4/14 Life Group

By Faith
Keith & Kristyn Getty
 
[Verse 1]
By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation's grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight
 
[Verse 2]
By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God's own hand
A place where peace and justice reign
 
[Chorus]
We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We'll walk by faith and not by sight
 
[Verse 3]
By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave
 
[Verse 4]
By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth
 
[Verse 5]
By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name
 

Christ our Hope in Life and Death
Keith & Kristyn Getty
 
[Verse 1]
What is our hope in life and death?
Christ alone, Christ alone
What is our only confidence?
That our souls to him belong
Who holds our days within his hand?
What comes, apart from his command?
And what will keep us to the end?
The love of Christ, in which we stand
 
[Chorus]
O sing hallelujah!
Our hope springs eternal
O sing hallelujah!
Now and ever we confess
Christ our hope in life and death
 
[Verse 2]
What truth can calm the troubled soul?
God is good, God is good
Where is his grace and goodness known?
In our great Redeemer’s blood
Who holds our faith when fears arise?
Who stands above the stormy trial?
Who sends the waves that bring us nigh
Unto the shore, the rock of Christ?
 
[Verse 3]
Unto the grave, what shall we sing?
“Christ, he lives; Christ, he lives!”
And what reward will heaven bring?
Everlasting life with him
There we will rise to meet the Lord
Then sin and death will be destroyed
And we will feast in endless joy
When Christ is ours forevermore

​Life-Sharing

1. What has God been teaching you through last week’s Easter message – “Blessed are Those Who Have Not Seen” – from JOHN 20:24-31? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

----------------------------------------------
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
 

1. [v.24] When Jesus came, who was not there with the other ten disciples?
2. When Jesus and the presence of His holy Spirit comes, are we there or not there?
3. How important is it to be with the fellowship of a covenant family of God to experience the power of Jesus’ presence?

----------------------------------------------
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
 

1. [v.25] Although the disciples kept on telling him that their testimony was true, what beyond believable condition does Thomas make to believe them?
2. What “unless You…” conditions have entered our walk with the Lord?
3. Even if we were to have all our conditions met, would it lead to greater faith in the risen Christ?

----------------------------------------------
 
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
 

1. [v.26-29] For eight more days, the disciples labored to convince Thomas. Now, in the exact same way they had told him, what does Jesus do for Thomas? How does Thomas respond – does he touch Jesus’ scars as he had wanted?
2. At times, how is your faith resting on what you can see over how you are seen by Jesus?

----------------------------------------------
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
 

1. [v.30-31] Why did the gospel writer John take great care in writing the book?
2. Is the written Word alive? What life is pouring forth to you through them?
3. The central truth of this word was – None of us have seen the resurrection of Jesus, and for that we are blessed. By being with the fellowship of a covenanted family of God, we see a glimpse of it. By releasing our demands (“unless You…”), we avoid the snare of unbelief. By knowing we are seen by Jesus over being able to see Him, our faith rests on solid ground. Although we can’t see Him, the written Word gifts us a life seen by Him, and that is enough! – *How are you blessed today without having seen the resurrection of Jesus?
4. *How has your walk with the LORD been this past week? What areas of spiritual health have been nourished? What areas are still in need of growth that we can treat together with the Word and Spirit?

----------------------------------------------
Life-Praying
Pray for one another. Give credit and glory to God for answered requests. Wait on the LORD for unanswered requests. Turn away from closed doors and where the Spirit prompts to go another way. Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray for one another.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)