Beware the drift!

CELL MATTERS

WAR! Part 5 “Beware the drift!”

OPENING QUESTIONS:

1. It might be fun to bring in several different kinds of shoes and ask people what “job” those shoes would be best suited for.  For example, work boots are good for digging a ditch, running shoes are good for running, high heels are good for a dress, loafers you might wear to work, etc.  Talk about how different shoes meet different needs.
2. Then ask, if you were going into battle, what kind of shoes would you want to wear?

    

DIGGING IN:

1. For review, read Ephesians 6:10-18.  Then, draw their attention back to verse 15 and the “gospel shoes”.
2. In this context, we are learning about the spiritual battle and how we can defend ourselves against our enemy, Satan.  Why are shoes a necessary part of our armor? (Be sure to draw out that this is a spiritual battle, so these are spiritual shoes being talked about, not physical ones.)
3. Shoes are necessary to keep us from drifting and slipping.  What are some ways that we as Christians, can drift or slip in our relationship with God?
4. How does “readiness” help to keep us from drifting?
5. Specifically, we are to be ready with the “gospel of peace”. (for reference, you may want to look up Colossians 1:20)  How does being ready to tell the good news about peace keep us from drifting?

GOING FOR THE HEART:

1. As we have talked about drifting, has God shown you any area of your life where you have been slipping?
2. Specifically, the “shoes” we are talking about have to do with sharing our faith.  On a “10 scale” with 1 being apathetic and 10 being passionate, how motivated an ready are you to share you faith with others?  Why?

PRAYER:

1. Pray for one another.  Ask God to blow up our little worlds so that we have HIS heart for the world.

PLAN:

1. We cannot have a discussion like this without making some definite plan as a group to reach out.  How can we make our group more open to friends who do not yet know Jesus?