Lessons from Wanted Dead or Alive

# Small Group Guide: "Wanted Dead or Alive"

## Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
**Icebreaker Question:** Have you ever made a decision you regret because you were tired, hungry, or distracted? What did you learn from it?

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## Sermon Summary
This message examines the reality of spiritual warfare and the possibility of falling away from faith. Using the analogy of chess (where victory comes from making fewer mistakes, not just brilliant moves), Pastor explores how Christians are "wanted" by both God and the enemy. The sermon addresses difficult texts about apostasy, emphasizing that while salvation is secure, believers must actively guard their faith and not count it as a "common thing."

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## Key Scripture References
- John 8:44; 10:10
- Matthew 24:10-13
- Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-29
- 2 Peter 2:20-21
- Genesis 25:29-33 (Esau's birthright)

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## Discussion Questions

### Understanding the Message

1. **Chess and Mistakes:** The pastor said chess players are measured by how few mistakes they make, not how brilliant they are. How does this apply to Christian living? What does "making fewer mistakes" look like practically?

2. **The Devil's Tactics:** The sermon states "the devil can't make you do anything—he can only tempt you." How does this understanding change the way we view temptation and personal responsibility?

3. **The Great Falling Away:** Read Matthew 24:10-13. What signs of "falling away" do you see in today's culture or even within the church? What makes people vulnerable to this?

### Wrestling with Hard Truths

4. **Grace vs. Holiness:** The pastor addressed two extremes: "do whatever you want, you're saved" and "hellfire preaching where everyone's barely making it." How do we balance the security of salvation with the call to holiness?

5. **Hebrews 6:4-6 Discussion:** This passage suggests it's impossible to restore someone who has "fallen away" after being enlightened. How do you understand this text? What does "falling away" mean versus simply struggling with sin?

6. **Counting Faith as a Common Thing:** Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. What modern equivalents might cause Christians to treat their faith as a "common thing"? (Consider: career advancement, relationships, comfort, acceptance, money)

### Personal Reflection

7. **Spiritual Preparation:** The pastor emphasized that preparation must begin now, not when crisis comes. What areas of your spiritual life need strengthening before greater pressure arrives?

8. **The Armor of God:** In anticipation of next week's message, what pieces of spiritual armor do you feel strongest in? Which ones need attention?

9. **Enduring to the End:** What does "enduring to the end" look like in practical, daily terms? How is this different from just "hanging on"?

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## Key Takeaways

✓ **Salvation is secure, but can be willfully rejected** - Nothing can snatch you from God's hand, but you retain free will to turn away.

✓ **Sinning doesn't equal falling away** - Struggling with sin is normal; habitually, deliberately living in sin without conviction is dangerous.

✓ **The coming pressure will test everyone** - If we compromise now under little pressure, we'll likely compromise under greater pressure.

✓ **Your faith must be more than Sunday religion** - It's a 24/7 relationship, not a weekly ritual.

✓ **The devil targets through temptation, not force** - If certain sins keep appearing, those areas are still alive in us and need to be put to death through fasting and prayer.

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## Practical Applications

### This Week's Challenge
Choose ONE area to focus on:

**Option 1: Identify Your Exits**
- Identify one recurring temptation in your life
- Map out the "exit routes" God provides before you reach the point of sin
- Share your strategy with an accountability partner

**Option 2: Fast and Pray**
- Choose a specific area of weakness
- Commit to a fast (food, media, or something else) for 1-3 days
- Use that time to pray for strength to "put that thing to death"

**Option 3: Relationship Audit**
- Evaluate: Is your faith a religion (rituals, rules) or a relationship?
- Spend 15 minutes daily this week in conversation with God (not requests, just relationship)
- Journal what changes in your perspective

### Group Accountability
- Share which option you're choosing
- Exchange contact information for check-ins during the week
- Commit to praying for one another specifically regarding these areas

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## Closing Reflection Questions

1. After this discussion, what is one thing you need to take more seriously in your walk with God?

2. What would you say to someone who is "on the fence" spiritually right now?

3. How can this group support you in standing firm in the days ahead?

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## Closing Prayer Points
- Strength to endure and make fewer spiritual "mistakes"
- Discernment to recognize and take the "exit routes" God provides
- Protection from counting our faith as a "common thing"
- Preparation for whatever challenges lie ahead
- Revival of passion for our relationship with God

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## For Next Week
Prepare for the message on "The Armor of God" by reading Ephesians 6:10-18. Come ready to discuss practical ways to put on each piece of armor daily.

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*"Be ye holy for I am holy is a conscious effort to turn from something and do something better."*