Count The Cost
The word influence has really shifted in the past few years hasn’t it? Influence has transformed into the phrase influencer and influencers are the ones who (seemingly) run the world for This Generation. Ask any kid what they want to be and it’s a video gamer, a youtuber, a social media star. Frankly, who can blame them… If I could play video games all day, make dumb videos, and get paid to travel to Greece because I am pretty… Have fun finding a new This Gen Pastor. It’s easy to make fun of this idea of the “influencer” because it doesn’t feel like they bring much to the societal table. That’s not true. They have figured out how the game has been played and they are winning at it. Unfortunately, because they are winning at it, there is a feeling that the rest of us are losing. (Continue Reading Here)
MONDAY, MARCH 28
Connect: John 4:4-42
DISCOVER:
- The woman Jesus encountered at the well had questions for Jesus. What were those questions?
- There was some confusion among the Samaritans over where worship should take place. How did she frame that question for Jesus?
- What was Jesus’ answer?
- How was Jesus’ answer prophetic and instructive for people today?
RESPOND
- This passage offers up some truths about the Trinity. How does this passage inform and instruct how you worship God today?
- What does it mean, in a real sense, to walk in Spirit and Truth?
TUESDAY, MARCH 29
Connect: 2 Kings 6:24 - 7:20
DISCOVER:
- Can you describe the situation in Samaria as depicted in chapter 6 of 2 Kings?
- How did the state of the land affect the state of people’s hearts and decisions making?
- What did the band of lepers decide to do? What did they find at the Aramean camp?
- What was God doing on behalf of the Samarian people?
REPSOND:
- What word did Elisha offer to the King? (see verse 7:1)
- What hope could be found in Elisha’s words?
- Have you given up hope in any particular area of your life? Where do you need the Lord to “make a window” in the sky and help you?
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30
Connect: Romans 1
Discover:
- Reread Romans 1:16–What does it mean not to be ashamed of the gospel?
- What does it mean to believe in the Gospel?
- Why does vs 16 say “first to the Jew, THEN to the Gentile?”
- What does it mean to live by Faith?
Respond:
- Have you ever been ashamed of the gospel? Why or why not?
- Define righteous. How do you strive to live a righteous life?
- Do you “walk by faith?”
THURSDAY, MARCH 31
Connect: John 4:4-42
Discover:
- Why did the Samaritan woman go down to the well at noon? What does this say about who she is?
- What water is Jesus describing in vs 13-14?
- What did Jesus mean with vs 35-38?
Respond:
- Read vs 15, she says “have to keep coming here to draw water.” She was looking at her circumstance rather than eternal life. How many times do you look at your circumstances rather than seeing what the Lord wants for your life? Is there something in your life keeping you from what God has planned for you?
- Vs 17, she tries to hide her sin from Jesus… Do you do this? Do you justify sin in your life? Why or why not?
FRIDAY, APRIL 1
Connect: 1 Corinthians 1
Discover:
- Read vs 19-20: Who is the wise Paul is referring to?
- What does Paul mean by God will make foolish the wise?
- How is verse 26 encouraging for Christians?
Respond:
- How can we grow wise in the Lord?
- How often do you first run to the Word before consulting another person about an issue? Why should we first talk to God? How can you prioritize the Lord’s Will over the world’s?
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
Connect: 1 Corinthians 3
Discover:
- Read vs 18-19–How can we be deceiving ourselves in this world?
- What standard should we compare ourselves to?
- How are we to become wise?
- Read Job 5:13–what does this mean?
Respond:
- Who is the wisest person you know? Why? Would this person be wise by God’s standards? Why or Why not?
- How can you make sure to spend more time in the Word and in prayer?
SUNDAY, APRIL 3
Connect: Luke 23
Discover:
- What charges do they bring before Pilate? What about the accusations is false?
- As you visualize the scene and the characters, what are the attitudes of the people and soldiers toward Jesus? Contrast the attitudes revealed by the requests of the two criminals. What kinds of deliverance are they seeking?
- Describe the natural and religious phenomena that accompany Jesus’ death. What are the various reactions of the people to these events? What is the significance of Jesus’ death?
Respond:
- In what ways do you try to avoid making decisions? Why? Does it work?
- In what ways are your decisions a result of your convictions? In what ways are your decisions a result of popular opinion and demand?