|
SERIES: |
Fight for the House |
MESSAGE: |
How to Stand When Others Fall |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Jude 1:20-23 |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
If you have ever tried to walk straight while aboard a ship being tossed by the ocean’s waves, you know how hard that is. The motion around you challenges the strength and the stability within you. If the New Testament repeatedly warns against falling away (see Matthew 13:1-9, 24-30; 1 John 2:18-19), if the apostles predicted that many would “depart from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Timothy 3:1-14), what are we to do? Jude gives his audience a five-fold corrective for when people around you (even in the church) seem to be dropping like flies, carried by the current of this world.
STUDY GUIDE
Connect Group Guide: May 23, 2021
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: “How to Stand When Others Fall”
Text: Jude 20-23
Main Point
If you have ever tried to walk straight while aboard a ship being tossed by the ocean’s waves, you know how hard that is. The motion around you challenges the strength and the stability within you. If the New Testament repeatedly warns against falling away (see Matthew 13:1-9, 24-30; 1 John 2:18-19), if the apostles predicted that many would “depart from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Timothy 3:1-14), what are we to do? Jude gives his audience a five-fold corrective for when people around you (even in the church) seem to be dropping like flies, carried by the current of this world.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” —Jude 20-23
Talk about It
- Talk about what exercise program you have to keep yourself in shape. Then talk about your spiritual exercise program and how it has worked for you to build up your faith.
- How should a mature Christian relate to a doubter? Talk about the right response and approach. How should a mature Christian relate to a spiritual terrorist—someone who designs ways to damage the work of God in a person’s life and the body of Christ?
- What things keep you in the love of God? What things do you do to keep yourself convinced of, experiencing, and enjoying God’s love?
“The purpose of prayer is not to get my will done in heaven, but God’s will done on earth.” —Pastor Skip
Make It Practical- Keep building your faith. Join us Wednesday nights as we study God’s Word together verse by verse, or find and begin a Bible study plan online at bible.com. See 2 Peter 1:5-6.
- Keep praying with fervor. As you immerse yourself in Scripture, meld it with your prayer life. Spend fifteen minutes a day letting God talk to you and fifteen minutes a day talking to God. See Romans 8:26-27.
- Keep living in favor. Identify and acknowledge what may be impeding you from experiencing God’s love. What can you do to keep yourself within the boundaries of God’s love? See John 15:9.
- Keep expecting the future. One of the most purifying elements in the Christian life is eagerly anticipating the second coming of Christ. This week, determine within yourself to look forward to His return. See 1 John 3:3.
- Keep reaching the faithless. Those who pose the greatest menace can often be our greatest mission. Ask God for wisdom on when to be compassionate and when to confront and spend fifteen minutes this week telling others about your Savior. See James 5:19-20.
PrayFather, thank You for Your stability and love. Just as unfavorable conditions make falling physically easier, it is also true spiritually. Help us to stand, ready and willing to hear from You, desiring to keep ourselves in Your love. Give us an anticipation for Your return. But in the meantime, would You use us to reach the doubting and lost? We love You and long to see You.
Facilitator Tips- Although there are many ways to make this message practical, listen for each person’s prayer request or life circumstance as they share. The goal is to set an attainable, actionable step to take. Depending on each person’s stage in their faith, it can be easy to get overwhelmed with where they could be, should be, or lack. Encourage them to takeone step at a time.
OUTLINE
- Keep Building Your Faith (v. 20a)
- Keep Praying with Fervor (v. 20b)
- Keep Living in Favor (v. 21a)
- Keep Expecting the Future (v. 21b)
- Keep Reaching the Faithless (vv. 22-23)
Topic: apostasy
Keywords: doubt, faith, falling away, God’s love, prayer, second coming