Mr. Jesus’ Classroom

Summer ends earlier for teachers, who return a week before their students to prepare classrooms and curriculums… er, curricula. On Sunday, we will take time to pray for all the teachers, administrators, bus drivers, coaches, lunchroom workers, and just about anyone else involved in educating the next generation in our community.

But even if you aren’t directly connected to the restart of the school year, you’ve probably begun to notice the seasons are changing from summer to fall, regardless of the weather. And so it’s time to think again about how all of us teach and learn and live.

So here is the great question–if Jesus were to be our teacher this year, what would his class be like? I believe Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 have much to say about the answer. School’s almost back, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if Mr. Jesus is your teacher.

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SEE IT // BE IT

(Weekly Community Group Discussion Guide)

Date: July 31, 2016 // Title: Mr. Jesus’ Classroom

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4: 1–21

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes
Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes
What would it look like to be in Mr. Jesus’ classroom this year? In I Corinthians 4, Paul addresses the people of Corinth and challenges their worldview (grading rubric) which focuses on flashiness—wealth, position, prestige. He instead suggests that Jesus has a different grading rubric and an entirely different set of course goals. Yet Jesus is neither a ruthless educator nor a boring instructor but a Powerful Guide who sets the perfect example to follow.

THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
Jesus’ classroom leads to transformation through imitation.

SEE IT – Questions  10–15 minutes
Picture (What is the story saying?): What is Jesus looking for as He “grades our report cards”? As Jesus sets the course goals, we realize that there is purpose in persecution and hardship. What did Paul say was the benefit of believers being “scum” and “refuse”? Read I Cor. 4:20. Jesus’ classroom is not simply about regurgitating information. What did Paul say the kingdom of God was about?

Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What’s your current grade in Jesus’ classroom? What is your typical response to persecution and hardship? How does I Cor. 4 change your perspective? Whose example are you imitating and who is imitating you?

Window (How does the story change how I see the world around me?):  Paul discusses the role of the believer in “purifying” the world by receiving harsh treatment with grace and humility rather than retaliation. If you were to incorporate that idea into your life, how would your relationships at work, school and home be changed?

BE IT – Practice
Change UP // 5 minutes
As we’ve seen in this passage, Jesus is the Ultimate Teacher. Not only does He grade with grace, but He sets the perfect example in how to follow his lesson plans. Spend some time thanking him for his wisdom, plans and example.

Change IN // 15 minutes
Have 3–4 people share hardship situations. Discuss how they can receive that hardship and set an example for the world through grace and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Change OUT // 5 minutes
Take some time to pray for local teachers/bus drivers/administrators, etc. Pray that they will know God, develop strong, positive relationships with the students, and have a godly influence.

CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes
Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.