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Launchpad Week 4 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea:
Achieving liftoff in in life is impossible on your own.

Discussion Starter:
What has been your favorite part of the Launchpad series? What takeaways have made a difference in your family?

Introduction:
This week we finish our Launchpad series by realizing that we cannot achieve liftoff or a lasting legacy on our own. A rocket needs fuel to launch, and we need the Holy Spirit to fuel us. Our families should teach the next generation how to fuel up so that they can lift off!

Encounter God

Primary Scripture: Genesis 32

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Genesis 32:1-12. Have you ever prayed a prayer like Jacob prayed? How did God answer that prayer?

2. Pastor Chris said “A planned life is no substitute for a prayer life.” Have you found this to be true in your life? Share about a time when things did not go as you planned. How did your relationship or lack of relationship with God affect how you responded to the situation?

3. Read Genesis 32:24-30. How have you wrestled with God? What do you struggle with in prayer? Finding time? Doubts/faith? Make a plan to spend time with God in prayer this week. Share what you learned in your prayer time next week.

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Genesis 32 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the chapter.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.

Jacob prayed for deliverance from his brother Esau. Is there anything you need to be delivered from? How can we pray for each other?

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Pray for the pastors, leaders, and volunteers at your campus. Pray that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Engaging in Community: Is there division at your workplace, school, or elsewhere in your community? Take time this week to reach out to someone on the other side. Call/text/email and share something positive you have noticed about that person in particular.

Engaging the World: Pray for countries experiencing division or war.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Do you know someone in a desperate situation like Jacob was? Contact them this week and offer some encouragement. Share with them how prayer and being filled with the Holy Spirit has allowed you to lift off in life.

Leader’s Notes

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.

 

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Launchpad Week 3 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea:
How are you influencing the next generation?

Discussion Starter:
Who was (or is) the most influential person in your life?

Introduction:
God wants us building each other up as temples for His Holy Spirit. He wants parents preparing their children to live in victory, power, and freedom as a result of knowing Jesus. Families, consider where you are leading your children. All family members should be encouraged and lifted up. What young people need to understand and believe is that they are not responsible for their parents’ sins. Adults in a family need to understand they are responsible for the direction in which they point the children. Adults influence children, teens, and young adults as teachers, coaches, church workers, and neighbors. Be sure you point those looking up to you in God’s direction.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures:  Hebrews 12:1-2, Genesis 25:29-33, Psalm 78:5-8

Discussion Questions:

Read Hebrews 12:1-2

1. According to verse 2 Jesus endured the cross for something he looked forward to. What was Jesus anticipating?

Read Genesis 25:29-33

2. Jacob quickly used this situation to his advantage. How did he trick Esau? How did Jacob’s parents influence his behavior in this situation?

3. Why was Esau willing to sell his birthright? Share a time when you gave up something in the future for something you wanted right now. How can we use our experiences to lead our children (or those we influence) to make better choices?

Read Psalm 78:5-8

4. How did God make sure all generations would know Israel’s laws? How do we point future generations to God?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Genesis 25:19-34 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.

How can we help members of our group to set good examples for the children and teens we influence?

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: As you engage in your area of ministry, become aware of how many youth you influence.

Engaging in Community: Consider becoming a mentor or a Big Brother/Sister for a child/teen in your neighborhood.

Engaging the World: Pray for Faith Promise missionaries, especially those leading children and youth.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Plan to talk with someone specific about that person’s relationship with Jesus.

Leader’s Notes

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.

 

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Launchpad Week 2 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started 

Main Idea: A launch pad is the foundation for a successful liftoff and a stabilizing start for the mission.

Discussion Starter: At the beginning of each year, many of us set goals. Since we are almost half way through the year, are there any goals you set that you have already accomplished? Is there something you would like to accomplish before the end of the year?

Introduction: This week Michele walked us through the story of Ruth, showing us how families are the launch pad that ignites and transforms the next generation for a successful liftoff.

Encounter God

Primary Scripture: The Book of Ruth

Discussion Questions:
1. Deuteronomy 6:4-6 has become known as the Shema. In fact, in Hebrew, the first word of verse 4 is “shema,” literally translated in English to “listen”. However, Timothy Mackie points out that more accurately “in Hebrew, listening and doing are two sides of the same coin.” How can you more fully listen to God and do what He asks?

2. Michele said that Naomi thought the mission was scrubbed when she released her daughters-in-law. Has there been a time when you felt there was no hope? How did God bring you out of that? Or if you feel hopeless now, how can those around you help carry that burden and show you God’s hope and future for you?

3. How does your biological and church family act as a stabilizing launchpad for you?

4. Boaz called Naomi a “woman of noble character”. Read Proverbs 31:10-31. How can you move closer to the characteristics in this scripture? Or how can you support the women in your life to move closer to these characteristics?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Ruth 4 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.
Discuss how God is at work in the ordinary and mundane details in our lives.

Engage the World Around Us

Naomi and Ruth were able to harvest because Boaz practiced grace extended to foreigners, orphans, and widows as outlined in Deuteronomy 24:19-22. God does not put caveats on whether someone from these 3 groups “deserves” grace and help. He does not say that we only offer help to foreigners if they have some sort of secular legal standing or pick a political side about the social benefits programs that orphans and widows receive.

Discuss how you can Embrace the world around you by making grace and love top priorities; at Faith Promise, in your community, and in the world at large.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Read Matthew 12:46-50. How can you help your brothers and sisters do the will of God?

Leader’s Notes

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.

 

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Let’s blast off into May!

Wow! Promisors across all our locations have moved from the cubicle of comparison into the corner office of contentment and hundreds committed to take their next step on the Generosity journey and Get In on Generosity! Way to Live Like a Boss, Promisors!

This last month also saw milestone attendance at our God Behind Bars Morgan County Campus, as 200 men worshipped in community and witnessed 21 of their friends Get In the Waters of baptism. If these men can share, invite, follow Jesus and lead others to do the same, SO CAN YOU!

Now, more than ever we must Get In and Get On God’s new rivers and new roads and Get In the Weekend. With summer approaching, make gathering together in biblical community every weekend a priority on your calendar and Put God First.

This is exactly why we are rocketing off in Launchpad all month long, on a flight plan that will ignite and transform our homes and the next generation with liftoff love, language, leadership, and legacy. If you missed last weekend, go back, catch up, and be sure to buckle in for every weekend throughout May at one of our locations, our Online Campus, or our weekly Facebook Live!

Exciting news! This weekend, Michele Stephens, will be sharing a Word from God as part of a must-see Mother’s Day experience. So, do whatever you can to make sure that you, every member of your family, and every mother you know is at a Faith Promise campus.

Finally, beginning June 2nd, we are improving Saturday nights at the Pellissippi Campus, by adjusting experience start times to 5:00pm and 6:15pm. This will give better options to help more people with real problems find real love.

No matter what your next step is – take it today! Let’s keep getting in and getting on God’s new rivers of provision and roads of vision this year!

Love you, and see you this weekend!
Pastor

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Launchpad Week 1 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea:
God’s desire is for the family to be first and to be a firm foundation.

Discussion Starter:
Mornings can be the most hectic part of the day for a family, with everyone stumbling over each other trying to get ready for the day. Share about one of these mornings when the scene in your home made you stop and laugh.

Introduction:
Over the next month, we will launch into an out of this world conversation on family. Through this journey families will be healed, relationships mended, and families will lift off to new levels in love, language, leadership, and legacy to ignite and transform the next generation for the Kingdom of God.

Encounter God

Primary Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Discussion Questions:

1. Moses makes it clear that love for God is an all or nothing situation—no division or indecision. Discuss how this looks in a family setting.

2. Why does Moses say in verses 4 and 5 that we should love God with all our heart, soul and might?

3. Pastor Micah talked about God’s desire for love to lead the way. He said it was a forgiving love, a giving love, and a living love. Spend a little time discussing what each of these looks like to you.

4. Pastor Micah also told us the launch sequence for a healthy family that lasts and lifts off. The launch sequence is family comes first, next the family teaches how to love God, and finally the family teaches how to love others. Why do you feel it works best in this order?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Deuteronomy 6 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.

Discuss how some people have been raised in great families, and others have come from families that were not as loving or no family at all. If the latter is the case, in what way(s) can a group or church become their family?

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Are there people at your campus or in your group that need to belong to a family? Pray about how you can help fill that role.

Engaging in Community: Do you know any single parent families in your community? Find ways this week to demonstrate how they can find true family love at church. You might want to invite them to church or group with you.

Engaging the World: Hurting and lonely people are everywhere. Pray for your campus missionaries. Pray for them to have opportunities to be the family to those they minister to and let them know they have “family” supporting and praying for them as well.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Do you know someone that could benefit from this message? Direct them to sermon archives so they can watch this one. Also share what this message meant to you with someone at work, school, or a friend. You can also post quotes from this message to your social media accounts.

Leader’s Notes

2. Just as the Lord is one, you are one (heart, soul, and mind – parts of one whole).

3. Forgiving love – As Christ-followers we are forgiven and thus we should also forgive.

Giving love – as a parent give of yourself to your children. Your kids need your time more than your money to buy more stuff.

Living love – Personal pursuit and love for God through spending time in His word, worship and times of prayer.

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.

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Like a Boss Week 4 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea:
If God is first in your life, then everything else can come into order.

Discussion Starter:
What was your favorite part of guest Pastor Morris’s message?

Introduction:
This week guest Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church preached on the Principle of First. He taught that the firstborn must be sacrificed or redeemed, the first fruits must be offered, and the tithe must be first. Are you putting God first in your finances?

Encounter God

Primary Scripture: Exodus 13:1-16, Exodus 23:19

Discussion Questions:

1. Read verses 1-2 Exodus 13. Discuss what it means to sanctify or consecrate. What are some things that you consider sacred or “set apart” in your life? What items in your schedule or your bank account are “untouchable”?

2. What do you think about the phrase “it belongs to Me”? Do you consider what you have to be yours or God’s?

3. Keeping Exodus 13:2 in mind, read Exodus 23:19. Pastor Morris spoke about the difference in “giving” vs. “bringing” to the Lord. What is the difference? Discuss how our ideas of who is the owner and who is in control affect whether we think we are “giving” or “bringing” our offering to God.

4. Read Exodus 13:3-16. Have you ever asked, “Why should we tithe?” or “Why should we give?” If you have children, have they asked you that question? Looking at verses 14-15, how should we respond to those questions?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Exodus 13:1-16 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.

Take question 4 a step further. Have each person answer the question “Why do we give?” as if he/she is explaining it to a child. Include details of what God has given you and how He rescued you.

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Get in on generosity! You can give at https://faithpromise.org/give. If you are interested in how your financial gifts are used to serve our community and the world, you can view the Faith Promise financial statement.

Engaging in Community: As the weather gets warmer there are more outside chores to do. Do you have a neighbor who needs help with yard work? What about your local school–could they use help spreading mulch?

Engaging the World: Choose a missionary family from our Faith Promise Missions Magazine and pray for them this week.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Do you know someone who could benefit from hearing these messages about how to manage finances? Share link to the sermons online: https://faithpromise.org/series/like-a-boss, or search for “Faith Promise” in your favorite podcast app.

Leader’s Notes

1. Sanctify means to “set apart.” Draw attention to the fact that we all have time, money, relationships, or things in our lives that we “set apart” and consider non-negotiable. For some people it may be watching a specific TV show, for others it may be a bank account they put money into setting it apart for a specific purpose. Guide the discussion to the who or the why things are set apart. Are we setting things apart for God? For ourselves? For other people or things in our lives?

3. We “bring” what belongs to God and offer it back to Him. “Giving” indicates that we believe we are the owners. As Pastor Morris put it, “You can’t give what doesn’t belong to you.”

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.