Relationship Greater Than Religion Week 1

Behold, I Stand At The Door & Knock

Small Group Discussion Guide based on a sermon preached by Tim Bach, 1/18/26

Opening Prayer: Begin by inviting everyone to join in prayer. "Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for gathering us here today to delve deeper into Your Word and to explore what it means to have a relationship with You. Open our hearts and minds to understand your desires for us and guide our discussions with wisdom and love. Amen."

Scripture Readings: 1. Revelation 3:6 - "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." 2. Ephesians 5:25, 29-30 - Discuss the analogy of Christ's love for the church. 3. Matthew 9:12-13 - Reflect on Jesus' mission to call sinners and what this means for us today.

Discussion Topics and Questions:
1. Relationship with God: Why do you think God desires a relationship with us? How does the idea of Jesus "standing at the door and knocking" resonate with you personally?
 
2. Avoidance and Openness: What are some ways we might hide from God or avoid opening the door to Him? Can you identify a time when you used aspects of your "story" to evade deeper issues in your faith journey?
 
3. Knowing versus Doing: Discuss the statement "Our goal is not to 'live like a Christian,' but to KNOW Christ." How can we shift from just following religious duties to truly knowing Christ?
 
4. The Nature of Compassion: Matthew 9:12-13 challenges us to "learn what this means: 'I desire compassion, and not sacrifice.'" How can we apply this to our lives in practical ways?

 5. Pursuing Relationship over Righteousness: Reflect on the question, "Am I pursuing a relationship with God, or am I just trying to be good?" How can we ensure that our faith is grounded in a genuine relationship?

Follow-up Exercise: Encourage group members to spend time each day in personal prayer, asking God to reveal areas of life where they may be avoiding a deeper relationship with Him. Suggest keeping a journal to reflect on these revelations and the steps they are taking to open the door more fully to Christ.

Closing Prayer: Conclude the discussion with a closing prayer. "Gracious God, we thank You for the insights and conversations we've shared today. Help us to leave this place with a renewed desire to pursue a deeper relationship with You, free from barriers and filled with Your compassion and love. Guide us throughout the week as we try to live out the lessons we've learned. Amen."