The Place of His Presence

The Way of a Worshiper: A Saddleback Church Small Group Study

CATCHING UP

1. How did the truths you learned in our last session impact your week? Were you able to share at least one key idea with anyone?

2. Did you read chapters one through five in The Way of a Worshiper this week? Have one or two of you share something you read that was particularly meaningful.

KEY VERSES

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5b (NIV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Pray this daily prayer of surrender: Lord, I confess that apart from you, I can do nothing. But I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. So, I present my body to you today as an act of wor­ship, and I’m asking you Lord, will you fill me in a fresh way today with your Holy Spirit? Will you give me strength to accomplish the tasks ahead of me? Will you give me strength to influence the world for your kingdom? Will you give me strength to endure the tests and trials I may face today? And will you give me strength to resist temptation? And then Lord, please look through my eyes and tell me what you see. Listen through my ears and tell me what you hear. Then reach out through my hands and touch the world with your grace and mercy and compassion. Lord, I know you still love the world. So, I’m inviting you to love the world through me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What were the ingredients in the water glass illustration, and what did they represent?

2. Choose one word to describe the impact the water glass illustration had on you. Why did you choose that word?

3. Re-read 1 Corinthians 6:19–20. What does the phrase, “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” mean to you? How can that truth influence the way you live?

4. In the beginning of the lesson, Buddy said, “God still loves the world. And he wants to love the world through you.” How can that statement be reconciled with 1 John 2:15 (NIV), which says: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him”? How do you think God wants to love the world through you?

PRAYER DIRECTION

Sung Prayer

Listen to, or sing along with “Fall on Me” and “Lord, I Need You” on the Songs for The Way of a Worshiper playlist.

Silent Prayer

Offer a silent prayer of surrender to God. Ask him to fill you in a fresh way with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Group Prayer

Break into groups of three or four and share with each other an area of your life where you need the strength of Christ to accomplish a task, influence someone for Christ, endure a test, or resist temptation. Then pray for each other.

LIVING ON PURPOSE

Ministry and Evangelism

Group outreach: Ministry and evangelism are acts of worship, because as we reach out to others with the love of Christ, we are demonstrating the worth of God through our actions. How can your group be the hands and feet and eyes and ears of Christ in your world? Discuss any opportunities you are aware of in your church or neighborhood in which your group can “offer your bodies to God” in worship by sharing the love of Christ in practical ways.

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

1. Start each morning this week with a prayer of surrender. Thank God for the gift of today, invite him to fill you in a fresh way with his presence and power, and then ask him to use you to extend his kingdom in the world. If you need help getting started, use the prayer in the Closing Thought from today’s video outline.

2. Before your next session, read chapters eleven through fifteen in The Way of a Worshiper, and be ready to share your thoughts and insights with your group in your next session.

3. Who do you know that needs to hear the message of “The Place of His Presence”?