Summit Church
The Kingdom Way Pt 11 | The Easy Way or the Hard Way | Jim Ladd
Locations & Times
Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
The Big Idea: You can do life the easy way or the hard way, so question your instincts and don’t trust false prophets.
1. There are Only Two Options
According to Jesus there are only two roads, two gates, two crowds, and two outcomes.
According to Jesus there are only two roads, two gates, two crowds, and two outcomes.
2. The Hard Way Seems Easier
Wide is the gate and wide is the road that leads to destruction:
1. Pursuit of Personal Happiness Above All Else
2. Self-Discovery as the Ultimate Goal
3. Instant Gratification
4. Ends Justifying the Means
1. Pursuit of Personal Happiness Above All Else
2. Self-Discovery as the Ultimate Goal
3. Instant Gratification
4. Ends Justifying the Means
The Narrow Gate and narrow road that leads to life:
1. Putting God First
2. Receiving Purpose from God
3. Self-Control and Discipline
4. Embracing Trials as Growth Opportunities
1. Putting God First
2. Receiving Purpose from God
3. Self-Control and Discipline
4. Embracing Trials as Growth Opportunities
The Narrow Road is the cross, the Gate is Jesus, the Crowd is His Church, and the Outcome is Abundant Life.
3. False Prophets are Lethal
Three Tips for Choosing the Narrow Way:
1. Prioritize God's Word and Prayer
2. Evaluate Your Influences
3. Embrace Trials as Growth Opportunities
1. Prioritize God's Word and Prayer
2. Evaluate Your Influences
3. Embrace Trials as Growth Opportunities
Colossians 2:8-15 (The Two Roads):
(Wide gate and road)
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
(Narrow Gate and Road)
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
(Wide gate and road)
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
(Narrow Gate and Road)
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Response:
1. Repent and commit to Christ alone
2. B.L.E.S.S. your Oikos.
1. Repent and commit to Christ alone
2. B.L.E.S.S. your Oikos.
Discussion Guide
OPENER QUESTION:
If you could choose any path to walk for a day (literal or metaphorical), what would it be and why?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Understanding the Passage: What do you think Jesus means by the "narrow gate" and the "wide gate"? How do these concepts apply to our daily lives?
2. Binary Choices: Jesus indicates that there are only 2 gates, 2 pathways, 2 crowds, and 2 outcomes. How does this perspective challenge or affirm your current decision-making process?
3. Cultural Influences: What are some cultural messages you encounter that align with the "wide path"? How do you discern which path you are on?
4. Countercultural Living: Can you share a time when you chose the narrow path, even though it was countercultural or difficult? What was the outcome?
5. False Prophets: How can we recognize false prophets in today's world? What are some indicators that the guidance is not wise?
6. Bearing Good Fruit: What does it mean to bear good fruit in your life? What causes some of your fruit to be less than delicious or useful?
7. Trials and Growth: How have trials in your life led to a deeper connection with God? Can you share an example?
8. Purpose and Calling: How can you discern your God-given purpose? What steps can you take to align more closely with yours?
9. Community and Accountability: How can being part of a faith community help you stay on the narrow path? What role does accountability play in this? How can this work, practically?
10. Practical Steps: What practical steps can you take this week to choose the narrow path in a specific area of your life?
If you could choose any path to walk for a day (literal or metaphorical), what would it be and why?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Understanding the Passage: What do you think Jesus means by the "narrow gate" and the "wide gate"? How do these concepts apply to our daily lives?
2. Binary Choices: Jesus indicates that there are only 2 gates, 2 pathways, 2 crowds, and 2 outcomes. How does this perspective challenge or affirm your current decision-making process?
3. Cultural Influences: What are some cultural messages you encounter that align with the "wide path"? How do you discern which path you are on?
4. Countercultural Living: Can you share a time when you chose the narrow path, even though it was countercultural or difficult? What was the outcome?
5. False Prophets: How can we recognize false prophets in today's world? What are some indicators that the guidance is not wise?
6. Bearing Good Fruit: What does it mean to bear good fruit in your life? What causes some of your fruit to be less than delicious or useful?
7. Trials and Growth: How have trials in your life led to a deeper connection with God? Can you share an example?
8. Purpose and Calling: How can you discern your God-given purpose? What steps can you take to align more closely with yours?
9. Community and Accountability: How can being part of a faith community help you stay on the narrow path? What role does accountability play in this? How can this work, practically?
10. Practical Steps: What practical steps can you take this week to choose the narrow path in a specific area of your life?