Community Group Series 2

Last night, we had our second session in this six lesson series.  It seemed to go really well, even better than the first.  As I think more about it, however, I am starting to be a little unsure as to why.   I know that the book left an extremely favorable impression on me, so much so, that I lent it to several others, and it led me to lead this Community Group series.  And many other people must have felt the same way, for it was the 2010 Christian Book of the Year.   Yet, what is puzzling me is that there really was no earth-shatteringly new information; and I have already been aware of the need for the WHOLE gospel.  So, why did it make such an impact on me?  Also, people in my Community Group are very giving and compassionate already, so why has this been such a good study so far?

I know that this gives us a lot of really good quotes and reminders.   And, of course, as believers, we cannot help but be affected when we are faced with the plight of the needy.  Maybe, it's because this not only touches the heart, but, backs it up with solid Scriptural teaching.   So, is it because our hearts, minds, and souls are all reached and affected?

Well, whatever the reasons, our group had really good discussions.  Yesterday's lesson personalized it.  It pointed out that just as we all have physical blind spots, we also have blind spots to needs around us that we just may not want to see.  And, of course the question "Are you willing to be open to God's will for your life?" is a challenge for us to evaluate whether there are things that we are clinging to and are afraid to give up.  The Matthew 25 passage pointed out that there should be outward evidence of our inner faith through compassion for the needy.  It was interesting that those who were condemned in judgment, were not condemned for not going to Bible Study or Prayer Meetings or Church, but for not being compassionate to those in need.   That shows how important this is to the heart of God and who we are in HIM; and illustrates James' assertion that faith without works is dead.  The final quote we covered was that from John MacArthur "The true gospel is a call to self-denial.  It is not a call to self-fulfillment."