Fruit of the Spirit: Part 6 - 'Scandalous Generosity'

This Sunday, Rob Lea brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

John chapter 1 verses 4-5

‘In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’

Matthew chapter 5 verses 14 - 16

‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’

John chapter 8 verse 12

‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’



Prayer and Reflection:

Father God, we pray for a desire to act selflessly so that we will go out of our way to fulfil the needs of others. Would you make it clear when we are motivated by self-centred intensions, forgive us when we are, and give us the inner strength to be ‘others focussed’.
 
Lord Jesus, we believe by faith that you are the light of the world, and we thank you that you gave your life as a ransom for us.  In a dark world, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray that we will reflect your goodness and your light so that you will be glorified.

AMEN.



Questions to Consider

1. Do you think that it’s possible to be good without God? If you think that it is, then who or what sets the standard for goodness? Without God, wouldn’t it just be someone’s arbitrary opinion of what is good or not good?
2. In John’s gospel (1:4) we read that ‘In him [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind’. What exactly does that mean? 
3. If the fruit of goodness is acting selflessly and going out of your way to fulfil the needs of others, can you list 10 ways that you might do that?
4. It’s been said that without the Holy Spirit, any good deeds we do will be tinged with some measure of selfishness. Is that always true? Can you think of any situation where that might not be true?
5. In what way is Jesus the key to life’s ultimate purpose and meaning?
6. Have you ever fallen into the trap of thinking that by doing something good for someone else, you will be earning God’s approval, or better securing your salvation? What were the circumstances?
7. Take some time to reflect on this. The sin underneath all our sins, the problem underneath all our problems is a lack of faith in Jesus Christ.