NEW GROUND: FINDING YOUR PLACE

Deep Study Guide for Small Groups

INTRODUCTION

This study guide explores the sermon "New Ground: Find Your Place," examining how God positions believers within His body for Kingdom advancement. This guide will help your group dig deeply into the biblical foundations of spiritual positioning, corporate responsibility, and the theological concept of the Church as a functioning body rather than a gathering of spectators.

PART I: SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION & CONTEXT

Primary Texts

• Joshua 3:1-17 - Israel's crossing into the Promised Land
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Church as the Body of Christ
• Ephesians 4:11-16 - Unity and maturity in the Body

Historical Context of Joshua 3

The book of Joshua chronicles Israel's transition from wilderness wandering to Promised Land possession. After Moses' death, Joshua assumed leadership with the mandate to lead Israel into Canaan. Joshua 3 represents a pivotal moment in Israel's history—crossing the Jordan River marked the end of their nomadic existence and the beginning of their inheritance.

Key Historical Points:

• This crossing occurred approximately 1406 BC
• The Jordan was at flood stage (Joshua 3:15), making the crossing humanly impossible
• The priests carrying the Ark represented God's presence leading the way
• The crossing parallels the Red Sea miracle, bookending their wilderness journey

Theological Significance: The Jordan crossing symbolizes transition from promise to possession, from preparation to purpose. It required faith, obedience, and precise positioning of every Israelite.

Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 12:18

"But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be."

The Greek word for "placed" (ἔθετο/etheto) carries the sense of deliberate, authoritative appointment. This is a divine passive—God Himself is the active agent in positioning each member. The phrase "just as He wanted" (καθὼς ἠθέλησεν/kathōs ēthelēsen) emphasizes God's sovereign will and design in this placement.

Paul wrote to a Corinthian church struggling with division, spiritual pride, and misuse of gifts. This passage establishes that:

1. Placement in the body is God's prerogative, not ours
2. Every member's position reflects divine intention
3. No placement is accidental or insignificant
4. The body's design reflects God's wisdom, not human preference

PART II: THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION

The Theology of Belonging

The sermon emphasizes: "Church is not a place you attend. It's a body you belong to." This reflects a profound theological distinction between institutional religion and covenant community.

Biblical Foundations of Belonging:

• Acts 2:42-47 - The early church demonstrated deep interdependence
• Romans 12:5 - "In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others"
• Ephesians 2:19 - Believers are "members of God's household"

The Greek word for church (ἐκκλησία/ekklēsia) literally means "called-out ones"—not a building or service, but a people with shared identity and purpose.

The Consecration Principle

The sermon highlights Joshua's command: "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you" (Joshua 3:5).

Theological Dimensions of Consecration:

1. Separation - Setting apart from common use (Leviticus 20:26)
2. Purification - Cleansing from defilement (2 Corinthians 7:1)
3. Dedication - Committing fully to divine purpose (Romans 12:1-2)
4. Preparation - Readying oneself for God's activity (2 Timothy 2:21)

Consecration in Scripture always precedes divine visitation and breakthrough. It represents alignment with God's holiness and purposes before experiencing His power.

The Theology of Corporate Advancement

The sermon states: "Nobody crossed alone. Nobody crossed randomly. Nobody crossed without direction." This reflects a biblical pattern of corporate advancement.

Examples of Corporate Movement in Scripture:

• Noah's family entered the ark together (Genesis 7:7)
• Israel left Egypt as a unified people (Exodus 12:41)
• The early church advanced through unified effort (Acts 2:46-47)
• The Body grows as each part does its work (Ephesians 4:16)

Theological Principle: God's kingdom advances through unified, coordinated movement of His people, not through isolated individual efforts.

PART III: DEEPER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Section 1: Understanding Divine Placement

1. In what ways does 1 Corinthians 12:18 challenge our cultural emphasis on self-determination and personal preference?

2. The sermon states, "God HAS placed you." Examine the tension between God's sovereign placement and human responsibility in finding one's place. How do these work together?

3. What biblical evidence supports the idea that every believer has a specific, divinely-appointed function rather than optional involvement?

4. How does Ephesians 2:10 ("created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do") relate to the concept of divine placement in the body?

5. Explore the relationship between spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), natural talents, and divine positioning. How do these intersect in determining one's place?

Section 2: Barriers to Finding Our Place

1. The sermon identifies the "stadium mentality" (spectators vs. players) as contrary to biblical ecclesiology. What cultural influences have contributed to this mentality in modern Christianity?

2. What internal barriers (fear, past hurts, misconceptions, etc.) might prevent believers from embracing their place in the body?

3. The apostle Paul addresses body parts saying, "I don't need you" or "I don't belong." Which of these two errors do you observe more frequently in church contexts, and why?

4. How might spiritual pride manifest in both highly visible and behind-the-scenes roles in the church? What biblical safeguards exist against this?

5. Examine Jesus' teachings on servanthood (Mark 10:42-45, John 13:1-17). How do these teachings reframe our understanding of "significance" in Kingdom service?

Section 3: Consecration and New Ground

1. The sermon states: "You don't step into new ground casually." What examples from Scripture demonstrate the principle that significant spiritual advancement requires prior preparation?

2. How does personal holiness (consecration) relate to corporate effectiveness? Can a church advance while individual members remain unconsecrated?

3. In Joshua 3:4, the people were told to keep a distance from the ark. What spiritual principles might this illustrate about reverence and following God's leadership?

4. The sermon mentions shifting from "What can I get?" to "What can I give?" Examine this in light of Jesus' teaching that "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). How is this counterintuitive principle central to Kingdom advancement?

5. Joshua 3:15 notes that the Jordan was at flood stage, making the crossing humanly impossible. How does this detail illuminate the relationship between divine timing, human obedience, and miraculous provision?

PART IV: PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Personal Inventory: Finding Your Place

Take time for personal reflection on these questions:

1. Gift Assessment: What spiritual gifts has God entrusted to you? (Reference Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, Ephesians 4:11)

2. Passion Evaluation: What needs or ministries consistently stir your heart? Where do you find yourself naturally concerned or drawn to serve?

3. Experience Review: How has God used your past experiences—including hardships—to equip you for specific service? (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

4. Confirmation Check: Where have others consistently affirmed your effectiveness or impact? How might this indicate divine placement?

5. Current Positioning: Are you currently serving in alignment with your gifts, passions, and experiences? If not, what adjustments might be needed?

Corporate Application: Building a "Placed" Church

Discuss how your small group and larger church can foster an environment where everyone finds and functions in their place:

1. How can we better identify and affirm the unique contributions of each member?

2. What systems or structures might help people discover and develop their gifts?

3. How can we cultivate a culture that values behind-the-scenes service as much as visible ministry?

4. What practical steps can leadership take to shift the congregation from consumer mindset to ownership mindset?

5. How might we better communicate the vision and mission in ways that help people see where they fit?

Consecration Exercise

Consider implementing a group consecration practice based on Joshua 3:5. This could include:

1. A dedicated time of corporate prayer and repentance
2. Identifying and removing obstacles to full commitment
3. Renewing covenant commitments to God and the church body
4. Practical acts of dedication (e.g., written commitments, symbolic actions)
5. Accountability partnerships for ongoing consecration

PART V: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For Deeper Study on the Body of Christ

• Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey
• The Body by Charles Colson
• Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• When the Church Was a Family by Joseph Hellerman

For Understanding Spiritual Gifts and Divine Placement

• Discover Your Spiritual Gifts by C. Peter Wagner
• What You Do Best in the Body of Christ by Bruce Bugbee
• The 3 Colors of Ministry by Christian A. Schwarz

Scripture Memory Passages

• 1 Corinthians 12:18
• Joshua 3:5
• Ephesians 4:16
• Romans 12:4-5
• 1 Peter 4:10-11

CONCLUSION

As your group concludes this study, consider creating a concrete action plan for each member to take steps toward finding or deepening their place in the body. Remember that new ground is not merely about geographic expansion or numerical growth, but about each member functioning in their divinely-appointed place for the advancement of God's Kingdom.

The journey into new ground begins not with a step forward, but with a posture of consecration and a commitment to divine positioning. As each member finds their place, the entire body becomes positioned for the "amazing things" God has promised to do.