FEBRUARY 25
WISDOM IN KARMA
“What goes around comes around.” – Indian Proverb. We are wise when we have the end in mind.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Share an example from your life (good or bad) where you reaped what you sowed.
- What is your understanding of Karma and how have you seen this belief system impact the way others around you live their lives?
- Read Galatians 6:7-12.
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about humanity?
- What do you learn about God?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
4. To what are you currently sowing? The flesh or the Spirit?
- We invest in what we value most. Where do you spend your time, talent and treasure? Do these investments show the fruit of the Spirit or the flesh?
- What evidence do you see of one over the other? What is a clear step you could take to sow even more to the Spirit?
5. Read Ephesians 2:8-10.
- How does this passage dismantle the belief system that we can earn our way into heaven?
- What is grace and how does it stand in contrast to karma?
- Good works are still important and something God intends for us to do as His creation, but what now is the motivation?
KEY SCRIPTURE
Galatians 6:7-12 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
PRAYER
In Jesus, we get the benefit of reaping what He has sown. On the cross, Jesus bore the ultimate consequence of our rebellious choices. He exchanged His life for ours that we might be treated as if we lived His life.
Spend time thanking Jesus for the gift of His life and the grace and faith you have received as a result. Ask Him for wisdom and courage to walk in the good works that are right in front of you.
TAKE A NEXT STEP
- Have you made the most important decision to follow Jesus and receive the gift of His death and resurrection that bought you new life? If not, talk to your group leader about what it means to take this important step.
- We desperately need others to grow in wisdom. If you have yet to take the step to join a group, take that wise step today! You can sign up here: https://www.gatewaychurch.com/groups/
FOR THE PARENTS
THIS WEEK
All month long we will be talking about how God uses unlikely people to do amazing things!
THE BIBLE: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
THE MESSAGE:Gideon felt very unsure most of the time about how God was going to follow through but God didn’t give up on him and reassured him that with
His help he could do it. We might feel small, young, weak, insignificant but with God we can become something special, powerful, a mighty warrior!
God can give us special powers if we trust Him and do His will.
THE BIG IDEA: God can use me to do amazing things!
ASK THIS
Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,
“So . . . how was church?”
- Did Gideon think he was important enough to do what God asked him to do?
- When are there times when you don’t feel important enough to do what God wants you to do?
REMEMBER THIS
Have you ever felt like Gideon? Maybe you were afraid of talking in front of your class or maybe you didn’t think you were good enough to make the soccer team. No matter what your challenge, you need to know that God is always there to cheer you on. You don’t have to be afraid of messing up because God will always love you no matter what. He wants to use you for big things just like Gideon so we can’t let fear get in the way of that.
NEXT WEEK
Next week we will start a brand new series “He Is Risen” where we will learn about Jesus’ sacrifice for all of us!