Posted on

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Week 1 – Discussion Guide

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.

Embrace Others

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

In Exodus 12:4 Moses gives instructions for the Israelites to prepare the passover. If any family is too small for a whole lamb they are to share with their nearest neighbor. Make sure everyone in your group has a place to celebrate Thanksgiving this week. If any family is too small for a whole turkey, invite them to share some of yours!

Engage the World Around Us

This coming week is Thanksgiving. What can your small group do for your communities that demonstrate God’s love?

Expand God’s Kingdom

As we move forth in the community this week, let’s not limit who our neighbor is. Instead, with intentionality, let’s start reaching out to those God has put around us in our neighborhood, at work, at church, etc. Who will you reach out to first?

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.

 

Posted on

Heart for the Harvest Week 4 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: How long do we pray for a miracle?  This week, we see in God’s Word where Jesus encourages us to be persistent in asking God for miracles.

Discussion Starter: When you were a kid, did you ask your parents for something over and over?  Did you ever get it?

Introduction: A consistent theme throughout God’s Word is the long suffering and persistent pleading from God’s people (Exodus, Psalms, Job, Habakkuk, and many more) for God to meet them and do something only He can do.  In every case God shows His people that he IS just, kind, merciful, loving, and generous.

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

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Luke 18:1-8

Discussion Questions:

1. Consistent and persistent prayer can be hard, especially when we have been praying for something over months, days, and years.  What are the biggest obstacles for you to be consistent and persistent in prayer?

2. How can you lean on each other in your group to encourage one another in your prayer life?

3. Read James 5:16 Confession is aligning who we are with who God has designed and called us to be.  How can your confession be more than just a laundry list of what you did wrong?

4. What is something in your life that you need to “wear God out” with?

5. Read Isaiah 40:31 In our culture, we are not used to having to wait on much of anything.  However, this “waiting” is not passive.  Consider a farmer who waits for God to bring a good harvest.  The farmer still has to plow, sow, and tend.  What would God have you DO while you wait for him to answer your prayers?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Philippians 4:6 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

What is a common prayer that your group can relentlessly ask God for?

How can you encourage each other along the way to keep praying for God to do what only He can do?

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Read Galatians 6:9-10 One way to avoid being discouraged is remaining steadfast in prayer.  How can you pray for the work you and others do at Faith Promise?

Engaging in Community and the World: The prophet Habakkuk is a great example of someone interceding for his community and the world.  Read the book of Habakkuk (don’t worry it’s only three chapters) and consider how you can cry out to God on behalf of your community and this world.  Discuss how God has met your hopes in the past and what you hope from Him in the future.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 Expanding God’s Kingdom is hard.  Who are you working with to expand God’s Kingdom?  And how are you praying together?

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.

 

Posted on

Heart for the Harvest Week 3 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

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.

Embrace Others

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

This week, our focus was on strong, rubber-like, sustaining faith. In small groups of 2 or 3, discuss and encourage one another by sharing how faith in Jesus Christ has carried you through or is carrying you through the darkest times.

Engage the World Around Us

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.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Faith comes to God with the confidence that He is, and faith comes with the confidence that God will be a generous giver. What pleases God is that our hearts and minds display God’s being and God’s beauty and that we display God’s existence and His excellence, how real He is and how rewarding He is. This is what pleases God, and this is faith. How will you step out in faith and share the good news found only in Jesus Christ?

Leader’s Notes

  1. Answers may vary. May include the centurion’s great love for his soldier, his humility towards Jesus, and his faith that even impressed Jesus!
  2. God can heal regardless of the circumstances. He is not limited by time, space or our preconceived notions of Him. Simple but profound faith can yield amazing answers to prayer. If the centurion had this amazing faith, how much more should ours be, given we have access to the full revelation of God in His Word.
  3. Answers may vary.
  4. Answers may vary. May include that Christ Followers can know, based on the past, that God’s promises will be ours.
  5. Answers may vary.
  6. Answers may vary.

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.

 

Posted on

Heart for the Harvest Week 2 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea:
What is your part in the miracle?

Discussion Starter:
During the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY the US Hockey team defeated a heavily favored USSR team to win the gold medal. The feat by such a rag tag bunch of amateurs led Al Michaels to shout the most famous quote in sports history, “Do you believe in miracles? YESSSSS!” Have you ever witnessed a similar unexpected miraculous outcome? Please share with the group about the experience.

Introduction:
This week continues our annual Heart for the Harvest Series. We are preparing for New Rivers and New Roads of God’s provision in our lives, restoration in our relationships, and healing in our families. As we wait expectantly for miracles, we will look at the part God has given us to play in making these miracles a reality.

Encounter God

Primary Scripture:  Exodus 14:11-16

Discussion Questions:

  1. The Israelites are complaining, and Moses responds by declaring God will provide a way. He tells them “The Lord will fight for you, you must be quiet.” He is politely telling them if they shut up God will take care of them. Why is it important that Moses reminds them God will make a way of escape if they will rely on God? Has anyone given you this sort of reminder during a hard season in life?
  2. Circumstances were bleak: behind them were the Egyptians that were determined to destroy them and straight ahead was the Red Sea.  Moses makes their choice clear. They must choose God or choose death. Discuss the tension of faith versus doubt during terrible circumstances.
  3. God tells Moses to raise his staff, and the seas part. They walk across on dry land. Moses had to believe God would do His part, but God asked Moses to do His part. Why did God ask Moses to play a role in the miracle?
  4. Why does the writer include the fact that they marched across on dry land?
  5. God always delivers on His promises. Sometimes He asks us to play a role to demonstrate our faith. Why do we sometimes struggle with acting upon that faith?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read  Exodus 14:11-16 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

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

Spend time in prayer in your dyad or triad seeking wisdom from the Holy Spirit. What is God asking you to do? What is your part in the miracle?

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise:  Pray for the staff and volunteers as they seek to remain faithful in the Heart for the Harvest efforts. Pray for God to open doors as we seek to launch new campuses in East Tennessee and beyond!

Engaging in Community: Do you have a friend or neighbor facing their own Red Sea as the Egyptians are closing in from behind? Are they struggling to provide shelter or food for their family? How can you help them?

Engaging the World: Pray for the global impact that this year’s Heart for the Harvest offering will make!

Expand God’s Kingdom

God was faithful to the Israelites in delivering on His promises, and He is faithful today. Who can you talk with this week about God’s faithfulness?

Leader’s Notes

  1. They were so busy whining to Moses that they could think of nothing else. They were in the middle of their own private pity party. God wanted to show them His awesome power, but they kept on whining.
  2. Make no mistake about it, the Israelites were scared. They saw NO way out. Moses lets them know God is the only answer. The answers to this one will vary, it will be beneficial if someone in your group can share a similar experience. When has God shown up and delivered in your life?
  3. In this instance the Israelites needed to see God’s power and man’s faith and obedience. They were no longer obeying God, so He used Moses’ faith and obedience to teach them through this miracle. Generally, when God allows us to play a part, it is so we can experience the joy of being part of God’s work and to share in the blessings.
  4. Normally even a small amount of water makes dirt turn into mud. God not only showed up, but He also showed out by turning what should have been mire and mud into dusty ground. Only God could divide a sea and leave dry dirt in the pathway.
  5. Opinion. The group leader can model transparency by sharing reasons he/she has failed to play our part in the miracle. Laziness? Fear? Distraction? Being unaware or unconnected to the Holy Spirit?

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.

 

Posted on

Heart for the Harvest Week 1 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea:
We prepare for our annual miracle offering, and we pray that God would send miracles so powerful only He will receive the glory, honor, and praise!

Discussion Starter:
If you have been at Faith Promise during previous Heart for the Harvest seasons, share your favorite story of how God worked through His church to impact the world. If this is your first Heart for the Harvest, share what excites you the most or what miracle you long for God to do in this season.

Introduction:
This week begins our annual Heart for the Harvest Series. We are preparing for New Rivers and New Roads of God’s provision in our lives, restoration in our relationships, and healing in our families. As we wait expectantly for miracles, we looked at one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of John.

Encounter God

Primary Scripture: John 5:1-17

Discussion Questions:

  1. Read John 5:1-4. Where do you see people gathered today hoping for a miracle or in need of healing? How can you pray for them or support them?
  2. Read verses 5-7. Have you ever waited on God for a long period of time? Are you waiting now? How would you answer if Jesus asked you the question in verse 6?
  3. Read verses 8-9. The man was waiting on his miracle from the pool at Bethesda, but Jesus came and healed him without touching the water. Is there something you are trusting in for provision or support rather than trusting in God?
  4. Read verses 12-15. How has Jesus found you or revealed Himself to you?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read John 5:1-17 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

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

Spend some time in prayer with your smaller group. Pray as needed for provision and healing within your dyad or triad. Pray for a fruitful harvest season of faith in your small group and at Faith Promise.

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise:  Did you pray with anyone during this weekend’s service? Continue to pray for that need throughout the week.

Engaging in Community: The leaves are finally starting to fall! Do you have a neighbor who could use some help with raking?

Engaging the World: Pray for the global impact that this year’s Heart for the Harvest offering will make!

Expand God’s Kingdom

Who can you ask the question Jesus asked in John 5:6? Share with them God’s amazing power and love.

Leader’s Notes

  1. Your group is a gathering of people who may have need of provision or healing! Other answers may include hospitals or food banks.
  2. Discuss reasons we may avoid seeking a miracle: it’s too unbelievable, it won’t happen, we don’t want to be disappointed, it is more comfortable to stay where we are than to change.
  3. It is easy to trust our bank accounts and our doctors that we can see rather than trust in God who we cannot see.

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.

 

Posted on

Revival Week 4 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: Thanks to God’s will and initiation, revival is available to everyone.

Discussion Starter: Discuss a time when you learned from a mistake.

Introduction: This week Pastor Zac showed us the progression of revival and how revival is available to everyone through God’s will.

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

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: John 3:16, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Proverbs 14:22, Hebrews 12:4-11, Luke 15:20-23, Romans 6:23, Psalm 51:12

Discussion Questions:

1. Pastor Zac quoted Henry Blackaby, who said, “Revival is a divinely initiated work in which God’s people pray, repent of their sin, and return to a holy, Spirit-filled, obedient love relationship with God.”  Restate this definition in your own words.

2.  Why is it important that God is the One who initiates revival?

3. There is a difference between discipline and punishment.  Discipline is used to train, whereas punishment is a penalty for an offense.  Read Hebrews 12:4-11.  How has God disciplined you in the past or currently?  Did you respond with appreciation?

4.  In Progression 4, Pastor Zac points out that we cry out to God.  Read Psalm 61:1-4.  Why is being humble an essential element of crying out to God?  Can you genuinely cry out to God while being prideful?

5. What is your biggest obstacle to moving from a “what if” revival is available mindset and life, to an “as if” one?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Proverbs 14:22 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:  How can those in your group help you identify where you are on the revival progression?

Getting to know them: How can your group help each other take their next step in the revival progression?

Getting to know Him:  Read Philippians 1:6.  Take some time and reflect on how God started His work in you.

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise:  Since it is Pastor Appreciation Month, reach out and encourage a pastor at your campus this week.

Engaging in Community:  Undoubtedly, God wants to bring revival to all of our communities.  Where is your place in being a part of revival in your community?

Engaging the World: God’s Kingdom is expanding all over the world.  How are you partnering with Christians around the world to see global revival?

Expand God’s Kingdom

This week, read James 5:7-11 with someone you are helping disciple and discuss how each of you can grow in your walk with Christ.

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.