ANNOUNCEMENT: Bethel will only hold a 10:30 AM worship service at Bethel Fergus Falls today. All Sunday School, confirmation, ministry activities and other worship services are CANCELLED at BOTH CAMPUSES.

THE PURSUIT

Return to the Pursue God page
Visit the full PURSUE GOD website
Below are the 12 videos of the Pursuit. The Pursuit journey will walk you through what it means to have a relationship with Jesus and help you establish a "full circle of faith." Visit the Pursue God website to find all the resources available for disciple making.

Introduction

1. Full Circle

Talking Points:
  • If you make a commitment to pursue God, you will find him. Jeremiah 29:11-13
  • A full circle pursuit of God includes three things: Trusting Jesus, Honoring God, and Making Disciples.
  • Take ownership of your pursuit of God with four personal commitments:
    • Come prepared. Make a commitment to watch the video before you meet. This will make your conversation more meaningful for everyone.
    • Talk & listen. Don’t just bring your ideas and opinions to the table. Develop a teachable heart, and come ready to hear from God and others.
    • Discover truth. We believe the Bible has answers to every question. If you keep showing up, you can expect to discover a fresh perspective on just about any topic.
    • Act on it. The goal in every conversation is transformation, not just information. Be ready to step up and act on what you’re learning.
Discussion Questions
  1. What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
  2. Do you have any questions about faith or the Bible right now? Start a list.
  3. Make a list of areas where you would like to make improvements in your daily life.
  4. Read Psalm 139:17. Is this a new concept for you to realize that God uniquely created you? Explain.
  5. Read Jeremiah 29:11. What do you hope your life looks like in 5 or 10 years? Paint a picture.
  6. Where would you put yourself on the circle above? Explain.
  7. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

2. People Matter

Talking Points:
  • Jesus was a revolutionary leader who taught that all people matter to God. He rebuked religious hypocrites and welcomed those in need. John 8:10-11
  • Love is at the core of God’s nature. True followers of Jesus reflect the love of God to the world around them. John 13:35, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
  • The Bible teaches that God doesn’t play favorites. Every human being has value because they are created in the image of God. Genesis 1:27
Discussion Questions
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Share a time when a “religious” person rubbed you the wrong way. Have you ever been that person?
  3. Read John 8:10-11. What would you have said to the adulterous woman?
  4. Read Genesis 1:27. Do you agree that everyone is worthy of dignity and respect? Who do you have a hard time respecting, and why?
  5. What does it mean to love God? What does it mean to love people? Make a practical list.
    Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

3. A Whole Person

Talking Points:
  • Emotional health is seeing ourselves like God sees us, no more and no less. It’s having the courage to become self-aware and lean into our fears and insecurities. Psalm 139:1
  • Relational health is truly loving the people around us and wanting the best for their lives. It’s speaking truth in love even when it’s uncomfortable. Romans 12:9-10
  • Spiritual health is letting Jesus fix the brokenness at the core of our being. It’s submitting our attitudes and actions to God so we can start living from the inside out. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Discussion Questions
  1. Read Matthew 22:37-39. What jumps out at you in this passage?
  2. What does it mean to be “emotionally healthy”? Make a list.
  3. Who is the most emotionally healthy person you know? How do you know?
  4. Read Romans 12:9-10. What does it mean to be “relationally healthy”? Make a list.
  5. Who is the most relationally healthy person you know? Describe this person.
  6. What grade would you give yourself on your emotional and relational health? Explain.
  7. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. Share about someone who became a “new person” after they met Christ.
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

Trusting Jesus

4. What Is Sin?

Talking Points:
  • The Bible teaches we’re all born into sin and therefore we can’t always trust our natural instincts. Jesus said we all must be “born again”. John 3:3
  • Sin brings brokenness in every way, keeping us from experiencing the fullness of life that God wants for us. Because of sin, we cannot be whole emotionally, relationally, or spiritually. John 10:10, Galatians 5:19-21
  • No one is as bad as they could be, but everyone is infected at the core with a sinful nature. Sin is the roadblock that keeps us from a relationship with God. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23
Discussion Questions
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. How does this video define sin? How would you define it?
  3. On a scale of 1 (Mother Teresa) to 10 (Hitler), how bad of a “sinner” are you? How do you think someone else would rate you?
  4. Read James 1:14-15. Give an example of how sin is a selfish impulse. Where do you think that impulse comes from?
  5. Read Galatians 5:19-21. Why do you think there’s such a wide variety of sin listed there? What would you add to the list?
  6. How have you seen sin bring brokenness to your life or the life of someone you know?
  7. For next week, take an honest look at your own life and identify a few areas of brokenness that you need to address.

5. Who Is Jesus?

Talking Points:
  • What you believe about Jesus is the most important thing about you, because Jesus alone is the solution to your sin problem. Acts 4:12
  • Jesus is both fully God and fully man. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. John 1:1,14, Colossians 1:17
  • Jesus lived a sinless life and yet died a criminal’s death on a cross. Jesus rose from the dead to prove his power over sin and death. Isaiah 53:4-6, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
Discussion Questions
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What, if anything, did you learn about Jesus when you were younger?
  3. Read John 1:1. Why is it important to believe that Jesus is fully God? How would it impact Christianity if he were something less?
  4. Read Isaiah 53:5-8. How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy? Why did he have to do it?
  5. Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Why is it important that Jesus rose from the dead? How would it impact the basic Christian message if he didn’t?
  6. What questions do you still have about Jesus? Talk about them now, and click here for more answers.
  7. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

6. Saving Faith

Talking Points:
  • Love is at the core of God’s nature, and people matter to him. Because of our sin problem, Jesus himself was sent into the world. John 3:16. Romans 5:8
  • We are saved by grace alone, and it is a pure gift from God. No level of personal performance can earn his approval. Ephesians 2:8-9
  • Salvation is ours the moment we respond to Jesus with the attitude of repentance. This is saving faith, and no one can respond for you. 2 Corinthians 7:10, Acts 2:37, Romans 3:22

A Sinner's Prayer:
“Jesus, I recognize I’m a sinner. I know that you died on the cross and rose from the dead so that I could have life. I’m turning from my sin now, and I’m turning to you in faith. I trust in you alone to forgive my sin and give me new life. Thank you for this free gift. Amen.”
Discussion Questions
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Review the definition of sin from the first topic in this track. Why is it important to understand what sin is? Do you agree everyone has a sin problem? Explain.
  3. Read Romans 6:23. Make a list of the ways sin can bring “death” into our lives.
  4. In your own words, explain how the death and resurrection of Jesus fixes our sin problem.
  5. Read Romans 3:22 and Romans 10:9-10. Do you believe that anyone can be made right with God by trusting in Jesus? Are there any exceptions?
  6. Have you put your faith in Jesus for salvation? If so, when? If not, are you ready to do it today? See the “Sinner’s Prayer” above.
  7. Need to talk more about Jesus? Click here (This link will take to another website: PursueGod.org).

Honoring God

7. A New Life

Talking Points:
  • As Christians, we live to honor God. We have a new nature, but we have old habits that need to fall away over time. 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • We need more than will power to honor God. The Spirit leads from the inside out, empowering us to honor God every day. Ezekiel 36:26-27
  • We need a new way to think. The Bible guides us and shows us the attitudes and actions that honor God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • We can't live this new life on our own. Other believers help us stay on the right track, both one-on-one and in the local church. Galatians 6:1-2
Discussion Questions
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. If you’re a Christian, talk about how your life has changed since you came to faith. Give a few specific examples.
  3. Read 2 Timothy 3:16. Share a scripture verse that has been “useful” for you.
  4. Share a teaching from the Bible that surprised you when you first heard it. Did you obey it? Why or why not?
  5. Read Ezekiel 36:26. Describe the difference between a “stony” heart and a “tender” heart.
  6. Give an example of how the Spirit empowers us to live to honor God. How is this different from sheer willpower?
  7. Read Galatians 6:1-2. Share a time when another believer helped you on to the right path.
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

8. Good Habits

Talking Points:
The five habits:
  • Bible study: Try to do this daily. Subscribe to our Daily Bible podcast or follow a Bible reading plan from YouVersion. 2 Timothy 3:16
  • Prayer: Make a habit of talking to God, not with fancy words but like he’s right there next to you. Set some time apart for focused prayer daily. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
  • Connection: Find a healthy local church and join a small group if possible. Meet regularly with your mentor and continue to cover topics. Hebrews 10:25
  • Giving: Many Christians give 10% of their income (a “tithe”) to their local church, and above and beyond that to other Christian charities. 2 Corinthians 8:7
  • Mentoring: This is the habit that most Christians have missed out on. That’s why the resources at pursueGOD.org exist. Matthew 28:19-20
Discussion Questions
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Name one good habit you had as a kid. Did you have a habit that was hard to break when you were young? Talk about how to break bad habits and form better ones.
  3. Read 2 Timothy 3:16 and Hebrews 10:25. Give yourself a grade on each of the five habits above. Which one are you most eager to improve? Why?
  4. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Talk about what prayer is all about. Do you have any questions about it?
  5. Read 2 Corinthians 8:7. What do you think Paul meant by “excel in giving”? What could it mean for you today?
  6. Read Matthew 28:19-20. Talk about how to use our resources to start meaningful conversations with your friends, family, or small group. Are you already doing this? Is there an area where you can be more intentional about your “mentoring”?
  7. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

9. Core Doctrine

Talking Points:
  • The Bible is inspired by God and always tells the truth. Christians submit to its authority above their own opinions and feelings. 2 Peter 1:20-21 
  • The God of the Bible is one being who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. This makes him different than – and mysterious to – us. 1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 2:9, John 1:1-4
  • The atonement is the work Christ did in his life and death to earn our salvation. He absorbed the wrath of God in our place, once for all. Isaiah 53:4-6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24
Discussion Questions
  1. What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
  2. Read 2 Peter 1:20-21. What does it mean that the Bible is “inspired”? In your church, what percentage of people believe this?
  3. What are some concepts or verses in the Bible that you’ve struggled to understand or believe? What does it mean to submit to God’s perspective in those areas?
  4. Read John 1:1-4. What do these verses say about the nature of God?
  5. Try to explain the Trinity in a sentence or two. Why do you think this doctrine is so hard to understand?
  6. Read 1 Peter 2:24. What does the word “atonement” mean? What does it mean to you personally?
  7. Make a list of some other doctrines you’d like to learn more about after this track. Check out the theology category for topics to cover next with your mentor.

Making Disciples

10. The Why

Talking Points:
  • We make disciples because Jesus said so. Helping people pursue God is a matter of obedience to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 
  • We make disciples because it’s strategic. Jesus envisioned a church where pastors equip and people do the ministry. , Ephesians 4:11-12, Matthew 4:19
  • We make disciples because the world needs us. God wants every follower to have a shepherd to help them along the way. Matthew 9:36-37
Discussion Questions
  1. What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
  2. Define “full circle” faith in your own words. Where are you on the circle?
  3. Why do you think Jesus picked fishermen instead of Pharisees as his disciples? 
  4. Read Ephesians 4:11-12. What’s the pastor’s job? What’s your job?
  5. Read Matthew 9:36-37. Why did Jesus have compassion on the crowds? Have you ever experienced that?
  6. Do you think you can help someone else pursue God? Why or why not?
  7. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

11. The What

Talking Points:
  • We start by trusting Jesus. This requires a work of God – it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict people of their need for him. Acts 2:36-37, John 16:8
  • We live to honor God. This requires a heart of submission – elevating God’s truth above your own opinions or feelings. John 6:60-67
  • We mature by helping others. This calls for boldness – a willingness to step out of your comfort zone and engage with someone far from God. Matthew 10:31-32, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:29-31
Discussion Questions
  1. What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
  2. How do you think most churches would describe a disciple?
  3. Make a list of words or concepts associated with “trusting Jesus”. Do the same for “honoring God”.
  4. Consider the marks of a disciple. What percentage of people at your church could be found in each category (include those who haven’t yet trusted Jesus)?
  5. Read Ephesians 4:13-14. What does this say about the relationship between disciple-making and maturity?
  6. Read Matthew 28:19-20. Find the three marks of a disciple in this passage.
  7. Consider the marks of a disciple. Write the name of someone under each category.

12. The How

Talking Points:
  • Ready to help people in your world pursue God? Join the movement and start making disciples with our 3E process:
    • Engage: Pick a topic or category to engage others in conversations that matter to them. Use the featured topics provided on that page, and jump between categories as needed.
    • Establish: Start “The Pursuit” – our 12-week discipleship track available on every category page – to establish others in a full circle Christian faith.
    • Empower: Complete “The Pursuit” and empower those you are discipling to start helping others pursue God using the same 3E process.
  • If you don’t feel qualified to make disciples, just answer two simple questions: (1) Have you trusted Jesus? and (2) Are you honoring God in your daily life?
  • The greatest thing you can do in life is to help someone pursue God. Here are your next steps:
    • Step 1: Make a list of people who could use your help, and start praying for God to open the door to a mentoring relationship.
    • Step 2: Pick a topic or category that would engage someone on your list, and send it out with a simple invitation to talk.
Discussion Questions
  1. What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
  2. Invite, Invest, Empower – which one seems the most difficult to you? Explain.
  3. Describe the three mentoring principles in your own words. Which one resonates most?
  4. Describe the pathway for disciple-making in your own words. What’s the point to taking someone through a discipleship track? 
  5. Do you feel qualified to make disciples? If not, what would qualify you?
  6. Make a list of a few people who might be interested in going through a discipleship track with you. Begin praying for those people.
  7. To finish your training, cover this full discipleship track with a training partner or group. Take turns leading each topic, and be sure to track your progress. Then start discipling someone on your list.
Visit the PursueGod web page

Help someone else pursue God.

After you finish "The Pursuit," look outward and help someone else pursue God.
If you don’t feel qualified to make disciples, just answer two simple questions: (1) Have you trusted Jesus? and (2) Are you honoring God in your daily life?

The greatest thing you can do in life is to help someone pursue God. Here are your next steps:
  • Step 1: Make a list of people who could use your help, and start praying for God to open the door to a mentoring relationship.
  • Step 2: Pick a topic or category that would engage someone on your list, and send it out with a simple invitation to talk.
Find everything on the PursueGod website