to an apprentice who learns bydoing, by being corrected by the master, by working in a collaborative learning environment.Jesus uses this image to describe what will be involved in learning to ollow Jesus.

John 1:19-51

John 13:31-35

John 14:23-27



8/12[8]

Discovery Questions



What questions do you have about what you have read? What do these passages teach us about God?



Explore the verse

Romans 10:9-10


aith and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

Prayer



9/12[9

Session four: Spiritual Discipline #1 Learning to listen to God (Bible)


Would you describe yoursel as more o a eeler or a thinker? Why? Are you more likely to avoid conict or engage in it head-on? Why?

Theme introduction

When you rst start a new relationship/riendship, how do you get to know someone?

TEXTS: The Word of God

Since the creation o the world Gods invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood rom what has been made, so that people are withoutexcuse. (Romans 1:20)

God spoke to humans over many centuries through prophets and wise men, as well as in thenarrative o his interaction with the people o Israel. Ten God spoke in the person o hisSon, Jesus. And now God continues to speak to us through these Scriptures, guided in ourunderstanding by the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 1:1-4

John 1:1-14

2 Peter 1:19-21

2 Timothy 3:10-17



10/12[10]

Discovery Questions






Explore the verse

Romans 10:9-10


aith and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

Prayer



11/12[11]

Session five: Spiritual Discipline #2 Learning to talk to God (prayer)


Are you a person who has a whole lot o acquaintances or just a ew very close riends? At what time o the day do you eel at your best?

Theme introduction

I you wanted to talk to someone about changing your job, how would you approach it with a riend, your spouse(parents), your boss?

TEXTS: Prayer as dialogue with GodIn the Genesis narrative we see Abraham in a prayer conversation with God. Abrahams prayermakes a difference in Gods intention, even i the outcome is not ully satisactory to him.In Matthew, Jesus gives his disciples a pattern or prayer; and Romans assures us that Godunderstands our needs even when we dont know what to pray.

Genesis 18:16-33

Matthew 6:5-15

Romans 8:22-27



12/12[12]

Discovery Questions






Explore the verse

Romans 10:9-10

I you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord,and believe in your heart that God raised him rom the dead, you willbe saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justied, and it is with your mouth that you proess your

aith and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

Prayer

What is something you would like to talk to God about?


following jesus - exploring christan foundations

Documents