ENGAGE INSPIRE EQUIP

---

Life Group Sermon Study

An anchor for the soul November 9-10, 2013

Break the Ice:

EN GAGE

(A key part of healthy group life is to make sure your group gets to know each other and builds good relationships. The purpose of these first questions is to help your group open up. Please don’t feel like you have to ask each question. Once you feel like the group is ready, move onto the “Inspire” section.)

• Share something about you that no one really knows. • What did God teach you during the message this weekend? Did anything in particular stand out? Prayer: Take some time to pray for God to speak to your group through this week’s study. Questions:

INSP IRE

(Each question has a lot to unpack. Since the group may need time to process each question, don’t let silence scare you. Try to avoid filling the space with unnecessary explanation or moving on from the question too quickly.)

1. Jake referred to the Christian term “saved” quite a bit. • What does it mean to be “saved”? What are some attributes of someone who is “saved?”

2. Read Hebrews 6:4-6. Jake said that the word “impossible” here actually means impossible, and the word “enlightened” means “to step from ignorance to truth.” • What questions, thoughts, or issues does this passage raise for you? • Discuss the meaning behind verse 6 where the author says, “…to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace.” Jake said, “There are two different camps of thought when it comes to this passage. We need to remember that this is not a salvation issue. This is a debate that has been around for centuries and is not going to be settled right here and now. You may very well have your own leaning, but it’s important to couple that with grace. Both sides can be defended biblically. The first camp says ‘Once a person is truly saved and has genuine faith, nothing will snatch salvation from them.’ The second camp says ‘One could genuinely be saved but at a later time their lives can choose to reject their previous faith in Jesus.’” Jake said, “The people the author is referring to in this passage are publicly rejecting Jesus Christ. Both camps agree on that.” • So, what do you think? Can you walk away from your salvation, or does that mean you were never “saved” to begin with? Discuss the valid points from both sides. Jake said, “The point of this passage is to warn against the dangers of immaturity and drifting. Drifting can lead to rejection. So stay close to Jesus.” • How does someone drift away from Jesus? Are there areas in your own life that you lack a focus on Jesus?

3. Read Hebrews 6:9-12. The author says, “While some will drift into rejection, we don’t believe that about you because we see your fruit.” For those who are “saved,” there is evidence of their salvation. • Do you think there are tangible things that make someone’s faith evident? If so, what are they? Out of the things listed, where do you excel? Where do you lack? Jake said, “In verses 11 & 12, the author then encourages them to be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Then in verse 13, he tells them to be like Abraham who followed faithfully.” • Is there someone who stands out to you when you think about this passage? What evidence from their life comes to mind? Application:

EQUIP

(These questions will challenge your group members to apply the study to their daily lives. How can they live out what they take in? It is highly important that you go over this section with your group each week for the group study to be a success.)

Read Hebrews 6:17-20. Jake said, “Our hope is found in God’s trustworthy promises. No matter how improbable a promise from God might sound, God never fails. God did not fail in his promise to Abraham. He did not fail in his promise to Israel that he would send a savior. He will not fail in his promise to save us.” • Are there fruits of a faith in Jesus that you lack? What action steps do you need to take in order to live a life that glorifies God on a daily basis? Prayer: Take some time to pray over each group member’s identified action steps and life issues. Equip Your Mind: “And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Heb. 6:12, ESV)