November 3-4, 2001 Bible Study

DEEPER IMPACT
A study sheet for further exploration
November 3-4, 2001

A New Measure
Isaiah 54:2

As a child, what was your big dream about what you would be when you grew up?

Think about John 15:16. Jesus drew his group of true followers aside to teach them about a new standard of measurement for their lives.

How would you define fruitfulness?
How does fruitfulness relate to the idea of "success?"
What does it mean to go beyond being faithful to being fruitful?
What does bearing fruit in your life look like in terms of family? Time? Investment of money? Career?

Read Mark 4:26-29.

What is the seed we are to scatter?
What is our responsibility in producing fruit? What is God's responsibility?
How does knowing that the growth of the kingdom of God is ultimately in God's hands impact your life choices?

Look also at Mark 4:3-20, another parable about seed. How do these two parables complement each other? How do they speak to where you are in your life right now?

Where do you see fruitfulness in your life? Write down where you have had influence in the past...and where you are currently planting seeds for future influence.

What big dream do you have that will increase your influence for God? God has an even bigger dream for each of us, but it will require a bigger understanding of God, a bigger investment on all of our parts than we have now.

Where does your standard of measurement need to be lengthened? In financial commitments? Time commitments? Relationships? Your life picture and focus?

Wherever you are, stretch and see what God will do!