Sermon-Based Small Group
Lessons
Becoming Spiritually Fit
Matt
Haines
January
25, 2009
Scripture
1 Tim. 4:6-10
6If you
point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ
Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you
have followed. 7 Have
nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself
to be godly. 8 For
physical training is of some value, but godliness has
value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to
come.
9 This is a
trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive), that we
have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and
especially of those who believe.
2 Peter 1:3-7
3 His divine
power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our
knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious
promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and
escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very
reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness,
knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly
kindness, love.
__________________
On average, how spiritually fit
are people in our society? (Discuss)
How about the spiritual fitness of people In our church? (Discuss)
1. Matt said we spend more time
cultivating our spiritual image than we do our spiritual health. How do we do this? Why do we do this?
2. Read the 1 Timothy passage above. Listen for what value godliness has.
a. Read passage
aloud.
b. Discuss
answer to question: “the value of godliness”
3. Read the 2 Peter passage above. (now) The passage
says that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. In your
opinion, what has God given us to equip us for godliness?
4. One definition of godliness is “Inward
attitudes that results in action or behavior that pleases God.” How can we develop those inward attitudes
that result in godliness?
5. Matt shared with us “Three Truths of Spiritual Fitness.” The first truth is this:
Truth
#1
If I am to be a godly person, I must avoid
the junk of the world’s false teachings.
1
Timothy 4:7 tells us to “Have
nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.”
What
sources of ungodliness do Christians feed on that are unhealthy?
6. Next Truth…
Truth
#2
If I am to be a godly person, I must have a
regular intake of God’s Word.
1
Timothy 4:6 says, “being trained in the words of
the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.”
Being
spiritually mature will not come apart from saturating our lives with the word
of God. Ask people to share
testimonies about how people are seeking to put God’s word into their
hearts.
Read
Psalm 119:11
7. The Navigators
outlines five ways to put God’s word into our lives.
a. Hear
b. Read
c. Study
d. Memorizing
e. Meditating
(replaying in your mind the meaning and application and implications)
Challenge
the group to move to the next level from where they are now.
8. Next
truth…
Truth
#3
If I am to be a godly person, I must make
every effort to train myself for it.
1
Timothy 4:7 says we are to “train yourself for godliness”
How
is spiritual fitness similar to training our physical bodies? What principles are similar? Matt said, “It’s not the
desire, it’s the discipline.”
We’ve got to be consistent, intentional and deliberate. We must take personal responsibility.
Godliness never comes cheap or easily.
9. The main point: “Godliness is not about what I
will be one day, but what I am becoming every day.” Talk about this truth. Are we looking too much to the
future and too little to the present?
10. Matt gave us three challenges to “Make
it Personal”, which is the theme for Westwood this year.
a. Find a
workable plan of bible reading and start small
b. Pick a time
and schedule everything else around it for at least 21 days.
c. Find a
partner.
Ask
the group to share how they do any of these challenges and how it benefits
them.
Matt
recommended a couple of web sites to help fine a plan:
Uverse.com
BiblePlan.org
What is
God calling you to do as a result of today’s study? We have the desire. Now how are we going
to have the discipline to become godly.