GRACE GROUPS DISCUSSION GUIDE

Discussion guide, to be used in midweek Grace Group settings, based on the most recent Sunday morning sermon.

1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1—The Good of Others for the Glory of God

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

(1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1)

Invitation

1. Think back over your time in Grace Groups this year. What were some of the greatest blessings and burdens? How can your Group pray for you as you enter the holiday season?

Recollection

2. What stood out to you as you listened to the sermon Sunday morning? Was there anything said on which you require further clarity?

Are there areas in which you would like to see change in your own walk with the Lord? How can your Grace Group hold you accountable?

Observation

3. Consider vv. 32–33. Is Paul teaching us to be “people pleasers”? See also Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4.

Application

4. Are all things lawful for a Christian?

5. How might we apply this principle of loving our neighbour in our modern times?

Could this have any application to some common idols in our time like sports, education and pleasure?

6. How might we be overly fastidious/scrupulous in our attempts to separate ourselves from the world?

7. How might we intentionally engage with unbelievers evangelistically considering how our community increasingly becomes the church?

Supplication

8. Write down some prayer requests mentioned in your Group and pray for them throughout this week.

Grace Group Terms 2023

Term 1 2023: 15 Jan–12 Mar	Term 2 2023: 16 Apr–18 Jun
Term 3 2023: 23 Jul–24 Sep	Term 4 2023: 15 Oct–26 Nov

Understanding Grace Groups

Grace Groups is the name given to the small group / home group ministry of Brackenhurst Baptist Church. The model adopted for the church’s Grace Groups is a “Lecture Lab” model, whereby groups gather during the week for fellowship and discussion centred on the sermon preached the preceding Sunday morning. The pulpit is the backbone of the church, and Grace Groups help facilitate healthy church growth.

Grace Groups exist to promote the development of significant Christian relationships centred around the study of God’s Word (see Hebrews 10:24-25; Romans 8:29)

Sharing

Each week, we take time to share what is happening in our lives. This may include some planned “sharing questions,”or it may be more informal and personal as the particular Group feels comfortable.

Study

Each week we study a portion of God’s Word that relates to the previous Lord’s Day sermon. Our goal is to learn how to apply and live out our Christianity in our day-to-day experiences and relationships.

Support

Each week, we learn how to take care of one another as Christ commanded (see John 15:9-13). This care will take many forms, such as praying, listening, meeting needs, and encouraging and even challenging one another as needed.

Five Marks of a Healthy Grace Group

For a Group to be healthy, members of the Group must

focus on spiritual growth as a top priority (Romans 8:29);
accept one another in love just as Christ has accepted us (Romans 15:7);
take care of one another in love without crossing over the line into parenting or taking inappropriate responsibility for solving the problems of others (John 13:34);
treat one another with respect in both speech and action (Ephesians 4:35-5:2);
keep our commitments to the group—including attending regularly, doing the homework, and keeping confidences whenever requested (Psalm 15:1-2, 4b).

Please contact the church office to find out about Group locations and meeting times and to be put into contact with a Group leader.