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Follow the Filling – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea:
Where the Spirit leads…I will follow. This is our theme of the year at Faith Promise. We repeat it, but do we really live it?

Discussion Starter:
Have you ever seen something you want to change or incorporate into your life, but you know it’s going to take an all-in, wholly-involved commitment?

Introduction:
“Follow the Filling” is the Faith Promise theme of the year. Pastor says, “Where the Spirit leads.” And we say, “I will follow.” We have been repeating it all year, but in reality, are we living it? Do we listen to God when He is leading? Are we following what He asks us to do? What would our lives look like if wherever the Spirit lead, we actually followed? This could mean a fair bit of change in our lives.

At Movement, hundreds of students prayed for the strength to follow God wherever He would lead. They prayed for a supernatural change in their lives. But if we aren’t already close to God, following His lead can seem difficult. We must pursue God in order to be where God leads.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Exodus 33:15-16, Matthew 6:33 & 6:21, John 15:5-6, James 4:8, Revelation 21:1-4

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it take to be close to God? What does that mean?
  2. Are we pursuing closeness with God? If we seek God first, God promises to take care of us. Proximity brings passion. What are you passionate about?
  3. What gets in the way of our pursuit of God? Are we pursuing the right things?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Revelation 21:1-4 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

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

What are some fears you have about putting God first? Are you pursuing proximity to something other than God?

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: We saw this weekend how many students were impacted by Movement. It took hundreds of volunteers to make Movement successful. Faith Promise students and kids ministries both touch so many young lives every single week. Have you ever thought about volunteering in fpKIDS or fpStudents? One of our core values is We Serve Others. If you want to serve God, serve His children.

Engaging in Community: Did your group participate in Serve Day 2019? Promisors served at 74 Projects for over 3,200 Hours. Whether you served or not, you can still find something for your group to do in your community. Find a neighbor in need, clean up some trash at some local school or park grounds, take donuts to the ER nurses and doctors… there are so many ways to serve those around us. Make a plan to serve this fall.

Engaging the World: Faith Promise missionaries put God first by serving in locations far from home. Pray for the missionaries supported by your campus. Pick a missionary family from Faith Promise and reach out to them to show them your support. They love to hear from Promisors back home.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Faith Promise is full of Real People with Real Problems who know Real Love. How can you show those around you Real Love? Invite your friends, family, and co-workers to spend time with John Maxwell, renowned author, speaker, and coach. He will be sharing the Word at Faith Promise July 27-28 at our normal service times.

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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We Put God First – Discussion Guide

Main Idea: 
Growing as a disciple is a complete surrender of every area of your life to Jesus.

Discussion Starter: 
What is the first thing you do when you wake up every morning?

Introduction: 
When asked the greatest commandment, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:4-5: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” We are to put every part of our lives under God’s control. God is willing to provide for our needs if we trust Him completely with all that we have. Beginning with salvation and throughout the rest of our lives, we have opportunities to let God solve our problems. When we depend on Him, we learn that He is there every time.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Matthew 6:25-33, Malachi 3:10-11

Discussion Questions:

  1. Read Matthew 6:25-33. What do you worry about? What does Jesus promise to those who put God first?
  2. Read Malachi 3:10-11. Why were folks instructed to bring the whole tithe?  Who was the food for? How were the generous to be rewarded?
  3. In verse 11, what were these farmers promised? How has God both provided what you need and protected what you already have?

Discovery Bible Method:

For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Matthew 6:25-33 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

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

What are some fears you have about putting God first and giving generously? Pray Philippians 4:6-7 over each other.

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Pastor shared four levels of giving ranging from beginner to lavish giver. No matter where you are on the generosity journey, can you take the next step?

Engaging in Community: Did your group participate in Serve Day 2019? How did it go? Did you make any connections to people or ministries you could serve on a regular basis?

Engaging the World: Faith Promise missionaries put God first by serving in locations far from home. Pray for the missionaries supported by your campus.

Expand God’s Kingdom

What did you learn today that you can share with someone outside Faith Promise?

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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Come Here Often? Week 3 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: How present are you really when you are with God?

Discussion Starter: Can you think of a place or an event where you observed people all around but felt like no one was really there?  Maybe a class in school where everyone was daydreaming, napping or chit chatting instead of paying attention to the instructor?  A meeting at work where everyone was on their phone instead of taking part of the meeting?

Introduction: Are you living through the motions, just gleaning here and there, or are you really being transformed in your experiences at church and with God?  What instances in the Bible can you think of where God (via a prophet, disciple, or Jesus) discusses the maturation of our spiritual relationship and the importance of our church family during this process?

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Ezekiel 36:25-27, 1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:12, 1 John 4:10-12

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the passage from Ezekiel say that God is going to do for His people?
  2. How does this compare to experiences that Jesus talks about in the New Testament?
  3. Read 1 Peter 2:2 and Hebrews 5:12 What examples can you find of how we should be nourishing ourselves in the growth of our relationship with God? Put these verses into your own words.
  4. We learned last week that our church family is there to support us and help us grow (Hebrews 10:24-25). According to 1 John 4:10-12 what do we look like when we have a relationship with Christ?

Discovery Bible Method:

For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Ephesians 4:11-14 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

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

Getting to know you: In the transformation process that we see described in our primary scripture, where are you personally?  Is it possible that you can go back and forth between the stages?

Getting to know them: What other passages of Scripture describe where you are or where you feel like the group is as whole?  Think about both your current condition and also goals for the future.

Getting to know Him: Why do you think God so desires for us to be part of a church, a small group, or a body of Christian support? As a team commit to one another to pray Psalms 51:10 every day this week over each other and yourselves.

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Have you signed up for our Serve day?

Engaging in Community: Who are the people at work or in your neighborhood who you believe could benefit from having a church family to support them in their growth?  Our community Serve Day is coming up in July.  Invite them to join your small group as you serve.

Engaging the World: Pray for the Christian church groups who are being massacred for their faith.  This is not generally covered by the news; however, we know more than 40 of our brothers and sisters were killed in late April over Easter in Nigeria and many of them were children.  In June, 95 were killed in Mali.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Our verses from 1 John give us the directive to expand God’s Kingdom by showing His love–the same love that we receive even when it isn’t deserved.  Who can you demonstrate this type of love to in your community?

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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Come Here Often? Week 2 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: 
The Church is constantly coming together and serving each other.

Discussion Starter: 
What is your favorite part of Faith Promise?

Introduction: 
This week, we continued to look at the importance of assembling together as a church. Many are opting to skip attending church because values are shifting. Too many of us allow other people to tell us who Jesus is and what Jesus does and who the Church is and what the Church does. The truth is Jesus builds the Church out of people. We must constantly come together and serve each other. What gathering of people makes a bigger and better impact than this? What meeting means more to your personal and spiritual growth than this? What gathering is more life giving than this? What group knows you and loves you more than this?

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Matthew 16:13-19

Discussion Questions:

    1. Read Matthew 16:13-16. Jesus pulled His disciples aside and asked them who people thought He was. They answered Him with the common view of what people thought in the day. Who did they think Jesus was? Do you know all the people referred to in verse 14? If not, use a concordance and find out who they were.
    2. Next, Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was. How did Peter answer? Why do you think Peter answered this way? Was it because he had studied the scriptures and saw the miraculous evidence, or was it also a personal decision?
    3. Who do you say Jesus is, and how has this affected your life?
    4. Read Matthew 16:17. According to Jesus’ response, who was behind Peter’s confession? Read these verses and discuss their meaning in light of Peter’s confession: John 1:13, 1 Corinthians 2:8-14, 1 Corinthians 12:3.
    5. Read Matthew 16:18-19 with Ephesians 2:20. Like Peter, everyone who proclaims Christ’s deity is included in the universal Church of Jesus Christ. How well do you know Jesus? How well are you proclaiming His name? What holds you back from talking about Him to others you meet when you are not within the four walls of Faith Promise?
    6. What does the “gates of Hades” refer to here? Read John 11:25-26 for more help to explain Jesus’ response.

Discovery Bible Method:

For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Matthew 16:13-19 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore how Christ followers are to confess Him as their Lord and Savior and the privilege we have to share the Gospel. We have a story to tell to the nations!

Embrace Others

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

Getting to know you: Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was in Matthew 16:15; who do you say Jesus is, and why does it matter? Do you proclaim who He is when you are away from church and your group? How can you encourage each other to share the truth about Jesus Christ to this hurting and dying world?

Getting to know them: In groups of 2 or 3, discuss ways you can encourage each other this week to share the gospel. Some possibilities include determining what you should say when you want to tell others about Him. It is as easy as sharing who God is, how sin separates us from Him, the truth about Jesus and His saving work on the cross, and the response each one must give to these truths.   

Getting to know Him: Choose a verse to memorize this week for encouragement. Consider Peter’s confession of who Jesus is in Matthew 16:16. Meditate on this truth that we all must live by. Every person who has ever lived and will ever live on this earth will have to answer this question of who Jesus is. Our response determines our destiny, and this should motivate us to share the truth with all we meet. We have the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and we must share them!

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Pastor challenged us to see our attendance at church as critical to being a part of what God is building. We are having a SERVE day on July 13th; how will your group prayerfully prepare to be involved in this church-wide day of service? See https://faithpromise.org/events/serve-day-2019 for more information.

Engaging in Community/Engaging the World: Pastor shared this week the story of the struggling Italian town of Geza and how God placed the burden on a local man, Pastor Iozza to find a way to save the town that he loved so much. He prayed fervently and heard God said to him – “If you want this town to grow, you need to help the people grow.” The message that community growth is proportionate to the growth of individuals is powerful! In response, Pastor Iozza connected with our partner EQUIP, and as a result, three conferences have been held and the transformation is becoming a reality. Over 300 Salt & Light facilitators have been trained, and plans are underway to train more. How can your small group make a difference in our community by helping individuals grow spiritually so they can reach their full potential in God? 

Expand God’s Kingdom

We are warned in 2 Timothy 4:2-5 that there will come a time when people no longer want to hear the truth and they will surround themselves with people who tell them what they want to hear. There are people out there today who will tell the people that all roads lead to heaven. We as Christ followers are called to share THE truth, and the only way to know the truth is to know God’s Word. How will you as a group rededicate yourselves to prioritizing the study of His Word and the sharing of His Word? Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God! Do you believe this? Will you proclaim it?

Leader’s Notes

  1. John the Baptist (raised from the dead), Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets (see Dt. 18:18). 
  2. Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Both! The Pharisees and teachers of the law also knew the Scriptures, but their hearts were hard.
  3. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God! It changes everything! (Answers will vary)
  4. God supernaturally revealed the truth to Peter, who responded in faith. Because of Jesus, we can become children of God. God’s Holy Spirit in us reveals His truth that Jesus is Lord.
  5. Answers will vary.
  6. Death- Death cannot stop Jesus. Our last breath on earth ushers us into His presence for eternity. When the gospel is known, the person is loosed from their sins (forgiven), but if the gospel is rejected, the sinner remains bound for judgment. Our response to Jesus determines our destiny. 

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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Come Here Often? Week 1 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: The church is not a building; it is people who trust in Christ.  However, like a building, things start to fall apart when they are not connected to each other and do not support each other.

Discussion Starter: When you grew up, how did you define “church?”

Introduction: When mother birds want their children to learn to fly, they often start by being a good example, and chucking themselves out of the nest and spreading their wings.  They swoop and come back to the nest, over and over. If the little bird doesn’t at least try, then the mother bird starts putting lots of sharp sticks in the nest until the little bird is so uncomfortable that it would rather jump out of the nest than stay in it.  All this works out for the little bird’s benefit, though, because it learns to fly. Can you think of a time that God let your life become very uncomfortable so that you would have to trust in him to handle the situation? Share with the group a time that you can think of – it doesn’t have to be profound.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Hebrews 10:23-25, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:20-22, 1 Peter 2:5

Discussion Questions:

  1. In Hebrews 10:24, the text says we should “consider one another” (or ‘observe’ one another) so we can know how to provoke each other to love and good works.  Share with the group a time that you got provoked to either love or good works. Don’t be afraid to get specific. Everyone is different, and people may know someone a lot like you in another part of their lives.  What you share could help someone a lot.
  2. When other people shared their answers to question 1, were you surprised?  Did everyone get provoked by the kind of thing you thought would provoke them?
  3. A little further down in Hebrews 10:25, the text says that believers should be even more active in our care for each other “as you see the day approaching.”  This is definitely talking about “the day of the Lord” that is referenced all over the Bible. How does Jesus future return make you feel?  Does it make you feel more comfortable, or fearful?  What does thinking about Jesus’ return make you want to do, if anything?

Discovery Bible Method:

For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read 2 Corinthians 6:16 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

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

Getting to know you: The Bible says, in 1 Peter 2:5, that believers are each like bricks that make up the spiritual house that God inhabits.  Who relies on you? On whom do you rely?  Do people in your group actually rely on each other or just make small talk once a week?  And…what is it like for other people when you put pressure on others?

Getting to know them: How have you needed support lately? If everyone goes around and shares that first, you can answer another important question: How can you support at least one other person here?

Getting to know God: Why would God want us to have such an interconnection with other believers?  Why would He bother making us go through that step? What happens when we are physically alone, like believers in some parts of the world?

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: As you probably noticed from your group’s discussion, there are a lot of ways to provoke people to love and good works.  Try to find at least one person in your group that you can provoke to at least a little bit more love this week before you leave – and let them do the same to you.  (It can be more than one, of course!)

Engaging in Community and the World:  Are there any other believers in your community?  It doesn’t matter where (or if) they go to a building on Sundays.  Talk with them. Try to see if anything you learned from your discussion might be used to provoke them at all (in a good way!).

Engaging in the World: What would you do if everyone in your group, and everyone in your community was properly “provoked?”  What would you do to reach the world? Maybe this is the time to try something new.

Expand God’s Kingdom

What is the best realization you’ve had about God lately? It can be anything at all — just something that makes you say “Wow He really is amazing.”  Can you think of how to share that one thought with someone, whether a fellow believer or not? Maybe a believer could use your realization as an encouragement, or maybe God can use that thought to nudge an unbeliever who is far away from him just a little bit closer.

Leader’s Notes

Discussion Question #3:

Paul talked about Christ’s love comforting him, and in that sense, he was comforted.  But he also talked about how terrified he was of that coming day. (Hebrews 10:31, 2 Corinthians 5:11.)  He knows that God will judge His people, and it will be rough going. But he knows that in the end he will be saved.  So there should be some level of tension in this question.

If your group is all smiles and nods and “Oh I just feel great about it,” ask about why Paul was so afraid of it. And if your group is a bit distraught because they are all-too-aware of God’s promise to discipline his own kids (like Hebrews 12:6 discusses), remind them how God will never leave them nor forsake those who call on Him, either.

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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Set the Table Week 6 – Discussion Guide

 

 

Getting Started

Main Idea:
Set the table for a Spirit-filled legacy in your family.

Discussion Starter:
Does anyone know a good “dad joke?” Here are a couple to get you started: “How does Moses make his coffee? He brews it.” “What do John the Baptist and Winnie the Pooh have in common? They have the same middle name.”

Introduction:
It is God’s plan for dad to lead the home. Even where the ideal is not available (no dad in the picture), God has placed spiritual fathers in the church to be sacrificial leaders. Fathers are called to lead with courage and vulnerability, strength and kindness, patience and resolve, dedication and grace. None of this can be done without a relationship with God.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:18, 2 Samuel 23:11-12,

Discussion Questions:

  1. Read Romans 12:2. What is the an area in your life or household where you are being conformed to this world? How can you allow God to renew your mind to change that area?
  2. If you died today, what is the spiritual legacy you think you would leave?
  3. What are some examples of godly fatherhood you have seen or experienced? If you haven’t really seen any, how are you comforted by God as the ultimate, Holy Father?

Discovery Bible Method:

For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Psalm 68:5 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section. You may want to separate by gender.

Pastor pointed out that “the enemy always wants you in a weakened position.” What are some potentially weak positions for you? How can you avoid them or have other believers shoulder-to-shoulder with you to strengthen your position?

This week pastor said we “must win the battle within, before we can win the battle without.”  Share some of your internal struggles. How can each person in the group help fight those battles?

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: FP Kids and Students are great places to serve as spiritual parents. Consider serving in one of these areas. Or, encourage someone else to take their next step and become a leader in one of these areas. Young adults and adults can also benefit from having solid spiritual fathers in the church. These are usually less formal roles, but consider how you can be a part of (or encourage someone else) to be a spiritual leader to a young adult or adult in our church.

Engaging in Community and the World:  Read Psalm 82:3 There are numerous organizations both locally and globally that assist orphans. How can  your group can be a part of bringing God’s justice to the weak?

Expand God’s Kingdom

Being a spiritual father or mother to those who do not have a spiritual leader is an amazing opportunity to expand God’s kingdom. Has God called you to be a spiritual parent in some way? If so, seek out those opportunities. If not, how can you support those who are called to that work?

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.