ONE MORE CHANCE

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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:

Luke 13:5-9 (NLT)
5 “No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.” 6 Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig!
Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ 8 “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

opening question

What stands out to you in this story?

INTRODUCTION

  • God’s heart is not judgment first—it is mercy, patience, and opportunity.

  • Jesus tells a parable that reveals both urgency and grace.

  • He is talking to a group of people who have been following Him
    everywhere He went. They had heard Him teach and seen Him do
    miracles, but they had not yet repented of their sins and placed their
    faith in Him as their Lord and Savior.

  • This passage challenges us to examine our own lives: Have we
    repented? Are we bearing fruit?

truth #1

GOD DOESN’T WANT US TO PERISH

Luke 13:5 (NLT) – 5 “No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

  • Jesus gives a clear warning: repentance is the dividing line between life and destruction.
  • God’s warning is not harsh—it is loving. He is trying to rescue, not condemn.
  • Repentance is not just feeling bad—it is turning away from sin.

Repent: (metanoeo) to turn from one’s lifestyle of sin with disgust and hate

Romans 6:11 (AMP) - Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin [and your relationship to it broken], but alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus. God has made a way so that no one has to perish.

John 3:16 (AMP) - “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world, that He even gave His One and only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Perish: (apollymi) be destroyed, end in ruin, be sentenced to eternal misery in hell, to be blotted out.

  • God’s invitation is open to everyone.
  • If a name is blotted out, it means that they were already on the invitation list.
  • God is inviting everyone to be saved, be fruitful and receive the gift of eternal life.

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

When you hear the word “repent,” what does it mean to you personally?

truth #2

GOD EXPECTS US TO BEAR FRUIT

Luke 13:6 (NLT) – A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.

  • God doesn’t just save us—He expects us to bear spiritual fruit.
  • Fruit: (karpos) fruit of trees, that which comes from someone or something, result, profit, harvest, souls brought to eternal life, charity, benefits, disciples, good deeds, righteousness,
  • The fig tree had time, care, and opportunity, yet produced nothing.
  • A fruitless life is a life that is not fulfilling its purpose.

  • God looks for visible evidence of a changed heart:
Matthew 3:8 (AMP) - So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin.

  • Fruit is the result of a real relationship with Jesus:
  • Spiritual fruit includes:
    • Changed behavior
    • Obedience
    • Impact on others

John 15:8 (NLT) - When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

  • It matters to God whether our lives reflect Him.

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

What is one area of your life where you’ve seen growth or change recently?

truth #3

GOD IS GIVING US ONE MORE CHANCE TO REPENT AND BEAR FRUIT

Luke 13:8-9 (NLT) – 8 The gardener answered, “Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down. ”

  • God is incredibly patient—He gives extra time and care to help us be fruitful.
  • Where others might give up, God chooses to unload His love and grace.
  • His kindness is meant to lead us to repentance.

Romans 2:4 (AMP) - Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience in withholding His wrath ? Are you actually unaware or ignorant of the fact that God’s kindness leads you to repentance, that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking— seek His purpose for your life?

  • Like this tree, every one of us will be without excuse because God has done everything in His power to help us become fruitful.
  • This “one more chance” is not permission to delay—it is an urgent opportunity.
  • Time is not unlimited. It is running out.

Matthew 24:37–39 (NLT) – 37 When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

  • God gives one more chance because He doesn’t want anyone to perish.

2 Peter 3:9 (AMP) - The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is extraordinarily patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

Have you ever experienced a “second chance” in life? What did you do with it?

closing QUESTION

What is one thing God is prompting you to change this week—and what will you do about it?

GIVING

Those who generously care for others will find themselves cared for in return.

Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

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?