Categories: Preparing for Sunday

Set Apart – Week 01

So, I admit it! I’m not such a great outdoors-man. See, I went to Man Camp this week with a lot on my mind. I was thinking about how to start this journey with you all, discovering what it means to be genuinely set apart.

Then it happened… Tuesday night, about 6:20PM, I had an experience that God used to bring it all into focus. It involved me, my wife, and the Lewis County Sheriff. Intrigued? Come spend an hour with me on Sunday morning and I’ll fill you in.

For now, read the verses below and think about the questions associated with them. Then you’ll be ready to discuss them in a Small Group this Sunday.

See you there (If I don’t get lost)!

Danny.<><

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: (1 Peter 2:9)

  1. Look around the room… see any “peculiar” people? J Yeah, there’s at least one in every crowd!
    How about joyful people? See many of those? Happiness can be easy to come by, but joy is a little more elusive. Why do you think that’s the case?

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)

  1. The concept of holiness often varies from person to person. When you think of “holiness” or “being holy”, what comes to mind?
  2. Here’s a question that may push you out your comfort zone: Do you see yourself as being holy? Why or why not?
  3. A good definition of holiness is being “Set Apart” for a specific purpose, or, to be uniquely commissioned to an objective determined by God.
    Read 1Peter 1:16 again… “Be holy, because I am holy.” How does thinking about the utter holiness of God make you feel about yourself?

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:1-5)

  1. Think about Isaiah chapter 6:1-5. What is Isaiah feeling here? Why do you think that is so? How do you think you would respond to such an experience?

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

  1. This morning’s message challenges us to commit to four steps to breaking free from the “pattern of this world” and becoming Set Apart (holy).
    Spend some time praying for each other’s specific prayer needs and praying that, individually and corporately, we would be able to apply these steps to our daily lives this week.
Danny Brown

Youth Pastor - Click Here for full profile