CELL NOTES 30/3/09

ICE BREAKER

What has been the most unruly or uncooperative group you have been part of, or responsible for? Toddlers in a nursery, teenagers, a meeting of competitive professionals, a small group that would not co-operate, something else?

THEME

Submission

Reading; 1Peter 5 : 1 – 7

SERMON OUTLINE

1) Submission – can be seen as e.g. forcing a wrestling opponent to the ground. Dictionary refers to “acceptance of authority, meekness.”

2) We have to submit to various people, e.g. the government, employers.

3) In personal life it is often a difficult concept, as we like to do things our way.  For Christians we need to honour Jesus as Lord and Master, which means doing things His way!

4) How do we demonstrate we have submitted to Him? Jesus chose to do His Father’s will (1Pet 2 : 21 – 25). There is lots in Peter's letter about submission in various settings.

5) We need to be humble enough to learn from each other, across the generations. We need to serve one another, and put the pride that leads to conflict to death.

6) Just as close friends become like each other, so we need to become so close to Jesus that we become like Him.

7) The pyramids of qualities, with God at the apex – but this is at the bottom, as a foundation.

8) We are to be mirrors of Jesus – but we are like a distorting mirror, accurate in some respects, but not in others. Jesus is at work to improve that reflection in us – including the capacity to give us a heart to serve others, and live with Jesus as our Master.

9) How do we demonstrate Jesus’ Lordship in our lives? – by serving each other.;

10 ) Prov 3 : 5 – 7.

QUESTIONS OF APPLICATION

Read the passage. What is God saying to you? In what ways does this challenge or encourage you?

1) In what ways are you a leader – at home, work, church, community etc? How do you score on Peter’s leadership test?

2) Where do you find submission hardest? Are there places where you think submission is the wrong way to behave?

3) Read the Proverbs passage, and

1Pet 5 : 6 – 7. Do these verses apply to any specific situation in your life at present?