SATURDAY ROOTS PARTNERS
OPENING QUESTIONS
- Describe a time when you had access to a privileged person or place because of someone you knew.
- What benefits did you receive from your connection?
Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-26
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He puts all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be abolished is death.”
If you were to underline anything from this passage that describes Jesus’s position and power, what would you underline?
What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you?
“For He must reign” (He is Lord) “until He puts all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be abolished is death.” [Definition of lord: someone or something having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler.]
What does this mean to you?
When you follow a certain person or idea, do you investigate before committing? Why?
Jesus is claiming to be the Son of God who is the resurrected (dead, now alive) Savior. For God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit so loved us that THEY wanted us back with Them in the relationship we were made for. God has been showing us who He is, what His Kingdom ways are, who our enemy is, the battle, the Victor, and the new life in Jesus.
Jesus wanted us so badly that He died for us taking on all our punishment (all debts paid) in exchange for giving us His right position with His Father. Jesus’s resurrection is His proof that He conquered sin and death. He is victorious. He fought for us and won.
If we believe that Jesus is who He says He is and what He has done, we choose to accept Jesus as our Savior and ask Him to be Lord of our lives.
wait - there's more!
When we believe, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit (God) Who lives in us and Who will help us live the life God created us to live. This God-empowered living restores us back to the image of God and uses our unique design for the building of His Kingdom. We rule under Jesus’ good Lordship as originally commanded in the garden of Eden. The resurrected Lord gave the following instruction before ascending back to His Father:
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Questions for conversation:
- If you were asked to underline Jesus’s instructions, which words would you underline?
- What does a life surrendered to Jesus as Lord look like?
- What areas do you find it hardest to surrender to Jesus as Lord?
- How is Jesus different (and better) than the “lords” of this world (those in authority over us)?
Tim Keller says Jesus is “the only Lord who, if you find him, can truly fulfill you, and, if you fail him, can truly forgive you.” (from “Counterfeit Gods”)
Based on today’s reading what is God saying to you?
Pray for your Roots partner
Where to go from here?
Thanks for meeting as Roots Partners this week! We hope this has encouraged you and helped you grow in your faith. We hope this daily practice will help you:
- Develop a daily time with God, where you and God can meet together. Where you can pray and read the Bible.
- Meet with a faith-partner – someone who can encourage you in your faith and keep you accountable.
Although there is no pressure to continue “meeting” with your Roots Partner after camp, please feel free to keep meeting and/or reach out occasionally to encourage one another.