Real Deal Christianity in a Counterfeit World

Three questions to ask myself to ensure my faith is moving towards authentic Christianity.

• Am I becoming increasingly and or off?

| Galatians 6:11 | Romans 16 | 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 | Acts 20 |(MULTILINE)

• Does my outward match my inward ?

| Galatians 6:12-13 |(MULTILINE)

• Am I increasingly in the things of or the things of the ?

| Galatians 6:14-15 | 1 John 2:15-17 | John 17:14-18 |(MULTILINE)

The result of an authentic faith: The , , , and of God all over our lives.

| Galatians 6:17-18 | 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 |(MULTILINE)

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Take time to go over the Small Group Covenant and if you didn’t go over the Small Group Top 10 List last week, do that as well. We are so glad you joined a Small Group.

What do you think?

Have someone quickly read over the main “fill-ins” from Sunday’s message to jog the memories. From the message, what particular point challenged you, stood out to you, or raised a question for you?(MULTILINE)

The story of your life.

1. Share a time when something looked really good on the outside or in the advertisement, but when you experienced it, it was a disappointment.(MULTILINE)
2. Why do you think people are so drawn to “authenticity” in products, relationships, and especially faith?(MULTILINE)

Digging deeper in God’s Word.

1. After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples told Thomas they had seen the Lord, but he refused to believe unless he had proof this was the “real deal”.  Jesus graciously appears again and shows Thomas His wounds, proving His identity. Thomas then declares, “My Lord and my God!” Read John 20:24–28 together and answer the following prompts.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the passage using their own words.(MULTILINE)
   2. What does this story tell us about God? About faith? About people and ourselves?(MULTILINE)
   3. What “scars” in your own life remind you of God’s grace and faithfulness?(MULTILINE)
2. In His final week before the Cross, Jesus pronounced a series of “woes” on the Pharisees, exposing their hypocrisy. They looked religious on the outside but were spiritually corrupt on the inside. Read Matthew 23:25–28 together and answer the following prompts.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the passage using their own words.(MULTILINE)
   2. What does this story tell us about God? About hypocrisy? About ourselves?(MULTILINE)
   3. What are some “badges of honor” Christians might use today to look spiritual without actually walking with God?(MULTILINE)
3. Authentic faith goes deeper than outward appearances, it’s about a heart changed by Christ, lived out with integrity, and shown through love. Let’s read together and reflect on the insights from these verses.
   1. 1 Samuel 16:7.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   2. Ezekiel 36:26 ESV.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   3. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   4. James 1:22 ESV.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   5. 1 John 3:18 ESV.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   6. Galatians 2:20 ESV.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   7. Ephesians 4:22–24.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else said in this discussion that struck a chord with you.(MULTILINE)
2. Pray for one another (men with men and women with women if possible).(MULTILINE)