ICEBREAKERS
Make sure to start off with prayer. Then choose one or more questions to open up with.
- Which do you prefer: cat or dog?
- What is your favorite thing about spring?
- What is the best vacation you have ever been on?
Message Review
Main points and scriptures from this week's message.
A DICHOTOMY is a division or contrast between two things. It’s when one thing is directly opposed to another. Light vs. Dark, Hot vs. cold, Good vs. Evil, etc.
A "DUMB DICHOTOMY" is where one truth is positioned against another truth, causing us to think it’s an either/or scenario when it’s actually both.
Dumb dichotomies often result in unnecessary arguments, strife, and division. Some people stay away from church because of arguments and strife.
Titus 3:9 (BSB)
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the Law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
2 Timothy 2:23 (ISV)
Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid discussions, because you know they breed arguments.
Romans 12:18 (NLT)
Do all that you can to live in Peace with everyone.
Philippians 2:2 (NIV)
Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
"To be able to hold two opposite ideas or feelings at once shows maturity. Immaturity can’t handle tension and are either/or, black or white."–Dr. Henry Cloud
Here are some questions for us to consider:
Q = WAS JESUS A MAN OR WAS HE GOD?
He could get hungry, be tempted to sin, experience pain, and he could also command the wind and the waves to obey him. Jesus is not merely someone who is a lot like God, or someone who has a very close walk with God. Rather, Jesus is fully man and fully God.
A = BOTH! JESUS WAS FULLY MAN AND FULLY GOD.
Q = DO WE BELIEVE IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD OR THE FREE WILL OF MAN?
Think about it like this:
- We cannot without God, and God will not without us.
- God is all powerful and has given us the power to choose.
- God doesn’t make our choices—we do!
- God doesn’t decide if we come to church—we do!
- God doesn’t decide who we marry—we do!
- God doesn’t decide if we forgive others—we do!
A = GOD WILLED THAT WE WOULD WILL HIS WILL TO BE DONE IN OUR LIVES. IT'S BOTH!
Q = ARE WE A GRACE CHURCH OR A TRUTH CHURCH?
John 1 :14 (NIV)
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:17 (NIV)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
We will allow people to serve in roles even though they do not have it all together. Does that mean we intentionally let people slide and live in sin versus having clear policies for conduct? NO. It just means we’re not running around like church cops.
A = A HEALTHY CHURCH IS NOT ONE OR THE OTHER. IT'S BOTH!
TALK-IT-OUT
The following questions will help guide your discussions and give your group some opportunities to open up and share.
- What stood out to you from this weekend's message?
- Can you think of an example of a "dumb dichotomy," religious or not, that people are currently fighting over?
- Why is it important to understand that Jesus was both fully man and fully God?
- God, in His sovereignty, has given us the power to choose. What are some choices you are going to make that will honor God?
- How can you embrace and walk in both grace AND truth?
WRITE-It-Out
Encourage your group to start writing things down. In a journal or on paper, do the following exercises.
- Create two columns on your paper. Label one column "One-Time Decisions" and label the other "Daily Decisions." Under each column, write down the God-honoring decisions you are going to make for each category.
Live-It-Out
Encourage your group to start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- Read the first chapter of the book of John in your Bible. This will help you further understand that Jesus is fully man and fully God.
- Complete Growth Track. Every Saturday in Tacoma 6:00pm, and Every Sunday at all of our campuses. Bellevue 9:45am & Tacoma 11:30am.
- Serve together as a group. To view serving opportunities with Champions Foundation, click HERE.
Closing Thoughts
- Finish group with prayer requests and praise reports.
- More resources are always available here: Group Resources.