Category: Groups Ministry

Main Idea:
All of history leads up to the coming of our Savior. God has always had and still has a plan.

Discussion Starter:
How is your Bible reading going this year? It’s not too late to connect with God our Savior through His Word! Share what God has been teaching you during your time in His Word.

Introduction:
This week Pastor took us through a quick review of the Bible. No matter which book of the Bible is read, its focus is on the Savior. In 1 Samuel 17:46-47, David tells Goliath that God doesn’t save by spear or sword. In Psalm 43, the psalmist laments his situation, but in the last verse he says God is his Savior and his God. In 2 Peter 1:10, the Apostle encourages readers to confirm their response to God’s invitation. All those words, 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament, point to the Savior.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Genesis 18:17-18, Acts 3:25-26, Micah 5:2, Matthew 1:1-3, Matthew 2:1-6, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:11, Isaiah 7:13-14, Matthew 1:18-23

Discussion Questions:
1. Spend some time reading the following passages aloud in your group, and meditate on how God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. For example, the prophet Isaiah foretold in Isaiah 9:6 of a “Prince of Peace”.  How do prophecies and their fulfillment increase your faith and trust in God?

Genesis 18:17-18, Acts 3:25-26

Micah 5:2, Matthew 1:1-3, Matthew 2:1-6

Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:11

Isaiah 7:13-14, Matthew 1:18-23

2. Between Malachi and Matthew there are 400 years of silence from God. Was there inactivity among God’s people? What did you learn this week about how God was preparing the world for the birth of His Son?  Consider that when the Romans ruled the world, including before and after Jesus’ lifetime, they built roads everywhere. These roads provided an easy way to travel. What missionaries took advantage of these roads (see Acts 15:40-41)?

3. What does the above teach us about moments in our lives when we feel God is silent?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Genesis 18:1-15 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage. You may want to compare and contrast this unexpected announcement (and response) to the announcement to Mary about Jesus’ birth in Luke 1:30-33.

Main Idea:
Become a good neighbor who loves, knows, and includes your neighbors.

Discussion Starter:
Most of us have at least one neighbor that stands out from our childhood memories. Who is your memorable neighbor? What makes him or her so memorable?

Introduction:
This week we continue Won’t You Be My Neighbor, and learn to become comfortable in the uncomfortable act of including our neighbors.

Watch this brief intro together with your group (click picture below):

Encounter God

Primary Scripture: Luke 19:5-10

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Luke 19:5-10. Jesus spotted Zacchaeus in a tree and told him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, because today I must stay at your house.” Two words stand out: HURRY and MUST. Discuss the importance of Jesus calling Zacchaeus by name and showing a sense of urgency.
2. Zacchaeus hurried down from the tree and was joyful. There were some that were not happy with Jesus spending time at the home of a “sinful man.” Why do you think this was the case? Why did Jesus choose to hang out with a man many saw as off limits to the religious crowd?
3. Zacchaeus thought he was looking for Jesus, but it turns out Jesus was looking for him. Discuss how this transformed Zacchaeus. How have you experienced God seeking you when you were trying to find Him?
4. Pastor named three “unasked” actions that Jesus took.
   First, unasked, Jesus stops to speak to Zacchaeus.
   Second, unasked, Jesus invites Himself to be a guest at Zac’s house.
   Third, unasked, Jesus offers forgiveness and grace to him.
   Discuss each one of these proactive approaches by Jesus and how they changed Zacchaeus’ life. How can we as Christ-followers follow this example with our next-door neighbors?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Luke 19:1-10 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Main Idea:
Being a good neighbor means you love, know, and include your neighbors.

Discussion Starter:
If you could live next door to a fictional family (TV or literary), what family would you choose to be your neighbors? Why?

Introduction:
This week we continue Won’t You Be My Neighbor and think about the fences between us and our neighbors. One of the tallest and toughest fences we build between ourselves and our neighbors is TIME!

Encounter God

Primary Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Luke 7:36-39. What fences do you see between the people in these verses?
2. Whom do you identify with in these verses? Why?
3. Read Luke 7:40-47. How have you experienced the truth in verse 47? Discuss how our honesty and humility in confessing our sin draws us closer to Christ.
4. Read Luke 7:48-50. Jesus last words to the woman are, “go in peace.” Is there a neighbor you need to make peace with? Are there some fences you need to tear down?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Luke 7:36-50 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Getting Started

Main Idea:
We must have real love for our real neighbors, right now!

Discussion Starter:
Often we refer to our fellow Christians and those who are less fortunate than us as our “neighbor.” We sometimes forget the people who are placed in our lives and who live in our actual neighborhood. When is the last time you just stopped by to say “hi” to the person living on your street, baked them a cake, or sent them a note?

Introduction:
God calls us to be stewards of those He places in our lives. Have you ever thought about this when your co-worker in the cubical next to you drives you crazy? You are where you are for a purpose. How bright is your light to the family living across from you? How are you demonstrating God’s love to rambunctious teenagers in your community? When we limit who our neighbor is, we limit God’s love.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Luke 10:25-37, Philippians 2:1-8

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Luke 10:25-37. From this passage what can we determine are God’s greatest commandments?
2. Who does Jesus say our neighbor is?
3. How does Jesus say we are to act as Christians? Can you think of situations today where you are tempted to pass by on the other side of the road?
4. Read Philippians 2:1-8. Jesus was a good neighbor, and in this passage Paul encourages the Philippians to be like Christ. Who in your life have you seen demonstrate these behaviors?
5. Have you ever seen someone who is far from God respond to this type of love from a Christian? How did God use someone else as His vessel?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Philippians 2:1-8 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Main Idea:
The living God desires a living faith from us—a faith that bounces back.

Discussion Starter:
What is your favorite part you play in the Thanksgiving and Christmas season with your friends and family?

Introduction:
This week continues our annual Heart for the Harvest Series. We are collectively preparing to see God move this week with miracles of healing in anticipation of the Real Love offering next weekend. We are challenged to prayerfully ask God to reveal our part in the miracle. Christ Followers are to crave a living and loud faith, a faith that brings hope in the silence and darkness, a faith that allows us to bounce back no matter what happens in the world around us. This is the living faith that God desires from us.

Watch this brief intro together with your group (click picture below):

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures:  Luke 7:6-10, Hebrews 11:1-6

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Luke 7:6-10. What stands out to you in the story of the Roman centurion?
2. What does this reveal about God?
3. How does your life reveal a strong faith in the living God—one that is made of rubber not glass? How has this kind of faith sustained you through difficult times?
4. Read Hebrews 11:1. What does this verse mean to you?
5. Read Hebrews 11:3. Faith is a very practical thing, in spite of what unbelievers say! It allows us to do things other people would never do—to step out in faith. God created the universe by His Word. How do you relate to and respond to His Word? How has God called you through His Word to step out in faith? What fears do you allow to hold you back?
6. Read Hebrews 11:6. Believing that God is real and truly exists is just the beginning. God wants much more for us and from us; He wants intimate communion with His people through faith in Jesus Christ. This meaningful relationship will lead to heart transformation our lives. How has your life changed since becoming a Christian? How is God continuing to transform you today?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Hebrews 11:1-11 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Engaging at Faith Promise: Pray as a group to explore ways you can step out in faith as God calls you to serve our church family. Did you pray with someone during the worship experience for their healing? Continue to lift them up in prayer this week.

Engaging in Community and the World: We learned this week about having a living and active faith that can stand the test of time and withstand the schemes of the devil. How will you share the Good News of Jesus Christ to a hurting a dying world? Step out in faith and share the only way lives can be transformed and made new again.