Lessons from Dead Men Dont Wear Plaid

Small Group Guide: Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

Opening Prayer
Begin your time together by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to truth.

Ice Breaker
Share about a time when you learned something "the hard way" (like the pastor's bow incident). What lesson did it teach you?

Key Scripture References

• Luke 16:21-31 (The Rich Man and Lazarus)
• Romans 1:24-25 (Exchanging Truth for a Lie)
• 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (Strong Delusion)
• 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (Living in Light of Eternity)

Main Takeaways

1. The Power and Responsibility of God's Word
   • Scripture is powerful but must be handled correctly
   • Teachers and those with platforms carry greater accountability
   • We must know our audience and speak truth in love
2. Not Everyone Will Accept the Gospel
   • God offers salvation to all, but not all will receive it
   • Some choose to believe lies rather than accept truth
   • We cannot force people to believe, even through miracles
3. The Holy Spirit is Often Neglected
   • The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and Son
   • He is our helper, comforter, and the one who convicts
   • We should acknowledge and thank the Holy Spirit directly
4. Religion vs. Relationship
   • Religious legalism can blind people to God's power
   • The Pharisees rejected Jesus even while witnessing miracles
   • Christianity is about discipleship, not religious performance
5. Hold This World Loosely
   • Time is short—live with eternal perspective
   • Invest in people who are receptive to truth
   • Our hope is in God's kingdom, not earthly things

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message

1. What did you find most challenging or uncomfortable about this sermon? Why?
2. The pastor shared the story from Luke 16 about the rich man and Lazarus. What does this passage teach us about the finality of our choices?
3. How do you reconcile God's love for all people with the reality that not everyone will be saved?

Personal Reflection

4. The pastor said, "I'm not your bar. You're not my bar. Jesus Christ is our bar." How does this change the way you view your spiritual journey and compare yourself to others?
5. Have you ever "dry fired" God's Word—used Scripture incorrectly or out of context? What were the consequences?
6. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you acknowledge and interact with the Holy Spirit personally? What might change if you increased that awareness?

Practical Application

7. The pastor emphasized investing in people who are receptive rather than exhausting ourselves on those who refuse truth. How do we balance this wisdom with Jesus' command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us?
8. What does it look like practically to "hold this world loosely" while still being responsible with work, family, and finances?
9. The religious leaders rejected Jesus even after witnessing miracles. What "religious strongholds" or traditions might be blinding us today from experiencing God's power?

Deeper Dive
For Further Study: Read Mark 3:1-6 (the man with the withered hand)

• Why were the Pharisees more concerned about Sabbath rules than a man's healing?
• In what ways might we prioritize religious rules over people's genuine needs?
• How can we guard against a hard heart that misses God's work?

Practical Applications
Choose one or two to focus on this week:

1. Acknowledge the Holy Spirit Daily
   • Start your morning by greeting the Holy Spirit
   • Thank Him specifically for His work in your life
   • Ask Him to guide your decisions and conversations
2. Examine Your Platform
   • Consider your sphere of influence (social media, workplace, family)
   • Are you handling Scripture accurately when you share it?
   • Commit to studying before speaking about spiritual matters
3. Invest Wisely
   • Identify people in your life who are receptive to spiritual truth
   • Spend intentional time discipling or encouraging them
   • Release the burden of those who have hardened their hearts (while continuing to pray)
4. Hold Things Loosely
   • Take inventory of what you're clinging to in this world
   • Practice generosity with your possessions this week
   • Redirect one "worldly" priority toward kingdom purposes
5. Sanctification Check
   • Identify one area where your flesh doesn't align with your spirit
   • Confess it to a trusted brother or sister
   • Create a practical plan for growth in that area

Accountability Questions

• How have you seen the Holy Spirit work in your life this week?
• Where are you struggling to let go of worldly attachments?
• Who are you investing in spiritually right now?
• What truth have you been tempted to compromise or avoid?

Closing Reflection
The pastor said: "For some of us, the hourglass is running out. Some of us have more sand in it than others. But every single grain of sand that falls out is not going back."
Spend a few moments in silence reflecting on this reality. How does the shortness of time change your priorities for this coming week?

Closing Prayer
Pray together for:

• Wisdom to handle God's Word correctly
• Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading
• Hearts that remain soft toward truth
• Courage to invest in receptive people
• Grace to hold this world loosely
• Lost loved ones who need to encounter Jesus

For Next Week
Challenge: Share one truth from this sermon with someone outside your small group. Come prepared to share how they responded.
Memory Verse: "The present form of this world is passing away." - 1 Corinthians 7:31b