Small Group Guide: Christ in Us!

!
All Aboard the Crazy Train!
- Ive said this many times before, but Christians believes some pretty crazy things. If you

!-

actually stop and think about the Nicene Creed, which if you go to church here you say it every single week, then it doesnt take long to wonder - Do I actually believe this stuff? !

- We believe that he lived a perfect life! - We believe he died a horric death on a cross on a hill outside of Jerusalem! - We believe that the death of this Jewish carpenter, who was God, made a way for people - We believe everyone is going to live forever, either in heaven or hell! - We believe that one day Jesus is going to physically return to the planet! - That all the Christians who have died will raise from the dead and receive a gloried body - And we believe Jesus will then establish His reign over the whole planet and make all the
that will never die again! wrong things right.! to live forever. !

We believe that a Jewish carpenter named Jesus was actually God.!

! Lets be honest. This is CRAZY stuff if you stop and think about it from a rational perspective. ! !
When we hear it your rst response might be, OK Jonathan, its probably not going to happen EXACTLY like that. !

! Its kinda like hearing a story from that one friend who exaggerates a little bit.! ! !

If we didnt form our beliefs from the Bible, which is Gods infallible word, then I would be tempted to say, Ok, its probably not going to happen just like that. !

But the problem is this: We DID get our information from the Bible, and Jesus did come and die on a cross, and there were hundreds of people who saw him risen from the dead with their very eyes, so we know the story of the Bible is TRUE! Billions of people throughout history and around the planet have believed this VERY STORY. !

! ! !

So this puts us in an awkward position - We cant really ride the fence anymore. Either we submit to Gods truth and say, Ok, I believe this! It doesnt really make much sense, but like Robert says, Im going to doubt my doubts instead of the Bible.! If we are going to be Christians then we must accept all of Gods truth. Not just the things that make sense or the things we like. !

Very Long Introduction!

So that was a very long way of saying, we are going to talk about something today that is hard to believe. Two weeks ago we talked about the fact that we are in Christ and today we are going focus on the other side of the coin by talking about the fact that Christ is IN US! We are going to talk about the fact that the God who created the Universe now lives inside of us! If you are a Christian He has moved into the house called your body and soul and He is changing everything. !

He is re-arranging the furniture! He is making you uncomfortable in your sin! He is helping your to care about and love others! He is giving you a desire to glorify God with everything you do! Everything about you is beginning to change! He is slowly but surely forming you into the image of Jesus Christ! !

In case you didnt realize it, this is CRAZY talk. But this is something that all Christians believe. If you believe the Gospel then you believe that God now LIVES INSIDE OF YOU. ! Tim Chan Illustration: ! - When the HS moves into our lives. Nothing stays the same. ! We are going to look briey at this truth from 2 different angles:! 1. What does the Bible say about this topic?! 2. How Does this apply to my life?!

! ! !

1. What Does This Mean?!

In His letter to the Ephesians, Paul was NOT just a theologian telling the people very high and lofty things. He was also a pastor explaining things that would help them to live a Christian life on a day to day basis. !

! ! ! ! -

Here is what He said in Ephesians 1:13 In Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.! Here is what He said in Colossians 1:27 The mystery from ages past is that Christ now lives inside of you which is the hope of glory. ! Jesus said it like this in John 14:16-20 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth (Holy Spirit) . . . Because I live you will live. In that day you will know that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and I in you!!

- It means exactly what it says, God, the Holy Spirit, now lives inside of us (If you are a

What does it mean when we say that God lives in me? ! Christian)! !

! The Temple:! !

In John 1:14 and in Ephesians 2:21-22 there is this funny little phrase: God made his dwelling with men. !

! That word for dwelling means Tabernacle or Temple! ! ! !

Who can tell me what the Temple Represents in the OT? ! 1. Where God lives - Physical representation of His Presence on the earth.! 2. Where God interacts with humans - Represents His relationship with humanity! 3. Where God reveals His will (tells people what to do) ! But a Temple doesnt necessarily have to be a building. In the OT there are many places where God makes His earthly home, interacts with humans, and tells people His will for their life.! For Example: All of these represent Temples in the Old Testament! 1. Garden of Eden - 1st symbolic temple! 2. Mt. Sinai (Ex 19) - 2nd symbolic temple! 3. Tabernacle with Moses (Tent) - 3rd symbolic temple! 4. Solomons Temple - First real Temple! 1. Gods presence rested on the Arc of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies!

The New Covenant and the New Temple!

2. Pentecost comes and the Holy Spirit comes down like re on a group of people (representative of Mt. Sinai)! 3. God makes his dwelling place inside of men!! 4. Those who believe in Jesus have now become the Temple of God!

! ! ! !

1 Cor 6:19-20! Do you not know that your body is a temple of the HS? Therefore honor God with your body!! Ephesians 2:21-22! You are being built into a dwelling place for God . . . !

! 2. ! ! ! -

How Does This Apply to My Life?!

Now the purposes of the Temple are the purposes for your life!! 1. He lives in you and makes His home in you.! 2. Now God interacts with the world through YOU!! 3. Now God reveals His will through you!! 1. You are a witness to the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. ! But is also has huge implications for how you personally live the Christian life and provides you with Hope and courage as you face your own struggles. ! God is ALWAYS with you.! - When you are afraid! - When you are in need of wisdom! - When you are about to sin! - When you have fallen into sin! - When you are about to share the Gospel! - When you feel overwhelmed and depressed! - When you feel like your faith is dying! - God is THERE! He sees and he knows. He lives inside of you. !

! 3. Questions for Discussion:! !

1. This lesson may have introduced you to some new ideas about your relationship with Christ. Start with a short discussion about anything that is still confusing. ! 1. For example: How does the Old Testament Temple relate to my relationship with Jesus today.! 2. Why the HECK should I care about this at all? ! 1. In response to these questions you want to reference the PURPOSES OF THE TEMPLE I listed above. ! 3. Theology ALWAYS has implications for REAL life - sometimes we need to help our students see this. !

2. Have you ever had moments where you were keenly aware that God was with you? ! 1. Share some of those moments as a group! 1. Nothing is too big or too small here.!

3. Have you ever had moments where you doubted the truth that God lives inside of you? Or that God was with you? ! 1. Share some of the struggles you have believing this truth. !

3. How could this truth help you live-out your Christian faith? What are some ways that you could apply it to your life? ! 1. For Example:! 1. When you are faced with temptation - it is helpful to pause and remind yourself, I cannot overcome this temptation, but Jesuswho never sinnedlives inside me and He can help me overcome. ! 2. When you are feeling lonely, remind yourself that you are not alone.! 3. When you are feeling depressed, talk to the God who is WITH you. Ask Him to remove your depression and help you to nd joy. ! 4. When you are scared to share your faith with someone, Talk to Jesus who is WITH YOU and ask him for courage.