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LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

August 30 | Discipleship Guide

Be Real Together:

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together.
If you’re launching a new Group, trust and friendship take time to build. Take turns each week having someone share a bit of their story.

Read Together: MATTHEW 4:17 CSB

Jesus announced that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand and invited people to repent—to turn and think differently because God's Kingdom, his way of ruling and reigning, had come near. Sam explained that God's desire has always been for humanity to join Him in ruling and stewarding His creation, but sin separated us from the life and power of God. Jesus made a way back through His perfect life, death, resurrection, and ascension, and then sent His Spirit at Pentecost so that God's life could be available to us. Because Jesus is with us through the Spirit, we are wanted, empowered, and invited to join the Father in what He is doing.

The One Question:
If you only have time for one question, ask this one.

Guest speaker Sam Charters said that Jesus is with us, making His life available through the Spirit “so that you can join the Father in what he is doing.” Where might God already be at work around you that He is inviting you to join?

Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your Group or for personal reflection.

  1. Look up the definitions of "repent," "kingdom," "heaven," and "at hand" found on Blue Letter Bible or another similar resource and discuss what you discover.
  2. Sam described the Kingdom of God as something we can live in now, not simply something we experience in the future. What does that idea mean to you?
  3. Sam's message emphasized, “You are wanted!” What does it mean to you that God doesn't simply tolerate you, but actually wants you to join Him in what He is doing?
  4. Matthew 10:8 says, “You received without paying; give without pay.” What are some ways you have received God's grace, and what might it look like to freely give what you've received to others?
  5. Sam encouraged us to “stay salty.” What do you think it could look like for a follower of Jesus to remain noticeably different and bring the influence of God's Kingdom into their everyday surroundings?

Pray Together:

  • Thank God that His Kingdom has come near through Jesus.
  • Thank Jesus for making a way for us to be connected to the life and power of God through His Spirit.
  • Thank God for the truth that you are wanted and invited to participate in what He is doing.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize where God is already at work around you.
  • Pray for courage and willingness to join God in what He is doing this week.
  • Ask God to help you live as a person of His Kingdom wherever He has placed you.

Next Steps:

  • Connect with Jesus: Take a moment to recall a time God was with you. Think through the details of the scene. Pay attention to what you're feeling. What do you sense Jesus saying to you as you call this memory to mind?
  • Live in the Kingdom moment by moment: As you start the day pray, “Father, thank you for this day. I surrender to you. I don't want to run my own kingdom; I want to join you in what you're doing moment by moment. What are you doing today and how can I join you?” Pray this throughout the day.
  • Look for where God is already working: Pay attention to the people, conversations, needs, and opportunities God puts in front of you this week.
  • Give what you've received: Identify one way you have experienced God's grace and look for an opportunity to extend that same grace to someone else.