Connect What is one way that you can focus more on what Jesus has achieved and will bring to completion?
Warm-Up
1. What is your favourite sport to watch? What do you admire about their specific abilities?
2. Have you ever compared your body to someone else? What do you tend to focus on?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-4
3. To what type of ʻdwellingʼ does Paul compare our bodies? What is the point of his emphasis?
4. What are the clues that our bodies donʼt last forever? How have you experienced this?
5. Whilst we have bodies that age, grow weak, and fail, what is the longing for which we ʻgroanʼ? Has
there been a time in your life in which you have particularly longed for this to be fulfilled?
6. How is sin at the root cause of our physical brokenness? How does sin affect the entirety of creation?
7. How can this brokenness even distort how we view our bodies? How do you witness this in our
society and culture today (think about our bodies being the potential source of both pride and shame)?
8. Is it constructive to simply deny, defy, or despair at our situation? What do you think makes for a
faithful response even in the face of the most significant ʻbodilyʼ challenges?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:5-10
9. What type of future does Paul say that we have been promised? Why is it such good news that a
physical and bodily future awaits us in new creation?
10. Do our bodies matter to God? How does depending on Jesus assure us of a bodily future?
11. What—according to Paul—is the ʻdepositʼ that guarantees the future to come? How have you
experienced this to be true? Why is being connected to Christ so important?
12. What will new creation be like? Why is it good news that it is beyond our current comprehension?
13. As we await new creation, what should be our ʻgoalʼ? What does this look like in practice?
14. What do you think it looks like to use your body for God? How might it relate to use and misuse?
15. In what ways is the idea of using our bodies for God counter-cultural?
16. Is there anyone you know who has endured significant physical hardship or suffering who serves as a
great example of faithfulness to you? What have you learned from them?
17. Read Romans 12:1-2. What does it mean to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice? How can this be part
of your daily rhythm of life and following Jesus?
Apply Consider one way you view or use your body that is not for God. Ask God to help you change (you also
might find it helpful to share this with a friend).

On Your Front Line this Week

Who are three people you could invite to join you for the Public Lecture (Friday 26 July)? Register here: stbarts.com.au/publiclecture 

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen: “Why is our culture so obsessed with Identity?” by Brian Rosner: https://bit.ly/3WaAiMu 
• Listen: “If any man is in Christ” by John Stott: https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=223135&show_file=236574 
• Listen: “A Love that Compels” by Pato Oyarzún: https://stebbes.org/sermons/a-love-that-compels/ 
• Read: “Identity, Story, and Purpose” by John Beckett: https://www.seed.org.au/2020/07/29/identity-story-purpose/ 
• Listen: A New Creation. by William Taylor: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/7744/ 

Series Resources

• Book: Brian Rosner, How to Find Yourself. Purchase online: www.stbarts.com.au/product/book-how-to-find-yourself 
• Book: Kelly Kapic, You’re Only Human. Purchase online: www.stbarts.com.au/product/book-youre-only-human 
• Book: Stephen McAlpine, Futureproof. Purchase online: https://www.stbarts.com.au/product/book-futureproof 
• Book: Mike McKinley, Friendship with God. Purchase online: https://www.stbarts.com.au/product/book-friendship-with-god 
• Talks by Christianity Today (Audio): Being Human. https://bit.ly/3Lfizxd 

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