“Becoming a Slave to the Freedom of Others”

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MEETING AGENDA

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
  2. GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
  3. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
  4. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
  5. GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
  6. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.

GROWTH QUESTION #1

Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?

GROWTH QUESTION #2

What did you learn from this week’s sermon?

GROWTH QUESTION #3

What was your most important accomplishment this week?

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

1 Corinthians 9:19-27 NLT 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

What did you learn from what we just read?

TRUTH #1

When we deny our self and put others needs ahead of our own we are walking in Christ footsteps. 

  • There was nobody greater than Jesus and yet He chose to give up His rights and took our punishment for sin so we could have eternal life with Him in Heaven. 
  • This sacrifice is mirrored in the life of Paul who chose to become a spiritual slave, striped of personal rights and at the service of God in his efforts to see others saved like he had been.
  • Slave (douloos): one given over wholly to the needs and service of another, to make oneself a bondman to him

John 15:13 NKJV Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 

  • The Bible asks husbands to lay down their lives for their wives, and for believers to lay down their lives for unbelievers. This is a trait of true followers of Jesus.
  • It can feel like you’re losing and not gaining according to the world, but the Bible is clear this is a demonstration of the greatest love! God’s love.
  • Becoming a slave to God or laying down your life for another is a choice we make out of love for others and a desire to serve God. 
  • It cannot be a forced act, nor can you go through the motions on this one. It takes a heart posture of grateful obedience to do. 

1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 

  • Loving like this will take the self-denial of a slave, but it is the way Jesus loved us. 

Philippians 2:6-7 CEV Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God. 7 Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us. 

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

Where do you believe the Lord is calling you to surrender your rights and preferences for the eternal benefit of another? 

TRUTH #2

Don’t forget where you came from (v. 11)

1 Corinthians 6:11a - Some of you were once like that.

  •  It’s easy to forget what God deleivered you from. 
  • Always remember that we are all in need of a savior. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve grown, you will still always need Jesus! 
When we don’t forget where we came from, it helps us lead others to a place of freedom with love and care. 

Galatians 6:1 NLT - Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.

  • Let’s not look down on one another, but instead help each other up when we’ve fallen.

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

Where did God meet you and how did that help you get to where you are today with Him? 

TRUTH #3

Operating in agape love and humility will not come easy, but with training we can master it. 

  • Everything you want to get better at requires time and training to develop. 
  • Paul knows that our flesh wars against the Spirit so we need to train our flesh to be slaves to God - no longer freemen fulfilling their own desires. 
  • We must train our flesh to submit to God’s word and our will to yield to God’s. 
  • Training (doulagogeo): to make a slave and to treat as a slave, i. e. with severity, to subject to stern and rigid discipline. 

Galatians 5: 16-17 NLT - So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 

  • Either you are going to train yourself to obey God or the devil will train your flesh to obey him. 
  • Christ must become the master of me in order for His love to flow freely through me! 
  • We didn’t get saved just to wait to go to Heaven, but to recruit for Heaven! That is the real prize of this race. 

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

Putting in work may not seem enjoyable in the moment but will yield benefits in our lives and the kingdom. Where have you been faithful to training and discipline in your Christian walk that was a struggle before but now you see the fruit of your commitment?

CLOSING QUESTION

What is one thing you have learned from today’s lesson?

GIVING

We have received so much from God and should give generously of all that He has blessed us with.

Matthew 10:8 (NLT)
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.

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PRAY

QUESTION #1

Who are you praying for to be saved?

QUESTION #2

Who can you invite to the next meeting?

QUESTION #3

What are your prayer requests?