Second Chance Bible Study
Double Click on Screen to Play -- The Serving Line1
• What did you notice about this scene?
• What motivated Ethan to give up his tie?
• Who recognized what was really going on?
Double Click on Screen to Play -- Nobody’s Keeping Score
• What are the contrasting philosophies in this clip?
• Which one do you think is right?
Double Click on Screen to Play -- Like Father, Like Son
• Contrast Jake’s impression of Ethan with Ethan’s conduct on the bridge.
• What “audience” do YOU want to impress?
• Do you think most people realize what motivates them?
• God sees through our motives — (Matthew 6:1) — When we live to impress people, then that is all that we accomplish. We impress people, not God. God examines our motives, our heart and character than He is about our actions. Ask yourself, “Whom am I trying to impress?”
• We are Jesus’ representatives — (Colossians 3:17) — Doing everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus” means that we represent Jesus . His “name” means His entire person and authority. This is similar to when someone on TV shouts, “Stop in the name of the Law!” We should do what we do knowing that our actions and words would be what Jesus would do and say.
Instead Of…
Think through these three areas that people commonly use to impress others. Write down how you might use that area to impress others, and then write an alternate plan of action that will please God.
Impress Others
Pleasing God
Dress
Money
Conversation
Double Click on Screen to Play -- Money For Medicine
• Contrast Ethan’s two responses. What changed?
• How can someone be compassionate, yet not be taken advantage of?
Double Click on Screen to Play -- Javier
• Why do you think Jake would have been so harsh?
• Compassion is experiencing sympathy for the suffering of others, with a compulsion to help. How was Jake trying to help Javier?
• Do you remember what happened next? (The group stopped their Bible study and prayed for Javier.)
Double Click on Screen to Play -- I think you could
• Describe what was going on in this scene.
• What did Ethan’s fiancé see in Ethan that he couldn’t see in himself?
Look up Colossians 3:12 and 1 Peter 3:8. Think through these issues:
• Compassion is a Choice — In these two verses the Bible commands us to have compassion. God never gives a command that cannot be obeyed. Therefore, compassion must be a virtue that we choose to have.
• Compassion isn’t Normal — God generally gives commands that counteract our sinful instincts. Compassion is the opposite of selfishness. Compassion sees the needs in others, and a compassionate person is willing to sacrifice in order to meet those needs.
• Compassion isn’t Easy — Sometimes, seeing the need is easier than meeting the need. In the case of the guy wanting money for stomach medicine, or the African immigrant who was unwilling to wrangle shopping carts, the compassionate response wasn’t the emotional one. Serving needs is harder than serving weaknesses.
Compassion Passion
What is the difference between someone’s “need” and their “weakness”?
Think of a friend who has both needs and weaknesses. How can you help meet their need while helping make them stronger?
When are you usually unwilling to be compassionate?
What can you do the next time you have an opportunity to be compassionate, but don’t want to?
Double Click on Screen to Play -- At Dinner
• What were Ethan’s initial thoughts about their church getting more involved with Jake’s church?
• Why was Ethan upset about his “assignment”?
• Why do you think God sometimes “demotes” us in order to “promote” us?
Double Click on Screen to Play -- What Makes Me Crazy
• Have you ever felt like Jake did in this scene? Describe how you responded.
• How can a person do what the Bible says when he or she doesn’t feel like obeying?
Double Click on Screen to Play -- Foot-washing
• What was going on in this scene?
• Why would Sonny need to do such a thing?
Obedience
Look up and read these Scriptures: John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-6, 3:23-24, 5:2-3.
• Obedience is a BIG DEAL to God — As these verses show, God places a high value on obedience. All throughout Scripture we learn that faith, as seen in obedience, is what God is looking for.
• Obedience isn’t Passive — Mere robotic compliance isn’t the type of obedience we see in these verses. What the Bible is teaching is a tough, thoughtful, willful obedience to God – not a rote, habitual, thoughtless acquiescence. Obedience is an active, not passive, verb.
• Obedience is Love — Love for God is far different than love for anyone or anything else. We don’t often experience an emotional, heartfelt “love” for The Almighty – but we show our love for Him when we choose to obey Him. The Bible is clear: we love God by obeying Him, and we love others by serving them.
Tough Love
Obeying God is easy when everything’s going well, but when difficulty comes then obedient love is tough to do. Think through three situations you’re facing in which you do not want to do what God commands. Write out a short “I will…” statement for each situation, describing how you will obey God.
1. ____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Double Click on Screen to Play
• What is “sinking sand” for you?
• How would you define your “church”?
• What do you think was the main message of The Second Chance?
• How do you think your week will be different as a result of what God has shown you this weekend?
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