Jesus and the Early Church did not _________________________ _______________.

Jesus and the early church influenced and shaped both the ____________ & the _____________.

1. Championed _____________ and stood up ___________ _________________

2. Cared _______ ________ _______________

3. ______________ ____________ and __________ against_______________ & __________________

4. Valued ________________ _____________________

5. _________-____________________________

1. Begin to _______________.

2. ________________ Something

3. __________ _______ ________________________

The _____________ are ______________.

We are called to Love _________ with all our heart and love our _____________________ as _________________.

Spiritual growth happens when we receive new knowledge and then apply it to our lives. This always happens best in the context of community. Take time this week and engage in these additional scriptures and questions on your own. Then, discuss them with your Small Group.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”Proverbs 27:17

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER
What is your favorite Halloween Candy?
Can you remember a time when someone told you they were something great and then proved not to be as great as they claimed?

SERMON QUOTES
We need to understand how Jeus stood above the politics of His day.
Jesus came to introduce the Kingdom of God!
The best parts of the left and the best parts of the right were shaped by Jesus.

GOING DEEPER IN THE WORD TOGETHER
Read Philippians 2:1-11 NLT
In this passage Paul shows us that Jesus is the one true King.
Paul starts off by asking them to work together with one mind and purpose. Is this possible for us today? If so, how?
In verses 3 and 4 Paul implores us to humble ourselves and to think of others more than ourselves. What happens to us when we adopt this model of thinking?
How does this impact how we act during political disagreements?
Then Paul goes on to describe that Jesus in fact lived this humble life even though He is God. What does it mean to you to know we have a God who humbled Himself this way?
Why do you think Jesus did it this way instead of taking the world by power as most leaders and politicians think we should?
Paul ends this section by saying because Jesus humbled Himself that God lifted Him up to the highest place. That Jesus is the name above every other name. That every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. How does knowing that day will eventually come impact your life right now?
Do you truly believe that Jesus is the one and only true King? Would your life back up your answer?

APPLYING SCRIPTURE TO YOUR LIFE
Anything we lift above Jesus is an idol. What idols have you struggled with in your life and how have you overcome those idols?
In what ways can we model ourselves after the early church and the 5 marks pastor mentioned Sunday in order to live as Kingdom of Heaven citizens first and foremost?