Community Group Guide

> Why We Gather

At The Springs Church, we desire for community groups to be a place where we BEHOLD JESUS, BECOME LIKE JESUS, and BELONG IN COMMUNITY. This means that our primary goal for groups is to gather around the transforming presence of Christ. As we gather around the transforming presence of Jesus, we believe by faith that we will be incrementally transformed into His image and likeness. With that in mind, let's begin in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead our time together, move on our hearts, and help us behold Jesus, become Like Jesus, and experince the gift of belonging in community. Let's pray.

> Announcements

Easter Weekend is upon us! Save the dates:

  • Good Friday- April 3rd | 7 PM at The Springs

  • Saturday Egg Hunt | San Marcos River Retreat | 10 AM - 12 PM

  • Easter Sunday at The Springs | 9 AM & 11 AM

> Give Thanks

Take a few moments to briefly share about anything that you are thankful unto the Lord for? Perhaps you've witnessed God answer a prayer or experienced a moment that strengthened your faith. Feel free to share any recent occurrences that have encouraged you or instances where you've felt God's presence at work in your life.

> Scripture Reading

Have someone read Acts 10:34-36.

> Discussion Questions

Which pledge of allegiance do you say? In the Roman empire during the first few centuries of Christianity, people were expected to offer a pledge of allegiance to the empire by declaring “Caesar is Lord.” As Alberto pointed out in the sermon:

  1. this statement was theological in the sense that it meant worshipping the emperor (who was often understood to also be a god),
  2. this statement was political in the sense that it showed your loyalty to the empire,
  3. this statement had economic implications as loyalty was part of how you built and maintained business in that society,
  4. this statement was a cosmic declaration about the truth of the universe, and
  5. this statement could be personal as it may reflect your identity and affections as a citizen of the Roman empire. However, Christians were often opposed in the empire because they would not make this pledge of allegiance. Rather, they declared that “Jesus was Lord.”

Reflection Question: Discuss some of the theological, political, economic, cosmic, and personal aspects of what it means to declare that “Jesus is Lord.” Which of these aspects do you think about the least? What are some implications this pledge of allegiance has for your life?

Jesus is a different kind of Lord

Jesus represented a stark contrast with Caesar in terms of how they supported their claim to authority. Caesar used military might and economic control to keep people loyal to his reign. Those who did not bow to his authority may be harmed, deprived, or killed. Jesus by contrast won people’s hearts through love. He gained power through self-sacrifice. Jesus laid down his life in service to his people. [Have someone read Philippians 2:6-10.] Jesus did not grasp for power but rather gave up his power. Jesus allowed himself to be humiliated trusting that God the Father would exalt him.

Reflection Question: What are some of the surprising aspects of Jesus in comparison to earthly leaders who want to gain power and influence? What are some aspects of Jesus you admire in the Philippians passage?

Competing kingdoms

Declaring Jesus is Lord competes with other allegiances that we have. We all have many allegiances to our career, our politics, our country, our family, and other aspects of our identity. These other allegiances may not be all bad, but Jesus insists that he be the highest and first allegiance for everyone who follows him.

Reflection Question: What other things have in the past or present competed with your allegiance to Jesus? What kind of steps can we take this week to make Jesus our Lord above all the other things we love?

> Confession and Prayer

Reflect and Pray: As we sit with this passage, ask God to bring to mind anything you need to confess or need prayer for. Take a moment to share and pray for one another. Feel free to split up into pairs depending on the group size.