Freedom_in_Simplicity_pt_2__3.docx

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Freedom in Simplicity**

**Bible Reading:**
- Matthew 6:19-23
- Romans 12:2
- Proverbs 4:23

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**Observation Questions:**
1. According to Matthew 6:19-23, what are the consequences of storing up treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven?
2. How does Romans 12:2 describe the process of transformation for a believer?
3. In Proverbs 4:23, why is guarding the heart emphasized as crucial for one's life?
4. What personal anecdotes did Pastor DJ share to illustrate the theme of letting go of past burdens?

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**Interpretation Questions:**
1. How does the concept of "fixing your eyes on Jesus" relate to the idea of storing treasures in heaven as mentioned in Matthew 6:19-23?
2. What might be some modern-day distractions that prevent believers from renewing their minds as instructed in Romans 12:2?
3. How can guarding one's heart, as advised in Proverbs 4:23, influence a person's daily decisions and interactions?
4. Pastor DJ shared a personal story about his brother's passing. How does this story illustrate the transformative power of God's grace in dealing with past burdens?

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**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on your current focus in life. Are there specific distractions that prevent you from fixing your eyes on Jesus? How can you address these distractions this week?
2. Consider the material possessions you value. How can you begin to prioritize heavenly treasures over earthly ones in your daily life?
3. What steps can you take to guard your heart against negative influences? Identify one practical way to immerse yourself more in God's Word this week.
4. Pastor DJ spoke about the freedom found in walking in the Spirit. How can you embrace this freedom in your daily routine, especially in areas where you feel burdened by performance?
5. Think about a past burden or emotional baggage you are holding onto. How can embracing God's grace help you let go and experience true freedom?
6. Identify one way you can show love to your neighbor this week, as part of living out the simplicity of Jesus' teachings.
7. Pastor DJ mentioned the importance of living a life centered on faith rather than performance. What is one area of your life where you can shift your focus from performance to faith?

Day 1: Center Your Life on Christ
In a world filled with distractions, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Fixing your eyes on Jesus means making Him the focal point of your life. When you center your attention on Christ, His light guides you, bringing clarity and purpose. This focus helps you navigate life's challenges with a renewed mind and spirit. By prioritizing Jesus, you allow His teachings to shape your actions and thoughts, leading to a life that reflects His love and grace. As you fix your eyes on Him, you find strength and direction, enabling you to live a life of faith and purpose.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What distractions in your life are keeping you from focusing on Jesus? How can you intentionally shift your attention to Him today?


Day 2: Protect Your Heart with God's Word
Your heart is a precious gift that must be guarded against external influences that can lead you astray. By immersing yourself in God's Word and keeping His teachings close, you find life and healing. This act of guarding your heart ensures that your life is directed by divine purpose rather than worldly desires. When you protect your heart, you create a space where God's love and truth can flourish, guiding your decisions and actions. By prioritizing God's Word, you build a foundation of faith that withstands the challenges of life.

Proverbs 4:23-24 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you."

Reflection: What steps can you take to guard your heart against negative influences? How can you incorporate more of God's Word into your daily routine?


Day 3: Embrace the Freedom of the Spirit
Living a life of faith is not about adhering to a list of rules but about embracing the freedom found in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers you to love God and others genuinely, freeing you from the burden of performance. This walk in the Spirit is a journey of trust, where you rely on God's grace rather than your efforts. By walking in the Spirit, you experience the joy and peace that come from living in alignment with God's will. This freedom allows you to live authentically, guided by love and grace.

Galatians 5:16-18 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel burdened by performance? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in those areas today?


Day 4: Prioritize Eternal Treasures
Material things offer false hope and can never truly satisfy your soul. By valuing eternal truths and aligning your life with God's purposes, you find lasting fulfillment and joy. The challenge is to prioritize heavenly treasures over earthly possessions, recognizing that true contentment comes from a life centered on God's eternal promises. By focusing on what is eternal, you cultivate a heart that seeks God's kingdom above all else, leading to a life of purpose and meaning.

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: What earthly possessions or desires are you holding onto that may be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you shift your focus to prioritize eternal treasures today?


Day 5: Rest in God's Grace
God's grace surpasses any human effort, providing comfort and strength in moments of pain and loss. Embracing this grace allows you to let go of past burdens and live in the freedom of simplicity, trusting in the completed work of Christ on the cross. By resting in God's grace, you experience the transformative power of His love, which brings healing and renewal. This grace invites you to live a life centered on faith rather than performance, finding peace in the assurance of God's unending love.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to let go and trust in God's grace? How can you embrace His grace more fully today?

1. "The simplicity that Jesus offers is the key to a life of freedom, not bound by more laws, but living in the grace freely given to us."


2. "When God calls us into relationship, He does not come with a list of things to do, nor does He hold your past against you."


3. "Fix your eyes on Jesus, guard your heart, and walk in the Spirit. These are the paths to freedom in simplicity."


4. "The freedom in simplicity is removing items that have collected dust, making room for the power and presence of God."


5. "Every material item offers a counterfeit hope, and our souls will never be satisfied. We’re always looking for something better when our eyes are fixed on this world."


6. "Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Protecting your heart will determine your life's direction and purpose."


7. "When we walk in the Spirit, we are no longer bound by the performance of keeping the law, but live trusting in Jesus Christ's work on the cross."


8. "God’s offer to us is always grace over performance. Let Him start taking out unnecessary items in your life that you have found yourself bound to."


9. "We cannot let the external circumstances of a broken world influence our hearts; it will frustrate us and take us off the path Jesus has set before us."


10. "When you guard your heart and keep Jesus at its center, people will find life, and you can experience healing."