Money, Power, and Sex
Part 3:
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things that are in the world … the lust of the FLESH (sex) and the lust of the EYES (money) and the pride of life (power) … are of the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but he who does the WILL of God abides FOREVER.
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Connect group:
If you want, you can also take communion together.
WELCOME Icebreaker:
Choose one of the following topics and talk about it:
a) If you had to describe yourself as a type of plant or tree, what would it be and why?
b) What is a small habit you recently started, or one you gave up, that has made a surprisingly big difference in your life?
Prayer: Open with prayer.
WORD Read: Our Core Text for Today: Prov 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with everything you have. Do not rely on your own insights. Ask for the will of God in everything you do. He will show you the right path. Rom 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is. John 12:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Luke 8:14
“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear the message and accept it, but all too quickly it is crowded out by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life. And so, they never grow to maturity.”
Talk in your Connect Group about the following:
In this series, we learn that God is the Owner and we are the managers. In Part 3, we look deeper into the “Will of God” (thélēma – God’s preferred will or best offer). The world, with its worries, wealth (money), and pleasures (sex/power), often lures us away from God’s will and prevents us from becoming mature and bearing fruit. Jesus teaches us in John 12 that a grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die to bear fruit. Likewise, we must “die” to ourselves and refuse to be conformed to this world (Rom 12:2). When the Seed (God’s Word) falls into our lives, we must guard against it being crowded out by the pursuit of earthly things. Our calling is to be like a tree planted by streams of water (Ps 1) – rooted in God, so that we bear fruit in due season and glorify the Father (John 15:8).
Reread today’s texts and talk about them: a) In which areas of your life do you feel the “seed” (God’s Word) is most easily crowded out by the worries, wealth, or pleasures of this life?b) What does it mean practically for you to “die” to your own desires like the grain of wheat so that you can live out God’s will?
WORSHIP Make time to worship God today. Use the playlist on our Word and Life website under Connect Groups. Or bring your own worship songs.
WORKS Now enjoy Communion together as a Connect Group:
Love for God, Love for People
Now, as a Connect Group, spend just 5 minutes in silence, and each member should answer the questions below individually. Create a peaceful atmosphere and allow the Lord to speak to each one individually.