Large group 1/20/14 - A well-rounded, Christ-centered life

What does it mean to have a well-rounded life?

1.      Christ-centered. Especial care must be taken this week to remember that we are speaking in the context of having a Christ-centered life (Matthew 6:33) and that this conversation is to give us an idea of what areas we might struggle with as we seek to best steward the gifts God has given us, support each other as a community of believers, and go out into the world and spread the gospel.

2.      One worldy definition of balance is moderation. Consider the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22, see especially Revelation 3:16). They were neither hot nor cold, but was God pleased with them? Now consider Philippians 4:7 and Philippians 4:12-13; where does a Christian ultimately find balance and peace? What role does moderation have?

The YMCA rag program defines the four cornerstones of a well-rounded life: spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental (of course, centered on Christ). 

Let’s start by thinking about the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). As we consider balance in Christ, one of the fruits of the Spirit that pops out is self-control. But what manner of self-control is this?  Is it total control of emotions (but remember the other fruits of the spirit, like love!). Is it complete self-abnegation and abstention (Romans 14:1-8)? Will the manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit look the same in everyone (see Romans 14:1-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-20)?

Spiritual
Prayer. James 5:15. Daniel 6:10. Psalms for many occasions: Psalm 42, Psalm 88, Psalm 121, Psalm 146. Are we often in the attitude of prayer? How does prayer change us and affect us?
In the word. Ephesians 6:15. Psalm 1 (especially Psalm 1:2). What do we spend our time thinking about?  How does that affect our actions?

Emotional
Social. Ephesians 5:17-21. Proverbs 11:13. Proverbs 17:9. Proverbs 26:17. James 5:16. Matthew 5:23-24. What things commonly come up socially that put us ill at heart? How can we encourage each other?
Personal. Psalm 4:4. Proverbs 14:30. Do we seek distraction or replenishment and healing with our free time?

Physical

Healthcare. 3 John 1:2. Good health is a joy and allows us to be free to use our gifts.
 
Mental
Humility. Romans 12:3. How does it affect us when we think of ourselves in ways that are not reflective of whom God made us to be?  When we judge ourselves against others?
Sabbath. Mark 2:27. This is particularly pertinent for us as Techers! How does Sabbath pertain to balance in the Christian life? How do we have a Sabbath given the expectations of Caltech?

Large group 1/13/14 - Running after God

What does it mean to run after God? How do we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind? These are the questions we will be tackling this week in Large Group.

1.      Luke 10:27: He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ This is Jesus’ answer to an expert in the law who asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” This command is also found in Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37, and Mark 12:30. What does it mean? (More specific discussion in the following bullet points).

2.      Last night, at the CCF biweekly prayer meeting, we discussed the question, ‘What is CCF; what do we want to be?’ So: what do you want CCF to be? Think about this in the context of Luke 10:27. Our discussion at prayer meeting concluded that we want to be like an inclusive family—a community we go forth from with God at the center, instead of a collection of activities and meetings we squeeze into the rest of our busy lives. Where do you think CCF or other Christian communities you belong to are on this spectrum? Do you like where they are? If not, you can start by praying (right now!).

3.      How do we treat our Christian lives? Proverbs 16:9 and Proverbs 20:24. As we devise our plans for our days and our lives, is spending time with God something we try to fit into our schedule or do we let God do the planning and the direction?

4.      How do we replenish? Do we have a Sabbath and seek the Lord for regeneration, or do we look for distraction? What does it mean that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27)?

5.      How do we use our resources? Where do we spend our time? What do we do or think about most often? Joshua 1:8 “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Do we meditate on the Law of God?  Is it close to our hearts and on our lips always? How often do we pray? What are we most focused on?

6.      Physical strength and well-being.  Are we careful with our bodies? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. How do we use our bodies; is this area of our life used to glorify God?

7.      Our heart. 1 John 4:20: what are ways we can love our brothers and sisters (think about some of the things we discussed last term).

8.      Our mind. 1 Peter 3:15-16. We are not called to be mindless worshipers! Always be prepared with an answer for why you believe.  What is your reason for believing?