THIS WEEK’S MYTH: “IF I’M A CHRISTIAN, LIFE SHOULD BE EASY.”

A DISCIPLE OF JESUS IS:

•  Committed to following Jesus
•   Committed to being changed by Jesus
•   Committed to the mission of Jesus

WHAT ARE THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS KNOWN  FOR?

• Loving one another
•   Generosity
•   Serving
•   Believing

LOVE/RELATIONSHIPS ARE NOT EASY, BUT THEY’RE SO WORTH IT!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…

GENEROSITY IS NOT EASY, BUT IT’S SO WORTH IT!

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

SERVING IS NOT EASY, BUT IT’S SO WORTH IT!

John 13:12-17 12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

BELIEF IS NOT EASY, BUT IT’S SO WORTH IT!

John 6:26-29 26Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

29Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
It’s not about being easy!

It’s about growing up in Christ together—growing in maturity together. It’s about being the Church—together!

“IF I’M A CHRISTIAN, LIFE SHOULD BE EASY.”

MYTH BUSTED!

•   Identify one or two areas in your life that you need to take a God-believing, courageous (not easy) first step.
•   Who are you going to share that with allow to walk with you?

QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS IN LIFE GROUP OR WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

MYTH TO BUST: “If I am a Christian, life should be easy.”

PASSAGES TO CONSIDER: John 16:33; James 1:2-5; Joshua 1:7-9

1. Share an insight you had from the sermon this week.
2. Read John 16:33 & Joshua 1:7-9 What truths and promises do you see in these passages?
3. Who has modeled courageous faith—fighting the right fights, standing firm—to you? (It can be a person you know,

   someone from the Bible or history, etc.) A) What do you see in them?

4. When life is not easy or not what you expected, how do you usually respond? A)How is your relationship with

   Jesus and His people impacting what you expect and/or how you respond?

5. What are courage-builders in your life? What are courage-busters?
6. What is God showing you to meditate on or to approach differently this week?
7. This is the last week of the Myth Buster series. What has been impacting your thoughts and actions from it?