Large group - Reliance on God, the gifts He has given us, and the Body of Christ

1. A few elementary truths to begin our discussion. We rely on God to give us strength and life (Phillipians 4:13, Psalm 46:1). We depend on Him and Christ’s transforming power rests on us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

2. With this in mind, it is apparent that sometimes God asks us to do things on our own (with His help) and sometimes He asks us to do things as a group (also with His help).

a. An OT example of being on our own is Elijah, e.g. 1 Kings 18:16-39. Elijah is the last prophet left and pitted against all the servants of Baal (1 Kings 18:22). The final purpose of this exhibition is the glory of God (1 Kings 18:39).

b. An OT example of being asked to work as a group is the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, e.g. Nehemiah 3:12 (most of Nehemiah 3, actually). Here they rebuild in groups, help each other, and defend each other. Again, the ultimate end is the glorification of God (through the restoration of Jerusalem). See also, in more general terms, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

c. A NT example of being on our ‘own’ is Phillip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, Acts 8:26-40. Phillip was given direct orders to go out alone into the desert and was equipped by God to share the gospel with the Ethiopian; through God’s mercy the Ethiopian was converted.

d. A NT example of being called to work together (Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22, Luke 10:1, 3 John 1-8). In the Hebrews passage we are asked to consider how we can build each other up. In the 1 Thessalonians passage, the entire community was exhorted to support each other. In the Luke passage the disciples were sent out in pairs. In the 3 John passage we are told to support fellow workers.

3. In what areas of your life are you called to be able to do things ‘on your own’ (with Christ alongside you!) vs. called to rely on others (and Christ!). Some potential topics: caring for others, preparing for events, dealing with money, teaching others, proselytizing (not an exhaustive list). This can be different for everyone! Is this a black and white distinction, or do we sometimes rely more on the gifts God gave us and at other times rely more on our friends, even in the same area of our lives? We are each given different gifts and strengths and weaknesses (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).  What are some of your gifts?  What strengths do you have? What weaknesses? How/in what areas can others help you?

4. Christians should be imitators of Christ. How do we learn to be imitators of Christ? We are given spiritual gifts. How do we learn to use those gifts? See 1 Corinthians 11:1 and Luke 6:40. Who do we directly learn from?  Is it good to learn from more than one person (cf. Proverbs 24:6).