Self-Reflection Guide | Multiply - Part 3

Welcome
This is the third and final week of our sermon series called Multiply. Last week we reflected on the branches of our faith and how growing deeper requires us to grow out. In other words, to grow we must go. This week we wrap up the series by reflecting on what it means to bear fruit in our faith, to make an impact for God in the lives of the people around us and in the world.

As with the first two weeks, there is no right or wrong way to use this guide. This is simply a tool to reflect on the sermon and to begin thinking about how you might apply it to your life. Start by offering a short prayer of gratitude to God and an invitation for the Spirit to join you in this space.

The Head
The scripture this week is a parable, or story, told by Jesus to his followers after he sent them out to be doers of faith, not just watchers. Jesus often used parables to share lessons that were tough to hear but profound in their ability to teach us something about God. This particular story is meant to get us thinking about the gifts God has given us and what we do with those gifts.

Luke 13:6-9 (NRSV)

Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.' "

• Many Christians understand this story as an allegory, where each part of the story stands for something in our real lives. What comparisons do you see? 
  • What are the fig tree and the vineyard? 
  • Who are the owner and gardener? 
  • What is significant about the timing?
• What is the role of manure in this story? What “manure” (gifts, relationships, abilities, resources) has God placed in your life to help you grow? 

The Heart
In some ways this parable comes across as kind of harsh, a warning to Jesus’ followers to start producing fruit or to be cut down. Oh my! But God created us to bear fruit and to multiply. God loves us, believes in us, and does not want us to waste the gifts we’ve been given.

• What does it feel like to bear fruit in your life? When have you experienced this before?
• What does the word potential mean to you? How would you describe your potential?
• What prevents you from living into your full potential as a follower of Jesus?
• What hesitations come up when you think about taking the next step in this direction?

The Hands
Our faith community is filled with talented, thoughtful, passionate, influential people. In other words, there is a ton of potential in this church! We have the capacity to do so much good in the world around us. How are you being called to join God in this work?

• What specific gifts or skills do you have that you could offer God and others?
• What is one ministry you could get more involved with in this coming year? Worship, Kids, CoreGroups, Service, Prayer, or even just extending an invitation to a friend.  
• As The Gathering prepares to plant two new sites (Illinois and West County) where might you use your time, talents, or resources to help grow something new?
• What barriers or challenges will you need to address in order to live into this potential? What support do you need to do this and how will you get that support?

Closing Prayer
God, thank you for this opportunity to pause and reflect on the message this week. Thank you for the gifts you have given to us and for the ways you continue to call us to bear fruit with those gifts. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we let our apathy and fear get in the way of living into our full potential as followers of Jesus. Continue to show us ways in which we can be creators of faith and not just consumers. It’s in your name we pray. Amen.