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

• Join us on the first and last Sunday of the month for Sunday Evening Prayer from 5 PM to 6 PM!
• Save the date! Chuch-Wide Potlock on Wednesday, November 19th at 6:30! Bring your favorite side, dish, or dessert! We’ve got drinks, plates, and cutlery covered!

> 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 Hebrews 11:24-26.

Does anything stand out to from the text or Sunday's sermon?

> Discussion Questions

Rejecting the pleasures of sin

The writer of Hebrews assumes that the reader is familiar with Moses’ story. Since we may not know it as well, it is wise for us to review the story. Moses was born a Hebrew while the Jewish people were living in Egypt. Because Pharoah wanted to suppress the Jews, he commanded that newborn Hebrew boys be killed. Moses’ parents instead hid him in a basket in the river and Pharoah’s daughter found him and adopted him. God thus took Moses from the household of the oppressed people to the household of the oppressor. He was raised in luxury as grandson to the king. However, Moses knew he was Hebrew and he chose to identify himself with his oppressed biological family, not his powerful adopted family. More importantly, the writer of Hebrews points out that Moses wanted to be identified with the people of God, even when it cost him comfort and safety. What would make Moses willing to leave comfort and safety in this way?

Reflection Question: What are some reasons given in the passage or in the sermon for why Moses left Pharoah’s household and identified himself with the Jewish people?

Reflection Question: The writer of Hebrews says Moses turned away from enjoying “the fleeting pleasures of sin.” What are reasons we have as Christians for turning away from sin, even when sin seems comfortable or enjoyable?

The reproach and reward of Christ

The writer of Hebrews says that Moses considered the reproach of Christ as wealth. The reproach of Christ refers to the way other people will criticize, reject, or oppose us for following Jesus.

Reflection Question: Why would the reproach of Christ be considered a kind of wealth?

A key point the writer of Hebrews is making is that Moses made great sacrifices to follow God and serve the Jewish people. He would not have made the exchange he did if he did not have faith in a later reward that would be greater than whatever he sacrificed. This is where the author of Hebrews wants us to link Moses’ story to our own. God calls his people to love, serve, and give sacrificially because we have faith in a greater reward that God has stored up for us. People may find our sacrifices surprising or even laughable, but we trust in a greater reward that we have in God. [Have someone read Matthew 6:1-4.]

Reflection Question: How does God seeing you and delighting in you empower you to give and serve sacrificially?

Reflection Question: How can you focus your heart more on the reward you have in God rather than rewards here on earth?

We give because he first gave

Moses gave his life to be obedient to God and lead the Jewish people out of Egypt, but Jesus is the greater Moses. Jesus was the only one perfectly obedient to God the Father. Jesus not only lived to lead his people out of bondage to sin, but he also died to set them free forever. Jesus was

the one who gave up his privilege and wealth in heaven to associate with God’s people in their oppression and suffering. Because he humbled himself the most, God the Father has exalted him the most. Christians are the ones who receive this gift of love and sacrifice from Jesus and seek to imitate him. We now can give our lives and humble ourselves because we want to participate in Jesus’ life, Jesus’ death, and Jesus’ resurrection. We associate with the hurting, the lowly, and even our enemies because God’s love has transformed us.

Reflection Question: How is God calling you this week to imitate Jesus in his sacrificial love and humility?

> 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.