Reading God ’s Mind

The Way of a Worshiper: A Saddleback Church Small Group Study

CATCHING UP

1. How did the truths you learned in our last session impact your week? Were you able to share at least one key idea with anyone?

2. In the Living on Purpose section of your last session, you discussed a group outreach project. Take a few minutes to revisit that idea.

3. Did you read chapters eleven through fifteen in The Way of a Worshiper this week? Have one or two of you share something you read that was particularly meaningful.

KEY VERSE

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly . . . Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

When you “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,” like the tea bag in water, it will change you from the inside out. You will no longer conform to the world, but you will be transformed by the renewing of your mind. You will absorb the nature and flavor and character of Christ.

Your prayer life will no longer be relegated to a few minutes in your day. Instead, the memories of your “drive” will become continual impulses to talk to God throughout the day.

A constant, silent, and secret conversation with God is the way of a worshiper. And that is the secret to friendship with God.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(There are only two discussion questions this week because we want you to have enough time for the Living on Purpose exercise.)

1. Talk about the tea bag illustration. How is steeping God’s Word into your soul a way to read God’s mind?

2. What does it mean to “not conform to the pattern of this world” but “be transformed by the renewing of your mind?”

PRAYER DIRECTION

Sung Prayer

Listen to, or sing along with “Word of God Speak” and “Thy Word” on the Songs for The Way of a Worshiper playlist.

Silent Prayer

Send home your postcard. Take a moment in silent prayer to tell God what you saw, heard, felt, and learned at your scenic viewpoint in Colossians 3.

Group Prayer

Before you pray for each other’s requests, take a few minutes to thank God for your small group and for the lessons you have learned throughout the last four weeks of this study. Ask God to help you follow the way of a worshiper all the days of your life.

LIVING ON PURPOSE

Discipleship

The two most important disciplines of a follower of Christ are Bible reading and prayer. They can also be the most difficult. Following the six steps of the “drive” through Scripture, take five minutes to read Colossians 3 silently. Then share your thoughts with your group about the “scenic viewpoints” where you stopped in the text. If your group has more than eight members, you might want to break into smaller groups of three or four to give everyone a chance to share.

Colossians 3:1–25 (NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

1. We suggest you partner with another group member for this exercise. Following the six steps of the drive, take about ten to fifteen minutes each day this week to explore the road of Colossians 3. Stop at a different scenic viewpoint each day. Then make a daily appointment to connect with your partner by phone, e-mail, or over coffee to talk about what you discovered on your drive through the Scriptures.

2. Who do you know that needs to hear the message of “Reading God’s Mind”? Why not invite them over for a “glass of tea” and show them how life-changing it is to read God’s mind?

3. Now that you know the way of a worshiper, how will you live it out? Ask God to help you live from now on in view of his mercy, to experience the great exchange of worship, to let your body be the place of his presence, and to read his mind daily.