February 6, 2011 - Attributing worth to God in all my work

Not Going Back - Worship Rises

"Let it be done with all diligence": Attributing worth to God in all my work
Ezra 5-6:12
Todd Dugard

Working with  all diligence for God requires that...

...when I hear the Word (5:1-2)

...I get right to work (5:3-4)

...seeing his favour on what I'm doing (5:5)

...and remaining humble about what's being accomplished (5:6-612)

Small Group Curriculum

1.     Todd mentioned that our whole lives are worship.  Hopefully it’s to Jesus… but on this side of eternity we all have idols we’re tangling with.  Identify some of yours – and how you can tear them down this week.
2.     Read Ezra 5:1-2.  We see here that the people accepted the message from God that was taught to them.  The reality is that whenever we crack open our Bibles we are staring directly into the face of God. Is that the sense you get as you read?  Why or why not? What are your motives for reading the Bible?  We heard Sunday that we should read the Bible so as to ‘consider our ways.’  What things do you need to consider this week as you’ve heard the Word preached and get into it on your own?
3.     Read Ezra 5:3-5.  The people get right to work rebuilding the temple.  We’ve probably all heard that God wants us in the game – serving and living for him – not just coasting through a life of mediocricy. What is that ‘something’ that you need to get to work on in your life so you can be an effective worshipper?
4.     Read Ezra 5:5.  Pastor Todd mentioned that ‘the eye of God’ on us could be a comforting thing or uncomfortable thing.  As you assess your own life, does God’s eye on you a welcome thing or something you want to run from (Adam and Eve in the garden)?  How can you get to the place where you want nothing less than God’s watchful eye on your life?  How can your small group help make this happen effectively in each others lives?
5.     Read Ezra 5:6-6:12.  The humility in the Jew’s response is pretty inspiring.  What does their humility say about what their identity is wrapped up in?  It’s also interesting to note that humility doesn’t mean a lack of confidence.  What does confidence wrapped in a deep humility look like for you?  For us as a small group?  For us as a church?  How does Ephesians 3:20 encourage you as you seek to live your life with all diligence?

Breakout:
1. The three obstacles in the face of obedience to the Word mentioned Sunday were ignorance, discouragement and rebellion. How do we counteract those in our lives?