You are not expected to cover every detail of this Pulpit Curriculum, rather, consider it a resource to help you in guiding your group to a deeper understanding and application of the Word. Lifegroup leaders may find it beneficial to select 3 to 6 questions that will make the time most productive. Remember, there is great benefit to group members whose hunger to grow will stimulate their returning, on their own at a later time, so as to understand and apply it further. [The God Will Get It Done fasting supplement is available on our website under Pulpit Curriculum]

Introduction: M.C. Escher’s self portrait was art that depicted the perspective of life with self at the center. That accurately pictures life without Jesus. It related well to the passage in Mark 10 that we studied. We recognize our natural tendency to live life with ourselves at the center. Jesus’ disciples struggled as we do with our self-centeredness. On the other hand, blind Bartimaeus revealed a heart of faith that God desires, one that places Him at the center. What selfish actions were you guilty of in the last few days? Will you carefully examine your life to identify where you need to re-center your life? You will be glad you did. Take a moment to review Bartimaeus’ story in verses 46-52 to understand what it took for him to gain healing physically and spiritually. Do you see the same pattern in your experience? When mercy is received our response will be to follow and serve with joy. Is that true of you?

1. Re-center your life by making Christ great v. 35-37James and John, with the help of their mom, asked to gain a place of prominence in relationship to Jesus. Why do people seek important positions? What is at the heart of their desire? Their approach is demanding. What is the danger of demanding things of God? How do the “name it and claim it” teachers fail in this same way? Note Jesus’ response to their demands. He asks a similar question to the one offered to Bartimaeus. Jesus asks the same question of you, what do you want Him to do for you? Is the request God-centered or self-centered? Giving God preeminence will supply huge dividends in whatever endeavor that you pursue. Do you want to do that? If so you are guaranteed His blessing.

2. Re-center your life by seeking responsibility and not privilege v. 38-40James and John had no idea of what it would take to re-center their lives. Jesus asks if they are ready for the cup and baptism that Jesus would experience. What was the cup and baptism Jesus submitted to? What was the will of His Father and what was the level of His suffering to which he submitted Himself? Can you relate from your own personal experience the benefits for one who follows Jesus on this path? Will you follow Him no matter what?

3. Re-center your life by forsaking the world’s way v. 41-42Now the other disciples, realizing the request for position, start to chime in looking for their piece of the power. Their “me first” manifestation reveals the way of the world. The world tells us to look out for number one and to destroy anyone that might compete for that position. What are the ways that such self-centeredness displays itself in the church? What about in your home? If Christ followers are to live in contrast to the world, what should we be doing differently?

4. Re-center your life by embracing lowliness v. 43-45Jesus lays down a divine maxim. He tells us that the world’s way cannot be our way. According to His words, who is great and who is first? If we examined your life over the past week, would we see the way of Jesus prescribed here evidenced in your life? Start to list ways that you can serve in your home, at work and in

Pulpit Curriculum

How to Re-center your LifeMark 10:35-52

by Pastor Kurt Gebhards

the church. What is stopping you? This is our call – servant-hood. You can take it or leave it but you cannot redefine it! Pastor Kurt raised these two key questions related to our study, have you been served by Jesus? And, are you serving others? Gal. 5:13-14 tells us that if we are forgiven we will naturally desire to serve others. 1Cor. 9:19-24 and 2Cor. 4:7-12 indicate that serving will come easily because our lives have been re-centered, we want to love our neighbor more. So this begs the question, have you re-centered your life? Are you regularly re-centering you focus from your own selfish desires to the desires of the One who saved you? If you are you will be blessed.

Mutual Ministry Moment: What patterns display your self-centeredness? During Mutual Ministry time write down the top three patterns of selfishness that you struggle with. Share them with your friends. Ask for truth from the Word that can help you break the habit. Promise to check on progress this week. In case you can’t think of any here are a few [anger, impatience, fear, worry, anxiety, faithlessness, lying] or just survey the list in Gal. 5:19-21.

Pray for the church to join in our prayer and fasting in the “God Will Get it Done” emphasis. We need God’s help in identifying our next worship pastor and in discovering His solution to our worship space limitations. Pray for our leadership as they seek God’s wisdom and clarity for our future. Pray for a great movement of people that are in the process of re-centering their lives to make a difference for the Lord in Hickory. The “Intercessory Prayer” groups during our worship services 05/27/12: 1st hour – Blanchat2nd hour – Ferguson3rd hour – Praise team

Do you see your selfishness?Selfishness is most evident to the people that are watching our lives from the outside. We seem to struggle with getting a clear honest view of our “me first” manifestations. Like the emperor with no clothes, we need some input to tell us what we are really like. Scripture does a great job of doing that. Lifegroup is another way that we gain perspective as well. Study theses passages to see the task and where you may fall short. Ask God to remake you to be [re-]centered on Him and willingly serving others.

Gal. 5:16-26

1 Cor. 6:9-11

1 Jn. 2:15-24

1Jn. 4:7-21

Going Deeper