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WCO150711 (LEADERS’ DISCUSSION GUIDE) “BUFFET – HAVE WHATEVER YOU WANT”

This Bible Study is designed for small groups of between 6-8 persons (per group). Should you (as a facilitator) find the existing group setting too big, feel free to form smaller groups, so that everyone has a chance to share. Total suggested allocation duration for this Bible Study: 1 hour.

MATERIALS TO PREPARE: � Bible Study Discussion Sheet (enough for each person) � Bibles (encourage everyone to bring along their own or to share) � Bible Study Resources CD � Laptop / Desktop Computer (to play the 2 discussion starter videos in the enclosed Resources CD)

INTRODUCTION (Suggested Allocated Duration: 5 mins)

Have everyone introduce themselves to each other within the group – especially if there is someone new joining. Share within the group: What is your MOST Favourite FOOD & DRINK . Keep these discussions light and free, allowing everyone to feel comfortable to share casually and openly within the group.

DISCUSSION STARTER (Suggested Allocated Duration: 15 mins)

Have everyone watch the following video.

� BUFFET: a short film by Wong Fu Productions about 4 friends (Wes, Ted, Phil & Lucas) having a buffet lunch at a local eatery. Unfortunately, Lucas doesn’t really quite understand the meaning of “buffet”: pay one price and have whatever you want – resulting in hilarious consequences. (Video: 2 mins 35 sec; available from: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ncMxcoPNxw)

Discuss on the following questions. Ensure everyone in the group has a chance to share their personal thoughts to the following questions. Remind all: there are NO RIGHT or WRONG answers. Keep the discussion light and lively.

1. How was Lucas’ understanding of a buffet different from the rest of his friends?

2. What is your understanding of the word “Buffet”?

3. Where and when was the last time you had a buffet meal?

FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION (Suggested Allocated Duration: 30 mins)

Have everyone watch the next video.

� SPIRITUAL BUFFET: a short film about a young man who tried a bit of every kind of religion, ending up stuffed (full) but yet hungry (unsatisfied). (Video: 4 mins; available from: www.youtube.com/watch?v= dTDH_Qxv5G0)

Have someone to read the following text below. Encourage everyone to listen and relate what is being read to their own lives.

Our faith life can be liken to a buffet – a spread of delicious delectable, ready to satisfy our taste-buds and appetite. However, all of us approach the faith buffet differently. Some are fussy or timid eaters, only picking and nibbling on specific selections that we like, while avoiding other choices on the buffet table entirely – example: avoiding the healthy salad bar, but heading straight for the sweet dessert counter. There are others, being heavy eaters, eat heartily, wanting value for what they are eating. How about you? What kind of a faith buffet-eater are you?

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Have everyone share within the group on the following questions. Ensure everyone in the group has a chance to share something. Be reminded, there are NO RIGHT or WRONG answers.

4. What are some responses of people you see at a buffet table? Do all of them approach the buffet the same way? List down (identify) some of the types of people you will meet, and their behaviors.

[ Some suggested answers may include: ] a) some people will take one of every kind of food – piling up their plates mountain high; b) some people only eat the food items they like first, and if not full, will try other stuff; c) some people only eat the food items that they are familiar with and avoid unfamiliar food; d) some people will eat off the plates of their friends; e) some people will take a lot of food, but don’t finish them – getting their friends to finish off; f) some people will eat the more expensive food to get their money’s worth; g) … {others} … 5. From the list above (in Quest. 4), can you draw a similarity between different types of

people and the way they response towards (learning about and participating more in) their own faith?

[ Some suggested answers may include: ] a) some people will try every kind of religion and world teachings to find happiness, but end up disappointed and unsatisfied; b) some people will only accept certain (Christian) teachings that suits their lifestyles, while ignoring others – especially the tougher / more challenging ones; c) some people will not challenge themselves to learn more about their own faith. They are too comfortable with what they already know; d) some people understand their own faith by listening and seeing what others do, but never experiencing it themselves; e) some people will receive, receive and receive (learn) about their faith, but not put it into practice; f) … {others} …

Have someone to read the following text below. Encourage everyone to listen and relate what is being read to their own lives.

Someone once shared that GOD’s gift of GRACE, LOVE & MERCY is like a self-service buffet table, filled with all goodness, spread out and ready to be eaten. It is an expensive buffet, too pricey for anyone of us to afford. But because of what JESUS did (He died for our sins and gave us His righteousness) – the price is paid and now we can eat for FREE.

However, there are some who do not approach the buffet table and end up hungry. Their excuses:

I’m too lazy to walk to the buffet table. I want to be served; I’m too shy; I’m not worthy enough; I can’t afford it.

At the same time, we see another group of people, who “attack” the buffet table without proper conduct and are wasteful. They do not finish what they take and are thoughtless of others.

Have everyone share within the group on the following questions.

6. What do you understand from the above illustration? [ Suggested answers may include: ]

Many of us approach our (Christian) faith more like other world religions, rather than a personal, intimate relationship with GOD. We see GOD’s Gift of Salvation as nothing more than something He has to do for us, just because He is GOD. But in truth, He does all these (and more) because He loves us. And for us to receive GOD’s blessings and gifts, we first need to come boldly before Him and ask (see EPHESIANS 3:12).

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GOD has already done it all for us. We just need to get up and come to Him. But many of us choose to be lazy, demanding that if GOD loves us, He should come to us, rather than us go to Him. But we failed to realize that GOD has already done the most part in this relationship building. It is just up to us to respond and say: YES Lord. Here I am. I want (more) of You in my life!

Also, there are others who feel “pai-say” (shy) about receiving GOD’s blessings and gifts. They feel or think they are not worthy enough or can’t afford it. They fail to realize that GOD has already done it all through JESUS. We are all made worthy, not by our own merit, but by what JESUS has done, through obedience. (see ROMANS 5; on what JESUS has done for us)

If JESUS has already done it all, what else is keeping us from coming to GOD and receiving His blessings and gifts? What separates us from GOD? Is it SIN? Is it the WORLD? (see ROMANS 8:31-39; on what/who can separate us from GOD’s Love)

Upon receiving GOD’s abundant blessings, He does not want us to waste our talents and giftings simply. Our response should not be in Pride and Selfishness, but in Gratitude and Thanksgiving. How often have we expressed thankfulness to GOD for all that He has given us?

Have everyone open and read from their own bibles, the following scripture verses. Meditate and share on how the verses strike each person most.

� MATTHEW 7:7-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

7”Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9”You parents – if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.

� LUKE 11:5-13 New Living Translation (NLT) 5Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6’A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8But I tell you this – though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. 9”And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11”You fathers – if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”

� EPHESIANS 2:1-10 New Living Translation (NLT) 1Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil – the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

ACTION & PRAYER (Suggested Allocated Duration: 10 mins)

Usually, when we encounter something good, we would want to share it with the people we love (family and friends) – just like the Samaritan woman at the well (JOHN 4).

Discuss & Share on the following: How will you share the Good News buffet with others in your life?

Finally, offer what was being shared and learned in today’s session, in prayer.