Children of God versus Children of the Devil | Deep Fake | Week 2
Opening
Consider asking your group: How challenging was last week’s sermon for you on a scale of 0-5, 0 being “not at all” and 5 being “it was hard to sit through the sermon”? What affected the number you chose?
Overview
Last week’s sermon established that an idol-free lifestyle frees us from the influence of dark forces and allows us to genuinely love our neighbor. But to establish an idol-free lifestyle, we have to ask an important question: are we children of God or children of the devil? We are under the dominion of one or the other and we need to name which one is reality. Misidentifying faith gives the devil an entry point to our families and churches, diminishing the power of the gospel in both.
Our consistent actions reveal our true spiritual heritage. Do we consistently listen to and love God through repentance, submission, and obedience? Or do we consistently deceive ourselves and others about God, making false accusations and excuses for not living out His truth? Identifying true faith around consistent obedience and genuine love for one another revokes dark forces and amplifies the gospel.
Discussion Questions
- In what ways do you demonstrate repentance, submission, and obedience?
- What next step is God inviting you into?
Practice
John 8 39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Read this passage aloud. When we evaluate our own lives, who do our lives resemble? Can you name the places where you are sending mixed messages with your life? Have a period of silence where people can repent then move into praying over one another and exercising discernment if anyone feels unsure about some part of their life.
Practice for the week
Set aside 5-10 minutes every day to sit quietly and listen for anything God might have to say to you. Even if you do not get any deep revelation, life with the Spirit grows more natural when we practice being in God’s presence.
Closing
Pray for Waymaker.Church to be a place that continually confronts idols and acknowledges Jesus as King.