Closer: Developing Intimacy with God

Dennis Rouse
INTRODUCTION: In his day, Moses was able to see God face-to-face. What supernatural things are happening in our intimate times with the Lord? When we spend quality time with God, it is reflected in our lives. We begin to love people differently, we develop the power to overcome temptation, and we are able to live by faith and not by fear. We have to put in time and effort in order to have a satisfying relationship with our Father. We need to read the Bible until we are full of the Word. We need to meditate on the Word and listen to Gods promptings in our hearts. Are you willing to move closer to God? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1) How many hours a day do you: work, exercise, watch TV, talk on the telephone, chores, waste time, spend time with family, and spend time with God, respectively? Are you satisfied with your current schedule? What would your ideal day look like? 2) Read Mark 4:14-20. There are four levels of knowing God: surface level, shallow level, distracted level, and intimate level. How would you describe your level of intimacy with the Lord now? 3) Read Exodus 33:9-11. How would you describe Moses relationship with God? How do you think that Moses was able to cultivate that type of intimacy with God? What other people in the Bible were intimate with God? Give some specific examples of how they moved closer to God. 4) Read Philippians 3:10-11. What do you think it means to know Christ? The Amplified version of the Bible states that to know means to progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly. How does this view give you more insight on what it means to know God? What should be our motivation to get closer to God? 5) Read John 3:30. What areas in your life are you still trying to control, rather than surrendering them to God? Are you willing to decrease so that God can increase in your life? How? 6) What are sins that you have overcome through drawing closer to God? Share the process of how you overcame that sin in your life. 7) Read Hebrews 11:6. When you become closer to God, what will you believe? What does God give believers who diligently seek Him? What are other benefits of coming closer to God? ACTION ITEM: For the next week, take time daily to read and meditate on the Word until you are full. You will discover your hunger increasing for the things of God.

Remember to check out Curriculum Choice at: www.vgroupcurriculum.org

Closer: Worship
Dennis Rouse

INTRODUCTION: Worship happens every single moment of every single day. The problem is that many people do not realize it. Some people think that worship only consists of singing in church, but it is so much more. God wants us to think about His goodness constantly and obey Him all the time. There are many things that can try to steal our worship from God such as the love of money, power, prestige, education, or other people. True worship is knowing and loving God back. When you Delight yourself in the LORDhe will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4), therefore, we can be confident that worshiping God first is the best plan of action for our lives now and for eternity. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1) What does worship mean to you? 2) What are things in your life that you have worshiped besides God? How did you view God during those times? 3) Read Exodus 20:3-6. What does the Bible command concerning worshiping God? What happens when you worship an idol? What happens when you love God and keep His commandments? What do you think about your decisions affecting future generations? Explain. Can you see examples of this principle in your own familys history? 4) Read Matthew 21:15-16. What lessons can we learn from children concerning worshiping God? 5) Read Acts 17:24-25. What are some of the reasons that we should worship God? 6) Read Luke 4:5-8. Who is trying to steal our worship from God? What are ways that we can keep this from happening? 7) What are various ways that you worship God? Share an example of an awesome time of worship with the Lord. 8) Read Matthew 25:34-40. How do your interpersonal relationships worship God? Give a specific example. ACTION ITEM: Ask God to show you if there is anything in your life that you are worshiping besides Him. If so, ask for forgiveness, ask for strength to overcome temptation, and put Jesus Christ back on the throne.

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Closer: Every Day-Every Hour- Every Minute

INTRODUCTION: Worship to God is demonstrated by the way that we live. The Message version of the Bible states that the Father is looking for people who are honestly themselves before him in their worshipThose who worship him must do it out of their being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration (John 4:23-24). We have to love God with everything. Giving our affection to Him is loving God with all our heart and soul. Giving our attention to Him is loving God with all our mind. And giving our activities to Him is loving him with all our strength. Every day, every hour, and every minute should consist of worshipping God. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1) Read Matthew 15:8-9. How do you get real with God? What are some challenges to truly encountering God in your life? 2) Read Mark 12:30. What does it mean to love God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength? 3) Read Hosea 6:6. How do you show affection to others in relationships? How do you express your affection to God? 4) Read Romans 8:7. What are the main parts of your life that seem to demand the most attention? How do you show your attention to God? 5) Read Romans 12:1. How do you use your activities for God? What are ways that you can make normal activities worship before God? 6) Read Colossians 3:23. What are some changes that you need to make to fully worship God? Give an example of worshiping God at work that really made an impact on your spiritual walk or another person. ACTION ITEM: This week, take some time to write down ways that you can worship God. Then pray that God show you how to be consistent in worshiping Him.

Remember to check out Curriculum Choice at: www.vgroupcurriculum.org

Closer: The Encounter

INTRODUCTION: People can know Jesus on various levels. Some see Jesus as only an historical figure, some think that Jesus is just one of many ways to enter heaven, and others simply go through the religious activities without really giving their hearts to Jesus. Salvation requires that we are born again and sincerely give our hearts to Him. When we have a personal relationship with Jesus, we can receive more revelation about the Fathers love and live a life that loves others. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1) There are different levels in which people can know Jesus: historically, religiously, deceptively, and personally. Share about the various ways that you have know Jesus in your life. Describe your ideal relationship with Jesus. 2) Read Matthew 5:29. Why do you think that some people are not convicted of their sins? What do you think is the difference between condemnation and conviction? What does conviction illustrate about a Christians life? 3) Read John 3:16. Do you realize how much God loves you? What are ways that you like to spend time with God? 4) Read Isaiah 6:6-7. How does guilt and shame hinder your relationship with Christ? Describe a time that you were able to give your guilt and shame to the Lord. 5) John 3:3. What is your understanding about the kingdom of God? How are you able to keep the proper perspective on various issues in your life? 6) Philippians 3:10-11. What would your life be if Jesus took over your life? ACTION ITEM: Take time to share the message of the salvation through Jesus with someone this week. Pray that God prepares you to share the message and the person to receive the message.

Remember to check out Curriculum Choice at: www.vgroupcurriculum.org

Closer: Closer Than You Think

INTRODUCTION: Most families have people in their family tree that they may not always want to claim. The good news is that Jesus came from a similar family tree, but even the people that others would whisper about were still able to make decisions to glorify God. Jesus truly understands the human condition, and He has given us the gift of salvation though Him. We can not save ourselves, but Jesus gives us grace and mercy to boldly come to the throne of God. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1) Have you ever thought about Jesus family tree? Matthew 1:1-17 lists the genealogy of Jesus. Read about Tamar (Genesis 38:6-26), Rahab (Joshua 2:121), and Uriahs wife (Samuel 11:1-14). Why do you think that God chose these people to be part of the Jesus human genealogy? 2) Read Matthew 1:22-23 and Matthew 28:20. Matthew starts and ends with the fact that God is with us always. Why do you think that God stays with us even though the deepest sins of humanity? What does this revelation reveal about the character of God? 3) Read Hebrews 4:15. How does it make you feel that Jesus was tempted in the same ways that you have been tempted? How does it make you feel that He was sinless? What challenges do you think Jesus faced being fully human and fully God? 4) Read Ephesians 1:3-8. Do you ever think that you have to prove your love to God? Explain. Do you think that you can do anything to impress the Lord? Explain. What do you think that God wants from us? 5) Read 2 Corinthians 9:8. Do you truly believe that God is on your side? Explain. What are ways for you to walk confidently in the truth that God is on your side? Use specific examples if possible. ACTION ITEM: This week, spend time with God thanking Him for his grace and mercy.

Remember to check out Curriculum Choice at: www.vgroupcurriculum.org