What’s Blocking You?
Greater Than

Pastor Kirk, March 1^st, 2020

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Summary: On the path to the “Greater Than” you will discover barriers, but if you listen to Jesus and focus on him you will discover the life he envisions.

Big Idea: When you face a barrier to the “Greater Than” life look for Jesus path onward.

Checking In (Start Here): 

How has your pursuit of the “greater than” life in Christ been going? (Setting aside your agenda, being obedient, seeking His presence, and overcoming barriers).

Going Deeper: 

1. Maybe reestablish your base line with the question what is the “greater than” life (John 14:12-14)
2. Are you more comfortable where you are in life than where Jesus is calling you?
3. What is at the root of many of the barriers that we face? (You, others, sin) where do fear, comfort, and doubt play in the mix?
4. Do you have a story of a time that you made excuses instead of following the leading of the Holy Spirit?
5. Do you really want the greater than life in Christ?
6. Read James 1:2-5, 12-22 – Is there anything here for facing barriers?
7. How can we be about overcoming barriers but not slip into legalism like the diligent Pharisees? Exodus 20:11 reinforced the Sabbath for them. What could we learn and experience in overcoming barriers with the Sabbath (The resting time or ceasing time)? What might resting and trusting God empower us to overcome?
8. Read John 5:16-30 – What state are people in without Christ? What barrier has Christ overcome for us that we were hopeless to face without Him?
9. (Up) Spend sometime praising God for any barriers that He has empowered you to overcome.
10. (In) Encourage one another with how you have overcome one of the three barriers. Testify to Christ’s goodness and providence in the situation.
11. (Out) Have you been a barrier to someone else? Send an encouraging note or ask the person for forgiveness. Ask your group if they have experiences or suggestions on how to face this reality.

Apply it:

• Pray through the three barriers (You, Others, Sin). Ask Christ to reveal his design for your life and what has been a barrier to it. Pray to see if you have been a barrier to anyone else. Pray for anyone who comes to mind (Maybe send an encouraging note or email. Or give them a phone call to spur them onto the “Greater Than” life).

Pray without ceasing:

              Pray for the church family. Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict us of barriers in our lives and restore us to Jesus Christ. Pray that as a body we will be bound tighter together in the Holy Spirit and in the freedom of Jesus. That we would be kingdom people proclaiming to Regina that Jesus is Lord and Saviour.

Community Reading Plan: John 5&6

This week add John 5&6 to your devotions. Look at the relationships that are present in these chapters and keep two questions in mind.

• What do I need to know from this chapter (a truth about my reality or God or a life lesson)?
• What do I need to grow (Is there something God is trying to teach me through His Word)?

Keep a journal nearby and write down any questions or thoughts you can share with your Community Group. Remind and encourage each other to participate in this group devotion.